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

Qi Yuan sat comfortably in his chair, waiting for the outcome. He couldn't deny that taking a shortcut for the first time felt quite satisfying.

By now, the mighty Feng Lan had already passed the information up the chain.

...

At the Heaven and Earth Cave, a fierce Yin wind howled. A tall man stood outside the cave entrance, his face filled with respect and anger as he spoke, “This Blood-Clad Sword God has gone too far! He mercilessly killed Mi’er, spoke recklessly at the Divine Flower Society, and dared to provoke the Sovereign. Is it all because he has Fengjun Sovereign to back him? And now, he dares to interfere in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, trying to secure a spot without competing? He’s utterly disregarding the three Sovereigns!”

This tall man was a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator who had long been serving Yeqiong Sovereign. Upon receiving Feng Lan's message, he was enraged.

The Yin wind continued to howl through the Heaven and Earth Cave.

A childlike voice echoed from within: “What do you think should be done about it?”

The tall man frowned, deep in thought. “First, there’s Fengjun Sovereign. Second, the great calamity is approaching. The Sovereign must conserve his strength, making it unwise to take action against the Blood-Clad Sword God.”

He pondered on how to deal with the Blood-Clad Sword God but, after a while, still couldn’t think of a solution. Was he really going to let the Blood-Clad Sword God disrupt the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle and gain access to Moonwatching Continent?

Suddenly, the tall man’s eyes lit up with an idea, and he said with delight, “Let him gain a spot in the top twenty of the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. The Blood-Clad Sword God is clearly trying to enter Moonwatching Continent. The Heavenly Dao there is shattered, and the strong are few. Not only are we from the Canglan Realm targeting it, but so is the Demora Clan. The Demora Clan has a treasure that can sense any cultivator above the Five Realms. If the Blood-Clad Sword God enters Moonwatching Continent, the Demora Clan will surely detect him. Given their unruly nature, they will undoubtedly kill him. Entering Moonwatching Continent would be like sending the Blood-Clad Sword God into a lion’s den!”

At present, Moonwatching Continent was divided into three powers. The weakest was the native population of Moonwatching Continent. The strongest was the Demora Clan. Even the three Sovereigns were highly wary of the Yin Gods within the Demora Clan. Sending the Blood-Clad Sword God into Moonwatching Continent would be akin to sending a sheep into the tiger's den.

The cave fell silent for a while before the childlike voice spoke again, “Let it be as you say.”

The tall man's eyes filled with joy upon hearing this.

Then, another childlike voice came from the cave.

“If it’s convenient, investigate his origins.”

“Based on the current information, it’s almost certain that the Blood-Clad Sword God, the Mad Daoist, and the Seven Desires Demon Lord are the same person. They all originate from the remote Hundred Nations,” the tall man reported, lowering his head. “We can’t find much more information. My guess is that the Blood-Clad Sword God might not be a native of the Canglan Realm.”

The cave was silent again, with only the sound of the howling Yin wind.

“Investigate further and see if there are any other members of the Divine Flower Society in the Hundred Nations.”

After a long pause, the childlike voice came again.

“As you command!” The tall man bowed, though his face showed some difficulty. This task would be hard to carry out.

...

Back in Yunzhong City, Feng Lan was on edge, but he maintained a smile.

“Senior Blood-Clad Sword God, why are you so fixated on entering Moonwatching Continent? Why not simply join one of the prodigy factions? That way, you’d automatically qualify to open up territory in Moonwatching Continent.”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan lazily replied, “Moonwatching Continent is my home. I must return home.”

After all, the Heavenly Dao of Moonwatching Continent had been used to build his foundation. Isn’t Moonwatching Continent his home now?

Feng Lan gave an awkward smile. The energy level of Moonwatching Continent was so low that it couldn’t possibly sustain a powerful figure like the Blood-Clad Sword God. Naturally, he thought the Blood-Clad Sword God was joking.

“Once I’m in the top twenty, when will I have the qualification to enter Moonwatching Continent? I’m in a hurry,” Qi Yuan said, eager to enter Moonwatching Continent. He wanted to see if it was the world he had once lived in. He also wanted to know if he might have a chance to see a certain woman he never met before.

“When the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle ends, the entrance to Moonwatching Continent will briefly open. At that time, Senior can enter,” Feng Lan explained.

“Good.” Qi Yuan nodded.

At that moment, Feng Lan’s communication jade suddenly lit up.

Qi Yuan’s eyes fixed on him. “Is that the news?”

Feng Lan was nervous and didn’t dare look. He feared that the Sovereign might react negatively, not only denying the Blood-Clad Sword God’s request but also doing so in an overbearing way, which might anger the Blood-Clad Sword God.

While the Blood-Clad Sword God wouldn’t dare kill a Sovereign, he might kill him!

He sent his consciousness into the jade and then, with a look of surprise, said, “Senior Blood-Clad Sword God, the higher-ups have agreed. You are exempt from the trials and will be given a spot in the top twenty of the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. You’ve also been granted the qualification to enter Moonwatching Continent.”

Feng Lan breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that the higher-ups wouldn’t agree.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan smiled broadly. “Your higher-ups are quite magnanimous. I’ll have to invite them to dinner when I get the chance.”

Feng Lan gave an awkward smile, knowing he wouldn’t be passing that message along. He was well aware of the Blood-Clad Sword God’s recent provocation of Yeqiong Sovereign at the Divine Flower Society. If the two were to meet, a fight would be inevitable.

“Since I’m now in the top twenty of the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, do I get to choose a prodigy reward?” Qi Yuan asked Feng Lan, recalling the Sect Master’s instructions.

Feng Lan was momentarily stunned, wondering if he had heard correctly. The top hundred in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle did indeed receive rewards. The rewards were often powerful Nascent Soul artifacts. These were useful for young prodigies, but for someone as powerful as the Blood-Clad Sword God, what use could they possibly have?

“Of course,” Feng Lan quickly replied, not daring to hesitate. With a wave of his hand, a storage bag flew from the depths of the palace into his hand.

“Senior Blood-Clad Sword God may choose any of these treasures. You can even take two.”

When the storage bag was opened, it revealed an array of dazzling treasures. If Qi Yuan had seen these during his Qi Refining stage, he would have been thrilled. But now, with a Stellar Golden Core, he wasn’t impressed. He looked at the small purple-gold gourd and said, “I’ll take this.”

This small gourd was the treasure the Sect Master had instructed Qi Yuan to retrieve.

“Senior has an excellent eye,” Feng Lan said after carefully examining the gourd and discovering its secret. “This gourd is actually a Purple Mansion artifact.”

As soon as he said this, Feng Lan regretted it. Ordinary Purple Mansion artifacts were nothing to the Blood-Clad Sword God. A man capable of destroying the Radiant Palace hardly needed such things.

At this moment, the usually silent Master of Yunzhong Pavilion glanced at the purple-gold gourd and boldly asked, “Senior, do you have any connection to this gourd?”

“Yes,” Qi Yuan replied, looking at him. “This is a treasure from an elder’s clan. Now… it should return to its rightful owner.”

“I see,” the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion nodded. “Senior, may I have your contact information?”

“Sure,” Qi Yuan didn’t refuse and casually showed the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion a Purple Mansion communication jade.

“Everything is settled. Pavilion Master, Feng Lan, Booger Fairy, I’ll take my leave.” Qi Yuan transformed into a blood shadow and disappeared.

Feng Lan breathed a sigh of relief as he left.

The Master of Yunzhong Pavilion’s eyes were deep in thought, and the tall woman, known as the Booger Fairy, looked aggrieved and speechless.

...

When Qi Yuan returned to his cave, Kang Fulu was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Ya was still standing by the Bodhi tree, deep in thought about her cultivation method.

Qi Yuan glanced at Jiang Ya and called out, “I successfully took the shortcut. I won’t be participating in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. I’ll be in seclusion for seven days to study my techniques!”

Jiang Ya looked at Qi Yuan with a puzzled expression but said, “Alright.”

Given Qi Yuan’s strength, participating in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle would indeed be futile. It was better not to participate.

After entering his cave, Qi Yuan hung a sign outside that read, “In seclusion for seven days. Do not disturb, or face death!”

Since this concerned his Golden Core Dao, he took it very seriously. He even placed his kitchen knife and the blood-colored soul sword inside to guard the entrance.

Two days later, Kang Fulu noticed the writing outside Qi Yuan’s cave and couldn’t help but feel a bit peculiar. He sighed, “Junior Brother’s talent… is even greater than mine. It’s a pity that this Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle was moved up. Otherwise, he might have had a real chance to get into the top hundred and retrieve the Sect Master’s clan treasure.”

But now, with Junior Brother not even having formed his Golden Core, participating in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle would be certain death.

Jiang Ya remained calm and said, “Let’s go. The Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle is starting.”

The two of them turned into streaks of light and headed toward the depths of Yunzhong Pavilion.

In the mountains, the secret realm opened, streams of light surged, and the air was thick with spiritual energy.

Jiang Ya looked at the young prodigies ahead with a serious expression.

Kang Fulu, however, wore a long face. “Alas, the title of Divine Light Sect Master’s son-in-law and the last disciple of Five Lights Peak’s Master doesn’t mean much here.”

He could sense the presence of many strong cultivators. There were so many people he couldn’t defeat. Even his prized first-grade Golden Core seemed ordinary in this crowd.

“Alas, Junior Brother was right. If I had refined my Golden Core a bit larger, I wouldn’t feel so inferior now.”

He stood in the crowd, quite inconspicuous.

At that moment, a mighty voice echoed in the ears of everyone present.

“This time, the rules of the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle have changed. There are only nineteen spots in the top twenty. Everyone… don’t get it wrong.”

All the prodigies’ expressions changed upon hearing this.

“What do they mean, only nineteen spots in the top twenty?”

“In such a grand event as the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, someone actually dares to blatantly take a shortcut!”

“This is outrageous!”

“It’s so unfair!”

Many prodigies started discussing it heatedly.

Those originally ranked in the low twenties were especially dismayed. Losing one spot meant increased competition pressure for them.

“Damn it, which Yin God’s descendant is too scared to compete in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle and has to take a shortcut?”

Kang Fulu was stunned, then turned to Jiang Ya. “Didn’t Qi Yuan say he was going to take a shortcut?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ya nodded, her expression strange. “He also said he succeeded.”

Kang Fulu fell silent, struggling to comprehend this. Was this a coincidence… or something else?

“It couldn’t be that little… that Senior Brother, right?” Kang Fulu muttered to himself.

...

“I'm doomed.”

In his cave, Qi Yuan’s forehead was covered in cold sweat.

“Have I strayed from the right path?”

While advancing the techniques in the Qi Yuan Sutra, Qi Yuan realized that the techniques he had obtained were far from enough. He had already decided earlier that he would walk the path of both the Golden Core and the Nascent Soul.

But the path of the Golden Core seemed endless, with no end in sight.

Qi Yuan estimated that to reach the end of the path, his little sun would need to devour that entire universe. And that was still a long way off.

“So, the Qi Yuan Sutra should be divided into the Stellar Golden Core Chapter and the Advanced Nascent Soul Chapter.”

The Stellar Golden Core Chapter would focus on strengthening the True Solar Fire and devouring the stars. The Advanced Nascent Soul Chapter would be a more conventional cultivation method, ultimately leading to the Nascent Soul.

“If I step into the Nascent Soul stage, does that mean I’ll be both a Yuan Dan cultivator and a Nascent Soul cultivator?” Qi Yuan muttered, feeling a bit dizzy.

“The more I progress, the more techniques I need. I’m so poor!”

The Golden Core chapter required the creation of two cultivation methods, meaning he needed even more techniques.

If it weren’t for his strong sense of justice and his identity as a law-abiding citizen, Qi Yuan might have considered becoming a robber.

“White Moonlight, where are you?”

“Yeqiong Sovereign, why can’t you just plot against me?”

Qi Yuan sighed helplessly.

He stepped out of his cave.

The inn was much quieter now.

Everyone had gone to the secret realm to participate in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle.

At that moment, Qi Yuan took out his communication jade and saw an unexpected name: the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion.

He hadn’t expected to receive a message from the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion while in seclusion.

In a flash, Qi Yuan appeared in Yunzhong Palace.

His blood-red robe and handsome appearance immediately drew many eyes.

“Master of Yunzhong Pavilion, what do you want from me?” Qi Yuan asked calmly.

He sensed that within Yunzhong Pavilion, there was a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, seven mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, and several early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators.

Could it be that a White Moonlight had finally taken notice of him and was here to offer him techniques?

These people were high-quality old men.

“Greetings, Blood-Clad Sword God!”

“Greetings, Blood-Clad Sword God!”

More than thirty Purple Mansion cultivators stepped forward to salute Qi Yuan.

Among them was an old acquaintance of Qi Yuan, Xu Yeli.

But Xu Yeli pretended not to recognize Qi Yuan at this moment.

These Purple Mansion cultivators were the most elite forces in Cuiyun Continent, all gathered here.

Any one of them could cause chaos in a city or even a nation.

But facing Qi Yuan, their eyes were filled only with respect.

Qi Yuan looked at the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion with a calm expression. “What do you want?”

The Master of Yunzhong Pavilion wasn’t the strongest among the Purple Mansion cultivators present, but he was clearly the leader.

“Senior, you destroyed the Radiant Palace and rid Cuiyun Continent of a great evil! Now, Cuiyun Continent is leaderless. We wish to elect you as the leader of Cuiyun Continent!” the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion said solemnly.

The late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator also bowed his head. “We all wish to elect you as our leader.”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan laughed.

Are they trying to make me the leader of the martial arts world?

“I prefer things to be simple and direct, without beating around the bush,” Qi Yuan said.

Having a group of Purple Mansion cultivators elect him as their leader was essentially like finding a father to govern them. Unless there were special circumstances, who would want that?

The late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator stepped forward and said, “Senior, are you aware that a great calamity is approaching?”

Qi Yuan shook his head.

What great calamity? He had only heard the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion mention it, but he didn’t know the specifics. The Purple Mansion cultivators probably didn’t know either; only the Yin Gods might.

“In a few hundred years, a great calamity will descend, and the world will likely fall into chaos. All cultivators will be in danger. Even we, as Purple Mansion cultivators, will be barely able to survive.

Because of this, the Radiant Palace initiated the Hundred Nations Blood War, hoping to fully restore the Emperor’s Shock Dragon Crown to mitigate the calamity. Only a Yin God-level power has a chance of resisting the calamity, giving us a chance to survive.”

“So, you want me… to protect you?” Qi Yuan understood.

With the Emperor’s Shock Dragon Crown and the Radiant Palace gone, Cuiyun Continent had lost its Yin God foundation. Facing the vague threat of a great calamity, Cuiyun Continent was defenseless.

So, these Purple Mansion cultivators had come to pledge allegiance to Qi Yuan. After all, Qi Yuan had destroyed the Radiant Palace and had the strength of a Yin God.

“Exactly,” the late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator said.

Everyone looked at Qi Yuan with respect.

The late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator continued, “We are willing to form the Blood-Clad Alliance and elect you as the leader. We will serve at your command! Whatever you want to do, we will be your right hand. If you need treasures, techniques, or anything else, we will find them for you.”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was thoughtful.

He had to admit, he was tempted.

After all, he did need techniques.

And having these Purple Mansion elders search for techniques would be much more convenient than searching himself.

If he became the leader of the righteous path in Cuiyun Continent, wouldn’t all the techniques in the continent be his?

At that moment, the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion stepped forward. “Senior, please look at this.”

As he spoke, an old man with a weak aura was brought forward.

The old man’s eyes were filled with fear and a hint of resentment. Despite his weak state, his aura revealed that he was a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Qi Yuan shook his head. “I don’t know him.”

The Master of Yunzhong Pavilion continued, “Senior, some time ago, you were tasked by an elder to retrieve the purple-gold gourd. That gourd came from the Honglian clan. Two thousand years ago, Honglian took a fancy to the Sacred Queen of the Wood Clan and wanted to take her as a concubine. The Sacred Queen refused and hanged herself. In a fit of rage, Honglian slaughtered the entire Wood Clan, leaving only a few survivors. The purple-gold gourd was one of the treasures Honglian took from the Wood Clan. Your elder is likely a member of the Wood Clan. We have captured Honglian and leave his fate to you!”

Honglian glared at the Master of Yunzhong Pavilion with fury. “I’ve already pledged allegiance to Shuixian Continent. Do you intend to start a war with Shuixian Continent by capturing me?”

Shuixian Continent, which bordered Cuiyun Continent, was slightly stronger than Cuiyun Continent when the Radiant Palace was still around, but not by much.

Qi Yuan looked at Honglian.

He roughly understood.

This must be the person responsible for the Sect Master and Elder Xuan Chong’s clan’s destruction.

Back then, Elder Xuan Chong, known for his temper, had taken good care of him.

Qi Yuan smiled at Honglian. “If the entire Shuixian Continent is full of Purple Mansion cultivators like you, then why not start a war?”

He wouldn’t mind having more “white moonlight.”

The late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator chuckled awkwardly, not daring to speak.

At this point, Qi Yuan said, “In that case, I’ll accept the role of leader of Cuiyun Continent. And your task is to collect as many techniques as possible for me.”

All the Purple Mansion cultivators smiled at this. The Blood-Clad Sword God had agreed, and their minds were at ease. With the great calamity looming in a few hundred years, they wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Then, Qi Yuan said, “Xu Yeli, and you, I have a task for you.”

The late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator tensed up. “At your command, Senior. You may call me Meishan.”

“Hmm, take Honglian and…”

Qi Yuan glanced at the other Purple Mansion cultivators, who wisely left.

Only then did Qi Yuan continue, “Take him to Da Shang and Shen Guang Sect, and hand him over to Elder Kumu.”

Meishan and Xu Yeli’s expressions hardened. “At your command.”

Knowing such a secret, they realized they could no longer sever their ties with the Blood-Clad Sword God.

“Also, give him the purple-gold gourd as well,” Qi Yuan added with a smile.

Inside the gourd, he left a source divine ability and a wisp of True Solar Fire. He wasn’t afraid of these two harboring ill intentions.

With that, Qi Yuan’s figure disappeared.

Only Meishan, Xu Yeli, and Honglian remained.

Xu Yeli looked at Meishan, puzzled. “Senior, I’m curious. Why did you choose the Blood-Clad Sword God?”

Xu Yeli had only recently learned about the coming calamity. He finally understood how close they were to death.

“Are you suggesting that the Blood-Clad Sword God’s days are numbered because he’s offended Yeqiong Sovereign?” Meishan asked, his voice melancholic.

“No… that’s not what I meant.”

“Other than the Blood-Clad Sword God, do we have any other options? Let’s hope that Yeqiong Sovereign, fearing the great calamity, won’t take action against our leader in the coming centuries. Only then, under his protection, will we have a chance to survive when the calamity strikes.”

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