「Central Mountain;」

Not far from the border with the Northern Region of the Human Domain.

Legions of Immortal Soldiers were shuttling back and forth. In several valleys, the ground, strewn with corpses, was being consumed by clusters of flames.

Dozens of figures stood tall in the northern sky.

They looked out towards the north, their bodies exuding a dense, oppressive aura.

These were the Transcendent experts from the Human Domain, and also the object of admiration in the hearts of the soldiers stationed here.

This battle, too, had been decisively concluded by them, which was why they had achieved victory so effortlessly.

——Or so it seemed on the surface.

In the deepest part of the valley lay a concealed cave entrance. Within, a misty Immortal Light shimmered, and intermittent sobs could be heard, accompanied by bursts of intense malevolent energy.

This was the true den of the Ten Evils Hall, and also the place where they cultivated their Divine Children.

At this moment, a Daoist walked out at a leisurely pace. He carried a Longsword on his back. His temples were silver, his eyes sharp enough to steal souls, and his face seemed carved by a sword and chiseled by an axe.

It was none other than the Swordsman Xiao Sword.

With his hands behind his back, he walked out of the cave, his lips curled into a faint, inadvertent smile, and his eyes held a soft starlight.

Shortly after, several Cultivators hurried after him, calling out, "My lord!"

"What is it?"

"We've found these!"

A hint of annoyance flickered in the eyes of the Human Emperor Pavilion's high-ranking officers.

One female Cultivator cursed, "These underhanded Innate Gods! They actually used the first main hall of the Ten Evils Hall to frame our Wuwang Palace Lord! Here is ample evidence!"

"Oh?"

Daoist Xiao Jian regarded the glowing Jade Talismans handed to him, his expression serious.

He took the Jade Talismans and examined them carefully, his expression gradually turning solemn.

Of course, Daoist Xiao Jian was acting at this moment.

The scene unfolding had been orchestrated and guided solely by Daoist Xiao Jian himself.

Daoist Xiao Jian himself had previously placed these Divine Power-infused Jade Talismans in the corner of a secret chamber within the cave, entirely without assistance.

Simply put, this matter was of great significance.

「Half a month ago」

When the Pavilion Masters of the Human Emperor's Eight Pavilions met to discuss a series of issues concerning the war between the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace, the investigation results of the Liu Family matter were also presented before them.

Naturally, Daoist Xiao Jian was the one who reported this.

"Respected Pavilion Masters,

Based on the investigation of remnant souls from the Liu Family corpses, combined with painstaking research over the past six months, it has been largely confirmed: the Ten Divine Temples had long infiltrated the Liu Family's main body.

The current Liu Family head's wife was one of the first Divine Children to enter the Human Domain years ago. After marrying into the Liu Family by any means necessary, she gradually rose to the position of principal wife. Then, she controlled the spiritual mind of the Liu Family's current head.

The Liu Family's chief steward was her accomplice.

They established no sect, nor did they use any operational strategies common to the other main halls of the Ten Evils Hall. They rooted themselves in the Liu Family, intent on cultivating the Liu Family's sole son into the next Human Emperor.

This is the fundamental plan of the Ten Evils Hall, originating from the Head Manager's design.

During the next Dark Turmoil, the Head Manager intends to personally cultivate a Human Emperor. He then plans to enshrine this Human Emperor as the new Fire God. This would allow the Dao of Fire to return to both the Human Domain and the order of the Heaven Palace, thereby filling the Heaven and Earth Seal.

The Liu Family has always been a chess piece that the Head Manager was reluctant to move; even if the other three main halls were added together, they would probably not be as valuable as a single Liu Family.

Three thousand years ago, the Liu Family had already become the shell of the First Divine Temple.

The Liu Family's old ancestor had always remained close by the Human Emperor's side, seldom returning home. Consequently, he failed to notice the changes within the Liu Family, which ultimately led to their tragedy."

Daoist Xiao Jian finished speaking in one breath. The expressions of the Pavilion Masters, who had also finished watching the testimonies from the tortured remnant souls in the Image Projection Beads, were conflicted.

BOOM!

The side table next to Liu Baiyi was smashed to pieces.

This Pavilion Master was excellent in all respects, except he had a tendency to break tables.

"The Liu Family's Old Ancestor truly muddled things! If not for the sliver of conscience he still possessed, who knows how things might have unfolded!"

"There are still many things about this matter that don't add up," the Heavenly Craft Pavilion Master said, furrowing his brows.

"Given that the Liu Family was hidden so deeply, with no possibility of exposure, why then did the Head Manager rashly move this chess piece?

For the Heaven Palace, this was indeed a masterful move.

With the Liu Family's reputation, coupled with the deliberate support of the Heaven Palace, if a third Dark Turmoil were to break out, it would be effortless for them to cultivate a Human Emperor.

Let's take a step back. Even if they had smeared Wu Wang's reputation, the Human Domain possessed many ways to restore Wu Wangzi's reputation.

Especially such a baseless and aimless accusation.

The Head Manager has truly made a disastrous move."

"Not necessarily. We're not Innate Gods; we don't understand what they're thinking," Feng Zhizi stroked his beard and chuckled.

"As for what the Head Manager is thinking, we can only speculate based on the information we have.

Although the Heaven Palace bestowed upon him the title of first among the four great auxiliary gods, there was an issue. During the Liu Family incident, the Heavenly Emperor seemed intent on erasing the Head Manager. This was to facilitate the return of the Dao of Life and thereby upgrade the order of Heaven and Earth.

Upon returning to the Heaven Palace, the Head Manager directly questioned Emperor Shun. Consequently, Emperor Shun's Order Incarnation stripped him of his authority within the Heaven Palace.

Since then, the Head Manager was no longer the Head Manager of before.

This Innate God is deeply twisted at heart and is being driven mad by Emperor Shun. His self-destruction of a good strategic position is perhaps a reflection of his inner struggle."

Liu Baiyi muttered, "Why do you even bother studying what those Innate Gods are thinking?"

"Know thyself, know thy enemy, and you will never be defeated," Feng Zhizi said with a laugh. "These eight words that Wu Wang spoke are indeed very sensible."

"Alright, we know your Four Seas Pavilion has planted new informants in the Heaven Palace again," Liu Baiyi grunted and continued to ask, "Xiao Jian, is there sufficient evidence for this matter?"

"Reporting to Teacher, there is sufficient evidence. However, the process of collecting it was not honorable," Daoist Xiao Jian said slowly. "Rather than making a big scene, it might be better not to publicize it. It could be quite distressing for Elder Liu. After all, Elder Liu bears responsibility for this oversight."

"Since it's the truth, there's no need to fear speaking it!" Liu Baiyi spoke sternly. "Take this chance to warn all the military families. They must pay more attention when choosing sons-in-law or daughters-in-law in the future. If there are any problems, they should quickly investigate themselves!"

Feng Zhizi stroked his beard and chuckled, "Why not devise a plan? Find a way to both preserve Elder Liu's reputation and bring this matter to light, vindicating Wu Wang in the process."

"Indeed. Last time, Wu Wangzi merely informed the public that he had no need to commit such an act, nor did he possess any motive for it. If we cannot provide a clear explanation to everyone, I fear it will still damage His Majesty's prestige and fuel rumors."

"I remember," Liu Baiyi said gravely, "those Divine Children we captured previously, didn't they reveal where the Heaven Palace used to cultivate Divine Children? Why not use this as the basis for our article?"

The Pavilion Masters pondered individually and then discussed for a while, all feeling that this was feasible.

They had already received orders to launch an offensive towards Central Mountain in the near future, but the Human Emperor's orders were somewhat odd: fight hard, but minimize casualties.

The implication was for them to choose a suitable location for deployment and generate some commotion.

Thus, today's battle came to be.

The Human Domain's army easily eradicated the Heaven Palace's remaining forces here. In truth, there were no Divine Guards present, only a small contingent of stationed Hundred Races forces.

From the moment the Head Manager ordered the First Divine Temple to self-destruct, the Heaven Palace's Ten Divine Temples plan officially came to an end.

What the Human Domain was doing now was merely clearing up the subsequent negative impact.

At this moment, Daoist Xiao Jian held the Jade Talismans filled with 'evidence that the Liu Family was the First Divine Temple.' His gaze was complicated as he looked up and let out a long sigh.

"Quick! Report this matter to the Human Emperor Pavilion! All Human Domain cultivators should also reflect on themselves!"

"Yes!"

Several high-ranking officers took the Jade Talismans and departed to carry out their orders.

Daoist Xiao Jian stood quietly on the spot for a while. A faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

With this matter settled, Wu Wang's path to becoming Human Emperor should be unobstructed henceforth.

"Alas, if this can prevent the Dark Turmoil, our utter devotion is a matter of duty."

After all, it was the position of the Human Emperor.

A touch of amusement flickered in Xiao Jian's eyes.

As a Human Domain cultivator, one would naturally fantasize about such a position to some degree. However, Xiao Jian Daoist knew well that he was suited to be a general, not a guide.

His sword was fierce and sharp, imbued with the Divine Power of heaven and earth, yet it was not suited to bearing great pressure.

Wu Wang is still somewhat resistant.

Daoist Xiao Jian crossed his arms and pondered at the cave entrance for a while, casually releasing Sword Qi from the soles of his feet to cut through the malevolent energy contained within the earth beneath.

It's the position of Human Emperor we're talking about. What is Wu Wang refusing? Is there anything that surpasses the power and authority of the Human Emperor? Even if he's not fond of power, then… doesn't he care about prestige?

Xiao Jian Daoist was somewhat puzzled.

He stamped his foot, and several fissures cracked open in the earth, releasing harmless wisps of black smoke. Then, he casually departed.

「」

Within half a day, the Human Emperor Pavilion issued a proclamation throughout the Human Domain.

Patrolling Immortal Envoys conveyed the message in various locations. In larger cities and market towns, notices from the Human Emperor Pavilion were posted.

The Human Emperor Pavilion's message-transmitting magic treasures also became active, swiftly delivering the proclamation's content to countless cultivators.

The Human Domain's army broke through the Ten Divine Temples' fundamental stronghold. They rescued thousands of Humans harmed by the Heaven Palace and annihilated tens of thousands of Heaven Palace troops there. Forces throughout Central Mountain were marshaling their strength, poised for an imminent war.

The Human Domain side was actively deploying troops, ready to confront the Heaven Palace head-on to avenge the blood feud between them.

——In fact, Xiao Jian Daoist's location had already begun withdrawing troops. Two armies each in the northeast and northwest of the Human Domain were preparing to launch another surprise attack.

The Human Domain's current tactics could be briefly summarized as:

[Create momentum, achieve battle results, but avoid a decisive battle with the Hundred Races' main army to conserve the Power of Living Beings.]

Concurrent with the announcements heralding military achievements, another astonishing discovery made by the Immortal Soldiers in the Ten Divine Temples' old den was proclaimed:

[The Liu Family is merely a façade for the First Divine Temple of the Ten Evils Hall.

The destruction of the Liu Family was a Heaven Palace conspiracy, using the already less significant remnants of the Ten Evils Hall to stir up internal strife within the Human Domain.

The plot of the Ten Evils Hall was recounted as follows...]

However, somewhat ironically, this kind of clarification, even with the Human Emperor Pavilion's backing, did not spread very quickly throughout the Human Domain.

Nevertheless, most cultivators eventually learned of it.

「」

Wu Wang learned of this news while he was still in a Dream Realm.

Within the dream, in a valley before a cascading waterfall, Wu Wang sat cross-legged beside a pool, clad in a loose robe. He listened as Lin Suqing, who had entered the dream, reported on the matter, and was slightly startled.

In his perception, a long time seemed to have passed since these events.

In cultivation, time flows unmarked; in dreams, its passage is unfelt.

Half a year had passed in the outside world, but in Wu Wang's perception within the dream, fifty years had gone by.

This wasn't a simple case of fifty years passing with the flip of a book's page, nor was it fifty years of dazed immersion after delving into the Great Dao.

Wu Wang could tangibly feel the passage of years. Only about two-thirds of this time was spent in deep seclusion. The rest was dedicated to comprehending the Dao, thinking, pondering, and daydreaming.

He had sat by this pool for decades, immersed in the Star Dao. He was deducing a new understanding of it, one uniquely his own, originating from the cognitive framework of Blue Star.

Originally, Wu Wang had wanted to find more time to accompany Jingwei.

Who doesn't love sweet romance?

But the first time he 'awoke' from his enlightenment on schedule and strolled to the nearby woods, he found Jingwei asleep in her own dream.

She was simply too bored.

Yet, her sleeping visage was also quite lovely.

At that moment, she lay on a patch of shallow grass in the woods, surrounded by fluttering butterflies. Her small face held a serene smile, and her long hair, spread upon the ground, accentuated her ethereal, fairy-like aura.

This young lady... I'll marry her someday!

Wu Wang pondered carefully, then went to consult with the Sleep God, Yun Zhongjun, and adjusted Jingwei's perceived passage of time back to normal.

——Slowing down time within a Dream Realm doesn't actually slow down time itself. Rather, it changes a being's 'perception' of time. Achieving 'differential treatment' isn't difficult.

She was currently advancing her strength by absorbing Divine Power, so she didn't need to focus on comprehension, nor did she know what specifically to comprehend.

Jingwei was merely accompanying Wu Wang there, while he needed to devote all his energy to comprehending the Great Dao.

This time, because Lin Suqing, who had entered the Dream Realm, had a lower cultivation level and a weaker Divine Soul, Yun Zhongjun had temporarily suspended his divine abilities.

Wu Wang's own perception of time hadn't changed; what had changed was merely the ratio between his perceived passage of time and the actual flow of time.

"Evidence that the Liu Family is the shell of the First Divine Temple?"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "This must be a deliberate act by the Human Emperor Pavilion. They've been quite thoughtful."

"Huh?" Lin Suqing blinked. "The entire Human Domain is buzzing with this news... However, it's said that the enthusiasm for discussion isn't particularly high."

"Emotion versus rationality; most people prefer to immerse themselves in the former." Wu Wang said earnestly, "Let's drop this matter here. There's no need to bring up related news in the future. How is the war outside?"

"It just started, after waiting for half a year."

Observing Wu Wang's somewhat tired face, Lin Suqing reminded him, "If you're constantly in a state of enlightenment within your dreams, aren't you unable to rest? No matter the practice, it's important to balance work and rest."

Wu Wang smiled and said, "What about your cultivation? Is it all rest and no work?"

"Hehe," Lin Suqing said sheepishly, "It would be great if I could become a True Immortal!"

"No. Starting today, you'll aim for Heavenly Immortal," Wu Wang said indifferently. "If your cultivation realm doesn't break through three minor stages while you're in the Northern Wilderness, I will..."

Lin Suqing's eyes filled with anticipation. "Will what?"

"I'll assign you to the Human Emperor Pavilion as a high-ranking officer, and you'll spend your days processing mountains of Jade Talismans."

Lin Suqing's mouth twitched.

What kind of punishment is this?

Darn it, she had actually started looking forward to something!

"It's just cultivation, I'll get to it," Lin Suqing muttered and, with a turn, left the Dream Realm.

Yun Zhongjun couldn't help but let out a soft "Hm?"

"How did she leave? Did she not need us to send her off?"

Wu Wang smiled, not minding such trivial matters. If Lin Suqing wasn't willing to diligently develop her talent, regardless of its quality, she would eventually fade into mediocrity, becoming just another stunningly beautiful, yet otherwise unremarkable, female cultivator.

"Old Brother, please keep an eye on the situation in Central Mountain for me. I'm continuing my cultivation."

"Approaching Heavenly Immortal?"

"Yes." Wu Wang closed his eyes, resting the back of his hands on his knees, and slowly opened his palms.

His right palm governed Yin and Yang, his left, the Stars.

The Yan Emperor Command within him remained sealed by his power.

「And so, three years later, with the normal flow of time...」

A beam of Divine Light pierced the heavens, making the daylight in the Northern Wilderness shine even brighter...

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