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

“So, it seems you don’t know everything after all.”

Seeing the Unsanctified Sovereign’s silence, Qi Yuan shrugged.

“I happen to be short of a mirror for my house. Interested in hanging on my wall?”

Qi Yuan gazed at the Mirror of Myriad Reflections, speaking slowly.

At this moment, the Unsanctified Sovereign, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them. His own consciousness returned, and his demeanor resumed its usual warmth.

“Ten Thousand Suns Supreme, you must be joking,” the Unsanctified Sovereign replied with a small smile.

“How do you know I’m joking?” Qi Yuan retorted with a faint smirk.

If the Unsanctified Sovereign had agreed, he would have accepted the mirror graciously. If refused, he could simply dismiss it as a jest—classic double-edged humor.

“Thank you for helping with the questions I asked. Consider it a favor I owe to you and the Council of Truth,” Qi Yuan said seriously.

He had always been someone who repaid both kindness and grudges in full.

The Unsanctified Sovereign stood by his side and added with a solemn tone, “Although Taihuang Palace has fled to the Seventh Heaven, the Ten Thousand Suns Supreme must still exercise caution with the Lynia Transformation. This time, it’s possible that even Supremes may fall.”

It was rumored that Taihuang Palace had assured the Sole Hall that this iteration of the Lynia Transformation would claim the life of a Supreme.

However, considering Taihuang Palace’s power alone, it seemed unlikely they could orchestrate such a feat.

Thus, the Council of Truth suspected that the Sole Hall might intervene directly in this Lynia Transformation.

Otherwise, they could not fathom how a Supreme might fall.

The Unsanctified Sovereign shared these speculations with Qi Yuan.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes. “If they descend, all the better. I need to ask them why they’re sheltering Taihuang Palace!”

The Unsanctified Sovereign’s heart jolted at this bold declaration.

He couldn’t help but admire Qi Yuan’s audacity.

To the Council of Truth, even its two Supremes treated the Sole Hall with utmost caution, avoiding unnecessary entanglements. Yet here was the Ten Thousand Suns Supreme, boldly talking about confronting them.

“The Yang God Sovereigns of the Sixth Heaven, even Supremes, may never have seen the Heroic Spirits of the Sole Hall. Their strength is unknown. Please proceed with care, Ten Thousand Suns Supreme,” the Unsanctified Sovereign advised.

“A prince and a commoner must face the same law. If they’re strong, does that mean they get to break the rules? Such a thing is absurd,” Qi Yuan said dismissively. ŘаŊȪᛒЕŚ

He resolved that once his cultivation reached its peak, he would go to the Seventh Heaven and personally apprehend the criminals of Taihuang Palace.

Seeing Qi Yuan’s determination, the Unsanctified Sovereign wisely chose to drop the topic.

“Ten Thousand Suns Supreme, when the Lynia Transformation begins, we hope that the Council of Truth and Purple Fate Heaven can cooperate to weather the storm together,” the Unsanctified Sovereign said.

“No problem,” Qi Yuan replied casually, showing no particular concern for the matter.

At this moment, the Unsanctified Sovereign seemed to recall something. With a wave of his hand, he produced a small white jade vial and spoke in a low voice, “Ten Thousand Suns Supreme, this is a collection of Black Demon Ancestor’s Blood. I heard you needed it, so I’ve brought it as an offering. Please, accept it.”

The Unsanctified Sovereign made it clear that this gift was a personal gesture and did not represent the Council of Truth.

“Oh? Not bad. What is it you’re after? Go ahead and say it,” Qi Yuan said as he accepted the vial.

He knew full well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. If the Unsanctified Sovereign was giving him the Black Demon Ancestor’s Blood, there had to be a reason.

The thought even crossed his mind: Could this solemn old man have fallen for me?

The Unsanctified Sovereign’s eyes gleamed with joy as he said cautiously, “I’ve heard that not long ago, Saint Wu Ming used Root Demon Blood to push the Purple Fate Ancestor into a Root Demon Tribulation. In the end, it was the Ten Thousand Suns Supreme who helped him overcome it. Is this true?”

The Unsanctified Sovereign looked at Qi Yuan nervously, though his gaze held a faint glimmer of expectation.

“Yes,” Qi Yuan confirmed calmly.

The Unsanctified Sovereign was overjoyed at this answer, though he maintained a composed exterior.

It was true!

The Ten Thousand Suns Supreme could resolve a Root Demon Tribulation!

The Unsanctified Sovereign understood what this meant.

If word spread, the Supreme Truth cultivators and Great Supreme Truth cultivators of the Sixth Heaven would go mad with excitement.

Root Demon Tribulation was the bane of all Truth cultivators, a sword hanging perpetually over their heads. It impeded their progress and could send them plummeting into the abyss with the slightest misstep.

“Within the next ten thousand years, I, too, may face my Root Demon Tribulation. Would the Ten Thousand Suns Supreme be willing to assist me when the time comes?” The Unsanctified Sovereign’s tone was humble, his demeanor deferential.

“My only concern is the timing of your tribulation…” Qi Yuan said, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

The Unsanctified Sovereign misunderstood, thinking that Qi Yuan had limits to how often he could resolve tribulations. He quickly said, “I can delay it—up to five thousand years if necessary!”

“No need to delay. I was just saying that in ten thousand years, the Root Demons might be working as chefs for me,” Qi Yuan quipped casually.

The Unsanctified Sovereign froze.

Root Demons… working as chefs?

This Ten Thousand Suns Supreme truly spoke without restraint!

To others, Root Demons were incomprehensible entities, colossal even on a cosmic scale. They were beings even Supremes could not fathom.

Still, he dared not question Qi Yuan’s words and tentatively asked, “So… no delay, then?”

“The sooner, the better,” Qi Yuan replied.

“Understood!” the Unsanctified Sovereign said, his heart settling at last.

“Farewell,” Qi Yuan said with a wave, glancing deeply at the Council of Truth before vanishing.

<hr>

Deep within the Council of Truth.

Two voices echoed in the hidden recesses.

“What do you think?”

“I can’t discern him.”

“Do we stand a chance?”

“No chance.”

“With the Gate of Myriad Principles in his hands, he will inevitably see through us one day.”

“Sigh… knowing this, why did he still come to the Council? Could it be… he’s baiting us to act?”

“I can’t discern him… I can’t discern him…”

The murmurs gradually faded into silence.

<hr>

Time passed.

Qi Yuan opened his eyes.

A terrifying energy surged around him.

“I’ve finally reached the fourteenth layer,” he murmured, glancing at his arm. His gaze carried a sharp edge.

Since returning from the Council of Truth, Qi Yuan had used the Black Demon Ancestor’s Blood provided by the Purple Fate Ancestor and the Unsanctified Sovereign to cultivate the Ancestral Blood Scripture.

Now, the scripture had reached its fourteenth layer.

“No one has ever achieved the fourteenth layer in the Black Demon Abyss.”

Of course, Qi Yuan’s version of the Ancestral Blood Scripture had been optimized, making it vastly different—and far more powerful—than the standard version.

“With the strength of my body now, bolstered by the Ten Thousand Paths Martial God… it should be comparable to an offensive Supreme Treasure,” Qi Yuan mused.

Still, he sighed. “I’m too weak.”

“The Sole Hall’s Heroic Spirits terrify even Supremes. Am I truly their match?”

“And then there’s Sovereign Ming—he’s clearly a ruthless figure!”

“If even they couldn’t win, how could ‘Freedom’ truth possibly survive alongside me?”

These thoughts whirled through Qi Yuan’s mind.

“Luckily… the game is about to begin.”

Qi Yuan stretched lazily. The timing was almost right.

But before that, he had one place to visit—the Moon God Palace.

“I wonder… will they try to stop me?”

Qi Yuan emerged from his secluded training area.

He had decided to visit the Moon God Palace, but before departing, the Purple Fate Ancestor appeared with a small vial in hand.

“I’ve gathered more Black Demon Ancestor’s Blood… here, take it,” the Purple Fate Ancestor said, offering the vial.

Qi Yuan examined the contents and frowned.

“This isn’t enough,” he muttered.

The final layer of the Ancestral Blood Scripture required an astronomical amount of Black Demon Ancestor’s Blood, and what the Purple Fate Ancestor brought him barely made a dent.

The Purple Fate Ancestor coughed awkwardly. “Indeed, it’s not much. However, there’s been no shortage of other treasures. Recently, forces like the Council of Truth, Bi Luo Heaven, and White Dragon Abyss have been showering you with gifts. You’ve become the most famous figure in the Sixth Heaven.”

His face lit with undisguised joy.

As a Great Supreme Truth cultivator, the Purple Fate Ancestor had rarely basked in such glory. Though respected, he had never been the center of attention. Now, those who once viewed him with disdain greeted him warmly, their attitudes transformed by his association with Qi Yuan.

“Are they all trying to overcome Root Demon Tribulations?” Qi Yuan asked, his tone casual.

Qi Yuan’s success in helping the Purple Fate Ancestor through his tribulation had drawn the attention of countless Supreme Truth cultivators in the Sixth Heaven. Many of the gifts were attempts to curry favor in hopes that he would help them survive their tribulations.

“Likely so,” the Purple Fate Ancestor replied gravely.

“If they want my help, they can’t be my enemies… and I’ll need to clean up the atmosphere in the cultivation world while I’m at it,” Qi Yuan said lazily.

For now, though, he wasn’t in a rush to resolve these matters.

“I’m heading to the Moon God Palace first. Once I return, I’ll fully dive into my plans.”

Based on Qi Yuan’s calculations, the timing for his "game" would coincide with his return. He was eager to see how his earlier contributions to the game’s development had shaped its current state.

“I wonder… how is the Silent Voice doing these days?” he mused.

Since he infused his blood into the game last time, he hadn’t heard the Silent Voice again.

The Purple Fate Ancestor’s expression turned serious.

“Be careful. The Moon God Palace is not like the Council of Truth. Now that you hold the Great Sun title, you are inherently at odds with them,” he cautioned.

“Don’t worry. If I can’t win, I’ll run,” Qi Yuan replied nonchalantly.

With a flicker, Qi Yuan’s figure vanished.

<hr>

At the Moon God Palace.

Unlike his last visit, Qi Yuan immediately noticed the tense atmosphere upon his arrival.

The Moon God Palace seemed on high alert.

Standing at the forefront was Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign, one of the palace’s two Great Supreme Truth cultivators. She carried an offensive Treasure and stared coldly at Qi Yuan.

“Ten Thousand Suns Supreme… what brings you to the Moon God Palace?” she demanded, her tone hostile.

The rivalry between the Great Sun and the Moon had existed for countless epochs. Now that Qi Yuan had claimed the Great Sun title, conflict was inevitable.

“I’ve come to meet the Moon God Sovereign,” Qi Yuan said calmly.

“The Moon God Sovereign is unavailable,” Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign retorted sharply, her sleeves flicking as her demeanor turned icy.

Unbeknownst to Qi Yuan, the Moon God Sovereign was gravely injured. Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign would never allow Qi Yuan to meet her in such a vulnerable state.

“Relax, I have no ill intentions,” Qi Yuan said seriously.

In a way, the Moon God Palace was tied to Jin Li, making them somewhat related. He had no desire for needless hostility.

“Hmph. Intentions don’t matter when it comes to a struggle of paths,” Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign declared flatly.

At their level, “goodwill” and “hostility” held little weight. In a world driven by Daoist ambitions, even the faintest opportunity could spark conflict.

Just as Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign was about to refuse him again, a soft, ethereal voice resonated from the depths of the Moon God Palace.

“Let him in.”

Yuehua Heavenly Sovereign’s expression shifted drastically.

Biting her lip, she hesitated before finally saying, “Ten Thousand Suns Supreme, this way.”

It was clear the voice belonged to none other than the Moon God Sovereign herself.

A beam of moonlight shimmered in the distance, transforming into a blue bird that circled around Qi Yuan.

Carrying threads of moonlight in its beak, the bird began to lead the way deeper into the palace.

Qi Yuan followed, venturing into the inner sanctum of the Moon God Palace.

<hr>

The deeper he went, the colder the air became. It wasn’t just cold—it was a penetrating, bone-chilling frost.

Frost hung in the air, and even his breath seemed to crystallize into ice.

Before long, Qi Yuan found himself surrounded by glaciers and frost-covered landscapes.

Every creation was encased in ice, frozen in an eerie stillness.

The air was utterly still, devoid of any breeze, suffused with an oppressive, dry cold.

Even Qi Yuan, despite his immense cultivation, felt his thoughts slow momentarily, as though frozen by the environment.

Ahead of him lay a bed of pure ice.

On the bed sat a woman—no, a being that resembled a woman.

Her form was transcendent, otherworldly. She seemed carved from ice, with jade-like clarity in her body, snow-like skin, and a radiance that shone with the purity of untouched frost.

Her dress, too, seemed woven from the essence of ice and snow, draping over her ethereal form.

Her eyes were crystal clear, reflecting a brilliance that felt utterly untainted.

The sight left an odd impression on Qi Yuan.

Even if she went to the bathroom… it probably wouldn’t be yellow—it’d be transparent, clear water, he thought idly.

“Are you the Moon God Sovereign?” Qi Yuan asked, studying the ice-born entity before him.

“Yes… and no,” the icy figure replied.

“They call me the Moon God Sovereign, but in truth… I am Ice Moon.”

<hr>

Ice Moon: The Moon God Palace’s strongest offensive Supreme Treasure.

Among all offensive Supreme Treasures, Ice Moon ranked first.

It was said that the Moon God Sovereign had relied on Ice Moon to defend the Moon God Palace against the overwhelming power of Taihuang Palace. Without it, she would have been unable to resist their might.

<hr>

“You seek information about your master, Ruan Yixi?” Ice Moon asked, her voice clear and tinged with frost.

“Yes,” Qi Yuan nodded.

“There is no such person in the Moon God Palace,” Ice Moon said calmly. “Even among the previous generations of Moon God Maidens, there was no one by that name.”

“Then she…” Qi Yuan trailed off, lost in thought.

“If she is truly from the Moon God Palace and shrouded in such mystery, then there are only two possibilities.

“The first is that she is so powerful that she can avoid even my detection,” Ice Moon explained.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan nodded. He could understand this reasoning. If he returned to his sect pretending to be a lowly disciple, even the sect master wouldn’t recognize him.

“And the second possibility?”

“She is the Moon God Sovereign herself.”

Ice Moon continued, “The Moon God Palace is small. How could there be two equally mysterious figures within it?

“So, it is highly likely that Ruan Yixi and the Moon God Sovereign are one and the same.”

Qi Yuan showed no surprise at this deduction. He had long suspected this possibility.

It didn’t matter whether she was the Moon God Sovereign or not. What mattered was that she was still his master—and his wife.

“Where is she now?” Qi Yuan asked.

Ice Moon’s expression turned complicated.

“She could be in the past… or in the future. But she is not in the present.”

“In the past… or the future?” Qi Yuan’s thoughts churned as he processed this revelation.

The stronger I grow, the more incomprehensible the world becomes, he thought bitterly.

Whether it was Sovereign Ming, who had severed the Sixth Heaven’s future, or his master, who existed outside the present, the mysteries only deepened.

“How can I find her?” he asked.

“It is said that a cultivator at the fifth layer of the Yang God Realm can gather all timelines of existence.

“If you reach the fifth layer, you may traverse time itself—return to the past or visit the future to see her,” Ice Moon said softly.

She studied Qi Yuan for a moment before adding, “Perhaps… you’ve already met her in the past without realizing it.”

<hr>

Qi Yuan fell silent. Countless memories flashed through his mind, but he could recall nothing concrete about Ruan Yixi’s origins.

However, no matter how hard Qi Yuan searched through his memories, he couldn’t recall anything more about Ruan Yixi.

Perhaps, like a flower quietly blooming along the roadside, her presence had once graced his journey, but he had walked past without stopping to admire it.

“Seems like my strength is still far too inadequate,” Qi Yuan said with a self-deprecating smile.

It was true—he was still at the Purple Mansion stage.

Even against Supremes, he wasn’t entirely confident of victory, let alone against beings from the Sole Hall or other unknown existences.

<hr>

“Yang God Realm’s fifth layer can unite all timelines. What about the third and fourth layers? What do they represent?” Qi Yuan asked, curious about the greater truths of cultivation.

Ice Moon shook her head gently.

“Such realms are beyond my understanding as a mere Supreme Treasure.

“However, I’ve heard whispers about the fourth layer—it represents chaos and disorder.

“You’ve seen it before.”

“Who?” Qi Yuan asked, a suspicion already forming in his mind.

“Root Demons,” Ice Moon replied solemnly. “Those beings, scattered across countless universes and appearing only during Root Demon Tribulations, are said to embody the grandeur of the fourth layer of the Yang God Realm.”

Her voice carried a deep reverence, tinged with fear.

“To a cultivator at the second layer, the fourth layer is as unattainable as the heavens above. It’s like a mayfly gazing at the vast sky or a frog peering out from a well at the sun and moon.

“Though both are considered Yang God cultivators, they are utterly different kinds of existence.”

Ice Moon’s gaze grew distant, filled with awe and trepidation.

<hr>

“Root Demons…” Qi Yuan murmured, reflecting on the beings Ice Moon described.

Her explanation aligned with his earlier conjectures about these enigmatic entities.

“You’ve resolved a Root Demon Tribulation before. I don’t know how, but…” Ice Moon paused briefly before continuing. “You should avoid doing so too often.

“Though the fourth layer of the Yang God Realm represents chaos and disorder, that doesn’t mean the Root Demons will remain dormant forever. If one of them were to awaken and notice a small being like you interfering with their affairs…”

Her tone was serious, but there was a faint hint of amusement in her eyes, as if she found the idea both absurd and strangely entertaining.

“Hey, I’m not small!” Qi Yuan protested, indignant.

Purple Fate Ancestor had once been so awestruck that he’d stammered “big, big, big” upon seeing Qi Yuan’s strength. How could anyone call him small?

<hr>

“Is there anything else you want to know? My knowledge rivals that of the Mirror of Myriad Reflections, but I’ll need to rest soon,” Ice Moon said. A touch of weariness began to show on her frosty, jade-like face.

“How powerful are the Heroic Spirits of the Sole Hall?” Qi Yuan asked, pressing the question that weighed on his mind.

“The Sole Hall…” Ice Moon’s eyes darkened, filled with deep unease. “You’ve been to the Heaven and Earth Secret Land. You should have encountered the Remnant Cloak Soul.”

“Yes,” Qi Yuan confirmed.

“I suspect that in life, the Remnant Cloak Soul was a being of the third layer of the Yang God Realm,” Ice Moon said.

“Furthermore, it bore traces of tainted blood—‘the Blood of Misfortune.’ That blood once attempted to invade the immortal realm but was eradicated by the Sole Hall.”

At the mention of this, Ice Moon’s tone grew heavier, her reverence toward the Sole Hall undeniable.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s expression grew serious.

The Sole Hall’s Heroic Spirits weren’t ordinary foes. Even if the Remnant Cloak Soul was merely a remnant of a third-layer Yang God, its power was undeniable.

And if the Blood of Misfortune was even stronger than that…

The Sole Hall’s ability to confront and eradicate such an entity spoke volumes about their terrifying strength.

“From what you’ve said, the Sole Hall is indeed powerful. Right now, I’m no match for them,” Qi Yuan said frankly.

At his current level, he doubted he could even contend with the Remnant Cloak Soul, let alone the forces of the Sole Hall.

<hr>

“If I were you, I’d enter the Gate of Myriad Principles right away,” Ice Moon suggested.

“That treasure isn’t just the greatest Supreme Treasure in the immortal realm—it’s also considered the purest sanctuary.

“Supremes are said to be as eternal as heaven and earth, their lifespans limitless.

“Yet throughout countless epochs, the number of Supremes who have survived within the Sixth Heaven can be counted on one hand.

“If you stay within the Gate of Myriad Principles, you might achieve immortality,” Ice Moon said with a hint of envy.

“We who tread the Dao seek only freedom, yet in this world, where can one find true freedom?” she lamented.

“To us, the Sixth Heaven is but a cage.

“It’s a cage we cannot escape, for to escape is to die.

“I’ve met beings from beyond this realm—they’ve all said that the outer universes are rife with strife and chaos.

“Compared to them, the Sixth Heaven is a sheltered paradise.

“But the moment our existence is discovered by beings from other universes, war is inevitable.

“Countless epochs ago, the immortal realm’s Sixth Heaven was invaded and conquered by outsiders.

“To be strong is to face catastrophe. To be weak is to invite calamity. Ignorance is a blessing; unawareness brings peace.

“The more powerful one becomes, the more one realizes their insignificance. The more one understands, the more they see the futility of the immortal path,” Ice Moon said, her tone heavy with despair.

Qi Yuan remained calm, quietly processing her words.

<hr>

What Ice Moon described aligned with the Dark Forest Theory.

If a universe is discovered by a more advanced civilization, conflict is almost inevitable.

In the end, cultivation was a path of both heart and resources.

In many ways, resources and power dictated survival.

And in this world, plunder was the unspoken melody of the immortal Dao.

<hr>

“Yes, the cultivation world is full of bad actors. I know,” Qi Yuan said with a sigh.

After playing so many games, he had seen enough of these patterns.

Even NPCs were often filled with hostility, let alone cultivators striving for supremacy.

On every world he had visited—be it the Moonwatch Continent, Flowing Wind Realm, Mortal Heart World, or Gongxing Star—the stories were the same.

Wherever people existed, so too did conflict and strife.

The scale might differ, but the essence was unchanged.

<hr>

“Looks like I’ll need to grow stronger and set the cultivation world straight!”

Qi Yuan suddenly declared with an air of determination.

“Rule number one: No cursing during cultivation!”

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