This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 401 - 399: The Anti-Spring Alliance! [10,000 updates, asking for votes!]
’You can always trust Young Master.’
What to do? Should I induct Young Master into the Heavenly Dao now, making her the fifth in the Heavenly Dao sequence? But by doing so, there’s a risk of exposing the Heavenly Dao, and my relationship with Young Master would come under additional strain; the timing is far from ripe. To ensure that Young Master is on my side and to avoid exposing the Heavenly Dao, should I simply be decisive and, like Emperor Shun who married Xihe, marry Young Master myself? Wouldn’t that taint the pure feelings we have? In this way, wouldn’t it become a situation where I’m using my feelings to manipulate Young Master? This dilemma has now become a tug-of-war between personal emotions and the greater good of all living beings...
Wu Wang sat on the steps before the Reproduction Temple, his eyes filled with emotion.
Wu Wang rubbed his face with both hands and continued to sit there somberly.
The deities observing the situation seemed to understand something. Earlier, Young Master had rushed back to Heaven Palace with the God of Spring. They had urgently activated the barrier of the Reproduction Temple, blocking all probes. A short while later, the God of Spring sat before the temple looking dejected, as if he had encountered some difficult problem.
This situation is clearly as they imagined!
The deities felt a secret delight, and quite a few male gods looked at Wu Wang with a hint of subtle camaraderie.
While Wu Wang was entangled in his thoughts, a beam of golden light flew in from afar, morphing into the silhouette of Liu Guang.
"Brother Wuwang!" Liu Guang said joyfully, "I was just looking for you to chat. Why are you sitting here? Aren’t you going inside to find Sister?"
"Liu Guang," Wu Wang responded listlessly, "I’ve run into some troubling matters. Just sitting here spacing out for a bit."
Liu Guang walked forward with a smile, then sat beside Wu Wang, legs neatly together and chest held high, in a manner both graceful and firm. He smiled and said, "Is there anything I can do to help you, Brother Wuwang?"
Wu Wang shook his head. "This is a personal matter, not for outsiders. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I still can’t decide," Liu Guang’s androgynous face was full of indecision, "whether to become a man or a woman."
"Why not try it out beforehand?" Wu Wang laughed. "Don’t be in a hurry to transform. First, try out what it feels like to be a man—your speech, walk, and dress should all lean towards the masculine. After a while, then try what it feels like to be a woman."
Liu Guang’s eyes lit up. He smiled and said, "That’s a pretty good idea. So, Brother Wuwang, is there anything I need to pay attention to when being a man?"
"That’s for you to observe." Wu Wang gazed at the sunset clouds on the horizon and sighed, "If there’s nothing else, just let me stay here for a while."
"Alright, sure." Liu Guang stood up happily and bowed to Wu Wang. "Thank you for your help, Brother Wuwang. I’ll go observe men and women right away!"
After speaking, his figure transformed into golden light and shot away, blending into the sunset clouds in the blink of an eye.
Wu Wang couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Liu Guang should probably remain a woman; otherwise, being called the fastest male god in Heaven Palace might sound rather awkward.
Inside the temple, Young Master curled up in a hanging basket, pinching a soft candy. She stared at the vines that wove the basket, lost in thought. A long time passed, but she didn’t put the candy to her lips.
Outside the temple, Wu Wang slapped his thigh, stood up, and strode toward the temple’s interior, determination etched on his face.
Just marry this goddess, and sort out the rest later! What dignity is there for a man to be so indecisive? I can’t just back down because Young Master is too important to the Heavenly Dao! Go confess! Go propose! Go!
"Hmm?"
A pale green divine light flickered, and Young Master appeared in the temple, her expressive eyes gazing at Wu Wang.
Wu Wang instantly stood bolt upright.
She blinked, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes, wondering if Wu Wang would confide in her.
"Ahem, well," Wu Wang cleared his throat, "the weather is quite nice today, isn’t it?"
Young Master asked, puzzled, "What’s wrong?"
"I was just thinking... about our relationship... um... whether we could... perhaps... take it further... that sort of thing."
Wu Wang inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, gazing into Young Master’s eyes, yet feeling inexplicably apprehensive again.
"Why say this all of a sudden?" Young Master pursed her lips, but a smile couldn’t help but curl at the corners of her mouth.
She raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "Let’s just let things take their natural course. There’s no need to force anything... Were you agonizing over this earlier?"
"No," Wu Wang sighed gently and took a step forward.
As he took her cool, slender hands, the fervor that had previously stirred his Dao-heart settled.
Indeed, such matters cannot be rushed. She has traversed long eons, witnessed countless beautiful sights in the world—not to become an appendage to me, but to embark on a beautiful story together, to immerse ourselves in that story, seeking the meaning of existence. Love is beautiful, but it’s not the entirety of a conscious being. These issues I’d been struggling with were actually meaningless. Her stance and her emotional loyalties were never related in the first place. It was only because she stands on the side of living beings, as a deity who protects them, that I had the mistaken impression my feelings could sway her position.
Wu Wang took another half step forward and opened his arms.
Young Master suddenly perceived a change in Wu Wang’s eyes, feeling them to be like a spring breeze in March or the brilliant summer sun—scorching yet not exerting any pressure on one who looked directly.
She chose to follow her heart’s intuition, lowered her head slightly, and walked into his embrace, her heart inevitably stirring with faint ripples.
This hug was rather proper.
Wu Wang whispered a few words in her ear. Young Master didn’t catch most of them, but she felt an indescribable peace in her heart.
Yet the words, "When you wish to marry me, I will take you as my wife," made her feel as if she had tumbled into the clouds, sitting on a flying vessel made of condensed mist, drifting aimlessly without a stable anchor.
The Great Dao is silent; the Dao of Marriage forms of its own accord.
The deities in Heaven Palace watched this scene before the Reproduction Temple. Most goddesses showed expressions of regret, while scoffing sounds from the male gods echoed one after another.
"I always activate a barrier when I get close to someone!"
"Pah!"
"Even Lady Young Master has stooped to this, eh? This should be concealed! All this hugging and embracing, what propriety is there?"
Thus, the deities began to criticize the couple from every conceivable angle, though they hadn’t overstepped any bounds.
For a time, the air in Heaven Palace was thick with the metaphorical scent of sour lemons, and even the Divine Court reeked of acidity from all the jealousy.
「Sometime later」
After returning from the Reproduction Temple, Wu Wang held a small, remote Heavenly Dao meeting with his mother and Yun Zhongjun.
In truth, it was Wu Wang who spoke to his mother, and she then relayed the information to Yun Zhongjun.
At the meeting, Wu Wang pointed out the importance of Young Master, an Innate God of Heaven Palace, and how the Treasure Bead of All Spirits she created would greatly benefit the development of the Heavenly Dao.
The fourth seat of the Heavenly Dao was promised to the Queen Mother of the West; Wu Wang had already decided to give the fifth seat to Young Master.
Cang Xue and Yun Zhongjun had no objections at all; in fact, they were in complete agreement.
Moreover, Cang Xue brought back Yun Zhongjun’s admonishments, each word hitting the mark, as if Yun Zhongjun had personally heard Wu Wang’s earlier struggles.
Yun Zhongjun’s original words were:
"Young Master’s Dao of Reproduction is fundamentally the basis of all living beings. Given that the Head Manager has already inflicted considerable harm on living beings, it’s essential that we secure Young Master as an Innate God.
Wu Wang, you are sentimental and easily feel that it’s these emotions that entangle Young Master.
Actually, that’s not the case.
The Great Dao profoundly influences Innate Gods. For example, the Dao of Ice influences your mother, making her steadfast, precise, and decisive in duels, without a shred of hesitation.
Young Master’s affinity for and protection of living beings is likely the result of being influenced by the Dao of Reproduction over a long period.
The three supreme Daos concerning living beings are destined to align with our Heavenly Dao. Integrating these three Daos is your foremost duty as the leader of the Heavenly Dao.
Don’t feel pressured. Act when it’s time to act. Young Master is innocent and guileless; how could she possibly resist your schemes?"
Of course, when his mother relayed the message, she changed Yun Zhongjun’s example from the Ice God to the Fire God.
The Fire God’s violent temper is also related to the influence of his Great Dao.
This made Wu Wang ponder further.
So, what influence does the Queen Mother of the West’s Divine Punishment Dao have? Does her avatar of desire have some predilection for whips, wax, and little stools?
Nevertheless, encouraged by his elder brother Yun Zhongjun, Wu Wang felt even more invigorated.
Besides planning various official matters and the development of the Dao of Marriage, Wu Wang also began consciously arranging ’little stories’ for his time with Young Master.
In matters of the heart, constant companionship is paramount.
He would wait until their feelings deepened and things naturally came to fruition. Then, Wu Wang wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to make her his family. Later, when the Heavenly Dao could manifest in the world, if she wished, he would help her attain the fifth seat in the Heavenly Dao sequence.
After Wu Wang instructed that the Treasure Bead of All Spirits must not be known to others, Young Master completely sealed off the Reproduction Temple and moved everything to the God of Spring’s Temple.
She not only came herself but also brought her few maidens and the Divine Guards stationed around her former temple, making the God of Spring’s Temple a bit livelier.
Wu Wang spent half his time in the God of Spring’s Temple accompanying Young Master and Xiao Ming, and the other half cultivating in the Marriage Hall.
Under Wu Wang’s impetus, the Dao of Marriage had begun to spread throughout the heavens and earth.
The living beings in Emperor’s City were starting to be influenced by this Great Dao, gradually forming the concept of marriage in their hearts. Among the tribes living closer to Heaven Palace, those with relatively primitive civilizations, men and women also gradually developed an awareness of forming pairs.
If catalyzed by the Treasure Bead of All Spirits, the Dao of Marriage would unfold with incredible ease. However, Young Master and the Treasure Bead of All Spirits were already considered by Wu Wang as important trump cards for the Heavenly Dao. It was impossible to reveal them at this time and needlessly benefit Emperor Shun.
He could give Emperor Shun some minor advantages, but he would absolutely not help Emperor Shun completely overpower the Human Domain or the Candle Dragon.
「Months went by like this.」
Within Heaven Palace, no Innate God paid any further attention to the God of Spring’s Temple. Wu Wang, through the Mirror God’s introduction, participated in several formal gatherings of Innate Gods, thus beginning to establish his ’network’ in Heaven Palace.
The God of Spring’s Divine World developed steadily.
Da Yi proposed forming a grand hunting brigade. Leading Divine Generals and soldiers, he roamed the peripheries of various divine realms, hunting fierce beasts, rescuing suffering living beings, and proclaiming the glory of the God of Spring.
During these months, a rumor related to Wu Wang had arisen in Emperor’s City.
The power of Feng Chun was said to strengthen one’s constitution and cultivate vital essence, giving gods and living beings alike a ’second spring’ of life.
This news had been around before, but most treated it as a joke, something to tease about in conversation. Recently, however, for some unknown reason, the rumors intensified, with some even ’testifying’ to their truth.
Needless to say, this was naturally the work of the Grand Elder and his people.
An increasing number of beings came to the God of Spring’s Divine World to worship the God of Spring. Most of these beings were ’either wealthy or noble,’ allowing the inhabitants of the God of Spring’s Divine World to make a fortune.
Initially, Wu Wang merely laughed off these rumors and paid them no mind.
’Bringing withered trees back to spring’ refers to rejuvenation and restoring vitality! This Great Dao has nothing to do with strengthening constitutions and nourishing vital essence, and Heaven Palace never granted me this divine authority! All they know is how to fool around! I’m an Immortal, not an actual god!
This continued until one day, Wu Wang received an urgent message from the Grand Elder requesting aid and rushed to the Divine Realm...
Just as he emerged from the barrier beneath Heaven Palace, Wu Wang saw the Grand Elder hurrying towards him.
The Grand Elder was in a rush. Upon seeing Wu Wang, he called out anxiously, "Sect Master, quickly! Yang Wudi is in trouble!"
"What happened?" Wu Wang moved forward swiftly, grabbed the Grand Elder’s arm, and his figure surged ahead, rapidly descending into the God of Spring’s Divine World.
When he saw Yang Wudi, the man was lying on Da Yi’s bed, eyes closed in sleep, his breathing faint. Wu Wang stepped forward to take his pulse, his brow furrowing repeatedly.
It seems I don’t know how to diagnose illnesses.
Da Yi reported from the side, "My lord, Brother Yang returned an hour ago. When he arrived, he was walking with a spring in his step, full of vigor. But as soon as we entered this room, he sighed, yawned, lay down, and fell into a deep sleep. At first, I thought nothing of it, assuming Brother Yang was just tired. But gradually, his breathing grew weaker and weaker..."
Wu Wang nodded slowly and took out an elixir from his sleeve.
The Grand Elder immediately moved forward and pried open Yang Wudi’s mouth, allowing Wu Wang to toss the elixir in.
The Grand Elder whispered, "Sect Master, we’ve already fed him elixirs before, but there was no reaction. It seems he used some advanced technique, making it impossible to see his internal condition."
"Advanced technique?"
Wu Wang suddenly thought of something. He grasped Yang Wudi’s arm and shook it gently, discovering a thin layer of Transformation Qi clinging to Yang Wudi’s body.
Wu Wang said, "Hu Sheng, please step outside for a moment."
"Oh, yes!" Hu Sheng replied, somewhat bewildered, feeling as if he were being singled out. He lowered his head and quickly left the room.
Afterward, the Grand Elder set up a barrier, Da Yi closed the doors and windows, Kan Tianhou hid in a corner, and General Xiong San readied his great axe.
Wu Wang touched his finger to Yang Wudi’s forehead, then stepped back.
A wisp of gray qi diffused from around Yang Wudi and immediately entered his chest; the Transformation Qi originating from Senior Shen Nong settled near Yang Wudi’s Primordial Spirit.
Instantly, the room filled with the sound of sharp intakes of breath.
Yang Wudi’s true appearance was now revealed.
His eyes, deeply sunken, were ringed with heavy dark circles, and his cheeks were completely devoid of color. Although he still appeared robust, he emanated an aura of profound decline, his breathing incredibly faint.
"What’s wrong with him?" Xiong San muttered. "Feels like a stud wolf that overexerted itself after siring a litter with a giant wolf?"
Da Yi frowned and said, "Even excessive indulgence in carnal pleasures wouldn’t lead to this..."
Wu Wang sighed. "This fellow must have encountered some kind of vixen demon; his vital essence is almost completely drained!"
"Sect Master, what is a vixen demon?"
"A rather ancient type of being in the Great Wilderness," Wu Wang said calmly, observing Yang Wudi’s form. He pondered for a moment, then began to channel his Feng Chun Divine Power.
A moment later, a verdant glow bloomed in Wu Wang’s palm.
As soon as this light enveloped Yang Wudi, it was absorbed rapidly, like water into a dry sponge.
Wu Wang fumbled in his sleeve for a moment, then took out the medicinal liquor he had received from Senior Shen Nong. He poured a cupful and administered it to Yang Wudi.
Soon, Yang Wudi’s vitality returned. His withered complexion quickly regained its luster, and his robes conspicuously tented.
"HAH!" Yang Wudi exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and sat bolt upright, his eyes wide, beads of hot sweat forming on his forehead.
Beside him, the Grand Elder lightly tapped a finger. Water-elemental Spiritual Energy quickly converged, forming a pile of ice that buried more than half of Yang Wudi’s body.
"Hmph!" the Grand Elder cursed. "You’re a disgrace!"
Only then did Yang Wudi fully come to his senses. He turned his head to look at Wu Wang, this tough man’s eyes brimming with tears...
"Sect Master, your subordinate has not failed the mission! I persuaded a Divine Spirit!"
Wu Wang frowned. "How did you end up like this?"
"Those Divine Spirits in Heaven Palace, they really..." Yang Wudi silently clutched his chest and sighed deeply. "Previously, your subordinate believed himself invincible across the Human Domain, with no rivals in combat or in the bedchamber. I never imagined these Innate Gods would be even more formidable. However, with the Divine Power bestowed by you, Sect Master, I am confident I can conquer that Divine Spirit in one go!"
"That’s enough out of you!" Wu Wang chided with a laugh. "Your health is what’s important."
"Hehe, I also found pleasure in it," Yang Wudi said, then his expression turned serious. "Sect Master, there is something I must report to you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have rushed back."
General Xiong San chuckled. "You were nearly a dried-up husk, and you claim you weren’t in a hurry to return?"
"Well," Yang Wudi said, patting his bald head sheepishly.
"Alright," Wu Wang said. "Yang Wudi has performed meritorious service. Being able to integrate into the circles of Innate Gods through such methods is very meaningful. What news have you gathered?"
"Recently, the Divine Spirits of Heaven Palace have clandestinely formed an Anti-Spring Alliance."
Yang Wudi continued, "According to Xiao Qin, this Anti-Spring Alliance is quite secretive, and half of the Main Gods are already involved. Their goal is to drive you out of Heaven Palace. Xiao Qin was initially one of them. She found the matter rather amusing, a diversion from her tedious divine existence. However, after my persuasion, she has now renounced her former ways and recognizes the absurdity of this Anti-Spring Alliance.
Sect Master, these Innate Gods have already begun to act secretly. Several of them have gone to the Southeastern Region, intending to provoke conflict with the Human Domain. The Human Domain is currently undertaking major operations in the Southeastern Region. Heaven Palace has also deployed considerable forces in the Eastern Wilderness. If things are not handled carefully, a great war could genuinely erupt once more. The main goal of this Anti-Spring Alliance is to corner you, Sect Master, forcing you to choose between Heaven Palace and the Human Domain, preventing you from playing both sides to your advantage."
Yang Wudi paused, as if feeling his choice of words was somewhat inappropriate.
"The Southeastern Region?" Wu Wang’s brow furrowed deeply. He then asked, "Who is the leader of this foolish alliance?"
"That, I really don’t know," Yang Wudi muttered. "Xiao Qin is merely a minor goddess in Heaven Palace, lacking the rank of a Main God. She was previously drawn into this by a friend. They communicate via transmissions through the Great Dao, so no one knows who the mastermind is."
Wu Wang thought for a moment, then pulled several Treasure Sacks from his sleeve and tossed them into Yang Wudi’s arms.
"Take these and spend them lavishly. Don’t let us men of the Human Race lose face before the Innate Gods... And exercise some restraint yourself."
"Ah, hehe." Yang Wudi slapped his head and couldn’t help but murmur, "Your Feng Chun Divine Power truly has such a marvelous effect."
"I will go investigate this matter. You all contact the Human Domain and ensure utmost caution in your actions within the Southeastern Region."
Wu Wang flicked his sleeve, and his figure transformed into Divine Light, returning to Heaven Palace.
He could not afford to take this matter lightly.
Xiaolan was currently in the Southeastern Region, consolidating various forces and promoting faith in the God of Spring to provide him with Divine Power support.
He could disregard the minor gods of Heaven Palace for now, but their strength generally surpassed that of ordinary Transcendents. If they launched a surprise attack...
DANG—
Wu Wang’s spirit quickened; a cloud of mist had already formed in the depths of his Dao-heart.
Zhong.
