Dawn was approaching. On a wooden platform halfway up the mountain facing East Sky, Wu Wang sat cross-legged.
The Yan Emperor's Command behind him slowly rotated, and the Ki within his body circulated along a peculiar route. Each circulatory cycle slightly thickened Wu Wang's Ki.
It can't be helped, my cultivation foundation is too weak.
This cultivation technique had no name. When he had asked Senior Shen Nong, the senior had told him to name it whatever he liked—be it Burning Sky, Destroying Sky, Slaughter Gods, or Dog-Killing Power. It didn't matter, as this technique could only be acquired through the Yan Emperor's Command.
Originally, Wu Wang thought he was the only one... Just thinking about it filled him with rage!
Whenever he heard the words 'Shen Nong,' a sense of respect would emerge from the bottom of Wu Wang's heart, so much so that he had previously been tricked into becoming free labor.
Couldn't they just have said a beautiful big house wasn't possible? Couldn't they have just told me it was very difficult?
Instead, they had to torment him like this, forbidding him from using the Praying Star Technique and from using even the meager mana of the Qi-gathering realm!
Just then, CREAK—
The window on the third floor of the wooden hall opened. An old man stretched, yawned, and opened his bleary eyes, muttering, "Ah, not bad at all. This manually crafted house, built without using mana, is really nice."
A blue vein instantly throbbed on Wu Wang's forehead.
If I could actually beat this old guy, I would've yelled 'Take good care of Mother!' yesterday, then unfolded my Star Wings and pounced on him!
A tangerine hue spread across East Sky. The carriage of the Sun Goddess was ready to carry the Sun star into battle.
Wu Wang immediately collected his spirit. Facing the sunrise in East Sky, he calmly circulated the Yan Emperor Technique, drawing in the first strand of fire-elemental power between Heaven and Earth.
By the wooden hall's window, Shennong Family watched Wu Wang's figure with a smile, yet his eyes betrayed a hint of contemplation as he murmured, "The little fellow's comprehension isn't bad; he's actually adjusted the circulatory track so quickly."
No sooner had he spoken than Wu Wang suddenly yelled. He jumped straight up, frantically slapping at the flames on his buttocks.
The cushion he had been sitting on had already burst into a ball of fire.
Shennong Family stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Wu Wang glared at Shennong Family, about to ask if there was a problem with the incantation, but then he felt something unusual in his body. He glanced down, immediately bent over, turned around, and hurried into the distance.
Shennong Family's voice drifted from behind, "Young men really do have fiery tempers."
Wu Wang turned around and yelled, "Weren't you young when you first started practicing this technique?"
Shennong Family's calm voice floated back, "This old man became a Heavenly Immortal at one hundred, was highly regarded by the previous Human Emperor, and inherited the position of Human Emperor. When I first practiced this technique, I entered directly into the eighth heaven. I was very calm."
Wu Wang blinked and stopped running. A small light bulb seemed to lit up over his head.
"Ordinary members of the Human race live for four to five hundred years. At one hundred, you're still in your prime... Ah, Senior, did you run out of steam at a hundred years old?"
Hmm? Why is there no response?
Wu Wang turned his head to look at the wooden hall, only to see a black cloud slowly approaching, crackling with lightning and containing a tremendous force of wood essence.
CRACK!
A lightning bolt shot straight toward him. Wu Wang dodged just in time, then turned his head to glare at the pit blasted into the ground, his expression darkening completely.
Can't take a joke? Are you seriously telling me you can't take a joke!?
Wu Wang bared his teeth and rolled his eyes at the wooden house, then turned and sprinted towards the dense trees.
The black cloud swiftly pursued him!
For a time, a cheerful symphony of thunder played through the woods, its sometimes soaring, sometimes cracking tenor echoing long in the mountain valleys.
…
No! I can't keep being so passive! I have to take the initiative, seek revenge!
He, Wu Wang, was from the Northern Wilderness clan. According to Northern Wilderness tradition, it was: "Heaven is vast, Earth is vast, fear no one! Wife calls? Go straight home!" The people of the Northern Wilderness submitted to no one.
Besides, Shennong Family was so old, and he'd never heard him mention having a daughter or anything. The probability of him becoming his future father-in-law was ridiculously small.
What's there to fear? What's there to dread?
He was the Human Emperor of the Human Domain, and Wu Wang was the Young Master of a Large Family Clan of the Northern Wilderness! The Human Emperor of the Human Domain was equivalent to the Shared Master of the Northern Wilderness. Their statuses were only three or four ranks apart.
Round it up, and it's practically the same! Though, in reality, it couldn't be judged that way.
Declare war! I shall declare war directly on the contemporary Human Emperor!
By the riverbank, Wu Wang, dressed in tattered shorts and a shirt, his hair resembling a smoke-billowing chicken's nest, and his face covered in soot, revealed a cruel, sinister smile.
And so…
"Senior Shen Nong, do you know the difference between ice made with the Praying Star Technique and ice that forms naturally?"
"Oh? This old man hasn't actually studied the Praying Star Technique."
"This is our Northern Wilderness's special, heat-dispelling cooling tea."
Wu Wang carefully presented two cups of cooling tea, each with square ice cubes floating in them, to the old senior. "This is the heat-dispelling tea recipe you taught me yesterday. I've prepared it using the Northern Wilderness method. Can you taste the difference between the two types of ice cubes?"
Shennong Family smiled faintly, observing the ice cubes carefully for a moment and then the tea itself. Finding nothing amiss, he nodded with a smile, picked up the cups, took a sip from each, and savored the taste.
Soon, he chuckled, "This cup is sweeter; this one is purer."
Wu Wang blinked and asked with a smile, "Can you tell which cup's ice cubes were made using the Praying Star Technique?"
"Are you testing this old man? Hehe, let me taste them again."
Shennong Family took two hearty sips, closed his eyes to concentrate, and tapped his fingers on the tabletop. He then laughed and said, "You can't stump me. The slightly sweeter cup must be the one with ice cubes made by the Praying Star Technique. Hmm? Why are you moving away from the window?"
"Ah," Wu Wang said with a laugh, "actually, the ice cubes in both cups were made using the Praying Star Technique. You guessed wrong, Senior."
"If there's no difference, why have me taste them?"
"The water for the tea, of course," Wu Wang said earnestly. "The sweeter cup was made with collected dew, while the other, which you might find a bit bland, was made with ordinary spring water."
Shennong Family couldn't help but show a hint of amusement. He picked up the sweet tea, took several sips, and said with a smile, "Oh? You're quite thoughtful. But why did you move away?"
Wu Wang muttered under his breath, "Aren't you going to ask where the dew was collected?"
Shennong Family's aged face darkened. Wu Wang whooshed out of the window, spread his Star Wings, and flew towards the horizon, bursting into unrestrained laughter.
"It was from the tiles on the latrine roof in the back mountains! Don't worry, your esteemed self! It's absolutely clean! HAHAHA!"
"You scoundrel! You little rascal! Get back here!" bellowed the Human Emperor from inside the wooden hall. The old man, staff in hand, leaped out of the window, leaving afterimages as he chased furiously, abruptly cutting off Wu Wang's laughter.
「Several days later.」
Wu Wang was meditating in the mountains when Shennong Family arrived slowly, leaning on his wooden staff.
"Wu Wang, I see your cultivation technique has advanced swiftly, but there's still room for improvement. I have a cultivation secret I can teach you. Are you interested?"
Wu Wang blinked and said gravely, "Senior, one should practice cultivation steadily and securely, not seeking rapid progress out of greed. Shortcuts in cultivation may seem like shortcuts, but they are only temporary."
"There's no need to worry. This is no shortcut but rather a tip passed down by Senior Fu Xi himself."
Shennong Family spoke slowly, "Even though I enjoy joking with you, I would not deceive you in matters of cultivation. After all, you carry a part of the hope for the Human Domain's future."
"May I ask how many portions of hope you've scattered so far?"
"Probably a few hundred."
"Then I'm reassured," Wu Wang said with a laugh. "I'm in even less of a hurry now. Slow and steady cultivation it is."
A trace of sorrow appeared in Shennong Family's eyes. He tipped his head back slightly and spoke softly, "Besides you, all the others have perished."
Wu Wang was startled. "Why?"
"There are many reasons, but ultimately, it's because they couldn't withstand the destiny of the Human Emperor," Shennong Family sighed. "This is what worries me most. The Heavenly Emperor has set layer upon layer of restrictions, and finding a successor for the Human Emperor has always been a difficult problem. After all, someone like this old man—who established his foundation at ten, formed his Golden Core at fifteen, became an Immortal at thirty, a Heavenly Immortal at one hundred, and still found time to compile *The Hundred Herb Manual*—is truly hard to find due to such strong fortune."
Wu Wang was speechless. I feel utterly defeated. Defeated by that ability to show off with such a sorrowful tone. You're truly on another level, Senior.
"So, what's the secret?"
"Come, first take these two elixirs that I have specially refined for you, and then circulate this incantation."
After Shennong Family provided detailed instructions…
A moment later, Wu Wang's body started showing strands of crimson. His Ki rapidly consolidated, becoming extremely pure. He just felt a bit restless and subconsciously used his robe to cover his waist.
Shennong Family spoke soothingly, "The method of refining essence into Ki is both the foundation of initial cultivation and the key point of this secret.
"Your entire body is now stimulated with Yang energy, which is a great opportunity to improve your cultivation. Don't worry; even if you can't refine so much Yang energy, you can find a woman, press your palms against hers, and simultaneously circulate the incantation I taught you. This will balance Yin and Yang, mutually benefiting both of you.
"Oh dear, oh dear, I suddenly forgot about your strange illness that prevents you from contacting women. It looks like you'll have to suffer a bit."
Wu Wang was sweating profusely, grinding his teeth in frustration. But he immediately took a deep breath and began frantically circulating the Yan Emperor Technique.
Shennong Family drifted away, then placed an elixir behind Wu Wang, saying, "If you can't bear it, take this elixir. If you can, refine the essence. This is one of the benefits for a young man practicing this method as a virgin."
A pleased smile filled his aged face.
That day, Wu Wang advanced to the second stage of the Yan Emperor Technique.
In the three months that followed, this quiet, deep mountain forest witnessed one cunning and wisdom-filled confrontation after another.
…
"The Young Master isn't coming back?"
On the large, southbound ship, the graceful figure leaned against the bow, quietly gazing at the distant horizon where sea and sky met.
Around her, ethereal spirit butterflies appeared from time to time. When the Spiritual Energy floating over the sea passed by, it would swirl around her, actively sending some pure Spiritual Power into her.
Not far away, Zuo Dong's old eyes were filled with emotion.
Just like that? Reaching the peak of the Condensation Establishment Realm so easily, about to form the Golden Core, and with ample enlightenment for forming the Golden Core, the success rate is almost certain… Is it?
Just who was that senior that day?
A single elixir had caused his disciple, who had already undergone one metamorphosis, to transform yet again!
"Young Master…" Lin Suqing softly called, determination filling her eyes.
I will definitely form my Golden Core and Nascent Soul early. The moment I hear the Young Master's name in the Human Domain, I will rush over to serve him.
"Suqing, you needn't worry," Zuo Dong said warmly. "Young friend Wu Wang has a profound background and exceptional talent. That senior must have seen this in him, taking him as a disciple and imparting profound mystical techniques. Right now, he's probably cultivating freely and joyously somewhere in a deep mountain forest. Don't trouble yourself over it."
"Yes. The Young Master has always been well-liked by elders. He'll certainly get along wonderfully with that esteemed senior."
Lin Suqing said this, then turned and floated towards her cabin.
Enlightenment, cultivation!
「One day.」
Wu Wang stood under the blazing sun, bare-chested and carrying a large, square stone. He was in a horse stance by the edge of a clear pond, with two gleaming sharp blades positioned beneath him.
A cloud of mist floated in the air. This mist would irregularly condense into an ethereal hammer, occasionally smashing down on the boulder and sending tremors through Wu Wang's legs.
After months of toil, Wu Wang was indeed a bit more robust than when he had left the Northern Wilderness.
If Xiong Han could see this, he would probably be moved to tears.
A certain old senior sat by a nearby pond, his trouser legs rolled up, feet soaking in the cool spring water. A wooden bucket floated in front of him, containing several fruits.
On a leisurely afternoon, one should enjoy some fruit, sip some tea, give the younger generation a bit of a hard time, and find some amusement.
"That's enough, take a rest," Shennong Family said in a gentle voice. "Haste makes waste, and physical training isn't accomplished in a single day."
The cloud of mist promptly dissipated.
Wu Wang grinned. Holding the boulder steadily, he took two confident steps forward before carefully placing the stone by the pond and letting out a soft breath.
He stripped off his remaining clothes and plunged into the pond, splashing around. After he'd had enough, he jumped back to the shore, clad only in a pair of garish floral shorts, boldly displaying his young, strong physique as he obediently sat down beside Shennong Family.
"Senior, I feel like this mutual torment between us is rather pointless."
"Aren't you having fun?"
"Mainly, it's unbecoming of your grand image," Wu Wang chuckled. "How about this: let's each show some sincerity first. You can't eat this green fruit."
Saying this, he broke open the green fruit beside Shennong Family, revealing the small fishbone hidden inside.
Shennong Family smiled calmly and produced the retractable bamboo sections that had been under the two sharp blades while Wu Wang was in his horse stance.
Wu Wang coughed, then fumbled for a moment and removed the spraying mechanism and the small, dismal green water bladder from the wooden bucket.
Shennong Family's mouth twitched slightly as he retrieved the undissolved Itchy pill from beneath Wu Wang's seat…
Then, the old man and the young man looked at each other and smiled, both with satisfied expressions. They stood up, moved a few paces to the side, and sat down again.
"Senior, is being the Human Emperor very leisurely?" Wu Wang asked curiously. "You seem to have been guiding my cultivation constantly recently."
"I delegate tasks to my subordinates and only need to make decisions that affect the entire Human Domain," Shennong Family sighed. "The Human Emperor is more of a symbol in the Human Domain. The most crucial role is to offset the pressure from the gods on the Human Domain. Therefore, the Human Emperor must be strong."
Wu Wang then asked, "Has the Heavenly Emperor imposed many restrictions on the Human Emperor?"
"Indeed," Shennong Family said slowly. "Emperor Shun dares not appear in the Human Domain, but he can manipulate the Great Dao. His Head Manager controls the lifespan of all spirits and has shackled humanity with the chains of an age limit."
"Can gods live forever?"
"They are born with the Dao, and they will naturally perish with it."
Wu Wang thought for a moment, nodded slightly, and then asked, "How long can I cultivate here?"
"Until you reach the Condensation Establishment Realm and your cultivation technique reaches the third level," Shennong Family said, looking at the Yan Emperor's Command floating behind Wu Wang. "By then, this item will enter your body and merge with your Divine Soul. It has many marvelous uses, and it can also protect your Divine Soul from death once."
Wu Wang scratched his head. Doesn't that mean it will be soon?
"It will be soon," Shennong Family laughed. "Having received benefits from the Human Emperor, you should do something for the Human race. Later, I will send you directly to a wondrous country in the Western Wilderness. You will certainly be very happy there."
"What place?"
"Women's Country. It's not far from here."
Shennong Family gave a straight answer. "A rebellion is about to occur in Women's Country, and its environment is also somewhat special. Go there, take a look around. If you don't want to intervene, then don't. If you do feel like helping, use your Praying Star Technique to assist them. The choice is entirely yours. I'm just sending you there. If you feel your heart isn't settled, you can fly away directly."
This isn't some kind of weird trial, is it? Wu Wang mumbled. "I'm not interested in those trials of yours that could refine someone to death."
Shennong Family raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Refine someone to death? What do you mean by that?"