CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: MEETING THE FATHER-IN-LAW! [EXTRA]

When he first awoke, Jingwei was kneeling beside him, making Wu Wang think it had all been a dream.

Jingwei looked quite weary. Seeing that Wu Wang was unharmed, her form emitted a wisp of pale smoke as she transformed into a bird and soared away, the colorful feather on her forehead quickly brightening.

Wu Wang blinked, feeling as if his head had been wrapped like a ’mummy,’ and his mind was flooded with images.

What happened to me...

"Thank you, Fairy Immortal!" he said, then got up to bow towards Jingwei’s retreating figure before quickly rushing to the seashore. With a slight thought, starlight gathered from all around, vivid even during the day.

His Divine Thought had greatly increased!

He couldn’t wait to confirm just how much his Divine Thought had been amplified. Staring at his own reflection in the water, he seemed completely unchanged from before.

After unwrapping the cloth strips from his face, Wu Wang discovered they were torn from his own trousers, which were now shorts.

This...

Luckily, the preparations for courting the Fairy Immortal included shaving my leg hair.

Let’s be serious!

Wu Wang stared at his reflection on the surface of the sea for a while and found nothing odd about himself; he was still the clean-cut Young Master of the Northern Wilderness. He sighed in relief.

He had thought he might have turned into a monster, like that Wang Lin whom he had blasted to bits, or like that drop of Qiong Qi Essence Blood.

He lifted his hand to grasp the necklace on his chest and whispered, "Mother... Mother?"

No response.

Accordingly, Wu Wang stood by the sea and waited for a while, then suddenly uttered, "Transform!"

Silence.

Was it really a dream?

Wu Wang blushed and looked inward, seeing the fire mana from the Yan Emperor Technique slowly circulating within him. There were no traces of meridians left in his body; the circulation of the Heavenly Cycle had sped up several times, and his mana had increased manifold.

Upon careful perception, he realized he was already in the late stage of the Condensation Establishment Realm, and a slight sense of enlightenment spread through his heart; he had already touched the threshold of the Golden Core Realm.

He took a light breath, and a deep purple crescent moon mark appeared on his forehead. The limited space within the great formation suddenly reflected in his Spirit Platform, every detail vividly presented.

"Praise the Star God," he whispered, a segment of the Praying Star Technique’s incantation passing through his mind as he extended his hand towards the sea’s surface.

Wind, strong wind.

Streams of strong wind surged from around him towards the sea, quickly forming a small-scale waterspout, whipping up large quantities of fish and shrimp from the ocean.

My strength seems to have increased quite a lot.

With a slight understanding rising in his heart, Wu Wang took a light breath, and dots of azure-blue light shone from his eyes.

The Dao of Stars, made manifest in the Heavenly Cycle!

In the next instant:

「Paid Effect」: Wu Wang’s surroundings seemed filled with starlight, a dark starry sky appearing around him; the sun’s rays hidden, a full moon suspended high in the starry sky, and two intersecting milky ways brightly shining. Bathed in starlight, Wu Wang appeared to don silver-white Battle Armor, standing between the water and the heavens.

「Ordinary Scene」: His body seemed to have a hundred and eight tiny holes leaking light.

Wu Wang’s fire-attribute mana was instantly coated with a layer of silver light, and the Yan Emperor Token at his Spirit Platform pulsed gently as a ball of flame, making him seem like a War God of the Starry Sky.

Such immense power, as if my body concealed the might of mountains.

And looking down now...

GULP.

Wu Wang, at this time, was only wearing his torn trousers, which conveniently revealed the strange transformation of his body.

Reflected in the sea, a layer of golden light covered his calves. Close-knit, hard scales clung to his legs, appearing sleek and glistening.

The soles of his feet remained the same, but his toes had turned into sharp claws.

Wu Wang carefully pulled apart his trousers with his right hand for a closer look and let out a slight sigh of relief... Everything is normal, no mutations there.

The scales on his legs stopped beyond the bend of his knees, existing only on the outer side of his thighs, gradually fading away as they neared his hips.

His upper body was generally normal, but his entire left arm had undergone the most significant change. Several sharp scales, like daggers, had appeared on his shoulder, and his hand had also turned into a claw.

Feeling carefully, there was no hidden pain in his body, and the Star Power flowed ceaselessly within him.

He tried to swipe forward with a claw, producing a whining sound in the wind. Strangely, three gashes appeared on the surface of the sea, parting the water to both sides...

This?

Wu Wang stealthily glanced at the Jingwei bird, slightly bent his knees, and, estimating the force, made a small leap.

BANG! With a loud explosion, the sand erupted, forming a large pit. Wu Wang shot up into the sky like an arrow released from its bow. Before he could react, he crashed directly into the great formation’s light barrier in the air, causing the barrier to tremble softly.

The next instant, a surge of golden light erupted from the barrier, and Wu Wang was flung back, crashing into the sea and sending up a high wave.

Jingwei, who had been busy filling the sea, turned its head to look, its gaze instantly becoming somewhat sharp.

"It’s nothing!" Wu Wang shouted as he leaped out of the sea, the abnormalities on his arms and legs already gone. Star Wings spread behind him as he yelled, "I’m cultivating!"

Jingwei turned its little head away, the colorful feathers on its forehead gently flashing with light, and continued its task of filling the sea.

Wu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, landed on the far end of the small island away from the Divine Tree, set up multiple barriers, and sat within them... gradually withdrawing into himself.

How am I supposed to go to the Human Domain like this? To serve as target practice?

If the fact that I can transform were exposed, I’d definitely be treated as a spy from the Ten Evils Hall.

Of course, the reason for his transformation was that his mother, in order to help him avoid the Star God’s divine punishment, had procured the Star God’s Essence Blood for him. Deep down, he was still of pure Human race blood from the Northern Wilderness.

This...

In my past life, some films and shows kept promoting the idea that ’the rich rely on technology, the poor rely on mutation.’ How come it doesn’t work for me?

Is it because I, the Young Master of North Wilderness, don’t have enough resources, or is the second boss behind the Star God Cult running low on Spirit Stones?

Speaking of which, isn’t Mother’s identity a bit too complex? Although I don’t have a single clue, could the leader of the Sun Ritual really obtain the Star God’s Essence Blood so easily?

Considering how cautious the Star God is towards the beings of the Northern Wilderness, even if divine authority were delegated, there’s no way that much power would be granted to the Sun Ritual!

Could it be that some of my audacious ideas about the Star God were things Mother had already begun to implement before she even gave birth to me?

Wu Wang subconsciously picked out some clothes for himself and sat there, lost in thought.

What path should I take in the future? Do I still go to the Human Domain?

Does this transformation have any side effects? Will it affect my physical development? Will any children I have exhibit atavistic traits?

He pondered quietly, from daylight until nightfall.

Reflecting on the past, had I been too successful? Did an arrogance lurk deep within my heart, to the extent that it prevented me from meticulously observing this Great Wilderness world?

Leaving the Northern Wilderness, looking back at it, I suddenly realized there’s so much I don’t understand; even my closest mother has many secrets she can’t reveal to me.

Why didn’t Mother tell me these things?

Perhaps she felt I still couldn’t be relied upon?

Wu Wang let out a gentle sigh, lay down on the beach with his arm as a pillow, closed his eyes, and focused, as various memories flowed quietly through his mind.

Having been granted a second life, how could I let it go to waste?

Although he hadn’t found a clear goal in life, it was time for him to rally his spirits. Wu Wang lay there motionless for a long time, as if he had fallen asleep.

As the sun began to set in the west, he grasped the necklace and called out gently twice, receiving a somewhat faint response.

’It’s good as long as Mother is safe.’

The Divine Light gradually faded from Wu Wang’s eyes, making them look ordinary, yet a bit more profound.

The secret of the Star Power entering my body and transforming into a Dragon Claw must not be known by any third party, apart from Mother and myself.

If Senior Shen Nong, upon arriving later, cannot see through the disguise I will put up, then I can continue to go to the Human Domain and take necessary measures to protect myself.

If Senior Shen Nong can see through it with just a glance, then there’s no need for me to venture into the Human Domain. I can simply return to the Northern Wilderness and live securely as its Young Master, waiting for the instigator of the strange illness to appear.

The first step is to seal my Star Power and use the Praying Star Technique to conceal its fluctuations.

The second step is to seal the Praying Star Technique itself. Later, unless absolutely necessary, I must not use even the basic Praying Star Technique, to avoid triggering any anomalies.

The third step is to move the Yan Emperor Token in front of my Divine Soul, ensuring that anyone probing my Divine Soul discovers this item first.

The fourth step is to seal most of my Divine Thought, temper my body with fire Spiritual Energy, and outwardly display the Dao of Fire...

All in all, six layers of disguise; this was the limit of what he could achieve at that moment.

If Senior Shen Nong cannot see through these disguises, I will choose to confess directly, telling him everything that happened in detail, and strive to gain the support of this Human Emperor.

This, then, would be my greatest support for navigating the Human Domain.

All I would need is for the Human Emperor to help me spread a rumor—’A Golden Dragon will appear in the Human Domain’—and even if my physical transformation is exposed, the danger could be averted.

After completing all these preparations, the fluctuations of Wu Wang’s aura returned to calm, making him seem like an ordinary Cultivator at the late Condensation Establishment Realm.

He took out a Jade Talisman, pondering as he inscribed something within it, which, even if obtained by someone else, might be indecipherable.

Its name!

"Star God True Scripture, Chapter One: Detailed Code of Conduct for Traversing the Great Wilderness."

Although I am somewhat resistant to the transformation in my heart, I must also thoroughly investigate my strength post-transformation, its duration, and my body’s various reactions.

’I am human.’

Wu Wang chanted quietly in his heart, closed his eyes to concentrate, and the Spiritual Energy within the barrier slowly gathered towards him; the cultivation speed of the Yan Emperor Technique had unexpectedly increased quite a bit.

Of course, these minor details couldn’t interfere with more important matters.

His mind now calm, Wu Wang began to ponder what treasures to bring for the meeting thirty-six days later to continuously maintain Fairy Jingwei’s sense of novelty.

...

「And so, their second date with Miss Jingwei arrived.」

Wu Wang brought out a shadow puppet theater he had handcrafted over half a month. Accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, he made the fairy laugh so hard she fell off a tree branch.

As they neared parting this time, Wu Wang specifically asked her if she had noticed anything when she had saved him before.

Jingwei said thoughtfully, "Is there some fierce beast inside the barrier? Your wound looked like it was made by sharp claws, but you’re very strong; you recovered quickly."

Wu Wang joked, "Is that why you ruined my clothes?"

"I did not."

Her cheeks turned a bit red. Then she turned her head to look at Wu Wang, moved her smooth, slender legs closer, and whispered, "Then I’ll change into a long skirt, and I could tear it for you as compensation."

Wu Wang, on the other hand, blushed deeply and stammered, unable to articulate a proper response.

Isn’t this... progressing too quickly?

Jingwei blinked slightly, suddenly realized something, and with a POP, her form burst into blue smoke. She transformed into a bird and darted into the treetop with lightning speed.

"Jin Wei! Jin Wei!"

’Hmph, I’m annoyed! I’m not talking to you anymore!’ —That was probably the meaning.

Wu Wang laughed twice, packed up his shadow puppet box, and found an open space near the Divine Wood to ponder how to construct a charming little wooden hut.

The Crystal Balls he had brought from the Northern Wilderness would make pretty decent decorative lamps.

Wu Wang had never racked his brains like this for anything before.

The ’Bright Moon Over the Sea Lantern Exhibition’ on the third date, the mana-simulated fireworks and colorful butterflies on the fourth, the boat ride on the fifth... the sandcastle fortress on the sixteenth...

Thirty-six days became a fixed interval; time here had lost all other meaning.

On the island, their figures traversed the beach and walked through the medicine fields. The distance between them grew ever smaller as they gradually grew closer.

On the beach at midnight, several Crystal Balls emitted a soft, glowing light. The girl in the light green skirt danced gracefully, her silvery laughter echoing back and forth.

Wu Wang played the zither and flute by her side, his heart forgetting all worries.

Perhaps she was tired from dancing; she floated over to sit by Wu Wang, gently let out a breath, curled up her legs, and rested her cheek on her knees, her eyes intently gazing at Wu Wang’s face.

"Can you stay with me a few more days?"

"As long as you don’t send me away, I’ll naturally be here," Wu Wang said, putting aside his instruments with a smile. "What would you like to do the next time we meet?"

"Don’t put so much thought into it anymore," Jingwei said, pursing her lips slightly and adding softly, "Just you keeping me company to talk and chat already makes me very, very happy."

Wu Wang narrowed his eyes with a smile, proactively moving closer to her, his fingers brushing the ends of her hair that fell over her shoulder.

Her cheeks turned a slight red, but she did not shy away.

"Wu Wang, why... why are you so good to me..."

"The reason is actually quite complex," Wu Wang said after careful thought, stating calmly, "Although at first, it was because of certain special reasons that I felt a great fondness for you and wanted to be physically intimate with you. But later, I felt that perhaps being able to meet here, being so close to you, might just be the reason I’ve come all this way."

"Wu Wang..."

Jingwei’s eyes were slightly unfocused. She didn’t even realize when she had sat up, supporting herself with her hands behind her.

For some reason, she always wanted to be closer to this man before her, to see clearly the starlight held within his eyes.

And without knowing why, her spiritual mind was already swaying, somewhat blank, as she felt his breath and slowly closed her eyes.

Wu Wang’s mind had also ceased to ponder. His slightly narrowed eyes gazed at the charming, flushed face before him, and he felt that this life had not been lived in vain; he had no other pursuits.

On the beach, the two figures drew closer and closer.

He saw her thin lips quiver, so enchantingly crystal-clear; she saw his red lips and white teeth, a result of him having routinely brushed his teeth and scrubbed himself clean an hour ago.

In an instant, their lips were about to... mee...

"Cough! AHEM!"

Frozen.

The two figures became as if sculpted in clay, fixed in place. Black lines covered Wu Wang’s forehead. Jingwei let out a soft gasp, turned, burst into a puff of blue smoke, transformed into a bird, and flew away swiftly, the entire sequence of actions performed in one smooth motion, leaving behind a few soft ’whimpers’.

Wu Wang’s fist clenched tight.

He turned his head and glared at the old man who had appeared on the beach at some unknown moment—with his straw cloak, bare feet, and spirited face. Wu Wang growled and pounced at him.

Shen Nong!

This Young Master will fight you to the death!

Shen Nong, at first, laughed guiltily, letting Wu Wang cause a ruckus. But as he laughed, he suddenly remembered something, twisted his hand to press down on Wu Wang’s neck, and engaged in a fierce scuffle with him, even breaking into a tirade:

"My daughter only has a remnant soul left, and you still won’t let her go! You scoundrel, I actually misjudged you!"

Wu Wang’s grip instantly weakened by a third.