Wu Wang had never imagined he could enjoy bantering with his mother like this.

When mother and son were together, they often found themselves with nothing to talk about. But today, listening to his mother criticize Emperor Shun… it was particularly amusing.

Once Wu Wang regained his spiritual mind and began to ponder the affairs of the Heaven Palace, he fell into deep thought beside the chess game.

The few people and gods playing chess exchanged glances, each revealing a measure of understanding.

Most of them felt that Wu Wang, after all, still cared about his reputation.

Otherwise, why would Wu Wang be lost in thought for so long, his expression at times dark, at times relieved, at times despondent, at times joyful?

Only the Sleep God faintly sensed that something was a little off about Wu Wang…

These old bones needed to do something for this young man.

Consequently, Sanxian Daoist gave Old Snow Eagle a look, and the latter subtly nodded in understanding.

After all, they were old friends and quite in sync, almost speaking in unison at this moment.

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian said, "Wu Wang, why don't you go out for a walk?"

Old Snow Eagle said, "Young Master Yan, why not go into seclusion for a period?"

Following that, the two exchanged glances again, both with expressions of helplessness.

Wu Wang laughed, "Could the two of you coordinate your consolations before offering them? HAHAHA!"

"Wu Wang," Sanxian Daoist said, standing up from beside the chess table, his voice warm, "look, I've come here and haven't yet toured your place."

"Very well, Senior, please. I'll show you the sights of an ordinary Demonic Sect in the Human Domain."

Wu Wang rose and gestured. "There isn't much to see. In my Annihilation Sect, the Black Desire Door is the most famous. It's all female disciples, and they cultivate seduction arts."

"Oh? Is there such a thing?"

Old Snow Eagle smiled, "That is indeed rare, for a Sect Master like you to be favored by the Saintess of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect."

Ling Xiaolan, who was sitting quietly nearby, pen in hand, writing something, felt a tremor in her delicate fingers, and a smear of dark green ink went awry on the fine paper.

But she said nothing further.

Wu Wang lightly skipped over the topic, smiling and asking, "Have the two Seniors spent time in a sect before?"

Old Snow Eagle responded with a smile, while Sanxian Daoist turned his head to glance at Ling Xiaolan, then at Lin Suqing inside the inner cave, before following Wu Wang, stroking his beard and laughing continuously.

Ji Mo thought about it and didn't follow.

He wasn't acquainted with Old Snow Eagle and ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian; joining them would leave him unsure what to talk about.

The Sleep God called out, "Hey, young Ji Family lad, come play a game with this god?"

"I couldn't ask for more."

Ji Mo confidently took out a folding fan, flipped it open with one hand, and posed stylishly before sitting down with the Sleep God, full of rare confidence.

And then... he was toyed with by the Sleep God, almost vowing never to touch chess again.

As for Wu Wang, leading the two elders, Sanxian and Old Snow Eagle, he had just appeared in the sect when Yang Wudi quickly followed with several True Immortal guards.

News of the Sect Master leaving the cave spread throughout the Annihilation Sect in no time.

Young disciples paused their work, hopped onto rooftops, and rushed to railings to watch from afar, not daring to come close.

When the female disciples heard the news, they each brought out their special skills. Setting aside their charm arts momentarily, they donned 'shoddy-work skirts', 'lace-disguised boots', and 'victory-deciding underbodices'.

Suddenly, the Rift Valley where the Annihilation Sect resided was bright and colorful. In every scenic spot, one could see the graceful and enchanting figures of the female disciples.

Old Snow Eagle exclaimed, "Your sect... it's a proper sect, right?"

"Of course, it's proper," Wu Wang said, hands tucked into his sleeves, smiling as he spoke. "Everyone is just worried that I might have an unstable mindset after resigning from my office, so they came out specially to cheer me up.

Usually, it's quite quiet around here."

Elder Sanxian chuckled, raised his hand to pat Wu Wang's shoulder, and said gently, "Wu Wang."

"Senior, what is it?"

"Aside from the art of formations, I have many... you know, works of a certain nature that are best left unsaid. When I ride the crane to the west, I will leave them all to you."

This gift... wasn't it too heavy?

From the perspective of species reproduction, this was far more precious than the theory of the Shallow Five Elements Formation!

"Thank you, Senior!"

"HAHA! COUGH, COUGH."

Elder Sanxian had planned to laugh more, but his body wouldn't allow it, and he coughed weakly a few times.

Wu Wang immediately took out several Elixirs refined by His Majesty Shennong, but Sanxian rejected them with a wave of his hand, indicating to Wu Wang not to waste them.

Sanxian said slowly, "I don't know why. It's probably because my lifespan is nearing its end. About a year ago, I woke up from sleep and rapidly aged to this state."

About a year ago?

Three temporal recalls?

Wu Wang asked, "Senior, do you feel anything special?"

"Not much," Sanxian said slowly. "I just suddenly lost my strength. But these symptoms all match a Cultivator whose lifespan is ending."

Wu Wang gazed at ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian's profile and suddenly said,

"Senior, I hold a god position granted by the Heaven Palace, called the God of Spring.

I have used this method to save Xiao Deng from the Small People Kingdom. She too was at the end of her lifespan, about to die of old age, and had consumed numerous Elixirs before this.

Perhaps I can help you, Senior."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian was taken aback.

Old Snow Eagle's eyes sparkled brightly as he exclaimed, "This is a good method! Sanxian, the promise you made to that mysterious person was only that you couldn't become an Immortal, right?"

A mysterious person?

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian hesitated, "But I am already near the end of my lifespan."

"The God of Spring implies the rejuvenation of deadwood in springtime," Wu Wang said immediately. "If I use this method to save someone, the Heaven Palace will mete out punishment. But since I'm in the Human Domain, any punishment from the Heaven Palace is no great concern.

Senior, this method is definitely feasible!

Moreover, since you have not yet become an Immortal, the Divine Power I need to consume won't be too great."

While speaking, Wu Wang had already rolled up his sleeves. "Shall we give it a try?"

"This..."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian stopped in his tracks, his eyes full of hesitation.

Old Snow Eagle urged anxiously, "What's there to hesitate about!"

"Alas," Sanxian sighed. "Brother Wuwang, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I truly have reasons I cannot speak of. To have met you before my lifespan ends means I have no regrets in this life."

Wu Wang was about to persuade further when Old Snow Eagle whispered some reminders to him.

This matter required Old Snow Eagle, his old friend, to do the persuading; if Wu Wang pressed further, it might be counterproductive.

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian was quite prideful at heart.

Wu Wang was genuinely puzzled; the mysteries surrounding Sanxian Daoist were too numerous.

And this lack of will to live was indeed somewhat abnormal.

"Come, Seniors," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I'll take you both to meet the Elder who impersonated me in the battle at the Cloud-Top City. She's ranked among the top ten in seduction arts in the Human Domain and is also the Master of the Black Desire Door."

Sanxian and Snow Eagle both chuckled and followed Wu Wang as they continued their stroll in the Annihilation Sect.

Wu Wang had actually already seen several special guests arrive outside the Annihilation Sect Formation. Immortal Soldiers from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion were negotiating with the Annihilation Sect's gate-guarding Elder, apparently wanting to see him.

Why refer to these guests as 'special'?

Simply put, they were not from the Human race, yet they were protected by the Immortal Soldiers of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

Among them was a familiar face, the Qingqiu fox woman who had nearly become Wu Wang's maiden.

—The prospective top courtesan who had just debuted at the Drunken Fragrance Tower, causing Lin Qi, Ji Mo, and others to brawl and create an enormous farce.

What did the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion mean by this?

Did they think Wu Wangzi was a philanderer, trying to compensate him this way?

Hmph!

Liu Fatty was certainly a sharp judge of character... But they truly underestimated him.

Wanting maidens, couldn't he simply recruit several 'fragile' sisters directly from the Northern Wilderness?

Thus, the maidens by his side would still be trustworthy people from his own home.

With a few skin-whitening Elixirs from the Human Domain, they'd have slender waists, delicate legs, and fair skin. Importantly, they'd also be strong. Besides serving as maidens, they could even carry Wolf Fang Clubs as guards when going out.

Ah, this...

Wu Wang was somewhat tempted by his own thoughts!

He paid no attention and continued his leisurely stroll and chat with the two seniors.

The female disciples inside the gate were no longer content with just flipping their hair, kicking their legs, or making alluring shoulder displays; they had begun to sing, play instruments, dance, and create enchanting shadow performances.

Only now did Wu Wang realize that the enthusiasm of these women was somewhat extraordinary.

With a slight use of his Immortal Consciousness to probe, he naturally found out that Elder Miao was the one stirring up trouble behind the scenes, giving orders to the Sect's female disciples to 'take down the Sect Master and become personally taught disciples.'

Wu Wang just smiled slightly at this.

Looks like I've found the next person whose allowance I'll be docking.

About an hour later, Lin Suqing arrived with two Elders, finding the three who were enjoying tea at a pavilion.

"Young Master," Lin Suqing winked at Wu Wang, "the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion has sent over a few maidens who aren't bad. Would you like to keep them, or shall we send them back?"

Wu Wang laughed and said, "You decide. After all, even if they stay, it will be up to you to arrange things."

I decide?

Lin Suqing said directly, "Then I'll send them back. Our cave residence is spacious, but the inner chambers are already full."

"Go ahead."

Wu Wang waved his hand. Lin Suqing bowed slightly to Wu Wang and turned to leave.

The Elder whispered, "Sect Master, to reject them outright like this, is it really appropriate? We should at least give them a reason."

"No need. A direct refusal is fine."

Wu Wang said with a smile, "From now on, you don't need to come to me with these matters; Suqing will decide."

"Ah," Lin Suqing said with a smile, "then I thank the Sect Master for delegating power to me."

Wu Wang immediately felt a trace of unease, but he had already spoken, and besides, he had said it to dear Aunt Suqing, so there was naturally no taking it back.

"HMM, go on."

Lin Suqing covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes filled with profound meaning as she drifted away amid a waft of fragrance.

Wu Wang rubbed his forehead, always feeling as if Aunt Suqing was about to make some big move.

Soon, Lin Suqing's actions seemed to confirm this.

Accompanied by the two Elders of the Annihilation Sect, she went to the mountain gate, explained a few words to the stewards sent by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and dismissed the five non-human young women.

But although she sent them away, she didn't completely send them off.

The Qingqiu fox woman was kept by Lin Suqing.

Lin Suqing even had the fox woman turn around in circles, sizing her up meticulously from top to bottom, then took the fox woman directly back to the cave residence.

Really planning to recruit maidens?

Wu Wang thought about it carefully but didn't concern himself further with the matter.

If Aunt Suqing wanted to escape from the busy duties of a maiden and find some helpers, there was nothing surprising about that.

He wouldn't have any designs on his own maidens, and Aunt Suqing could also escape from the rather awkward status of being a maiden herself.

The Great Steward of the Xiong Family?

That title was not bad at all.

However, Wu Wang had never anticipated that Lin Suqing, who was always low-key, was really about to pull off something big this time.

...

"Your Highness, would it be alright to recruit a few maidens for the Young Master?"

"TWEET! TWEET TWEET!"

"Alright! I certainly won't pick any with ill intentions. You can rest assured."

"TWEET TWEET TWEET."

The Blue Bird nodded in satisfaction and then shifted inside its nest, continuing to close its eyes and absorb the Divine Power that someone had secretly sent previously.

Lin Suqing secretly sighed in relief.

Unexpectedly, Jingwei, whom she thought most likely to mind this matter, had no objections at all.

And agreed very readily.

So...

"Fairy Immortal, I wish to discuss a matter with you."

Inside the cave residence, Lin Suqing found Ling Xiaolan. With a hint of a smile in her eyes, she stood three feet away from Ling Xiaolan.

She knew Ling Xiaolan disliked physical contact with others; otherwise, she would have acted more intimately.

Ling Xiaolan responded, "What is it? If there's anything I need to do, I certainly won't shirk."

"It's nothing major."

Lin Suqing said softly:

"I was thinking, perhaps it's time to recruit a few more maidens for our Young Master.

I am on the verge of a breakthrough. After that, I'll need to spend some time on cultivation, so the Young Master's daily needs might occasionally be unattended.

He was born in a great tribe of the Northern Wilderness, raised with everything provided for him, and now he's one of the leading figures of the Human Domain. To call him a rising star feels somewhat inadequate; previously, he was almost one of the most powerful officials in the Human Domain.

The burden he bears is heavy, and having a few more maidens won't invite idle talk."

Ling Xiaolan nodded slightly, a restrained smile appearing on her cool face. "You can decide this matter. It's not my place to comment, and I have no objections."

Lin Suqing said, "I was worried you would mind."

Ling Xiaolan gestured invitingly for Lin Suqing to sit down.

Lin Suqing looked at the cushion that was so clean it almost shone, truly at a loss for how to sit. She could only bring herself to sit on a small edge of it, her posture perfectly straight.

Good heavens, if Fairy Ling really marries the Young Master, the daily standards of cleanliness are going to be so high!

Lin Suqing secretly sighed to herself and was even more determined to hire a few more maidens to do the chores.

Ling Xiaolan thought carefully and spoke in that calm, clear voice,

"It doesn't matter to me at all. Which prominent military family in the Human Domain doesn't have clouds of servants? And Sect Masters all have junior disciples attending them.

Not to mention, I have also visited the Bear Hug Tribe and know the carefree life he led in the Northern Wilderness.

Never mind just hiring a few maidens; even if it were over a hundred, I couldn't say anything.

Naturally, I think there's no need to hire too many."

"Exactly, three to five would be enough," Lin Suqing said with a smile. "So, Fairy Immortal, does this mean you agree?"

"What did he say?"

"The Young Master told me to decide on my own," Lin Suqing sighed softly. "I'm just someone working here for wages; how could I dare to truly make such decisions?"

"HMM—"

Ling Xiaolan pinched her chin and pondered seriously for a while before saying earnestly,

"Miss Suqing, you should not belittle yourself. You are not just any maiden; you are more like Brother Wuwang's confidante."

"Fairy Immortal, please don't think that," Lin Suqing quickly said. "There's nothing between the Young Master and me. At most, I sometimes indulge in foolish thoughts, but...

To be honest," she continued, "I have indeed wondered if I could become closer to the Young Master.

I'm not afraid you'll laugh if I say this, but I have tried to test the waters before.

But it did indeed feel a bit uncomfortable.

When I met him, he was my savior. He also saved my master's life and rescued all the elders of my Sect from the hands of wicked people.

Being able to look after the Young Master's daily needs is enough for me. Anything more would actually be stressful.

Naturally, if you and the Young Master achieve fruition in your relationship someday, Fairy Immortal, I would then also have to look after your daily needs."

What was meant to be a teasing joke from Lin Suqing was taken seriously by Ling Xiaolan.

Ling Xiaolan looked at Lin Suqing earnestly and said, "Whether we can achieve fruition, I always feel somewhat apprehensive. These things are uncertain. Suqing, you shouldn't joke like that, lest it damages Brother Wuwang's good name."

"What do you fear, Fairy Immortal?"

Lin Suqing laughed. "As long as you don't intend to harm the Young Master, Fairy Immortal, he has actually already accepted you in his heart."

"I don't know. I always find myself worrying about potential gains and losses. It's probably because my Dao heart isn't firm enough." Ling Xiaolan's expression was slightly downcast, but she immediately composed herself and said seriously,

"No one can say what the future holds, and I'm also a bit confused about what my Dao heart truly desires. However, a Dao companion shouldn't be my only focus; I have the Great Dao to pursue.

Naturally, if I could pursue the Great Dao with Brother Wuwang, that would be wonderful.

Miss Suqing, you need not worry. I would never do anything to harm Brother Wuwang.

And about this matter of recruiting maidens, I would also like to help you screen them, to ensure no people with ill intents slip through and cause him more trouble in the future."

"That would be wonderful," Lin Suqing laughed. "In that case, let's also ask Elder Miao and Senior Blue Bird.

Elder Miao is always accurate in judging people, and we won't look for too many this time — three maidens would be just fine."

There and then, Lin Suqing enthusiastically talked about the standards for recruiting maidens.

Ling Xiaolan also mentioned a few opinions, and the two of them discussed it animatedly for a while.

However, the result of their hard deliberations was directly overturned when it reached Elder Miao.

"How shortsighted and narrow-minded," Elder Miao huffed, saying indifferently,

"To think the Saintess of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect could offer such views! I expected something profound, but it's all just petty rules and restrictions.

If you tell others what kind of maidens we want, wouldn't that be the same as telling those who hide their schemes what kind of act they should put on?"

Ling Xiaolan's pretty face turned cold, and she was about to retort.

But upon reflection, she realized Elder Miao's words did make some sense.

She asked, "Then what should we do?"

"Go big! Handpick and then select meticulously!"

Miao Cuijiao tossed her light silk and said with overwhelming dominance, "Leave this matter to me!"

Ling Xiaolan, Lin Suqing, and the Blue Bird on Lin Suqing's shoulder all tilted their heads upon hearing this.

It seemed that things were developing in a direction quite inconsistent with what they had initially thought and running wildly off course...

...

PS: I am in Beijing, attending a writer's training course held by the Writers' Association at the Lu Xun Literature Institute. There is still a lot of room for improvement in my own writing and conception, and I hope this study will help me advance further.

The updates will not fall behind! The next chapter will be posted tomorrow morning or noon!

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