"Wu Wangzi appeared in Floating Jade City half a day later."

The message, consisting of only eleven words, spread throughout most of the Human Domain in a rather short amount of time.

By the time the cultivators rushed towards Floating Jade City with all their might, the cultivators inside the city discovered that in front of Guantao Tower, the tallest building in the city, a chair and a figure were already quietly seated.

He wore white boots and a black robe, his long hair fastened with a straight pin, his fingers adorned with Yin and Yang rings.

His face was clean-shaven, his presence vibrant, his eyes brimming with the intent of thunder, one hand resting on a wooden chair.

It was indeed Wu Wang.

By the time he had ordered the Human Emperor Pavilion to release the message, he had already arrived in Floating Jade City.

He dragged over a wooden chair and sat down on the busiest street in Floating Jade City, his posture neither perfectly straight nor overly slanted, just waiting for the crowd to gather.

The hissing serpent had already concealed its form.

Wu Wang was here to resolve this matter, not to exacerbate the conflict; the hissing serpent's identity as an Evil God was still better kept hidden.

Disciples from the Annihilation Sect, the Dark Desire, and the Sect of Lin Feng formed a circle around him, preventing anyone from approaching within a radius of about a hundred feet from Wu Wang.

Guantao Tower was already filled with silhouettes, and quite a few heads were crammed behind each window.

Interestingly, the first cultivators to arrive were not from Floating Jade City, and they were predominantly women.

Mao Ou Wu busied himself everywhere, setting up numerous magic treasures to capture images and leading the staff of the local branch of the Human Emperor Pavilion to maintain order in various places.

One or two hours passed, and streaks of light began to appear in the sky; cultivators who could make it to Floating Jade City were now all heading in this direction.

Nearly every member of the Annihilation Sect had arrived. Several Elders stood behind Wu Wang, thereby indicating the stance of their medium-sized Demonic Sect: unconditional support for their Sect Master.

Truth be told, when Elder Miao arrived gracefully in a light pink gauze skirt, many cultivators who had previously doubted Wu Wang suddenly felt that it wouldn't be so bad to become a part of the Annihilation Sect under his leadership. They simply thought the environment of the Annihilation Sect was conducive to cultivation; they certainly had no other ulterior motives.

「Three hours later...」

「Five hours later...」

Floating Jade City was now densely packed with figures. Those with higher cultivation moved to the front, while those with lesser cultivation stepped back on their own.

The Human Emperor Pavilion had called in a large number of Immortal Soldiers from nearby to form an array in the air. Various Transcendent masters had also arrived, subtly providing protection in the air above Wu Wang's position, vigilant against any chaos that might occur later.

From the tavern owned by the Annihilation Sect, five women emerged gracefully. The crowd automatically parted to create a path for them.

When they reached Wu Wang, they bowed slightly to him and said softly, "Sect Master, your tea."

"Thank you," Wu Wang replied with a smile as he looked at the teacup. "Change it to wine for me, but not the strong kind."

"Yes!"

The women hurriedly agreed, scurrying away and swiftly returning, each now holding a wine pot and wine jar.

Wu Wang took the wine pot directly, lifted the spout, and poured a mouthful of fine wine into his mouth.

As the wine passed his throat, a touch of boldness rose within him.

His eyes swept over the multitude, his heart beginning to stir slightly.

"Ask," he said, his gaze relatively calm.

The surrounding cultivators who had gathered were, for a moment, unable to make a sound; even their breaths seemed to be held back.

After a moment of silence, a disciple from the nearby Xuan Nu Sect stood up, held her head high, and said boldly, "Wuwang Palace Lord, rumors are flying throughout the Human Domain, some filled with malicious slander against you. Since you have appeared directly and faced the heroes of the Human Domain, you must stand upright and have a clear conscience!"

"Indeed! We certainly trust Wuwang Palace Lord!"

"Our Sect Master has worked tirelessly for the Human Domain, yet still faces such humiliation! Have you all been cursed by an Innate God?"

"I've never doubted Wuwang Palace Lord, from beginning to end."

"Is Wuwang Palace Lord truly from the North Wilderness People, and not of our Human Domain race?"

A piercing voice suddenly arose, attracting many gazes to the old Daoist who had spoken. His face showed embarrassment as he bowed and clasped his hands.

"I am simply somewhat concerned about this matter."

"The concerns of this Daoist friend are actually reasonable," Wu Wang slowly stood up, looking around. He sighed softly.

The Human Domain had actually been exclusive from the very beginning.

He said, "I was born in the Northern Wilderness. I am a member of the human race who grew up in the tribes of the Northern Wilderness."

The cultivators immediately broke into an uproar.

Some cultivators shouted, "Whether from the Northern Wilderness human race or the Human Domain human race, aren't all our ancestors created by the Holy Mother? We are all the human race; why bother distinguishing between the Human Domain and the Northern Wilderness!"

"Indeed, our seniors in the Human Domain have long hoped to gather the human race of the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness within the Human Domain!"

"On the contrary, I feel that Wuwang Palace Lord hailing from the Northern Wilderness human race, gaining fame and official position in the Human Domain, further highlights the concept that the human race of the Great Wilderness is one family! This is a good thing!"

The cultivators' tone of discussion gradually changed.

Wu Wang secretly raised his eyebrows, noticing several familiar faces from the Human Emperor Pavilion in the crowd.

Clearly, the Human Emperor Pavilion was providing support from the shadows.

Someone else asked, "Has Wuwang Palace Lord really met with Xihe in the West Sea?"

The surrounding discussion quieted down once again.

Even Mao Ou Wu cast a somewhat nervous glance at Wu Wang, his silver-white short hair trembling slightly.

"Indeed," Wu Wang slowly uttered the word.

Before the surroundings could explode into commotion, his calm voice spread throughout the city, inside and out.

"But this encounter took place in the presence of Immortal Soldiers and the top experts of the Human Domain. Xihe is a Strong God of the Heaven Palace, wife of the Heavenly Emperor, and the Sun Goddess, currently one of the drafters and maintainers of the order of heaven and earth. She intercepted my boat in the West Sea and asked if I wanted to join the Heaven Palace. I did not agree, only discussing with her briefly about the development of the cosmic order. I believe!"

Wu Wang declared loudly, "The Human Domain should also become a force that sustains the Heavenly Emperor's order, to preserve our chance for survival. We should stand on the same level as the Heaven Palace regarding the Dao of Order, and then find ways to defeat the Heaven Palace!"

"Well said!" a burly man shouted loudly, and the spiritual minds of many cultivators trembled.

Wu Wang followed the voice and saw several familiar figures standing in Guantao Tower. They were a few burly men, and the one in the center was none other than Xing Tian, someone Wu Wang knew all too well. By Xing Tian's side were his mentor and the burly man who had just shouted in approval; judging by this man's physique and aura, he was likely one of Xing Tian's martial brothers.

Wu Wang did not engage in conversation with Xing Tian, and Xing Tian also restrained his impulse to jump out and curse the Human Domain cultivators. This was the tacit understanding between the two of them—to avoid involving more tribes from the Northern Wilderness in this matter, so as not to leave endless future troubles.

Another cultivator shouted from afar, "Wuwang Palace Lord, give us a straightforward answer! Are you standing with the Heaven Palace, or with us, the Human Domain?"

Wu Wang said, "I am standing here. Isn't the answer obvious?"

"But Wuwang Palace Lord, how can you prove that you are not sent by the Heaven Palace, intending to replace the Human Emperor... the son of an Innate God?"

Wu Wang fell silent.

How could he prove it?

If he had wanted to become the Human Emperor, he would have taken a different path long ago. Why would he stand up to challenge the somewhat corrupt system of the Human Domain, why cut down Mi Zhong with a sword, and why stand here at this moment?

"I have no interest in the position of the Human Emperor," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I am a rather lazy person and don't want to shoulder any responsibility. If it weren't for times when the situation forces me to step forward, I think it's quite nice to lead a carefree and happy life, just idling away. I can proactively tell you three things."

"Firstly, why I came to the Human Domain. I came for the cultivation methods of the Human Domain because the Praying Star Technique of the Northern Wilderness does not extend one's lifespan."

"Secondly, I am truly of human bloodline. The reason I can absorb Divine Power for cultivation is that, by a fortunate coincidence, I obtained the Essence Blood of an Innate God. After using it to temper my body, it had an extraordinary effect. If any of you can obtain the original Essence Blood of an Innate God and endure such pain, perhaps you could also enjoy such benefits."

As he spoke, Wu Wang raised his left hand, and his arm became covered with layers of golden scales, as if donning a golden gauntlet. He gently shook his arm, and an aura of purity, peace, lightness, and ethereality spread out. Feeling this aura was like wandering in the starry sky, as if one could glimpse the secrets of the stars.

The golden scales on Wu Wang's hand gradually faded.

He said, "I am of the human race, with a Demigod body fashioned by the human race."

The crowd fell silent.

Wu Wang continued, "The third thing is that regarding the recent rumors and gossip about me, the Heaven Palace is likely behind it, adding fuel to the flames."

"I also find this matter quite peculiar."

"Indeed! It's only been a few days, yet the news has spread like wildfire, as if everyone has lost their minds!"

"Wuwang Palace Lord, you have been wronged..."

"But we still have some doubts," a cultivator whispered softly. "Wuwang Palace Lord, could you make an oath in the name of the Holy Mother of the human race? That way, we could trust you just as we did before."

Wu Wang's smile faded, and he couldn't help but frown as he looked toward that cultivator.

Swear an oath?

Many cultivators looked at the speaker with blame in their eyes, yet many others felt that if Wu Wang were to make an oath, the matter could be considered concluded.

Wu Wang's expression, however, slowly grew dark.

Take an oath.

He had to prove his loyalty to the Human Domain through an oath?

Wu Wang suddenly didn't know what to say. He let out a sigh, turned, and walked back to the wooden chair, sitting down.

Suddenly, a sense of powerlessness surged in his heart.

Enough. Enough.

He said calmly, "In the Human Domain, I currently hold no important position, and I do not plan to take up any office in the future. The position of Sect Master of the Annihilation Sect, from this moment on, I pass to Elder Miao Cuijiao."

Having said this, he waved his hand dismissively.

"Disperse. If you think I am a spy from the Heaven Palace, feel free to come forward and challenge me."

A cultivator hurriedly said, "Wuwang Palace Lord, we did not mean that!"

Miao Cuijiao let out a cold laugh, her beautiful face filled with frost, and she directly cursed, "You contemptible sycophants, a mere rabble, do you truly think yourselves so important? What right do you have to demand a young cultivator, who has repeatedly rendered meritorious service to the Human Domain, to swear an oath to prove himself? Every one of you present is older than our Sect Master; is your skin really that thick?"

"You!"

"Me?" Miao Cuijiao's phoenix eyes narrowed as she laughed. "When he was facing the Evil God on the frontier, what were you all doing? When he was matching strategies with the Strong Gods of the Heaven Palace and the Head Manager, what were you doing? When he faced danger in the East Sea, nearly losing his life while trying to save several Heavenly Immortals near the ancient tribal lands of the Rain Master Consort, what were you doing? Now, the balance of power between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain is gradually shifting towards the Human Domain. How much did he contribute to that? Have you asked? Do you care? Hah! After hearing a few unfounded rumors, you're all shouting 'spy' and demanding he swear an oath to clear his name. What, are you all basking in the pleasure of bullying others? Are you all intoxicated by the joy of standing on a moral high ground to judge others? With the current cultivation environment in the Human Domain, do you really deserve it? Hm? Do you?"

An old woman scolded, "Miao Cuijiao! Your words are too much!"

"And what about you? Forcing our Sect Master to swear an oath to prove his innocence, isn't that going too far?" Miao Cuijiao tilted her chin up slightly, her beautiful face now full of rage. "From the very beginning, it's been clear that someone is trying to drive a wedge between Wu Wangzi and the Human Domain! Yet you all remain oblivious to being used by the Heaven Palace, and are even foolishly proud of being manipulated by the Innate Gods!"

"Enough," Wu Wang suddenly spoke, cutting off Elder Miao's words. "Come back and stand behind me. You don't need to stand up for me yet."

"HMPH." Miao Cuijiao flicked her sleeve at the cultivators, turned, and strode toward Wu Wang. She intentionally swayed her willow-like figure, casually revealing the alluring aura of her seductive arts as she winked lightly at Wu Wang and calmly stood behind him, arms folded, coldly facing the crowd.

"My Elder Miao's words may have been a bit harsh; please don't take them to heart," Wu Wang said with a smile. "Let's end it here today. I have said all I wanted to say to the Human Domain in this place. Since you all do not trust me, I will no longer take part in the conflict between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain."

After speaking, he stood up, patted the folds on his robe, and walked with his hands behind his back toward Guantao Tower.

「This scene was very clearly projected in the Head Manager's temple in the Heaven Palace.」

The Head Manager squinted, smiling, and murmured, "It seems the goal has been reached, truly effortlessly gained."

The Young Master immediately said, "In that case, why not stop here?"

"But the chess pieces I've already laid out would be a waste not to use," the Head Manager lifted his chin slightly as he glanced at the silent Earth God. "Look, these Human Domain cultivators have finally realized Wu Wangzi's worth."

In the scene projected by the swirling clouds, the cultivators hastily pursued Wu Wang's figure, each shouting, "Wuwang Palace Lord, we didn't mean it like that..."

"Wuwang Palace Lord, please wait! We misspoke just now!"

"Please take back your command, Wuwang Palace Lord!"

"Who was that idiot who brought up swearing an oath? To hell with oaths!"

In the temple, the corners of the Head Manager's mouth twitched slightly as he spoke indifferently, "How truly laughable."

"Where is the First Divine Temple the Head Manager mentioned?" the Earth God asked in a deep voice.

With a light tap of his finger, the Head Manager caused the clouds to churn, within which a few lights flickered. He smiled and said, "They're already here."

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, dozens of streaks of light flew from Floating Jade City, rapidly descending towards the densely crowded area.

"Wu Wang! We've gotten a confession!"

"Sect Master! The Liu Family really is problematic!"

The voices of Xiao Jian and the Grand Elder rose simultaneously. They arrived in haste with a group of masters, Xiao Jian Daoist dragging a pale-faced young man behind him.

He was Liu Zonghe of the Liu Family.

Wu Wang stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Xiao Jian, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness.

Xiao Jian Daoist's eyes flashed with sharp sword intent, his gaze sweeping around as he snorted coldly. Dragging Liu Zonghe forward, he shouted, "This matter was orchestrated by the Liu Family alone! The Liu Family, threatened by a certain Military Family, aimed to tarnish Wu Wangzi's reputation. This here is the only son of the Liu Family, and he has just confessed!"

With those words, Xiao Jian Daoist gave a gentle push. Liu Zonghe, his six senses unsealed, fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Wu Wang frowned at Liu Zonghe, a Crystal Ball already in his sleeve. Summoning the divine power of the Star God, his eyes shone with silvery-white light.

There was nothing unusual about Liu Zonghe's Divine Soul.

Wu Wang shook his head and said, "Daoist brother, please deal with it as you see fit."

The resignation in his words fueled Xiao Jian's anger towards the surrounding cultivators even more.

Xiao Jian cursed loudly, "Why would you ruin the future of the Human Domain!"

The cultivators were left speechless, though many showed signs of dissatisfaction.

Liu Zonghe, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly coughed a few times, struggled to his feet, and called out to Wu Wang, "Wuwang Palace Lord, Wuwang Palace Lord!" With a crying tone, he tremulously said, "Can you spare my family? Please, can you spare my family!"

Wu Wang looked down, his gaze meeting Liu Zonghe's.

In that instant, Wu Wang's Dao Heart trembled lightly. He suddenly saw Liu Zonghe's lips moving slightly, saw the strange light in his eyes, saw the smile that was barely perceptible on the lips of this Human Domain youth whom he had never met before.

A chill ran up Wu Wang's spine.

Between those moving lips, Liu Zonghe seemed to have uttered a few words. If my perception is not mistaken, that seemed to be...

'My apologies, Feng Chun's father.'

Feng!

"My Liu Family is fiercely loyal, having earned great merit for the Human Domain!" Liu Zonghe suddenly screamed in agony. Flames burst from his forehead, and his figure was instantly enveloped in fire. His Divine Soul, using some unknown secret method, completely self-combusted in an extremely short time!

His furious shout, as he lay on the ground, resounded throughout Floating Jade City, both inside and out.

"The Human Emperor Pavilion wants to use my Liu Family as a scapegoat, so let my Liu Family die this way! Wu Wangzi, how will you answer to the heroic spirits of the Human Domain!"

Dozens of streaks of light crashed down from nearby, all carrying seals and healing Divine Skills.

However, Liu Zonghe had already burned his Divine Soul to ash. He lay stiffly on the ground, like a charred corpse, motionless.

「...」

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

「In the Heaven Palace, at the Head Manager's residence.」

The Head Manager clapped softly, the two Innate Gods beside him showing different expressions.

"Qiong Qi, have the First Divine Temple self-destruct immediately. Make the Liu Family's death more tragic, and withdraw as soon as it's done."

"Yes, my lord."

A cold and ferocious smile appeared on the corner of Qiong Qi's mouth. Being merely an illusionary shadow in this place, he quieted down instantly.

Floating Jade City in the Human Domain was now completely silent.

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