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

An unremarkable sword strike pierced Dao Buer’s shattered form once again. If the first strike destroyed Dao Buer’s physical body, the second utterly shredded his spirit. This strike from Qi Yuan was infused with the full power of Great Supreme Truth. Though it wouldn’t injure a typical Great Supreme Truth, it was more than enough to slay a Supreme Truth without effort.

Dao Buer’s shattered gaze held an expression of disbelief and utter incomprehension.

“You’re not… a Great Supreme Truth… how…”

For all these years of exchanging insults, Qi Yuan’s eyes had always been able to see through much about Dao Buer. Likewise, Dao Buer had tried to probe Qi Yuan’s depths and had never detected the aura of a Great Supreme Truth from him. His strength, at best, seemed on par with his own as a Supreme Truth. So how could he be killed so easily?

“No wonder you lost; your memory is terrible.” Qi Yuan’s tone was casual. “I never said I was a Great Supreme Truth. I’m… Purple Mansion!”

With those words, Qi Yuan gave a small flick of his hand. Dao Buer’s once imposing body and spirit were ground to dust. Even in death, his face remained one of utter confusion.

In his final moments, he felt Qi Yuan was telling him the truth. Could it be that his opponent truly was only a Purple Mansion cultivator? How could that be possible?

“I… was slain by a Purple Mansion…”

With one final outcry of fury, his life was snuffed out.

Meanwhile, the other cultivators across the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land who had been watching were wide-eyed, every bit as stunned as Dao Buer had been.

“Is it… over?”

“Is he dead?”

They had expected an earth-shaking clash that would shake mountains and rivers. After all, Dao Buer had drained all the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land into himself, leaving them in a state of weakness. They had braced themselves for a devastating showdown, only for it to end in seconds. And the most terrifying part was that the one who died was the Holy Light Clan member.

Several cultivators turned to Liu Xi, expressions filled with regret.

“Such a pity, Daoist Liu Xi. Had you chosen to serve that esteemed one, your future… would’ve been limitless.”

“That kind of strength… Could it be that he’s a legendary Great Supreme Truth?”

They had thoroughly investigated the Holy Light Clan’s influence before venturing into the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dared to enter. But that revered one’s ability to slay a Holy Light Clan Yang God… was simply terrifying!

Liu Xi’s expression didn’t change, and he replied calmly, “The world is full of choices; who can be sure every choice is the right one? At least I’m still alive. I count that as a win.”

His words were light-hearted, accepting of his fate. Overhead, Qi Yuan’s gaze was fixed on the spectral soul within the tattered robe.

Qi Yuan was curious about Dao Buer’s obsession with the tattered robe.

“Hey, old man, want to come to my place for a bit? Stop wandering around, and I’ll give you a… home!” Qi Yuan called out to the spectral soul. That spectral soul looked immensely powerful. Qi Yuan wasn’t interested in whatever Dao Buer had planned, but the spectral soul’s original form piqued his curiosity. If he could place it within his Emperor’s Banner, its power would advance significantly.

The spectral soul in the tattered robe paused mid-step in the void, and Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up as he continued, “Don’t worry, no rent required. I’ll provide meals and lodging too!”

Qi Yuan steeled himself—no pain, no gain.

Though it lacked a physical body, Qi Yuan sensed that the spectral soul’s gaze was fixed upon him. Seeing that it remained silent, Qi Yuan hesitated, then continued, “And I’ll even throw in a benefits package. Not one insurance policy… but two!”

This was a huge concession on his part. Facing this spectral soul, Qi Yuan felt a rare hint of intimidation.

As the spectral soul observed him, a sense of ancient sorrow and majesty filled the air. Qi Yuan felt as though he heard the mournful cries of ancient souls from the depths of hell.

“Without forging light, there can be no light,” boomed a mighty voice. And with that, the spectral soul disappeared from sight, and the blood-red sky above faded into clarity.

Qi Yuan looked at his hand in surprise, where a tiny, pearl-like bead had appeared. This small crystalline pearl bore a single bloodstain on its surface.

[The Embryo of Light, tainted with ominous blood.]

Qi Yuan stared at it, momentarily stunned. With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Earth Mirror appeared.

He remembered that, when he had studied it before, the mirror also seemed tainted with a similar ominous blood.

“Just what kind of blood is this?”

“And why did that spectral soul suddenly leave me this Embryo of Light? Did it really fall for my two-insurance package… or maybe it’s just not interested in free housing?”

Qi Yuan speculated, but he couldn’t be certain.

He called out into the void, “Hey, old man, what are you trying to tell me?”

There was no response from the void.

“‘Without forging light, there can be no light’… what does it mean?” Qi Yuan pondered.

At that moment, the Embryo of Light in his hand burrowed into his spirit.

Qi Yuan blinked in surprise. “It went into my spirit?”

He gave a small shake, causing the Embryo of Light to tumble out once again.

His face showed pure curiosity.

“This thing can enter my spirit?”

He was intrigued. Typically, treasures were stored in pouches or perhaps held within the dantian; having one enter the spirit directly was rare.

“It seems to be quite an exceptional treasure… I just don’t know its purpose.”

For now, he had no way of understanding the Embryo of Light’s true use.

“Well, it’s time to head back. My journey here in the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land… is temporarily over,” Qi Yuan said evenly.

A throng of White Moonlights, who also didn’t like bathing, was waiting for him back at the Ghost Pass.

“Though recently, my right eyebrow has been twitching… Could it mean something dangerous is about to happen?” he mused.

“Could it be that Banner Lord has devised something against me?”

“No, his strength doesn’t measure up.”

“Then the greatest likelihood… is that the Taihuang Palace is getting closer to uncovering my true identity. Has my incredible acting finally worn thin?”

Qi Yuan considered. Even though he had been careful to remain hidden since arriving in the upper realms, any small slip could still be discovered.

“No matter, I’m not afraid. Even if the Taihuang Palace comes after me, I have the law on my side!” he laughed to himself.

“They’ve committed a great crime by letting their sunlight invade my sanctuary and violate my sacred privacy!”

Qi Yuan was unfazed.

After all, he had plenty of escape routes. For instance, the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land alone offered a reliable fallback. Just the spectral soul from the tattered robe was enough to deter Great Supreme Truths from entering.

But Qi Yuan was different. He stood on solid ground, his actions always righteous, so he had no qualms about entering at will.

<hr>

In a rundown market…

Tianyun yawned, feeling the tediousness of life weigh upon her.

“Ah, I wonder how that Sage is faring?” she murmured, thinking of that figure in the black robe.

Aunt Luan, who sat next to her, spoke up, “No use dwelling on it. He’s no concern of ours.”

At that moment, a calm voice called out from outside.

“Forgive my interruption, but… may I come in?”

Outside the cave, a black-robed figure had appeared.

Hearing the voice, Tianyun’s face changed instantly.

Aunt Luan, equally alert, looked at the newcomer with apprehension.

“It’s… it’s that revered one,” Tianyun stammered.

The two exchanged a glance, and Tianyun said respectfully, “Please, revered one… do come in.”

Upon her invitation, the black-robed man entered. Of course, this was Qi Yuan.

After settling matters with Stone Pan, Qi Yuan had departed from the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land. Rather than heading straight to the Ghost Pass, he had come to pay a visit to Tianyun.

After meeting Stone Pan and others, he noticed Tianyun shared a similar bloodline with them. Or rather, Tianyun’s bloodline was even more concentrated, and this bloodline seemed connected to the spectral soul in the tattered robe.

He wanted to figure out the purpose of the Embryo of Light, so he had come to consult Tianyun.

“Revered one… did you come from the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land? May I ask what brings you to me?” Tianyun asked, sitting upright with a look of unease.

Aunt Luan stood by like a reprimanded junior, a tangle of emotions swirling inside her. How could this person come out of the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land? He’d been in there for years; shouldn’t that Holy Light Clan member have already subdued him?

“On the night of the Supreme Yin Spectral Night, I encountered a spectral soul in a tattered robe. It seems to have a deep connection to you,” Qi Yuan explained calmly.

Hearing this, Tianyun and Aunt Luan’s breaths became shallow. Eventually, Aunt Luan spoke, her voice laden with sorrow: “According to the ancient records of our clan, that spectral soul… is our clan’s Human King.”

“Oh, a Human King?” Qi Yuan paused.

The title of Human King was reserved for peerless individuals, even a ruler of realms. No wonder the spectral soul had refused his offer of lodging; as a Human King, residing within the Emperor’s Banner would be beneath him.

“He told me something I didn’t understand, so I’ve come to ask you about it,” Qi Yuan explained.

“Did… the Human King actually speak?” Aunt Luan stared at Qi Yuan, clearly shaken and incredulous.

The Human King’s spectral soul had existed for over ten million years, and yet, in all that time, it had never spoken a word.

“He told me, ‘Without forging light, there can be no light.’ What does that mean?” Qi Yuan asked.

Upon hearing the phrase, Aunt Luan’s face shifted once more, and she lowered her gaze, finally believing the mysterious figure had truly made the Human King speak.

She replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia, “In our Celestial Clan, there is an ancient account. During ancient times, our Celestial Clan prospered under the leadership of the Human King, a time that rivaled the brilliance of the current Sixfold Heaven.”

Aunt Luan’s face glowed with pride as she spoke. The Celestial Clan had once experienced a golden age, their civilization flourishing across countless worlds.

“But one day, darkness descended, plunging our clan into shadow, and the sky was forever lost,” she continued, eyes dim with sorrow.

“The Human King led the Celestial Generals to the front lines to resist the darkness. But the darkness was too powerful, and in the end, our clan was nearly wiped out. Only a few managed to escape, eventually finding refuge in the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land.”

Aunt Luan’s voice carried the weight of ages. She had never experienced that era of catastrophe, but she had heard stories from the elders as a child. Her ancestors had once shone brightly in the heavens.

“Back then, the Human King received a prophecy: only by forging a miraculous Light Treasure could they break the darkness and see the light again,” she said, voice heavy with sadness. “Alas, the Light Treasure remained a myth, and despite using the strength of our entire clan, we were unable to forge it before our tribe fell.”

Qi Yuan pondered this, drawing more connections in his mind. If these accounts were true, the Embryo of Light was likely the proto-form of the fabled Light Treasure—a half-complete miracle artifact.

“Which is stronger,” Qi Yuan asked, “the Light Treasure or an Origin Artifact?”

Aunt Luan hesitated, then shook her head. “It’s such an ancient matter that I cannot say. However, according to legend, the Light Treasure surpasses ordinary Origin Artifacts.”

“Do you know how to forge the Light Treasure?” Qi Yuan was eager to use the Embryo of Light to create it. However, none of the crafting techniques he had learned in the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land seemed to apply.

“I don’t know.” Aunt Luan shook her head. Such techniques had long been lost.

“That makes sense,” Qi Yuan sighed. “If you knew how to craft it, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

He now had a rough understanding of the Embryo of Light’s purpose, though it seemed useless to him for now.

“Got it. Thanks. I’ll be off.” Qi Yuan was quick to come and quicker to leave. Before departing, he casually mentioned, “The Holy Light Gate in the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land has fallen, and Dao Buer of the Holy Light Clan is dead. You may return to the Mystical Land whenever you wish; it’s safe.”

And with that, Qi Yuan’s form faded away, leaving Aunt Luan and Tianyun in stunned disbelief.

“Is what he said true, Aunt Luan? Could he really have slain a Holy Light Clan Yang God?”

“Is he a Supreme Sovereign? No… even for a Supreme Sovereign…”

“Who is he, really?”

<hr>

In the Ghost Pass.

Ghost Crime Sage’s eyes flickered as he glanced at the Taihuang Palace envoy nearby. “So, even a Supreme Sovereign is aligning with Taihuang Palace?”

Moments earlier, the Taihuang Palace envoy had “casually” shared the news while discussing strategy. It didn’t take much intelligence to see through the guise; Taihuang Palace was flexing its power.

The envoy’s eyes shone with satisfaction. “Not only one Supreme Sovereign but also a few Grand Supreme Truths, comparable to the Commanders of the Banners, are aligning as well.”

Ghost Crime Sage and Ghost Origin Sage drew in a sharp breath. Though they had expected powers to rally around Taihuang Palace with the upcoming Linya transformation, they hadn’t anticipated such speed. Clearly, the major powers of the Sixfold Heaven had already deduced the outcome.

“Have no fear, Sages. As long as we secure victory in the Abyss of Black Demons, this Linya transformation will ensure Ghost Command Heaven remains secure,” the Taihuang envoy promised grandly.

Ghost Crime Sage looked pensively across the realm. “If only that Emperor’s Hall Envoy weren’t stationed outside. We’d have taken the Demon Pass by now!”

It irked him. A gathering of Yang God Sages cowering under a single foe’s presence, forced to rely on the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner for protection—it was humiliating.

The envoy’s gaze was equally bitter. “That rogue has evaded capture too long!”

Their previous attempt to control the Black Demon Abyss had been thwarted, and the envoy still harbored intense resentment toward the Emperor’s Hall Envoy, especially after the threat he received before that rogue departed, forcing him to stay close to the two Grand Supreme Truths for safety.

“Worry not. Once the Linya transformation begins, we will pinpoint his location, and his end will be inevitable,” he assured.

Taihuang Palace had many hidden enemies. Among them was not only the Emperor’s Hall Envoy but also the elusive Ten Sun Sage and another figure—a certain Qi Yuan from the lower realms. Though the envoy knew little about Qi Yuan’s misdeeds, he was on the palace’s list of targets.

“We’ll be there to assist!” declared Ghost Crime Sage. At that time, a Grand Supreme Truth-level fighter would handle the Emperor’s Hall Envoy, or perhaps even a Supreme Sovereign would make the move.

“Worry not. The greater his arrogance, the more pitiful his demise will be,” the envoy said.

Just then, he received a transmission, and a look of sheer delight crossed his face.

“Hahaha…”

Seeing this, Ghost Crime Sage and Ghost Origin Sage exchanged curious glances.

“Master Envoy, have you received good news?” Ghost Crime Sage inquired.

The envoy chuckled with satisfaction. “Nothing major, but I’d say it’s a decent piece of news.”

They leaned closer to hear the details.

“Just now, I received word that the old lord of Black Demon Abyss has finally relented and offered tribute to Taihuang Palace. He also pledged that, for the upcoming Linya transformation, he will not stand against us. It seems he has chosen wisely, sensing the winds of change.”

The envoy seemed elated.

Although they hadn’t managed to kill Heijian or defeat the Black Demon Abyss, they had forced its leader to surrender—a success, in his eyes.

“Are we just letting Black Demon Abyss off the hook?” Ghost Crime Sage asked, visibly displeased. Ghost Command Heaven had suffered significant losses, while Black Demon Abyss was barely harmed.

“Relax. Anyone who dares oppose you will not escape without consequences. Rest assured, Taihuang Palace will demand a price.”

The two Sages shared a look, lowering their voices as they asked, “Does that mean…?”

The envoy held up two fingers, then replied with a haughty smile, “At least that much. Anything less is non-negotiable.”

Ghost Crime Sage and Ghost Origin Sage inhaled sharply.

Two fingers—two Grand Supreme Truths.

It sent a chill down their spines, a reminder of how even they could one day be discarded without hesitation.

“All we need to do is sit at Ghost Pass and patiently await the Linya transformation. The Black Demon Abyss Lord knows what to do,” the envoy said calmly.

The two Sages nodded, more keenly aware of Taihuang Palace’s might than ever. With the approval of the Only Hall to oversee the Linya transformation, Taihuang Palace was truly an entity to be feared.

Even powerful realms like Black Demon Abyss had no choice but to bow and seek survival by compromise.

“This Linya transformation will be a mere formality,” Ghost Crime Sage grinned. “With Black Demon Abyss out of the way, who besides the Supreme Truths Society and Moon God Palace would be foolish enough to resist?”

“Right, and then there’s the Emperor’s Hall Envoy, that pesky clown. But he’s nothing more than a grasshopper to be—”

Boom!

Before he could finish, a thunderous explosion rocked the air.

Ghost Crime Sage and Ghost Origin Sage froze, a terrifying thought dawning upon them. How could this be?

With the Grand Commander’s Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner in place, how could the Emperor’s Hall Envoy have broken through?

Yet, a familiar voice rang out.

“So this is the Supreme Truth-level Yang God? Took me two slashes to kill it!”

All eyes turned to see a blood-armored man with a crimson sword hovering in the sky.

In front of him, a lifeless body floated.

A body unmistakably belonging to a Supreme Truth Yang God!

Somewhere in the Astral World, a star went dark.

It was a Supreme Truth-level Yang God, not a mere Heaven-level Yang God.

Even Ghost Command Heaven didn’t have many Supreme Truth-level Yang Gods, only a dozen or so.

“Envoy of Emperor’s Hall… why… why are you here?”

Ghost Crime Sage roared, charging at Qi Yuan, his powerful celestial aura surging around him.

Ghost Origin Sage prepared to attack but was stopped by the Taihuang Palace envoy.

“Stay with me and protect me!”

Terrified, the envoy clung to the Supreme Truth. As a Supreme Truth himself, he knew the Emperor’s Hall Envoy could kill him with a single strike.

From the heavens, the Emperor’s Hall Envoy’s cold, raspy voice drifted down.

“Surrender the Emperor’s Banner, and I’ll give you some dignity. Refuse, and I’ll hunt you down daily.”

Qi Yuan didn’t waste time fighting Ghost Crime Sage. Instead, he moved in an instant, dispatching another Yang God Sage with ease and taking their Soul Banner.

Ghost Crime Sage seethed with fury and bellowed, “How did you get in here?! Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, suppress him!”

With his shout, the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner covering the entire Ghost Pass began to stir.

A dark, all-encompassing force pressed down on Qi Yuan.

Feeling its power, Qi Yuan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. With a simple gesture, he could have absorbed the entire banner.

But he restrained himself, preferring to let the stakes rise even higher.

With a look of false regret, he smirked. “Oh no, you’re really only using the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner? Too bad this banner isn’t quite strong enough to hold me down.”

He waved his hand with a parting gesture. “Bye now, everyone!”

Clapping his hands, he vanished from sight, leaving the gathered Yang God Sages seething.

Above them, the ominous aura of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner permeated the air, potent enough to make even a Great Supreme Truth tremble.

But Qi Yuan had already slipped from their grasp.

Ghost Crime Sage’s expression darkened. “How… did he get in here?”

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