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

Liu Sheng was somewhat surprised but still dutifully stored away the divine artifacts.

Ripples of emotion stirred in his heart.

In this world... could there really exist such selfless beings?

He asked himself and realized he could never achieve such magnanimity. His respect for Qi Yuan deepened.

Qi Yuan’s gaze fell upon the books within the storage artifact.

As a Divine-tier Weapon Master, his reading speed was unmatched. One glance was all it took.

The pages flipped rapidly, pouring a torrent of information into Qi Yuan’s mind.

The records about Sheng Nu were sparse and fragmented.

However, when pieced together, the image of a graceful, mysterious woman with a gentle and refined character emerged in his mind.

“Sheng Nu isn’t originally from the Blue Mountain Realm. She first appeared here 500 years ago, disappeared at Sunset Cliff, and reappeared a century later.”

Based on the information, Qi Yuan speculated that during her century of absence, Sheng Nu had most likely been in the Divine Wood Abyss.

“Two hundred years ago, Sheng Nu descended upon the Rosha Kingdom. After leaving behind the artifact Divine Descent, she vanished once more.”

“The records indicate that she later went to... the Tai Star Domain.”

The last entry stated that Sheng Nu herself had declared her intention to travel to the Tai Star Domain.

“Where is the Tai Star Domain?” Qi Yuan asked Caidie, the Insect Maiden.

As for the inhabitants of the Blue Mountain Realm, they probably had no knowledge of the Tai Star Domain’s location.

Caidie replied, “The Divine Wood Universe consists of 781 star domains, large and small. The Tai Star Domain is located among the Nine Star Frontline regions!”

Caidie continued explaining.

The Divine Wood Universe was still a nascent universe, having existed for less than one cycle.

Compared to other universes, it was clearly a smaller, less developed version.

Despite that, the Divine Wood Universe was home to 781 star domains.

Each domain was vast beyond measure, with countless smaller worlds like the Blue Mountain Realm.

However, many of the 781 star domains had become Fallen Zones.

The Chaos Star Domain, where the Blue Mountain Realm was located, had half of its regions classified as Fallen Zones.

As for the Tai Star Domain, it was at the frontline, resisting the invasion of the Black Heaven.

The Nine Star Frontline had united, gathering nearly all of the elite forces in the Divine Wood Universe to fight against the Black Heaven and Black Earth.

Even the rear star domains had their roles to play.

For instance, in the Blue Mountain Realm, which was largely controlled by the Radiant Society, there were still 300,000 Artifact Masters hidden in the mountains, forging fragments of Divine Light Treasures.

Although the philosophies of the Light Council and Human Enlightenment differed, both were ultimately striving for the survival of the Divine Wood Universe.

“The Tai Star Domain is very far away...” Caidie said, looking at Qi Yuan with a complex expression. “If it were before, I might have been able to take you there, but since you killed Feng Ti, you’re surely being watched by the Radiant Society. Leaving the Chaos Star Domain will be very difficult.”

The original plan had been to wait until Shen Lingxuan reached the Divine-tier and then use a teleportation array to travel to the frontlines and join the Human Enlightenment faction.

“So, you’re saying that if I leave, someone will deliver themselves to my doorstep? What a thoughtful service,” Qi Yuan said, unconcerned.

If the Radiant Society tried to stop him, he’d simply kill them.

Caidie remained silent. Qi Yuan indeed had the qualifications to be confident.

Even Feng Ti had fallen to him. Ordinary Great Venerables would stand no chance.

As for Ancestor Gods or Yang Gods, such exalted beings wouldn’t concern themselves with a mere Divine-tier Weapon Master.

“Do you have a way to get me out of the Blue Mountain Realm?” Qi Yuan asked.

“There is a way, but it could be very dangerous,” Caidie replied hesitantly.

The Tai Star Domain was so distant that it required multiple teleportation arrays and transfers.

If one of the transit domains or pathways had fallen into the Fallen Zones, they’d have to find new routes.

“Danger doesn’t matter. However, before heading to the Tai Star Domain, take me to the Kuijin Realm first,” Qi Yuan said calmly.

After ending his "Blind Artifact Master" persona, he had awakened a new identity.

This new role was located in the Kuijin Realm and had recently died.

The identity he was to assume was that of a mythical Divine-tier Weapon Master who had secluded himself in the Kuijin Realm for years, attempting to break through to the Ancestor God Realm through transcending the mortal realm.

Unfortunately, the attempt at ascension had failed, leading to his death.

Qi Yuan’s goal was to complete the ascension on this person’s behalf, thereby stepping into the Ancestor God Realm—also known as the Yang God Realm.

As for how to carry out the ascension, Qi Yuan already had a rough plan.

Once in the Kuijin Realm, he could adjust the plan based on the situation and formalize it.

That was the essence of intelligence and wisdom!

“The Kuijin Realm?” Caidie’s face was filled with worry. “That world has already fallen and is under the control of the Black Heaven!”

The Chaos Star Domain was indeed chaotic.

Half of its regions were controlled by the Radiant Society, while the other half were split between Fallen Zones and Human Enlightenment territories.

The Kuijin Realm was part of the Fallen Zones and had been under the Black Heaven’s rule for thousands of years.

The entire realm had effectively become a domain shaped by the Black Heaven and Black Earth.

“Why would you go there, Young Master Qi?” Caidie asked, puzzled.

The ongoing war between Human Enlightenment and the Black Heaven had been a series of defeats.

Human Enlightenment lacked the strength to even consider reclaiming the Kuijin Realm.

“That’s a secret,” Qi Yuan replied curtly.

Otherwise, he’d have to waste time explaining to these NPC-like characters, who’d likely doubt him anyway.

“Fine, I’ll take you there,” Caidie said through gritted teeth, glancing at Shen Lingxuan.

Shen Lingxuan’s cold voice followed. “I’ll go too.”

Qi Yuan met her gaze, his own still calm. “Fine.”

<hr>

Kuijin Realm.

Yunxue City.

Night had fallen, and the sky above was a blood-red expanse.

Amidst the clouds seemed to hover a massive blood-red eye, radiating an eerie light.

This enormous eye was one of the 99 Specter Gods of the Kuijin Realm.

The Specter Gods loomed over the skies or hid within mountains, lands, and seas, acting as the revered deities of the Kuijin Realm.

In a small courtyard, Wang Tong’s face was twisted with malice. “That old bastard wasn’t fair. We treated him like a father for years, and now he’s dead... without leaving us a single inheritance?”

Xu Jiaoyun nodded in agreement. “Do you think Master left everything to Zhao Yan instead?”

Wang Tong, Xu Jiaoyun, and Zhao Yan were all orphans from Yunxue City.

Thirty years ago, a white-haired youth had come to the city and taken them in, raising them to adulthood.

Recently, the white-haired man had grown old and passed away.

Wang Tong and Xu Jiaoyun had always feared their Master.

After all, even after thirty years, their Master had maintained his youthful appearance—a clear sign of being a Divine-tier Weapon Master.

A Weapon Master of his caliber couldn’t possibly lack treasures.

But despite turning his home upside down, they found nothing of value.

Xu Jiaoyun’s gaze fell on Zhao Yan, their Master’s final disciple.

“It was Zhao Yan who buried him, wasn’t it? He probably got everything! Or...” Wang Tong’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. “Maybe the treasures are in the old man’s coffin!”

“Humph! Zhao Yan keeps stopping us from opening the coffin. If he tries again, we’ll just have the Blood Tiger Gang send him to the Rebirth Courtyard! That’ll teach him!” Xu Jiaoyun said venomously.

In Yunxue City, the Rebirth Courtyard was infamous.

It was a sinister institution controlled by the Specters, where young women were sent to breed—either to ensure the continuation of humanity or to produce more specters.

Men weren’t entirely spared either. Some were forcibly altered, having "wombs" implanted into their bodies before being sent to the Rebirth Courtyard.

“If Zhao Yan resists again, I’ll call in the Blood Tiger Gang. They’ve been waiting for results. We don’t have much time left to offer them something valuable,” Wang Tong said grimly.

The Blood Tiger Gang was one of Yunxue City’s most powerful gangs, operating under the Thorned Blood Specters. Wang Tong had joined the gang recently and was eager to climb its ranks.

To do so, he needed to present them with treasures of significant value.

At that moment, a wiry, sharp-eyed man walked into the courtyard. His lecherous gaze lingered on Xu Jiaoyun, and he slapped her casually on the backside.

This man was a member of the Blood Tiger Gang and one of Xu Jiaoyun’s numerous lovers.

“I just saw Zhao Yan heading toward the Purple Sun Forest,” the man said lazily.

“That bastard! He’s probably trying to move the coffin so he can hoard Master’s treasures for himself!” Wang Tong roared in anger.

Xu Jiaoyun stood up abruptly. “We have to stop him!”

“Relax,” the wiry man said with a sly grin. “I’ve already sent two brothers to tail him. He won’t get far.”

Xu Jiaoyun shot him a seductive look before the group left, hurrying toward the Purple Sun Forest.

<hr>

Purple Sun Forest.

Under the blood-red sky, the Purple Sun Forest was shrouded in an eerie glow.

Rows of purple bamboo swayed in the wind, casting long shadows over the countless graves scattered throughout the forest.

The dim red light reflecting off the gravestones made the place seem even more unsettling.

Zhao Yan’s handsome face was tense, his steps hurried.

“They’re utterly inhuman! If it weren’t for Master, they’d have starved to death on the streets long ago!” he thought angrily.

To Zhao Yan, their Master was a father figure—someone he respected and loved deeply.

But Wang Tong and Xu Jiaoyun were ungrateful and heartless. The moment Master passed away, they had set their sights on his supposed inheritance.

“I have to move Master’s grave. If I leave it here, those two will desecrate his body!” Zhao Yan resolved.

Wang Tong and Xu Jiaoyun hadn’t found anything in the coffin. But if they couldn’t find treasures, Zhao Yan had no doubt they’d dissect Master’s corpse to see if anything was hidden inside.

He couldn’t let that happen.

Carrying a shovel and a pickaxe, Zhao Yan quickened his pace.

After about half an hour, he arrived at a familiar grave.

The grave was still fresh, the soil recently disturbed. Seeing it brought a pang of sorrow to Zhao Yan’s heart.

“Master, please forgive me,” he murmured.

Kneeling before the grave, Zhao Yan bowed deeply before taking up his shovel and beginning to dig.

The red light of the moon bathed the scene in an otherworldly glow. The only sounds were the rustling of bamboo leaves and the scraping of the shovel against dirt.

Sweat soon dripped down Zhao Yan’s face. Though he had some cultivation, his strength was limited.

In Yunxue City, the Thorned Blood Specters suppressed the lower classes, allowing them only the bare minimum of martial training. Any advancement required registering with the Specters.

Finally, after much effort, Zhao Yan unearthed a bright red coffin. Its lacquered surface gleamed ominously under the crimson light.

Zhao Yan’s heart pounded. He knelt again.

“Master, please forgive your disciple once more,” he said.

He climbed into the grave and prepared to pry out the coffin nails with his pickaxe.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him.

A mocking voice rang out.

“Well, well, Zhao Yan! Aren’t you always preaching about respect for Master? And here you are, digging up his grave!”

Zhao Yan froze. Turning around, he saw Wang Tong leading a group of five, their expressions filled with derision.

Zhao Yan’s face turned red with anger. “You misunderstand! I’m digging up Master’s grave to protect his remains from you two!”

“Spare us the act, you hypocrite,” Xu Jiaoyun sneered.

The members of the Blood Tiger Gang chuckled cruelly.

“Well, he’s already done most of the work for us. Saves us the trouble,” one of them said mockingly.

The group moved toward Zhao Yan.

Desperate, Zhao Yan spread his arms to block their path. “You can’t do this! Master took you in, raised you like his own children. How can you disturb his peace? You’ll be cursed!”

“Cursed?” Wang Tong sneered. “In Yunxue City, there are no curses—only the Thorned Blood Specters!”

If curses existed, the Thorned Blood Specters wouldn’t have lived so long committing atrocities.

Xu Jiaoyun laughed coldly. “He’s still clinging to this nonsense about curses. How pathetic.”

Zhao Yan clenched his fists, his voice trembling with rage. “Master gave you everything! Doesn’t your conscience hurt? Don’t you feel shame?”

“Shame?” Xu Jiaoyun sneered. “That old bastard ruined my life! If he hadn’t picked me up, I’d be living as a rich man’s daughter, enjoying a life of luxury! He stole that from me!”

Twenty years ago, it was snowing heavily, and Xu Jiaoyun was picked up from the snow by a white-haired young man. If she was left outside, she might have frozen to death.

And three years ago, Xu Jiaoyun learned that she was actually the lost lady of a rich family in the city, and that rich man also died of illness a few years ago.

She was rejected when she went to recognize her relatives, and went mad with anger.

She didn't dare to resent the rich man, but resent her master.

Xu Jiaoyun felt that if she hadn't been picked up by her master, maybe her father could still find her.

Wang Tong smirked. “Master was so kind to us. I’m sure he’d be happy to leave his inheritance to us.”

“Shameless!” Zhao Yan shouted. “You’re nothing but beasts!”

Two gang members grabbed Zhao Yan, pinning him to the ground.

Wang Tong stepped forward, smirking as he approached the coffin. “Let’s see what treasures the old man left behind.”

Xu Jiaoyun followed hesitantly, her gaze fixed on the coffin. She shivered. “What if there’s something unclean in there?”

“Don’t be stupid. This is the city, everything is under the watchful eyes of the Specter God, there is no unclean things!"” Wang Tong replied, though his own hands trembled.

Suddenly—

Thump! Thump!

A loud knock came from inside the coffin.

Xu Jiaoyun’s face turned pale. “T-The coffin... it’s knocking!”

Wang Tong was also stunned, a little panic creeping in: "Don't scare yourself!"

The master is 100% dead.

Even the big figures of Thorned Blood came to check, and found that the master's body could not be refined into a specter before leaving.

How could the big figures of Thorned Blood make mistakes?

However, he was just forcing himself to give himself courage and look at the coffin.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Wang Tong froze, fear creeping into his heart.

The knocking grew louder.

Xu Jiaoyun screamed and fled.

Wang Tong hesitated, gripping his dagger tightly.

A voice echoed from inside the coffin, calm yet irritated.

“You’re so noisy. Can’t a man get some rest?”

Bang!

The coffin lid flew off, and a young man sat upright.

His white hair flowed down his back, and his flawless face bore an expression of mild annoyance.

Wang Tong’s eyes widened in terror. “M-Master?!”

How could the master still be alive!

The big shots of Thorned Blood came to check it out in person!

Could it be that he is not the master, but a specter?

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