This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 425 - 423: No More Pretense, Lay the Cards on the Table!

Lin Suqing slowly opened her eyes on the couch.

Strange bed curtains, strange pendants, an unfamiliar man... Ah, Young Master!

She immediately sat up with a start and, seeing Wu Wang, who was smiling at her, right in front of her, couldn't help throwing herself into Wu Wang's arms and bursting into tears.

The Young Master at her side couldn't help but bring a hand to her forehead. This was the ordinary head maid and the Young Master's (Wu Wang's) enlightenment teacher in cultivation matters that Wu Wang had mentioned.

"It's alright, it's alright, everything's fine."

With the Young Master (Shao Siming) present, Wu Wang really didn't dare to be reckless; instead, he gently patted Lin Suqing's shoulder, speaking words of comfort.

Good heavens! Wu Wang kept exclaiming to himself.

Usually, when female cultivators cry, their eyes are teary and they are hesitant to speak. At worst, they're like pear blossoms bathed in rain or sobbing behind their hands. But with this dear old auntie here, it was an outright storm, her tears and snot flowing freely as if she were pounding her chest and stamping her feet, almost as if she could cry her slender waist in two!

"Young Master, it's my fault! I caused the death of the whistling snake! Why did I drink that wine!"

Wu Wang hastily said, "The Gold God devised a plot against you. You haven't even become an Immortal, how could you have resisted the Gold God's scheme?"

"If I had acted faster and simply committed suicide, the whistling snake wouldn't have needed to bother with me!"

The chaos even flustered the Young Master (Shao Siming), who came to Wu Wang's side and said softly, "Don't think in such a way. It was the whistling snake's own choice. Shouldn't you take this kindness with you and strive to live a better life?"

Lin Suqing sobbed even harder.

Wu Wang, seeing that his own long robe was almost ruined, could only let her weep bitterly.

There's no way around it. The news that the whistling snake hadn't died absolutely cannot be revealed—it's a trump card for the future Heavenly Dao, and might be of great use at a critical moment.

Wu Wang summoned the Grand Elder and Hu Sheng with a voice transmission. Meanwhile, Yang Wudi, having received Wu Wang's reward, had eagerly thrown himself into a whole new stage of 'socialization.' After this battle, Wu Wang had made his name known, and as the Star God formally entered the core circle of power in the Heaven Palace, Yang Wudi felt empowered. Of course, he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and develop several close relationships with those goddesses.

About an hour later, with Hu Sheng and the Young Master's (Shao Siming's) consolation, Lin Suqing gradually calmed her emotions. She kept apologizing, her eyes swollen from crying, and everyone comforted her in every possible way.

"Young Master... may I set up a spirit tablet to pay homage to the whistling snake?"

"Of course, you decide."

Wu Wang said indifferently, looking at Lin Suqing and speaking slowly, "I originally wanted to criticize you for not becoming an Immortal after so long, especially under such favorable conditions. But now I think about it, after this disaster, you must understand the importance of cultivation. At the very least, if you had become an Immortal, in a similar situation, you could have just self-detonated your Primordial Spirit, right?"

Lin Suqing's forehead was covered in black lines, her lips quivering, at a loss for words. Are these really words that a creature of the Great Wilderness could say?

The Young Master (Shao Siming) chided, "Don't scare Suqing. From now on, she will stay in the Heaven Palace, constantly by my side. The Gold God is dead, and no one dares to harm her anymore."

Lin Suqing paused. "The Gold God is dead?"

"Not entirely dead," Wu Wang raised his hand and gestured 'a little bit.' "It's just that the current consciousness of the Gold God has been wiped out, thanks to the goddess before you."

Lin Suqing wiped her tears and got up from the couch, bowing to the Young Master (Shao Siming) and voicing her thanks.

The Young Master (Shao Siming) smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

On the side, the Grand Elder asked, "Sect Master, will Miss Lin stay in the Divine Realm or go to Heaven Palace?"

"To Heaven Palace," Wu Wang looked at Lin Suqing, his eyes filled with a hint of sentiment.

Emperor Shun really is formidable. After going around in circles, he still achieved his objective of moving Lin Suqing to Heaven Palace. Admittedly, Lin Suqing doesn't possess any real strength or much potential; she's just an ordinary female cultivator. But her location signifies where my ties and responsibilities lie. The maidens of the Maid Team are already on their way, and my Temple of the God of Spring will soon become lively. For me, the only benefit is probably that Xiao Ming will have many playmates. But the next time I have to leave Heaven Palace, I'll be compelled to return. Emperor Shun has grasped even more leverage over me. Truly difficult to withstand.

Wu Wang said, "Suqing, you go back to Heaven Palace with the Young Master (Shao Siming) first to settle down. In the future, follow me with peace of mind; I still have many matters to handle."

"Hmm," Lin Suqing nodded in agreement, her eyes inevitably tinged with a trace of apprehension.

The Young Master (Shao Siming) took the initiative to step forward, brimming with a smile.

Lin Suqing lowered her head to salute, slightly timid, maintaining a proper distance from the Young Master (Shao Siming).

Watching the two of them ride the clouds back to the Heaven Palace, Wu Wang's smile slowly faded. He stood by the window in thought for a while before summoning the Grand Elder and Da Yi.

What Wu Wang didn't know was that the tasks he was setting had already been discussed in advance by the Grand Elder and others. It was nothing more than how the Divine Realm should expand externally, taking advantage of the impact of slaying the Gold God.

After arranging the official matters, Wu Wang felt a slight disturbance in his heart. He didn't rush back to the Heaven Palace but instead wrapped himself in Yin Yang Qi, strolling through the Divine Realm for a while. Complicated thoughts flowed like water, making the world before his eyes seem somewhat dim. Wu Wang didn't think much about anything specific, nor did he ponder grand schemes, the Heavenly Emperor's machinations, the Human Emperor's lifespan, or the threat of the Candle Dragon. He just wanted to relax a bit. To give his spiritual mind a break and let his spirit return to tranquility. There's still a very long way ahead; I can't always be so tense.

With the concerns in my heart removed, how will things develop now? Wu Wang didn't know either; at this moment, he was still not the strongest guiding force in the world but was still in a stage of being dragged around by Emperor Shun and struggling to cope. Just like his recent duel with the Gold God, if it weren't for external help like the Star God and the Young Master (Shao Siming), he would only have been able to hold out for one hour, and the outcome would certainly have been his demise at the hands of the Gold God. But I do have external assistance.

There might be many difficult things in the world, but for me, it seems all problems can be resolved rather easily. It's just a matter of putting in a little extra time.

Without realizing it, he arrived outside Heng'e's pavilion, where Wu Wang heard music and laughter from within. He paused to appreciate the dances behind the formations and walls. Indeed, a beautiful girl.

What slightly bothered Wu Wang was that Heng'e didn't seem to miss Da Yi much. They hadn't met for a long time, and while Da Yi's longing grew daily, Heng'e appeared increasingly carefree and happy.

Ah, this... Wu Wang chuckled and shook his head, attributing it to differences in individual character.

The path ahead was lush and green, and he again contemplated the joy of wandering gardens. Wu Wang smiled wryly to himself, reminding himself not to be too anxious or immersed in it, as there were still many things waiting for him to do, and many calamities awaiting him on the road ahead.

"Emperor Shun, Candle Dragon," he murmured, wandering into a forest.

Wu Wang found a shaded spot, leaped onto the trunk of a tree for a brief rest, only to be woken by soft, indistinct sounds from the forest, and his figure vanished like smoke and mist.

It's time to set up some affordable taverns and inns in my God of Spring's Divine World. Letting young people always hide away in forests isn't right. However, what Wu Wang didn't expect was that no sooner had he appeared in the Heaven Palace than he found over a dozen figures floating in front of his God of Spring's Temple, all Divine Spirits from the palace, each bearing gifts.

Are they seeking the Young Master (Shao Siming)? If so, why not enter? Wu Wang didn't think much of it and casually rode the clouds back.

Suddenly, a god called out, "The God of Spring has returned!"

With that, the crowd of Divine Spirits surged forward to greet him, and even more figures rode the clouds from afar toward the God of Spring's Temple.

Wu Wang's brows furrowed slightly. I slew the Gold God, and now the attitude of the Heaven Palace gods towards me has changed? Are these former enemies of the Gold God? Then he heard—

"God of Spring! There were offenses before, please don't take those to heart!"

"Previously, I had always felt that, with the Human Domain being so exceptional and spirituous, there must be some peerless beings born within it. Little did I expect that it would be the God of Spring himself! I truly was blind, oh so blind!"

"My Lord, if I may be so bold as to request an audience? The six Main Gods of the Heaven Palace have prepared a banquet inside the temple, hoping to have the honor of your company for a drink of light wine, to dissolve past enmities."

"God of Spring, why did you not say earlier that you were the Envoy of the Star God? Look at this mess. I have even met you at the border of the Human Domain before, and at that time, I felt you held yourself with an extraordinary bearing and impressive might."

"Is the Star God well? May we have the fortune to meet him?"

"Were you in the Human Domain on the Star God's orders? The Star God had already sensed the crisis between heaven and earth and had sent you to the Human Domain in advance to prepare and plan, and then to integrate the forces of the Human Domain with those of Heaven Palace to defend the order of the cosmos and resist the Outer Heavenly Candle Dragon? My Lord, you need not answer directly, just blink if it's true—blink if it's so!"

For a time, groups of gods came from all directions in twos and threes, speaking in various tones, their words a mix of debates and gossip, but their focus was all on the Star God.

By now, Wu Wang had regained his composure. I can't figure out whether these Divine Spirits are truly afraid of the Star God and came here deliberately to curry favor, or if they're using the pretense of 'fearing the Star God' to connect with me. Nevertheless, Wu Wang could not refuse. For this is the path I have now chosen.

Seeing more and more Innate Gods gathering, Wu Wang smiled and bowed with hands clasped, still maintaining his stature, but the smile at the corner of his mouth was sincere. "Esteemed deities, I beg your forgiveness."

He let out a long sigh and then solemnly exclaimed, "At this point, I suppose there's no use in trying to hide it, but these matters cannot be spoken of openly. My friends! It was the Gold God who grievously wronged me, with whom I share an enmity so deep that only death could resolve it. In my rage, I could not contain myself, and I asked my godmother... cough, I sought the help of the Star God! It was not by my hand that the Gold God fell, but it was because of me that he died. However, I do not wish this incident to ruin the efforts that the Heavenly Emperor is currently making, nor do I wish to destroy the expectations that the Human Emperor has planted in me. I have come to Heaven Palace for one purpose only! To establish a common front between Divine Spirits and living beings, to provide the living beings with a place, to maintain order and long-lasting peace, and to keep the Candle Dragon outside the cosmos!"

"'Excellent!'" a Divine Spirit shouted, while the rest of the gods either nodded with a smile or watched with a gentle gaze, casting as much goodwill as they could muster toward Wu Wang.

A god complimented Wu Wang, and continuous flattery immediately surrounded him from all sides. The gods' ability to duel might not be particularly strong, or strong at all, but the Innate Gods who had come here today to make connections all had first-class skills in flattery.

Wu Wang called out, "My friends! Hear me! Today I have slain the Gold God and avenged a profound and deep-seated hatred. For now, the grudge between me and the Heaven Palace will be put to rest. In half a month, I will set up a banquet in my God of Spring's Divine World. I will invite master craftsmen and chefs from the Human Domain, collect the finest wines in the cosmos, and gather the most delicious Spirit Beasts from my hometown in the Northern Wilderness! I will personally send each of you an invitation later. It does not matter whether you wish to attend or not, and you are welcome to bring whoever you want!"

Several gods responded loudly, and the atmosphere in front of the God of Spring's Temple became exceedingly warm.

「Meanwhile, inside the temple.」

Lin Suqing stood on her tiptoes by the window, peering through the gap, observing the scene unfold. Her current actions accentuated the curves of her lithe figure even more, and she wore a newly changed plain white dress that clung to the contours of her body, adding a touch of otherworldly elegance and beauty.

She muttered, "The Young Master couldn't possibly... stay in Heaven Palace and become a god forever, could he?"

Hearing this, the Young Master (Shao Siming), who was leisurely approaching from behind, wanted to explain a few things to Lin Suqing. The Young Master (Shao Siming) did not want Wu Wang's reputation to suffer; or to put it another way, she didn't want to see anyone criticize Wu Wang, especially the woman Wu Wang trusted the most.

But before the Young Master (Shao Siming) could speak, she heard Lin Suqing mutter a few more words, "Then, should I switch to cultivating with Divine Power for my body? Going forward, I can't refer to myself as a member of the human race, but as one of the living beings, and I should also change my attire and hairstyle. Right, I also need to study the customs of Heaven Palace. If gods come to visit, I definitely can't just serve tea... How troublesome. I'll have to learn all of this anew. I can't embarrass the Young Master in this respect."

The Young Master (Shao Siming): …

I've learned something new.

Wu Wang was indeed busy during this half-month. He launched his first social campaign since arriving at the Heaven Palace, taking advantage of the opportunity to first send invitations to the gods who had taken the initiative to appear that day. He even gave each god three or four invitations, encouraging them to bring friends to the banquet.

In order to further expand his social circle, Wu Wang, with introductions from a few relatively reliable Main Gods, participated in several 'gatherings' of the Divine Spirits. Because Wu Wang deliberately let slip that he personally had an aversion to chaotic scenes, every gathering of gods where he made an appearance was styled with lofty mountains and flowing rivers, elegant and light. It made quite a few Innate Gods suddenly feel as if they were back in the days when the Heaven Palace was first established, back to those somewhat green years...

The 'slip of the tongue' Wu Wang made that day had already spread throughout the Heaven Palace; his identity as the godson and successor of the Star God was formally recognized by the gods of the Heaven Palace, no longer mere wild speculation as before.

Of course, when Wu Wang was networking, he did not forget about the true ruler of the Heaven Palace. He paid a visit to Senior Sanxian, but it was just a formality. Afterward, he prepared generous gifts and asked the Young Master (Shao Siming) to make two trips to deliver them to Xihe. As for Chang Xi, Wu Wang intentionally kept his distance, deliberately ignoring this Moon God this time.

After such a hustle for half a month, Wu Wang could barely be considered as having somewhat integrated into the outer fringes of the divine society of the Heaven Palace. The gods are wary of me, and I have no desire to truly fall in with these Divine Spirits. It's merely a necessary process.

In private, he also took notes, turning his subjective impressions of these Divine Spirits into important criteria for whether the Heavenly Dao would consider recruiting them.

After half a month of such activity, Wu Wang even questioned whether he had developed a knack for socialization. He had made a host of dubious acquaintances and befriended a group of Main Gods and minor deities. There were even a few bold Goddesses who sent him suggestive glances, and some who hinted at a night of pleasure in exchange for a close relationship, all of which Wu Wang selectively ignored. Are the living beings not beautiful, or is our own Young Master (Shao Siming) not good-looking enough?

So, half a month later, the God of Spring's Divine World was busier than ever before. Banquet tables were suspended on clouds above the Divine Realm. Below, crowds danced gracefully while beautiful music resounded through the heavens and earth. The beauties of the Hundred Races danced without a moment's pause.

This banquet was hosted under the guise of 'Uniting Divine Spirits and Living Beings.' In total, over one hundred and twenty Divine Spirits attended, but more than eighty others sent gifts through intermediaries. Put another way, over two hundred Divine Spirits had expressed their closeness to Wu Wang. And the primary reason for all this was the 'Star God's intervention.'

If one looked at it from this perspective, in the drama of Wu Wang and Emperor Shun slaying the Gold God here, they had each achieved what they needed.

According to the news Wu Wang received, the whistling snake's Divine Soul was now stable and she was ready to reincarnate through a Divine Spirit at any time. Wu Wang's plan was to have the whistling snake cultivate in the Star God's Star Formation, using the burgeoning spiritual power of the living beings in the Northern Wilderness to shape a divine body as soon as possible. This divine body, Wu Wang intended to craft in the image of a Divine Dragon, letting the whistling snake undergo a complete transformation to become a great general of the Heavenly Dao. She owed the Human Domain too much; now, she can slowly repay the living beings of heaven and earth.

In this battle, only the Gold God lost.

As for whether Emperor Shun had gleaned anything from the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation... Wu Wang simply smiled at the thought and didn't care much.

Emperor Shun is too egotistical, almost laying his cards on the table. Even if he knew I'd met those old gods, it wouldn't affect his attitude toward me. The Heavenly Emperor had his plans; Wu Wang had his own.

The changing of the divine era seems inevitable now, but who will emerge as the final victor remains uncertain.

「East of the East Sea, atop the Fusang Tree.」

Xihe, who was kneeling beside a pool washing nine fireballs, turned to glance at a bronze mirror held by a maiden not far away. The image reflected in the mirror was that of Wu Wang hosting the gods.

Xihe's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her movements while helping the Golden crow bird clean its feathers became gentler, yet her eyes revealed a trace of confusion.

What exactly does His Majesty want to do? She somewhat couldn't see through her husband, unable to distinguish which of Emperor Shun's words to her were true and which were false.

"Someone come."

Immediately, a Divine General clad in Golden Armor knelt at the entrance of the hall.

"Send an invitation to Wu Wangzi, inviting him to a feast at the Heaven Palace's temporary residence at noon tomorrow."

"As you command!" The two Divine Generals hurried off.

There was some distance from here to the Heaven Palace. If they flew at full speed, they might arrive at the Heaven Palace by sunset. Indeed, it was not as comfortable as following alongside the Sun God's Divine Chariot.