Lin Residence, in a side room of the back courtyard.

Wu Wang sat cross-legged on the bed, arms clasped, staring at the ring floating before him. He had already broken the restrictions on the storage magic treasures within the ring and was now inventorying his gains.

There were quite a few drops of Evil God's blood, twenty drops of Evil God essence blood to be exact. Although it wasn't the origin essence blood of the Evil Gods, the sheer quantity was satisfying. He figured it would take him at least three to five years to absorb all the divine power within it.

But as for other cultivation resources…

Are the Evil Gods' households really that poor?

How can there be so few treasure mines and Spirit Grasses?

Even a medium-sized Demonic Sect like Annihilation Sect consumed more resources than this every hundred years!

The material gains weren't as substantial as he'd anticipated. If he had known, he would have halved the amount of treasure mines in the Treasure Sacks he'd given to the seniors of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

It wasn't a loss, just a small profit.

"Young Master," Lin Suqing called from outside, "a serving maiden just reported that the seniors from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion request your presence in the front courtyard to discuss urgent matters."

"Mm, coming."

Wu Wang put away the ring and strolled out of the room, hands clasped behind his back. Seeing the two figures, one large and one small, in the courtyard, he couldn't help but smile. They had somehow procured two rocking chairs and were now gently swaying, enjoying the leisurely noontime.

This scene brought to Wu Wang's mind the image of that lovely, smiling girl who once sat on a tree branch.

If, one day, another rocking chair could be added, and he could step outside to see her basking in the sunlight, discussing with the old aunt and Immortal Mu what to eat later, planning where to play after their meal…

That would be nice.

The old senior said the art of spiritual nurturing would take two or three hundred years. Little Jingwei was the old senior's own daughter; he wouldn't deceive her, so that should be reliable.

I am indeed getting overly anxious out of concern, Wu Wang thought, composing his spiritual mind and focusing on the matter at hand.

He actually knew why the experts of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion were summoning him now; he had deliberately avoided this issue earlier.

That girl from the White Kingdom was a huge problem. Wu Wang, quick-witted and swift-handed, had knocked her out the moment she declared her identity to avoid any involvement. If he had killed her on the spot, he could have claimed, 'I didn't know who you were,' and argued his case with full conviction afterward. Unfortunately, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion hadn't acted immediately.

'I am the Heaven Palace's Young…'

Young what?

The first thing Wu Wang thought of was 'Young Master,' but upon deeper reflection, that wasn't it. The Heavenly Emperor, Emperor Shun, had many children; the true Young Masters of the Heaven Palace should be those ten suns. The White Kingdom originated from Emperor Shun's descendants. Even if this White Kingdom girl was mind-controlled, she couldn't possibly call herself the Young Master of the Heaven Palace.

Then, Wu Wang thought of a deity—the Heavenly Emperor's left and right arm, the Heaven Palace's Young Master, who was in charge of the reproduction of the Hundred Races.

But did that make sense? The Heaven Palace and the Human Domain had been fighting for so many years. Why would the Young Master, a high-ranking and greatly revered deity of the Heaven Palace, suddenly come to the Human Domain as an incarnation?

Lost in thought, Wu Wang had already entered the main hall of the Lin Residence, his expression calm and relaxed. Perhaps due to Wu Wang's demeanor, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion experts in the hall visibly eased, and the tense atmosphere lightened considerably.

"Sect Master Wuwang…"

"Wuwang!"

The two individuals in the host and guest seats called out simultaneously. Daoist Xiao Jian gestured for General Lin Nuhao to speak first.

Lin Nuhao said gravely, "Sect Master Wuwang, your interception of the Divine Child was brilliantly executed! This general has already requested commendation for you from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!" As he spoke, the general's face was somewhat pale, and he lowered his head, coughing a few times. "I battled the Whistling Serpent Evil God for dozens of rounds and depleted my vital energy. Please, dispense with the formalities and make yourselves comfortable. I must take my leave to recuperate."

With that, he turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing through a side door.

Slipping away… he actually slipped away…

Wu Wang's mouth twitched. This Lin Nuhao certainly fled quickly, extricating himself from the matter of the White Kingdom girl with just a few words.

I, Lin Nuhao, merely followed the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's orders to intercept the Divine Child. What does capturing some deity's incarnation have to do with me?

Thinking about it, Lin Qi's rather naive nature must have come from his mother.

"Sigh!" Daoist Xiao Jian sighed, looking at Wu Wang with eyes full of bitterness. "Sect Master Wuwang, it seems we've stirred up major trouble."

Wu Wang smiled, walked to an empty seat, and sat down. "What's wrong? Why the long faces?"

Daoist Xiao Jian made a gesture as if striking someone from behind with a club. "That person was sent to the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!"

"So she was sent there. What of it?" Wu Wang picked up an untouched teacup and took a sip. "Not only did we capture the Divine Child of the Six Gods, but we also obtained a great deal of useful information. That's a meritorious achievement, isn't it?"

Daoist Xiao Jian said directly, "That girl claims to be the incarnation of the Heaven Palace's Young Master. She wants to discuss matters with His Majesty the Human Emperor and even said she'd ask him if we are bullying a principal god of the Heaven Palace like this…"

"Our two factions are already at a point of no return, yet she wants to talk? And she speaks of being bullied?" Wu Wang said. "Just scold her directly! If you can't out-argue her, then fight her! How can you let her dictate terms?!"

Daoist Xiao Jian replied with a bitter smile, "She said it concerns a matter of survival for the Human Domain…"

Wu Wang tossed his teacup aside and said nonchalantly, "I also have a matter concerning the survival of the Heaven Palace to discuss with the Heavenly Emperor. Our Human Emperor is launching a northern expedition in a thousand years; I want to ask the Heavenly Emperor if he's afraid. If that's the case, does it mean I can go to the Heaven Palace and throw my weight around?"

"Hearing Sect Master Wuwang put it that way, it indeed made sense." Daoist Xiao Jian sighed. "Regardless, she is a powerful expert from the Great Wilderness, and the strong deserve respect. Even if we must kill her, it should be by defeating her openly, thereby enhancing the prestige of the Human Domain. Logically, since she came as an incarnation, whether to issue a challenge or to provoke, we should treat her with courtesy."

"Senior, this is where I have a few words for you all," Wu Wang persuaded earnestly. "If she had appeared directly in the Northern Region, boldly walked towards the Human Domain's great wall, and shouted, 'Human Emperor, I've come to negotiate!' then we would treat her as an envoy from an enemy force. But how did she get here? She snuck in with the Divine Child and only revealed her identity when cornered! It's already magnanimous enough of us not to broadcast throughout the Great Wilderness that the Heaven Palace's Young Master personally infiltrated the Human Domain to cause trouble."

Daoist Xiao Jian laughed. "Why don't you, Sect Master Wuwang, go to the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and help oversee this matter?"

"I'll pass," Wu Wang waved his hand with a sheepish smile. "I'm just offering a suggestion to your Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Don't take it to heart, everyone."

Just then, within Wu Wang's Spirit Platform, the usually quiescent white flame flickered. A familiar voice echoed in his mind: "Help them."

It was the old senior's voice transmission!

Wu Wang's Nascent Soul practically leaped up, spreading its five fingers towards the flame.

Five years! The time until Jingwei's descent will be shortened by five years!

"Shorten it by fifty years? That should be possible," Senior Shen Nong's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "If you handle this matter of the Young Master properly, I'll risk half my remaining life to shorten the time until Jingwei's descent to one hundred and fifty years. Any shorter, and it will genuinely affect her Divine Soul's recovery."

Wu Wang's Nascent Soul figure nodded immediately, then said after a moment's thought, "This matter shouldn't be rushed. I can wait two hundred years; letting her rest a bit longer is also good."

"That you can think this way makes me feel even more at ease entrusting my daughter to you," Senior Shen Nong chuckled. The Yan Emperor's order returned to normal, and the white flame grew still.

In the main hall, Wu Wang slowly raised his head, hands clasped behind his back, eyes brimming with confidence. "Since that's the case, I'll trouble you seniors to lead the way. What harm is there in me taking a trip to the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!"

The Daoists were somewhat taken aback by Wu Wang's sudden change in attitude, but Daoist Xiao Jian immediately agreed.

Such a righteous brother, willing to take the blame… COUGH! Truly worthy of being the young man Master values!

「This was: The Young Master mistakenly fights the Divine Envoy of a Heavenly God, the old ginger schemes to snare the prized son-in-law.」

"Teacher, why are you leaving in such a hurry?"

At the Lin Residence gate, Lin Qi rushed over, asking in bewilderment.

Wu Wang merely smiled and shook his head, patting Lin Qi's shoulder. "Stay home and accompany your parents. Don't neglect your cultivation. I must hurry to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to handle the aftermath of the Divine Child affair."

Lin Qi said, "Teacher, you work tirelessly for the Human Domain, while I can only cultivate in seclusion. I am truly ashamed."

"I'm just giving them some advice," Wu Wang said. "It's not that strenuous. Go on, back to your cultivation."

Lin Suqing also added, "Young Master Lin, please take care."

"Fairy Suqing, please don't call me Young Master anymore," Lin Qi frowned. "Just call me Little Lin."

Nearby, the Grand Elder nodded with a smile. Wu Wang, at the front, waved his hand, urging his three companions to hurry onto the Flying Shuttle.

Their journey took them through the clouds, chasing the sunrise, straight to the southeast.

By the time Wu Wang reached the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, news arrived from the Northern Border: the Beast Tide and the Nine Evil Gods were retreating, seemingly ending their offensive prematurely. If the Nine Evil Gods truly retreated today, this Beast Tide on the Northern Border would be the shortest in duration and the least costly to the Human Domain.

However, Wu Wang had a nagging feeling that things weren't that simple.

Sure enough, as soon as he met Liu Baiyi, the Pavilion Master of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, the latter transmitted with a grave expression, "Wuwang, the girl's identity has been confirmed without a doubt. She is indeed the Heaven Palace's Young Master."

Wu Wang asked, puzzled, "How was it confirmed?"

"Half an hour ago, she said that to show sincerity in her negotiations with the Human Domain, she would order the Ten Evil Gods to temporarily retreat three hundred li." Liu Baiyi frowned. "And they really did retreat in the north."

Wu Wang glanced at the Grand Elder and Immortal Mu, then smiled. "I'll accompany Pavilion Master Liu for a walk."

Liu Baiyi immediately called for attendants to take the Grand Elder, Immortal Mu, and Lin Suqing to a warm pavilion to rest.

Then, the two men found a secluded courtyard and began to talk as they strolled.

Liu Baiyi wondered aloud, "Wuwang, tell me, why did this Young Master come to us? She's the Heavenly Emperor's right-hand woman, our mortal enemy. Yet she seems so confident, as if she believes His Majesty has no choice but to see her. I almost slapped her incarnation into oblivion just now, but then I hesitated. What if there truly is some critical matter?"

Wu Wang smiled. "Is the Pavilion Master dissatisfied with her attitude?"

"Negotiate? Fine. But don't put on such a condescending air!" Liu Baiyi snorted, his face naturally authoritative. "The prosperity of the Human Domain wasn't begged from the Heaven Palace; our Human race's ancestors fought and died for it!"

"Divine Spirits, well, they're used to being high and mighty," Wu Wang placated, then whispered, "Has His Majesty said anything to you, Pavilion Master?"

"What?"

Wu Wang said solemnly, "That I am to take full charge of this matter."

Liu Baiyi blinked. "No."

Dark lines appeared on Wu Wang's forehead. He muttered, "That old fellow has tricked me again!"

"Hey! Watch your words, watch your words!" Liu Baiyi's fleshy cheeks trembled; he nearly covered Wu Wang's mouth, cold sweat beading on his own forehead. "How can you call His Majesty an 'old fellow'... such a term is unacceptable! You must address him as His Majesty! The Revered Human Emperor!"

Wu Wang shrugged and said coolly, "Then I must trouble you, Pavilion Master, to consult the Revered Human Emperor. He summoned me to deal with the Young Master's incarnation and gave me terms I couldn't refuse. If my intervention is no longer required, I still expect him to honor those terms."

Liu Baiyi was caught between laughter and exasperation. Looking at the young man before him, he suddenly felt this fellow was even more troublesome than that Young Master. "Alright, alright, I'll inquire right now."

The Pavilion Master wasted no time, immediately taking out a Jade Talisman. He walked to a corner and spoke respectfully for a while, bowing and nodding repeatedly, his mouth full of affirmations.

Soon, Pavilion Master Liu turned back to Wu Wang, smiling. "It's true. His Majesty has authorized Sect Master Wuwang to handle this fully. I'll take you to see that Young Master now. By the way, Sect Master Wuwang, are you interested in a position in our Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow. "What position?"

"Vice Hall Master of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's Punishment Hall. How about it?"

"A nominal title will suffice," Wu Wang smiled. "My utmost priority now is cultivation, to become stronger so I can shoulder heavier responsibilities in the future."

His words were profound and entirely genuine.

—The burden of the Clan Leader of the Bear Hug Clan was certainly not light.

But hearing Wu Wang's words, and recalling the Yan Emperor's seemingly impatient yet actually doting tone earlier, Pavilion Master Liu understood something.

He must be one of the candidates, perhaps even His Majesty's favorite.

Liu Baiyi laughed heartily. "Wuwang, this way, please. Let's go meet this Young Master again!"

Wu Wang deliberately fell half a step behind, smiling. "After you, Pavilion Master."

Smoothly, Wu Wang turned the conversation to business, asking about the previous interactions with the Young Master.

After passing through several grand halls and courtyards, Wu Wang and Liu Baiyi stopped outside a large array shimmering with complex magical runes, observing the small courtyard within its barrier. The courtyard was elegantly designed, with a rockery and waterfall, a plum blossom tree, and a wooden pavilion encircling a pond where koi fish chased each other.

The Young Master's incarnation, in the guise of the White Kingdom girl, knelt quietly on a cushion, a low table before her holding incense and tea.

Seeing this, Wu Wang frowned slightly and stopped Liu Baiyi, who was about to enter the array.

"Why not go in?" Liu Baiyi asked.

"Pavilion Master, do you know why His Majesty suddenly summoned me to handle this?"

Liu Baiyi smiled. "His Majesty's thoughts are truly hard for me to guess."

Wu Wang said, "I was pondering this on the way here, and I think I roughly understand now. His Majesty likely feels that the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion is being too cautious, perhaps not assertive enough when dealing with an envoy from the Heaven Palace."

"Oh?" Liu Baiyi raised an eyebrow. "Am I not assertive enough?"

"Mm," Wu Wang gestured with his chin towards the inside. "This treatment is a bit too generous, wouldn't you say?"

Liu Baiyi said, "Treating her with courtesy demonstrates the magnanimity of our Human Domain."

"She neither came as an open envoy nor in her true form. Sending an incarnation with the Divine Child of the Ten Evils Hall, her original intent was clearly to engage in some sneaky business. Just because she can prove her identity, does that mean she can act high and mighty?" Wu Wang said sternly. "Pavilion Master, this is why His Majesty sent me here. Think about it, think carefully!"

"HISS—" Liu Baiyi's eyes narrowed, his large hand clenching. "This Pavilion Master understands His Majesty's intention! Men! Clear out a dungeon!"

The low table before the White Kingdom girl was removed. As a Transcendent Realm expert knocked her unconscious, her expression was filled with confusion, a hint of astonishment in her eyes. It was just like her expression when Wu Wang had clubbed her unconscious earlier.

When she awoke, she found herself in a dark cell, her divine power sealed, heavy shackles on her hands, and an unbearable stench filling the air.

She stood up, surveyed her surroundings, and demanded loudly, "Is this how you people of the Human Domain treat your guests?"

A familiar voice sounded from outside the wall: "And where, Your Excellency, did you get the confidence to think you could be a guest of our Human Domain?"

"It's you!" The White Kingdom girl trembled, the back of her head starting to throb. Eyes blazing with anger, she cursed, "You despicable, shameless, untrustworthy scoundrel! Come out!"

Outside the wall, Wu Wang chuckled. "Despicable and shameless? When the Ten Evils Hall plots against the mortals and cultivators of the Human Domain, do they consider themselves despicable and shameless? I merely found you, ambushed you in advance, and led you into an encirclement. What does that have to do with being untrustworthy? Conversely, as my defeated captive, are you still unwilling to admit your earlier misjudgment?"

The girl pressed her lips together, silent. Then, taking a deep breath, she said in a low voice, "Fine, I was defeated by you. Who are you? I want to know your name."

Wu Wang asked with a smile, "And then curse my lineage at the level of the Great Dao?"

She sneered, "Since you know offending me brings you no good, how dare you still be so impudent before me!"

"I am Wu Wangzi. So what if I tell you?" A stone door to the side was pushed open, and Wu Wang, draped in a cloak and carrying a silver wine flask, strolled in with a smile. He looked up slightly at the girl before him and said coolly, "If you could truly do such a thing, the Human Domain would have been wiped out long ago. Even if Gods control the Great Dao, they must act according to its principles and face many restrictions."

Two Heavenly Immortals brought over a stone chair from behind. Wu Wang flicked his cloak, sat down with the wine flask, crossed his legs, placed the flask beside him, and rested his interlocked fingers on his lap. "The environment here isn't bad," he said in a mild voice. "We can talk properly."

The girl said coldly, "Talk? Have the Human Emperor come see me."

Wu Wang's lip curled. Instantly, the shackles on the Young Master's hands and feet erupted with dazzling lightning. The girl grunted in pain, staggering back a few steps. She glared up at Wu Wang, her cold face unable to suppress her rising anger. "You!"

"The Human Domain and the Heaven Palace are mortal enemies. There's actually not much to discuss," Wu Wang said calmly. "I am sitting here under the Human Emperor's orders. If you have anything to say, you can tell me directly."

"A weakling like you is probably not qualified to hear these secrets."

"And in your current state as a mere incarnation, you're hardly qualified to request an audience with the Revered Human Emperor."

The two faced off, neither giving an inch.

Outside the dungeon, Liu Baiyi listened intently, hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.

His Majesty's judgment of character is truly as sharp as ever.

The cell was silent for a moment. Then, the White Kingdom girl spoke again, her voice calm: "My purpose in coming to the Human Domain is not for public knowledge. I must explain it to the Human Emperor in person."

"Then send your true body." Wu Wang stood up, picked up his wine flask, and without another word, turned towards the stone door.

Before stepping out, he paused and turned his head. "By the way, this incarnation was originally a person from the White Kingdom, whose spiritual mind you controlled, correct?"

The girl slowly nodded. "Correct. So what?"

Wu Wang waved his left hand dismissively. "Nothing… Kill her."

"Yes!" the two Heavenly Immortals responded in unison. Drawing their swords and sabers, they lunged forward without hesitation. The White Kingdom girl immediately shrank into a corner.

In that instant—

Wu Wang, wine flask in hand, was halfway out the stone door;

The two Heavenly Immortals struck simultaneously, cold light glinting in their calm eyes;

The White Kingdom girl's lips trembled, her jaw clenched tight…

Cold light flashed!

"His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor wishes for a three-hundred-year truce with the Human Domain! My mission involves discussing even more critical matters! I demand—no, I request an audience with His Majesty the Human Emperor!"

The two Heavenly Immortals' attacks grazed past the girl's ears, severing two strands of silver hair.

Wu Wang paused at the door but didn't look back.

"Take her out. Burn incense, let her bathe and change her clothes. Have her reflect before the ancestral tablets of the Human Domain's sages for half an hour. I will go and consult the Revered Human Emperor to see if His Majesty is in the mood to see you."

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