"Is there still hope?"
"Young Master, please look. He has just exhausted the energy inside his body, and the stone providing that energy has stopped operating due to a lack of Spiritual Energy replenishment. If you observe carefully, there is a little person in his body, between the tangible and intangible, resembling the Nascent Soul of a Human Domain cultivator? These external wounds are from sharp claws, a few are close to vital points, but there is a medicinal force active within his body…"
"Great High Priest, just tell me plainly, can he be saved or not?"
"He can be saved. I will pray to the Star God right now to save this battered child."
"Wait a moment!"
Wu Wang turned his head and shouted, "Send the order! Do not let the unmarried maidens in the Royal Court go out these days! This guest transforms into a fierce sand beast upon seeing young girls—he's quite ferocious!"
A group of guards outside the tent responded with a roar. At that moment, the bloodied man lying on the wooden board suddenly opened his eyes. Clutching the hilt of his sword with the last of his strength, he threw it at Wu Wang.
If Wu Wang hadn't intervened in time, General Xiong San would have struggled to sheathe the drawn greatsword.
The Great High Priest beside him, his face solemn, reached out to the sky and called out passionately. Snow-like starlight then spread over Ji Mo like a veil.
After a moment, Ji Mo took a deep breath of cold air and sat up straight. He took out a bottle of elixir, poured two pills into his mouth, and immediately sat cross-legged to meditate.
It was evident that his injuries were no longer serious.
The Great High Priest wiped the sweat from his forehead, bowed to Wu Wang, and left with a few maidens who were learning the Praying Star Technique.
Ji Mo, who was meditating, cracked open his eyelids slightly. He soon let out a light sigh, uttering his first words after regaining consciousness from his severe injuries,
"Such fine waists."
Wu Wang silently released his hand that was blocking General Xiong San from drawing his greatsword.
"What's wrong with Brother Ji?"
Ji Mo turned his head to look at Wu Wang, his eyes showing a hint of urgency, but helplessness followed. He trembled slightly, took a breath, and then said in a deep voice, "We've had a bit of an incident."
"Ah, I see that," Wu Wang replied.
Wu Wang moved to a nearby beast-skin chair. Lin Suqing brought over some blood-replenishing soup and set it aside, her brows furrowed as she stood behind Wu Wang.
"Aren't you in a hurry, Brother Ji?" Wu Wang asked. "If you're not, take your time. Were you the only one in your group to survive?"
Ji Mo hesitated slightly, speaking softly, "It's best if the Northern Wilderness clan does not get involved in this matter, as it would needlessly implicate you all. When I was severely injured, I came here out of a desperate need to survive. Those dark hands behind the scenes will not move against you for this. However, I cannot stay long. Once I've recovered some Mana, I will leave immediately."
Wu Wang nodded slowly, picked up a teacup from the side, and blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface.
"Suqing, set up a Soundproofing Array."
"Oh." Lin Suqing skillfully drew the talisman to activate the Soundproofing Array.
Wu Wang said with a smile, "Brother Ji, you really don't know much about the Northern Wilderness. Do you think that the Northern Wilderness is directly subject to the decrees of the Central Mountain Heaven Palace?"
Ji Mo was startled and asked back, "Isn't it?"
"Not entirely," Wu Wang said with a smile. "There aren't many in the Northern Wilderness who are aware of these things, but it's not exactly a secret. After the ancient God's War, the Innate Gods divided the Great Wilderness. Half of them pledged allegiance to the Heavenly Emperor at Central Mountain, while the other half marked their own territories. The Northern Wilderness is protected by the great Star God. No one may encroach where its starlight shines. You need not worry about involving us. If they dared to come for you, they would have done so while you were unconscious. I must know what exactly happened on the lands of my Northern Wilderness."
Wu Wang paused and continued with a smile, "Praise be to the Star God. The Northern Wilderness does not tolerate outsiders causing trouble."
Muttering, "Praise…" Ji Mo shook his head with a wry smile, looking somewhat perplexed at Wu Wang and wondering, "Brother Xiong, are you really only seventeen or eighteen years old?"
"What's up? Don't believe me?"
General Xiong San's eyes bulged as he arrogantly declared, "The riddles posed by our Young Master at the age of three could sweep through our Bear Hug Clan!"
Ji Mo took a deep breath, recalling the recent ordeal. A hint of fear flickered in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
It was his first time facing such a life-and-death crisis.
He began, "That was…"
"Brother Ji, hold on a moment."
Wu Wang made a gesture, and several male musicians immediately began to play soothing string music.
The tent flap opened, and guards brought in a roasting grill, platters of fruit, fruit juice, a half-roasted Spirit Beast, and soft cushions for footrests.
Regrettably, due to a strange illness that limited the full set of services, several leg-massaging maidens were missing—it lacked soul.
Ji Mo was left speechless.
Wu Wang shifted to a more comfortable reclining position, "Tell your story."
Ji Mo couldn't help but give a wry smile; the previous tension and fear had largely dissipated. He calmly said, "They probably came for Fairy Ling. Fairy Ling has been protected by Grandma Yin."
Wu Wang asked, "What is Grandma Yin's cultivation level?"
"Ascending Immortal Realm, capable of battling a newly ascended Yuanxian, and she carries two Immortal treasures."
Ji Mo let out a bitter laugh, "When the ferocious beast ambushed us, the situation was quite chaotic. Grandma Yin could only protect either me or Fairy Ling. As a man, it was natural for me to step back half a step. Moreover, Fairy Ling's aptitude is much higher than mine, and her heart in seeking the Dao is even more resolute, so her achievements will definitely surpass mine in the future."
Wu Wang gave a thumbs up, praising, "Worthy of Brother Ji."
Being praised made Ji Mo blush a bit, and he hastily said, "Anyone would have made the same decision in my place. It's not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
Wu Wang was puzzled. "However, Brother Ji, I've had some doubts before. If Fairy Ling is truly a beauty beyond compare and Brother Ji appreciates beauties, why have you always kept your distance, not even sparing her an extra glance?"
"This…" Ji Mo pondered for a moment, "I have actually known her for many years. In the early days, I was astounded by her beauty, but after getting to know her better, I found out that she… Talking behind someone's back isn't quite proper, but regarding Fairy Ling, Brother Xiong, you would do well to keep your distance as well. Er, weren't we talking about the assault incident?"
Wu Wang laughed and said, "Please continue, Brother Ji. I was just genuinely curious."
"Alas," Ji Mo sighed softly. "This matter started when we left the Big Wave Tribe's territory."
"Oh? Allow me to interrupt for a moment," Wu Wang asked. "Did you go to the Big Wave Tribe's territory to negotiate about mining rights? Did you come to any conclusion?"
Ji Mo's look became somewhat complex as he asked in a low voice, "Isn't Brother Xiong asking this knowingly?"
"How so knowingly?"
Ji Mo said, "We also met the Young Master of the Big Wave Tribe, but he had no interest in talking with us at all. He was only busy lifting several women on his arms, saying that they would do whatever the Bear Hug Clan does."
Speaking of this, he grew rather grieved and indignant, "Women are like water! How can they be treated as objects for lifting! That Young Master of the Big Wave Tribe truly doesn't know the meaning of cherishing!"
"That's Brother Xing Tian showing respect," Wu Wang laughed. "It wasn't my arrangement."
After speaking, he turned his head and instructed, "General Xiong San, send someone to take that dance music troop I trained, along with a few seven-colored Starlight Balls, to the Big Wave Tribe for a tour. Add some fun for Brother Xing Tian."
"Understood!"
General Xiong San bowed to take the order and strode off.
Wu Wang motioned for Ji Mo to continue. This time, Ji Mo's flashback skill had no cast time, thus preventing it from being interrupted again.
After Grandma Yin appeared, the group of young cultivators instantly became much more well-behaved, and a few even breathed a sigh of relief, treating their journey to the Northern Wilderness as a leisurely excursion.
Ling Xiaolan, however, was downcast for a long time, not speaking for several days.
After leaving the Big Wave Tribe, they set off towards the Bloody Soil Forest at the very center of the Northern Wilderness, a famous gathering spot for fierce beasts that had yet to be claimed by any clan. The trials they had to undertake still awaited them.
Grandma Yin offered a few make-up instructions, deciding to have them hunt fierce beasts together as a trial, and then visibly retreated hundreds of miles away from them.
In reality, Grandma Yin was just concealing herself and silently following behind the group of talented youths.
Speaking of Grandma Yin, her strength certainly wasn't low.
Unlike the relatively general "Star Festival," "Moon Ritual," and "Sun Ritual" stages of cultivation in the Northern Wilderness, the division of cultivation realms in the Human Domain was… very detailed.
They used the realms of Spiritual Cultivation as the standard, with nine major realms below the Immortal Realm: "Spirit Gathering," "Qi Gathering," "Returning to Origin," "Solidifying Pill," "Golden Core," "Spiritual Silence," "Nascent Soul," "Leaping God," and "Ascending Immortal."
After becoming an Immortal, there were three known realms: "Yuanxian," "True Immortal," and "Heavenly Immortal."
The names of realms above these were not circulated within the Human Domain, but it was certain that experts existed above the Heavenly Immortal Realm, such as the successive Human Emperors and the many generals by their side.
Since the establishment of the Human Domain, those who became Immortals usually secluded themselves in mountains and forests, quietly awaiting a crisis to befall the Human Domain, rarely appearing within it.
The path of immortality was perilous and difficult to tread, fraught with innumerable hardships. In a thousand-year cycle, it was quite an achievement for even two or three people to become Immortals. Furthermore, with the continual wars against surrounding forces, the number of Immortals who served as the Human Domain's backbone was quite scarce.
Every Immortal was an important combat force for the Human Domain.
Grandma Yin, being of the Ascending Immortal Realm and carrying two Immortal treasures to protect these rising stars, already demonstrated she placed great importance on them.
But unexpectedly, the one who plotted against them valued these rising stars even more, directly sending an Immortal-level combat force.
"It was a fierce beast three zhang tall, roughly similar to a human in shape, but it had the head of a toad," Ji Mo said solemnly.
"I don't know how it became aware of our whereabouts, but it had been lying in ambush on our path long before. Yesterday, as we were passing through a gorge, it suddenly attacked. It was extremely fast; within a single encounter, three or four of our Daoist friends were killed by its claws. Even Grandma Yin couldn't block it for more than a few exchanges and barely managed to protect Fairy Ling with an Immortal treasure. I was planning to detonate my Nascent Soul to wound it, but it didn't give me any chance at all. As soon as I started to channel power into my Nascent Soul, it was already upon me… If it hadn't been for the extra treasures I brought with me, I would likely have been torn to shreds. But Daoist friend Wang Lin, trying to save me, met a gruesome end at its hands."
Wu Wang asked, "Is that the same Wang Lin who was stopped outside the Royal Court?"
"Mm-hmm."
Wu Wang nodded slowly, not saying much else, and seemed to ponder for a while.
After a short time, Wu Wang looked at Ji Mo with a rather sharp gaze. "Brother Ji, could you show me those few treasures?"
Without hesitation, Ji Mo tossed the thumb ring on his hand to Lin Suqing and said seriously, "I cannot repay Brother Xiong's lifesaving grace this time. These treasures are all gifts of thanks. Should I safely return to the Human Domain, I will surely present a more generous reward!"
Lin Suqing went through the motions of undoing the simple restriction on it and took a cursory look inside.
Suddenly, her pupils dilated, and her expression became somewhat vacant.
Wu Wang did not notice Lin Suqing's expression and merely said with a smile, "I'm just confirming the authenticity of your story. Even though we share similar interests, we've known each other for a short time, so I must be cautious."
After these words, Wu Wang took the jade thumb ring and looked inside. He instantly 'saw' a variety of treasures floating in a 'void,' as well as several large wardrobes.
Two of the wardrobes were open, and inside hung various… um, fairy skirts, bodices, and undergarments, made of light and vibrant fabrics, mainly in shades of azure, white, verdant green, and pink, and in slightly varying sizes.
It was indeed a dazzling array, almost too much to take in at a glance.
"Excuse me!"
Wu Wang stood up solemnly, holding the thumb ring with both hands, and handed it back to Ji Mo.
"Big brother, I trust you."
Ji Mo retrieved the thumb ring and glanced at it. He was initially puzzled, but then his face lit up with realization, and he quickly offered an explanation.
"Brother Xiong, please don't misunderstand! These are all clothes I prepared for the ladies. It's absolutely not because I have any peculiar habits. I… I am just a bit fond of beauties and romance, but I am still a very upright person!"
"Ah…"
Wu Wang squinted his eyes with a smile, nodding continuously and patting Ji Mo's shoulder a few times.
"Private matters, nothing shameful. As long as you don't offend others' eyes, no one can say anything about you, Brother Ji."
Ji Mo, his face flushed with urgency, protested, "They're really not for me to wear!"
"Would you like a few sets of our Northern Wilderness's special leather skirts?"
"If you have them, that would also be excellent."
"Prepare several more sets for Brother Ji!"
Lin Suqing, standing aside, turned and covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking. Had she not undergone professional training, she would have likely laughed out loud by now.
Wu Wang and Ji Mo seemed to be joking and teasing, not mentioning the matter of the Human Domain cultivators for a long time. In fact, this also represented a tacit understanding between them.
If Ji Mo were to continue speaking, would they go to rescue Ling Xiaolan and the others who might have survived, or not? If they went to the rescue, they might involve the Bear Hug Clan in unnecessary trouble. If they didn't, since they were all of the Human race, it would be easy to earn a reputation in the Human Domain for failing to help, or even for abetting cruelty. This could also negatively impact the Bear Hug Clan.
Therefore, Ji Mo only recounted his own experiences, using the valuable treasures he carried and the marks of wear on them to prove he was not lying, and did not elaborate further.
Ji Mo was well aware of the Bear Hug Clan's precarious situation in the Northern Wilderness. From beginning to end, he never asked for help. Once he had recovered some Mana, he began pondering how to return to the Human Domain.
His Nascent Soul Realm cultivation made him quite a figure among the younger generation, but in the Human Domain, when facing hostile forces, no one would care about his age; they would only look at his strength.
「The night grew deep and quiet.」
Ji Mo stood up from his meditation, letting out a soft sigh. He took a recording Jade Talisman from his thumb ring, wrote a few words of thanks, and after consuming a few more elixirs, was about to leave without saying goodbye and depart the Bear Hug Clan under the cover of night.
His Spiritual Sense swept the area. The Royal Court, bathed in moonlight, still had several bonfires here and there, with groups of people cheering and dancing.
Ah, I still haven't seen the Bear Hug Clan's maidens.
Ji Mo sighed regretfully. His head lowered as he exited the tent. He glanced at the guards encircling the tents from afar, and his figure was about to dissolve into a wisp of blue smoke…
"Brother Ji, if you can't sleep this late at night, why not go out for a walk and enjoy the moonlight?"
A familiar voice came from the side. Ji Mo turned his head and saw a familiar figure. The man was clad in an open-fronted animal skin garment, with faint halos of light radiating from him, and he had a fairly robust build.
Ji Mo paused, then spoke in a low voice, "Brother Xiong, you… oh no, Brother Hou Di, what are you doing?"
Wu Wang curled his lip slightly and made a hushing gesture. The surrounding guards quickly retreated.
"Where does Brother Ji intend to go?"
"In the end, I cannot abandon them," Ji Mo sighed. "I'll go back there and scout around. If I can rescue one or two people, that would be good."
Wu Wang said, "Let's go. I'll lend you a helping hand."
"Brother Xiong, you mustn't! This matter doesn't concern the Northern Wilderness clans."
Wu Wang revealed a smile tinged with grace.
Did they really think he had nothing better to do than to go looking for trouble? His necklace had grown warm a few times an hour ago, and his dear mother had issued an inexplicable order for him to personally rescue a female cultivator from the Human Domain. If it weren't for that, he really couldn't be bothered to meddle in the lives of those few cultivators from the Human Domain.
Wu Wang said with a smile, "The one helping you is Hou Di. What does it have to do with the Bear Hug Clan?"
Ji Mo was at a loss for words and stammered, "But… this… I absolutely didn't mean any disrespect towards Brother Xiong… What I mean is, Brother Xiong, your strength… That beast is extraordinary. It's better to let it go."
"Don't worry," Wu Wang pointed upwards. "In the land watched over by the Star God, no one can harm the Star God's most sincere children."
Ji Mo's face was riddled with difficulty; for a moment, he even considered giving up the idea of turning back to save the others.