Never would I have imagined that Lu Wu would suddenly pop up!

In the corner of the flower building's private suite, Le Yao stood at the window, arms crossed, her pretty face set in a frosty expression. Ji Mo stood beside her, continuously bowing and whispering sweet, flattering words to her. Fortunately, Le Yao did not lose her temper in front of Wu Wang and Lin Qi, thus granting Ji Mo some dignity.

Lin Qi stood not too far away, his face etched with dismay. He hardly dared to look up at the group of Demonic Cultivators from the Sun Demon Sect outside, feeling that his lifelong reputation was ruined. I'll probably be known throughout the Human Domain as a notorious playboy of the flower building from now on.

Inside and outside the flower building, there were many onlookers.

Wu Wang, however, was the calmest of them all. His expression remained unchanged even as the cupboard before him exploded, as if nothing had happened.

What's wrong with enjoying the view from inside a cupboard? A cupboard is, naturally, a place to store clothes. So, when I was blasted out of it, what's so unreasonable about having a few pieces of women's clothing stuck to me?

He calmly removed a fragment of a bellyband from his shoulder, tossed aside the woman's long pants—which resembled 'stockings'—hanging nearby, and sized up the Innate God who had just leaped out amidst the golden light.

God. Lu Wu.

Lin Suqing quickly stepped forward to tidy the creases on Wu Wang's clothes.

Speaking of this Innate God, Wu Wang had indeed met him once before. It was when he first encountered His Majesty Shen Nong. His Majesty had mistaken Wu Wang for a magic treasure and had taken him to the gate of the Kunlun Ruins. Wu Wang had caught a distant glimpse of Lu Wu then, and two words had sprung to his mind—"Divine General." This had left a rather deep impression on him.

At that moment, Lu Wu did not display his divine body but maintained an eight-foot-tall, robust human form. He was adorned in a golden robe and red combat boots, his stature majestic and his expression imposing. His dark golden hair was tied up and adorned with an intricate, ancient headdress, from which two golden ribbons dangled in front.

After Lin Suqing stepped away from Wu Wang's side, Lu Wu cupped his fists towards Wu Wang and said gravely, "I have come uninvited and ask for your magnanimity, God of Spring. Is this place, by chance, the Temple of the God of Spring?"

Wu Wang's mouth twitched a few times. He chuckled and said, "This is a place for drinking and leisure in the Human Domain. Divine General, you are mistaken."

"Oh?"

Lu Wu nodded slowly, not dwelling on extraneous matters. He only said, "It does bear some resemblance to the Temples of many Innate Gods... God of Spring, my master sends her invitation. If you are not otherwise occupied, God of Spring, why not set off right now?"

Wu Wang looked hesitant.

Lu Wu said no more, quietly waiting for Wu Wang's reply, seemingly unconcerned by the somewhat chaotic scene around them. From beginning to end, this Divine General carried himself with an indescribable air of authority. It was a bearing forged from the passage of countless years and absolute self-confidence.

He said, "If the God of Spring has any doubts, you may discuss them with the Human Emperor. I can wait here, but please do not keep my master waiting too long."

"Very well," Wu Wang cupped his fists in return and promptly said, "Lin Qi, please entertain Divine General Lu Wu on my behalf. I will go to see His Majesty and inquire if I can take a trip to the Kunlun Ruins."

"Yes, Teacher." Lin Qi agreed and stepped forward, making a gesture of invitation to Lu Wu, his conduct impeccably polite.

Acting resourcefully, Lin Qi had someone open a top-floor private room on the premises and invited Divine General Lu Wu to rest there for a while.

Wu Wang made a show of hurrying to the main hall of the Human Emperor Pavilion. However, along the way, he was already mentally summoning the members of the Heavenly Dao to discuss this sudden invitation from the Queen Mother of the West.

"Why would the Queen Mother of the West suddenly seek you out?" Yun Zhongjun was full of confusion and murmured, "The three of us couldn't possibly have been exposed, right? Our Heavenly Dao hasn't even really started doing anything yet. Although the Divine Punishment Dao is quite terrifying, it ultimately cannot override common sense. How did the Queen Mother of the West suddenly notice you? Could it be because of the Star God's Dao?"

"Indeed, it feels like one trouble after another. The Queen Mother of the West is truly enigmatic," Wu Wang said. "She is nominally part of the Heaven Palace's order, yet the Human Domain is quite amicable towards this Innate God."

Cang Xue, however, cautioned, "Ba'er, you must not let your guard down against the Queen Mother of the West."

Wu Wang asked, puzzled, "Mother, has the Queen Mother of the West committed any evil deeds?"

Cang Xue replied softly, "By the standards of the Human Domain, she has not committed evil deeds. However, to use the Human Domain's concepts of good and evil to measure such an Innate God is, in itself, somewhat disrespectful.

"The Queen Mother of the West has always been a Great Dao existing outside the established order. The Divine Punishment Dao is meant to oversee order, but it does not do so on behalf of living beings; instead, it oversees on behalf of Heaven and Earth, monitoring the will of the Great Daos that arise within them.

"She never interfered in the conflicts among the Innate Gods. Before the third divine era, she even lived in a secret sanctuary and was quite mysterious... Looking at her now, she remains incredibly enigmatic, and it is unknown what her true intentions are."

Yun Zhongjun chuckled. "I've actually had contact with this Divine Spirit, the Queen Mother of the West. She's quite interesting."

"Oh?" Wu Wang muttered, "Brother, don't be coy. Do you think I should go and pay a visit to this great God?"

"I think you should." Yun Zhongjun cleared his throat. His voice, seemingly coming from some unknown hiding place, sounded quite serious. "If the Heavenly Dao is to grow in the future, the Queen Mother of the West's attitude is crucial.

"We cannot remain in the shadows forever. When we develop to a certain extent, we will inevitably have to step into the open—we must step into the open—and contend directly with the Heaven Palace.

"The Queen Mother of the West's position is too unique. If we could gain her support or tacit approval, it would alleviate much of the pressure from the Heaven Palace."

Wu Wang retorted, "And why would she support us?"

"That's a question for you, the leader, to ponder," Yun Zhongjun chuckled. "Emperor Shun must have faced a similar question. Why did she support Emperor Shun?"

Cang Xue said, "During the last divine war, the Queen Mother of the West did not participate. It was only when Emperor Shun established order that she integrated the Divine Punishment Dao into the Heaven Palace."

"That's enough, isn't it?" Yun Zhongjun sighed. "Powerful, neutral, and beyond the reach of others—such Innate Gods are truly unfettered, not needing to concern themselves with various trivial matters.

"No wonder, Wu Wang, your previous goal was to establish a second power akin to the Queen Mother of the West's.

"However, to be like the Queen Mother of the West, remaining consistent through such long ages without developing any interest in power, is truly exceedingly rare."

The main hall of the Human Emperor Pavilion was now in sight. Wu Wang, not wanting to delay any longer, said directly, "Let's proceed with the Heavenly Dao resolution: whether to support my visit to the Kunlun Ruins."

"Support."

"Support."

"Good." Wu Wang nodded and looked towards the northwestern sky. "Then I will go and meet this Queen Mother of the West. If I can opportunistically do her a favor or two, that would be even better."

Cang Xue and Yun Zhongjun both voiced their approval.

To avoid exposure, Yun Zhongjun could not accompany Wu Wang this time and would wait at the border of the Human Domain to provide support upon his return. Cang Xue was also unable to project her starlight into the Kunlun Ruins. Whatever situation Wu Wang encountered there, he would have to rely solely on himself.

「About an hour later」

A golden cloud departed from the main hall of the Human Emperor Pavilion.

There were only three figures on the golden cloud. Lu Wu sat at the front, Wu Wang sat upright in the middle, and the Whistling Snake, who always stayed close to protect Wu Wang, knelt at a corner of the cloud.

Wu Wang had initially wanted to bring Jingwei along to see the world, but Lu Wu insisted that the Queen Mother of the West had invited Wu Wang alone and that no one else could accompany him. Lu Wu's attitude was very firm, so Wu Wang did not insist further. The Whistling Snake, who accompanied them, would only be able to go as far as the gates of the Kunlun Ruins.

At this moment, Wu Wang's mind was full of doubts. He had symbolically sought out His Majesty Shen Nong to report the Queen Mother of the West's invitation—in reality, it was just an opportunity to discuss the matter with his mother and Yun Zhongjun. Shen Nong did not stop Wu Wang. Instead, he cautioned him not to offend the Queen Mother of the West and to conduct himself with proper etiquette in all matters. The Queen Mother of the West had previously shown great kindness to the Human Domain, and her assistance in extending Shen Nong's life was a huge favor owed by the Human Domain. Shen Nong also instructed Wu Wang to bring plenty of Elixirs and novel items from the Human Domain as visiting gifts.

But Shen Nong then whispered to Wu Wang, 'When facing the Queen Mother of the West, do not treat her as a female Divine Spirit... Although she is a Goddess, she apparently takes offense if others regard her as such.'

Wu Wang recalled the somewhat strange expression on the venerable Shen Nong's face as he said this, and his mind was suddenly filled with question marks.

What does this mean? Not to see her as a female Divine Spirit? How could I harbor any notions of gender towards an elder Divine Spirit from the Great Wilderness who has lived through several divine eras? Even by the generational standing of my own mother, the Ice God, this Queen Mother of the West would be of my grandmother's generation!

As their golden cloud streaked across the sky, Wu Wang asked with a smile, "Divine General Lu Wu, you seem quite familiar with the Human Domain?"

"Indeed," Lu Wu turned his head to look at Wu Wang, his expression remaining solemn. He said seriously, "I have spent much time traversing the Human Domain because my master wished to understand how the Human Domain has managed to contend with the Heaven Palace to this day. While in the Human Domain, I also disguised myself as a Cultivator to practice Cultivation."

"Oh?" Wu Wang chuckled. "Then, Divine General Lu Wu, what do you believe enables the Human Domain to contend with the Heaven Palace to this day?"

"The Candle Dragon, cultivation methods, the second advancement of the Dao of Fire, and the inexorable rise of living beings."

Lu Wu nodded slightly, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.

"Succinct indeed," Wu Wang chuckled, watching the clouds swiftly recede behind them.

Their forward speed was quite astonishing, yet it felt as if they were drifting on the surface of the sea, with no sense of pressure or resistance from Heaven and Earth. Recalling Lu Wu's earlier appearance, his proficiency in the Dao of Heaven and Earth was clearly profound.

They traveled on in silence.

After traveling for just over four hours, they had traversed half of Central Mountain and a small part of the Western Wilderness, reaching the northern border where the Western Wilderness met Central Mountain.

Ahead, mountain ranges stretched endlessly, giving rise to a myriad of atmospheric phenomena. Clouds steamed and mists billowed, myriad ravines surged with streams, the celestial dome seemed almost within reach, and the sun and moon appeared to glide just overhead. Flocks of rare birds flew to and fro, and the roars of beasts echoed through the forests.

Then, a path of rosy light slowly unfurled from within the mountain range, extending to Lu Wu's feet.

Lu Wu dispersed the golden cloud, stepped onto the rosy path, and turned to make a gesture of invitation. "God of Spring, please."

"Divine General Lu Wu, you are too courteous. Please," Wu Wang cupped his fists in return, then followed behind Lu Wu, strolling along the path of rosy light.

This place was not far from Central Mountain. Wu Wang even sensed distant eyes spying on them. However, as he stepped onto the rosy light, an inexplicable sense of tranquility settled in his heart. Presumably, no Divine Spirit would dare to act presumptuously in the territory of the Queen Mother of the West.

This rosy light also seemed to possess profound mysteries. Each step taken upon it appeared to cover ten, or even a hundred, miles. The mountains below resembled projections on a sand tray, yet they possessed a tangibility that illusions and dreams could not replicate.

Shrinking the land to inches? Wu Wang recalled reading about such a concept in ancient texts. It was said that in the Great Wilderness, to assess the strength and foundation of a power, one only needed to observe the depth of its understanding of the Dao of Heaven and Earth to discern it at a glance.

After proceeding for about a hundred steps and rounding a cloud-wreathed peak, they beheld the towering Heaven's Gates of the Kunlun Ruins. The nine massive gates slowly swung open, their golden light illuminating half the sky.

Before the gates, the entrenched Kai Ming divine beast opened its eighteen large eyes, scrutinizing Wu Wang from a distance. Wu Wang felt as if his Primordial Spirit and his Great Dao were completely seen through by this hundred-meter-tall divine beast, as if he had no secrets left.

This experience is indeed not very pleasant.

"God of Spring," Lu Wu suddenly sent via voice transmission, "when you meet my master later, you need not be overly reserved. My master dislikes constraints and overly formal courtesies. Also..."

"Hmm?"

"There's no need to be nervous," Lu Wu said, his lips forcing an awkward smile.

Wu Wang was momentarily taken aback, then gave a wry smile. He cupped his fists towards Lu Wu and chuckled, "Thank you for the reminder, Divine General Lu Wu. Why would I be nervous? The Queen Mother of the West is one of the few Innate Gods who are amicable towards our Human Domain. Ever since I began my Cultivation, I've often heard stories about her. Moreover, when His Majesty Shen Nong last came to the Kunlun Ruins, I also accompanied him here, only to be sent flying by His Majesty."

Lu Wu nodded slightly, a trace of wistfulness in his eyes, as he led Wu Wang toward the central gate. He continued his voice transmission to Wu Wang, "That day, my master had us intervene merely to preserve the Heaven Palace's dignity, as we couldn't directly hand the life-extending Spirit Grass to Shen Nong. Actually, my master is quite optimistic about the Human Domain. She has also said that the Human Domain will usher in an era belonging to all living beings. Perhaps this invitation is because she considers you a candidate for the next Human Emperor."

"Is that so?" Wu Wang smiled noncommittally, admiring the nine Heaven's Gates up close.

Behind each Heaven's Gate, there appeared to be a small world. Even a brief glance from the outside revealed countless vistas of Immortal Realms.

"Whistling Snake God, please wait outside the Heaven's Gate," Lu Wu said in a gentle voice. The Whistling Snake bowed to Wu Wang, and then his figure vanished on the spot.

Wu Wang said, "Don't wander off. I'll be back soon."

A reply came from nearby, "Yes, Master."

A strand of golden light flew out from around Lu Wu, enveloping Wu Wang and pulling him into the central Heaven's Gate.

In that instant, Wu Wang suddenly felt his connection to the countless Stars largely severed, and the starry sky became incredibly distant and indistinct.

From now on, no matter what I do, my own safety must be the foremost consideration.

When he turned to look back, there was no trace of the Heaven's Gate—only a boundless, dense forest and undulating mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.

Great, I can't even find the door to leave this place now.

Wu Wang activated his Yin Yang Eight Trigrams Dao to carefully sense his surroundings. He found that this small world contained the complete five elements and a perfect balance of Yin and Yang. Its vitality was tens of times richer than that of the Great Wilderness, and its Spiritual Energy was exceptionally pure. Countless Innate Daos seemed to lie hidden just beyond the air, almost tangible.

This is truly a splendid place for Cultivation.

Having returned here, Lu Wu seemed much more relaxed. He led the way, a beam of golden light carrying Wu Wang over successive mountain ranges, past numerous grotto-heavens and blessed lands, and over a vast immortal pond—its surface like a mirror—formed from liquefied Spiritual Energy.

The Jade Pool? Wu Wang muttered softly to himself.

Lu Wu chuckled. "The Jade Pool? That's just a pool where my master occasionally bathes. It's not called the Jade Pool."

"My apologies, I must have misremembered the ancient records," Wu Wang replied, slightly embarrassed. Lu Wu said no more and continued to lead Wu Wang into a dense forest.

Wu Wang scanned his surroundings but found neither grand palaces nor any particularly unique ancient structures.

Ahead, an ethereal mist was thick, and the sound of flowing water could be heard.

Lu Wu bowed his head and called out, "Master, the God of Spring has arrived."

"Mm."

A voice that Wu Wang found indescribable drifted from within the ethereal mist ahead. To describe it with words like 'tender' or 'languid' would risk offending this Ancient God; to use terms like 'soft' or 'affectionate' would be far too frivolous.

Just as Wu Wang's spiritual mind was captivated by the response, he saw the ethereal mist slowly disperse, revealing a shallow, clear pool—and within it, the back of a figure seated quietly. Her cascade of long hair spread out on the water's surface. A single glance was enough to unsettle his spirit. Now, as she lifted a jade-like arm, gently stirring the spring-like waters of the pool, the movement seemed capable of ensnaring the very souls of gods, yet it held not a hint of vulgarity.

If Xihe was the Beauty God of the East, then the Ancient God before him, by the beauty of her silhouette alone, already defied any fitting comparison.

No, this isn't right. Is this a trap? If the Queen Mother of the West were to accuse me of impoliteness and strike me down... Have I been tricked by Lu Wu?

Just as this thought flashed through Wu Wang's mind, the sound of splashing water arose. The Ancient God in the pool slowly stood up, her three thousand strands of black hair cascading down to her waist...

Almost without thinking, Wu Wang immediately spun around, presenting his back to her back.

The sound of splashing water continued. Wu Wang tensed instinctively, fully prepared to flee at any moment.

Suddenly, he heard a light chuckle from behind him, followed by a languid female voice that drifted into his ears, "Turn around."

This is not appropriate! Really, not appropriate at all!