This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 407 - 405: The Lin Family’s Criminal, Now Shattered! [Make Up]
What on earth is Wu Wang planning?
Xiao Jian Daoist stood before a massive map, ten feet wide, his hands clasped behind him in contemplation. He gazed at the topographic map depicting three great lands and a sea territory. His tall, slender figure was like a Longsword drawn from its sheath.
Behind him, dozens of Daoists, old and young, sat or stood, filling the large tent to capacity.
Beneath their feet was not solid earth but clusters of clouds that would not disperse. As the scene slowly rose, outside the tent’s gold and blue embroidery was an endless wall of people.
Hundreds of thousands of Immortal Soldiers were arrayed in the sky in three upper and three lower layers, stretching from east to west and facing north.
Below the clouds where the troops were stationed lay the mouth of a great river, its waters gently sliding into the sea. Beneath that, layer upon layer of figures seemed to be hidden.
This strait, the narrowest land east of the Eastern Wilderness, was the closest point to the Southeastern Region. It had also been the crucial battleground over which the Human Domain and Heaven Palace had fought several major wars in the Southeastern Region.
From this location, heading north and then rapidly northwest led into the Eastern Wilderness, while rushing northeast led towards Yang Valley.
The Human Domain had begun to integrate the forces of the Hundred Races in the Southeastern Region, stationing a contingent of troops here to guard against any sudden aggression from the Heaven Palace army deep within the Eastern Wilderness.
Just yesterday, the Human Domain had suddenly deployed a large number of elite Immortal Soldiers, presenting the stance of gathering forces to march north.
East of the Eastern Wilderness, a commotion stirred instantly. A large number of Divine Guards had surged out of Yang Valley, constructing a defensive line to the north.
The tribes of the Eastern Wilderness also seemed to have received commands from the Divine Spirits. They were gathering their elite forces, preparing for a great battle of "You have Flying Swords, we have limbs."
From the perspective of the entire Great Wilderness, the great war between humans and gods, which had concluded not long ago, seemed poised for a sequel.
From the south, streaks of Liu Guang flew in. Tens of thousands more Immortal Soldiers arrived, halting behind the main army. Several figures flew out from their midst, heading towards the central command tent.
"Report—Lin Family Head Lin Qi has arrived at the central command!"
Xiao Jian Daoist turned and said, "Invite Lin Qi in."
With that, he went to the wooden chair behind the long table and sat quietly.
Around them, several Human Domain experts slowly opened their eyes, each steeling themselves.
Before long, several figures arrived before the tent.
The leader, clad in a black brocade robe, wore a Daoist hairpin, a circular pendant, and tall boots. This, coupled with his handsome face and tall figure, created an aura of extraordinary distinction. This was indeed Lin Qi.
Lin Qi strode quickly inside, clasped his hands in a bow, and announced in a clear voice, "Lin Qi pays his respects to the Elders! Greetings to the Commander!"
"No need for formalities," Xiao Jian Daoist smiled and nodded. Then, his brows furrowed tightly, his gaze passing over Lin Qi’s shoulder to look behind him.
The three cloaked figures behind Lin Qi stepped forward, each bowing their heads to Xiao Jian Daoist and the surrounding Human Domain masters. The one in front spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, "A sinner of the Lin Family. It is inappropriate for me to pay respects."
Xiao Jian Daoist’s brows remained tightly furrowed for a moment as he stared at the figure. He then gave a quick, slight nod and said, "Please wait outside the tent, sirs."
Lin Qi sighed softly, his eyes downcast. The three figures behind him bowed their heads in acknowledgement and stepped outside the tent.
Xiao Jian Daoist said, "Family Head Lin, please take your seat."
"Thank you," Lin Qi clasped his hands and walked calmly to the seat on Xiao Jian Daoist’s left, bowing his head as he sat.
Xiao Jian Daoist said, "Now that everyone is present, I shall lay out the plans for the upcoming northern crossing campaign."
Although the Daoists were mentally prepared, upon hearing Xiao Jian Daoist’s words, they couldn’t help but ask:
"A northern crossing?"
"When did the Pavilion issue such an order? Aren’t we integrating the various tribes in the Southeastern Region? Why the sudden northern crossing?"
"The situation in the Southeastern Region has just begun to show promise. If we rashly cross north and suffer losses, wouldn’t that render all our previous efforts for naught..."
Xiao Jian Daoist raised a hand, gesturing for silence, and the masters gradually quieted.
An elder stroked his beard and mused, "The number of masters we’ve gathered here isn’t substantial. If we attack north, even if we achieve a temporary victory, I fear Heaven Palace will counterattack. Casualties will be inevitable. Xiao Jian Daoist, please reconsider."
"There’s no need for concern," Xiao Jian Daoist said with a smile.
"This northern crossing isn’t about a direct confrontation with Heaven Palace. Our current forces wouldn’t even be enough for the Yang Valley garrison to pick their teeth with.
"Our sole purpose for this expedition is to set bait and fish for gods."
"Fish for gods?"
"How do we set the bait?"
"Doesn’t this sound a bit like child’s play?"
"Hey, this is no child’s play! How could this be called child’s play?"
Xiao Jian Daoist smiled and said softly, "Later, we’ll dispatch a few Transcendents to openly enter the lands east of the Eastern Wilderness, heading towards Yang Valley. We will follow behind.
"According to our informant in Heaven Palace, more than twenty Innate Gods are currently hiding east of the Eastern Wilderness. They all slipped out of Heaven Palace intending to stir chaos in the Southeastern Region, aiming to provoke a war between Heaven Palace and us.
"When my master heard such news, how could he possibly tolerate it?
"If there’s to be a war, it should be us who provoke it, forcing them into a defensive posture. We’ll push the battle towards the vicinity of Yang Valley to prevent them from interfering with our operations in the Southeastern Region."
Everyone nodded, somewhat persuaded by Xiao Jian Daoist’s explanation.
This was primarily because Xiao Jian Daoist had mentioned Liu Baiyi. Although Pavilion Master Liu could be crude, vulgar, and somewhat careless, his deterrent influence remained potent; after all, he was the minister with the most authority beside the Human Emperor.
"This matter must be meticulously planned," an old crone said with a smile. "Thinking of an escape route before we even move—that’s an old tradition of ours in the Human Domain."
"Indeed. Let’s hit them with a surprise attack first to prevent them from causing trouble in our Southeastern Region."
Xiao Jian Daoist laughed and said, "Why has it become ’our’ Southeastern Region? Everyone, please remember the principle: this is the Southeastern Region of all living beings. We from the Human Domain are merely providing righteous assistance."
All the experts nodded in approval.
A fairly meticulous plan quickly took shape under the discussion of these experts. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
The entire plan was well-defined. How to fish for gods, set an ambush, and retreat were all laid out clearly. Several contingency plans were even formulated in a short time.
Wu Wang’s rather superficial tactics of "all’s fair in war" and mixing truth with falsehood had been thoroughly grasped by the Human Domain’s experts.
Lin Qi simply listened quietly from the side. He had no opportunity to speak, nor did he seem to intend to.
Outside the large tent, the three cloaked figures kept their heads bowed from beginning to end, as if avoiding the gazes of those around them.
However, almost as soon as the Human Domain had settled on this strategy, on the land east of the Eastern Wilderness, just roughly three hundred miles from the Human Domain’s army, beneath a mountain forest...
Divine Spirits usually disdained using earth-burrowing techniques, unless splendid halls were built underground.
Here, there was such a hall. Inside, two to three dozen shadowy figures—Heaven Palace Divine Spirits—stood silently. An equal number of Great Daos trembled slightly, as if resonating softly.
Before them floated a simple map, outlining the Human Domain army’s intended line of march.
On the back of this map, hasty handwriting, apparently scrawled in a rush, had been delivered to these Divine Spirits by some unknown means.
A few Main Gods at the forefront smiled with satisfaction.
"They want to enter the lands east of the Eastern Wilderness?"
"Why don’t we just overpower these Human Domain experts directly? That would surely have a good effect."
"Capture these Human Domain experts? Aren’t you afraid they’ll self-destruct and take a few of us with them?"
This voice was somewhat grating, but the Divine Spirits present all fell silent.
They... were indeed somewhat wary.
"Don’t forget why we are here," a female voice said coldly.
"Tianyan Saintess Ling Xiaolan... she’s the original match for the God of Spring, prophesied to be the Human Emperor’s wife.
"If we capture her and bring her back to Heaven Palace, wouldn’t that be a great achievement for us?
"Even if the Young Master continues to protect the God of Spring, he will undoubtedly prioritize suppressing Ling Xiaolan in this matter. We only need to make the God of Spring hesitant to act rashly, and our mission will be a complete success."
One god sneered, "Just make him hesitant? Why not kill that Tianyan Saintess and enjoy the look on the God of Spring’s face?"
"If we kill her, our mission here becomes meaningless. It would only cause trouble for Wu Wangzi."
A Goddess said, "This time, we’ve risked coming here to force the God of Spring to either retreat or advance.
"Retreat? Let him scurry back to his Human Domain and wait for the Human Emperor’s Lifespan to end naturally. Then, we’ll trample this blasphemous land and settle our accounts with him.
"Advance? Then let him stay obediently in Heaven Palace, gain His Majesty’s favor, serve the Young Master diligently, and peacefully manage his marital affairs."
"Actually, it’s no big deal for us to acknowledge him as a living being who became a god. He just needs to understand his place."
"A mere living being, yet he aspires to stand above us."
"Alright, enough tough talk. Let’s think about how to deal with this."
The gods fell silent.
Until one spoke up: "They want to bait us? Then we’ll bait them in return. Let their experts enter east of the Eastern Wilderness. The Southeastern Region’s rear will surely be vulnerable."
"We’ve been closely monitoring the Human Domain’s deployment of experts. They haven’t committed many to the Southeastern Region."
"If this group of experts moves north, we’ll seize the opportunity to go south and snatch Ling Xiaolan from the Four Seas Pavilion branch."
"This matter requires careful planning."
"The Human Domain is full of trickery; we mustn’t fall into their traps."
"In that case, continue detailed reconnaissance."
An Innate God chuckled. "Although the Human Domain is currently difficult to infiltrate, the various tribes in the Southeastern Region are all trying to curry favor with both sides. The movements of these Human Domain experts won’t escape our notice."
"Prepare to move."
"The moment we capture Ling Xiaolan, return immediately to Heaven Palace."
Soft chuckles echoed through the underground hall.
This group of Innate Gods began to meticulously plan their battle, from entry to exit, having a general strategy. They certainly cherished their lives.
「Another day passed.」
At the Four Seas Pavilion branch, atop a Great Tree.
Wu Wang was concealed within Yin Yang Qi, sitting tranquilly at the tip of a branch. A string of Treasure Beads floated around him, the pale blue power of his Primordial Spirit flowing in and out of them. It was a very serious refinement process.
He sat there quietly, as if all worldly affairs had nothing to do with him.
Although he couldn’t currently use the treasured flags given by the old gods of the Kunlun Ruins, he could rely on the might of the Small Heavenly Circuit formation to trap and kill his enemies. These thirty-six Treasure Beads were perfect to serve as the formation’s foundation.
Individually, each bead was a high-quality Immortal Treasure. Forged as a set, they could be considered a potent Dao Treasure collectively.
This set of Treasure Beads inherently possessed the ability to gather Spiritual Energy and seal Heaven and Earth. They were the proud creation of a deceased Transcendent craftsman from the Heavenly Craft Pavilion.
Wu Wang was now refining these Treasure Beads with the Star God’s Dao, imbuing them with the ability to draw upon the power of the Stars, elevating the value of this set of Immortal Treasures by another level.
It was a pity there were only thirty-six of them.
If he could double the number to seventy-two Treasure Beads for him to refine, Wu Wang could already use them to unleash the many killing moves of the great Heavenly Circuit formation, solidifying the Seventy-two Star Array.
He recalled when Emperor Sanxian had patiently taught him the basic Five Elements Array. Wu Wang had learned it half-heartedly, holding his nose, so to speak, displaying none of the enthusiasm he now had for cultivating the Heavenly Circuit formation.
Why? The reason was simple—the basic Five Elements Array was too weak.
For Yuanxians and True Immortals, that formation was a treasured technique, allowing them to use fewer precious materials and less vital energy to achieve better effects.
But for Duels above the Heavenly Immortal level, the help it could provide was greatly limited.
It couldn’t be helped. Emperor Sanxian possessed a profound understanding of formation principles granted by the great elder Fu Xi, but he himself was merely an old Daoist at the Ascending Immortal Realm. His life’s energy...
"Life’s energy" wasn’t quite right.
It should be said that, aside from frequenting brothels, painting, writing books, and traveling, Emperor Sanxian had devoted the rest of his life’s energy to creating this theory of formations.
Wu Wang suddenly understood why Emperor Shun had said his days in the Human Domain were his happiest.
Enjoying life to the fullest in the Human Domain, right under Xihe’s nose!
Pfft, Emperor Sanxian, always assuming such an air of integrity.
Wu Wang chuckled at his own snide remark and continued to concentrate on refining the Treasure Beads.
His brow twitched lightly. He sensed something, and his Immortal Consciousness drifted out, immediately conjuring images both near and far in his mind.
Ling Xiaolan pushed open the door of the quiet room, ending a bath that had lasted two days and nights.
Wu Wang didn’t know if his Dao heart was playing tricks on him, but the Ling Xiaolan he saw at this moment exuded an indescribable charm.
She wore a veil and gloves, and her long dress enveloped her so thoroughly that not a wisp of air could get through. Yet, the curves of her body and the fabric across her chest, which seemed ready to give way at any moment, always managed to stir ripples within Wu Wang’s Dao heart.
The image of her sitting in the water was engraved in Wu Wang’s mind. It couldn’t be waved away; the moment it dispersed, it reformed.
He was almost bewitched!
Amidst those ripples in his Dao heart, Wu Wang perceived the many changes in the north.
From the Human Domain’s army, several figures rode clouds towards the lands east of the Eastern Wilderness. They were followed by faint shadows that slipped from the sea into the eastern part of the Eastern Wilderness.
Almost simultaneously, directly west of Wu Wang’s position, a dark shadow slipped into the void.
It appeared to be an extremely fast bird of prey. On its back, shadowy figures crouched or sat silently, doing their utmost to conceal their auras as they sped straight for this Four Seas Pavilion branch.
Could these Innate Gods be bait as well? Then where are the fishing line and rod? Wu Wang pondered. High-end prey often appears in the guise of a hunter.
Wu Wang’s right hand opened. A square Jade Talisman slowly rotated before he gently crushed it.
Ling Xiaolan was slightly startled. Looking down at the shattered jade fragments in her sleeve, she immediately flew towards the pavilion where the Four Seas Pavilion members usually gathered for discussions.
Elderly women and middle-aged female cultivators, carrying swords and other weapons, congregated in the pavilion.
To the north, as Xiao Jian Daoist and the others charged into the lands east of the Eastern Wilderness, he allowed himself a slight smile, took out a communication Jade Talisman, and began whispering into it.
At the defensive line where hundreds of thousands of Immortal Soldiers were gathered, Lin Qi now held the marshal’s seal and sat in the main seat, closely monitoring the movements of the two enemy forces—from the Eastern Wilderness and Yang Valley—through several Cloud Mirrors.
Beneath the Four Seas Pavilion, within a labyrinth of intersecting secret passages, dark figures sat cross-legged in the shadows.
When Wu Wang crushed the Jade Talisman, a crisp SNAP resounded here as well.
A faint beam of light shone down from above, half-illuminating Lin Nuhao’s resolute face.
He opened his mouth slightly, took a breath, and then said slowly, "Everyone."
At his words, these shadowy figures opened their eyes, and pairs of crimson pupils flickered in the darkness.
Lin Nuhao said softly, his voice deep yet carrying a power that could pierce the heart. "You followed me, yet I turned my back on the Human Domain and betrayed your trust.
"The Lin Family fell because of me. It was due to the Human Emperor’s benevolence that we were able to re-establish ourselves in the Southeastern Region. Our wives, children, relatives, and friends, though now safe, are still deeply shamed by past events and bear the weight of infamy.
"Today, we shall atone for our past deeds."
He sighed softly and slowly stood up.
In silence, the figures throughout the passage slowly rose. Their eyes were calm, yet within that calmness, a boundless fighting spirit brewed.
Lin Nuhao’s entire face was now in the light. The exposed right side of his face was covered in fine black scales, and half a ferocious horn protruded from his forehead.
He spoke again, his voice tinged with greater resolve. "We chose to fall and become Demon Soldiers precisely for a great battle like this.
"So that our descendants can once again stand proudly in the Human Domain, today we seek only to fight the Divine Spirits of Heaven Palace until we are shattered and gone! Better to die than retreat!"
In the darkness, the figures cupped their fists, bowed their heads, and tightened their grips on their Weapons.
"Yes, sir!"
