Two Paths, Two Methods Cultivated Simultaneously!

"Silly child."

A smile always lingered in Cang Xue's eyes as she gently shook her head. She raised a hand as if to ruffle Wu Wang's hair, then paused, carefully tidying his collar instead.

She spoke softly:

"Mother is just a speck of stardust in the starry sky, how could she possibly be the noble Star God.

On the grasslands of the Northern Plains, within the same century, there might be dozens of Moon Sacrifices, or perhaps only a few. But there will always be exactly seven Sun Sacrifices.

This is because the Seven-Day Sacrifice attendants are the Star God's servants, needing to reside in seven specific places of prayer to offer daily prayers and supplications to the Star God.

These are secrets only the Chief Priests of every Great Clan know, so don't spread them around."

Wu Wang's heart truly relaxed.

He wasn't some son of a god, nor was there some strange setting unfolding.

Ordinary was fine, normal was fine. Being a dull Young Master of a clan was perfectly good.

"Then Mother, how are the Sun Sacrifices chosen?"

"The prerequisite is one's own strength, followed by whether the clan holds a seat for a Sun Sacrifice," Cang Xue chuckled. "Then, there are very intricate rituals where at least sixteen Chief Priests from various clans must jointly make the decision."

Wu Wang frowned slightly. The priests of the various clans in the Northern Plains were secretly connected?

He had spent twelve years as a Young Master in the Northern Plains, and this was his first time directly facing the divine authority system of the Northern Plains.

After a moment of silence, Wu Wang asked again:

"Then why did I see Mother in that temple, but not the other six Sun Sacrifices?"

"That's because Mother is the strongest among the current generation of Seven-Day Sacrifices."

Cang Xue spoke as if discussing a trivial matter. When she smiled, her eyes would narrow into crescent moons, and her voice remained soft and gentle:

"In the Northern Plains, all Star Invocation Techniques originate from the same source; everything is a gift from the Star God."

"Mother?"

Wu Wang suddenly looked up, gazing at the woman before him, the head of the current Seven-Day Sacrifice.

"What is it?"

"The Starry Sky God does exist, doesn't he?"

"Your Star Invocation Technique has reached a considerable level, and you've already seen the Starry Sky Temple with your own eyes," Cang Xue said with a hint of regret in her eyes. "It's a pity you are a male. The Seven-Day Sacrifice must be inherited by a woman."

Wu Wang asked, puzzled: "And why is that?"

"Because the Star God is a goddess, and she does not permit men to approach."

Cang Xue's fingers glided lightly. A teacup and teapot flew over from the side. The teacup poured hot tea by itself, and she brought it to her son.

The head of the current Seven-Day Sacrifice in the Northern Plains continued in her gentle tone:

"You will inherit the position of leader of our Bear Hug Tribe in the future, so these matters can be revealed to you.

For all the clans in the Northern Plains, succession of leadership requires the Star God's blessing; if clans go to war, it also requires the clan's Chief Priest to pray to the Star God.

If major events occur, Mother can summon the other six Sun Sacrifices to gather in the temple and hold the Seven-Day Sacrifice council, making decisions on behalf of the Star God.

The decisions we make are above the clans.

During the Star God's slumber, the Seven-Day Sacrifice is responsible for guarding the skies of the Northern Plains and watching over all the tribes."

Seeing Wu Wang's somewhat shocked expression, Cang Xue's fingers moved forward, her slender fingertips gently tracing the outline of Wu Wang's face, her eyes filled with warmth.

"Ba'er, you don't need to worry. With Mother here, if you just want to be a carefree clan leader, the clan will always be peaceful.

Except for your ailment, there's nothing Mother can do about that.

This is where Mother feels most indebted to you."

Wu Wang: ...

Why did it feel like his mother was radiating a holy light, like a celestial maiden from the highest heavens opening her arms to him.

"I can have anything?" Wu Wang muttered softly.

Cang Xue chuckled and replied, "Yes, as long as Mother can give it to you."

Wu Wang pondered for a few moments, then asked with a hint of uncertainty, testing the waters:

"Could you try harder and have a younger brother or sister?"

"Pfft!"

Cang Xue, the head of the Seven-Day Sacrifice, turned her head and spat out a mouthful of hot tea, inexplicably blushing a little.

"Why are you suddenly saying this?"

"Mother..."

Wu Wang sighed softly, as if discussing a trivial matter:

"I don't know if there's any cure for this strange illness of mine. Your son has prepared himself for a life of solitude, but our clan cannot.

The clan needs a successor; the transfer of power must be stable."

I won't be a good leader. The fact that I can't have offspring will become the greatest hidden danger to the clan.

There are so many people in our clan. I don't want my own issues to cause unrest and lead to unnecessary sacrifices for our people.

So, Mom, you and Dad should have another child!"

Wu Wang turned to stare at his mother, but Cang Xue frowned slightly, sitting there without a word.

It seemed there was some difficulty.

Wu Wang looked at his mother's increasingly divine appearance and suddenly thought of a possibility, asking softly:

"Mom, are you and Dad... not sharing a bed anymore?"

A blush flickered across Cang Xue's face before she calmly replied, "Although we're often apart, we're still a normal couple. We can still spend a few days together every three years."

Isn't that even worse than the Cowherd and Weaver Girl story?

Wu Wang quickly asked, "Did your relationship break down?"

"The two things Mom regrets least are giving birth to you and choosing your father."

"Then having another one shouldn't be difficult."

"This..."

Cang Xue looked troubled.

Wu Wang looked at his mother, who appeared to be in her late teens but was actually over two hundred years old, and asked a question with great composure:

"Could it be that my dad is always busy, and by middle age, he has the will but not the strength?"

"How can you understand so much at such a young age?"

Cang Xue raised her hand as if to tap Wu Wang's forehead but stopped herself in time, merely glaring at him gently and sighing, "It's because after succeeding the Sun Sacrifice, it's very difficult to have children."

His mother sighed softly and said something Wu Wang would never forget.

"Ultimately, every gift is calculated for its value."

Half a day later, the snow wolf carriage drove away from the Great Snow Mountain.

On the return journey, Wu Wang looked down at the bone fragment in his hand. Following the method his mother had just taught him, he began to read the information stored within.

There wasn't much inside, just a few powerful Star Invocation Techniques for self-defense.

Wu Wang glanced at Lin Suqing, who was sitting opposite him.

This cultivator at the Return to Origin Realm sat with her legs together and hands resting on her knees. Her long hair was meticulously styled, and her pretty face wore an expression of obedience and cuteness, though her eyes seemed a bit vacant.

Before they left, Lin Suqing's forehead had been touched by Wu Wang's mother, who said she was helping her open up.

But judging by her current state, it might have had the opposite effect, clogging up one or two of her already limited wits...

She's gone silly.

If there's a chance, I'll set her free and find a smarter tutor.

Wu Wang slumped back into the soft fur of the spirit beast, watching the Giant Wolf Riders constantly scanning their surroundings from the sides of the carriage. He felt a complex, indescribable emotion.

He had argued with his mother.

This was the first time Wu Wang had ever argued with his parents, and the reason for the dispute was cultivation.

From a certain perspective, this could be considered adapting to local customs.

Wu Wang habitually reached into his waist pouch for a stone tablet and carving knife, intending to record the information he had just received today. But his movement paused, and he put the stone tablet back.

Forget it, no decent person writes this stuff.

"Lin Suqing?"

"I'm here!"

Lin Suqing immediately snapped back to attention. "Young Master, what is it?"

"I want to confirm something again."

Wu Wang clasped his hands together in front of his mouth and nose, his clear eyes showing a hint of depth as he slowly said, "The lifespan of each stage in the cultivation methods of the Human Domain."

"Huh?"

Lin Suqing was taken aback by the question, as this was common knowledge for cultivators in the Human Domain.

She replied, "The Core Formation Realm marks the completion of Foundation Establishment. With unending vitality within the body, the lifespan is about a thousand years, though it varies depending on individual circumstances. After all, most people suffer some hidden injuries if they fail to reach the Golden Core Realm.

Most can live to be eight or nine hundred years old.

After forming a Golden Core, the lifespan is about three thousand years; after cultivating a Nascent Soul, the lifespan should be six thousand years, with some saying it can reach ten thousand years.

There are nine levels in cultivation, and the higher the realm and the more vitality one has, the longer the lifespan naturally becomes."

"After becoming an Immortal?"

"Since ancient times, few have become Immortals, so no one knows the lifespan of an Immortal," Lin Suqing said seriously. "There's a saying that Immortals can live as long as heaven and earth, but that's likely an exaggeration.

Otherwise, how do we explain the passing of all the past sages of the Human Domain?"

"Mm."

Wu Wang responded with a sound and then asked, "What's the specific number of cultivators in the Human Domain?"

"Well, there are quite a lot," Lin Suqing said, a little confused about the precise meaning of Wu Wang's question. "The Human Domain is said to have three thousand Immortal Sects, and the Demonic Path probably has a similar number of sects.

The number of rogue cultivators is even harder to count. Many complete cultivation methods can be obtained with just a bit of diligence.

However, the vast majority of our kin lack the aptitude for cultivation. In the end, only a small portion of our people can embark on the path of cultivation.

In many central regions of the Human Domain, mortal tribes and settlements have already formed."

"But what's the specific proportion of humans who can cultivate?"

"One in a hundred has the aptitude for cultivation," Lin Suqing stated with great certainty, adding, "My master, True Man Zuo Dong, once spoke of this matter."

One percent of humans can cultivate?

Could his own physique also be unsuitable for cultivation? He would have to verify this to know for sure.

Wu Wang sat there, frowning in thought, and remained silent for a long time.

Before, with his mother...

Wu Wang had urged his mother to have another child several times, but she had always avoided the topic.

His mother also didn't want Wu Wang to delve into the essence of the Star Invocation Technique. She never answered any questions related to the Star Gods, only saying that she would find a way for him to cultivate the Human Domain's immortal cultivation methods.

The Star Invocation Technique didn't extend lifespan. The higher one's cultivation, the more bound they would be by the Star Gods' rules. Even someone like his mother, who stood at the pinnacle of the Star Invocation Technique, was trapped by it.

Strong power, short lifespan – did that make sense?

This Northern Plains sky is far from as vast and high as it appears.

Inside the carriage.

Wu Wang's gaze flickered slightly, his expression growing firmer.

"I've decided."

He suddenly spoke, a faint starlight glinting in his eyes, causing Lin Suqing to instinctively hold her breath and watch Wu Wang intently.

"Decided... what?"

"To overcome all difficulties and cultivate immortality," Wu Wang stated firmly. "If I can't find a solution to my strange illness in a hundred years, then it will be a thousand years, ten thousand years!

I refuse to believe I'll be so unlucky as to die a virgin!"

"Pah!"

Lin Suqing choked on a breath and almost spat blood, coughing as she clutched her chest.

But seeing the seriousness in Wu Wang's expression, she couldn't help but worry about which sect in the Human Domain this Young Master of the Northern Plains Great Clan would end up "harming" in the future.

Lin Suqing blinked as if realizing something belatedly, "Young Master, has the issue with the Star Invocation Technique been resolved?"

"Not yet, but it should be soon."

Wu Wang smiled with a hint of confidence.

Given his mother's usual efficiency, they would likely have the solution delivered before they even reached the Royal Court.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a sound of air being pierced exploded beside his ear!

Wu Wang reacted instantly. Starlight surged around him, and a thick layer of ice armor materialized out of thin air, forming a solid ice sphere with a diameter of about half a zhang in an instant!

But this life-saving Star Invocation Technique, which Wu Wang had practiced for so long that it had become muscle memory, was rendered useless today.

Outside the ice sphere, the Giant Wolf Riders shouted loudly, their figures weaving back and forth, but they dared not approach the sphere.

Lin Suqing, who was closest to the ice sphere, had already stood up, a short sword in hand, but she had no way to attack the sphere of condensed ice crystals before her.

Inside the ice sphere, a gemstone necklace emitting a green light floated quietly in front of Wu Wang.

The necklace was exquisitely crafted, and the green gemstone in the center was clearly valuable. If Wu Wang remembered correctly, this was his mother's personal treasure.

Cang Xue's voice echoed in Wu Wang's mind:

"Wear this, and it will shield you from the Starry Sky Temple's detection of your Star Invocation Technique. Then you should be able to cultivate Human Domain cultivation methods.

If you forget to wear it, Mother will pretend not to notice you cultivating Human Domain methods. As long as you complete Foundation Establishment, the Starry Sky Temple will no longer be able to stop you.

But remember, Human Domain cultivation methods must not be revealed in the Northern Plains, or there will be some trouble.

Lifespan is inherently part of a living being's fate. To rashly break your own fate is an insult and disrespect to the Starry Sky God."

Before Wu Wang could even agree, the necklace's light faded, and it slid down, falling into his hand as he instinctively reached out to catch it.

If this was the case, his strange illness had nothing to do with the Starry Sky Temple?

Thump!

His chest tightened abruptly.

Wu Wang felt the mysterious rhythm emanating from the necklace, felt the tremor of his own 'divinity,' and his eyes gradually filled with light, his smile becoming increasingly unrestrained...

Regarding the Minor Matter of My Mother Being a Dao Rule Administrator

Dual cultivation systems, achieved!