Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?

“It’s only been a month. How could his power have risen so quickly?” Ghost Guilt Sovereign muttered angrily, his voice laden with deep suspicion.

To a Yang God Sovereign, a month’s time was barely enough for a few deep breaths or a blink of the eye. Yet, the very man they had pursued, the Imperial Hall’s Envoy, had suddenly become strong enough to match them. What’s worse, his eerie ability to vanish at will left them helpless, forced into the defensive, allowing him to strike at will.

“What kind of grudge does this Envoy hold against you all? Could it be that... the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner and the Imperial Banner are somehow connected?” the emissary from the Taihuang Palace asked, eyes filled with curiosity.

Ghost Guilt Sovereign’s expression hardened. “Nonsense. He’s just twisting the facts! The Ten Thousand Souls Banner is our natal celestial treasure. How could it belong to anyone else?”

Every cultivator within Ghost Heaven possesses a natal weapon, which evolves over time into a spiritual weapon, an immortal weapon, and ultimately, a celestial treasure. For these cultivators, this weapon is the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. The more lives the banner devours, the stronger it grows, and the more power a Ghost Heaven cultivator commands.

Ghost Yuan Sovereign suddenly recalled something and murmured, “Could it actually be...the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner?”

Ghost Guilt Sovereign’s face darkened.

At the very heart of Ghost Heaven lay the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, an offensive creation treasure controlled by the Banner Master. All Ten Thousand Souls Banners forged by other Ghost Heaven cultivators were based on it. Yet, the origins of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner were shrouded in mystery. It was simply known to have once belonged to a Supreme Being.

That Supreme Being had vanished mysteriously, and the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner fell to the current Banner Master.

The three Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns present fell silent, knowing that matters regarding the Banner Master were beyond their place to discuss.

“No matter who he is or what his reasons, seeking the Ten Thousand Souls Banner makes him an enemy of Ghost Heaven, and he must be annihilated!” Ghost Guilt Sovereign said furiously.

A deep sense of foreboding crept over him. This encounter had shown him that Ghost Heaven was powerless to restrain the Imperial Hall’s Envoy.

“We must tread carefully and stop treating him as simply another variant Yang God,” advised one of the Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns.

Initially, they had not thought the Envoy to be a threat; after all, any Supreme Truth Sovereign could easily overpower him. But it now appeared that only the Great Supreme Truths among them could face him—any other Yang Gods from Ghost Heaven shattered upon contact.

At that moment, Ghost Yuan Sovereign looked pointedly at the emissary from Taihuang Palace.

“Your Excellency, the Envoy is constantly lurking nearby, and our campaign against Demon Abyss is severely hindered,” Ghost Yuan Sovereign said helplessly.

The campaign was only possible thanks to Taihuang Palace’s support; otherwise, Ghost Heaven would never have dared to antagonize Demon Abyss, especially with Black Sword on their side. Should Black Sword reach the Great Supreme Truth realm, Ghost Heaven would be in dire straits.

“This Envoy has undermined Taihuang Palace’s plans and must die!” the emissary said coldly, his eyes filled with killing intent.

The plan to eliminate Black Sword had been meticulous, ready to unfold flawlessly. But then the Envoy had appeared, causing their efforts to fail.

“When the Lynia Transformation begins, he will die, and his true spirit will be destroyed. He won’t even have a chance to enter the Sole Hall!” The Taihuang Palace emissary declared boldly.

The three Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns of Ghost Heaven sighed with relief. With the reassurance of Taihuang Palace’s support, they felt much more at ease. With a Supreme overseeing the Lynia Transformation, no matter how powerful the Envoy was, he would surely meet his end.

“Let him run wild for now,” Ghost Guilt Sovereign said coldly.

The Lynia Transformation would begin soon, and time was running out for the Envoy.

Yet as soon as the words left his mouth, Ghost Guilt Sovereign’s face froze in alarm.

“How dare he!”

He let out a furious roar.

The two other Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns widened their eyes, and even their calm hearts were shaken.

A blood-red haze filled Ghost Pass, suffused with a deadly aura, so intense it seemed to seep into one’s very bones. In the Star Realm, a star suddenly shone brightly before crumbling into nothingness. And then another star followed, disintegrating the same way.

At that moment, a cold, hoarse voice echoed across Ghost Pass.

“Apologies, I’m back again!”

“Good thing I returned—otherwise, how would I have heard you slandering me behind my back?”

“You dare to steal my Imperial Banner and then defame me? Truly unforgivable!”

A figure draped in blood-red armor stood tall and formidable, wielding a fiendish blood sword that seized the eyes. Cloaked in blood, he looked every inch a death god, his chilling gaze sending a shiver down the spines of every Ghost Heaven cultivator present.

Moments earlier, Ghost Pass had been left in turmoil from a fierce battle, and they had yet to fully recover from the shock—yet here he was again.

And once more, he had slain two Yang God Sovereigns.

Yang Gods weren’t as common as cabbages! Some of the cultivators present had never even seen a Yang God in their lives, and now they had watched them fall one after another.

“You…” Ghost Guilt Sovereign was at a loss for words.

The other Yang God Sovereigns were scattered, some fleeing, others hiding, while the stronger ones fixed Qi Yuan with piercing stares.

The Taihuang Palace emissary spoke up, his eyes flashing. “Envoy, would you consider giving us a moment to sit down with the Ghost Heaven leaders and discuss matters?”

It was clear that he was attempting to buy time, hoping to hold off the Envoy until the Lynia Transformation, at which point they could settle the matter for good.

“And why would I give you face? What, are you Wu Yanzu, or maybe Eddie Peng?” Qi Yuan looked at the Taihuang Palace emissary with utter disdain.

“You’re the one who badmouthed me the most. I hold grudges, you know, so you’re guilty by association with these thieves of my Imperial Banner!”

The Taihuang Palace emissary’s face turned red and white in succession. “Do you have any idea who I am or whose authority I represent?” he asked in disbelief.

“You already want me dead, so why would I care about your authority?” Qi Yuan replied, feeling bewildered.

It seemed to him that the emissary was rather lacking in sense. In his years of cultivation, he had met many such people.

The emissary sensed the Envoy’s killing intent and grew fearful, though he replied boldly, “The Lynia Transformation is imminent. You’d best avoid needless entanglements, or you may find yourself with nowhere to go in the Six Heavens!”

The emissary’s pride lay in his backing.

“How about a suggestion?” Qi Yuan asked, smirking. “Consider sleeping in the same room as Ghost Guilt Sovereign and Ghost Yuan Sovereign tonight. Otherwise… well, you know.”

The threat in Qi Yuan’s tone was unmistakable.

Ghost Guilt Sovereign and Ghost Yuan Sovereign’s faces turned red with fury, and they immediately launched simultaneous attacks against Qi Yuan.

The Taihuang Palace emissary’s expression flickered between red and white. He had felt the full force of the Envoy’s killing intent and was now regretting his decision to step forward.

The three Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns struck.

Qi Yuan grinned brightly. “I’ll save my strength for next time, so I’ll leave my cherished White Moonlight companions here for now. Goodbye!”

Of his White Moonlight foes, some shone brighter than others. These Great Supreme Truth Sovereigns were the brightest of all.

And with that, Qi Yuan vanished without hesitation.

“Argh!” Ghost Guilt Sovereign roared, his voice filled with fury.

The Yang God Sovereigns were all burdened with worry.

Those of the Heaven Rank in particular were deeply fearful. In mere moments, they had witnessed six Yang Gods meet their deaths. If they included the incident from a month ago, that number rose to seven.

This was a devastating loss for Ghost Heaven.

A quiet voice broke the silence. “Ghost Guilt Sovereign, Ghost Pass is riddled with vulnerabilities. If we linger here, we risk calamity…”

The implication was clear—they wished to return to Ghost Heaven and leave Ghost Pass. No one could predict when the Envoy would strike next.

In fact, if he suddenly appeared now, no one would be surprised. He had attacked twice in rapid succession before, with barely a breath between strikes.

The Yang God Sovereigns, burdened with anxiety, kept constant watch.

“It’s too dangerous to remain here.”

“We came to confront Demon Abyss, and yet we’ve already lost so many.”

Their collective murmurs grew louder, filled with hints of retreat.

Ghost Guilt Sovereign’s expression darkened. He didn’t know how to reassure them.

How could he? He was powerless against the Envoy.

What were they to do? Cultivate in pairs and keep constant watch?

At that moment, a vast, ethereal voice resonated in the minds of all the Yang God Sovereigns.

“The shadow of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner will envelop Ghost Pass. Rest easy, all of you.”

At the sound of this voice, the assembled Yang Gods bowed in reverence.

“Thank you, Banner Master!”

It was clear that this voice belonged to none other than Ghost Heaven’s pillar, the Banner Master himself.

Now, the Banner Master would enshroud Ghost Pass with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner’s shadow, protecting them from further attacks by the Envoy.

The Banner Master came and went swiftly.

Only moments after the Banner Master’s voice faded, a colossal and foreboding Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner appeared, stretching endlessly across the vast reaches of Ghost Pass, as though it could sweep through the stars. Within the vast banner, terrifying spirits seemed to linger at its edges, watching over all directions, safeguarding Ghost Pass.

Seeing this, the Yang God Sovereigns breathed a little easier.

“With the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner here, there’s no way the Imperial Hall’s Envoy could enter!”

“And even if he does, the warning system will alert us, leaving nothing to fear!”

“Still… this isn’t a permanent solution,” murmured another Yang God Sovereign, sighing.

As long as the Envoy roamed free, they would never feel entirely safe. His movements were too unpredictable; he could reappear at any moment, catching them off guard. If one hadn’t yet ascended to Supreme Truth, the Envoy could swiftly annihilate them.

“Everyone, have no fear. The Imperial Hall’s Envoy won’t be able to run wild much longer,” the Taihuang Palace emissary assured them with a tone of arrogance.

Hearing this, the other Yang God Sovereigns were further reassured.

“With Taihuang Palace here, the Envoy is indeed nothing worth worrying about!”

“When the Lynia Transformation begins, it’ll be the day of the Envoy’s demise!”

The Yang God Sovereigns lavished praise on the Taihuang Palace emissary, feeding his ego.

After a few more breaths, their discussions quieted, and the Yang God Sovereigns dispersed, each returning to their own domains.

Ghost Guilt Sovereign and Ghost Yuan Sovereign also prepared to leave.

Just then, the Taihuang Palace emissary seemed to recall the Envoy’s earlier comment, and a shiver ran down his spine.

“Actually, you two… care to stay here tonight, perhaps… for a game of chess?”

In truth, he was terrified, hesitant to be left alone.

Though the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner now guarded them, he wanted to be cautious.

...

Elsewhere, far in the distance, Qi Yuan looked toward Ghost Pass, a look of disappointment in his eyes.

“So shameless!” he scoffed. “Using an offensive creation treasure as a barrier—how am I supposed to get through now?”

While he could still enter, doing so now would certainly alert them to his presence.

And once discovered, his surprise attacks would no longer be effective.

After all, the Yang God Sovereigns were his equals in speed when it came to fleeing.

This was typical, though. He’d heard of a land called Fighting Spirit Continent, where if a mere Fighter was pursued by an Emperor, they didn’t need to fear—as long as the Emperor’s steed wasn’t as swift.

Watching the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, a hint of caution appeared in Qi Yuan’s eyes.

The banner displayed a description in his mind:

[The Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, a shadow forged from countless spirits, highly skilled in soul attacks. Under certain conditions, it can entrap a Great Supreme Truth.]

Qi Yuan sighed. “Why couldn’t it show me a weakness instead?”

Every day, his eyes could reveal new information about something he observed. Occasionally, it would even show vulnerabilities or other crucial data.

Yet today, the information about the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner was useless to him. If only it had shown him a flaw, he might have been able to bypass the banner and continue his work, striking down criminals and reclaiming the Imperial Banner.

With this thought, he placed the newly acquired Ten Thousand Souls Banner on the ground and began the process of cleansing and transforming it for a more righteous purpose.

Roughly half an hour later, Qi Yuan sighed in relief.

“With another tenth of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, it’s finally starting to take shape.”

The last time, he had seized quite a bit from Ghost Guilt Sovereign.

Combined with these recent acquisitions, his Imperial Banner had grown significantly in size.

Now its power was on par with some lesser creation treasures.

“Not bad—certainly better than the gloomy, sinister Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner.”

Qi Yuan held the Imperial Banner high, feeling it radiate with an aura of brilliance.

Just then, the banner in his hand seemed to transform, almost like a dog barking at the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, as though eager to leap from Qi Yuan’s grasp and devour it.

As the banner’s master, Qi Yuan sensed its overwhelming urge to consume the other banner.

Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.

“Such bravery! Truly deserving of being my Imperial Banner!”

“This treasure takes after its master; I must be exceptional!”

“It even inherited my qualities!”

“Now then, I’m giving you a mission—consume the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner!”

With that, Qi Yuan loosened his grip, thinking he had been holding back the banner’s potential. Without his restraint, surely, it would be free to devour the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner.

But as soon as he let go, the Imperial Banner’s intense drive vanished. Its fabric sagged, lifeless, showing none of the fierce spirit it had displayed moments before.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan was left speechless.

“Such a coward?”

“Why didn’t you inherit my courage?”

Cursing under his breath, Qi Yuan stuffed the Imperial Banner back into his storage pouch.

He wasn’t about to let it humiliate him out in the open.

...

Within Demon Pass, Purple Xue was munching on a mushroom, looking crestfallen.

“Seems like I won’t get to see stars shattering today.”

Nearby, the other prodigies were still shaken from the recent events.

“The Envoy of the Imperial Hall… terrifyingly unstoppable, moving through Ghost Pass as though it’s unguarded!”

“In just one day, he’s extinguished six stars. It’s beyond terrifying!”

“Sigh… Does Demon Abyss have anyone of this caliber?”

The prodigies shared their thoughts.

They had been locked in a standoff with Ghost Heaven for so long without slaying a single Yang God. Yet the Envoy had arrived and made quick work of them, slaying Yang Gods as if they were mere cabbage stalks.

The scene was unimaginable.

“Friends, let’s not speak too highly of him,” reminded An Xunlu, who stood nearby.

“Why not? We aren’t slandering him, only praising. Would that somehow offend him?” someone asked, puzzled.

“Hmph. None of us have met this Sovereign. Who knows his nature? What if he thinks we’re being sarcastic?” An Xunlu replied.

The other prodigies nodded in agreement.

The mysterious ways of the strong were often impossible to understand, instilling awe and fear in those around them.

“Indeed. Let’s avoid discussing his greatness.”

The group agreed, all nodding.

The Yang Gods were enigmatic and unpredictable; who knew when the Imperial Hall’s Envoy might reappear?

Speculations about his true identity were endless.

“Ah, and the Lynia Transformation hasn’t even started, yet such mysterious figures have emerged. Who knows how many hidden, dormant powerhouses will reveal themselves when it does?” mused Ice Sword, his voice calm and detached. “I must admit, I’m curious about the whereabouts of that once mighty ‘Ten Suns’ Sovereign.”

Having ascended to the realm of Yang God Sovereign himself, Ice Sword appeared more composed than ever.

After all, the more he maintained a low profile, the more impressive he would seem when Taihuang Palace eventually inspected the heavens.

Then, like a cascading star river, those who had mocked him would…

“I’m not interested in the Ten Suns Sovereign—I’m interested in you,” interrupted Purple Xue, eyeing Ice Sword. “I’m curious to see when you reach the Yang God realm, so I can see the ‘egg’ of a Yang God and how it differs from an ordinary egg.”

Ice Sword’s mouth twitched as he found himself at a loss for words.

He decided to keep working on disguising his star projection.

Otherwise, he’d be ridiculed by Purple Xue for a hundred years.

“Ah, how I envy you all—living carefree lives while I must constantly train with a sense of dread,” said a tired voice. At that moment, Qi Yuan appeared, his face weary.

Although his excursions into Ghost Pass to hunt Yang Gods seemed effortless, in reality, he was always on edge, like a mortal dancing on a tightrope, knowing that any misstep could lead to ruin.

“Blood Robe Senior Brother, you’re back!” Purple Xue’s face lit up with joy.

An Xunlu cast Qi Yuan a sidelong glance but said nothing.

“Senior Brother, you’ve fought in the Floral Moonland before; did you see him? What does he look like?” one of the prodigies couldn’t resist asking.

“Look at my face, then imagine him in blood armor—that’s him,” Qi Yuan said casually.

“Huh?” the prodigy blinked in confusion.

An Xunlu muttered, “You’d better imagine him as mute, or…”

“So, wouldn’t Black Sword be a better figure for visualization?” she continued.

Purple Xue glared, ready to argue as usual, but Qi Yuan grabbed her sleeve before she could start.

“Little Snow, I need your help with something.”

Qi Yuan had come specifically to ask Purple Xue for assistance with a pressing matter.

“What is it?” she asked, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

She remembered how, some time ago, she had jokingly tried to call him “Father” and was turned down.

She really wanted to tell him, “I was just kidding. Please don’t tell anyone!”

“Come on, let’s find somewhere more secluded,” Qi Yuan said, guiding Purple Xue away.

He couldn’t risk their conversation being overheard; it had to be somewhere safe.

A few breaths later, the two entered Qi Yuan’s personal cave.

“Do you know… where I can find a mystical place where time flows faster… and from where I can still see the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner far off in Ghost Pass?” he asked softly, watching her intently.

“Huh?” Purple Xue looked bewildered, not quite understanding his motive.

Something about it seemed odd to her, yet she quickly replied, “Give me two hours… no, one hour, and I’ll have an answer for you.”

She would need to do some research.

“Thanks,” Qi Yuan said, his face lighting up.

He was searching for such a place for an important reason.

His eyes could reveal hidden messages whenever he looked at the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, but seeing only one clue each day was too slow.

Perhaps there existed a location where time flowed faster.

That way, if only a day passed in the Six Heavens, he could experience a year in the mystical land, scanning the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner 365 times and gathering countless clues.

Perhaps, he could even find a flaw in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner.

And if he found a secure spot, he could exploit the Gate of Supreme Truth, allowing his Nascent Souls to absorb the principles of the Supreme Truth in another universe, enhancing his strength.

Meanwhile, in Demon Pass, Purple Fate Ancestor gazed into the distance, his expression grave.

“Who… could be plotting against Black Sword?”

The last time Black Sword was nearly destroyed, he barely escaped from the demonic root blood. The sense of threat that brought was overwhelming for Purple Fate Ancestor. It felt as though an unseen hand within the depths of Demon Abyss was orchestrating something sinister, hidden in shadow.

This apprehension intensified when he learned of the recent carnage in Ghost Pass at the hands of the Imperial Hall’s Envoy. The Lynia Transformation had not even begun, and yet so many Yang Gods had already fallen. What sort of apocalyptic battles would unfold once it did commence? The thought was almost unimaginable.

With these worries in mind, he vanished in a swift streak of light, reappearing in the blink of an eye at the edge of Demon Pass.

He stood there, staring into the unknown as if waiting for someone.

Several breaths later, a faint ringing sound broke the silence, and within that echo, a distant roar of a white dragon could be heard.

Purple Fate Ancestor straightened, bowing deeply toward the source of the sound.

"Welcome, White Dragon Abyss Lord!"

“Well, well, Little Ancestor. Long time no see. You’re looking better than ever—certainly more pleasant than that master of yours.”

A feminine figure emerged in a sweep of ethereal energy. Tall and graceful, she had two faint dragon horns on her forehead. Most striking of all, however, was the black cloth covering her eyes. It was said that lifting this cloth could unleash terrifying power, so it rarely, if ever, came off.

Purple Fate Ancestor bowed respectfully to the woman, his demeanor reverent.

The Lynia Transformation was drawing close, and as the great powers of the heavens prepared, heads of the principal factions were meeting behind closed doors. Only recently, White Dragon Abyss Lord had met with Demon Abyss’s Abyss Lord. Using a long-standing favor, Purple Snow’s Grandfather had managed to secure an audience with her.

“If you’d do me the honor, Abyss Lord, please come to my cave for a talk,” he invited courteously.

“No need, Little Ancestor. I still have to pay a visit to Divine Luo Heaven to see their Elder. I’m on a tight schedule, so tell me directly what you need.” Her tone was straightforward, wasting no time.

Purple Fate Ancestor didn’t hesitate. “I wish to humbly request… that you become a guardian for Blood Robe.”

He bowed his head, his attitude sincere.

As he spoke, he presented a half-intact creation treasure, its fractured surface still glinting with faint energy.

The White Dragon Abyss Lord's eyes focused on the object, an intrigued look crossing her face.

This was no ordinary treasure.

During the last Lynia Transformation, the Demon Abyss’s Abyss Lord had not yet possessed an offensive creation artifact. Back then, Purple Fate Ancestor was the most promising Yang God in Demon Abyss, with an artifact that was rumored to hold the potential to become a destructive creation treasure. However, due to certain conflicts between him and the Abyss Lord, the artifact had been shattered, the resulting piece of which he now held.

Although damaged, this relic still far exceeded the power of ordinary creation artifacts.

Now, Purple Fate Ancestor was offering this fractured treasure in the hope that White Dragon Abyss Lord might agree to protect Blood Robe.

He had sensed a growing threat within Demon Abyss, a shadow so dark that he feared for Blood Robe’s life and survival. He needed someone of White Dragon Abyss Lord’s caliber to ensure his safety.

Of course, he was asking for a guardian, not a master.

“This is interesting,” White Dragon Abyss Lord mused, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Call Blood Robe here. I need to see for myself if he’s as talented as the rumors say and whether he’s worthy of my protection.”

She was tempted by the treasure, but it wasn’t enough on its own.

While she had already opposed Taihuang Palace in the past, she wasn’t eager to worsen their relationship unnecessarily.

So, she would have to assess Blood Robe’s true potential.

If he turned out to be another talent on par with Black Sword… then maybe, just maybe, she would be willing to invest.

After all, that could lead to the rise of a true Great Sovereign.

“Thank you, Abyss Lord,” Purple Fate Ancestor said, immediately sending a message to Qi Yuan.

The White Dragon Abyss Lord looked at Purple Fate Ancestor, her expression shifting between amusement and complexity. “You certainly have a soft spot for this young one. You’d even part with such a treasure for him.”

She eyed the fractured creation treasure in his hands, a flash of greed flickering briefly in her gaze.

“Pity that the Demon Abyss’s own offensive creation treasure wasn’t this one. If it were, you wouldn’t need to offer it now,” she said, sighing with faint regret.

Sometimes, she mused, a single misstep can alter the course of everything.

In her view, Purple Fate Ancestor had merely been unfortunate, a man whose luck had betrayed him.

Unmoved, Purple Fate Ancestor replied, “Everything has its destined path.”

He had once been bitter, but with time, he had come to terms with it.

After nearly a hundred heartbeats, Qi Yuan finally appeared, clothed in his signature blood-red robe.

He eyed the two figures with a look of open curiosity.

“What’s going on, old man?” he asked, his demeanor as bold as ever, unfazed by the presence of two powerful Supreme Truth cultivators.

White Dragon Abyss Lord, still wearing her black cloth over her eyes, gazed at Qi Yuan with an unreadable expression. Deep within her gaze, a glimmer of excitement flickered before quickly settling back to calm.

“Blood Robe, tell me… do you have a partner?”

Beneath the black cloth, her eyes radiated an unmistakable intensity, an avid desire that surpassed even her interest in the fractured treasure she had just been offered.

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