Some People, Laughing and Laughing, Just...

So it turned out that bringing forth life was this difficult.

Having changed into an open-front long robe and a pair of long boots embroidered with mighty Fierce Beasts, Wu Wang sat on the steps before the wooden cabin, displaying the smooth lines of his muscles as he fretted in secret.

Half a year of effort; he had nearly exhausted every possible method. His father and mother had also remained lovingly together atop the snowy mountain all this time.

Yet there had been no good news.

What, had the Star God not introduced a two-child policy?

"Young Master."

Lin Suqing, clad in a pink Immortal Dress, quietly asked from beside him, "What should we do with those merchants over there?"

Wu Wang looked to one side. Several merchants from Ring Dog Country were hanging there.

These merchants were short in stature and looked much like humans, except their heads were fluffy black-and-white dog heads, naturally giving them an honest, simple air.

The people of Ring Dog Country and the Quanrong Tribe of the northern wilds were probably of the same race. The greatest difference was their heads: the former resembled mature, steady 'huskies,' while the latter carried the air of 'Shiba Inus.'

This country was renowned throughout the Great Wilderness for trade. They were active across the Nine Wilds and Four Seas, and their traces could always be found in overseas nations as well.

Wu Wang flicked his fingers. Icicles flashed past, and the Ring Dog Country merchants fell to the ground at once.

Having regained their freedom, these merchants did not flee. Instead, they hurried forward, repeatedly cupping their hands in salute as they cried:

"Young Master, you've truly wronged us!"

"Everything we sold you was genuine! Lu Shu Beasts have nearly been slaughtered clean by Human Domain cultivators—that hide was something we obtained only with tremendous difficulty!"

"Young Master, you're still young. There's no need to rush over having children! Perhaps it simply isn't because there was something wrong with what we sold you!"

Lin Suqing put on an imposing air and lightly rebuked them, "Quiet, all of you. My young master hasn't even spoken yet. What are you so anxious for?"

Wu Wang slowly let out a sigh. His state of mind had already settled.

"I'll believe you for now. Continue helping me collect treasures that are good for having children."

His tone slowed, and his gaze settled on the merchants. His voice was calm, yet it carried an innate authority.

"You have already earned quite a bit from me. We each take what we need; bartering depends on the two words, honesty.

Under the Star God's gaze, if you harbor any crooked thoughts, you should know the consequences."

The merchants hurriedly replied, "We know, we know."

"Young Master, rest assured. We have rules—we only take the portion we are entitled to. We have faith too!"

"Young Master, we came this time mainly to deliver some good things to you..."

One Ring Dog Country man smiled obsequiously and turned to whistle several times. A few dog-like Spirit Beasts carrying luggage immediately ran over from the distance.

They rummaged through the bags for a while, took out several sealed books, and respectfully presented them to Lin Suqing, who passed them on to Wu Wang.

"Heh, hehe, take a look. These are several Human Domain techniques that are especially hard to acquire."

"Oh?"

Wu Wang glanced through them, tossed them to Lin Suqing, and smiled. "Suqing, see if you can learn them. I cultivate the Star Invocation Technique, so these are of no use to me."

Lin Suqing cooperatively answered, "Thank you, Young Master."

The Ring Dog Country merchants exchanged looks and immediately understood something.

The next time they sent gifts to maintain their relationship, they needed to start with this woman!

After dismissing the merchants, Wu Wang and Lin Suqing exchanged a few glances, then returned indoors in mutual understanding. They shut the wooden door tightly, drew the curtains, activated the Soundproof Array, and then...

Sat on opposite sides of the desk, holding those technique manuals and reading them carefully.

How could urging his parents to make a spare account compare to cultivating himself?

Before they knew it, the prairie sky had been dyed the color of ink, and Lin Suqing lit the artifact lamps in the wooden cabin.

Having taken the Xun Cao Spirit Pill, her cultivation had improved, making her increasingly fresh and delicate. She could be said to have undergone a complete transformation, more or less fulfilling Wu Wang's childhood wish of 'hidden fragrance filling one's sleeves, a beauty by one's side.'

Her fair skin and lovely face outshone winter plum blossoms; her bright teeth and clear eyes eclipsed autumn dew.

Her graceful figure was wrapped in immortal silk, a jade hairpin charmingly set across her coiled black hair.

He wondered whether some junior disciple who had chosen a junior sister would regret it. In any case, Wu Wang felt that taking this housekeeper, assistant, little secretary out with him would not cause him, the young master, to lose face.

Lin Suqing asked in puzzlement, "Young Master, haven't you already reached the Gather Qi Realm? Why are you still interested in these basic techniques?"

"Gather the strengths of every school and absorb a little more nourishment."

Wu Wang rubbed his sore eyes and explained:

"Once a cultivation method is chosen, it is very difficult to change it. The Thousand Inhalation Art can only be cultivated to the Return to Origin Realm.

Thinking long-term, before I find a good primary cultivation method, I cannot break through to the Return to Origin Realm, but I can continue accumulating cultivation.

If I study Spirit Absorption and the first two realms, Gather Qi, a little more, perhaps there will be unexpected gains."

Lin Suqing quietly said, "Master told me that cultivation methods come second. The cultivator is what matters most."

Wu Wang asked in return, "Then why do talented young people all squeeze their way into great sects? Why do small sects crave nothing more than a complete high-level profound art?"

"This..."

Lin Suqing was immediately left speechless.

"There are naturally stronger and weaker cultivation methods, but what suits oneself is most important."

Wu Wang smiled. "Since I chose the road of Immortal Cultivation, naturally, within the limits of my ability, I must obtain the cultivation method most suited to me.

So for now, I cannot be impatient."

Lin Suqing blinked. "But if you don't go to the Human Domain to take a master, Young Master, it will be difficult to obtain such wondrous methods here."

"Isn't that why I'm working to get to the Human Domain?"

Wu Wang tossed the booklet in his hand onto the table, feeling somewhat depressed.

If his parents successfully built their spare account, he could head to the Human Domain without any worries, quietly become an ordinary cultivator, work relentlessly to grow stronger, and strive to resolve his strange illness as soon as possible.

But now, his parents had gone so long without bringing good news that he could only venture into the Human Domain carrying this worry with him.

Not only for himself, but also for his parents and his clan, he had to cherish his life all the more and absolutely could not easily risk danger.

Though he had not planned to take risks in the first place.

"Oh, right," Wu Wang suddenly said. "Reach out and try poking me."

"Huh?"

Lin Suqing was instantly startled.

For years, although she sometimes teased the young master to cheer him up, she had never approached within one foot of Wu Wang, and outdoors she always stayed more than three feet away, all because she feared the young master would remember his strange illness and feel sad.

"Young Master, are you sleepy?"

"Just poke me," Wu Wang said, showing a faintly confident smile.

Lin Suqing's small hand trembled slightly. She first circled to Wu Wang's side, then shifted behind him. Her raised hand found nowhere to land, until at last she carefully poked toward the back of Wu Wang's hand.

A wisp of flowing light flashed. A pale blue halo appeared around Wu Wang, and Ice Crystals like fine sand materialized from thin air into a transparent film. It adhered half an inch outside the back of Wu Wang's hand, wrapping around a layer of clear water and blocking Lin Suqing's fingertip.

Her fingertip had nearly touched the back of Wu Wang's hand, and she could even feel a hint of softness.

"This! This is!?"

Lin Suqing immediately poked him several more times, hopping around behind Wu Wang.

"A combination of the Star Invocation Technique and the Water Condensation Art," Wu Wang said with a smile. "When fighting, I can form close-fitting Ice Armor, so there is no need for this little technique.

With such a method protecting me, I won't be afraid to walk among crowds in ordinary times."

Lin Suqing asked in puzzlement, "Then can you feel being touched?"

"Of course not. If I could feel it, I would faint," Wu Wang said, curling his lip. "This only makes me look normal. In truth, I still cannot feel anything. It is merely so I won't attract so much attention.

Hm?"

Wu Wang slightly raised his head and happened to see Lin Suqing looking down at him.

Strands of her long hair slipped down, only to be blocked by the Ice Crystal Film that had appeared around Wu Wang's neck. Under her gaze, a faint gentle light now emanated from around him.

His dark pupils were like whirlpools, making Lin Suqing unable to shift her gaze for a moment.

"Young Master..."

Wu Wang suddenly stood up, startling Lin Suqing into hurriedly backing away. Yet she failed to react in time and fell backward onto the bed behind her.

With a soft cry, Wu Wang's face suddenly filled Lin Suqing's vision. She instinctively covered her collar with both hands, her eyes full of panic;

But beneath that call of "Suqing," all her panic remained only in the pounding, pounding, pounding of her heartbeat.

Repaying kindness, this was repaying kindness!

She had promised to remain and serve him for six years. It was not because she had truly fallen for this young master. The two of them could not possibly become Dao... companions...

Closer and closer, the two of them drew closer and closer.

Lin Suqing's eyes turned soft, her lips trembling faintly, when she suddenly felt the weight on her body vanish.

Wu Wang had somehow disappeared into thin air, leaving only a human-shaped Ice Crystal Film behind. Caught off guard, Lin Suqing was drenched from head to toe by that ice water and shivered violently from the cold.

"Ah!"

"Hahahaha! Let's see you torment this young master in ordinary times now! Hahahaha!"

Wu Wang's laughter rang out from outside the wooden cabin. Lin Suqing's face was bright red as she grabbed her short sword and charged outside, chasing Wu Wang while shouting that she would kill him.

The guards in the distance saw this and each revealed gratified smiles.

"The young master and Lord Lin have such a wonderful relationship."

"Friendship, this is friendship. How could our young master marry a woman from another race? How heartbroken would the girls of our Bear Hug Tribe be?"

That day, Wu Wang and Lin Suqing continued running until sunset.

Only later, as Wu Wang laughed and laughed, tears appeared at the corners of his eyes.

At dawn, the Sun Star had just risen from the eastern side of the great prairie.

Majestic horn calls drifted from the horizon. Beneath them came the dull thunder of ten thousand horses galloping, and even the earth trembled faintly.

"The Chief and the others are back!"

Cheers rose from all over the slopes. Countless young women, young men, old aunties, and strong older sisters rushed out from everywhere, surging toward the land below the hill.

Before long, it was as though a 'tsunami' had risen in the distant prairie.

Countless gigantic beasts were racing at full speed. The Giant Wolf Riders, whose faces had originally been full of exhaustion, saw the endless stretch of tents and began howling in excitement.

Wu Wang, who had long received news that 'the Chief was returning to the Royal Court,' did not rush out to join the commotion.

There was no helping it. He was now seventeen, fair-skinned and tender-fleshed; wherever he went, he would stir up a disturbance. The unmarried girls of the clan would wildly wave all kinds of wooden clubs and shout for the young master.

He changed into robes displaying his status as young master and a Beast Bone helmet, then sat quietly before the Royal Court. In his hand was a tortoise shell carved with intricate runes, and he studied the ancient Star Invocation Technique recorded upon it.

After returning, his father would still be busy for half the day, drinking with the generals and priests who had stayed behind and discussing clan affairs. Only at night would father and son have a chance to talk.

Mm, he needed to see how his father's health had been lately.

But today, the situation seemed a little unusual...

When that great mass of gigantic beasts and Giant Wolf Riders began slowing in the distance, a Snow Bear over fifty feet tall did not slow down at all. Just before it could crash into the crowd, it leaped high into the air.

Ice-blue wings of light extended from the Snow Bear's ribs as it flew directly toward the slope. Before it passed over Wu Wang's head, the burly man on its back leaped down, his powerful body radiating an endless, oppressive aura.

Lin Suqing and the guards hurriedly retreated. This was how they showed respect to the Chief.

The Clan Leader who had just returned glanced at her, strode directly to Wu Wang, and muttered, "Why is Miss Lin still not putting on any flesh?"

Lin Suqing could only secretly inhale, lift her chest, and raise her head.

Wu Wang asked in puzzlement, "Father, do you have something urgent?"

The burly man's stern face suddenly broke into a chrysanthemum-bright smile. He tossed the two battle axes from his back to a nearby guard, rubbed his huge hands together, and came over, bending close to Wu Wang.

"Son, do you want a bed-serving maid?"

Wu Wang: ...

"Father, have you forgotten? I'm still far from twenty."

"That's exactly why!"

The burly man swept a large hand, carrying the countless worshipful gazes from all over the slope with him. Full of confidence, he lowered his voice and said excitedly:

"I named you Xiong Ba because you were weak-bodied, so that you would have a little more dominance!

When your grandfather's father was still alive, he often told me: the more difficulties there are, the more you must face them head-on. Even if there are no difficulties, you must create difficulties and face them head-on!

Tonight, I'll let you experience a man's joy in advance!"

Having said that, the burly man turned and roared, "Bring that cart of slaves over first! They are gifts for my son!"

Cheers immediately rose from all throughout the clan.

Amid the cheers came a faint sound of air being pierced. First, a tiny snowflake blossomed, and then a graceful ice-blue figure quietly appeared behind the burly man.

The cheers became even noisier and louder.

She was quite beautiful. What was rare was the bearing emanating from around her. Merely in her form-fitting ice-blue dress, she looked like a divine maiden who had stepped down from a snowy mountain.

And indeed, this great figure had just teleported here from a snowy mountain.

She floated behind the burly man, her pretty face already covered in frost. Yet the surrounding cheers were far too noisy, and the burly man was in high spirits, so he noticed nothing at all.

Wu Wang blinked at his own father and solemnly said:

"Father, I think that since I'm only seventeen, I shouldn't be exposed to such things."

"Ah! Foolish child!"

The Clan Leader waved a great hand and chuckled.

"Your father suffered because he was childhood sweethearts with your mother. Other than your mother, I never even held half a girl's hand.

Don't mention you being the young master here—even ordinary young men in our clan, which one of them has not first been knocked unconscious two or three times before finding a wholehearted home?

Father is doing this to help cure your illness!"

Wu Wang's face was full of conflict as he shook his head. "Father, I think you're wrong. Two people should respect each other. You and Mother are very loving, aren't you?"

He put particular emphasis on the words "very loving."

"Of course we're loving. It's just that I always feel there's a little regret.

Ba'er."

Wu Wang: Forget it. There was no saving him.

"Ah, Father."

The Clan Leader chuckled. "This time, Father bought you seven or eight kinds of slaves that are especially hard to find. Just enjoy yourself! Father never had treatment like this back then; your grandfather beat me every day!

Just don't tell your mother yet. When she comes back, I'll talk to her first, then..."

Xiong Han's words halted. Through Wu Wang's eyes, he suddenly saw a flash of ice-blue.

"Seal."

The woman floating behind the Clan Leader lightly parted her lips. Behind her, a six-sided Treasure Wheel like a snowflake had already appeared.