WHOOSH—

The sound of waves washing the beach, back and forth.

Wu Wang examined the island before him closely, sensing the messages hidden in the sea breeze.

He had been standing there for half an hour.

Not only were the Crying Serpent and the Grand Elder behind him somewhat puzzled, but Cang Xue watching Wu Wang from the depths of the starry sky and Shen Nong gazing at Wu Wang from the Human Emperor Pavilion were slightly perplexed as well.

He had arrived at the very spot where those counterfeit steles originated. What had he discovered after merely walking around the area once?

The Human Emperor Pavilion had already scoured this area numerous times, finding no clues about the person who had laid out the arrangement.

The main issue at hand was that they couldn't find the tail of those who had laid out the plot.

"Oh? So that's what it is."

Wu Wang muttered to himself, his face showing a flash of realization as he quickly stepped into the thicket in front of him and rushed to the side of the pit that seemed to have been smashed by a meteorite from Outer Sky.

He then sat cross-legged out of thin air. Beneath him appeared a Yin-Yang Diagram, and above his head, starlight sprinkled down, flickering continuously...

What was he doing?

It was nothing but a feint, fishing for a reaction.

Being led around by the nose by the other party, constantly having his next move predicted, how could he seize the initiative?

He was betting that this place was of great importance to those with ulterior motives. He was also betting that his sudden appearance here would cause a small shock to their spiritual minds.

As for the outcome, Wu Wang had not held much hope.

But under the current circumstances, it was still a decent approach.

A moment later, Wu Wang secretly communicated to the Crying Serpent, "Monitor everywhere. If there is anyone suspicious in this sea area, take action immediately."

"Yes, Master."

The Crying Serpent responded through telepathy.

Wu Wang took a light breath, focusing his mind back on himself. A strand of Divine Thought condensed into a phantom that traveled on the wind, circulating throughout the sea area.

He saw it. He seemed to see it.

[A roaring rainy night, dark clouds hung low over the sea, and a Thunder Dragon extended its claws below the clouds, as the sea, whipped up by fierce winds, raised towering waves.

An island suddenly lit up with Immortal Light, the pale red glow piercing through the clouds resembling a flame that attracted moths.

BOOM!

The thunder sounded somewhat subdued.

Two figures fell from the high sky, enveloped in Immortal Light, finding the source of the glowing pillar...]

—This was the process of discovering the first stele, as recounted by Xiao Jian Daoist.

It was discovered by retainers from a Military Family in the Human Domain.

The Human Emperor Pavilion had also investigated many times, and those two cultivators had indeed only been passing by, with their Divine Souls showing no anomalies...

Wu Wang quietly observed and pondered. He faintly saw a black curtain hiding in the sky, with flames already lit within the Human Domain. A gentle lick of the tongues of fire would burn away the veil.

The Human Emperor Pavilion was also showing restraint.

They wanted to catch the malevolent force behind the scenes and resolve this matter perfectly. Thus, they fell into a passive state, being dragged around in chaos by those few rats...

"Master."

The Crying Serpent suddenly spoke up, startling Wu Wang from his thoughts.

"Hmm?"

The Crying Serpent's slender eyes held thunderous power as her figure vanished in a flash, leaving behind only a faint afterimage.

Before the afterimage dissipated, ripples of Heaven and Earth appeared. She swiftly returned, standing at her original position, with a glint of light in her sleeve. Two figures tumbled down in front of Wu Wang, bound by black chains, landing awkwardly at the edge of the Stele Pit.

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow, steadying himself with the hem of his robe fluttering as he stood.

One old and one young, both male cultivators, now had their senses sealed by the Crying Serpent.

The older man had a gaunt face, white hair yet a youthful complexion, and was clad in a dark robe. His cultivation was at the late peak of the Heavenly Immortal stage. The young man had handsome features with thin lips, a high nose bridge, and somewhat protruding brow bones.

"Where did you find them?" Wu Wang asked.

The Crying Serpent replied softly, "One thousand eight hundred miles away. They were on their way here; the elder was constantly probing this area. It's definitely not a coincidence that they passed by."

Wu Wang asked again, "Did they hide their presence when you caught them?"

"These two were traveling under the sea, probably doing their utmost to conceal themselves."

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow and looked down at the two cultivators, thoughts flashing through his mind.

Did they just deliver themselves to our doorstep? There seems to be some issue.

Wu Wang took out a Jade Talisman from his sleeve, tapped it a few times, and got in touch with Xiao Jian Daoist, sending him three simple written words that could greatly shake him.

"Made progress."

「...」

Liu Zonghe.

That was the name of the young Daoist practitioner that the Crying Serpent had brought back.

When Xiao Jian Daoist arrived alone at the rendezvous point agreed upon with Wu Wang, he recognized the man's identity at first glance.

This Sword Cultivator, who arrived in a hurry and with eyes full of weariness, said in a deep voice, "Wu Wang, this is the only seedling of the Liu Family, also the last remaining bloodline of their generation."

"Which Liu Family?"

Wu Wang almost blurted out, and by the time he finished, he already had the answer.

"The very same Liu Family that first discovered the stele."

Xiao Jian Daoist said earnestly, "Although the Liu Family isn't as prestigious as the Ji Family, they are old-timers in the Human Domain. Their ancestor is said to still be alive, one of the earliest generals to follow His Majesty. Moreover, the Liu Family has few private soldiers, and they are usually the Military Family most prompt in responding to orders from the Human Emperor Pavilion. After this incident occurred, we have searched the Liu family openly and secretly more than a dozen times, finding no trace, and they have expressed dissatisfaction with this. Even..."

The light flickered weakly in Xiao Jian Daoist's eyes.

"We secretly used some disgraceful methods on those two Liu Family retainers, and they proved to be without issue as well. But rest assured, Wu Wang, we were very careful when we acted and did not harm them."

Wu Wang said, "So, are you saying that this family shouldn't have any problems?"

"That should be the case."

Xiao Jian Daoist pondered for a few moments. "But nothing is absolute; we can't completely rule out their suspicion."

"The Liu Family..."

Wu Wang looked at the old and young who lay before him in a deep sleep, standing by the rocks, lost in thought for a while.

"Dao brother, what do you make of the current situation?"

Xiao Jian Daoist was silent for a good while before finally saying, "What a massive force."

"How big?" Wu Wang asked him with a smile.

Xiao Jian Daoist said, "Powerful enough to contend with the Human Domain and the Human Emperor Pavilion in the shadows for several days, maintaining a slight advantage, allowing us only to feel its presence vaguely but unable to see its true face. That's actually kind of terrifying. There's no such thing as a wall without chinks; they are bound to slip up with such mobilization. To spread rumors on such a large scale and keep pushing the spread of the rumors, without a massive organization planning in the background, would be nearly impossible."

With that said, Xiao Jian Daoist hesitated slightly before adding, "And we haven't dismissed another possibility."

Wu Wang said, "Someone taking advantage of another's misfortune?"

"Yes," Xiao Jian Daoist nodded, then hurriedly added, "But this is just my speculation, grasping at shadows."

The Grand Elder, who had been listening to the matter, could not help but interject at this point, "Who would kick someone while they're down? And how could they do it? What right do they have to kick someone while they're down!"

Xiao Jian Daoist remained silent.

Wu Wang, however, signaled the Grand Elder not to get agitated and turned to look at the unconscious Liu Zonghe and the Heavenly Immortal elder protecting the young master of the Liu Family.

"Dao brother, take them for interrogation at the Human Emperor Pavilion."

Wu Wang said, "I won't show my face directly. Ask them what exactly they came here to do."

"Alright," Xiao Jian Daoist agreed, stepping forward to lift the two men. He turned to Wu Wang, "What about you?"

"I'll stay hidden for now; showing myself would put me at a disadvantage. I want to take this opportunity to listen and observe."

A mist of grey aura emanated around Wu Wang. Using this Transformation Qi, he changed into the figure of a middle-aged male cultivator.

He said, "Grand Elder and Dao brother, accompany them. I'll walk around the Human Domain and see if there are other breakthroughs. With the Crying Serpent with me, I can swiftly shuttle through various places in the Human Domain, and I need not worry about being ambushed by an Innate God. I can escape on my own."

The Grand Elder hesitated to speak but then nodded in agreement.

Xiao Jian Daoist watched Wu Wang for a while before saying, "Wu Wang, regardless, don't be too impulsive."

"Sure," Wu Wang replied calmly with a smile. "I will think things through carefully and not give the enemy an opportunity to capitalize on."

「...」

Heaven Palace.

In front of the Head Manager's Temple, two figures approached from the left and right: the Earth God riding on an Earth Tortoise and the cool-faced Young Master, who happened to meet at the temple gate.

"Young Master." The Earth God nodded slightly as a greeting.

"Hmm."

The Young Master responded, lowered his head to step into the temple, and looked towards the Head Manager who was still sitting by the window overlooking the sea of clouds, starting with an accusation.

"Brother, how has my servant offended you? Why have your soldiers detained him!"

"Little sister, don't be impatient," the Head Manager stood up, smiling, and said, "This is no ordinary time; the Heaven Palace is surrounded by Divine Guards, so no messages can be sent out. Your Divine Envoy will be returned to you after a few days."

The Young Master nodded slightly and said calmly, "If she is harmed, I will not let this go easily."

"Don't worry, little sister."

The Head Manager said warmly, "How would I harm your people? Since you're here, why not listen together? Let's hear what insights the Earth God has."

At the gate of the hall, the Earth God strolled in with furrowed brows and said slowly, "Head Manager, about this matter, isn't the price a bit too high?"

"Price?"

The Head Manager said with a smile, "I'm a bit lost by the Earth God's words. What kind of price?"

The Earth God said, "The spies that Heaven Palace had placed in the Human Domain for years were all mobilized overnight by the Head Manager, used to spread rumors about Wu Wangzi. Once they move, they will be discovered. Even if some of them can be silenced, and some protected temporarily, how can they withstand the subsequent purge by the Human Domain? I feel that they hold a more important value in collecting information and overseeing the Human Domain, rather than exposing themselves so easily."

"Oh, is that what the Earth God is talking about?"

The Head Manager laughed, a warm smile on his handsome face.

"I thought the cost the Earth God was referring to was my operations in the Human Domain that have lasted for ten thousand years, but it turns out to be about these spies. They are not much to worry about."

The Earth God's lips twitched slightly.

"What do you mean by this, Head Manager?"

"Please look, Earth God," the Head Manager gestured with his long sleeves, and a grey-white mist appeared in the center of the great hall.

The Young Master moved to the left, and the Earth God walked slowly to the edge of the mist.

As the mist dispersed, it revealed a map of the Human Domain, resembling a sand table; it was covered with light red dots, each representing an area where Heaven Palace had intervened.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

The Head Manager spoke warmly, "The voices of living beings can be so noisy. They hold on to their own versions of right and wrong, pros and cons. They are constantly arguing, expressing their feelings through the same issue... Living beings are carriers of emotions, seeking to vent them. And what's more interesting, do you know, Earth God? The disputes in the Human Domain right now, their focus on Wu Wangzi's identity, are only one-third driven by me. Those cultivator powers who covet the throne of the Human Emperor, the elders who were affected by Wu Wangzi's actions before, those who worry about their inability to stand after Wu Wangzi inherits the position, are all speaking seemingly rational words that hide ill intentions. Isn't that interesting? If the Human Domain, the Human race, were to drive away such a helpful and promising young man by their own hands, wouldn't that be the most ironic thing to happen to the Human Domain?"

"That's you guiding it," the Young Master said softly.

The Earth God said gravely, "Just to sever the ties between Wu Wangzi and the Human Domain, is it worth it for Heaven Palace to lose over eighty percent of its spies?"

"Why not ask His Majesty?"

The Head Manager said with a smile, "His Majesty is the master of Heaven Palace, the Lord of Order. His Majesty commands without concern for the cost, so why should we hesitate? Moreover, it's just some spies. If the Earth God knew what plans I have next, wouldn't he be even more heartbroken? HAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!"

The Head Manager laughed heartily, his laughter full of pleasure and brilliance, yet as he laughed, a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes, accompanied by a trace of melancholy.

The Young Master frowned and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

The Head Manager said with a laugh, "Nothing much, just to give Wu Wangzi a big gift. Although by doing this, I ultimately lose, the matter has come to this, and I need not care too much anymore. It's just His Majesty's order."

The expressions of the Earth God and the Young Master were somewhat different.

"Is the Head Manager underestimating Wu Wangzi?"

The Earth God said slowly, "After several confrontations, you and I should both know the extent of Wu Wangzi's capabilities. His Majesty wants to force him out of the Human Domain instead of destroying him directly, which indicates some appreciation for his talents. You have merely launched a sneak attack; once he and the Human Emperor Pavilion react, the final victory is still uncertain. Thus, keep the strengths that haven't yet been committed. We can't afford to lose comprehensive surveillance over the Human Domain for the next decades or centuries, as that could brew big trouble."

The Young Master also nodded slightly at his side.

The Head Manager chuckled lightly. "Does the Earth God know what I've been doing since I lost power? Have I been wallowing in self-pity, or lamenting why His Majesty treats me this way? Neither. I only need to prove to His Majesty that I am the one most suited to hold the power of Heaven Palace, that I can tell His Majesty that this world can only be run most steadily by me! Only I can make the order eternal!"

Both the Earth God and the Young Master seemed to have something to say but hesitated, while the Head Manager's eyes were filled with madness.

But in an instant, the light in the Head Manager's eyes flickered and returned to calm.

He said, "I have observed Wu Wangzi for a long time and have investigated his background thoroughly, looking for his flaws and reflecting on how to deal with his challenges in our several encounters. Do you know? He is a very interesting member of the human race."

The Young Master muttered softly, "Brother, Wu Wangzi is actually a decent creature."

"See, even you can have some goodwill towards him."

The Head Manager chuckled and said, "Wu Wangzi is a strange one; he clearly has no direct connection with the Human Domain, yet he has invested considerable emotions in it. He clearly relies mainly on Divine Power to enhance his strength, but insists on branding himself as a Human Domain Immortal. The strangest thing is his character. Do you know what his character is like?"

The Earth God shook his head slightly.

The Head Manager chuckled and continued, "That is the most wonderful part. Up to now, he has not shown any obvious character traits, also because we have not yet pushed him to the point of emotional breakdown. He angrily curses those corrupt cultivators, but his anger is nurtured, not a direct explosion. He turns his emotions very subtle and then hides behind his own shell, calmly watching over the Human Domain, watching over the Great Wilderness. It's this that enables him to seize opportunities to strike back at us every time. Don't you want to see what he looks like when he's emotionally unstable, to see him reveal his true colors? This time, I'm close to achieving that."

The Head Manager's mouth curved into a captivating smile, and in the corner, Qiong Qi with a wearied face appeared, bowing respectfully to the Head Manager.

"My lord, the son of the Divine Child has been taken to the main pavilion of the Human Emperor Pavilion, and all the plans are progressing normally."

"Ah," the Head Manager responded, "Next, we just wait for Wu Wangzi to step forward."

The Earth God asked, "Will he step forward?"

"Definitely," the Head Manager chuckled. "He does have a fairly distinct character trait: decisiveness. Especially when facing major issues, he forces himself to become decisive. What is the best approach to handling this situation?"

The brows of the Earth God twitched slightly.

The Young Master thought for a moment and then spoke softly, "To avoid showing himself."

"No, for him, the best approach is to guide the emotions of the cultivators outward, shifting the focus to the Heaven Palace."

The Head Manager laughed and said, "You've all overlooked the influence of the strongest in the Human Domain; Shen Nong has not yet spoken... Of course, the current situation is not worth Shen Nong's attention. If we do not sacrifice the last of the Ten Gods Temple's foundation, this turmoil will inevitably become a stepping stone to increase Wu Wangzi's reputation."

"The Ten Gods Temple?" The Young Master was somewhat puzzled, but the Earth God had already understood something.

The Earth God stepped forward proactively, sat down by the window, his face solemn, and his voice even deeper.

"Then today, I shall see how the Head Manager ensures a stable victory."

「...」

TSK, not that many scolding me after all.

Human Domain. In a certain city, in a tavern corner where the most cultivators were gathered.

Wu Wang, in the guise of a middle-aged Daoist, lifted a cup of clear wine and drained it in one gulp.

The Crying Serpent, seated beside him, had a cold face and a hint of anger in her eyes, yet tried hard to suppress her rage.

In a short time, they had already passed through more than ten cities, hurriedly in most instances.

Having seen and heard for himself, Wu Wang now had a clear understanding.

Most Human Domain cultivators were conflicted about his identity.

Star God's bloodline, demigod physique, Young Master of North Wilderness, treasure mine owner, Evil God as a mount, audience with Xihe...

The one stirring things up behind the scenes had really stripped him bare.

The exaggerated parts of the rumors had a legendary feel. The real parts, upon careful thought, made everything click, giving a sense of "So that's how it is."

The opponent's preparation was indeed thorough.

"HMPH!" The Crying Serpent clenched her delicate hand at her side, truly wanting to reveal her true form and swallow the whole tavern in one bite.

"What are you angry about?"

Wu Wang glanced at her, poured another cup of wine and gulped it down, then lifted the hem of his Dao robe and stood up.

"Let's go. Take me to Floating Jade City. He who hesitates is lost. Whether it's Heaven Palace or masters from the Human Domain lurking in the dark, since they're targeting me directly, I must resolve the trouble and repay them in kind."

The Crying Serpent asked, "Master, why not teach these disrespectful people a lesson? How dare they slander you like this!"

"Let's go," Wu Wang laughed. "The most detestable here are but a few followers seeking the limelight, not worth my anger."

The Crying Serpent pursed her lips slightly, eyes downcast, and bowed her head in agreement.

In front of her master, she had long lost the appearance of an Evil God.

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