This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 497 - 495: Tsk, the Beauty Trap

Sniff.

Wu Wang's nose twitched slightly, catching a whiff of an almost imperceptible fragrance. This scent was unique, seemingly able to induce bewildering thoughts, as if he saw his own Young Master dancing before his eyes, or Fairy Ling shedding her thin gauze dress in front of him.

Wu Wang's Dao Heart trembled slightly, and all fantasies vanished. Impressive, indeed, he thought, fixing his gaze on the fox-woman walking ahead. He spoke calmly, "Miss Lu'er, is your body fragrance natural?"

The young woman in front of him paused, immediately concealing the captivating fragrance. She then turned, a hint of worry in her eyes. Seeing Wu Wang's calm expression and clear gaze, she instinctively glanced down towards his lower abdomen.

Her pretty face flushed red, and she whispered, "I'm sorry, I still can't quite control this scent."

Wu Wang looked down and realized he might have made a fool of himself.

The surrounding elderly women of the Celestial Fox Tribe clicked their tongues in amazement, but Wu Wang remained perfectly composed.

A minor hiccup, nothing more.

He lifted the hem of his long robe and continued forward. After a while, having regained his composure, he exclaimed in admiration, "What a potent fragrance."

"It is Lord Envoy who is truly impressive," an Elder of the Celestial Fox Tribe said slowly. "You are the first young Martial Artist I've seen who can maintain clarity of mind and not be swayed. I almost suspect you've concealed your true age and cultivation level."

Wu Wang replied earnestly, "You may examine me yourselves."

With that, he extended his left hand.

The Elders exchanged glances. The fox-woman, Lu'er, stepped forward. Her slender, jade-like fingers grasped Wu Wang's wrist, and a wisp of Spiritual Power probed the level of Spiritual Power within his body.

"Lord Envoy has not lied," she stated.

Wu Wang said, "Actually, I wasn't entirely able to resist Princess Lu'er's fragrance either. I simply believe that matters between men and women are for Reproduction, not for pleasure. My interest in Martial Arts is greater."

The fox-woman, Lu'er, couldn't help but purse her lips, feeling slightly offended.

The Celestial Fox Tribe Elders smiled but said nothing.

One old woman said, "Let's return quickly. Lord Envoy, please conceal your identity for now. I have an illusion technique that can temporarily disguise you as one of our tribe."

"We came here in secret. Those patrolling the forest are trustworthy. You can rest assured, Lord Envoy."

"Thank you for your trouble, Elders."

Wu Wang cupped his hands in a salute. An Elder of the Celestial Fox Tribe cast a spell, and a pair of fox ears sprouted on Wu Wang's head, and a gray, furry tail appeared behind him.

Thankfully, they didn't make him wear women's clothes.

Ever since Zhong Ling had provoked him last time, Wu Wang had been like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

Okay, that was genuinely scary.

Several Elders joined forces, conjuring a gust of wind that lifted Wu Wang and Lu'er from the ground, speeding them through the forest.

Wu Wang could observe figures of the Celestial Fox Tribe hidden in the treetops. They clutched longbows, quivers on their backs; occasionally, he spotted some holding wooden staves.

Interestingly, most of these 'Soldiers' of the Celestial Fox Tribe were female. This made Wu Wang wonder if the Celestial Fox Tribe still adhered to a matrilineal system.

The wind howled, picking up speed. These Celestial Fox Tribe Elders were clearly anxious to return. Phantoms of Heavenly Foxes seemed to support them as they traveled, likely an ancient technique unique to the old kingdom of Qingqiu.

Why did the Shrine Institute claim this forest was fertile land?

Wu Wang, who managed the Heavenly Dao, naturally had a 'basic understanding' of the various Great Daos. He could sense that this place was different from the other forests he had encountered on his journey.

The most significant characteristic was the completeness of the five elements here, particularly the essence of water, suggesting an abundance of shallow groundwater. The few springs he had seen along the way, brimming with Spiritual Energy, were a testament to this.

Secondly, the earth here was 'richer' than in other regions, seemingly full of nutrients conducive to plant growth—something Wu Wang had not seen in the areas he had previously traversed.

If this forest were cleared for cultivation, it would indeed significantly alleviate the food shortage in the Luili Realm.

Villages in the surrounding forest became more frequent. The dwellings of the Celestial Fox Tribe were mostly built elevated from the ground. If a towering ancient tree stood in an area, a Celestial Fox Tribe Village would invariably be found nearby.

To Wu Wang, these Villages appeared peaceful and stable. The Celestial Fox Tribe lived by gathering and hunting. Moderate cultivation of the land was enough to ensure they never faced famine.

"Lord Envoy," Lu'er asked softly, "you seem to be younger than twenty this year?"

Wu Wang smiled. "Indeed, I am not yet very worldly." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Neither am I." Her slender hand brushed a stray strand of hair from her ear, her fingers trailing behind her to meet her other hand. She looked at Wu Wang, who was nearby, and said in a low voice, "Your courage deeply impresses me. I had never stepped outside this forest before. I didn't expect my first time doing so would be to welcome you back."

He was no naive newcomer. Although this fox-woman was indeed a rare beauty, with the added allure of her potential transformation from current purity to future seductiveness, these Heavenly Foxes were underestimating him. He was the Eastern Emperor, a true Heavenly Emperor! Wu Wang thought, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Wu Wang suddenly asked, "Are you truly taking me to your tribe's ancestral land?"

The Elders simultaneously turned to look at Wu Wang.

Lu'er's expression visibly froze, but she recovered quickly. "Sir, why would you suddenly say such a thing?"

Wu Wang raised his hand, idly turning the thumb ring. His Divine Thought was already linked to the 'Flying Cloud Set'.

He said slowly, "That subtle, aphrodisiacal fragrance earlier, these somewhat suggestive words now, and the way Princess Lu'er has been presenting herself... If I were to feign ignorance, would I not be making a grave mistake here today?"

Lu'er glanced at a nearby Elder.

One Elder chuckled. "Lord Envoy, you are overthinking things. Our Celestial Fox Tribe has more women than men, so our women naturally possess such innate charms. It is not specifically directed at you."

"Is that so?" Wu Wang tilted his head slightly, his eyes like unsheathed swords, though his voice remained soft and unhurried. "I had assumed the Celestial Fox Tribe, having learned of my arrival, coveted the power I represent and sought to use certain unsavory methods to compel me to protect the Heavenly Fox Clan. But on second thought, you couldn't possibly know what I accomplished in Liuli City. To make such a gamble would be far too reckless. Unless… Miss Lu'er is not your Clan Leader's daughter."

The color drained from Lu'er's face, and she subconsciously retreated half a step.

The Celestial Fox Tribe Elders exchanged wry smiles before one spoke, "Since you have seen through our intentions, Sir, and pointed them out so directly, Lu'er will indeed be heartbroken."

"You are correct, Sir. We did hope Lu'er could form a… wonderful relationship with you."

"Ideally, for Lu'er to bear your child."

"In doing so, the Celestial Fox Tribe would become supporters of the future ruler of the Luili Realm and would, in turn, receive your protection."

"How could we be unaware of your deeds? Your sister is the sole Disciple of the great Liuli god. You single-handedly defeated over three hundred Earth Class candidates to become an instructor in the God's Martial Arts Class. You are only seventeen, yet you possess the cultivation of a fourth-stage Martial Soul Realm expert. Rumor has it you received a boon from the Martial God himself and possess a god-tier Martial Technique bestowed by him."

"All this is enough to give us a glimmer of hope."

An Elder added sorrowfully, "Things could hardly be worse than they are now, could they?"

The gusting wind around them died down, and the phantom Heavenly Foxes dissipated into the forest.

Lu'er was pale for a moment, but then, as if a thought struck her, a determined light shone in her eyes. She quickly regained her earlier gentle demeanor and gazed quietly at Wu Wang, striving to project her tenderness and beauty.

Wu Wang remained silent for a moment before asking, "So, Miss Lu'er, what is your true identity?"

"I am my mother's sixth daughter," Lu'er said softly. "My mother is the High Priestess of our tribe."

An Elder immediately interjected, "In our Celestial Fox Tribe, the High Priestess is equivalent to the Clan Leader."

Wu Wang said, "My sister is indeed the only Disciple of the Liuli god, but there's something you may not have fully investigated. We are not blood siblings. And I have promised to marry her when she comes of age. Also, the Liuli god is watching this place. If you think I'm deceiving you, then look at this."

A long spear materialized in his hand—the Flying Cloud Spear, a gift from the Martial God. Wu Wang twirled it with a flourish and tossed it to Lu'er. She fumbled to catch it, only to find the spear felt as light as a feather. With a slight tremor, the spear slipped from her grasp and flew back into Wu Wang's hand.

"Have you ever seen such a Weapon?"

"It's… it's a Divine Artifact!"

"A God's Weapon!"

Lu'er's face turned ashen, and the Elders looked even more terrified.

They are indeed easy to bluff, Wu Wang thought.

His expression hardened, his voice growing more authoritative, "Now you understand why I refused so decisively, and what the consequences of your actions could have been. I came here in good faith, entering this forest alone. Yet you sought to use such a despicable method, to use the chastity of such a beautiful woman as a chain to bind me. Does your branch of the Celestial Fox Tribe truly wish to be annihilated here? You should know, a few hundred thousand Heavenly Fox Clan members mean very little to the entirety of the Luili Realm."

"Lord Envoy! Please forgive us!" An Elder with white hair dropped to her knees, her wide robe, embroidered with a seven-tailed Heavenly Fox, pooling on the thick layer of fallen leaves. Her voice trembled.

The other Celestial Fox Tribe Elders also bowed their heads and knelt.

Lu'er looked at Wu Wang and asked softly, "Lord Envoy, am I truly so unappealing to you?"

"Frankly, if I were not already bound by a promise to another, I would not have refused such an opportunity." Wu Wang smiled. "Why devalue yourself? You should not be a bargaining chip for anyone. Neither your parents nor your tribe should demand such a sacrifice from you. Now, take me to your tribal lands. I am here to communicate with you, to hear your voices. As the Envoy of Lady Liuli, the goddess, I will accurately convey your concerns to that wise and beautiful Goddess."

"Thank you for your magnanimity. We will take you there at once."

Alas... To think I'd encounter a honey trap in this life! And I had to turn it down!

A short while later, escorted by several Elders, Wu Wang arrived at the ancestral lands of the Celestial Fox Tribe. It was a city built both above and below ground. On the surface, dozens of altar-like structures were scattered across an area of roughly ten square miles. Each altar had an entrance leading downwards, apparently marked with ancient formations to maintain ventilation and water supply to the subterranean levels.

Wu Wang received a grand welcome, though, of course, he was also the target of many hateful glares. He maintained his usual composure, a faint smile on his face, exuding as much goodwill as possible without showing any hint of compromise.

Walking past rows of beautiful fox-women lining the path, stepping over cool, clear streams, and enduring the flirtatious glances cast by mature, beautiful fox-women, Wu Wang finally reached the main altar.

A charismatic, middle-aged fox-woman greeted him. This was Lu'er's mother, the High Priestess of this branch of the Celestial Fox Tribe, Splendorous.

After several pleasantries of the 'hero from afar' variety, Wu Wang was seated opposite High Priestess Splendorous. More than twenty Elders stood to the sides, and hundreds of male Celestial Fox Tribe guards surrounded the altar's periphery. Lu'er knelt beside Wu Wang, pouring tea with exceedingly gentle movements.

The High Priestess made no mention of her earlier arrangements. She said warmly, "Lord Envoy, you have traveled far. Our Celestial Fox Tribe has only humble wine and simple tea to offer. We hope you do not find it lacking."

"I hear there are quite a few radicals within the Celestial Fox Tribe?" Wu Wang smiled. "I was rather apprehensive on my way here, afraid that those extremists might use my visit as a pretext for the Celestial Fox Tribe to declare war on the Luili Realm."

The High Priestess sighed. "It is a shameful family matter. We have traitors within our tribe."

"Traitors?"

"Yes, Lord Envoy. Would you care to accompany me to see them? They are imprisoned in the dungeon. It was they who ambushed the brave Soldiers defending our homeland at the border." The High Priestess lowered her voice. "Our Celestial Fox Tribe is part of the Luili Realm. How could we do something so foolish? We feel nothing but gratitude towards those Soldiers."

Wu Wang's eyes flickered. He tapped his fingers lightly on the low table before him. Lu'er, beside him, glanced at the untouched teacup before Wu Wang and continued to listen with her head bowed.

Wu Wang said, "If that is the case, then this matter can, perhaps, be considered resolved, and an explanation can be given to the soldiers… The High Priestess will hand over these individuals, correct?"

The High Priestess sighed. "We are willing to offer their heads to appease the anger of the soldiers."

"Meaning, the true culprits might escape justice due to the strict hierarchical order within the Celestial Fox Tribe," Wu Wang stated indifferently. "After all, from a head alone, one cannot determine its owner's strength in life."

The High Priestess frowned slightly. "Lord Envoy, I believe we should trust one another."

"I wish to trust you as well," Wu Wang said. "But I hope, High Priestess, that you understand my purpose here. I came to prevent the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Celestial Fox Tribe members, not to protect the interests of a select few—your Priests, Elders, and nobles. If the Celestial Fox Tribe genuinely wishes to show sincerity, then hand over everyone involved in the attack on the patrol. I will take them to Liuli City to face judgment from the Shrine Institute. This is the only condition under which our discussion can proceed today. Surely, you wouldn't dare deceive even the Goddess."

The High Priestess looked up at Wu Wang, and he met her gaze calmly.

Soon, the High Priestess sighed softly. "I understand now why you rejected Lu'er so decisively. It is not that my daughter lacks charm, but that you, Sir, are truly extraordinary. We are willing to hand over the masterminds of the ambush."

The surrounding Elders looked crestfallen.

Wu Wang said, "As for those Soldiers who were merely following orders, I can guarantee they will not be executed in Liuli City. I believe you should all reconsider your perspective. Handing them over is not a betrayal of your people, but the fulfillment of your responsibilities as members of the Luili Realm. In this chaotic world, under the constant threat of marauders from the rifts between Divine Realms, your ability to develop peacefully here is due to the protection of the Martial God and the Liuli god."

"We will take your teachings to heart," the High Priestess said with a sigh. "I will deliver them out of this forest as you requested, for you and the esteemed authorities of Liuli City to handle."

Wu Wang nodded slightly and said slowly, "In that case, let us continue. The future of the Celestial Fox Tribe, whether you can continue to survive in the Luili Realm, and whether you will continue to receive the protection of the Martial God…"

He paused, then took out the Martial God Token from his thumb ring. The Token hovered before him, emitting rays of Divine Light. Its pressure filled the entire area.

"Actually, it all depends on your own choices."