Undercurrents (Crossed Out) Fairy Dance Party!

"Number Three, Earth."

"Here."

"Number Two, Heaven."

"Here."

In a corner of the grand hall draped in black cloth, amid wafts of white smoke, Wu Wang and Ji Mo wore protective suits sewn from animal hides and sunglasses polished from precious black crystal, operating with rapt concentration.

Wu Wang was clearly in the leading role, while Ji Mo continuously handed him one "titled artifact" after another, equally focused.

At one side, Fairy Ling was wrapped in layer upon layer of Magic Power. From time to time, she used qi to control handkerchiefs, helping Wu Wang and Ji Mo wipe the sweat from their faces so it would not drip down.

The bamboo basket beside them was already piled full of handkerchiefs.

"Brother Xiong," Ji Mo asked worriedly, "will it explode this time?"

"No. Trust me."

Wu Wang answered in a low voice. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the hand holding his tools became even steadier.

Sometimes, it was simply like this. Someone had to step forward, take charge of everything, bear everything. As a man, one had to possess such awareness and responsibility. He could not retreat, could not shrink back.

A hero and a coward were often separated by a single thought...

"It's done!"

Fairy Ling and Ji Mo perked up at once and hurried over from the side. Wu Wang grinned and lifted the metal cylinder before him, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.

"Just add clean water and activate the formation here, and you can enjoy Five Elements Spiritual Light self-heating hotpot anytime, anywhere!"

Fairy Ling and Ji Mo's eyes immediately lit up.

With a grand wave of Wu Wang's hand, the three ran to the seats in the corner. Fairy Ling floated cross-legged in the air, while Ji Mo and Wu Wang sat on stools. They added specially made soup base; Ji Mo added water, Fairy Ling added vegetables, and Wu Wang casually chilled some Star God-brand Cultivator Happy Water.

Before long, steaming vapor came rolling up. Plates of ingredients went into the pot, and Fairy Ling blinked gently before being the first to fish out some greens and carefully place them in her mouth.

"How does it taste?"

Ji Mo asked softly. Fairy Ling blinked again and covered her mouth as she gave a muffled affirmative sound.

The two men hurriedly rolled up their sleeves and began swishing and devouring meat. For a time, the scene was heated beyond measure, while Fairy Ling could only withdraw from the battle.

Wu Wang said indistinctly, "The issue of continuous, stable, adjustable heating has already been solved. Later, I'll make a set of dedicated dining utensils for Fairy Ling!"

Fairy Ling's eyes immediately curved into happy crescents as she smugly glanced at Ji Mo.

Ji Mo: ...

Why was her competitive streak so strong?

"National Teacher Xiong! National Teacher Xiong!"

A round of shouts came from outside the hall. The legitimate National Teacher, a woman of equal beauty and generosity of bosom, hurried over, lifted a corner of the black curtain, and excitedly called out to the three people who had all turned to look at her:

"I heard it! I heard it just now!"

At first, Wu Wang did not understand. Then he suddenly thought of something, grabbed his rice bowl, and rushed outside. Spreading his Star Wings, he flew close to the ground and leaped straight over the National Teacher.

Ji Mo stared wide-eyed. "Heard what?"

"His late Majesty's voice! I heard it just now with my Spiritual Sense!"

With several clatters, Ji Mo knocked over the tables and chairs as he raced after Wu Wang's retreating figure.

By the time Ji Mo arrived, the Goddess Statue's feet were already surrounded by people. Wu Wang stood at its feet, a purple crescent gleaming on his forehead as his hand repeatedly clenched and unclenched.

Ji Mo heard it too...

It was like the wind whispering. His Spiritual Consciousness caught that trace of Spiritual Sense fluctuation, and that familiar voice rang out in his heart:

"...Everything is well for me here. It feels as though I've entered a tiny garden full of flowers. This garden grows a little larger every day.

"The pressure from the crown is growing lighter and lighter. Now I have enough strength to project my Spiritual Sense.

"Thank you. Thank you, everyone. I can feel everything you have done for me. Thank you..."

"Hey!"

Ji Mo clenched his fist and swung it forward, unable to contain his excitement. The great stone blocking his heart had finally been lifted by more than half.

Thirty-six days—only thirty-six days!

Wu Wang turned around and shouted:

"Priests! Get some priests with stronger Spiritual Sense to repeat Her Majesty's words to everyone! Keep the news sealed tight; this absolutely cannot leave the palace gates!"

Cheers immediately rose all around. Most of the warriors and priests embraced and jumped about, while the National Teacher who had rushed over could not help reddening her eyes. She walked to Ji Mo's side and gently held his arm.

Young Master Ji shuddered all over, though he did not resist too much.

Queen Jiayi's message truly let Wu Wang breathe a sigh of relief.

At the very least, his path had not been wrong. Gathering Belief to Create Gods was a genuinely viable method!

And they did not need to wait for the Queen to condense a divine spark and officially become a god. That day might be far too distant.

They only needed to confirm that this method was viable. Then Women's Country would no longer need sacrificial victims, and no one would have to suffer harm because of it.

That day, Wu Wang drank Ji Mo into a complete stupor. Of course, it was Ji Mo who got completely drunk.

It was clear that after this journey through Women's Country, Ji Mo had become much steadier. He had lost some of his impulsiveness and gained a measure of maturity.

Wu Wang, however, felt rather... regretful for him.

After all, for a young master from a great clan like Ji Mo, being too deep and brooding was not as good as living a carefree, dissolute life.

After Ji Mo sobered up, Wu Wang summoned the current decision-makers of Women's Country. Apart from the original group, there was now an additional young girl whose appearance somewhat resembled Jiayi's.

She was the New Sovereign, Jiayi's younger sister, who had previously been hidden away in secret. She was clearly still unaccustomed to the burden of sovereignty. Though seated in the place of honor, she appeared extremely reserved.

"The problem now is how to concentrate the Power of Faith from all across Women's Country in the royal palace!"

Wu Wang made a circle with both hands. "A grand formation. We need a grand formation, and we also need an artifact that can gather the Power of Faith. Speak freely, everyone. Any ideas?"

True Immortal Xu Mu said, "This poor Daoist can try his hand at the formation. Gathering the Power of Faith should share many similarities with gathering Spiritual Energy."

Ji Mo silently put away the formation blueprint he had prepared over several days and nights.

Fairy Ling said, "Brother Xiong has already found Treasure Materials highly sensitive to the Power of Faith. I wonder whether Women's Country has any of these Treasure Materials in stock for us to use."

Wu Wang said, "Some time ago, I already ordered several generals to take my personal letters to the Northern Plains to purchase these Treasure Materials. However, that will take some time.

"I'll make a sample for you now, and afterward, you can gradually lay them out.

"Formations and artifacts for gathering belief must be listed as Women's Country's most closely guarded secret. Otherwise, they will bring you a great deal of trouble."

The National Teacher hurriedly said, "National Teacher Xiong, rest assured. Women's Country has its barrier. Keeping news sealed off from the outside will not be a problem."

Wu Wang looked toward Xu Mu, who pondered briefly.

Xu Mu said, "This matter naturally cannot be hidden from Four Seas Pavilion, but the Ji Family can pressure them and keep them from setting their sights on Women's Country."

"That won't be a problem!"

Ji Mo said firmly, "My second aunt and third aunt are already on the way. I'll tell them once they arrive."

Wu Wang asked, "When will the experts from the two factions arrive?"

"About half a month from now," Fairy Ling said softly. "They need to avoid Zhongshan and detour through the West Sea. The news should only just have reached them."

Wu Wang nodded with a smile. He took the initiative to call on the new Queen, handing her the initiative in the discussion.

These valuable experiences gained in Women's Country of the Western Plains would all become important assets for the future rise of the Star God Cult.

This was not crossing the river by feeling the Queen's shoulders. This was a win-win situation, a win-win arrangement.

Wu Wang's mood grew ever brighter.

And so, another half month passed.

Why did it feel like my Cultivation Insights... had been growing fewer lately?

In the capital of Women's Country, atop the upturned eaves of a tall pavilion, Human Domain True Immortal Senior Xu Mu stood with his hands behind his back, watching the Goddess Statue in the royal palace, which had been covered in cloth.

Inside, the statue was undergoing renovations. Under the direction of chief designer Northern Plains Divine Envoy and Women's Country's Honorary National Teacher Xiong Ba, Queen Jiayi's statue was undergoing its third major overhaul.

Xu Mu pondered for a while, sensing his Cultivation Insights.

Strange. The one or two flashes of inspiration I remembered before have instead become blurred?

Was it because he had been playing around with Fellow Daoist Xiong too much lately?

Xu Mu raised a hand to his forehead and softly drew in a breath. At his age, he had somehow recently rediscovered the pleasures of when he had first entered a master's school to cultivate.

Drinking a little every day, chatting, playing chess, listening to music—the days were carefree and joyous. Why need he fret over homesickness?

It was just...

Xu Mu sighed softly, feeling that such days truly were not meant for a cultivator like him.

"Xu Mu, Xu Mu. You still bear the ambition of protecting humanity and attaining Heavenly Immortal. How can you continue wasting away here?"

A shout came from the palace gate. "Senior Xu Mu—the work over here is finished!"

Xu Mu immediately roused himself, suppressed his distracting thoughts, raised his hand, gathered his breath, and struck forward with his palm. A fierce gale sprang up, precisely and gently blowing the enormous cloth covering the Goddess Statue into the sky.

A group of warriors responsible for retrieving that great sheet of cloth immediately began running after it.

Under the sunlight, the massive jade statue reflected layer upon layer of halos, while the enormous Treasure Wheel behind it cast forth layer upon layer of light.

It looked like a Treasure Wheel, and it truly was a Treasure Wheel, but its internal construction was quite complex, containing over a hundred special Spirit Gathering Arrays.

Xu Mu nodded in satisfaction.

His attainments in formations, Fellow Daoist Xiong's wild flights of fancy, and Ji Mo's occasional little disruptions had blended perfectly in this grand formation.

It was rather aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Suddenly, Xu Mu's ears twitched slightly as he heard a call.

He frowned faintly. His Spiritual Consciousness caught the fleeting figures in a corner of the royal capital. Saying, "Trouble," he rode the clouds away with his hands behind his back.

Not long afterward, in a secluded courtyard, Xu Mu looked at the three figures before him with a frown and forced out an ugly smile.

They were two men and one woman: a middle-aged male cultivator clad in armor, a white-haired old man, and a woman wearing a fitted black dress and a veil.

Of the three, the armored male cultivator had the highest cultivation, close to Xu Mu's. The old man came next, while the woman in black was weakest, likely only newly ascended to immortality. Immortal light perpetually leaked from around her, beyond her control.

Xu Mu smiled. "What business do the three of you have with this poor Daoist? This poor Daoist recalls that my letter of resignation was submitted long ago."

"Steward Xu Mu," the leading male cultivator said solemnly, "we came under orders merely to ask why Ji Mo withdrew from the trial."

"His Dao Heart collapsed, and he felt unable to bear the trial's pressure."

Xu Mu smiled. "Such things have happened before. If he wanted to withdraw, then he withdrew. This poor Daoist could hardly force him to do something against his wishes."

"Does Steward Xu Mu know..."

"Call me Fellow Daoist," Xu Mu reminded him. "I am no longer a member of Four Seas Pavilion."

"Does sir know that Ji Mo is a prospect favored by the Pavilion Master?"

"What could be done if he himself wished to withdraw?"

Xu Mu said, "If Four Seas Pavilion is dissatisfied, it can go directly to the Ji Family. This poor Daoist is but a humble True Immortal and cannot bear Four Seas Pavilion's Blame."

"Very well."

The male cultivator cupped his hands. "Regarding Ji Mo, I will truthfully report to those above. There is one more matter I wish to ask Fellow Daoist about."

"The matter of Women's Country?"

"Precisely."

That man said, "Women's Country seems to be undertaking Gathering Belief into Godhood. According to the information we have, it seems they have already found a viable path."

"Yes," Xu Mu said. "Could it be that Four Seas Pavilion does not permit it?"

"It is not that we do not permit it. The Human Domain has attempted Gathering Belief into Godhood before, but the results were not remarkable. We merely wish to learn this method in case of unforeseen need."

The middle-aged Daoist said quietly, "Mister Xu, could you invite that Divine Envoy Xiong to meet us?"

Xu Mu fell silent, then said sternly, "Let me remind you all first: the Northern Plains is the strongest human force outside the Human Domain, and it is also where thirty percent of the Human Domain's artifact-refining Treasure Materials are purchased.

"Divine Envoy Xiong's mother may only be several hundred years old, but she is not someone whose strength can be lightly provoked."

"We merely wish to invite Divine Envoy Xiong to Four Seas Pavilion to offer guidance on the way of Gathering Belief into Godhood," the old man said with a smile. "Humans are one family. Surely Divine Envoy Xiong would not refuse."

Xu Mu: ...

He sighed softly and said in a low voice:

"Why has Four Seas Pavilion felt so unfamiliar to this poor Daoist over these past several hundred years?

"If you wish to invite him, then invite him yourselves. So long as you are thorough in etiquette and treat him with courtesy, Fellow Daoist Xiong should share his experience with you.

"He also places great importance on the words 'human race.'"

Having said this, Xu Mu cupped his hands and took two steps backward before rising atop a cloud.

The woman in black stepped half a pace forward, only to be stopped by a large hand reaching out from beside her.

"Do not be disrespectful to Mister Xu."

Xu Mu smiled calmly and drifted back toward the royal palace, though he was already considering how he should warn Wu Wang later.

That night, an enormous Lotus Platform rose from the border of Women's Country and sped like wind and lightning all the way to the skies above the capital.

Ji Mo, who had made a point of dressing up, turned and gave a Daoist salute to the dozens of figures behind him, smiling as he said:

"Seniors of the Mysterious Maiden Sect, Aunt, Third Aunt, this is the royal capital.

"Fairy Ling and Brother Xiong are both in the royal palace. They should be preparing a victory banquet. Later, I'll lead everyone over together and give Fairy Ling a surprise.

"I truly can't wait to introduce this young lord of the Northern Plains to all of you. He truly is..."

Behind Ji Mo, a beautiful middle-aged woman chuckled. "Enough, enough. You've praised him all the way here. Second Aunt knows it is rare for you to find a kindred friend, but nobody is perfect. Praising your close friend this extravagantly will do him no good instead."

"Hehe." Ji Mo smiled sheepishly.

The words "close friend" truly felt... far too pleasant.

He guided the artifact Lotus Platform toward the grand formation outside the royal palace. The formation opened on its own, and the guards patrolling atop the palace walls all lowered their heads in salute.

Of the several dozen people behind Ji Mo, most were women. Only the group of armored men at the very back had among the lowest cultivation levels.

Most male members of the Ji Family were stationed at the borderlands and could not cross mountains and rivers to come help Women's Country.

And the Heavenly Origin Mystic Maiden Sect did not accept male disciples at all.

Among this group of powerful reinforcements, two white-haired female Daoists possessed the highest cultivation.

A faint, peaceful aura radiated around them. They could already withdraw their innate majesty at will, and their immortal bodies contained an elegant charm. They should already have reached the Heavenly Immortal realm.

They were two elders of the Heavenly Origin Mystic Maiden Sect. Upon receiving the Saintess's plea for aid, they had immediately hurried here. At this moment, they too were intensely curious about the Brother Xiong whom Ji Mo had described as "turning the heavens upside down."

As they neared the grand hall covered by black curtains, a rhythmically powerful drumbeat suddenly sounded from ahead, mixed with gongs, sanxian, and all manner of instruments.

Ji Mo said excitedly, "Everyone, listen! This is the music Brother Xiong created. Isn't it refreshing and unique?"

The immortals smiled and nodded. After landing, they all walked forward together, while Ji Mo grandly waved his hand, directly pulled down the black curtain, and turned toward the inside of the hall...

"Uh."

A massive Magic Tool Lamp Orb flashed wildly through the hall as the new ruler of the Women's Country, the ministers, and the generals all danced in ragged disarray. A rich scent of wine rushed over them.

In a corner, atop a small platform, Ling Xiaolan had removed her veil and bounced about wrapped in Magic Power, a delighted smile on her lips. She kept banging the bronze gong beside her and shouted:

"Fellow Daoists! Today is our victory celebration! Get hyped!"

Ji Mo opened his mouth, then looked toward another corner, where Wu Wang sat elegantly on a soft couch, drinking wine.

Ah, this...

The lips of the two Heavenly Immortal realm Daoists trembled. One stomped his foot and shouted:

"Xiaolan! What are you doing?!"

The other squeezed his eyes shut and went limp as he fell backward, fainting on the spot.