This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 412 - 410 Sister~
Xiao Ming, that child, has always been lively and active since she was little. The mighty God of Death, one of the three great rulers of the Dao of Life, a future giant among the Divine Spirits, and my adopted cub—isn’t it perfectly normal for her to directly locate Ling Xiaolan’s hiding place? We’re all family here, so what’s there to be nervous about? At worst, if a commotion breaks out later, I’ll just have to brazenly go over and coax both sides. What’s the big deal?
"God of Spring... God of Spring?"
The earnest calling by his ear startled Wu Wang from his concentration on watching the situation with his Immortal Consciousness.
Wu Wang turned his head to look at the Wood God, a gentle smile spreading across his lips. "Elder, what’s the matter?"
"Stop looking. Surely they can’t actually start fighting, can they?" The Wood God’s elderly eyes were full of amusement as he took the initiative to pick up his wine cup and lightly clinked it against Wu Wang’s.
The two gods were seated in the main seats in the large tent, with two low tables placed side by side before them, laden with delicacies and fine wine. To the left and right of the main seats were two rows of a dozen or so low tables, all occupied by experts of the Human Domain, led by several elderly women of the Xuan Nu Sect, accompanied by high-ranking members of the Human Emperor Pavilion like Xiao Jian Daoist. Most of them were drinking, as the Human Domain no longer had a custom requiring singing and dancing at banquets.
The Divine Guards had all been positioned outside the main camp. At Wu Wang’s single command, Immortal Soldiers, outnumbering the Divine Guards several times over, could tear those guards to shreds. Yet, even in such a situation, the Wood God showed not the slightest hint of nervousness, even taking the opportunity to jest with Wu Wang.
What did it mean to be truly fearless? This was indeed the demeanor of an ancient power.
The Wood God said with a smile, "I’ve studied the fate of the God of Spring. It carries the aspect of three stars encircling the moon, as well as the virtue of the sun and moon in alliance. It is destined that he will have more than one wise companion in his life."
Wu Wang calmly continued the conversation. "Elder, you also practice the art of divination?"
"Just a little, just a little," the Wood God replied. "God of Spring, look at the lines in your palm. Do they not resemble the patterns on grass and trees?"
"Oh?" Wu Wang raised his palm and examined it for several moments.
His Immortal Consciousness perceived Ling Xiaolan and Xiao Ming seemingly starting to chat, with nothing amiss in the scene, allowing him to breathe a small sigh of relief.
It’s still best not to be distracted. Conversing more with the Wood God will surely be beneficial.
The Wood God softly said from the side, "Truth be told, I also have a certain connection with the Dao of Life."
Wu Wang’s hand paused as he was picking up food, and the experts in the tent also perked up their ears to listen.
The Wood God sighed softly. A pale green breath, carrying an obscure Dao rhythm, escaped his nostrils and enveloped the large tent.
The Wood God spoke warmly, "Sharing these things with the God of Spring can also be considered forming a good bond. If it can lead to less conflict with the Human Domain in the future, that would be excellent."
"I have indeed heard such theories," Wu Wang said with a smile.
"The Great Dao of Yin and Yang balance is the foundation for the stability of all things;
The Original Dao of the Five Elements is the basis for the characteristics of all things.
Take this wooden table, for example. Yin and Yang are balanced, but the Five Elements are unevenly distributed, thus manifesting the form of wood. This soil, this armor—each has strengths stemming from different Elements, yet all Five Elements are contained within them.
Living beings are the same. Each is aligned with certain Five Elements, while Yin and Yang interact and harmonize. The Great Dao of Wood inherently contains endless vitality and can be considered one of the origins of life."
A look of clear surprise was evident in the Wood God’s eyes. Such surprise needed no concealment, as it was, in itself, a form of praise for the person beside him.
The Wood God commended, "It’s truly not easy for the God of Spring to have such an understanding. Many times, the Human Domain devalues the Innate Gods to worthlessness, often denying the significance of the Great Dao to living beings."
Xiao Jian Daoist glanced at Wu Wang, who nodded slightly.
The Sword Cultivator continued, "That is because the Innate Gods were the first to lose their virtue. The Human Domain has always targeted the conduct of the Innate Gods; we have never denied the significance of the Great Dao to heaven, earth, and all living beings. Moreover, Elder Wood God, you must have heard that the Cultivators of our Human Domain call themselves ’Cultivators.’ The word ’cultivate’ itself is used to align with the Great Dao, to comprehend the Dao, to practice between heaven and earth, and to explore a path for living beings to grow stronger, thereby resisting the encroachments of the Innate Gods."
The Wood God nodded slightly, stroking his beard with a smile. "What Friend Xiao Jian says is true."
Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that the Wood God had directly addressed him by his Daoist title.
The Wood God’s eyes held a trace of emotion as he sighed deeply and spoke with conviction, "The Fifth Divine Era, having developed to this point, has already spanned a long stretch of time, making it a relatively long-lived Divine Era. The succession of Divine Eras is an unavoidable matter, with numerous internal causes. The primary reason is the spontaneous collapse of the spirits of the Dao. The most crucial mission during the transition of a Divine Era is to allow these spirits of the Dao to perish, after which a new batch is born, heralding the next Divine Era. This is how the world operates, cycling endlessly, the Great Dao unceasing.
"However, with the current interference of the Power of Living Beings, the succession of Divine Eras has become more complex, instilling a great sense of crisis among the gods. From a long-term perspective, the sudden emergence of the God of Spring might just be the fuse for the change of Divine Eras."
I always feel like this old fellow is hinting at something. And that earlier statement about ’the sun and moon sharing virtue’—could it also be an insinuation? Only by feigning mystery can one defeat those who feign mystery.
Gazing at the Wood God, Wu Wang suddenly chuckled a few times. With an almost subconscious straightening of his posture, a hint of mirth in his eyes, he spoke leisurely, "I am somewhat curious, Senior. As one of the most ancient Divine Spirits in the world today, how have you managed to maintain your virtue uncorrupted, living from the Second Divine Era until now? Furthermore, could you enlighten me? I have gathered the histories of several Divine Eras throughout the Great Wilderness and have always felt there are many obscure and inexplicable points, as if events that transpired in this world were deliberately altered, concealing many truths. What do you say, Senior...?"
Wu Wang leaned to the side, his gaze shifting left and right as he transmitted his voice in a whisper, "Could it be that there exists a clandestine power in this world, secretly guiding the changes in the Great Wilderness? On the surface, the Heavenly Emperor governs the order of the world, but in reality, this order is influenced by this hidden power, constantly shaping it into the form they desire. Hmm?"
The Wood God’s old hand, holding his wine cup, slowly lowered, the smile on his lips stiffening somewhat. "God of Spring, are you serious about this...?"
Wu Wang immediately replied, "I am merely speculating. Senior, please don’t take it to heart. If such a power truly existed, wouldn’t you, Senior, undoubtedly be the most venerable Divine Spirit among them? HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHA! A jest, merely a jest."
The Wood God nodded with a smile, his voice warm. "How could such a power possibly exist? The order of the world is naturally determined by the strongest. Those who are not among the strongest can only hide and scrape by. I have been able to maintain myself without collapsing due to the protection of the Great Dao of Wood.
"Actually, having said so much, I merely wished to say a few things. Most Innate Gods nowadays are on the verge of their own collapse, prone to committing various misdeeds, and at times, their minds are muddled. The twenty-three Divine Spirits who came to the Southeastern Region this time acted on their own accord; it was not the Heaven Palace seeking to provoke a great war with the Human Domain.
"In fact, the Heaven Palace is currently reflecting and introspecting. The arrogance of the Divine Spirits and the tyranny of the Ancient Fire God turned the Human Domain, which should have been part of the world’s order, into its greatest variable. Every time I think of this, this old god’s heart finds no peace and is filled with myriad sorrows. The God of Spring’s visit to the Heaven Palace was a display of sincerity by His Majesty the Human Emperor. I trust the God of Spring has also experienced His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor’s current determination and resolve to be benevolent towards living beings and to mend relations with the Human Domain."
Wu Wang frowned. "Sss—Then, according to your words, Senior, should the Human Domain readily return those seven Divine Spirits to the Heaven Palace?"
"Precisely." As soon as the Wood God’s voice fell, the surrounding Human Domain experts glared fiercely.
Wu Wang raised his hand to pacify the crowd and said to the Wood God, "But if we return them so easily, how can we convince everyone in the Human Domain?"
"Did I not bring generous gifts?" The Wood God said with a warm smile as several rays of pale green light flew from his sleeve. A few wooden boxes, each large enough to hold General Xiong San, were stacked in a pyramid shape. "The Heaven Palace is here to ransom the captured Innate Gods, by no means to command or threaten. This time, the Heaven Palace has lost. Besides, those twenty-three minor gods acted recklessly; returning to the Heaven Palace would also mean death for them. This is merely for the dignity of the Heaven Palace."
Wu Wang stroked his chin and smiled. "Elder, I’m afraid this will be difficult to explain to the Human Domain."
The Wood God sighed. "If so, then all the efforts the God of Spring has made in the Heaven Palace will be in vain."
"Alas," Wu Wang shook his head. "I, too, am troubled by this matter; my heart is quite agitated."
At that moment, the elder and the young one, seated in the main positions of the large tent, began a series of bickering. Their words changed rapidly, their angles of argument shifting so quickly that the experts of the Human Domain struggled to keep up. Often, just as they began to grasp the deeper meaning in the words of these two Heaven Palace Divine Spirits, the conversation had already shifted elsewhere.
As they chatted, the Wood God again brought out several large wooden boxes.
Wu Wang kept shaking his head and started to bring up the ’League of Blockheads.’
"The Human Domain doesn’t care about the Heaven Palace’s dignity," Wu Wang then said with a chuckle, pressing his advantage. "Unlike the Heaven Palace, the Human Domain values public opinion. The course of action that aligns most with the wishes of the Human race would be to escort these seven minor gods back, hang them up before the Human Emperor Pavilion, and let Cultivators come and gaze upon them in their spare time—perhaps even poke them with a sword. It calms the Dao heart and is extremely satisfying."
The Wood God sighed once more. "If that’s the case, then all the efforts the God of Spring has made in the Heaven Palace will truly have been in vain."
"Alas," Wu Wang echoed, shaking his head again. "This matter indeed troubles me, and my heart is quite agitated."
In this war of attrition, he held the complete initiative. Moreover, Wu Wang knew exactly how many ’generous gifts’ the Wood God had brought this time. The Young Master had accompanied the Wood God when he went to the Heaven Palace’s treasury to pack the treasures. A single voice transmission had been all it took for Wu Wang to find out.
The Wood God’s old face was etched with bitterness. He already had a strong premonition that these treasures... would definitely not be enough!
Where on earth had the Young Master gone!? Had she truly forgotten their modest acquaintance spanning three whole divine eras? Back when the consciousness of the Young Master and the Head Manager had not yet detached from the Dao of Life, it was I, this old piece of wood, who gave them a little push.
However, to be fair...
Behind the Wood God’s smiling and gentle facade, his old eyes glowed faintly green as he couldn’t stop himself from muttering internally, This slippery little rascal, why is he so difficult to deal with? He almost tricked me several times!
「Moments before, in the tent where Ling Xiaolan was hiding.」
Due to her meticulous nature, she liked to keep things tidy. Since this large tent was also the lodging for an Elder of the Xuan Nu Sect, Ling Xiaolan put on a thick veil, frowned, and began to clean. This was, in fact, her unique little method for calming her mind.
However, just as she finished making the bed, she sensed something behind her, yet the Immortal Consciousness she had spread nearby remained undisturbed.
A master!
Ling Xiaolan immediately became vigilant. She continued to calmly adjust the cushions, her palm already gripping an Alarm Jade Talisman. Just as she was about to crush the talisman, a crisp voice called out from behind her:
"Big sister, why do you smell like Daddy?"
Ling Xiaolan froze for a moment, then quickly turned to see the exquisitely carved, jade-like little girl with a delicate and dignified face.
This child is indeed worthy of being the God of Death. Even with the Dao of Death sealed, she could approach so easily.
Ling Xiaolan turned around, removed her veil and gloves, and said gently, "What are you doing here, Xiong Ming?"
Xiong Ming put her hands on her hips and shouted, her little mouth pouting, "No! It’s Wu Ming! That’s rude of you. Sister Niu said you have to answer someone’s question before asking your own!"
Ling Xiaolan couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle at the little one’s antics. She held her right hand gracefully before her, her left hand behind her back, and said softly, "Then how about I answer you first, and then you answer me, alright?"
"Okay, okay!"
"Xiao Ming?" An anxious call came from outside the tent. Nu Chou rushed in, looking flustered. She smiled apologetically at Ling Xiaolan and quickly scooped Xiong Ming into her arms.
"My apologies, Fairy Ling," Nu Chou said. "She slipped away when I wasn’t looking."
"It’s no trouble," Ling Xiaolan replied, her almond eyes bright. "Xiao Ming is quite adorable."
Xiong Ming muttered discontentedly, "You still haven’t answered. You have a lot of Daddy’s scent on you."
"That..." Ling Xiaolan felt a little embarrassed in front of Nu Chou. She knew, of course, that Nu Chou was currently in the Heaven Palace helping Wu Wang look after the child, was a subordinate god to the Young Master, and also had a significant connection to the Dao of Death.
Ling Xiaolan said softly, "Your father and I are close friends. We cultivated together for many years."
Xiong Ming blinked. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Ling Xiaolan said, taking several jade boxes from her sleeve. Inside were some of her favorite jewelry pieces. She smiled. "You should call me Aunt."
"Aunt?"
Nu Chou chuckled and whispered a few words into Xiong Ming’s ear. Xiong Ming’s large eyes filled with confusion as she softly called out, "Little Mommy?"
Ling Xiaolan nearly fled. She quickly used her immortal power to float the jade boxes into Xiong Ming’s arms. "You... you two rest here. I’ll go make some tea and get some snacks... This is a meeting gift for Xiao Ming. Xiao Ming, you mustn’t refuse."
"Okay, Little Mommy!" Xiong Ming giggled, hugging the jade boxes. Although she didn’t understand what ’Little Mommy’ meant, she understood that this woman, who smelled so fresh, felt so pure, and seemed so kind, definitely had a very close relationship with her father.
Opening one jade box, Xiong Ming let out an exaggerated "WOW!"
Ling Xiaolan lowered her head and hurried towards the tent entrance, her heart in a whirl as if lost in clouds and mist. Her usually calm Dao heart had been thrown into disarray by a child.
However, when she lifted the door curtain, she froze on the spot.
A few feet away, the Reproduction Goddess stood quietly in a black dress. Her eyes, as clear and deep as autumn pools, held a hint of apology, and her lips bore a slightly sheepish smile. Although she was trying her best to convey goodwill, a trace of nervousness still lingered.
The tent flap fell gently. Ling Xiaolan was also somewhat stunned, an appropriate smile forming on her lips, her slender fingers trembling slightly.
Within those few feet, time seemed to pause for several heartbeats.
Behold these two women of the Great Wilderness.
One was a powerful goddess from the Heaven Palace, who had journeyed through the long river of time, possessing a heart of pure kindness, presiding over the reproduction and proliferation of living beings—one of the few goddesses in heaven and earth praised by all creatures. She should have been a Divine Spirit dressed in morning glow and nourished by morning dew, lauded by all beings in the Nine Heavens above for her dignified beauty, untainted by dust, too sacred for mortals to profane, and unmoved by worldly passions. But she had fallen into the mortal world and developed a mortal heart. Thus, she came to know joy, anger, sorrow, and delight, experienced deep attachments and anxieties, and exuded a captivating allure that living beings found nearly irresistible.
The other was a Fairy Immortal from the Human Domain, cultivating the true meaning of clear and pure emptiness. Behind her lay the bustling mortal world, before her thorny mountains, yet she herself remained impeccably pure, untouched by dust, unburdened by worries. She was like moonlight imbued with spirit, like a lotus that had birthed a sentient being. Or perhaps like a breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers, rippling the waters of a spring pond. Her face and figure embodied the pinnacle of feminine beauty among living beings, yet she had transcended the shackles of mortals, her presence stirring the joys and sorrows of others.
The Young Master sized up the human woman before her. Though it wasn’t their first meeting, her current mindset and focus were different, and she couldn’t help but silently praise what a beautiful woman she was.
This Tianyan Saintess was the first woman to be with that fellow. And her status as his Dao companion is known throughout the Human Domain and lauded by the world. She must be in considerable anguish, right? the Young Master thought, a pang of guilt arising in her heart as she prepared to speak.
Ling Xiaolan regarded the goddess before her. Her Dao heart was inexplicably shaken, for this was the first time she had felt a sense of closeness from a Divine Spirit; her Dao heart was even enveloped by that sudden, moving feeling. Such a powerful divine charm.
Then, their gazes met with a spark of recognition as they both thought of the sole connection between them.
Ling Xiaolan’s eyes flickered lightly, as if she had made a decision, her crimson lips parting slightly.
Their words collided.
"Sister, why aren’t you at the front...?"
"Sister, where are you going?"
HUH?
They both paused, then each offered a small smile, the little knots in their hearts loosening considerably.
Inside the tent, Nu Chou couldn’t help but facepalm, the little one beside her mimicking the gesture.
Their early appearance had completely undermined the significant advantage established for the Young Master... It was all for nothing!
In the main tent, where the war of words raged, Wu Wang, whose Immortal Consciousness caught this scene, let out a long, silent sigh of relief. He then focused his full attention, determined to fleece the Wood God.
The gifts can stay, but those seven gods won’t be taken back so easily.
