A Worthy Match

Dawn was about to break. Wu Wang sat cross-legged on a wooden platform halfway up the mountain, facing the eastern sky.

The Flame Emperor Token floated behind him, slowly turning. The energy within his body circulated endlessly along a strange route, and every cycle added the slightest trace to his aura.

There was no helping it—his foundation in cultivation was simply too weak.

This cultivation method had no name. When he had asked Senior Shennong about it, the elder had told him to name it whatever he pleased. Heaven-Burning, Heaven-Extinguishing, God-Slaughtering, Dog-Killing Art—it did not matter. In any case, this method could only be learned through the Flame Emperor Token.

At first, Wu Wang had thought he was the only one...

Just thinking about it filled him with anger!

The moment he had heard the name "Shennong," reverence had welled up in his heart, to the point that he had been tricked into becoming free labor.

If the old man wanted a beautiful big house, could he not have just said so? Could he not have told him directly that it would be difficult?

Why did he have to torment him like this? He was not allowed to use the Star Invocation Technique, nor the meager Magic Power of the Gather Qi Realm!

Just then.

Creak—

The window on the third floor of the wooden hall opened. An old man stretched lazily and yawned, opening his bleary eyes as he muttered:

"Ah, wonderful. This house built entirely by hand without Magic Power is truly wonderful."

A cross-shaped vein instantly bulged on Wu Wang's forehead.

If he had been able to beat this old fellow, he would have shouted, "Take care of my mother," yesterday and spread his Star Wings to pounce on him!

A patch of orange-red appeared in the eastern sky. The Sun Goddess's chariot was ready to bear the Sun Star into battle.

Wu Wang immediately gathered his focus. Facing the sunrise in the east, he calmly circulated the Flame Emperor Art and absorbed the first thread of fire-element power between heaven and earth.

By the window of the wooden hall, Shennong Shi watched Wu Wang with a smile, though a few traces of contemplation passed through his eyes as he murmured:

"The little fellow's comprehension is quite good. He actually adjusted the circulation route so quickly."

No sooner had he spoken than Wu Wang suddenly cried out. He sprang to his feet and frantically slapped at the flames on his backside.

The meditation cushion beneath him had already burned into a fireball.

Shennong Shi stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

Wu Wang glared at Shennong Shi, about to ask whether there was something wrong with the chant. Then he suddenly sensed something unusual in his body. He glanced downward, immediately bent over and turned away, then hurried toward the distance.

Shennong Shi's voice drifted over from behind him. "Young people truly have blazing tempers."

Wu Wang turned his head and roared, "Weren't you young when you first cultivated this method too?!"

Shennong Shi's unruffled voice floated over. "This old man became a Celestial Immortal at one hundred, earned the previous Human Emperor's esteem and inherited the Human Emperor's throne. When I first cultivated this method, I entered the Eighth Heaven directly and remained perfectly calm."

Wu Wang blinked, stopped running, and a little lightbulb lit up behind his head.

"Ordinary humans live four or five hundred years. At one hundred, you were still in your prime... Ah, Senior, you went limp at a hundred?"

Hm? Why was there no response?

Wu Wang turned to look toward the wooden hall, only to see a black cloud slowly drifting over. Lightning interwove within it, containing an immensely powerful force of wood essence.

Crack!

A bolt of lightning struck straight down. Wu Wang twisted aside with a raised foot and barely dodged it. He turned to glare at the crater blasted into the ground, his entire body swallowed by black lines.

Couldn't take a joke? Just tell me, couldn't you take a joke?!

Wu Wang bared his teeth and rolled his eyes at the wooden hall before turning and racing toward the thickest part of the forest.

The black cloud gave chase!

For a time, a cheerful concerto of thunder and lightning rang through the woods. That male soprano, sometimes soaring and sometimes cracking, echoed through the mountains and valleys for a long while.

No! He could not keep being this passive!

He had to take the initiative. He had to avenge his grievances!

He, Wu Wang, had been born into a Northern Plains clan. By Northern Plains tradition, that meant heaven was vast, earth was vast, and they feared no one. The moment their wives called, they went straight home; the humans of the Northern Plains bowed to no one.

Besides, Shennong Shi was already so old, and Wu Wang had never heard him mention having a daughter. The odds of him becoming Wu Wang's future father-in-law were absurdly small.

What was there to fear?

What was there to be wary of?

He was the Human Emperor of the Human Domain, while Wu Wang was the young master of a great Northern Plains clan! The Human Emperor of the Human Domain was equivalent to the shared sovereign of the Northern Plains. Their statuses were only three or four ranks apart.

Round it off, and they were practically the same!

—Though it could not actually be calculated that way.

He would declare war. He would declare war directly upon the current Human Emperor!

By a small river, Wu Wang wore ragged short sleeves and shorts. His hair, smoking with black smoke, stood like a chicken's nest, and a cruel grin appeared on his soot-blackened face.

Thus...

"Senior Shennong, do you know the difference between ice made with the Star Invocation Technique and ice that freezes naturally?"

"Oh? This old man has never studied the Star Invocation Technique."

"This is a Northern Plains specialty—cooling tea to put out inner fire."

Wu Wang carefully carried two cups of cooling tea, each with square ice cubes floating inside, before the elder. "This is the recipe for fire-quelling tea you taught me yesterday. I prepared it with Northern Plains methods. Please taste them and tell me the difference between the two kinds of ice."

Shennong Shi smiled faintly and carefully examined the ice cubes twice, then looked over the tea. Finding nothing unusual, he nodded with a smile, lifted both cups, took a sip from each, and savored them carefully.

Soon, he smiled. "This cup is sweeter. This one is purer and cleaner."

Wu Wang blinked and smiled. "Can you tell which cup contains ice made with the Star Invocation Technique?"

"Testing this old man, are you? Hehe, let me taste them again."

Shennong Shi seriously took two large gulps, closed his eyes in concentration, and carefully considered the flavor. His fingers tapped the table as he smiled. "This cannot stump me. The sweeter cup should contain ice made with the Star Invocation Technique.

Hm? Why are you backing away to the window?"

"Ah," Wu Wang said with a smile, "actually, both cups have ice made with the Star Invocation Technique. You guessed wrong, Senior."

"If there is no difference, why did you make this old man taste them?"

"The water used for the tea," Wu Wang said solemnly. "The sweet cup used collected dew, while the salty cup used ordinary spring water."

A smile appeared on Shennong Shi's face. He picked up the sweet tea and drank a few mouthfuls, smiling as he said, "Oh? You were rather thoughtful. Then why are you backing away?"

Wu Wang muttered quietly, "Aren't you going to ask where I collected the dew?"

Shennong Shi's old face darkened. Wu Wang shot through the window with a whoosh, spread his Star Wings, and flew toward the horizon, breaking into wild laughter.

"It was collected from the roof tiles of the back mountain latrine! Don't worry, old man! It was absolutely clean! Hahaha!"

"Bastard! You little brat! Get back here!"

A Human Emperor's roar erupted from the wooden hall. The old man leaped out the window with a wooden staff in hand, leaving streaks of afterimages as he gave chase, cutting Wu Wang's laughter short.

A few more days passed.

Wu Wang was meditating in the mountains when Shennong Shi slowly approached, leaning on his wooden staff.

"Wu Wang, this old man sees that your cultivation method has progressed swiftly, though there are still a few flaws amid the beauty. I have a cultivation trick here. Would you like to learn it?"

Wu Wang blinked and answered seriously, "Senior, cultivation should proceed steadily and solidly. One must not greedily rush for progress. A shortcut in cultivation may appear to be a shortcut, but in truth, it is only a shortcut for the moment."

"Do not worry. This is not a shortcut, but a small trick passed down by Senior Fuxi."

Shennong Shi said slowly, "Though this old man likes to joke with you normally, I would never lead you astray in matters of the Dao. After all, you carry a portion of the Human Domain's hope for the future."

"May I ask how many portions of hope you have sent out already?"

"Several hundred, perhaps."

"Then I'm relieved," Wu Wang said with a smile. "That means I'm in even less of a hurry. I can cultivate slowly."

A trace of sorrow appeared in Shennong Shi's eyes. He raised his head at an angle of more than ten degrees and said slowly, "Other than you, all of them have died young."

Wu Wang froze.

"Why?"

"There are many reasons. At the root of it, they could not bear the Human Emperor's destiny," Shennong Shi sighed. "This is also what troubles me most. The Heavenly Emperor has laid down layer upon layer of shackles, and the Human Emperor's successor has always been a difficult problem.

After all, people with great fortune like this old man—who achieved Foundation Establishment at ten, Golden Core at fifteen, ascended to immortality at thirty, became a Celestial Immortal at one hundred, and still found time to compile the Classic of Herbs—are far too difficult to find."

Wu Wang: ...

He somehow felt defeated—defeated by that tone which could show off while wrapped in a sorrowful mood.

You truly were on another level.

"What is this trick, then?"

"Come. First take these two pills that this old man specially refined for you, then circulate this passage of the chant."

And so it went, this and that.

A moment later, waves of crimson appeared all over Wu Wang's body. His aura rapidly condensed and became incomparably pure, though he was somewhat unable to sit still and instinctively used his long robe to cover his waist.

Shennong Shi said slowly:

"The method of Refining Essence into Qi is both the foundation of the earliest stages of cultivation and the key to this trick.

"Right now, the yang energy throughout your body has been stimulated. This is precisely the best time to improve your cultivation. Do not worry. Even if you cannot refine so much yang energy, you can find a woman and press your palms together with hers, circulating the chant I taught you at the same time. Then yin and yang can be harmonized, benefiting both sides.

"Ah, ah, I suddenly forgot that your strange illness prevents you from touching women. It seems you can only suffer a little."

Wu Wang was drenched in sweat and gritted his teeth furiously, but he immediately drew a deep breath and began madly circulating the Flame Emperor Art.

Shennong Shi drifted away, then placed another pill behind Wu Wang and said, "Take this pill if you cannot endure it. If you can endure, refine your essence yuan. This is one of the benefits of a virgin cultivating this method."

His old face was full of delighted smiles.

That day, Wu Wang entered the second level of the Flame Emperor Art.

Over the following three months, within this quiet wilderness of deep mountains and ancient forests, one contest after another unfolded, pitting schemes and wisdom in equal measure.

"Is the young master not coming back?"

On the great ship sailing south, that graceful figure leaned against the prow and quietly gazed at the point where sea and sky met.

Blurry spirit butterflies occasionally appeared around her. Whenever Spiritual Energy drifting across the sea passed through this place, it would circle around her before voluntarily sending some pure spiritual power into her body.

Not far away, True Man Zuo Dong's old eyes were full of emotion.

J-just like that, she had reached the peak of the Core Formation Realm and was about to form a Golden Core? Her understanding of Golden Core formation was already abundant, and her chance of success was nearly certain...?

Just who had that elder been that day?

One pill had allowed his disciple, who had already undergone rebirth once, to undergo another complete rebirth!

"Young Master..."

Lin Suqing called softly, her eyes filled with determination.

I will surely form my Golden Core and Nascent Soul as soon as possible. The moment I hear news of the young master in the Human Domain, I will immediately hurry over to serve him.

"Suqing, you need not worry," True Man Zuo Dong said warmly. "Young Friend Wu Wang has a deep background and extraordinary talent. That elder must have taken a liking to him and accepted him as a disciple, passing on profound cultivation arts.

"He should be cultivating carefree and happily in some deep mountain forest right now. Do not worry about him."

"Yes, the young master has always been popular with elders. He will surely get along happily with that senior master."

Having said this, Lin Suqing turned and drifted toward her cabin.

Comprehend the Dao, cultivate!

One day.

Under the blazing sun, Wu Wang stood bare-chested at the edge of a clear pool, holding a square giant boulder on his shoulders while maintaining a horse stance. Two gleaming blades had been placed beneath him.

A mass of mist floated in the air. At irregular intervals, it condensed into an air hammer and struck the boulder, making Wu Wang's legs tremble.

After several months of torment, Wu Wang had indeed become somewhat more robust than when he had left the Northern Plains.

If Xiong Han could see this scene, he would likely be so moved that old tears would stream down his face.

A certain elder sat by the pool some distance away, his trouser legs rolled up and his feet soaking in the cool spring water. A wooden bucket floated before him, filled with several fruits.

On a leisurely afternoon, one ought to eat melon, drink tea, torment young people, and find a little fun.

"That is enough. Rest for a while," Shennong Shi said warmly. "Haste does not bring success, and strengthening the body is not the work of a single day."

The mass of mist dispersed.

Wu Wang grinned. Still holding the huge stone, he took two rather steady steps forward before carefully setting it down beside the pool and releasing a soft breath.

He stripped off his clothes and plunged into the water, splashing around wildly. Only after he had played to his heart's content did he leap ashore, wearing nothing but a pair of gaudy floral shorts. He freely displayed his young, sturdy body before sitting obediently beside Shennong Shi.

"Senior, I think there is actually no meaning in the two of us hurting each other like this."

"Are you not happy?"

"It mainly damages your lofty image," Wu Wang said with a chuckle. "How about this? Let us each show a little sincerity first. You cannot eat this green fruit of yours."

As he spoke, he broke open the green fruit beside Shennong Shi, exposing the tiny fishbone hidden inside.

Shennong Shi smiled calmly and took out the retractable bamboo joints that had been placed beneath the two blades while Wu Wang held his horse stance.

Wu Wang coughed, lowered his head, and fiddled around for a moment, removing the water-spraying mechanism in the wooden bucket and the tiny miserable green waterskin.

The corner of Shennong Shi's mouth twitched slightly as he removed the itching pill that had not yet dispersed beneath Wu Wang's backside...

Then the old man and the young man looked at one another and smiled, each revealing a gratified expression. They stood and moved several yards to the side before sitting down again.

"Senior, is being Human Emperor very idle?"

Wu Wang asked in puzzlement, "It seems like you have been here guiding my cultivation all this time lately."

"Matters are left for subordinates to handle. I only need to make decisions that affect the entire Human Domain," Shennong Shi sighed. "The Human Emperor of the Human Domain is more of a symbol. His most important role is to offset the pressure the gods place upon the Human Domain.

"Therefore, the Human Emperor must be strong enough."

Wu Wang asked again, "Has the Heavenly Emperor placed many restrictions upon the Human Emperor?"

Shennong Shi said slowly, "Indeed. Di Jun does not dare to appear in the Human Domain, but he can wield the Great Dao. His Grand Astrologer governs the lifespan and death of all living beings, placing the shackles of years and age upon the human race."

"Can gods live forever without dying?"

"They are born alongside the Dao, and they naturally have their own end."

Wu Wang thought for a while, nodded slightly, and asked again, "How long can I cultivate here?"

"Until you reach the Core Formation Realm and bring your cultivation method to the third level," Shennong Shi said, looking at the Flame Emperor Token floating behind Wu Wang. "At that time, this object will enter your body and accompany your divine soul.

"It has many wondrous uses, and it can also protect your divine soul from death once."

Wu Wang scratched his head. "Wouldn't that be soon?"

"It will be soon," Shennong Shi said with a smile. "Having taken the benefits the Human Emperor gave you, you should do something for the human race. Later, I will send you directly to a wondrous country in the Western Plains. You will surely be very pleased there."

"What place?"

"Women's Country, not far from here."

Shennong Shi gave him the answer directly. "A rebellion is about to occur in Women's Country, and its circumstances are somewhat special. Go take a walk and have a look. If you do not wish to intervene, then do not intervene."

If you wanted to make a move, then use your Star Invocation Technique to help them.

The choice was entirely yours. I was only sending you over there. If you felt a knot in your heart, you could fly away directly."

"Could this be some strange, bizarre trial?"

Wu Wang muttered, "I have no interest in trials like yours that can refine people to death."

Shennong Shi raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Refine people to death? What do you mean by that?"