This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 479 - 477: Roadblock

On the seventh day since they left the small town, the forests gradually became sparser, towns became more frequent, and the roads wider. The carriage shook and swayed; the girl with her hair in twin ponytails snuggled next to the young man's legs, sleeping soundly.

The senior brother driving held the reins with one hand, discerning the road conditions ahead. The senior sister, who had just experienced the sorrow of losing her father, sat silently in meditation, digesting the grief in her heart. The three Guan Shu beasts moved in unison, pulling the somewhat heavy carriage swiftly along the wide road.

Thanks to the relative peace and many years of establishment in the Twelve Realms, the 'infrastructure' was very well developed. Wu Wang observed the towns along the way and couldn't help but be puzzled by several questions.

Is the Human Domain really that good? The Martial God's Twelve Realms were also dominated by the human race; the twelve gods were suppressed by the Martial God, and they were quite benevolent to all beings. At least in the Luili Realm, all beings lived in peace and contentment. Was what I previously believed—that all beings need free will—really meaningful? Beings have different needs due to their varying experiences of growth. True freedom is not about providing security for a life of unrestrained desires without limits. It should be about beings gaining control over themselves, including their own desires. That is extremely difficult to achieve. If the great catastrophe were to be smoothly overcome, would the path of the Heavenly Dao's future development be to construct a perfect system, or would it mainly steer towards guiding beings to become more perfect? Similarly, is perfection really correct?

Wu Wang pondered these questions in his Dao Heart. Along with the rocking of the carriage, it seemed to mix and meld these thoughts, leading to an ascension of ideas.

However, looking at the present situation, if the end of the Heavenly Dao is not mathematics, then it must be philosophy. To be a good Heavenly Emperor, a cultural desert simply won't do.

"Brother, I'm hungry."

A soft call entered Wu Wang's ears, pulling him away from his boundless daydreams. Looking down, Little Jin Wei, who had yet to begin cultivating, looked a bit pale and listless. Nearly half a month of travel was taking its toll on her.

Senior Brother Dong Gao, driving the carriage, turned to look at them and said with a smile, "The place where we'll stop for the night is just ahead. According to the boundary marker, we should arrive in about half an hour."

"Hmm," Jin Wei obediently responded, her small hands grasping Wu Wang's shoulder as she struggled to sit up. Her face was etched with the weariness of travel, and Wu Wang felt a pang of heartache.

Wu Wang said softly, "I was a bit inconsiderate, forgetting that you haven't started the Blood Point and cultivation. Your physique can't withstand such continuous travel."

"It's okay," Jin Wei replied with a smile. "I'm just feeling a bit dizzy from the carriage's shaking." Her eyes twinkled, and her lips curled into a happy smile. She remembered the night Wu Wang had returned and simply said to her, "Do you want to come with me to Liuli City? I think I'll be living there for a long time."

Without even thinking, Jin Wei agreed immediately. At that moment, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, almost bringing her to tears. When they left together, Aunt Qing was understandably hesitant but knew they would have a better life. Even though they were heading to a distant place, she did not try to stop them. Uncle Shan, however, couldn't stop grinning. Their little courtyard was too small, the nights too long—it was finally time to loosen up!

"Qing Shan," Qiu Li said softly, "How about I help Little Jin Wei with the Blood Point tonight? I brought some Spiritual Beast Blood on the way here, originally intended for taking in disciples once we arrived in Liuli City."

Wu Wang looked down at Jin Wei, his gaze filled with inquiry.

Senior Brother Dong Gao also said, "Now that you mention it, I remember Jin Wei was also preparing for cultivation before, and she's of an appropriate age this year. Once the Blood Point begins and she has a trace of Spiritual Power in her body, let Senior Sister help her with a massage to get the Spiritual Power circulating. It will make the remaining journey much more comfortable for her."

Wu Wang mused for a moment and, looking at her somewhat pale face, asked, "What do you think?"

Jin Wei pondered briefly, then nodded slightly but couldn't help asking with some concern, "Does it hurt?"

Qiu Li said, "If you have good aptitude, it hurts, but pain is a good sign."

"Senior Sister, let me handle the procedure," Wu Wang said. "I've been thinking about a painless Blood Point method which I could try out on Little Jin Wei."

"Eh?" Jin Wei's forehead creased with a few lines of doubt, her lips puckering in slight distaste.

Qiu Li looked at Jin Wei, then back up at her junior martial brother, and asked somewhat dubiously, "You're a young man in the prime of life, and she's still a young girl. Although you call each other brother and sister, I know the real relationship between you two. During the Blood Point, I must be there to prevent you two young ones from doing something foolish. Jin Wei isn't of age to marry yet."

Wu Wang was speechless. Did he really look that much of a beast? He had two of the top beauties from the entire Great Wilderness World at home, two of them!

Jin Wei, seemingly reminded of something, not only didn't blush but also covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably, leaning back and forth in amusement. Wu Wang's mouth twitched slightly, but the atmosphere on the carriage suddenly became much more cheerful.

「That night.」

After they arrived at the small town where they would lodge, they found a decent inn. Little Jin Wei ate something and went to sleep for a while, while the three energetic Martial Artists prepared for the Blood Point ritual.

The main reason Wu Wang had asked to perform the ritual was to conceal Jin Wei's constitution so that her exceptionally outstanding physique wouldn't cause any trouble. He himself was a lesson from the past. He had been practicing diligently, without offending anyone or even wandering out of his town. Yet, he had the misfortune to run into the Martial God, who insisted on bestowing a cultivation technique upon him to form a good bond. Jin Wei's body, also condensed by Zhong, had only slightly less talent than himself. She was beautiful and had a sweet nature... Wouldn't that be too dazzling, inevitably attracting trouble? Play it safe, play it safe. This was, after all, a world outside the influence of the Heavenly Dao, and they were far from the era when one could make a flashy reemergence.

"Qing Shan, are you confident?" Qiu Li asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I've got everything prepared for her. Besides, if the Blood Point isn't successful, it won't trigger the Spirit Array; it'll just waste some Beast Blood."

Qiu Li nodded slightly. "That makes sense."

"Don't call for her; let's go to her room," Wu Wang said. "In a moment, Senior Sister, help her sleep soundly. I'll draw the Spirit Talisman for her, and then I'll leave. When she wakes up, she'll be a first-grade junior Martial Artist."

Qiu Li replied with a laugh, "It's not as simple as you make it sound."

"Let's give it a try, come on!"

With a call from Wu Wang, Qiu Li actually felt a surge of anticipation. She took Wu Wang back to the room she shared with Jin Wei. Senior Brother Dong Gao was guarding the carriage. Not to mention the half-carriage worth of valuables, the carriage itself was very expensive. Senior Brother Dong Gao meditated on the carriage to refresh himself throughout the night. The three of them could have continued day and night without stopping, but the beasts pulling the carriage needed rest.

In the guest room, Qiu Li took out two portions of Beast Blood and indicated to Wu Wang that there was no need to be too nervous. Wu Wang was quite at ease. The process of preparing the brush and mixing the blood was very smooth. When he began to draw with the blood, touching the tip of the brush to Jin Wei's back, she didn't even react...

A moment later, Wu Wang left the guest room holding a small cloth bag, a slight smile on his lips.

On the bed in the room, Qiu Li's almond eyes widened as she looked down at Jin Wei's smooth, half-exposed back, where the multicolored Divine Light was gradually being absorbed by her. The young girl smacked her lips, using her deep sleep to digest the fatigue of the journey.

Completed? And in a single stroke? Qiu Li seemed to still see the brush moving and couldn't help but attentively sense the changes in Jin Wei. The Blood Point revealed that the young girl had superior cultivation potential. She might have the chance to become a high-level Martial Spirit Realm expert in the future. Though not dazzling, it was still quite rare. —This was, of course, the result Wu Wang had intentionally concealed.

Junior Martial Brother Qing Shan is truly... Qiu Li didn't know what to say for a moment, feeling somewhat vexed. What an experience it must be to realize how incredible one's own junior martial brother is.

It's a pity Father won't be able to see the day you soar. Qiu Li sighed lightly, bent down to pull the quilt over Jin Wei, sat beside the bed, and quietly waited for dawn to break.

...

When they hit the road again, Little Jin Wei was unusually spirited. To think I slept through the night and woke up as a Martial Artist! Who said the Blood Point was excruciatingly painful! More importantly, it was Brother who did it for me.

A strand of pure Spiritual Power circulated in her body, greatly enhancing the strength in her limbs. She even thought of showing off by 'lifting her brother with one hand,' 'balancing her brother on her head,' or 'looping her brother with her braid.' At the beginning of her practice, feeling such momentous changes in herself brought her much joy. Jin Wei began to giggle without stop.

Under Wu Wang's guidance, she quickly accomplished her first meditation, her first control of Spiritual Power, and her first sensation of Spiritual Energy, among many other 'first-time' experiences. The young girl's crisp laughter also made the second half of their journey much lighter and more pleasant; Senior Sister Qiu Li gradually smiled more as well.

After fifteen days of travel, spanning nearly ten thousand miles, the three Guan Shu beasts had noticeably lost some weight.

At noon that day, as the terrain gradually rose, the carriage climbed slowly along the winding mountain path until, turning past one peak after another, Senior Brother Dong Gao exclaimed, "Look left! That is the great city of our Luili Realm!"

Wu Wang and Jin Wei both looked up, and Qiu Li also turned to look back, resting her forearm on the carriage's handrail. As the road descended, they caught sight of the forest of tall buildings in the distance. Surrounded by three mountains, on the bank of a great river, a city was built against the hillside, divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower.

The several hundred spires on the topmost level resembled towering ancient trees in primeval forests, closely packed and competing in height, with the golden battle flags of the Luili Realm fluttering everywhere. Beneath the hundreds of sharp towers, one could see the slightly gloomy and oppressive streets, and the lavishly constructed houses that were wedged into any available space along the streets. As the view extended downward, one first saw a tall city wall, and beyond it lay densely packed small buildings and wooden houses. The vertical streets sloped downward, having been built into layers of steps, resembling the Eighteen Bends of Mount Tai in Wu Wang's memory. The horizontal alleys were clean and orderly, bustling with people, featuring markets and fairs everywhere—the main hubs of activity for the locals. The lowest level was narrower, with sparser buildings, but one could see groups of Soldiers patrolling.

Wu Wang smiled and said, "Aren't we still two days away from reaching Liuli City?"

"This is the northern fortress of Liuli City and one of the three cities guarding the Divine city, Broken Mountain City." Qiu Li smiled and said, "Your Senior Martial Nephew Mo Feng's home is here. His father is a commander here, but Mo Feng should have already rushed to Liuli City, so we won't meet him for now."

Jin Wei asked, "Are we going to stay here? Is there anything fun to do?"

Dong Gao pulled on the reins to keep the three Guan Shu beasts from running too fast. "We need to delay here for a day so that Junior Martial Brother Qing Shan can show you around well. Meanwhile, the two of us will handle some of our Teacher's posthumous affairs."

Dong Gao added, "Our Teacher previously taught at the Martial Academy here for over two hundred years. Our home was originally here. After the incident with that traitor, Teacher always felt guilty. Once he retired as head of the Martial Academy, he took us away from here to that remote small town to heal, sparing us the anguish of having our limbs disabled. There are many of Teacher's old friends here, as well as students who received Teacher's guidance. We need to notify each of them…"

Qiu Li sighed softly, her eyes reddening slightly, then smiled again. "The place we are staying is quite large. There have always been people taking care of it, and we sent word in advance for them to make some preparations."

Wu Wang asked, "Senior Sister, did Teacher have any regrets in life?"

Qiu Li shook her head and smiled. "With you around, how could there be any regrets?"

Wu Wang acknowledged her words. Looking towards the city gate that was getting closer, his gaze also became softer. A small hand reached out and took hold of Wu Wang's palm voluntarily. Jin Wei's head leaned gently against him and whispered, "Brother, once we've earned enough shells, we'll bring Uncle and Aunt here."

"Alright," Wu Wang laughed. "But we'll have to ask them. They might feel uncomfortable in such a big city."

They stopped in Broken Mountain City for a day and a half. Wu Wang didn't show up to meet Teacher's old friends, staying inside the triple-entry courtyard with Jin Wei and not going out for a stroll either. Unfortunately, the entire courtyard was cold and empty, with only a few elderly servants.

When they set off again, Dong Gao and Qiu Li had changed into more refined and luxurious attire. They replaced the 'convertible' carriage with a more spacious and comfortable 'canopied' one and found an old servant to drive it. The three Guan Shu beasts were finally relieved of duty and were taken to a side courtyard to fatten up. They switched to four Guan Shu beasts to pull the carriage, each beast's sharp horn dyed golden, making them look like unicorns.

Wu Wang was puzzled at the need for such extravagance, but Senior Brother Dong Gao took the initiative to explain. "Half of those recommended for the Great Examination this time are either rich or noble. Your Senior Martial Nephew Mo Feng's family background is considered merely average here. As such a small household, we must put on a good show; otherwise, you might not even get through the gates of the Divine city."

"Right," Qiu Li said with a smile. "Junior Martial Brother, don't worry. Although the Qiu family isn't a major clan, it has been around in the Luili Realm for many years, and we do have some savings. It's just that Father disliked the dirty games in the world of fame and wealth and chose to teach at the Martial Academy. Once we arrive in Liuli City, I will introduce you to some Senior Martial Sisters, all of whom were students once guided by Father. They are quite formidable now."

Jin Wei, hugging Wu Wang's arm, said, "Can't we meet some Senior Martial Brothers instead of Senior Martial Sisters?"

"You little girl, being jealous isn't good," Qiu Li said softly. "Can't Qing Shan even talk to women in the future?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"It's not like that," Jin Wei said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Dong Gao couldn't help but look up and sigh deeply. Some people understand the reasoning but simply refuse to be reasonable.

Past Broken Mountain City, the number of bustling towns suddenly increased. This also explained why the small towns at the edge of the Luili Realm had plenty of food, but the Luili Realm itself was in a state of food crisis. There was no comparison between the two. In those remote areas, hundreds of miles of mountains could support tens of thousands of people; within a thousand miles of the Divine city, resided ninety percent of the population of the Luili Realm, yet it accounted for only half of its land. Even with developed agricultural techniques, decent productivity, and a well-organized social structure, external assistance was necessary to maintain the prosperity of this secular world.

Wu Wang suddenly felt a trace of pressure. It wasn't the pressure from the once-every-fifty-years Martial God's Twelve Realms competition; that didn't have much to do with him.

He wondered how many Divine Realms similar to the Martial God's Twelve Realms existed in the Outer Sky. In the ancient war of gods between the fourth and fifth divine eras, the gods of the Outer Sky were the defeated. They were driven out of Heaven and Earth, which led six out of ten Divine Spirits to start valuing life, lower their stances, and coexist with living beings. If all the gods beyond the Outer Sky were as brutal as the Dark Cloud God, I would not hesitate to take action. But if half of the realms beyond the Outer Sky were like the Luili Realm... Once the flames of war ignited across Heaven and Earth, the most tragic victims would be these beings living in peace; it would be their undeserved disaster.

Although a short, sharp pain is better than a prolonged one, I now clearly have a second choice. Rise to power, kill the Candle Dragon, establish a new order in the Outer Sky, merge with the Heavenly Dao, and achieve unity within and beyond the heavens! Therefore, throughout my own growth, I must remain low-profile, then even more so. Even if provoked, I must suppress my anger. I need to exchange steadiness for a higher success rate, letting my low-profile approach be the protective ship for my success…

Engrossed in thought, Wu Wang slightly furrowed his brows. Hmm? He suddenly felt several gazes spying on him, and the intruders seemed quite strong. Judging by the intensity of the Divine Thoughts he sensed, they should be experts at the Martial Spirit Realm. From the southwest, they were likely around the third grade of the Martial Spirit Realm, with probably three to four helpers, all above the Martial Soul Realm.

From inside the carriage, Wu Wang suddenly spoke up, "Is there a forest up ahead?"

Dong Gao replied immediately, "Past that hill in front, there is a forest that stretches for over a dozen miles."

"We have been targeted," Wu Wang said. "Turn the carriage around and head back to the last town."

Dong Gao was taken aback for a moment. Qiu Li asked, "Qing Shan, is this true?"

"Trust me."

Dong Gao and Qiu Li exchanged glances and immediately made a decision. The carriage quickly turned around and headed for the nearby town. They were only half a day's journey from Liuli City, and the town was patrolled by Soldiers everywhere. However, there seemed to be an invisible barrier blocking Wu Wang and his companions' path.

Wu Wang was somewhat puzzled. Who targeted me? Teacher's enemies? According to his senior martial brother and sister, Teacher had excellent relations during his teaching years. Not only did he have students all over, but he also maintained solid relationships with various generals and rarely offended anyone.

Upon reaching the town, under Wu Wang's arrangement, the four of them and the old servant took lodgings in the busiest inn. The feeling of being spied upon did not disappear. However, the spies did not approach the town; instead, they remained on the road ahead, seemingly utterly confident. Wu Wang understood in his heart that the other party must have informants close by watching them.

The old servant was naturally under Wu Wang's suspicion, but he merely isolated him. Under the pretext of needing to 'catch up on cultivation,' Wu Wang called his senior martial brother and sister together and discussed the situation with Little Jin Wei.

"Senior Martial Brother, did you mention me in Broken Mountain City?"

"I did, yes."

"Did you also mention that I am going to participate in the Great Exam?"

"It's a great thing, so of course, I'd mention it to everyone," Dong Gao said, his voice weakening slightly. "Could it be that someone worries you will take a spot?"

"Not necessarily," Wu Wang replied. "It's also possible that, recognizing I don't have much backing, they want to use me to secure a spot for themselves. Since the Liuli God has personally intervened, it seems that the Luili Realm has become the focus of the Martial God's Twelve Realms."

Qiu Li and Dong Gao exchanged a grave look. Little Jin Wei asked in a low voice, "Is there a spy from another realm?"

Wu Wang gestured for silence and asked, "Senior Martial Brother, Senior Martial Sister, do you have any trustworthy senior experts?"

"Yes," Dong Gao said. "My paternal uncle is a Martial Emperor Realm expert. He's in Liuli City and has a say in some of the Luili Realm's decisions."

Qiu Li muttered under her breath, "Well, he *is* an Elder of the Shrine Institute, so of course he has a say."

Wu Wang pondered for a while, stood up, and began pacing back and forth inside the room. He said, "You all wait here in the town for a while and write a letter to this elder, asking him to send someone to escort you three to Liuli City." With that, Wu Wang went over to his luggage and took out a brocaded box. "Little Jin Wei, don't be willful. You go with your senior martial brother and sister; otherwise, I'll have to be distracted to take care of you."

Little Jin Wei nodded immediately, her eyes full of worry.

Qiu Li frowned and asked, "Qing Shan, what are you planning to do? If there really is someone on the road ahead waiting to ambush us, we can just wait for people from Liuli City to come pick us up."

Dong Gao added, "If we can confirm that there are experts from other realms lying in ambush, we can request the local garrison for protection."

"That might startle the enemy," said Wu Wang. "I'll go and meet them."

Dong Gao frowned and scolded, "That's reckless!"

Wu Wang thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice becoming ethereal and illusory, piercing straight into their hearts. "Junior Martial Brother Qing Shan can easily handle this situation."

Qiu Li and Dong Gao both wore a look of bewilderment, murmuring to themselves, "Junior Martial Brother Qing Shan can easily handle such a situation." Then their expressions eased, and they looked at Wu Wang full of confidence.

Wu Wang internally apologized; he was unable to explain to his senior martial brother and sister, so he resorted to a subtle trick, planting a strong mental suggestion in them. He turned to look again, and Little Jin Wei was flabbergasted.

Wu Wang smiled and patted Little Jin Wei's head; she trembled and quickly said, "Brother, you can do it!"

"Yes," Wu Wang replied, gently pinching her little ear. Looking out the window, his eyes seemed to flash with the unsheathing of a sword.