roccoschili Chapter 530 528: The Wise Heart of the Fairy Immortal, Changes in the Eastern Wilderness
Chapter 530 528: The Wise Heart of the Fairy Immortal, Changes in the Eastern Wilderness
The winds from the Outer Sky grew ever more boisterous.Wu Wang, embarking on his journey once again, dashed between the temples of various Innate Gods.
This time, the Candle Dragon's camp reacted swiftly, with several strong gods beginning to join forces in pursuit of this 'Martial Artist Qing Shan'.
However, what slightly puzzled these powerful deities was that Qing Shan's appearances seemed to have some forewarning, but his escapes were incredibly swift.
His ability to hide and disappear surpassed even his own level of combat prowess.
These strong gods even had the faint illusion that they were being toyed with.
Half a year hurried by, and the direction of the winds in the Outer Sky had significantly shifted from the moment the Wind God passed away.
The gods began to discuss in private the strength of the Candle Dragon and the odds of the Martial God challenging and defeating it.
They turned their attention to the various happenings in the Martial God World, observing how the Martial God would deal with the ten-year pact set by the Candle Dragon.
If previously, due to the Candle Dragon's coercion, ninety percent of the gods of the Outer Sky had bowed their heads in service, then half a year after the death of the Wind God, thirty percent of them chose to step back, observing the direction of the winds from within the Divine Realms far from the Candle Dragon's divine body.
In this half-year, Martial Artist Qing Shan had challenged two Innate Gods again, targeting those closely related to the Wind God Yinyinhu.
Qing Shan triumphed, winning but not killing.
The Martial God's disciple, his reputation for benevolence spreading.
Moreover, Wu Wang's incarnation had begun to acquire a notable moniker—[Honored Qing Shan].
When Wu Wang first heard this nickname, he thought it sounded quite cool; upon further reflection, it seemed like a background character's name that would often appear in other stories.
But it was not a matter of great importance.
That day, Wu Wang had his incarnation hide early and his spiritual mind returned to his main body, summoning the powerful figures of the Heavenly Dao for a brief meeting.
In the meeting, Yun Zhongjun conducted simulations of the Outer Sky's situation and reported significant advancements in the surveillance measures against the Candle Dragon.
During the meeting, Human Emperor Shen Nong pointed out that when the Heaven and Earth Seal was opened, there would be dozens of brave humans ready to serve as the vanguard, introducing the strategic principle of 'quicker action, easier peace of mind.'
The Head Manager and Earth God each volunteered for battle, and the powerful gods within showed great enthusiasm for this final overt clash in the Great Wilderness World.
The meeting emphasized that both the Candle Dragon and Emperor Shun, as the two supreme beings, were actually on the brink of a precipice. The gods of the Heavenly Dao should work diligently and be ready for battle at any time, to contribute to preserving the integrity of the Great Dao of all living beings and gods in the Outer Sky...
「The rest is omitted.」
After the meeting among the Heavenly Dao concluded, Wu Wang's main body awakened from seclusion and went to Fairy Ling's bedchamber.
The affection between husband and wife need not be overly displayed, for the love between a man and a woman is just right as it is.
Xiaolan noticed Wu Wang's persistent furrowed brow and gently rubbed his forehead with her fingers, hoping to ease his worries.
"What's wrong? Have you encountered some difficult problem?"
"Actually, I haven't encountered any particular difficulties," said Wu Wang, embracing her smooth shoulder and speaking gently. "I am just pondering what Emperor Shun is thinking right now, what purpose he intends to achieve."
Fairy Ling Xiaolan spoke softly, "His goal, isn't it to recapture the throne of the Heavenly Emperor?"
"Exactly," confirmed Wu Wang. "You said that in this great game in the Outer Sky, Candle Dragon and Emperor Shun made their moves so hastily that they left too many flaws.
I understand he is worried about losing control of the Dao of Chaos, which is why he dares not directly devour the living beings of the Outer Sky, thinking of advancing step by step. But wouldn't Emperor Shun consider the reaction of the Heavenly Dao and me?
He must have thought about these things.
So why does he still act this way? What exactly is his purpose?"
Ling Xiaolan leaned against Wu Wang's shoulder, a touch of seriousness on her charming face, whispering, "Perhaps things aren't as complicated as you think."
"Oh?" Wu Wang was somewhat puzzled.
Ling Xiaolan said:
"After Emperor Shun voluntarily abandoned the Heaven Palace, his available resources were insufficient to confront the Celestial Court.
Can the Dao of Chaos truly destabilize the Heavenly Dao?
Clearly, it cannot—something even I, a weak woman, understand, let alone a deeply calculating Innate God like Emperor Shun.
If he knows he is destined to lose yet still poses as if he wants a direct confrontation with you, there are already many problems with this."
Wu Wang's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze reflecting the pale pink drapes. Suddenly, he held Xiaolan tightly and planted a firm kiss on her forehead.
"Ha ha ha! You truly are my lucky star! I think I know what Emperor Shun is up to now!"
"What is it?"
"It very well may be the path of the Third God King," Wu Wang narrowed his eyes faintly, suddenly recalling the conversation between the Water God, his maternal grandfather, and the Goddess of Fortune that day.
The only hope for Emperor Shun to turn the tables lies not in the Outer Sky but in the void!
But this time, I will not let him slip away again, to become a hidden threat to the Great Wilderness World in the future.
Otherwise, Emperor Shun might indeed become the destined one—the foreordained instigator of the calamity to come!
Wu Wang said in a gentle voice, "You rest first, I have some arrangements to make."
"Okay, you go ahead," Ling Xiaolan replied softly, smiling as she delivered a light kiss on his lips. "I too must practice diligently to enter the Transcendent Realm as soon as possible so I won't embarrass you, my Lord Heavenly Emperor."
"Nonsense!"
Wu Wang deliberately put on a stern face, "My wife's beauty is unmatched in this world; cultivation and such are merely secondary!"
Ling Xiaolan couldn't help but cover her mouth to chuckle, hiding under the covers and watching Wu Wang's departing figure, which moved with dragon-like grace and tiger-like swiftness.
At this moment, Wu Wang had already thought of a key figure;
A significant Innate God holding a treasure second only to the Eastern Emperor's Bell.
Queen Mother of the West!
Gone are the days of single combat; as the Heavenly Emperor, I must utilize all resources to my advantage.
Soon, Wu Wang summoned Queen Mother of the West, Yun Zhongjun, and the Head Manager before him, issuing several commands one after another.
Queen Mother of the West was tasked with monitoring the void of the Outer Sky using the Kunlun Mirror as the core and the power of the Heavenly Dao as support, quickly constructing a network to envelop the Outer Sky and keeping a close watch on Emperor Shun's Divine Soul.
The Head Manager, on the other hand, was entrusted by Wu Wang with another critical task—keeping a close eye on the Eastern Wilderness.
Emperor Shun might utilize the Eastern Wilderness to delay the Heavenly Dao's support to the Outer Sky, thereby creating a tragedy there to seek revenge against Wu Wang and the Heavenly Dao.
"Revenge?" The Head Manager's eyes revealed a hint of confusion.
"Yes," said Wu Wang. "Emperor Shun might not even have intended to overpower the Heavenly Dao. He should be aware that he has no chance of turning the tables either in the Great Wilderness World or in the Outer Sky.
This could explain why when the Wind God died, Emperor Shun and Candle Dragon did not make a move against the Martial God.
He's plotting a major scheme!
What's more, Emperor Shun might already have been chosen by some will in the unknown, to become the initiator of this era's major disaster on the timeline.
We must not let Emperor Shun escape. All arrangements for the Outer Sky from now on should focus on hunting Emperor Shun's Divine Soul as a priority, with accepting the Power of Living Beings from the Outer Sky as secondary."
"That will..." Queen Mother of the West murmured to herself, lifting her head to look at Wu Wang.
"Do you somehow know something? During the first era of gods, there was a similar saying, but it was later proven by the gods that the will does not truly exist for us."
"Mystery upon mysteries, the gateway to all secret essences."
Wu Wang deliberately presented a confident and composed demeanor, intentionally leaving them hanging before waving his hand and quietly vanishing.
"In the future, I shall let you all be aware."
Yun Zhongjun nodded with a smile.
Not bad. The Lord Heavenly Emperor is now learning how to reassure people.
…
Xihe lay quietly on her precious couch.
Behind the distant curtains, several golden crows frolicked and splashed in the pool.
In the corner of the hall, several musicians plucked at stringed instruments and struck jade pieces, producing a crisp and ethereal melody.
Such peaceful days were indeed a rare enjoyment for Xihe.
The Eastern Wilderness remained unchanged, and the Heavenly Dao showed no signs of reclaiming this 'land of freedom for the Innate Gods;' she, as the leader of the Eastern Wilderness, was leading a rather comfortable life.
Eastern Emperor Taiyi had indeed fulfilled his promise from the past, not taking any action against her.
In return for his favor, Xihe erected many statues of Eastern Emperor Taiyi throughout the Eastern Wilderness and strictly commanded all the gods there not to disrespect him, nor to discuss matters of the Celestial Court and the Heavenly Dao in private.
Yet, for some reason, various unsettling rumors persisted in the Eastern Wilderness:
[The Heavenly Dao will erase the innate nature of the Innate Gods, gradually turning them into lifeless puppets, mere tools of the Heavenly Dao.]
[Eastern Emperor Taiyi is playing a grand game, and the gods of the Eastern Wilderness are the last force that can restrain him. Otherwise, once his arrangements are complete, the whole world will be refined by the Heavenly Dao to aid his transcendence.]
Such talks were endless.
Xihe knew that there must be someone behind this mischief, likely a contingency left by that faithless and callous god.
But whenever such rumblings began to ferment, Xihe would host a banquet for the gods to warn and keep those unruly fellows in check.
Are they truly... unable to sense the extent of the Heavenly Dao's might?
If Eastern Emperor Taiyi wished to obliterate the Eastern Wilderness today, the simplest way would be for the Heavenly Dao to send down divine punishment, swiftly slaying dozens of gods. Sinking the Eastern Wilderness and the land to its east into the sea would also be a trivial matter.
"Alas, what is everyone still fighting over?" Xihe muttered softly, sighing gently.
Suddenly, a whisper penetrated Xihe's ears, just like the buzzing of mosquitoes on a summer night, yet it carried a voice that Xihe found quite familiar.
"Beauty?"
Xihe's graceful and elegant figure instantly became incredibly stiff.
She stood up briskly, her wide sleeves sweeping in front of her, and her sharp gaze darted about, not concealing her anger in the slightest.
Unfortunately, Xihe did not immediately unleash her divine power, which gave the other party a chance to speak.
Once the other party spoke, she had lost half the battle.
"Alas... I know I have wronged you in the past, but it was a situation beyond my control at that time. Had you left with me, it would have been extremely difficult for you to survive..."
On the soft couch, Xihe's expression fluctuated uncertainly.
Deep beneath the ground, hidden within a crevice, the shadowy figure secretly communicating with Xihe wore a smug smile, confident of holding the winning hand.
What neither was aware of was that, deep in the Celestial Court, within the Heavenly Emperor's bedchamber in the Eighth Heaven, Wu Wang, clad in black, was enveloped with the thick force of the Heavenly Dao.
This scene was clearly projected in Wu Wang's mind.
In the Outer Sky, the Heavenly Dao might not be able to achieve such a feat, unable to probe a strong god silently.
But within the Great Wilderness World, he was the Heavenly Dao, the supreme ruler, and there could be no oversights.
Emperor Shun, that fellow, has indeed begun to make his move.
Has he found a way to contact the Great Wilderness from the Outer Sky?
My mother and Jingwei are protected by the Eastern Emperor's Bell; they should be safe.
No matter how Emperor Shun found a way to contact Xihe, the Eastern Wilderness pawn has truly played its ideal role.
...
「In Liuli City, in the backyard of Uncle Shan and Aunt Qing's mansion.」
A few ladies were in the midst of merry drinking, with Jin Wei's cheeks slightly flushed. She held a cup in her hand, her soft body leaned into the wicker chair, seemingly lost in thought for a while.
Chun Luan and Qiu Li lightly laughed beside her, commenting on how Qing Shan was such a stickler for the rules, spending two months together without any overstepping of boundaries, expressing amazement at this.
Jin Wei sighed softly.
She had just wanted to pour herself another few glasses of wine, to numb the vague emptiness in her heart caused by her brother's hurried departure, but as she was about to do so, several scenes appeared in front of her.
A desolate island, a divine tree glowing in the night, a young man, a divine bird.
Jin Wei, Jin Wei? Jingwei?
Jin Wei's spiritual mind trembled inexplicably, but as she tried to focus on these images, they discreetly dissipated when a greeting sounded close by.
"What's wrong?"
Chun Luan, her senior, came over with two roasted wings and took the seat next to Jin Wei, scrutinizing her delicate and fair cheeks with a laugh, "Are you missing Qing Shan?"
"Yes," Jin Wei sighed softly, without any coyness. "My brother has been gone for over half a year, and it's very dangerous out there. I don't know if he's safe."
"Don't you have prophetic dreams?" Chun Luan laughed. "Haven't you dreamt of him?"
Jin Wei shook her head gently, a trace of sadness in her expression.
She was still thinking about the images she had just seen, but those images had faded quickly, leaving only a blurry impression.
Qiu Li and Fu Er also came over with their cups, some sitting, some lying down, all tipsy to some degree.
Qiu Li laughed, "Xiao Wei, how far have you and Qing Shan gotten?"
Fu Er, who was frustrated by the lack of progress in her own love life, immediately lit up with the fire of gossip.
Jin Wei blinked, her clear and bright eyes filled with faint confusion, and her slightly round, adorable face displayed a few question marks.
"How far?"
"You know!"
Qiu Li immediately began to gesture, interlocking fingers, miming embraces, puckering her lips forward, and humming softly.
Chun Luan burst into laughter, and Jin Wei blushed with embarrassment but couldn't suppress a smile.
Jin Wei chided, "Older sister, how could you... Letting others see this would ruin your reputation."
"Aren't there just a few of us here? We're all women, what's wrong with talking about these things?" Qiu Li was unconcerned and asked, "Didn't anything happen when Qing Shan came back and stayed for two months?"
Jin Wei honestly shook her head.
Chun Luan, holding her chin and humming lightly, said, "Jin Wei, are you sure Qing Shan sees you as a partner, not as a dear sister?"
"I'm, I'm sure of it."
Jin Wei hurriedly said:
"I know what my sisters want to ask. In fact, I'm already of age and have long been ready to be intimate with him.
But as for my brother... I don't know how to explain it.
If you say he's too rigidly abiding by propriety, we've held hands and embraced, and even made solemn vows, but... but it stops there.
I am after all a maiden, and can't bring up such things myself, lest my brother thinks I'm too frivolous."
Chun Luan asked, "Has he ever said anything about waiting until after marriage for the nuptial chamber?"
"That... he has not mentioned."
Jin Wei recalled carefully.
She opened the cherished scrolls in her heart, familiar with the scenes they contained.
When her brother was not around, she would reminisce about every detail of their time together every day.
Her favorite scroll depicted a night of drinking under the full moon, huddled together, sipping fruit wine and chatting leisurely, so close their foreheads had touched, and a kiss had been shared.
The most difficult scroll to face depicted a back-scrubbing scene.
It was when her brother took a bath and she sneaked in to scrub his back and massage his shoulders. Amidst the rising steam, her heart couldn't stop racing...
After listening to Jin Wei talk about her daily interactions with her brother for an hour, Chun Luan, Fu Er, and Qiu Li, three masters of emotion, sat quietly in contemplation.
Chun Luan muttered, "Qing Shan is really remarkable. Jin Wei is so lovely, and yet he endures."
Jin Wei's pretty face turned red as if it could bleed, stammering and unsure how to defend herself.
Qiu Li, lowering her voice, said, "Do you think it might be some curse method that vixen Lu'er used?"
"That's unlikely," Fu Er smiled. "Aunt, I'm quite familiar with Lu'er. She greatly admires Uncle Qing Shan and would willingly give herself to him without regard for status. But she hasn't seen Uncle Qing Shan for a long time either."
"Junior Sister, don't talk nonsense. What kind of curse could bewitch someone like Honored Qing Shan?"
Chun Luan clicked her tongue and laughed, "If you ask me, it must be Qing Shan upholding propriety."
"Yes, brother always sticks to propriety with me, never behaving inappropriately."
Jin Wei smiled openly:
"Let's not talk about this anymore. When brother comes back next time, I'll have a proper talk with him. We agreed to get drunk today, and none of you are allowed to cheat."
Chun Luan swept her hand grandly, "I'll take on all three of you!"
Fu Er and Qiu Li immediately raised objections, while Jin Wei called over a priestess who was waiting in the corner to continue bringing fine wines and dishes.
Thanks to the many years of mentorship from the Liuli god, Jin Wei had reached the level where she did not have to get drunk if she didn't want to.
Her path was that of an ordinary Divine General, granted divine power by the Liuli god, spared the difficulties of cultivation.
After another hour of merriment, Chun Luan and Qiu Li were carried away by the priests back to their respective residences, while Fu Er, with a naive smile, was sent to rest in the attic of the backyard.
—Fu Er was still a student in the Martial Arts class of the Liuli god, and being seen drunk like this would affect the image of the twenty or so students in the class.
Jin Wei was already thoughtful enough to consider this detail.
A cool breeze blew, the courtyard awash with the mess of the feast.
Jin Wei curled up in the wicker chair, her thin dress concealing her exquisite figure, like a supreme flower that wished to bloom only for the one in her heart.
She closed her eyes, and all she could see was his shadow.
When she opened her eyes in a daze, she seemed to see his figure again, but upon closer inspection, there was only the rockery and trees.
Perhaps it was the taste of separation, or perhaps just a touch of gentle worry.
Unwittingly feeling a bit drowsy, Jin Wei yawned, covering her mouth and quietly fell asleep in the wicker chair.
She slipped into that dream again.
A desolate island, a divine tree, a divine bird, a young man.
...
"Master, the memories of Jingwei have begun to awaken."