This Human Immortal Is Too Serious

What was all this about? He, the Little Golden Dragon from the Human Domain and Young Master Ba'er of the Northern Wilderness, had endured countless hardships, fraught with anxiety, all to rescue his companions. He'd journeyed from the Human Domain to the enemy's main camp, only to be trapped in this gloomy "Demon-Suppressing Land" themed tavern. Every day, the mere thought of going out forced him to reconsider, and even contacting spies from the Four Seas Pavilion made him hesitate repeatedly.

Meanwhile, his subordinate, Yang Wudi… the bed was actually shaking!

Downstairs from Yang Wudi's suite, two figures huddled together furtively. They glanced at each other, and both could see the hesitation in the other's eyes.

Sanxian Daoist, holding a Jade Talisman, asked in a low voice, "Young Master Yan, isn't what we're doing a bit too… unscrupulous?"

"I feel the same," Wu Wang muttered. "Eavesdropping is never good… How about this: Elder, you listen first. When they start talking about important matters, then call me."

"This…"

Sanxian Daoist's eyes widened. "My lifelong, untarnished reputation!"

Amidst his sighs, the old Daoist didn't refuse. He gripped the Jade Talisman and closed his eyes to concentrate.

The Formation here had been laid out by Sanxian Daoist himself, piece by piece. Eavesdropping on others was effortless for him, a mere wave of his hand; the only concern was the 'moral bottom line of the Second Shopkeeper.'

But when he considered that this was for a major matter concerning the Human Domain, Sanxian Daoist 'with difficulty' convinced himself.

Soon after, there was a soft snap…

"You can listen now," Sanxian Daoist called out.

"So soon?"

Wu Wang frowned. As a qualified Sect Master, his first thought was to procure some Elixirs for his subordinate.

Immediately, he floated over to Sanxian Daoist's side, took the Jade Talisman, and at once heard the whispering voices.

Yang Wudi's voice said, "Elder, from now on, this subordinate is yours. You…"

"Ah," a woman's voice replied. "Wudi, rest assured. With me looking after you from now on, no one will bully you. Goodness, why are you crying?"

Yang Wudi sighed, "Elder, in all my cultivation until now, aside from my master, no one has ever treated me so kindly."

"There, there. Sister will take good care of you from now on."

"Good Sister, you truly are as gentle as water. Everyone says you're such a ferocious person, but only I know you're just afraid of being looked down upon, so you pretend to be cold and strong."

"Wudi, you actually understand me so well."

Yang Wudi said softly, "To be honest, it's a little embarrassing. Actually, after I came to the main hall, I noticed you right away, Sister. I've been secretly watching you for a long time."

"Wudi..."

"Good Sister..."

A few soft, intimate sounds drifted through. Wu Wang calmly switched off the Jade Talisman and exchanged a glance with Sanxian Daoist.

Sanxian Daoist asked via voice transmission, "Who are these two?"

"Ten Evils Hall."

Wu Wang's expression became somewhat grave.

Sanxian Daoist nodded slowly, seemingly in deep thought. He had obviously heard of the notorious Ten Evils Hall. "For them to meet so openly… And this man named Wudi, he's quite the charmer."

"This is not the Human Domain, after all."

Wu Wang paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

He had already figured out Yang Wudi was intentionally flattering that woman. It was a clear case of sycophancy, of offering himself to the tigress. In all seriousness, although Yang Wudi had gained the woman's affection, he had also made a huge sacrifice. I'll reward him with a few hundred years' salary later, then dock him a few thousand years' worth and have it cashed out immediately. No need to make a big deal out of this.

Should I take the initiative to contact Yang Wudi?

That depends on whether I can fully trust Yang Wudi.

This isn't about questioning Yang Wudi's character or loyalty, but rather doubting his capability. After all, this time we're not just facing the Ten Evils Hall, but also the host of Evil Gods behind them.

"Elder," said Wu Wang, "please do me a small favor."

"Certainly," Sanxian Daoist replied with a smile. "Please, don't stand on ceremony. I also wish to contribute to the Human Domain. We cultivators ought to do so."

Right away, Wu Wang gave some whispered instructions, and Sanxian Daoist's face showed understanding. He quickly fetched a cup of fine wine, and Wu Wang dipped a finger in it.

Sanxian Daoist found a waiter, timed it perfectly, and had the cup of fine wine sent to Yang Wudi's suite.

KNOCK, KNOCK. The sound of knocking came from the door.

The somewhat impatient female voice asked, "What is it?"

"Guest, our shopkeeper asked me to bring a cup of foundation-strengthening and energy-boosting medicinal wine. He said it was previously ordered by a guest named Yang."

On the bed, beneath the thin quilt, the rather attractive middle-aged woman blinked slowly.

Yang Wudi reacted swiftly, his face flushing red with embarrassment as he muttered, "What's with this shopkeeper? Didn't I tell him to be discreet? How could he make me lose face in front of you, Sister!"

The woman frowned slightly, whispering, "Wudi, why would you…"

"Elder," Yang Wudi looked a bit dejected, lowering his head to gaze into her eyes. "In truth, I've always been insecure. I come from a humble background, I'm clumsy, and I'm a Body Cultivator—the kind often scorned by Spiritual Cultivators.

"But at least for today, I don't want you to look down on me, Sister!"

A pair of jade-like arms wrapped around Yang Wudi's neck. The woman's eyes rippled as she whispered softly, "From now on, you will be Sister's only male companion, and Sister will be good to you."

"I'll go get that medicinal wine."

Yang Wudi whispered, then stood up and donned his robe. Opening the wooden door and seeing an unfamiliar man, he didn't hesitate, downing the medicinal wine in one gulp.

Instantly, the wisp of grey energy hidden in his God's Mansion 'came alive' again.

Sect Master!?

Yang Wudi's spirit was greatly shaken, but he quickly suppressed the tremor in his pupils. He smiled at the attendant, who bowed and left with the tray.

Turning back, Yang Wudi's heart was filled with immense trepidation.

He had thought that successfully infiltrating the Third Main Hall was an ingenious and brilliant achievement.

But he had never imagined that his every move was under the Sect Master's watchful eyes!

Even in this rumored den of illicit lovers—this most secret Demon-Suppressing Land—the Sect Master had accurately located him and activated the wisp of Transformation Qi that had lain dormant within him for so long!

This! This… this!

Does the Sect Master truly not take the Head Manager and those Innate Gods seriously?

With such a Sect Master, what do I, Yang Wudi, have to fear!

However, the current problem is, I don't know what the Sect Master thinks of me using this 'handsome man ploy'.

It wouldn't do if I've put in all this effort and achieved merit, only for the Sect Master to deem me not serious enough and then…

"Go all out, act freely."

Wu Wang's voice suddenly rang out in his God's Mansion. "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are called for. I've seen all your efforts and hardships."

Yang Wudi almost shed tears, inexplicably moved.

The Sect Master recognizes my worth!

In an instant, a fierce light flashed in his eyes. He let out a low growl and pounced toward the bed.

Wu Wang and Sanxian Daoist had already left the suite downstairs and returned to Wu Wang's residence.

The earth trembled and the bed curtains swayed; a hidden plum blossom released its fragrance unseen.

An hour later, Yang Wudi began to report on what he had observed inside the Third Main Hall. The intelligence was so valuable that Wu Wang immediately credited him with a major contribution.

According to Yang Wudi, the Third Main Hall of the Ten Evils Hall was now the residence of Innate Gods.

Yun City wasn't simply structured in two levels, but rather in three.

Apart from the Feather Country's domain suspended on the clouds above, Yun City—the foremost city of the Southeastern Region, situated in the middle—also concealed the 'Southeastern Region's Number One Black Market' within the mountain mass that formed its 'tree stump' foundation below.

Lin Qi was being held in a side hall of the Third Main Hall. He was unharmed but was being subjected to various inhumane trials daily.

The Head Manager himself was stationed in the Third Main Hall, apparently to ambush experts from the Human Domain.

In addition to thirteen Innate Gods and six Evil Gods, there was a large contingent of Divine Guards, numbering around sixty thousand, completely packing the Third Main Hall.

When the Innate Gods arrived, they had directly torn through Heaven and Earth.

Should a great battle erupt, even more Innate Gods could cross Heaven and Earth at any moment.

The original forces of the Third Main Hall were also not to be underestimated. They had infiltrated every aspect of Yun City, their influence radiating across half the Southeastern Region. Their power was deeply entrenched, and they might well have other hidden stratagems.

The Elder Yang Wudi had managed to connect with was ranked somewhere in the teens and was specifically in charge of the treasury.

Yang Wudi's earlier plan had been to use this Elder to investigate the number of experts in the Third Main Hall and then pass this vital information to the Four Seas Pavilion's spies.

Once he saw the treasury's accounts, he would know everything clearly.

After all, experts also needed to be paid their salaries.

After Yang Wudi finished speaking, Wu Wang couldn't help but mutter, "Why the deliberate emphasis on salaries?"

"That… HEH, HEH, HEH."

Wu Wang said, "You've made a great contribution this time. You will certainly be rewarded handsomely."

"Then, Sect Master... this..."

Yang Wudi whispered, "It's not that this subordinate doesn't trust you, Sect Master, it's just… How about you write a promissory note?"

"Sure."

The wisp of Transformation Qi formed into a phantom of Wu Wang, holding a long knife.

"Come, come. This Sect Master will write a promissory note on your Primordial Spirit. I'll make sure to state the matter clearly, to prevent this Sect Master from going back on his word in the future.

"After all, this Sect Master isn't some ruthless person."

Yang Wudi's Primordial Spirit trembled violently, nearly prostrating itself before Wu Wang. His eyes darted about, and he hastily cried out that he had an urgent matter to report.

Wu Wang put away the long knife, dispelled the phantom, and transformed back into the wisp of grey energy.

"Speak."

"That Head Manager… This subordinate feels there's something problematic about him."

Yang Wudi then briefly recounted his previous experiences, making sure to emphasize that he had already reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

The position of Elder of the Annihilation Sect… it's about time that was conferred.

Yang Wudi also explained how to find the location of the Third Main Hall, noting that the enemy had brazenly seized half of the underground black market.

After listening, Wu Wang was silent for a moment before speaking calmly, "Living beings are like ants; only the supreme honor themselves. The arrogance of the Innate Gods is indeed perfectly embodied by the Head Manager.

"Conversely, you said Qiong Qi is now serving as the Head Manager's strategist?"

"Absolutely, Sect Master! That Qiong Qi follows the Head Manager around every day, shamelessly flattering him!"

Yang Wudi cursed, "That Qiong Qi is a powerful figure in his own right, just like the Head Manager, yet he stoops to such disgraceful behavior!"

"Don't underestimate him," Wu Wang said. "Qiong Qi's Divine Skill of controlling minds is secondary; his actual strength is already quite formidable. The Head Manager is even more so.

"After all, this is an opponent who could contend with His Majesty, someone whom several Pavilion Masters combined could only barely match."

Wu Wang then asked, "What about the Young Head Manager?"

"Still here," Yang Wudi muttered. "I saw it with my own eyes: the Young Head Manager was stripped of power by the Head Manager. The former seems very dissatisfied with the latter.

"However, the Head Manager and the Young Head Manager are siblings. The Young Head Manager is in the city right now but hasn't had much contact with the Head Manager's group.

"I get the feeling that the Young Head Manager really looks down on the Head Manager in his current state."

Wu Wang nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Yang Wudi continued, "Among those Innate Gods, the strongest is said to be the Thunder God. He's an Innate God who underwent a Great Dao transformation and is very famous in the parts of the Great Wilderness outside the Human Domain.

"He is cruel by nature, his fief is in the Western Wilderness, and he's considered a hegemon there.

"Also, he has condensed a Dao Artifact. His techniques involve endless lightning, and it seems to have a subtle connection to Heavenly Punishment."

Transcendental Heavenly Punishment and Immortal Heavenly Punishment are the products of several Great Daos intersecting.

Wu Wang committed all these details to memory, continuously reassessing the strength of this group of Innate Gods.

The Head Manager, Young Head Manager, Thunder God, Qiong Qi, Ming Snake, and other Evil Gods, plus more than a dozen battle-hardened Innate Gods…

Even if they were to trap them and try to take them down, it wouldn't be that easy to devour this 'piece of meat.'

Yang Wudi asked, "What should this subordinate do next…?"

"Guard yourself well," Wu Wang said. "No matter what, your top priority is to protect yourself. The information you've provided this time has already been an immense contribution."

"This subordinate understands," Yang Wudi laughed. "Even if I have to speak some insincere words in front of Innate Gods, a Sect Master as enlightened as you will surely understand."

Wu Wang was speechless.

"You scoundrel, stop being so devious. Go and accompany your Elder."

"HEH, HEH, just an act, merely an act."

Yang Wudi couldn't stop laughing, his chuckles filled with the smug satisfaction of a seasoned lover.

Wu Wang, however, completely concealed the wisp of grey energy and temporarily cut off contact with Yang Wudi.

This fellow…

The aged face of Sanxian Daoist drew near, full of concern as he asked, "How is it, Young Master Yan?"

"I've already planted an aura to monitor them," Wu Wang said. He felt a pang of apology, as he naturally couldn't reveal Yang Wudi's identity to Sanxian Daoist.

Sanxian Daoist exhaled in relief and chuckled. "I didn't expect doing these things would be quite so interesting."

"What a pity," Wu Wang laughed and sighed. "Elder, you don't wish to advance your Dao Realm to extend your lifespan. There are so many wonderful things in this world."

Sanxian Daoist just smiled and nodded, saying nothing more, an inevitable hint of melancholy in his eyes.

What is this Elder's story? He promised someone he wouldn't become an Immortal… What kind of emotional entanglement was that?

After pondering for a while, I always feel there are some unsolvable mysteries surrounding Sanxian Daoist, and I can't allow myself to get too close to him.

First, let's figure out how to launch a sudden, fierce attack.

After seeing off Sanxian Daoist, Wu Wang sat by the window, holding a Jade Talisman, and began planning and recording tactics.

Soon, he summoned the flame of the Holy Fire Order and used the Great Dao to transmit his voice, secretly communicating with Elder Shen Nong.

In just an hour, the Human Domain's various deployments in the Southeastern Region began to move upon receiving the news.

A vast net was slowly unfurling, gradually tightening around Yun City, the city above the clouds.

「Three days later.」

Wu Wang disguised himself and went out for a stroll.

The human population in the city, though smaller than usual, still constituted about forty percent. The Human race wasn't particularly conspicuous here.

As for these humans from outside the Human Domain, Wu Wang, in his capacity as Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, didn't actually feel particularly critical of them.

Whether they badmouthed the Human Domain or collaborated with some savage non-human races to oppress the weak, it had little to do with the Human Domain itself.

But if they were benefiting from the Human Domain while actively working to undermine it—essentially biting the hand that fed them—then the nature of their offense was far more serious.

He carefully sensed his surroundings but detected no Dao fluctuations from the Head Manager or the Young Head Manager. Evidently, they were intentionally concealing their presence.

However, Wu Wang did indeed capture the Dao fluctuations of that Thunder God.

It was indeed a familiar presence—one of the Great Daos the Heaven Palace used to construct Heavenly Punishment, and a primary one at that.

If I could take down this Thunder God, could I possibly stop the Great Dao of Heavenly Punishment?

Wu Wang pondered carefully. He realized that killing the Thunder God wasn't the most crucial part; what truly mattered was how to extract the Great Dao of Thunder from the Heaven Palace's Divine Court.

If he could achieve this, then no matter how much fighting power the Human Domain invested, it would be worthwhile.

This was because there was a group of masters within the Human Domain who were capable of stepping into the Transcendent Realm but lacked the confidence to survive Heavenly Punishment.

But after discussing it with Elder Shen Nong, the latter gave Wu Wang a somewhat disappointing response:

"Seizing a Great Dao is exceedingly difficult, and the Heaven Palace is already on alert. The methods used by the Ancient Emperor of the Suiren Clan back then are no longer effective."

Wu Wang was slightly puzzled by this, but hearing Elder Shen Nong's somewhat heavy tone, he tactfully refrained from asking further.

"Being able to slay one or two Innate Gods is already the highest expectation I have for this endeavor of yours."

"This is a battle to establish our might," Elder Shen Nong advised. "It's also the Human Domain's first counter-offensive against the Heaven Palace. If you can win, it will be immensely significant for the Human Domain. Even if casualties are higher than anticipated, I can accept it."

Those words…

They were quite similar to the words I used to comfort Yang Wudi.

Over the next half-month, the situation in the Southeastern Region was truly tumultuous and unpredictable. Wu Wang remained in Yun City, the city above the clouds, slowly tightening the 'Divine net' he had cast.

Incidentally, he also recorded everything he saw and heard each day into a Jade Talisman.

Outside Yun City, experts from all corners of the Human Domain gathered.

The fact that Lin Nuhao had been secretly contacting the Feather Country was no longer a secret. Lin Nuhao intended to come to Yun City. The Lin Family had gathered a group of experts, hoping to rescue Lin Qi, but the Feather Country denied them entry.

The two sides nearly came to blows, but the Feather Country, facing its own difficulties, did not yield.

'Wu Wangzi' and the Tianyan Saintess, Fairy Ling, were reportedly about to arrive secretly in the Southeastern Region.

Their whereabouts were, of course, a mystery, but this news rattled the Heaven Palace. A large number of Divine Guards appeared and assembled outside Yun City, posturing as if ready for battle at any moment.

In reality, this was a deliberate display of the Heaven Palace's 'deployments' in the area.

What was hidden was truly fatal.

Meanwhile, the group serving as the Human Domain's third column—the 'freelance Human Domain cultivators'—made another significant move. They suddenly appeared in the southern part of the Eastern Wilderness and launched a surprise attack on amassing Heaven Palace Divine Guards.

During those days, the oppressive might emanating from the Innate Gods within Yun City was particularly intense.

Surveying the entire Southeastern Region, one would see that the Human Domain forces openly operating in the area had, by this point, formed a loose encirclement around Yun City from the west, south, and north.

Meanwhile, concerning the major events within Yun City…

Wu Wang opened his record-keeping Jade Talisman and saw a series of entries mentioning Yang Wudi.

Upon closer inspection, they uniformly read: "[On such-and-such date, Yang Wudi came to the Demon-Suppressing Land with such-and-such lady]."

Four… A total of four women!

In a mere half-month, Yang Wudi had been frequently brought to this place by four different female Elders and Executors from the Ten Evils Hall!

So much for 'just playing a part'! Was this some kind of large-scale, emotional, ethical soap opera?

Multiple times, Wu Wang could barely resist the urge to kick the bald, burly man.

However, the intelligence Yang Wudi extracted through pillow talk… was truly valuable.

Positions like Elder of the Annihilation Sect and high-ranking secret Executor in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's Punishment Hall were already mentally earmarked for Yang Wudi.

Moreover, Yang Wudi's sweet nothings varied each time. With the more dominant Elders, he acted all 'meek and dependent'; with the gentler ones, he became 'domineering and assertive.'

Even Wu Wang, a transmigrator from Blue Star, had to admit he'd learned a thing or two from 'Teacher Yang.'

Of course, when it came to tactical theory, Yang Wudi ultimately still fell short.

When should we make our move?

Wu Wang pondered deeply. He hadn't been idle this past half-month; he had made all necessary preparations to launch an attack and had even found a suitable location for the large-scale teleportation Formation.

Once he gave the signal, he would order Lin Nuhao to advance on Yun City directly, and a series of subsequent plans would unfold.

The arrow was nocked, but it wasn't yet the point of no return. To act now would be to seize a merely average opportunity.

"Sigh… commanding a war is truly troublesome," Wu Wang muttered to himself, pacing back and forth in his room with his hands clasped behind his back.

At this moment, the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace were locked in a contest of patience. Whoever made the next move first was likely to lose the initiative.

Should I contact Mother and ask for her opinion?

Wu Wang raised his hand to grasp his necklace, about to call out, when the necklace suddenly trembled slightly. Cang Xue's voice unexpectedly rang out:

"The Young Head Manager is nearby. Ba'er, be careful."

Wu Wang was startled. Before he could ask for details, he heard a commotion erupt from downstairs.