"Daoist Master Wang, here is the list of lottery jackpot winners from the past twenty years. Is this... too many?"

"Fei Yu, the data on people whose personal assets skyrocketed overnight has been compiled. There are quite a lot. Do you really want to go through them one by one?"

"Lord Fei Yu, here is a case. Someone fell from the fifteenth floor and got caught in a tree. He actually survived! Seriously, this is unbelievable!"

Wang Sheng's home was unusually lively. Mou Yue had stationed two work teams there, helping him sort through a large amount of data.

Even Mou Yue found Wang Sheng's request hard to understand.

He was looking for someone blessed with extreme luck, someone whose fortune was so overwhelming it could be called divine. No matter how one looked at it, the request was rather strange.

However, Wang Sheng had made the request to the Special Investigation Unit and clearly stated that this matter concerned the stability of Earth. Hence, they did not dare take it lightly.

When experts acted, they acted in ways beyond ordinary understanding. Sometimes, they also appeared to be completely off track.

Wang Sheng carefully reviewed each document. After all, these were the results of others' hard work. He could not be careless. No matter how high one's cultivation, basic principles still had to be observed.

"What do you think of this one?"

Qinglin walked over with a folder and showed Wang Sheng a possible candidate.

After a quick look, Wang Sheng shook his head. "He doesn't quite fit the description. He certainly had insane luck before he started cultivating. Demolition compensation, starting a company, and getting rich overnight. However, after stepping onto the path of cultivation, his progress has been slow. He doesn't seem to be the one."

Qinglin nodded and walked away with the folder.

Soon, Xi Lian came over as well. She held up her phone and showed Wang Sheng a delicate-looking young man.

"This one! People online say he is one lucky koi[1]! He joined a singing competition but could only dance. He was always on the verge of elimination, yet he never got eliminated. Even his teammates who lost alongside him were revived through comeback rounds!"

Wang Sheng smiled wryly. "The first generation of the internet's lucky koi are the only genuine ones; the rest are imitation and hype. Big Sister, just treat these variety shows as planned productions."

"Hmph! So that's how it is. I thought he was genuinely lucky!"

Xi Lian shook her head and turned back to continue searching online.

Four or five young women were typing away at keyboards in the room. From the bedroom to the study room, the place was filled with Special Investigation Unit staff.

Wang Sheng sat on the sofa, eating fruit while flipping through the documents handed to him. It felt kind of relaxing.

What was power?

In simple terms, it was what made people revolve around someone. A single word from someone in power could change everyone else's fate. It also magnified one's desire for control in subtle ways.

Wang Sheng did not feel much about it. He did not like controlling others. On the contrary, he even found it troublesome.

But for many, it was different. Power became a way to prove themselves—a means to realize their own worth.

What, then, was the Immortal Emperor pursuing?

Wang Sheng did not believe that Haotian acted out of something as simple as a desire for power. That being had changed the Three Realms, reshaped the endless space, and influenced the fate of countless lives. His goal, or rather his pursuit, had to be something far more fundamental and profound.

If Wang Sheng wanted to oppose Haotian and defeat him, he would have to raise his own perspective to the same level.

"Lord Fei Yu, please take a look at this person."

Someone handed over another file. Wang Sheng set aside his thoughts and focused on reviewing it.

***

Half a month later.

"This is the final list."

Mou Yue handed a sheet to Wang Sheng. It contained over forty names along with basic information.

The house had grown quiet again. The young staff members had already left, having been granted a few days off to rest after working themselves to exhaustion over the past half month.

"Fei Yu..."

Mou Yue hesitated.

Wang Sheng smiled. "Aunt, do not worry. I will make sure to protect their personal privacy."

"It's not about that." Mou Yue lowered her voice. "They asked me to check with you about why you are looking for these people. They are not trying to interfere, just curious."

"I am looking for the Human King from the Ancient Era," Wang Sheng said seriously. "In other words, the leader of all humans across the endless space. There is no other intention. I am about sixty percent certain that he has been reincarnating on Earth, effectively exiled here.

"By the way, Aunt Mou Yue, how much does the official side know about the cultivation civilization outside the Realm of Exiled Immortals, as well as the Immortal Emperor and the Heavenly Court?"

Mou Yue thought for a moment. "I do not know much myself. But judging from information clearance levels... Their understanding of the outside world is about the same as what Xiaomiao and the others know about the endless space."

Wang Sheng nodded.

That meant they already knew most things, aside from the Immortal Emperor's scheme against the sacred spirit and the possibility that the Immortal Emperor was not truly dead.

"That is good," Wang Sheng said. "You do not need to explain further. I have a general idea."

"Mm." Mou Yue smiled. "I will have a day off in a couple of days. There is a small family gathering. Would you like to come with the two immortals?"

Wang Sheng smiled. "Sure. Send me the address and time. I will come by and enjoy the food. Come to think of it, you have not invited me before. Is your married life treating you well?"

"It's alright, I guess." Mou Yue sighed softly. "It is a pity Fairy Bu Yu did not come back with you. The house would have been livelier."

Still smiling, Wang Sheng replied, "Senior Sister is busy with her cultivation. Do not worry. I will eat her share for her as well!"

Mou Yue's eyes curved into a smile. She said her goodbyes and left.

Wang Sheng leaned back on the sofa with the list of forty-two names, going through each one carefully. There was no ripple in his heart or any sudden certainty that he had found the right person.

Was I wrong? Everything I have inferred came from Lady Meng's claims, which could very well be just her own guesses. There's a chance I have been misled.

Beside him, Xi Lian stretched lazily. She was dressed in a striking, fitted long dress. "Finally done. When are we going to find them?"

"In a few days. I will check for any gaps first," Wang Sheng replied, then looked at the two as they prepared to head out. "Going to watch a movie?"

Qinglin, now in casual clothes, smiled. "How did you know?"

"I heard you two talking." Wang Sheng waved a hand. "Don't come back too late. If you don't want to go home later, there are hotels nearby. Just be mindful and do not let anyone discover that you are immortals."

"Tsk." Xi Lian raised an eyebrow and just accepted his advice without hesitation.

Qinglin frowned slightly and muttered, "We can just stay here. Why go to a hotel?"

"It's more interesting," Xi Lian replied casually.

She picked up a newly bought designer bag and changed into high heels, making her look graceful and captivating. Unfortunately, Qinglin had no interest in appreciating her looks. He lowered his head and seriously considered the matter of the hotel, clearly unable to take the hint.

Compared to modern people, those from ancient times could be rather outdated in certain ways. Times truly had changed for him.

Not long after they left, Wang Sheng slipped out through the window. Concealing his presence, he flew to a scenic field on the outskirts of the city. He landed beside a stretch of rapeseed flowers separated by greenhouses. Walking slowly, he relaxed while thinking about the Human King.

Wang Sheng believed his deduction regarding the Human Qi Seal was mostly correct. He just did not know if he missed any details. The lucky individuals he planned to look for next could be considered to have fortunate destinies. However, they were not lucky enough to be called absurd.

He only took the list to avoid making Mou Yue feel that her efforts had been wasted.

"The Human King, Immortal Emperor, the sage, Empress Nuwa..."

Wang Sheng turned these thoughts over in his mind, waves stirring within. However, he still could not find any clear connection.

He sighed and clasped his hands behind his back, letting his mind wander.

"If only there were some great expert from the Primal Era who had lived until now—someone who rarely goes into seclusion, constantly observes everything in the world, and can step up to guide me."

As he pondered, he quickly came up with another idea.

Lady Meng's earlier appearance in the Small Nether Realm had given him another reminder.

I can also win over the Nether Realm!

The Nether Realm had powerful inhabitants, such as the Kings of Hell and Ghost Emperors. It also housed the Six-Path Wheel of Reincarnation.

During his time traveling through the endless space, he had heard some things about the Nether Realm.

When the Heavenly Court fell, the Nether Realm also suffered disaster. Since it had always been weaker, it was more like an affiliated institution under the Heavenly Court. Its presence had never been particularly prominent.

However, several great experts from the Primal Era had reportedly protected the Six-Path Wheel of Reincarnation. The forces of the Nether Realm were not completely destroyed, and since it was not a place of strategic importance, the Heavenly Court's enemies quickly withdrew from it.

At present, the one in charge of it was Great Virtue Houtu[2], revered as the fifth of the Four Heavenly Ministers.

"The Nether Realm probably wasn't a core force of the Heavenly Court, and it likely didn't have close ties to the Immortal Emperor."

Wang Sheng pondered for a moment. With the limited information he had, he could not draw a clear conclusion.

Still, if he were to oppose the Immortal Emperor in the future, he had to devote some effort toward the Nether Realm. If he could gain their support, the situation would likely improve.

Can the Six-Path Wheel of Reincarnation locate the Human Emperor's soul?

Wang Sheng smiled wryly.

It should be possible. After all, it governs all reincarnation across the Three Realms. Even though Earth is locked within the Time-Cycle Grand Array, finding a soul that continuously reincarnates should not be difficult with the power of such a treasure. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After all, the lives on Earth did not come from nowhere. There have to be traces to follow. Does that mean I have to go to the Nether Realm now, then return to Earth to find the Human King?

Wang Sheng sighed. It really was troublesome.

After thinking for a moment, he wandered without a clear destination. Soon, he arrived at a farm.

Several dairy cows were moving in sequence toward the milking machines. The level of automation here was quite high. In this modern era, machines had already replaced much manual labor.

At that moment, Wang Sheng was struck with a spark of inspiration.

Considering the Immortal Emperor was able to take the heavenly fate of the sacred spirit, then... is it perhaps also possible to create a Human King and forcibly seize its fortune?

The idea grew wildly out of control.

1. Koi in Chinese tradition are known as symbols of good luck and fortune ☜

2. In Chinese mythology and Taoism, Houtu is the Goddess of the Earth. She is the divine ruler of the land, mountains, and rivers. She is also in charge of the Underworld. ☜