This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 429 - 427

It wasn't even dawn, yet the Divine Chariot sent by Xihe was already waiting outside the God of Spring's Temple.

Wu Wang had been roused from his bed early in the morning by Lin Suqing—awoken from his meditation, that is.

Dressed in an exquisite robe and a jade-studded belt, Wu Wang remarked, "There's no need to fuss so much." However, when Yu Fenman brought over a bronze mirror, he couldn't help but take a few looks.

Indeed, he was beginning to resemble an ordinary dignitary of the Heaven Palace.

"Let's go." Wu Wang stretched his sleeves and couldn't suppress a yawn, strolling out of the temple with his hands clasped behind his back.

A flash of pale green divine light, and the Young Master appeared before him, smiling. "What do you plan to teach the ten young masters today?"

Wu Wang thought carefully, and after a long ponder, his mouth curled into a smirk. "Teach them the various ways of making honey-roasted wings."

"What?"

The Young Master was clearly startled. Meanwhile, Lin Suqing chuckled with her hand over her mouth and explained a few words in her ear, essentially saying that Wu Wang was just talking nonsense.

Wu Wang stepped out of the main hall with a smile.

Gazing at the vast sky and the surging seas of clouds, Wu Wang felt his spirit refreshed. A myriad of lofty aspirations brewed in his chest, and he almost burst into song on the spot.

Fortunately, Young Master Xiong was thin-skinned, so the Divine Guards hailing from the Hundred Races were also spared.

A dragon chariot roared as it hurriedly approached from the side, coming to a steady stop before Wu Wang.

Though it was not the Sun Goddess's personal Divine Chariot of the Sun, the dragons pulling this chariot looked somewhat familiar. They must be the workforce from the Sun Chariot, their remaining value being wrung out by Xihe.

Wu Wang took a spirited leap onto the chariot and steadied himself.

Two Goddesses suddenly appeared beside him to drive the chariot, skillfully cracking their long whips. The two dragons surged forward, and the chariot began to accelerate smoothly.

Indeed, the chariots from the Sun Goddess's household are extraordinary. It set off smoothly and accelerated evenly, without giving Wu Wang too strong a sensation of being pushed back. Yet, it reached an incredible speed within a very short time, transforming into a golden light shooting toward the East Sea.

Wu Wang took out the scroll he carried with him and read the words, somewhat distracted.

Last night, under the perfect moonlight, he and the Young Master had shared drinks on the windowsill. They had exchanged many words, sitting very close, but in Wu Wang's heart, few other thoughts stirred besides planting a kiss on her forehead and then watching the moon with her for the rest of the night.

This...

So much so that Wu Wang began to doubt that his affection for Fairy Ling wasn't about opening a door to desire, but rather satisfying a kind of curiosity within himself.

He indeed "knew the taste of marrow," and he recognized that deep down, he was a common man. Yet, for this very reason, his self-discipline had grown even stronger.

Cough, this was certainly not because he had been "visiting gardens" too often, but purely out of respect for his future partners.

Although his feelings for the Young Master were sincere, they still lingered at the level of close friends. To take a step further, aside from the passage of time, more emotional exchanges were required.

Last night, even though he felt warm and close to her, had his behavior been even slightly too forward, the Young Master would likely have fled at once.

With these thoughts in mind, Wu Wang let out a soft sigh. He focused on his reading while casually keeping an eye on the chariot's direction, lest he be outwitted and "capsize in a ditch."

Onward they went, as the sun climbed to its zenith.

They flew over layers of mountains, crossed the vast plains of the Eastern Wilderness, and swept across the boundless East Sea. Once again, Wu Wang gazed upon the Divine Wood that nearly pierced the void—the Fusang Tree.

The Fusang Tree stood tall and straight, resembling a pine or cypress. Its wide, green leaves, like islands, were rich with the essence of the sun.

Xihe's grand temple was perched at the top of the Fusang Tree.

Under the sunlight, the temple's golden dome reflected an endless brilliance, as if waves of heat were rushing toward him.

The speed of the rapidly advancing chariot began to decrease steadily.

One after another, Divine Generals clad in Golden Armor flew out from the temple, lining up in two rows that extended for ten miles.

Divine Maidens carrying rainbows and bearing dawn clouds appeared, laying out a radiant path of colorful light that extended directly to where the chariot came to a halt.

With a composed expression, Wu Wang surveyed Yang Valley below. The Fusang Tree blocked both his view and his Immortal Consciousness. He dismounted from the chariot. Ahead of him, beautiful maidens dressed in scanty attire greeted him with a respectful bow.

"Greetings, God of Spring. Please follow us."

"Thank you," Wu Wang replied with a smile. His gaze swept over the scant fabric of the maidens' dresses, and he unconsciously compared them with the maidens of the Moon Palace.

By comparison, the maidens serving Chang Xi are more conservative.

He wondered if it was because he was the guest of honor today that all the maidens he saw were from the Human race, with particularly pure Human bloodlines.

He strolled forward. Whenever the figures of the few maidens flickered, Wu Wang would also use a bit of his Divine Skill to "shrink the earth to an inch."

Although Wu Wang was not very skilled in the Dao of Heaven and Earth, his own proficiency was still above that of these maidens.

Upon reaching the entrance of the hall, a soft sigh came from within.

"At last, the esteemed God of Spring has arrived."

Wu Wang looked up and saw Empress Xihe in her golden robe, seated on the throne. She wore no makeup nor any jade hairpins, yet the innate dignity and elegance she possessed added an even more breathtaking beauty to her appearance.

From a distance, Wu Wang clasped his fists in a salute and said loudly, "Greetings, Empress Xihe!"

"God of Spring, you are excused from formalities. Do come in for the banquet," Empress Xihe said.

Empress Xihe gracefully rose from her throne. Her long hair automatically formed into a cloud-like bun, and the golden robe she wore shimmered with golden light, now with additional fabric at the chest, waist, and hem.

Guided by the maidens, Wu Wang walked to the round table laden with exquisite delicacies.

He felt a bit regretful for not bringing the Young Master along. With a little food lover at home, it's a pity she can't taste these delicious dishes.

Empress Xihe strolled over, boldly took her seat at the head of the table, and drew Wu Wang's seat beside her. She said softly, "Do not be restrained. I am of the same generation as your mother, so you could be considered my nephew." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Ah, greetings, Auntie."

Wu Wang, seizing the opportunity, smiled and used the address. He then pulled his seat a little further away before sitting down properly.

However, Empress Xihe was visibly annoyed by that "Auntie" and rolled her eyes.

She said, "I don't know how your mother, so incomparably graceful and seemingly untouched by the mortal world, managed to give birth to someone as slippery as you."

"It's mainly because my father's lineage is rather excellent," Wu Wang laughed. "My father, Xiong Han, is also a witty and humorous person in private."

Empress Xihe shook her head and, with a wave of her hand, signaled for the maidens to withdraw.

But Wu Wang said, "Auntie, it seems somewhat inappropriate for us to converse in private. I fear it may arouse the Heavenly Emperor's suspicion."

"If you are concerned, you can simply use an Image Projection Bead," Empress Xihe said indifferently. "I just don't like crowds, and I have no secrets to speak of."

"Then I suppose I was being overly suspicious."

Wu Wang chuckled and casually placed two Image Projection Beads on the table.

Empress Xihe smiled and said, "This vigilance of yours never seems to be used for the right reasons."

"Why do you say that, Auntie?"

Empress Xihe just laughed without speaking, her expression hinting at a deeper meaning.

Wu Wang didn't dwell on these words and laughed. "Auntie invited me to teach—"

"Stop calling me that," she interjected.

"Auntie wants me to teach the young princes. I'm not sure exactly how you want me to instruct them or how to help them awaken their Spiritual Wisdom."

A vein throbbed visibly on Empress Xihe's forehead. She lifted her cup and took a sip, forcing a warm smile to blossom again.

Without answering, she simply asked, "When you met His Majesty in the God of Spring's Divine World, what exactly did you talk about?"

Seeing that she had finally broached the main topic, Wu Wang decided to stop joking.

He asked, "Why doesn't Empress Xihe ask His Majesty directly?"

Empress Xihe remained silent.

Wu Wang picked up a piece of Spirit Meat in front of him. It melted in his mouth, its fragrance lingering—truly one of the rarest delicacies between Heaven and Earth.

He laughed and said, "Could it be that Empress Xihe and the esteemed Heavenly Emperor have had some... disagreement?"

"Since I've invited you here, I don't intend to hide these things from you."

Empress Xihe sighed, a trace of melancholy in her expression.

She continued, "Ever since His Majesty returned from the Human Domain, although he is still His Majesty, there has always been something... different about him."

"Oh?" Wu Wang put down his chopsticks. "I'm listening."

"I have my reasons for telling you this," Empress Xihe said. "His Majesty seems to have become worried and restless, as if he's afraid of something. Every time I try to discuss this with him, he attributes it to the Candle Dragon."

Wu Wang asked, "But isn't the Candle Dragon one of the most troublesome threats in existence?"

"Yet such a threat has long existed." Two golden lights gleamed in Empress Xihe's phoenix eyes. "This behavior was rare before he was taken away by Fu Xi."

"This…"

"You were also a witness to this matter, and you even conversed with Fu Xi's remnant soul," Xihe gazed at Wu Wang. "Is Fu Xi truly dead?"

Wu Wang pondered for a moment, uncertain how to respond.

Xihe pressed further, "The one who returned to the Heaven Palace—is it His Majesty, Fu Xi, or a completely new consciousness resulting from a fusion of His Majesty and Fu Xi?"

Wu Wang said, "Empress Xihe, how could you harbor such an absurd idea?"

Xihe sighed. "Because what I see most in him now is the shadow of that old Daoist from the Ascending Immortal Realm."

Wu Wang couldn't help but ask, "How so? Can you give any specific examples?"

Xihe contemplated carefully. When she spoke next, there was not the slightest hint of embarrassment, as if she were discussing the most mundane of matters.

"His Majesty and I are husband and wife. Our affection dates back to ancient times.

"Previously, when His Majesty and I would join, we always did so in our serpent forms, our divine souls intertwining. This was not merely for pleasure but also to explore the ultimate truths of the cosmos and to complete our understanding of our respective Great Daos.

"It was precisely through this method that he gradually mastered the Dao of Time, which is encompassed by the Dao of Order."

Wu Wang's expression showed understanding. He leaned back slightly. "And now?"

Xihe placed a hand on her forehead in exasperation. "Now, it's mostly in human form, purely for pleasure."

"This?!"

"His Majesty seems to be deliberately concealing many things from me," Xihe said. "If His Majesty has lost trust in me, then I must start considering my own future."

As she spoke, Xihe fixed her gaze on Wu Wang, as if trying to detect any revealing flicker in his expression.

But soon, Xihe looked somewhat disappointed.

Wu Wang sat there, seemingly lost in thought. His face showed surprise, as if he found what Xihe had just told him hard to believe.

Wu Wang said, "Empress Xihe, do you have any other evidence? This alone isn't enough to prove that the Heavenly Emperor has truly changed."

"Then perhaps we should trade a secret."

Xihe laughed. "I've told you so much. Aren't you getting all this information for free?"

"What secrets could I possibly have?" Wu Wang said with a smile. "Empress Xihe, you truly flatter me."

Xihe abruptly asked, "When the Queen Mother of the West sought you out, did you see those ancient gods?"

"Ancient gods?" Wu Wang immediately furrowed his brow. "This isn't the first time I've heard that term. They seem to be the remnants of the First Divine Generation, secretly controlling the Great Wilderness, correct?"

"Do you truly not know?"

"Why would you, Empress Xihe, also think I would know of them?"

Wu Wang's face showed a hint of helplessness. "Perhaps we should return to discussing how to teach the young princes. Talking about these other matters with you feels like playing with fire—peculiarly perilous."

Xihe smiled faintly, seeming as if she had more to say but chose to hold back. Eventually, she just shook her head gently.

She said, "I know you're feigning ignorance, but your acting skills are truly remarkable. Go now. My children are in the pond of the side temple. Get to know them first. Once they've accepted you, we can discuss other things."

Wu Wang let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with relief. He picked up another piece of Spirit Meat, popped it into his mouth, then got up, gave a respectful bow, and excused himself.

He hadn't gone far when he suddenly paused.

He said, "There is one more thing I feel I should tell you, Empress Xihe."

"What is it?"

"The last time His Majesty and I strolled in the God of Spring's Divine World, he was actually discussing Heng'e.

"You should be well aware of her origins.

"His Majesty seemed somewhat dissatisfied with this. Moreover, he threatened me, saying that if I couldn't resolve the conflict between living beings and the Heaven Palace, and if I couldn't unite the powers within Heaven and Earth to resist the Candle Dragon, then he might just take his beauties and disappear, only to make a comeback someday."

Having said this, Wu Wang bowed and strolled towards the side temple.

Xihe sat calmly behind the table, motionless for a long time.

「After a while.」

Wu Wang stood beneath a 'miniature' Fusang Tree, his eyes full of mirth as he gazed at the nine beautiful Three-legged Golden Crows before him.

He held two cloth bags. He wrapped strips of meat jerky in immortal power and offered them to the Golden Crows, his smile embodying the purest goodwill.

The Golden Crows tilted their heads, pecked tentatively a few times, and soon began to eat with relish.

Wu Wang certainly wasn't treating these esteemed young highnesses like mere birds; he was personally delivering each piece wrapped in immortal power! Although, the principle was indeed quite similar.

Why had Xihe suddenly said all this to him? Was it a test? Or was it an intentional expression of dissatisfaction with Emperor Shun, hoping to gain his trust in return? Indeed, his last visit to the Queen Mother of the West had left far too many hidden repercussions.

Wu Wang was slightly lost in thought. He had already seated himself on a meditation cushion with a collection of poetry from the Human Domain before him and was beginning to recite verses for the various young highnesses.

Chanting scriptures was out of the question. If he happened to recite some strange verse and unintentionally awakened Spiritual Wisdom in these Golden Crows, wouldn't he become a great sinner for it?

After reciting a poem about red apricot blossoms and an ode to wandering in a garden, Wu Wang hastily rose. He bowed to the nine Golden Crows, left behind a pack of meat jerky, and quietly slipped away.

He took a stroll beneath the Fusang Tree, then made his way towards Central Mountain, heading back to the Heaven Palace on his own.

At the top of the Fusang Tree, Xihe stood quietly at the entrance of her temple, watching Wu Wang's departing figure. A hint of a cold smile touched her lips.

"This little rascal."

Behind Xihe, two dark shadows coalesced into humanoid silhouettes and bowed deeply to her.

One said, "Your Majesty, this young man's words should not be trusted."

The other added, "If you have doubts, why not have a frank and open discussion with His Majesty? If a rift forms between you and His Majesty, Heaven and Earth will be in jeopardy."

"Mm," Xihe nodded lightly. "I intend to do just that. You need not worry. How could a marriage of several hundred thousand years between His Majesty and myself be shaken by a few words from an outsider?"

The two shadows seemed to let out a soft sigh of relief and then dispersed into thin air.

What they didn't see was the sharp glint that flickered in Xihe's eyes.

「Twilight, at the edge of the Heaven Palace.」

Wu Wang was returning on a cloud, whimsically humming a little tune, "Today the weather is so clear, the fragrance of flowers is everywhere." His eyes reflected some contemplation.

The scenery of Central Mountain was indeed beautiful. And the Qingqiu nation he passed through truly was graced with beauties as numerous as the clouds.

His figure headed straight for the God of Spring's Temple. Along the way, he naturally exchanged greetings with a few Divine Spirits he 'coincidentally' encountered.

Nearing the God of Spring's Temple, a minor god accompanied by several long-robed Divine Officers came hurriedly toward him. Saluting Wu Wang from a distance, the minor god called out, "My lord! My lord, please wait a moment!"

Wu Wang turned his head and, with a warm smile, asked, "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

"My lord, look at me, look at me," the minor god bowed obsequiously with a smile. "I've met you before, my lord."

Wu Wang replied with a smile, "Of course, God Guiling. How could I forget?"

"Yes, indeed! For my lord to remember this humble one is truly my blessing!"

God Guiling's face instantly lit up with joy, and he continued, "Recently, when I was on duty at the Heavenly Punishment Pool, a Human Domain cultivator had a breakthrough, seemingly on the verge of reaching the Transcendent Realm.

"I took a closer look, and it turned out to be someone from that rumored residence of yours in the Human Domain... that... uh... Extinguish Heaven... Black Wind... uh... Shower Great Demonic Sect?"

"The Extinguishing Heaven Dark Desire Wind Great Demonic Sect."

"Yes, yes, that's the one! A woman there is about to undergo her Heavenly Tribulation! Would you care to observe at the Heavenly Punishment Pool, my lord?"

"A woman?"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow. Has Miao Cuijiao's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds after receiving guidance from Brother Yun Zhongjun?

He asked, "Would it be appropriate for me to observe?"

"It's quite appropriate! You're a counselor in the Heavenly Administrative Palace; what affair can't you manage?"

God Guiling whispered, "Besides, the severity of the Heavenly Tribulation is for you to decide, my lord."

"Let's go! We'll take a look!"

Wu Wang waved his hand decisively. God Guiling immediately nodded and smiled, leading the way for Wu Wang.