The Wind of the Northern Plains

The news that their Young Master was the destined one to seek scriptures was the last thing the Bear Hug Tribe learned.

For a time, the elders of the tribe sighed, the strong men teared up, and the young girls fainted from crying.

While everyone expressed their reluctance for the Young Master to venture out, they also anxiously inquired about when he would depart.

They weren't afraid of future calamities; they simply wanted to know what the Star God's True Scripture looked like.

Wu Wang hadn't considered leaving secretly, but after a little thought, he realized that if his absence from the tribe for an extended period were discovered, it would inevitably spark all sorts of speculation.

Using "going out to study" as an excuse would easily lead to attacks from other clans, accusing him of abandoning the embrace of the Star God.

The current method was the one with the least impact, allowing him to return anytime, and it was a reason that would put everyone in the tribe at ease.

Since the Star God sent him out to seek the True Scripture, wouldn't they protect him along the way?

Wu Wang hadn't told any clan members other than his parents that he was going to the Human Domain in the south, and he tried his best to downplay this, to avoid people thinking the Bear Hug Tribe had allied with the humans of the Human Domain.

He had to consider every angle; this Young Master, though seemingly glorious, actually had many responsibilities and restrictions.

But it felt great.

On this day, General Xiong San came to ask Wu Wang when he would leave the Northern Plains, and Wu Wang set a deadline of one month.

For the next month, Wu Wang wanted to spend more time with his parents; after all, before he could cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm and obtain a magic tool that could allow for long-distance Skyward Flight, it would be difficult for him to return to the Northern Plains.

Although Wu Wang was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone his age, the path of cultivation was unpredictable, so he couldn't set a definite return date.

Externally, it would be announced, "The journey to seek the True Scripture is fraught with difficulties, and it is unknown when I will be able to return."

Tsk, it had a bit of the flavor of the Imperial Brother.

The encounters of Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan had also deeply touched Wu Wang.

Clearly, Ji Mo's teacher, the middle-aged scholar who had appeared on the ship for a brief moment, was nearby. According to his mother, this person's cultivation was at least at the True Immortal realm, and he had old injuries.

Yet, he stood by and did nothing, allowing more than ten talented cultivators to be killed.

The key point of this trial was actually Ling Xiaolan and Ji Mo, and Ling Xiaolan's delayed reaction, failing to utilize her Leap God realm cultivation effectively, was the most crucial reason for the trial's failure.

Why didn't he save them?

Were the so-called trials truly more important than human lives?

Wu Wang found this somewhat unacceptable and, as a result, developed a strong dislike for the forces represented by Ji Mo and those "Elders," further solidifying his resolve to change his appearance in the Human Domain and pursue his path with low-key cultivation.

Of course, Ji Mo and his brother were still decent. Apart from concealing the fact that he carried an "old man" with him, everything else was quite sincere.

The main point was that he knew how to conduct himself.

According to Lin Suqing, the Human Domain was peaceful and prosperous, and ordinary cultivators, as long as they didn't court disaster, could steadily reach their cultivation bottlenecks. At that point, they could either dedicate themselves to the frontier or find a place to live out their days in carefree bliss.

However, the Human Domain that Ji Mo and the others showed Wu Wang was cruel and exuded a strong sense of anxiety.

Yes, anxiety.

Wu Wang pondered for a day and a night, combining the information he already knew, and finally arrived at a reasonable guess.

The reason the trials in the Human Domain were so brutal was the urgent need to cultivate "great generals" who could stand on their own.

In other words, the decision-makers in the Human Domain were under immense pressure, while ordinary cultivators who couldn't access this circle were still living in the false golden age woven by the former.

Further comparing this with the rumors heard even in the Northern Plains, that the current Human Emperor had not shown his face for over eight hundred years, and a new Human Emperor had yet to rise...

Wu Wang shook his head inwardly.

—This was a series of problems caused by the lack of a clear successor in a major power within an environment like the Great Wilderness.

He lived alone in the Great Snow Mountain for half a month, listening to his mother's nagging for half a month.

Wu Wang discovered that he and his mother still had many endless topics to discuss, such as the structural upgrades of the Star God Cult, how to balance the various clans in the Northern Plains, and how to downplay the differences between humans and other races, to avoid the phenomenon of human supremacy in the Northern Plains.

That would bring endless trouble.

Cang Xue's eyes always held immeasurable tenderness, but behind this tenderness lay the sea of stars, with too many things that couldn't be seen through.

Before leaving the snow mountain, Wu Wang solemnly handed his mother the points he had written down regarding ideas on how to break the Star God's Blessing.

Cang Xue didn't say much, merely raised her hand and rubbed the Ice Crystal Film outside Wu Wang's head.

Wu Wang laughed, "Mom, I'm already this old."

"No matter how old you are, you're still my child," Cang Xue said softly. "Take good care of yourself out there. I won't be there to see you off that day. If things don't go well outside, come back to the Northern Plains."

"Mhm," Wu Wang agreed. "You take care too, Mom."

Cang Xue smiled and nodded. Wu Wang bowed his head, turned, and walked out the wooden door, then leaped onto the back of a Snow Eagle.

The night Wu Wang returned to the Royal Court, the leader's retinue returned to the Royal Court, but Xiong Han refused to see him, his only son. The father and son had been in a stalemate for half a month.

Tomorrow was the day of departure. As dusk fell, General Xiong San hurried over again.

"Young Master, how many people are you planning to bring on this scripture-seeking journey?"

Wu Wang replied, "It will just be me, Suqing, and Senior Zuo Dong."

"Not bringing anyone?"

Old Man Xiong San's eyes nearly popped out. "You should at least bring me along! If you don't bring anyone and encounter a powerful enemy, you won't be able to handle it with just two fists, how can that work!"

Wu Wang chuckled, "If I encounter a strong enemy, I'll just spread my wings and flee."

"Then who will pour you wine and fetch water?"

"Won't bring anyone."

"What about those who sing, dance, and entertain?"

"Won't bring them either."

"You're already afflicted with a strange illness!"

General Xiong San was so anxious he almost let out a whistle. "If some woman tries to take advantage of you, I can be by your side to punch her away! If you faint, it'll be all over!"

Wu Wang said seriously, "I have a crucial mission, and I cannot betray the Star God's trust. Besides, General San, look."

As he spoke, Wu Wang took out two masks from his embrace and placed them flat before Old Man Xiong. He then demonstrated his 'Ice Crystal Film' protective measures.

The two masks were identical in style, covering the upper half of the face like half-helmets. They were made of a special material, appearing very smooth but having a matte texture to the touch.

When Wu Wang put on the mask, his face seemed to 'swell' by a third. Then, in front of General Xiong San, he made his physique appear a third more robust and tied his long hair into a topknot.

His aura, face, and physique were completely different from before.

"How is it?"

Wu Wang smiled. "As long as I keep a low profile and don't get involved in any trouble, who will recognize me? Moreover, only a handful of people in the Human Domain have seen me. If I leave our tribal lands, not many people will recognize me even without a mask. General San, you don't need to worry; I'm very fond of my life."

The main reason for not bringing guards was that cultivation was a lonely pursuit, emphasizing the saying, 'In the mountains, time has no meaning; in cultivation, years go by unnoticed.'

He could multitask, practicing immortal techniques while using Star Invocation Technique. His lifespan would continuously grow, so spending a hundred or eighty years on cultivation was not an issue.

However, the lifespan of the guards who accompanied him was finite. It would be unfair to the escorts and cruel to their partners if their prime years were wasted in the Human Domain.

"This..."

General Xiong San frowned and scratched his head, finally sighing and retreating with his head bowed.

Wu Wang cautioned him not to reveal any information, and General Xiong San repeatedly agreed.

What else needed to be prepared?

Wu Wang sat behind his desk, looking around the wooden house. The bookshelves and wardrobes had mostly been moved.

So many years had passed in a flash; it truly felt somewhat strange.

It was time for farewells again.

A faint image bloomed in Wu Wang's mind: a scene in a very ordinary, low-slung house. He was poking at a specially prepared meal box in front of him, looking at two photographs placed before him.

He had stood out among the many volunteers, not only because his training scores were among the top but also because he had few attachments.

Everyone knew this was a mission with a ten-in-ten chance of death, facing unknown circumstances.

But there was no other way; their technological capabilities were insufficient, so they had to use limited resources for a relatively risky exploration.

What gave Wu Wang some peace of mind was the last feedback he received after entering the wormhole: the wormhole stopped approaching Earth and rapidly collapsed.

"Young Master?"

Lin Suqing peeked in. "Is there anything else to pack? I have two empty storage treasures here."

"No need."

Wu Wang exhaled, glared forcefully, and then rubbed his nose. "Go and rest."

"Okay," Lin Suqing blinked, slowly closed the wooden door, and quietly returned to the neighboring wooden house.

However, not long after...

"How can you not bring guards! How can you not bring guards!"

Xiong Han's grumbling could be heard from outside the wooden door. Wu Wang hurried to the door to wait, ushering his father, whose face clearly showed 'I am very angry,' into the wooden house.

Xiong Han still strongly disapproved of Wu Wang going to the Human Domain, but since the head of the family had already spoken, he couldn't stop him.

Moreover, the entire Northern Plains were now abuzz with rumors of 'Xiong Ba the Pilgrim,' so Xiong Han could no longer prevent his son.

As soon as he entered, Xiong Han slapped the table and sat down without a word. Only father and son remained in the room.

Wu Wang naturally poured tea, massaged his father's shoulders and legs, and coaxed him with a smile.

Xiong Han remained silent for a long time, swallowing his words several times when he wanted to speak. Finally, he said in a low voice:

"Is the Human Domain really that good?"

"Dad, please calm down," Wu Wang tapped the wall. Lin Suqing next door immediately activated a soundproofing array and enveloped this wooden house as well.

He leaned closer, kneading his father's stone-hard shoulders, and smiled, "Your son is just looking for a way to achieve longevity. Perhaps I can help you and Mom live for thousands of years."

"What's the use of that? Wouldn't that make us immortal old geezers?" Xiong Han grumbled.

Wu Wang quickly replied, "Once my cultivation is high, it will be convenient for me to return. I can secretly come back to see you and Mom. Dad, don't worry, you know my aptitude. The Nascent Soul realm or something like that will be a piece of cake for me."

"Pah, do you think I don't know how hard it is to cultivate a Nascent Soul?"

"I know a friend named Ji Mo, and it took him decades to reach the Nascent Soul stage."

Xiong Han cursed, "Then you still shouldn't go without guards!"

"Father, bringing guards would hinder my ability to hide my tracks," Wu Wang said. "Before I ascend to the Human Domain, I plan to part ways with Suqing and her master, then sneak into a major sect to obtain their cultivation methods.

And Father, have you looked at the plan I wrote for you?"

"I glanced at it, what is all this?"

Xiong Han grumbled, "Why must we choose young men and women from the clan to send to the Human Domain?

The cultivation time is long, and the strength gained isn't much stronger than the Star Invocation Technique obtained by praying to the Star Gods."

"But the nature of the power is different," Wu Wang said. "A strong person like you, Father, with vigorous Blood Essence and the strength to lift mountains, is also due to the Star God's baptism. In essence, it's an extension of the Star Invocation Technique.

But Father, have you ever considered what we'll do if the Star Invocation Technique stops working one day, how will we fight the Fierce Beasts?"

Xiong Han shook his head and said, "In the Northern Plains, defying the Star God's will leads to great disaster."

"That's why I'm asking Father to secretly send people, they must be trustworthy," Wu Wang said. "We don't need the people sent to come back; consider it a long-term investment."

"I'll think about it."

Xiong Han sighed, "You... forget it, go on, go. Your mother has already agreed, what else can I say."

With that, Xiong Han stood up.

"Leave secretly, so no one discovers your whereabouts and ambushes you on the road."

"Mhm."

Wu Wang responded, his voice trembling slightly, "This son is unfilial..."

"If you can return when your mother and I are old, then you're not unfilial. Take this."

Xiong Han pulled a long sword from his embrace and threw it onto Wu Wang's desk.

"I picked it up by the roadside. In the Human Domain, many people use swords. Using hammers and axes will easily reveal that you're from the Northern Plains.

Don't meddle in other people's business if you don't have to. If you're on their territory, try not to fight. Endure what you can.

Alright, alright, I still have to go patrol the border."

With that, Xiong Han lowered his head and left hurriedly. His imposing figure soon merged into the night, leaving only a long sigh.

Wu Wang pursed his lips and stood quietly in front of the house for a while. Then he walked forward, turned, and looked at the two wooden houses.

He raised his hand, and the sheathed long sword was drawn into his palm. He drew the sword three inches, and a crisp sword cry echoed in his ears. The sword was inscribed with the character 'Xue' (snow), its blade like silvery-white glazed glass, flowing with streaks of starlight...

Could a treasure sword forged from Star Ore be found by the roadside?

Clang.

The sword was sheathed. Wu Wang called out to Lin Suqing, who was standing at the door of the adjacent wooden house:

"Let's go."

A short while later, the two wooden houses by the river were engulfed in flames, serving as a farewell to those who knew.

Wu Wang and Lin Suqing sat at the stern of the wooden boat controlled by Daoist Zuo Dong, quickly disappearing into the night sky.

At dawn, on the southbound great ship.

Wu Wang stood on the aft deck, gazing north. As the night faded, his mood gradually calmed.

Suddenly, he saw a carriage speeding along the shore. The four Frost Wolves pulling the carriage rushed to a cliff by the sea, their cries rising one after another, as if calling him back.

From afar, he could still see his mother's figure standing amidst the clouds, but the wind of the Northern Plains blew gently, and the figure quietly dissipated.

[End of the first half of Volume 1, "The Wind of the Northern Plains." To be continued.

Preview of the second half:

I: "Greetings, I am Wuwangzi, a mere humble cultivator. As for why I am sitting in your bathtub, I believe you can give me a moment to think of a proper excuse." "You're... a man?" "Hahaha! Brother Xiong, why are you here? Does this women's country also have a way in?"

II: "Thank you, Wu Wang, thank you for staying with me these past few years..." "Wait for me, I, Wu Wang, swear I will find you! I will find you through mountains and rivers! I will introduce you to my friends, and I will take you to meet my parents! Where you were born, wait for me there!"]