In the cave dwelling adorned with light-colored curtains, Qiong Qi was bound to a plain, unadorned chair.

It maintained a human form, its head lowered, snoring lightly. If it weren't for the golden chains tightly binding its body, it would look as if it were merely napping after a meal.

Tired and sleepy, it had lowered its head to sleep.

If one looked closely, they could see black and colorful bubbles attached to the tips of Qiong Qi's fur, with a rough ratio of nine to one.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take a look. This is a little gadget I've recently developed, called 'Dreams with You'."

The gentle voice of the Sleep God, Yun Zhongjun, rose beside them as a group of people slowly walked into the space, their gazes uniformly falling on Qiong Qi.

If looks could kill, Qiong Qi would probably have been reduced to nothing by now.

As the leader of the Ten Evil Gods, Qiong Qi carried countless sins—sins that could not be cleansed even if it were flayed and its sinews extracted hundreds of times.

Xiao Jian Daoist spoke softly, "Does this chair of the Sleep God have any significance? By the name, it seems quite gentle."

"Hehehe."

Yun Zhongjun stood with his hands in front of him, a naive smile filling his plump face. He said, "Gentle, of course, it's gentle. I am naturally a gentle soul—most of the Goddesses in the Heaven Palace say so."

Wu Wang urged, "Old brother, stop beating around the bush. What's the deal with this chair?"

"Please observe," Yun Zhongjun pointed lightly, and a dreamlike phantasm emerged behind Qiong Qi.

It was an ice-blue Dream Realm, with glaciers standing upright on the ground. Qiong Qi's beastly body was pierced by icicles, lying there gasping for breath.

The glaciers grew continuously, rising one foot every moment. Qiong Qi's body could not move and would eventually be crushed into meat patties by the glaciers.

In the Dream Realm, Qiong Qi faded in and out of consciousness, letting out endless, weak howls.

In reality, its body sat quietly in the chair, showing no signs of anomaly.

"This is 'You in the Icy Snows'."

Yun Zhongjun warmly introduced from the side, "The inspiration for this Dream Realm came from the adhesive nature of ice... Do not worry, Qiong Qi will definitely feel the suffering. Although called a Dream Realm, it is essentially a Soul Prison. Now, Qiong Qi's body and Divine Soul are separated, doubling the suffering, because without the protection of the divine body, the Divine Soul is quite fragile. Of course, 'You in the Icy Snows' is not the most effective Soul Prison. There are also 'You in the Shadow of Swords', 'You in Burning Coals', 'You in Thunderstorms', 'You in the Scissors'... Certainly, what I'm most proud of is this one."

Yun Zhongjun pinched a tiny bubble from the tips of Qiong Qi's fur, lightly crushing it, revealing another phantasm.

It was an Illusionary Realm with a gray base, very simply furnished with two grinding stones, one above the other...

"You in the Grinding Mill."

In the time it took to speak, Qiong Qi's current Dream Realm had just ended.

Its body shook violently, its mouth emitting a weak but continuous wail as muscles all over its body twisted into countless lumps.

Subsequently, the golden chains simultaneously burst with light.

Qiong Qi quieted down in an instant and once again lowered its head, falling unconscious.

A black bubble was absorbed by Qiong Qi's hair, granting it a new nightmare—a Soul Cage.

A few Cultivators exchanged glances as Qiong Qi's wailing still echoed throughout the cave dwelling.

Suddenly... they felt that it would be kinder to give Qiong Qi a quick end...

Yun Zhongjun spoke earnestly, "After all, I am a Divine Spirit of the Heaven Palace, and Qiong Qi and I could be considered colleagues in the same service. My actions were somewhat restrained."

Wu Wang and Xiao Jian marveled at this from the side.

Xiao Jian Daoist asked, "Sleep God, what about these pink bubbles?"

"Black is nightmares, pink naturally represents sweet dreams," Yun Zhongjun said with a smile.

The Vice Pavilion Masters breathed a slight sigh of relief, feeling that although this Sleep God of the Heaven Palace was ruthless, he also possessed a trace of mercy.

Seeing Wu Wang's confusion, Yun Zhongjun explained, "If we only give him nightmares, that would increase his tolerance to nightmares, actually helping him refine his Divine Soul. Why would I go to all that trouble just to benefit him? So, every time he goes through nine types of nightmare, he will have one sweet dream. In that dream, everything is available, letting him know what beauty is. Only then can he truly comprehend the suffering within the nightmares. Ten cycles of dreams amount to ten hours. Each day, I also give him four hours to help recuperate his Divine Soul's power."

Wu Wang asked, "Old brother, has he wronged you before?"

Yun Zhongjun smiled indifferently, "Hasn't he wronged you? This is nothing; they're just remnants of past play."

Wu Wang further inquired, "When did you set up this contraption for him?"

"After you went into seclusion. It's been just over six or seven years," Yun Zhongjun calculated for a moment. "Anyway, it's just a matter of throwing a few Divine Skills; I didn't keep a very clear record of it."

Wu Wang frowned, "Did he say anything? To actually carry on until now..."

Yun Zhongjun also frowned and retorted, "Did you ask me to question him?"

"Didn't I ask you, brother?"

"You returned to the Human Domain and immediately went into seclusion. I bet Lin Suqing and the others can testify that I definitely didn't hear any instructions from you, especially not about what to ask him."

"Well, if you didn't ask, you didn't ask. Brother, what do you say, could Qiong Qi know any secrets of the Heaven Palace? He's just an Evil God, and not within the organization of the Heaven Palace... Or maybe, we shouldn't ask?"

"Bro, I'm thinking of tossing him here to dream for a few hundred years, wait until his Divine Soul collapses, and then cultivate a Divine Soul from his remnants. It has a fine appearance; it'd make quite an impressive mount."

"Brother, what do you think about making him a mount for Ming She?"

"An Evil God as a mount for another Evil God? Brother, you're the best. This is like slaying their spirits! Do you want to set an example for all the gods of the Heaven Palace—those who willingly join become gods above gods, and those captured become gods beneath gods?"

"You're overthinking it; I just genuinely feel that Ming She running around all the time seems rather tiresome."

Wu Wang and Yun Zhongjun muttered amongst themselves.

The Vice Pavilion Masters of the Human Domain had black lines on their foreheads, and their gazes towards Wu Wang carried a few shades of fear and awe.

Untouchable, untouchable, dare not provoke, can't afford to provoke.

Wu Wang thought for a bit and said, "Brother, let's pull Qiong Qi out later. I still have use for him, don't break him."

"Alright, I'll let him recover a bit, let him savor the experience thoroughly."

Yun Zhongjun shook his sleeves with renewed gusto.

Wu Wang turned and gestured for everyone to wait outside the cave dwelling; however, the Vice Pavilion Masters uniformly took half a step back, saying busily:

"Please, Wuwang Palace Lord, after you."

"There's no need for formalities with us; if there was any offense before, please forgive us generously, Lord Wu Wang."

"I knew it," one elder said. "As soon as Wuwang Palace Lord arrived in the Human Domain, he showed the bearing of a Human Emperor!"

Wu Wang laughed without saying a word and left the cave dwelling, one after the other with Xiao Jian Daoist.

Soon after, Qiong Qi's weak and pitiful screams resonated from within, sending shivers down one's spine and slightly clouding one's Dao heart.

「A moment later.」

Several hundred miles southwest of the Annihilation Sect, on a barren hill where not a blade of grass grew.

Wu Wang set up a square table and sat opposite Xiao Jian Daoist, enjoying a quiet drink in this secluded spot.

The Vice Pavilion Masters had already started their journey back to the Human Emperor Pavilion.

Regarding Qiong Qi's fate, Wu Wang had told them to go back and work out a plan. Although he had captured Qiong Qi, the creature had committed too many atrocities in the Human Domain, so the Human Emperor Pavilion rightfully had a voice in the matter.

"This cup is in honor of the souls that died in battle," declared Xiao Jian as he slowly poured a cup of fine wine onto the ground.

Wu Wang followed suit, laughing, "This cup is in honor of those valiant, soul-burning elders."

"This cup is for you," Xiao Jian Daoist said, raising his cup with both hands, his face filled with earnestness.

Wu Wang felt that this particular drink was a bit inauspicious, but he still tilted his head back and drank it down, sharing a smile with Xiao Jian.

A cool breeze passed over the hill, driving away the oppressive heat of the scorching summer sun.

Xiao Jian asked, "Have you decided?"

"Decided what?"

"The Human Emperor position."

"No," Wu Wang laughed. "That's not something to be decided lightly, and besides, my ambition doesn't lie there."

Xiao Jian Daoist showed no surprise or disappointment and instead smiled, "Then where does your ambition lie?"

"My ambition," Wu Wang poured another cup of wine and sipped it, speaking slowly, "is to reach a point where the Human Domain doesn't need a Human Emperor."

Wu Wang added, "My ambition is also to ensure the Human Emperor is no longer necessarily the strongest."

Xiao Jian was stunned for a moment, pondering Wu Wang's words. After a while, he exclaimed in admiration, "Your aspirations, I cannot match! Here's to you!"

The two clinked their cups and drank heartily, then sang joyously. When the rhythm of their song faltered, they leaned on the table, laughing uncontrollably, their spirits incredibly elated.

"Wu Wang, from your recent seclusion, have you gained any significant insights? I suddenly feel like you've changed a lot," commented Xiao Jian, eyeing Wu Wang up and down with a light smile.

"It seems," he continued, "you've become much calmer than before, more confident, and even somewhat more imposing."

"Domineering might not be the right word, but there were indeed some gains."

Wu Wang laughed, but didn't dwell on the matter, simply asking, "Fellow Daoist, who do you think is fit to succeed the Human Emperor in the Human Domain right now?"

"You're the prime choice, the one favored by the people's hearts."

"Aside from myself," Wu Wang said, "I'm thinking of helping His Majesty Shennong cultivate a few candidates. If Brother Daoist thinks someone has the potential, you can recommend them to me later."

Xiao Jian Daoist lifted an eyebrow and chuckled, "If others heard this, they would accuse you of arrogance and conceit. Cultivating successors to the Human Emperor is something only His Majesty himself can do, isn't it?"

"But this is just between the two of us."

"Hahaha! You, you really are something!"

Xiao Jian Daoist laughed several times, momentarily at a loss for words, and could only nod in agreement.

The two then discussed how to manage the aftermath of the Human Domain's battle, how to engage in a war of words with the Heaven Palace, and how to spread the news of the great battle across the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness to garner more potential supporters for the Human Domain.

Apart from the Human Domain, no tribe or race dared to stand directly against the Heaven Palace; hence, they could only be 'potential supporters'.

Mid-conversation, Xiao Jian Daoist said softly, "There's something I should probably tell you in advance."

"Speak freely, Brother Daoist. If there's anything I can do, I'll think it over whether or not to do it," Wu Wang said.

"You!"

"Just joking, joking."

"It seems like Ling Xiaolan is going to become the Xuan Nu Sect's Sect Master directly."

Xiao Jian Daoist leaned in and whispered:

"Think about it. Sect Master Jing Yue is a disciple of Officer Ting Huan. They knew each other even before Officer Ting Huan met His Majesty, and they are of similar age. Now that Officer Ting Huan has passed away, Sect Master Jing Yue's own Lifespan is also nearing its end. Eventually, a new Sect Master of the Xuan Nu Sect will have to emerge. The Xuan Nu Sect has considerable influence in the Human Domain, and the Human Emperor Pavilion is extremely concerned about this, hence they inquired early on.

"It's said that Ling Xiaolan's master, Fairy Immortal Juetian, was originally the candidate for the next Sect Master. However, Fairy Immortal Juetian felt her cultivation was inadequate and her prestige lacking, so she formally declined. Ling Xiaolan is the Tianyan Saintess and has sufficient prestige, a good reputation within the Human Domain, and most importantly, she has a deep connection with you. The Xuan Nu Sect is convinced that it's only a matter of time before Ling Xiaolan breaks through to Transcendent, and they might very well appoint her as the Sect Master."

"Oh?"

Wu Wang stroked his chin, lost in thought, then asked, "Regarding this matter, has Xiaolan agreed to it?"

"How could she refuse?"

Xiao Jian Daoist laughed, "Ling Xiaolan is a disciple of the Xuan Nu Sect and feels a sense of belonging there. Besides, becoming Sect Master doesn't mean she has to stay within the Xuan Nu Sect all the time, nor would it affect your meetings."

"It's not that I was talking about," Wu Wang blushed.

He was about to speak when Yun Zhongjun, the 'Sleep God,' arrived, hands behind his back, riding on clouds, his face fresh and spirited, flying in from the direction of Annihilation Sect.

Wu Wang added a cushion, a cup of wine, and opened two small jars of fine brew from the Northern Wilderness.

"You guys seem quite comfortable."

Yun Zhongjun chuckled and said, as he shook his sleeve and out tumbled a trussed-up figure—none other than Qiong Qi.

Rolling several times on the ground, Qiong Qi lay there powerlessly, looking up with numb and lifeless eyes at Wu Wang who was drinking...

Suddenly, like a drowning man clutching at a straw, Qiong Qi struggled to kneel, shuffling half a zhang forward on its knees.

Unable to utter a word, it kept kowtowing repeatedly to Wu Wang.

Unfortunately, with a robust divine body and hard head, even as the earth trembled with each knock, no Blood Point appeared.

Qiong Qi, with tears and snot all over its face, used all its strength to shout:

"Kill me... give me a swift end!

"I've harmed many experts of the Human Domain, devoured countless mortal souls.

"The matters of the Liu Family, the Lin Family, the Ten Gods, Ten Evils Hall—all my doing.

"Even the Head Manager was deceived by me. The sins are all mine, so grant me a swift end!

"God of Spring, God of Spring, I beg of you!

"Don't let me dream anymore. I'm just scum, a disgrace! My Great Dao is one of depravity! My existence is a sin, Great Sir!"

Wu Wang looked at Yun Zhongjun.

The latter shook his head, sitting composedly at the table eating and drinking, muttering, "How would I know? This fellow is so faint-hearted that he couldn't withstand even a few years. But don't worry, I've placed a Divine Spell on him; he can't commit suicide even if he wants to."

Wu Wang sighed inwardly. He thought of the Ancient Divine Spell from his mother and Brother Yun Zhongjun's interrogation artistry.

The chaos and brutality of the Great Wilderness before ancient times was evident enough.

However, showing mercy to an enemy is cruelty to one's own people. Wu Wang would naturally not make such a fundamental mistake. For the atrocities Qiong Qi committed and the tragedies it left in the Human Domain, punishment for hundreds or thousands of years would not be excessive.

Wu Wang said indifferently, "Qiong Qi, let me ask you."

Hope ignited in Qiong Qi's eyes.

"You can glimpse into the Dao hearts of living beings, then you..."

"I can glimpse into the Dao hearts of Innate Gods too, as long as there are flaws, and if they're not guarding against it themselves!"

Qiong Qi immediately became excited and blurted out, "The weakness of the Head Manager is his excessive trust in the Heavenly Emperor, and his overconcern for his own sister. Anyone who tries to get close to his sister, he treats with hostility. Furthermore, he is willing to sacrifice everything for the Heavenly Emperor and his sister. The Heavenly Emperor is precisely exploiting this trait to trap him and restore the original essence of the Dao of Life."

Wu Wang slowly nodded, just about to speak, when Qiong Qi cried out once more, "The Gold God's weakness is her great ambition! Each of the Five Elements Gods has their own personality, but these personalities are all influenced by their respective Great Dao. With change and slaughter being the domains of metal, the Gold God naturally becomes dissatisfied with the current order. But she doesn't know what kind of order to create, so she merely harbors ambition, coveting a higher position. She also has a weakness for collecting beautiful things, especially an obsession with the color gold."

"The Earth God?"

"The Earth God's weakness is her dislike for movement, preferring to stay at the center, and often losing steam halfway through a task."

"The Wood God?"

"I, I haven't had contact..."

Qiong Qi's voice trembled as a great fear surfaced in his eyes, then he quickly pleaded, "My lord, give me a chance, give me a chance, I can expose the weaknesses in his heart for you!"

Wu Wang smiled and leisurely savored his wine.

He asked, "In your opinion, who among the strong gods in the Heaven Palace is the easiest to lure into wicked downfall?"

A moment of hesitation flickered in Qiong Qi's eyes.

Yun Zhongjun raised a finger, and the golden chains on Qiong Qi glittered brightly, that familiar sleepiness washing over...

"The Young Master! It's the Young Master!"

Qiong Qi cried out in anguish, his eyes filled with pain, and his body began to convulse.

Yun Zhongjun chuckled lightly, and the sleepiness besieging Qiong Qi dissipated without a trace.

Qiong Qi said in a deep voice, "Her mind is simple. She has been secretly protected by the Head Manager from ancient times to the present, leaving her completely unaware of the treachery in mortal hearts. She also possesses an obstinate benevolence towards all living beings. If you make the beings whom she has taken under her protection betray her, it can break through her emotional defenses! Moreover, the Young Master is also quite interested in matters of fate. As the Goddess of Reproduction, influenced by the Great Dao, she aspires to the unions of beings. With just a little trick to win her affection, she could almost be at your service!"

Wu Wang frowned and said, "Who asked you to say this?"

Yun Zhongjun coughed and muttered telepathically, "Boss, we only have three gods, a lot of things are really hard to execute. I think the Young Master is not bad, why don't you make a sacrifice?"

Wu Wang glared at him, "Be serious! Ahem, since it's like this, Qiong Qi, what do you think is my weakness?"

"You… you..."

Qiong Qi looked up at Wu Wang, the scenes of his past encounters with Wu Wang flooding his mind.

Countless attempts to secretly spy on Wu Wang's spiritual mind, countless times returning without success.

If he were to say it directly, this man might think he was saying these things just to survive, which would likely lead to more torture. However, if he fabricated some common flaws found in all beings, angering this lord might also result in torture.

Those endless dreams;

The tortures his Divine Soul suffered countless times at the brink of death;

A thought of utter despair arose from the depths of Qiong Qi's heart, and he found himself kneeling down, slowly bowing to the ground, and weeping aloud in pain.

Wu Wang and Xiao Jian Daoist looked at each other in astonishment.

Was his question really that serious?

The cries of this Evil God were carried by the wind to distant places, resounding with such sorrow and clarity.

Ming She, who had been hiding in the shadows, also showed a more complicated gaze. He sighed softly and looked towards the silhouette of Wu Wang.

Master has always been kind to me, not settling the old scores with the Human Domain.

After that, Ming She glanced at the slightly plump Sleep God and immediately averted his gaze.

… Terrifying.