Wu Plans, Wang Conspires

Splash—splash—

The sound of water splashing during a bath came from next door again, along with a cheerful, tuneless song.

Wu Wang stopped meditating, and wisps of smoke-like spiritual energy around him dissipated into thin air.

This spiritual energy had no affiliation with the Five Elements, nor any obvious attribute division; it seemed to be pure, clean energy.

This old aunt is getting more and more outrageous.

Now she doesn't even set up soundproofing arrays when she bathes, and often wanders around wearing only a few thin garments!

Especially!

Two years ago, to reward her for her continuous contributions, I spent a lot of money to buy Xun Grass (note) and refine it into a spiritual pill, making her skin more delicate and smooth, her face more refined and charming, and giving her the youthful aura of a female cultivator out of nowhere.

Thinking back now, I feel like I got ripped off.

Pushing open the wooden window, the night breeze, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, flowed in gently, making Wu Wang feel refreshed and invigorated.

In the distance, he could see rows of tents and hear some sounds of laughter and chatter.

Nearby, a stream gurgled, and a few small fish chased each other under the illumination of the indoor lighting artifact.

Wu Wang couldn't help but ponder a profound question:

'Why hasn't the Great Wave Tribe bestowed its blessings upon the Fierce Beasts yet?'

The Great Wave Tribe had established its livestock industry, built its grain reserve system, increased its Giant Crossbow numbers, and its tribal priests had accepted the newly formulated doctrines. Their population was more than double that of the Bear Hug Tribe, and Xing Tian's father had even set up a mock Royal Court, ready to receive the blessings at any time.

The blessings, however, were not coming.

Is there a time limit between blessings? Do they have to wait one or two hundred years?

Or do they have to wait for the goddess's hair to fall out naturally?

If that's the case, how can I make the Star God feel anxious, annoyed, sleepless, and prone to dreaming, thus causing her to lose more hair…

Wu Wang crossed his arms and pondered slightly.

No more pointless thinking. If we're being honest, what powerful being can't control their hair follicles from growing and falling out?

It's better to consider my future cultivation plans.

His physique had now fully matured. His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes needed no further praise, his tall and slender figure needed no constant commendation. The dignified aura in his brows and the elegant demeanor radiating from within him were somewhat out of place in the environment of the Bear Hug Tribe.

This was largely the effect of his Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Since the Fierce Beast blessings had not arrived, he could not wait any longer. He had been suppressing his realm since three years ago, and now the Gather Qi realm offered no more room for exploration.

There was still one year left until the five-year deadline he had set for himself.

There was no need to worry about the clan's development. Over the years, he had already prepared a complete set of development plans and had spread his own shallow thoughts through storytelling and songs across the grasslands.

The specific stories included the trilogy: "The Star God and Her Twelve Star Warriors," "This Star God is Too Steady," and "Guardian Star God."

The specific songs included: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Star God Lights the Lamp," "Listen to Lord God-Speaker Tell Past Stories," and so on.

In the past, the Star God was high and mighty, sacred and inviolable. The tribesmen dared not even mention her name.

Wu Wang's actions, while seemingly praising the Star God, were actually a way to make the Star God more "down-to-earth" and reduce the reverence the creatures of the Northern Plains had for her.

When the Star God was mistakenly believed to possess a rich personality, she would become a being with immense power, and nothing more.

Of course, these were just minor tasks.

Wu Wang's main energy was spent on…

Hmm? Someone's coming? Two groups, in fact.

Closing his eyes, with his current dwelling as the center, wisps of invisible spiritual sense spread out, covering a radius of ten miles like a spiderweb.

Gather Qi realm, spiritual sense can probe ten miles.

The probing range Wu Wang had told Lin Suqing was one mile, which had left her stunned and unable to close her mouth for a long time.

There was no other reason than that his 'divine sense' was comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator in the Human Domain or a Spirit Cultivator in the Ascending Spirit Realm due to his cultivation of the Star Invocation Technique, making his spiritual sense probe range equivalent to that of an ordinary Core Formation realm cultivator.

Just a small advantage at the start.

His spiritual sense detected the figure of General Xiong San. Wu Wang opened the window on the other side to let in some air, poured two cups of warm tea, tidied up the desk, and waited quietly for a while.

"Young Master?"

"General San, please come in."

"Ah," Xiong Lao San replied, carefully pushing open the wooden door. His massive body slowly squeezed in. Upon seeing Wu Wang, he lowered his head and bowed, placing his hand over his chest.

The soundproofing and light-blocking arrays of the wooden house next door lit up simultaneously.

Wu Wang stood up and made a gesture for him to enter. The loyal, sturdy man lowered his head and walked closer, his face showing fatigue. After taking a seat, he let out a long sigh of relief.

General Xiong San said in a low voice, "Young Master, your subordinate has just returned from the border of the Long Mao Tribe."

"Has the disturbance subsided?"

"Yes," General Xiong San sighed. "It was the Mao Min tribe, who believe in the Beast God, who clashed with our tribesmen at the border. It has been resolved now, and they have compensated us with some cattle and sheep."

"They said it was a dispute over differing beliefs, but frankly, they're just trying to take advantage of the situation to snatch our Giant Crossbows. This kind of thing has been happening frequently in recent years."

"If the chief didn't forbid it, I'd really want to teach them a lesson!"

Wu Wang tapped his fingers on the table and chuckled, "We should avoid war if possible. What we're pursuing is peace in the Northern Plains and common development. This can't just be an empty slogan."

"Your subordinate understands," General Xiong San lowered his voice, "Young Master, are you really trying to persuade the chief to have another son or daughter?"

Wu Wang leaned back against the soft animal hide, casually summoning a wine pot and cup. He poured General Xiong San a cup of fruit wine bought from the Western Plains.

He smiled, "What, isn't it more lively with an extra person in the family?"

General Xiong San asked in a low voice, "Is it because of your own peculiar illness? Actually, even if you don't feel it, it's not like you can't have children. There was a man in the clan, they were a bit too heavy-handed when they knocked him out... by the time he woke up, he already had two kids."

Wu Wang glared at Xiong San, who quickly shut his mouth.

"How is the exchange of grain from the granaries going this year?"

"Everything's going smoothly, smoothly."

"Mm, how many Giant Crossbows have you sold recently?"

"The other six tribes have all requested more," General Xiong San chuckled. "According to the rules you set, Young Master, the latest improved version will be delayed for two years. Each batch must have at least 30% allocated to the Great Wave Tribe. The other five tribes have strong opinions about this. Also, the Quanrong Tribe is interested in a marriage alliance with us. Their princess is said to have... particularly soft and shiny fur."

Wu Wang: ...

"Be serious. Absolutely refuse it for me!"

"Of course, of course."

General Xiong San chuckled a few times, then his face turned worried again. He picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one go, saying in a low voice, "Young Master, there's something I must report to you. I don't know if it's good or bad."

"What is it?"

"It's about that Star God Cult."

General Xiong San leaned forward, lowering his voice even further: "At first, we didn't pay much attention, but now this Star God Cult is incredible! In just two years, they've almost swept through the other clans, and recently, signs of them have appeared in our own clan."

"Oh?"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow and said slowly, "General Xiong San, do you think this Star God Cult poses any danger?"

"I wouldn't say it's dangerous." General Xiong San fumbled in his embrace and produced a processed piece of bark, presenting it to Wu Wang. "Young Master, look. This is what they preach: encouraging goodness, helping others, respecting the old and loving the young. It's all quite good. It's just that the momentum is too frightening. The Star God Cult is now sweeping across nearly half the Northern Plains. If their so-called 'divine envoys' were to tell them to move their pastures and hunting grounds, a clan might lose a large number of its members. What's even more critical is that the Priests are starting to join this Star God Cult. Many clan Priests have become local Star God Envoys for the Star God Cult. According to my subordinate's investigation, the Star God Envoys are divided into six ranks, with the highest being called Holy Star Envoys. Young Master, tell me, in the future, will the Priests listen to the clan's Chief Priest, or to the Holy Star Envoy? If this Star God Cult grows, the Northern Plains will have to listen to that Holy Star Envoy!"

"Don't worry, I've already sent people to investigate the Star God Cult." Wu Wang said with a smile, "There are a total of seven Holy Star Envoys: six current Sun Sacrifices, and one insignificant fellow. Above the Holy Star Envoys is a God-Speaker Messenger, who can directly communicate with the Star God and convey its will, regulating the Star Invocation Technique circulating in the Northern Plains so that it won't harm the clans. However, we cannot let our guard down. Keep a close eye on this Star God Cult, and if they do anything excessive, report it to me immediately."

"Ah, understood." General Xiong San felt a little strange. His Young Master had been staying in his wooden house for the past few years, quietly practicing the Star Invocation Technique. How could he have sent people out? On the way back, General Xiong San kept pondering. It wasn't until halfway back that he realized. The Young Master is also a Great Star Sacrifice, so it's normal for him to understand the Star God Cult... Wait? The Young Master became a Great Star Sacrifice four years ago. Has he broken through again? Every time he sees the Young Master, Old Third Xiong can clearly feel the change in his aura, especially his eyes, which have become deeper and more inscrutable. It's a pity, the Young Master has never participated in the Gathering of the Unconscious, completely giving his own daughters and nieces no chance.

In the wooden house.

"Star God Cult." Wu Wang murmured to himself, a playful smile on his lips. His ear twitched slightly, and his spiritual sense had already detected several figures rapidly approaching his wooden house. He raised his hand and tapped a button in the corner of the desk. A faint mechanical sound came from within the wall, and a wooden board on the adjacent wooden house slid upwards, revealing four large characters.

"No disturbances during cultivation."

Lin Suqing, who had changed into a bandeau dress and was about to visit someone, immediately stopped. She pressed her eyelids shut and made a face before reluctantly returning to her bed to meditate.

Inside Wu Wang's room, several figures darted in through the window and knelt on one knee beside the desk. They were two men and two women, clad in tight leather armor.

"Greetings, Holy Star!"

"Mm," Wu Wang waved his hand. "Report."

"In the past three months, we have newly accepted six hundred and ninety-two priests, mainly concentrated in the Deep Eye and Strong Armor clans..."

The night breeze rustled, brushing past the tranquil wooden house, but due to the soundproofing formation, not a whisper escaped.

"Ba'er is truly a lucky star bestowed upon our Bear Hug Tribe by the Star God."

On the boundless grassland, Xiong Han, the leader of the Bear Hug Tribe, who was seated with several generals and priests, gazed at the gray clouds billowing in the distance from the large fire and couldn't help but sigh.

The generals also sighed repeatedly.

"The tactics Young Master devised are a bit troublesome to train, but once mastered, they are truly effective."

"Clan Leader, we really need to think of a solution for Young Master's health. He'll be eighteen soon, and can be knocked out and carried away. If he truly faints and doesn't wake up, that would be a serious problem!"

"This is a serious matter, not a joke."

Xiong Han nodded slowly, a troubled expression on his face. "The problem now is that we don't know the root of Ba'er's illness."

"If it's because of the Star Invocation Technique, then why are other male priests who practice it fine?"

"Clan Leader, didn't you invite a famous doctor? What did the famous doctor say?"

Xiong Han shook his head. "What kind of useless famous doctor! He even said he wanted to feed grass to my son. Can my son eat grass?"

"What did Lord Cangxue say?"

"My wife said that Ba'er is currently under a lot of pressure," Xiong Han sighed heavily. "Ba'er has been smart since he was young; he's a born leader, definitely stronger than his father. He's worried now that the strange illness will affect the stability of the tribe."

"Who dares to cause trouble?"

An old general with white hair and a physique as strong as an ox glared and cursed, "I'd like to see which of those brats dares to disobey Young Master!"

The old priest beside him sighed, "But we have to consider that when we are no longer around, if Young Master never has children, it will indeed cause all sorts of problems. The Clan Leader's bloodline must not be broken."

"Alright, let's not discuss this for now." Xiong Han waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "I've already sent many people out to search for a cure for this strange illness. The Great Wilderness and the Nine Wilds are so vast, there must be a solution. Let's eat, we still have to rush to the border for patrol."

A general immediately stood up and shouted, "Serve the food! The leader is hungry!"

A group of strong men busy in the distance awkwardly carried over several roasted spirit beasts and respectfully placed a large basin of steaming soup in front of Xiong Han.

"What is this?" Xiong Han looked at the large bowl of soup exuding a fresh herbal aroma and cursed, "This leader eats meat!"

"Leader, this was specially sent by Young Master. He said it's called the Six-Flavor Rehmannia Decoction," the general who had just shouted for the food quickly explained. "He said it's especially good for your health."

"Ba'er sent it?" Xiong Han chuckled, picked up the large bowl, and drank it all in one go. "Hic! It's really good, tastes great. Have Ba'er send more."

The gazes cast around him were instantly filled with envy.

That day, the leader's combat power was exceptionally formidable. While patrolling the border, he encountered a Fierce Beast that had lived for a thousand years. He charged forward with his axe and single-handedly chopped it down. It was only when they set up camp at night that the leader felt an unbearable heat all over his body and couldn't sleep. He got up, carried his axe, and went out until midnight, dragging back a few more Fierce Beasts to the main camp. The leader's power had directly exploded!

About a month later, the leader finally couldn't hold back any longer. Xiong Han, who had always diligently fulfilled his duties as leader, directly ordered the army to temporarily return to the Royal Court, while he himself led a small team of guards straight to the Great Snow Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Wu Wang simply smiled calmly. It's still not enough, this is just the beginning. His mother had told him that it was difficult to have offspring after becoming a Sun Sacrifice, and there must be interference from the Dao of the Stars. However... he had spent a large sum of beast cores to order Lu Shu Hide and a pair of male and female Yu Birds (Note). They were already on their way. Not enough, still not enough.

Wu Wang fumbled under the table and soon pulled out a thick bundle. Upon opening it, he found pieces of cloth. Paper in the Northern Plains was quite scarce, mostly made from sun-dried wood pulp and not of very good quality; the cost of this kind of cloth was naturally higher, but it was smoother for drawing lines.

The clan's mineral resources were always in short supply. The Star Ore made his already wealthy family even richer, so why would he care about the cost?

He pulled out the meticulous brushwork techniques he'd secretly honed for years to create some dramatic scenes that TV stations wouldn't dare broadcast!

Wu Wang refused to believe that a family of three working towards the same goal couldn't break the so-called tradition of only passing down the lineage through a single heir!

[Note: Xun Grass resembles Jiao grass, with a square stem, yellow flowers, and red fruit. Consuming it is said to make one beautiful. The Lu Shu Hide and Yu Bird that appear later both have properties that promote fertility and are beneficial for childbirth.

New Year, new beginnings, you're the best in the Year of the Ox! May our motherland be prosperous and China flourish!]