They actually put that thing on display! Good thing it's not the original!

While having dinner with Ma Zibin and the others, Wang Sheng could not help but complain about it a few times.

The professor only chuckled, putting on the air of a pure and dedicated researcher.

They talked about many things over the meal, including the Hua Republic's development path of cultivation technology and the various achievements they had made so far.

Ma Zibin could not resist voicing a few complaints. Because of the difference in time flow inside and outside of the Realm of Exiled Immortals, the branch research institute on Fengmo had already produced far more results than the main headquarters.

This was a good thing, but it also came with risks. Development outside could easily slip beyond control.

"There is no need to worry too much about that," Wang Sheng said. "Wherever people from the Hua Republic go, they still care about their homeland. I have been wandering outside for years, and I still feel this very clearly. Out there, there is never any real sense of security."

"Haaaa. Let us drop that topic. I was supposed to be assigned outside, too, but I came back midway. I don't feel at ease leaving my wife and child behind. Oh, by the way, Fei Yu, how is your senior sister doing?"

Senior Sister...

Wang Sheng smiled. "Everything is fine. She is currently cultivating under a very powerful expert. By the time she returns, she might even be able to crush this entire planet in one strike."

"That strong?"

"Of course," Wang Sheng said with a raised eyebrow. "Otherwise, how could she be my senior sister?"

Ma Zibin laughed, a trace of emotion in his eyes. "Hahaha! You are not modest at all these days!"

He lifted his cup of black tea and clinked it lightly against Wang Sheng's cola.

Nearby, Xi Lian was persuading Qinglin to try a carbonated drink. The man looked hesitant.

The research institute had originally planned a formal reception, but Wang Sheng insisted on keeping things simple. Hence, they just ate in the cafeteria.

Wang Sheng honestly wanted to take the six stone tablets with him, but he could not just bring up the topic. After some thought, he realized there was no need to rush. Accepting the Great Dao of Creation would take a long time anyway.

Let's take it slow. The six stone tablets won't be going anywhere anyway, and our forefather is guarding the Realm of Exiled Immortals' exit. There is no chance of them disappearing.

At that moment, a thought came to him. "Professor Ma, has the institute conducted any research on the Human Qi Seal?"

"We have studied it for many years. Are you interested in it as well?" Ma Zibin immediately took out his phone and pulled up a few contacts from secure work group chats. "These are specialists in that field. According to their status, two are here right now. Do you want me to invite them over for a discussion?"

"Please do. I am quite interested in this seal."

Ma Zibin smiled and sent out a few voice messages.

Before they even finished their meal, a middle-aged man and woman arrived at the cafeteria in a floating guide vehicle. They hurriedly jogged over and eagerly presented their research findings to Wang Sheng right there and then.

The two were not seeking funding or sponsorship. They simply wanted their years of work to gain his recognition.

Wang Sheng listened carefully. Soon, he frowned slightly.

The Human Qi Seal they described had three possible interpretations. Extensive references and research backed each one, forming a complete and internally consistent argument.

The first possibility was that it referred to a seal embedded within the bloodline of the Hua Republic's people. Though it seemed plausible at first glance, a closer examination revealed that it did not hold up well.

What exactly was being sealed?

There were already plenty of people in the Hua Republic with strong cultivation aptitude. It was also well known that since the creation of humanity, no special abilities had been passed down through their bloodline.

Humanity's rise and dominance in the Immortal Saint Realm, along with its expansion across the endless space, came from one simple truth: humans shaped their own destiny through effort and learning.

The second possibility was that the Human Qi Seal referred to a seal located somewhere on the surface of Earth. This theory was more convincing.

The Heavenly Qi Seal was in the Small Immortal Realm, while the Earth Qi Seal was in the Small Nether Realm. Considering they were aligned with the Three Realms of heaven, earth, and humanity, the Human Qi Seal was likely a seal within the "Mortal Realm."

However, Wang Sheng was unwilling to accept this conclusion. If this were true, then the thing being sealed could only be primal qi or spiritual energy.

What he was searching for now was a "possibility." He needed something that could serve as a decisive weapon against the vast hidden forces of the Immortal Emperor. No amount of primal qi could overwhelm Haotian.

The third possibility was far more intriguing. Combining mythological records, folklore, prehistoric analysis, and various unearthed antiques, they arrived at a bold hypothesis: a "Human King" or "Human Emperor" could have been completely sealed somewhere on Earth.

Hearing it made countless ideas flash through Wang Sheng's mind, only for him to find it somewhat absurd a moment later.

A Human Emperor on Earth?

"Wait," Wang Sheng said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he raised a hand. "May I take a look at that portion of the materials?"

"Do you think this is the correct theory?"

"It is hard to say," Wang Sheng replied as he accepted a transparent panel handed to him.

The middle-aged man operated it briefly, revealing a dense collection of documents.

Wang Sheng opened the first one and read it carefully. It contained several archaeological images, along with text that was slightly awkward in phrasing but clear in meaning.

Seeing him quickly become absorbed, Ma Zibin gestured for silence. The surrounding people immediately quieted down.

Still, many researchers could not help but glance over. Some of the younger ones had grown up hearing stories about Fei Yu.

After reading for a while, Wang Sheng looked up. "Can I get a copy of these materials? I would like to study them in detail."

"Ah, sure... Wait, no, this requires approval from the research institute."

"I will handle the application," Ma Zibin volunteered, stepping aside with his phone.

The matter was quickly settled.

Wang Sheng had come here intending to examine the six stone tablets and possibly take them with him. In the end, what he left with was a thick stack of printed documents.

Not only did they allow him to take the materials, but they also provided expanded and more detailed versions.

***

Late at night, aboard the aircraft on their way home.

Xi Lian leaned against her seat and fell asleep. Qinglin sat beside Wang Sheng, going through the documents with him.

While Qinglin had no talent for games, his foundation in ancient scriptures made it easy for him to read the simplified characters used in the Hua Republic today.

"Fei Yu, what made you think of this Human King matter? This has always been nothing more than speculation. The ruler of the Three Realms is the Immortal Emperor. What does that have to do with a Human King?"

Wang Sheng shook his head. "Not necessarily. Think about it, Senior. From the Immortal Saint Realm to the endless space, aside from those who have cultivated for ages, which race is the strongest now?"

"Humanity, of course. The fiend race can only stir trouble in remote corners of the endless space. Most regions of the Immortal Saint Realm are under human control," Qinglin explained briefly, then added, "Forefather also told me that from the True Immortal Realm to the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm, the number of human cultivators already far surpasses all other races."

Wang Sheng asked, "How much do you understand about heavenly fate, Senior?"

Qinglin smiled. "It is a fortune bestowed by the Great Dao. The amount of heavenly fate one possesses reflects the Dao's inclination. The Great Dao is impartial, but living beings have destined paths. That's why the concept of heavenly fate exists."

Wang Sheng shook his head. "I see it a little differently. Heavenly fate is like the Great Dao's recognition and favor toward you. The Great Dao is indeed impartial, but it also carries something like a destiny."

Qinglin frowned. "Oh? What do you mean?"

"Humans go through birth, aging, sickness, and death. Even Golden Immortals face the Five Heavenly Declines, and those with great divine ability also face calamities. No living being can truly avoid destruction. The same applies to the Dao. A cultivator's Dao vanishes with the cultivator.

"The Great Dao of Heaven and Earth disappears with heaven and earth. After all, nothing can exist forever. Even what we call the eternal Great Dao is bound to this world. If you step beyond it, it too will perish."

Qinglin tried to reply but found himself at a loss for words. As he tried to process it, his Daoist realm wavered slightly. He quickly said, "Fei Yu, do not speak about such things lightly to others. You could drive someone into devilish deviation." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Wang Sheng quickly apologized, and Qinglin waved it off. "Go on. I will just listen. It may also help you sort out your thoughts."

"Alright." Wang Sheng paused for a moment before continuing. "So the Great Dao itself seeks to continue existing. Anything that threatens it will be erased."

Qinglin nodded slowly.

Wang Sheng added, "Then the heavenly fate granted by the Great Dao should go to those who benefit the stability of heaven and earth. For instance, the Heavenly Court."

"Alright, that makes sense."

Wang Sheng frowned. "Then why can there not be a Human King? The human race is now the dominant life form in this world. We can influence the course of heaven and earth.

"By that logic, humanity should possess a great share of heavenly fate. Where is that share now? Heaven has the Immortal Emperor. Earth has the Nether King. So why does humanity not have a Human King?"

"Well..."

Wang Sheng glanced to the side and lowered his voice. "Is it possible that the Human King was treated the same way as the sacred spirit back then, secretly dealt with by the Immortal Emperor and hidden somewhere?"

Qinglin inhaled sharply, his face filled with shock. "Hiss—"

It almost sounded as if Wang Sheng had already confirmed the existence of a Human King, even though he was only proposing a bold hypothesis.

"That is indeed possible!"

"Exactly." Wang Sheng looked at the documents in his hands. "What I have to do now is find this possible Human King. If he is on Earth, I will take him to the endless space. If he is out there already, I will find him and see if we can join forces."

Uh... I might have said too much...

Qinglin blinked, then coughed lightly and said in a calm tone, "I'll pretend I did not hear anything just now."

Wang Sheng gave him a thumbs up and lowered his head to continue reading.

In truth, this was only a passing thought. But if Haotian had truly acted against the Human King back then and sealed his heavenly fate in a place he considered secure, then that place was very likely Earth.

What do I do if I really find the Human King's bloodline? If it is a man, we can become sworn brothers. If it is a woman... we can become sworn siblings. After all, I am already married.