"Are you always this dull in your everyday life?"

Suddenly, a soft call came from behind. Wu Wang, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, immediately opened them.

He turned around and saw the Queen Mother of the West, clad in a golden gown, slowly approaching.

The style of the gown was rather simple, with layer upon layer of lightweight gauze, perfectly obstructing both vision and Immortal Consciousness.

Wu Wang suddenly... felt a little uncomfortable.

However, this also indicated that the Queen Mother of the West probably no longer had designs on him.

Wu Wang, following the plan he had previously set, began to take his leave.

"If Senior has no further guidance, I would like to return to report to His Majesty Shen Nong."

The Queen Mother of the West's eyes gleamed playfully as she smiled and said, "What's the matter? You don't want to stay here even for a moment?"

"How could you say such a thing, Senior?"

Wu Wang replied earnestly, "This secret realm boasts scenery that is rarely found in the world. The Great Dao seems so close at hand; the slightest release of Immortal Consciousness brings insights, and a faint epiphany advances one's understanding of the Dao. Senior is one of the most outstanding Innate Gods, embodying the essence of Heaven and Earth in one being. If I could stay here for a few more days, I would rush to do so. Unfortunately, I still..."

"Then stay a couple more days," the Queen Mother of the West said with a laugh, cutting off Wu Wang's words.

Wu Wang's back almost gave out from the sudden shift, his expression complex as he looked at the Queen Mother of the West, who had now begun to laugh out loud.

This great deity chuckled light-heartedly, a touch of mockery gleaming in her phoenix eyes. As she passed by Wu Wang, her fingers reached out toward his neck.

Wu Wang tensed up, his Primordial Spirit immediately covered by layers of Daoist charm, while trying to maintain an appearance of relaxation as best as he could.

Her finger merely brushed lightly under his chin, and another stream of her gown's gauze fluttered toward Wu Wang's cheek, lingering there for a while...

Wu Wang was momentarily stunned.

With his talk of "although, but," he was about to talk himself into a corner!

It was a matter of circumstance, purely a matter of circumstance. If the Queen Mother of the West hadn't been so powerful, so high-status, and occupying such a special position between Heaven and Earth, Wu Wang wouldn't have needed to choose his words so carefully.

"What are you standing there for? Come drink with me."

The Queen Mother of the West's voice called out gently, and Wu Wang had no choice but to turn around.

The fact that he had been repeatedly teased by the Queen Mother of the West here was something that no one would believe if he told them.

Even before Wu Wang had come here, Yun Zhongjun and his mother had been unable to figure out why the Queen Mother of the West had suddenly invited him. Only the wise Elder Shen Nong had seen through it...

Eh?

How could Elder Shen Nong understand the Queen Mother of the West so well?

The wicked thoughts that had arisen in Wu Wang's mind were immediately extinguished by him.

How could it be? Elder Shen Nong had impeccable character; it seemed highly unlikely that he would do such things. There must be some kind of misunderstanding!

While he was pondering aimlessly, the scenery around him constantly changed, as if Heaven and Earth were shifting themselves. He was forcefully dragged to the glittering and splendid gate of a grand hall.

Just as Wu Wang was about to step into the place, his Dao Heart suddenly trembled slightly.

Danger?

"Attendants," the Queen Mother of the West commanded as her jade arms opened. Her figure flew into the hall surrounded by strands of Immortal Light, looking so otherworldly.

Wu Wang pondered for a moment, then lowered his head and stepped into the hall.

He secretly raised his guard to the utmost, thinking about ways to safely extract himself from the situation.

There were many Innate Spirits inside the hall, resembling clusters of mist. Upon seeing Wu Wang enter, each shaped themselves into the form of an Innate God's body.

The Queen Mother of the West took her seat at the head, while Wu Wang was directed to a low table to one side.

Dish after dish of Spirit Fruit rarely seen outside were brought forth. The majority of them were over ten thousand years old, containing highly concentrated medicinal power, and at least half had the effect of replenishing one's vital energies.

Wu Wang wondered...

Can I take them to go?

He just wanted to ask, could he pack up these Spirit Fruits?

He might not need them now, but he had to consider a pleasant life after marriage.

Then two 'human-shaped mists' brought over a jug of wine.

The Queen Mother of the West's fair hands gently swayed, and streams of clear liquid flew out, landing in Wu Wang's cup. A Daoist charm comparable to Shen Nong's Daoist liquor wafted towards him, making the corner of Wu Wang's mouth twitch slightly.

"Drink it."

The Queen Mother of the West sat on the throne, legs crossed naturally, her posture relaxed as she rested her chin in one hand and gazed leisurely at Wu Wang.

Wu Wang said with a smile, "Senior, I'm not fond of drinking."

"Then that's just perfect. I merely want to see you drunk."

"This... this is unseemly," Wu Wang said, his old face reddening as he looked directly at the Queen Mother of the West. "Please don't force me, Senior."

The Queen Mother of the West chuckled softly, simply looking down at Wu Wang.

Wu Wang slowly stood up, meeting the Queen Mother of the West's gaze. He inhaled lightly, yet seemed unwavering.

After a moment of standoff, the Queen Mother of the West hummed with some disappointment but did not exert her authority to compel Wu Wang.

She said, "This grand hall has only been visited by four Divine Spirits since the Second Divine Era. Do you know who they are?"

Wu Wang was slightly taken aback.

"The last guest was Emperor Shun, and he wasn't treated as you are," the Queen Mother of the West laughed lightly.

Wu Wang felt someone appear behind him, a hand caressing the side of his neck.

He turned around abruptly, and the mist exploded instantly.

The Queen Mother of the West's figure flickered gently. Several afterimages appeared around Wu Wang, each as solid as a real body.

That gentle voice reached straight into Wu Wang's Dao Heart:

"You are restraining yourself, unable to face the desires at the very core of your being."

"What I want to see is not you, but your desires."

"After Emperor Shun drank that cup of liquor, he realized what the Dao of Order was and forged an Order incarnation. But he always suppressed his own Order incarnation because he knew he was not as perfect as his incarnation."

"Admittedly, the strength of your self-restraint is beyond my expectations. But Wu Wang, you must release your wild nature to me."

"This is very important."

"It's extremely important to you."

"Because..."

The voice suddenly stopped. Wu Wang felt as if the Queen Mother of the West was standing right next to his ear, so close, whispering two words into it:

"Heavenly Dao."

Wu Wang's pupils shook violently, his Dao Heart nearly shattered in an instant, but his expression still did not show any significant change.

"Hehehe."

The light laughter gradually drifted away from Wu Wang's ear. The Queen Mother of the West's figure flashed in front of Wu Wang, just a zhang away.

Her figure floated slowly. Her originally mature, glamorous, and enchantingly charming face gradually transformed, revealing another beautiful yet indifferent face.

The golden skirt that adorned the Queen Mother's body slowly slid off, and a white long dress 'grew' in its place.

She was a woman with a delicate face; her features and temperament could only be described with two words.

Sacred and inviolable.

"You have one more chance. Consider it yourself."

'The Queen Mother' said in a soft voice, her gaze sharp as longswords, stabbing at Wu Wang's pupils.

Wu Wang unconsciously stepped back half a step, his foot landing on the edge of the cushion.

But then, his face showed anger. He stepped forward to reclaim that half step, looking straight into the eyes of the Queen Mother of the West, who had suddenly revealed another face.

"There's no need for further consideration."

The atmosphere in the hall dropped to a freezing point.

Wu Wang's voice sounded like a cold winter wind, causing the Innate Spirits to scurry into corners in panic.

"I refuse."

「A moment later.」

Why hasn't Master appeared after being inside for so long?

At the Kunlun Ruins, in front of Heaven's Gate.

The Whistling Snake's elongated eyes showed a hint of worry as she watched the divine body of the Enlightened Beast from afar.

Suddenly, the Enlightened Beast, which had been coiled up, stood up straight, and its nine heads roared in all directions at once.

The Enlightened Beast roared!

Behind it, the lights of the nine Heaven's Gates erupted splendidly. Countless rays of light burst forth, and the nine gates moved at once, closing in the blink of an eye and leaving ripples surging through this realm.

The Heaven's Gates closed!

But the Whistling Snake was nowhere to be seen!

Just then, a strong burst of light appeared above the central Heaven's Gate.

Within the light, the figure of the Whistling Snake was seen being thrust by a column of light, flung thousands of miles away in an instant.

"Master..."

The Whistling Snake's divine body trembled lightly, her Divine Power halted, her eyes filled with terror.

The moment she rushed into Heaven's Gate, a bronze mirror had suddenly appeared before her.

Despite her current Divine Power and divine body, she was sealed by a ray of light from this bronze mirror and was thrown directly out of Heaven's Gate.

Master!

The Whistling Snake looked down and spat out a mouthful of blood. Her long hair stood on end, her feet turning into a snake's tail. Black mist swirled around her as her divine body instantly expanded tens of times in size, and it was still rapidly growing.

With a palm, she shattered mountains. Her figure stood tall, ready to transform into her true form and surge towards the Nine Heaven's Gates.

ROAR!

The Enlightened Beast's nine heads roared in unison.

The Whistling Snake, unwilling to show weakness, opened her snake head and screeched. Under her reckless charge, the seal on her Divine Power began to loosen!

"Whistling Snake, I'm alright."

A familiar call came from in front of the Whistling Snake.

Wu Wang's figure slowly condensed, faint and almost transparent, but his aura and Daoist charm were exactly the same.

"Don't worry. Just wait here for me."

The divine light in the Whistling Snake's eyes quickly receded. Her body, which had swelled to a thousand zhang, slowly collapsed, prostrating on the ground.

"Yes, Master."

"Mm, rest for a while. I may be delayed before I can leave."

The Whistling Snake slowly closed her eyes, her divine body turning an earthy yellow and gradually merging with the earth.

Wu Wang's phantom scattered with the wind.

The Enlightened Beast was now seated again, and the gap left by the central Heaven's Gate closed with a loud bang.

「A moment before.」

After Wu Wang had said the word "refuse," the Queen Mother of the West, who maintained a holy countenance, showed no change in expression.

But suddenly, an overwhelming and extremely domineering pressure erupted from her.

Wu Wang felt as if he were a tiny boat in a boundless ocean, swaying back and forth, at any moment likely to be smashed by a wave straight into the abyss of the sea...

Yet he still stood tall.

He looked directly at the Queen Mother of the West, without any sign of retreat.

He was gambling, gambling that in her current state, the Queen Mother of the West would not truly take action against him.

It was also a remark from the Queen Mother of the West that had reminded him.

"Emperor Shun's Order incarnation."

Senior Fu Xi's fragmented records had once mentioned such a principle: Emperor Shun was the creator of order in the current world, but he himself had personal desires.

Indulging personal desires would inevitably disrupt order.

To maintain absolute rationality in order to uphold order, one's personal desires must be suppressed.

Thus, personal desire and order were bound to diverge.

Indeed, all sentient beings possess three natures: the divine, the beastly, and the human.

When the Queen Mother of the West mentioned "Heavenly Dao," Wu Wang immediately realized that today's affair was not so simple; the Queen Mother of the West definitely knew something.

Elder Shen Nong once said while drunk, "The existence of the Divine Punishment Dao is to prevent Heaven and Earth itself from developing a will; such a will would be supreme over all creatures."

The role of the Queen Mother of the West in the Great Wilderness might be that of a supervisor, a Guardian. She possesses the ability to peer into the future, and through it, she had seen his effort in establishing the Heavenly Dao.

The one who had entertained him yesterday might very well be the wild side of the Queen Mother of the West, one that did not suppress her own desires, nor needed to suppress them.

In that state, the Queen Mother of the West could definitely have destroyed him.

And the Queen Mother of the West who now appeared before him might just represent the divine aspect of the Queen Mother of the West.

To supervise Heaven and Earth, how could she not follow some rules and restrictions?

Wu Wang was betting that the Queen Mother of the West in this state would act according to rules. Her pressuring him to reveal his wild side was also to achieve some form of 'supervisory' purpose!

Queen Mother of the West might... not be a Strong God in the ordinary sense.

Therefore, Wu Wang chose to refuse.

He stood tall, his gaze bold and direct as he met the Queen Mother of the West's, ready for all consequences. He even started waiting for that toll of the Zhong.

"Tsk."

The Queen Mother of the West suddenly let out a light chuckle.

Following that, the heavy pressure surrounding them melted away like a spring breeze. The Queen Mother of the West's figure suddenly split in two, floating in front of Wu Wang.

The 'Queen Mother of the West' on the left wore a golden gown, her smile becoming more pronounced until she finally threw back her head and laughed heartily, her manner bold and unrestrained.

The 'Queen Mother of the West' on the right wore a white gown, still maintaining her solemn and dignified demeanor as she looked down at Wu Wang, her eyes filled only with contemplation.

Amid the laughter, the two of them slowly retreated backward, eventually turning into thin sheets of paper and merging into two murals on the wall.

In the mural on the left, the Queen Mother of the West had disheveled hair and a leopard tail, her smile seemingly capable of stirring the most primal desires of all creatures and Divine Spirits.

In the mural on the right, the Queen Mother of the West, clad in a white gown, stood quietly atop a mountain range, holding a cleansing bottle in her right hand and a bronze mirror in her left, while layers of Treasure Wheels appeared behind her.

"Why must you make things so complicated?"

A gentle sigh came from the Queen Mother of the West's throne, where an iridescent cloud had materialized at some unknown time.

Wu Wang could vaguely see a face within but only managed to make out a pair of thin lips.

She said, "Entwine with my wild incarnation a few times, let her smoothly complete her exploration of your Great Dao, and leave behind some pleasant memories for both sides. Would that not be acceptable?"

The iridescent glow surged, and Wu Wang could sense that this small world seemed about to seal itself completely.

At this moment, from within the clouds surrounding the throne, a light chuckle emerged, "You do have a fine subordinate. Go comfort her; I will wait for your return here."

In Wu Wang's mind, the image of the Whistling Snake transforming into her true form to assault Heaven's Gate at the Kunlun Ruins appeared immediately. He also sensed the emergence of a rift in Heaven and Earth in a corner of the hall.

He immediately employed a wind-riding technique, passing through the rift between Heaven and Earth to return to the mortal realm...

Upon opening his eyes again, Wu Wang saw the figure on the throne.

He was taken aback at first, then stood up tall, staring at the 'third' Queen Mother of the West sitting on the throne. His head spun, his Primordial Spirit quivered on the Immortal Platform, and he blurted out without a second thought, "I have seen you!"

"Oh? Have you?"

The Queen Mother of the West chuckled lightly. She raised her hand to adjust the cloud-like coiffure on her head, her fingers brushing past a lock of hair as she smiled and said, "It's rare for the Wuwang Palace Lord to remember a minor Xuan Nu Sect disciple with whom he has had but two fleeting encounters."

The mockery in her words was surprisingly piercing.

The figure revealed atop the throne was actually dressed in a pale pink immortal gown commonly seen in the Human Domain, with a lovely face and a dainty figure. The sleeves of her gown were even embroidered with the words "Xuan Nu."

"You were in the Human Domain?"

Wu Wang had now calmed down.

"Mm, just whiling away some boring years."

The Queen Mother of the West sighed lightly. Her gown transformed into Immortal Light, solidifying directly into a white gown and gray robe, her cloud-like hair automatically falling loose.

She bit onto a wooden hairpin, skillfully gathered her long hair with both hands, then inserted the hairpin at an angle, looking up at Wu Wang beside her.

"Regrets?"

The Queen Mother of the West asked with a light laugh.

"Regret what?"

Wu Wang was still a bit dazed.

Her fair chin lifted slightly toward the wall beside her, a hint of mischief in her eyes as she smiled and said, "That was also me. Although it's a past incarnation, it's the true Queen Mother of the West known to the Strong gods. Let me think, doesn't forming a special relationship with such a powerful existence give you a sense of satisfaction?"

Wu Wang let out a relieved sigh and slumped back onto the soft cushion. "Great God, please don't torment me anymore. If you want something, please speak plainly."

The Queen Mother of the West on the throne spoke indifferently, "I was merely summoned back forcefully, and it wasted quite a decent identity... Don't rush. Let me see what has happened first."

With a wave of her fair hand, a copper mirror with patterns nearly rubbed smooth appeared in her grasp. She held it and examined it closely for a good while.

Wu Wang curiously asked from her side, "Senior's incarnations all have independent consciousness?"

The Queen Mother of the West, still focused on the copper mirror, casually replied, "They are not my incarnations; they are all me. This is a method of cultivation: to sever the benevolent self, the malevolent self, and the true self. This method of Dao cultivation is no longer suitable for the current Heaven and Earth. The one speaking to you now is the true self. The true self is self-awareness; the reason I am 'I' is because the true self remains. Like an anchor, it secures the self so it is not lost. No matter how the benevolent self and malevolent self act up—whether the former wishes to dedicate itself to Heaven and Earth, or the latter wishes to fall as a slave to desire—neither can interfere with the true self. Oh? So it's like that. You actually might be able to create a new order... The era of living beings is indeed approaching."

The Queen Mother of the West looked up at Wu Wang, her slightly surprised expression vivid and real.

Wu Wang frowned and asked, "Senior, don't you usually manage this place?"

"They are all me. What difference does it make who handles these matters? It's just routine."

The Queen Mother of the West spread her hands and rose from her throne, sauntering toward Wu Wang.

Her face, which Wu Wang couldn't quite describe or even fully see, lifted subtly. She said indifferently, "I have lived from the First Divine Era to the present, beginning to appear before the gods in the Third Divine Era. I have lived through an excessively long time. If I don't find things to do, to add some memories that can support me through these pale years... even though I have severed both benevolent and malevolent selves, I am still at risk of collapsing."

They were merely a foot apart as she looked at Wu Wang with a half-smile.

"I'll give you two choices again. One is to undergo the interrogation of the Great Dao with me. The other is to achieve Yin and Yang harmony with my malevolent incarnation, a Primordial Spirit Exchange, thoroughly opening up your own Great Dao."

She chuckled softly, then suddenly leaned in close to Wu Wang, whispering, "With my assistance, the goals you wish to achieve will be within reach. And the events that transpire here will remain unknown to anyone and will not affect your reputation in the Human Domain. What my malevolent self needs is just the pleasure of conquest, but what you can gain is the effortless usurpation of Emperor Shun."

Wu Wang asked in a serious voice, "Is there a third option?"

The Queen Mother of the West maintained her smile and said softly, "The third choice is for me to activate the Divine Punishment Dao, to erase all factors threatening the stability of Heaven and Earth, and to maintain the steady progression of Heaven and Earth."

"The interrogation of the Great Dao," Wu Wang replied with a polite smile.

"Is that so?"

The Queen Mother of the West's eyes showed a trace of contemplation. She raised her hand and lightly patted Wu Wang's shoulder, smiling as she said, "Could it be that you don't trust the promises I've given you? Or, perhaps you have some aversion to my malevolent self?"

"Senior," Wu Wang paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, "these words... have Emperor Shun, Candle Dragon, and the Second and Third Divine Kings also heard them?"

A touch of cold light flitted through the Queen Mother of the West's eyes.

But Wu Wang's eyes were like an abyss, as though there was a vortex that drew in the Queen Mother of the West's gaze.

He took a half step forward, leaning in, his body only three feet from the Queen Mother of the West. Leveraging his Dao body, which was half a foot taller than hers, he looked down at her.

"By now, Senior must have confirmed that I am not the same as that Emperor Shun. It has always been Senior who has been giving me choices. Then, I also want to give Senior a choice. The Divine Punishment Dao is independent of the Great Dao, yet it is also a part of the order. Senior has always been a subordinate to the Lord of Order of each generation of Divine Kings. Even with the title of monitoring order, you lack the actual power to do so. You can only stand apart from the order, isn't that right?"

Wu Wang gave a faint smile, his voice quite deep. "It's too early for me to say these things now. Senior, why not look further into the future? If there truly comes a day when I rise, Senior's Divine Punishment Dao might have the opportunity to run parallel to the order, to truly transcend the order, and operate alongside the Dao of Order. Or perhaps, to remove the 'West' from your title. Revered by all gods, the Heavenly Queen Mother, wielding Heavenly Punishment, respected by the Heavenly Emperor. You've already proven to me that you won't avoid your desires, right? Since Senior is aware of the existence of the Heavenly Dao, then as the leader of the Heavenly Dao, I hereby extend an invitation to you. The Heavenly Dao is order, it is rules, reigning above all beings, yet its principle is to regulate and protect all beings. In the future of Heaven and Earth, Divine Punishment and order will be complementary, parallel, and independent. The Heavenly Dao... needs a founder like you."