First Farewell to Women's Country

Regret. He was nothing but regret now.

Early the next morning, Ling Xiaolan appeared before Wu Wang and Ji Mo wearing a veil. She seemed to want to speak but hesitated, then could not help raising a hand to her forehead, her eyes brimming with gloom.

Ji Mo hurriedly said, "Th-this was this poor Daoist's mistake. I forgot to give her a reminder inside and just lifted the cloth and went in."

Ling Xiaolan asked softly, "How much did I drink last night?"

"Two cups of fruit brew," Wu Wang replied, then added, "Did you get scolded? I can go explain a few things for you. Daily life in the Dao is indeed somewhat stifling; there's nothing wrong with releasing yourself in time..."

"Exactly," Ji Mo immediately said. "What's wrong with dancing?

You've been busy and worn out for so long, Fairy. Can't you enjoy yourself a little? I'll go reason with those seniors!"

"I'll go too."

Wu Wang said calmly, "No matter how high one's cultivation is, one must still be reasonable. Restricting a disciple's character is fine, but what kind of sense is there in restricting a disciple from dancing?"

Ji Mo pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Bear, it would not be convenient for you to step forward in this matter. Fairy cultivated immortality for more than half her life, only to dance midway through the path. That truly is playing with things and losing one's ambition.

The expectations Fairy Ling carries are far beyond yours and mine."

"But we should still reason it out, shouldn't we?"

"This has nothing to do with last night," Ling Xiaolan sighed softly. "I broke through."

As she spoke, her sword fingers traced a sigil before her. Her aura emerged, clearly several degrees stronger than it had been during the battle in the Underground Palace.

Silence.

Even Ji Mo's voice trembled. "How did you break through? You're at the middle stage of the Leaping God Realm? Only a few steps away from Ascending to Immortality?"

"Correct."

Ling Xiaolan looked at Wu Wang and said gloomily, "It should be related to yesterday's revelry. I drank some wine and was a little muddled, then somehow I broke through."

Wu Wang asked in puzzlement, "This is a good thing. Why do you look so downcast?"

Ling Xiaolan could not help supporting her forehead with one hand. The white silk glove looked no different from yesterday, but in truth... she must have made who knew how many pairs as spares.

The current saintess of the Mysterious Maiden Sect sighed.

"I had thought the elders of my sect were all incomparably serious. Yesterday, I had already prepared myself to be scolded, and my two martial aunts were quite angry as well.

But after they noticed my breakthrough, they asked when I had broken through. I told them truthfully, and my two martial aunts told me... to, to jump around some more.

Isn't that far too ridiculous?"

"That's all?"

"That's all... What's wrong with that?"

Wu Wang and Ji Mo exchanged a glance, then turned and walked toward the palace doors.

"Brother Ji, what do you want to eat for lunch?"

"Let my teacher decide. He wants to taste Brother Bear's cooking too."

"Yin-yang hotpot?"

"Excellent!"

Ling Xiaolan blinked lightly, then smiled with narrowed eyes. With her hands behind her back, she followed after them. Though no lotus flowers accompanied her steps, she was indescribably lighthearted.

Once the reinforcements from the Mysterious Maiden Sect and the Ji Family arrived, Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan became idle.

Wu Wang did not keep the faith-gathering formation to himself. He directly taught it to the Mysterious Maiden Sect and the Ji Family, as thanks for their coming to aid Women's Country.

Next, this group of immortals and cultivators would erect thirty-six Goddess Statues throughout Women's Country and use the formation to guide all the Power of Faith toward the Goddess Statue in the royal capital.

The Treasure Materials needed to construct the Goddess Statues, along with these immortals' "labor fees," would be paid by Women's Country itself.

Women's Country had known no war for years. Though there were no precious mineral veins within its borders, secret merchant caravans were active outside the country, and over the years they had accumulated formidable national strength. Building these statues and temples would not count as exhausting the people or draining their wealth.

Wu Wang naturally did not need to keep struggling with such tedious labor. He also declined the invitations of those immortals; all matters were handled through Ji Mo, who contacted him.

Wu Wang understood perfectly well that making contact with these Human Domain factions too early would bring him no benefit.

Immortal Cultivation in the Human Domain emphasized techniques, wealth, companions, and land. Aside from the rather thorny matter of "companions," what did he lack?

His wealth overflowed, he had the Flame Emperor Art, and the Northern Plains had no shortage of places brimming with Spiritual Energy.

What he valued about going to the Human Domain now was its atmosphere of Immortal Cultivation, as well as its various Five Elements arts and artifact-refining methods.

Women's Country opened the convenient gates for the Mysterious Maiden Sect to recruit disciples within its borders. The new queen also wrote the Ji Family a gratitude letter overflowing with emotion. The three sides got along in harmony.

The sunlight was just right, and several parasols had been set up outside the palace doors.

Several figures reclined on silk lounge chairs padded with cushions, sipping chilled fruit brew while listening to the music played by Women's Country's royal orchestra. The male cultivators had changed into short shirts and long trousers that exposed their chests.

The only flaw in this beautiful scene was that the sole female cultivator still wore the inner layers of her Immortal Dress, wrapped up tightly from head to toe.

From left to right, Wu Wang, Ji Mo, Ling Xiaolan, and Xu Mu raised their crystal cups in perfect unison, took a mouthful of fruit brew, rinsed their mouths, and spat the brew into the bowl held by a maid beside them.

When they saw a group of valiant female guards walking past, the four raised their hands and grabbed the black crystal goggles laid out on the low tables beside them. With a dashing flick of their heads, they put them on, put them on, put them on—poke.

"Ah, hiss!"

Xu Mu covered his left eye and twisted this way and that, drawing muffled laughter from the row of maids behind him.

Ji Mo sighed with feeling, "Ah, playing with Brother Bear is comfortable indeed."

Ling Xiaolan said, "So happy I forget the Human Domain, so happy I forget the immortal path."

Xu Mu smiled calmly. "The road of cultivation is long and endless. You three little ones have not yet become immortals, so you must not slacken lightly."

"Teacher, what is wrong? Why are you so sentimental? You're even crying."

"I should leave."

Wu Wang rested his head on his arm and said, "There are no more major matters here. I still need to seek the true scripture in the Great Wilderness that can save the Northern Plains from suffering, so I will not remain here any longer."

"Where are you going, Brother Bear?"

Ji Mo immediately sat up, removed his black crystal spectacles, and his eyes gleamed brightly. "Why not travel together? Let us roam the Great Wilderness in carefree splendor!"

Wu Wang tried to put it as tactfully as possible. "Brother Ji has not yet become an immortal. Traveling together may be somewhat dangerous."

Ji Mo smiled awkwardly and sighed. "True enough. Since meeting Brother Bear, I seem to have done nothing but cause trouble."

"Are you going to the Human Domain, Brother Bear?"

Ling Xiaolan asked softly, turning sideways to gaze at Wu Wang. Behind the sunglasses wrapped in several loops of silk, her almond eyes held a trace of reluctance.

Unfortunately, those almond eyes were not the pair from Wu Wang's dreams.

Wu Wang said,

"I may go there soon, but this place is quite far from the Human Domain. I will probably wander as I travel.

The Western Plains differs from the Northern Plains. The only deity in the Northern Plains is the great Star God, while the Western Plains have many Primordial Deities. I want to search around and see whether there are any traces of the true scripture."

Ji Mo asked, "What sort of scripture is this true scripture, exactly?"

Wu Wang laughed inwardly...

He had not written it yet.

Wu Wang said he would leave in three days, but in truth, he had feinted at them.

Once night fell, he packed his bags and brought along a few local specialties from Women's Country—wine, fragrant powder, embroidered clothes, and the like.

He did not seek out the national preceptor to bid farewell, nor did he wave goodbye to the new queen.

Wu Wang went to the side of the now-filled entrance to the Underground Palace.

A Stone Tablet stood there. Its front bore no names at all, empty and bare; its back was carved with over a hundred names, belonging to the warriors of Women's Country who had died that night while surrounding and killing the Fierce Beast.

Wu Wang did not dwell on anything. He placed two apples there.

He did not feel any guilt. He had simply come to pay a visit to these comrades from that battle.

He had arrived somewhat late that time because he had been gathering information and making judgments. If one forced oneself to protect every single person, that was not a warrior—it was merely a fool.

"Those who risked everything for a nation's future shall live forever in glory."

Wu Wang murmured softly, covered his heart, and performed a Northern Plains salute. After staring at the Stone Tablet for a while, he turned and vanished into the night.

A short while later, at the foot of the Goddess Statue.

This was at the other end, far from the Spirit Nurturing Pool. High palace walls stood around it. It was also the quiet courtyard between two grand halls, where one could see the Goddess Statue's heel.

Wu Wang said, "I'm leaving."

A soft sigh sounded within his heart. Wu Wang seemed to see a hazy glow appear ahead, condensing into a blurred silhouette.

Wu Wang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, do not force yourself to manifest. It was not easy to gather this small amount of Power of Faith. Do not waste it."

"Mm."

Jiayi's voice sounded in Wu Wang's heart, and the silhouette turned into flowing light that returned to the statue.

Then came a stretch of silence.

"If you grow weary during your journey, return here and rest," Jiayi said gently. "Bear."

"Just call me Wu Wang."

"Wuwang..."

"Ah, that is my Daoist Name," Wu Wang reminded her. "You must remain optimistic and not harbor any negative emotions. This path is not actually easy to walk, and simply gathering the Power of Faith will not make one an acquired deity.

In principle, the fewer distracting thoughts in one's heart and the purer one is, the less likely anything will go wrong.

Otherwise, it may become a disaster for Women's Country."

"Then I simply won't think about whether I can become a deity or not."

Jiayi chuckled and said softly, "It is actually very wondrous. I can see everyone's prayers, feel everyone's joys, angers, sorrows, and delights, and see the lives of countless citizens, from the borders to the capital.

I think this is already the greatest happiness."

"Bear... Wuwang."

"Perhaps I am weak at heart, but I will do everything I can to protect my country."

"Then I can rest easy."

Wu Wang smiled and said warmly, "I look forward to the next time we meet, when you can come out for a stroll."

Jiayi said, "I want to brew you a jar of wine with my own hands."

"Then I'll wait to drink it."

Wu Wang heard a faint sound and turned his head to glance toward a nearby corner.

He sighed slightly, searched within his sleeve for a moment, then took out two pills that emitted a faint fragrance. He put them into a porcelain vial and placed it beside the statue's feet.

Then he bent slightly, said, "I'm leaving," and spread his Star Wings behind him. His figure disappeared into the night sky.

Before long, a white-haired old woman emerged from the corner.

Heavy shackles hung from her feet, and her body had already withered somewhat. Holding a broom, she swept up the fallen leaves.

Before long, she reached the pills and shakily performed a salute.

She did not take the porcelain vial. Instead, she walked to the Goddess Statue and swept away the dust that had fallen around its feet.

"Your Majesty..."

"Why do you not use the pills?"

The old woman revealed a faint smile and slowly sat down, leaning against the statue. Her thick, short brows relaxed as she murmured softly.

"This guilty subject is unworthy."

A pale golden light gathered at her side, forming a hand that gently stroked her cheek while humming a tender tune.

"Fengge, you can be my great general from now on! When I go fulfill my mission, you must help my child take care of our people too."

"Fengge~ Fengge~ Tell me, what should the men recorded in books sound like when they speak? Should they make their voices rough, like this?"

"Fengge, I can't sleep. Come soothe me!"

"Then... may I call you Fengge from now on? My name is Jiayi. Please guide me kindly."

The old woman seemed immersed in a dream, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

In the latter half of the night, at the border of Women's Country.

A figure looked left and right before sneaking out from the riverside forest. Flying close to the ground, he streaked swiftly across the surface of the long river protecting the nation.

He took out a jade token carved with the words "Women's Country," "National Preceptor," and more. The barrier ahead automatically opened an entrance more than a person's height, allowing him to shoot straight through it.

In an instant!

Even his breathing became incomparably clear!

Wu Wang let out a long breath and silently grumbled to himself.

Really, within the barrier of Women's Country, there was an inexplicable sense of restraint. At every moment, he had to remember not to let anyone touch him. The Ice Crystal Film on his body had even been upgraded, gaining the effect of water circulation...

All techniques were forced out under pressure.

His departure without saying goodbye should not surprise Brother Ji and Fairy Ling too much. He had merely moved up the date he gave them by three days.

That way, there would be less pointless chatter, greater efficiency, and he could shake off the gazes of those Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals from the Mysterious Maiden Sect.

Why had those old seniors been looking at him lately like they...

Were so strange?

As though they had some grudge against him, their eyes full of displeasure, determined to pick faults with him no matter what.

Had he offended or provoked them?

Wu Wang shook his head and immediately prepared to take out his two disguise masks and put them on. He intended to head to the West Sea, blend into a merchant ship, and continue toward the Human Domain.

He had left so secretly that there was no reason for his whereabouts to be exposed. He would definitely be able to...

"Your trip to Women's Country was well done."

That familiar voice suddenly sounded in his heart. Black lines instantly covered Wu Wang's forehead as he immediately sensed the aura of a certain Great Emperor.

This... had he divined it?

Just then!

A sword cry suddenly sliced through the night sky, followed by two figures flying over at high speed and blocking Wu Wang's path.

They were an old man and a woman in black.

The woman wore tight-fitting clothes that outlined her charming, seductive figure. She held a treasured sword drawn half an inch from its sheath, her face hidden behind a black veil. Her phoenix eyes shone with piercing immortal light.

As for the old man...

Enough said.

Wu Wang immediately gripped two Crystal Balls and said calmly, "Who are you two? Why are you blocking my path?"

"Young Master Bear," the old man said with a smile, "someone above wishes to see you. Please accompany us on a trip to the Human Domain."

Wu Wang asked in puzzlement, "Someone above? Who?"

"Four Seas Pavilion. Don't tell me you've never heard of it," the woman said coolly.

The old man smiled and continued, "Please do not make things difficult for us, Young Lord Xiong. This journey will bring you nothing but benefits."

Wu Wang said, "Wasn't Four Seas Pavilion only responsible for external procurement? Since when had it become so overbearing?"

The old man smiled. "We have come with courtesy. Please consider it carefully, Young Lord Xiong, and do not force this poor Daoist to use violence."

"Use violence?"

Wu Wang gave a soft laugh. Putting on a performance of violence here, right in front of your family's biggest boss?

This was a question he knew how to answer.

Wu Wang smiled. "I truly did not know Four Seas Pavilion possessed such great authority that it could disregard my status as the young lord of a great Northlands clan and the divine envoy of the Northlands Star God, then directly abduct me to the Human Domain."

The black-clad woman took several steps forward with her sword in hand and said coldly:

"Four Seas Pavilion is a pillar of the Human Domain, gathering its finest talents. There is no such thing as authority.

But when it comes to matters of the Human Domain, Four Seas Pavilion may intervene in all of them. Whatever those immortal sects can manage, Four Seas Pavilion can manage; whatever those immortal sects cannot manage, Four Seas Pavilion must manage even more.

Eradicating demons and defending the Dao—authorized by the Human Emperor.

This is Four Seas Pavilion."

The moment her words fell, sharp immortal light flashed through her eyes. She had not noticed in the slightest that the old man behind her had already been knocked unconscious by a massive hand. Its owner wore a straw rain cape and stood barefoot, his face dark with anger as he stared at her back and silently raised his other massive hand.

Wu Wang: ...

Senior, he really had not paid someone to blacken Four Seas Pavilion's name.