This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 393 - 391 - : Lan Heads to the Southeast, the Letter Conveys Affection
The announcement from the Human Emperor Pavilion spread quickly throughout the Human Domain. Bulletins were posted in the Pavilion itself, and official notifications were sent to the Military Families and Sects.
The once-bustling mortal world seemed as if someone had pressed a pause button.
Most mortals, accustomed to peaceful lives, remained unaware. The cultivators who aspired to make their mark in the Northern Region found their Dao hearts mostly shaken by this news. And those Human Cultivators who had already been worrying about the Human race after the Human Emperor’s passing were now filled with extreme panic and unease.
Large groups of cultivators fled towards the Southeastern Region overnight. Some, having fled halfway, turned to glance at the dark line on the horizon, cursed under their breath, and then, ironically, began their journey back. However, the vast majority of cultivators did not move.
Within days, order in the Human Domain collapsed into paralysis as unease spread everywhere.
The lifespans of ordinary cultivators were still too short. Compared to the ephemeral lives of mortals, they were like irises that bloom only one season a year. Though their lives were relatively more splendid, they still could not glimpse the true face of the boundless river of time.
Fortunately, Human Domain cultivators had been indoctrinated about the war between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain from the very beginning of their cultivation.
They knew of the Innate Gods’ cruelty, understood the Heaven Palace’s oppression of all living beings, and were aware of the Divine Spirits’ merciless slaughter of their ancestors. This understanding led most Human Domain cultivators to slowly accept this harsh reality.
Though inevitably succumbing to pessimism, small flames of resistance began to ignite in various places.
A heroic figure carrying a great saber stood atop a tall building, gulping down strong liquor as he gazed at the sky, lamenting, "Eighty percent! Eighty percent of human lives exchanged for a supreme Great Dao... How did our ancestors ever endure this?"
A delicate Fairy, seemingly fragile enough to be swept away by the wind, stood amidst the proud beauty of frost and snow, murmuring softly, "Did the founding masters of my Sect face the iron cavalry of the Heaven Palace with such resolute hearts?"
Then there were righteous individuals, rushing to spread the news, gathering their fellow Sect members. Standing before a solemn and imposing hall, they shouted with indignation, "We cultivators dwell in these deep mountains and ancient forests, enduring harsh meditation and cultivation, seeking to comprehend the Great Dao! But what is the Great Dao? The Great Dao is that which can protect the lives of our people! The Heaven Palace deems us weak, acts wantonly, and has slaughtered countless members of our race! The heavenly order is inconstant, and heaven and earth are oblivious! I am willing to offer my seven-foot body and spill my fervent blood! To protect our Human race and resist the Heaven Palace!"
Their shouts stirred emotions. Sparks rapidly converged, igniting a fervent desire across the Human Domain for a decisive battle against the Heaven Palace. This forced the Human Emperor Pavilion to issue repeated announcements, and even seasoned elders had to step forward to pacify these impassioned young cultivators.
Only by accumulating strength could they deliver the most powerful blow.
「Sometime Later」
Under these circumstances, Shen Nong appeared above the main hall of the Human Emperor Pavilion. After waiting for more than a month, he engaged in a discussion about the fate of the Human Domain with the living beings who had gathered there.
The old man, clad in a straw raincoat, no longer merely gazed benevolently at the living beings of the Human Domain. He stood up, and with a fervent, impassioned tone, he stirred the Dao hearts of the cultivators.
"The Heaven Palace has given us no chance to escape. From the very beginning, we have relied on the accumulation of our predecessors to contend with the gods of the Heaven Palace."
"The Dao of Fuel and Fire, painstakingly created by Emperor Suiren, is the final bulwark protecting the Human race. The multiple Great Daos established by Emperor Fu Xi, using collected Jade Stones of Heaven and Earth, were meant to shield us from the devastation of dark turmoil."
"If the Human Domain collapses, how can the people of the Great Wilderness survive? How will those Divine Spirits of the Heaven Palace suppress all tribes of our Human race?"
"The great goddess Nuwa did not grant us the ability to easily approach the Great Dao, but she gave our Human race infinite possibilities!"
"Go and cultivate! Stabilize your Dao hearts and comprehend the Great Dao! Use every means to enhance your strength!"
"Go and reunite with your families. Understand the responsibilities we all bear."
"Go and confess your feelings to your beloved while you still have the chance."
"In the past, I too felt fear. I feared that if I rashly counterattacked, even this hard-won new era would be lost, and the heroes who forged this Dao of Fuel and Fire with their blood and souls would have sacrificed themselves in vain."
"For 86,000 years, I have borne the blood and tears of ninety percent of the living beings shed when Emperor Fu Xi’s era ended! For 86,000 years!"
"It is time for this to end!"
"If we do not carve a path through the thorns, are we to let our descendants repeat this tragedy? Must our children and grandchildren also throw away their lives and shed their blood?"
"Before my life ends, I will point my sword at the Heaven Palace and cleanse the Divine Pool with their blood! With the blood of Divine Spirits, I will honor the heroes of our Human race!"
High above, the Human Emperor in his straw raincoat let out a deafening roar.
In the wilds, countless eyes watched, transfixed. In that instant, their Dao hearts seemed to connect, erupting into a chorus of shouts like collapsing mountains and sweeping tsunamis.
"Let not the ancestors’ blood be shed in vain! Let us not become a laughingstock to our descendants!"
Those final words spoken by the Human Emperor that day became a mantra constantly murmured by the cultivators of the Human Domain.
「In the South Wilderness of the Great Wilderness」
The atmosphere suddenly grew solemn and intense. The sound of sharpening blades was everywhere, and figures could be seen sparring all around.
Amidst glaciers and snowy peaks, cultivators whose Cultivation Techniques were aligned with the Dao of Ice contemplated its mysteries in the bitter cold. Within volcanic magma, figures rose and fell.
Above the clear skies and white clouds, Immortals roamed the Taixu, absorbing wisps of pure energy.
From the depths of the earth’s Rift Valleys, the cacophony of ghostly wails and wolf howls grew louder.
The Annihilation Sect was no different. Many Demonic Cultivators began to cultivate with a frenzied intensity.
The Disciples of the Black Desire Door considered finding a way to break through their Cultivation Technique’s limitations. They thought of using some mortals to overcome these difficulties, allowing their cultivation to quickly ascend to a new level.
Fortunately, Miao Cuijiao remained clear-headed throughout, instructing the Disciples to continue their regular cultivation.
The Black Desire Door’s Cultivation Technique, if one lost their virginity, would forcibly advance their charm skills significantly, but their future achievements would then be capped. That was a method to be used only as a last resort. At this stage, increasing their own strength was paramount. Before the war began, they could find some mortals, give them a night of pleasure in their dreams, and in exchange, achieve a leap in their Cultivation Technique.
Mortals might deplete their vital essence, but one or two Elixirs could replenish it. However, if a cultivator became a sacrifice for the Black Desire technique, their cultivation foundation would be destroyed.
Sect Master Miao was quite troubled by such matters, but due to the Cultivation Technique’s restrictions, there was nothing she could do.
Thus, the male cultivators within the Annihilation Sect began to live in fear. Whenever they ventured out, they were almost invariably tormented by passing female Disciples using their charm skills.
"What are we to do?" In Wu Wang’s cave dwelling, Miao Cuijiao lamented with a sigh, slowly collapsing onto the low table placed in the center of the soft couch, inadvertently creating a captivating sight.
Beside her, Lin Suqing glanced down at her own chest and silently pulled her collar tighter. Slender and delicate, that’s true classical beauty.
"Regarding the Cultivation Techniques, there’s truly no solution," Lin Suqing sighed. "This isn’t something you or I can resolve."
Miao Cuijiao yawned languidly. Having recently shuttled between the Annihilation Sect and the Refining Master Alliance, she was indeed quite exhausted.
She asked, "Does our Sect Master have any instructions?"
"I haven’t received any messages recently," Lin Suqing pursed her lips, letting out a soft hum. "Now that he has his Young Master, who pays attention to us insignificant beings?"
Miao Cuijiao’s delicate nostrils twitched. "SNIFF, SNIFF." She chuckled, "Why do I smell a hint of green-eyed monster?"
Lin Suqing replied coolly, "Just some vinegar that spilled in the nearby stove."
"And why does it smell a bit burnt now?" Miao Cuijiao pressed.
"The weather’s dry, things catch fire easily!" Lin Suqing retorted.
Miao Cuijiao chuckled softly but didn’t tease further. Resting her head on one jade-like arm, she lay on the low table, gazing at the swirling dust motes in the soft light emanating from a Treasure Bead, momentarily lost in thought.
"There will inevitably be a great battle between the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace," Miao Cuijiao murmured. "The path our Sect Master has chosen will surely become even more difficult after all this turmoil."
Lin Suqing, however, said, "I get the feeling there’s some kind of scheme behind all this."
"A scheme?" Miao Cuijiao asked.
"Yes, it’s just a hunch," Lin Suqing murmured. "I know that the Young Master and the Human Emperor share a very deep bond, one that goes beyond a simple father-in-law and son-in-law relationship. To be honest, the Human Emperor often dislikes any mention of the relationship between the Young Master and Princess Jingwei. The Young Master also doesn’t dare joke about it with the Human Emperor."
"That’s understandable," Miao Cuijiao laughed. "A father marrying off his daughter is like an old wolf starved for days and nights—they can truly bite."
Lin Suqing’s eyes darted sideways. She chuckled, "You’re actually making insinuations about the Human Emperor!"
"PTUI! PTUI! PTUI!" Miao Cuijiao glared at Lin Suqing. "How dare you be so disrespectful to your master! I was just making an analogy, understand? An analogy! Now, quickly tell me what you think is off."
"The timing seems off," Lin Suqing whispered. "I’m just guessing wildly, but why did the Human Emperor choose this specific moment to announce it? And why, after the announcement, expend effort to suppress the cultivators’ anger? If they had waited until both armies were engaged, with the Human Domain’s leadership fully prepared, and then announced it... The Young Master once said that an army fighting with righteous grief is sure to win."
"If this matter had been announced before the war, cultivators, resolved to die, would have marched north. They would either overwhelm the Heaven Palace with a tide of living beings or suffer catastrophic losses themselves. In either case, the Human Emperor’s position would smoothly transition to the next successor."
"From the perspective of the great war between the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace, announcing it now—and then merely reinforcing the north without full preparations for war—seems contradictory."
"Now that you put it that way, it does seem rather contradictory," Miao Cuijiao murmured softly.
Lin Suqing proudly lifted her chin. Everyone thinks I’m just the head of the Maidens, but I actually understand a little bit of everything!
Just then, a light laugh sounded from outside the hall, followed by a lazy voice, "Fairy Lin, you’re quite right. Brother Wuwang is truly missing out by not keeping you by his side."
Lin Suqing’s eyes brightened. "Is that the Sleep God?" she asked.
"Ah, just call me Old Bro."
Without any fluctuation in the fabric of Heaven and Earth, a wisp of cloud appeared before Lin Suqing, coalescing into the slightly plump figure of Yun Zhongjun’s disguise.
Lin Suqing and Miao Cuijiao rose to pay their respects. Yun Zhongjun smiled, nodded, and then pointed a finger lightly at Miao Cuijiao.
He said, "At Brother Wuwang’s request, I’ve helped modify your Black Desire Door’s Cultivation Technique. If you re-cultivate according to this method, in about three to five years, you should be able to overcome its limitations and develop a rather decent charming art."
Sect Master Miao’s delicate body trembled. Realization dawning, she quickly sat down to meditate and refine the new knowledge, her hands forming a Lotus Seal.
Lin Suqing raised a soundproof Barrier for her and then blinked softly at Yun Zhongjun, a hint of hopeful expectation in her eyes.
Yun Zhongjun gave an embarrassed smile. "Well, Brother Wuwang only asked me to do this. I’m just here to deliver the Cultivation Technique."
"Oh." Lin Suqing’s lips puffed out slightly, but she quickly recovered and asked, "Is he safe in the Heaven Palace?"
"According to Lord Cang Xue, he’s been quite idle lately."
Yun Zhongjun smiled and said, "Over the past month, the entire Human Domain has been in an uproar, causing unrest in the Heaven Palace as well. Many Innate Gods have awakened and are on alert, fearing the Human Domain might launch another northern expedition regardless of the consequences. Our brother has been staying put in his Temple; it’s not a good time for him to be out and about. You were just talking about the Human Emperor. What deeper meaning do you think lies behind his actions?"
"Why is the Sleep God testing me?" Lin Suqing pondered carefully. "I really can’t figure it out."
"He’s putting pressure on the Heaven Palace and, at the same time, creating more opportunities for Brother Wuwang," Yun Zhongjun explained. "The attitude Emperor Shun is currently displaying aims to win over some Human Domain experts by showing affinity towards living beings, thereby weakening the Human Domain’s overall strength. It’s a very clever move, but Brother Wuwang has neutralized most of it. Next, it depends on whether Emperor Shun will, as he claimed, entrust Wuwang with significant power."
"But... what use is power within the Heaven Palace?" Lin Suqing asked.
"The struggle between ruler and minister isn’t so simple," Yun Zhongjun said slowly. "The actualization of power is quite complex. Take the Head Manager, for example. If he had relied on his own prestige back then, instead of fawning over Emperor Shun, Emperor Shun’s authority wouldn’t have grown so immense. Wuwang has already set his plans in motion in the Heaven Palace. It’s best not to say too much about these things; you’ll understand with some thought. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back and catch up on my sleep. Once your Young Master calls for me, I probably won’t get any rest at all."
With that, this wisp of Yun Zhongjun’s consciousness was about to dissipate.
"WAIT!" Lin Suqing stepped forward quickly. "Sleep God, do you happen to know where Princess Jingwei has gone recently?"
"Hmm?" Yun Zhongjun’s figure had already turned into green smoke, but fortunately, it hadn’t dispersed yet. He said, "I checked earlier. She was in the Human Emperor Pavilion, absorbing Divine Power. Her strength is now quite considerable. Shen Nong has invested a great deal in cultivating Jingwei, likely hoping she can assist Wuwang in terms of power."
"And Fairy Ling?"
"Her?" Yun Zhongjun hummed thoughtfully, seemingly performing a quick divination. Soon, he let out a soft "Oh?" "She’s not in the mountains anymore? That, I truly don’t know."
"I see... I understand. Thank you, Old Bro."
"No problem, just call me Old Bro! HAHAHA—HICC!" Yun Zhongjun waved his hand, and the green smoke scattered, merging into the earth.
Lin Suqing pursed her lips slightly. She glanced at Miao Cuijiao, then gently and unreservedly leaned against the edge of the low table. A few strands of hair slipped from behind her ear as she stared blankly into space. Sigh, what can I do to help the Young Master?
Senior Shen Nong is truly something... He either doesn’t make a move, or he delivers a huge surprise.
In the God of Spring’s Temple, Wu Wang lay sprawled amidst a pile of toy building blocks. The small figure in his arms, Xiao Ming, was already fast asleep, her drool dampening his robe. This little one, Ming, is truly carefree.
Wu Wang quietly contemplated the recent turn of events. The situation between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain, which had just cooled, was now boiling over again. This time, however, it was the gods of the Heaven Palace who were restless and anxious.
He could feel it: the gazes of the Divine Spirits upon him now held more fear, and more contemplation.
This was the handiwork of the great Shen Nong. His actions served as a reminder to the Heaven Palace: the Human Domain was prepared to fight them to the death. Like the barefoot man unafraid of the one with shoes, they were ready to risk everything. If the outcome couldn’t be changed, if the stalemate couldn’t be broken... then, should they wait in the Human Domain to be slaughtered, forcing the birth of a new Human Emperor? Or should they charge out, strike at the Heaven Palace, determined to die while taking down as many Innate Gods as possible, and then use their sacrifice to ignite the Dao of Fuel and Fire, completing the succession of the Human Emperor and giving rise to a new one? The answer was undoubtedly the latter. Pushing the war into the Innate Gods’ territory was, in itself, a way to protect the beings of the Human Domain. An army fighting with righteous grief is bound to win. After all, many gods are just that stubborn. Kind words and reason fall on deaf ears. Only when you bare your fangs and show you’re ready to fight them to the death do they finally get startled and change their tune.
Wu Wang, however, was not in a hurry. Impatience at this juncture could lead to various unforeseen problems. It was time he learned to be a bit more prudent.
With external support and the previous matter concerning Heng’e, it shouldn’t be long before Emperor Shun sought him out.
Wu Wang inspected the restrictions within his body and couldn’t help but mutter to himself. I wonder how Yang Wudi is doing with spreading that news? I still want to scheme against the Gold God too... Oh well, better to wait. This is a time for stillness, not action.
Wu Wang enveloped Xiao Ming’s small body with immortal power, carefully placing her onto the soft bed. He then cast a minor spell, causing a gentle breeze to continuously waft around her.
He then walked to his desk and retrieved a Jade Talisman from his sleeve, one given to him by Hu Sheng.
The message within the Jade Talisman had been transcribed by Hu Sheng, but the words themselves were dictated by Hu Sheng’s junior martial niece, a young woman from the Human Domain.
[For Your Eyes, My Lord:
Lately, I have been fraught with worry, wondering how Brother Wuwang fares in his confinement. Whenever I recall our past days cultivating together, my Dao heart aches with an irrepressible longing.
Through the guidance of an elder, I have finally come to understand the many hardships Brother Wuwang endures, the arduous path he treads. To bring peace and joy to all living beings, to lessen the world’s sorrows—such profound righteousness is beyond my grasp.
I will soon depart for the Southeastern Region to spread Brother Wuwang’s valiant name and publicize his benevolent deeds, hoping the collective will of the people will gather to protect his body and soul.
I, Lan, will not betray the trust the elder placed in me. I will strive for loyalty and righteousness, for Brother Wuwang’s cause.
My dear brother, do not worry for me. Xiaolan is well, and the Human Domain is peaceful. I only regret my past ignorance of your burdens and feel deep remorse.
I eagerly await your safe return, wishing to serve by your side with my youth and dark hair.
Life is difficult for all; my only wish is that we are not parted.
Written at night, in the bamboo forest of the Sect.
Xiaolan.]
Wu Wang gently rubbed the communication Jade Talisman, his fingers tracing its fine texture, as if he could see her—the young woman who always wore a veil, her brow furrowed, yet stubbornly insisting on standing before him.
With a soft sigh, he stored the Jade Talisman close to his person, placing it near his heart.
「Southern Territory of the East Sea」
Fleets of great ships sailed towards the Southeastern Region. The waves were vast and mighty, the mist ethereal. A graceful figure in white, seemingly untouched by the mortal world, stood upon one. The clear, elegant notes of a flute drifted from her, weaving into the wind and carried towards the distant horizons.
