My Golden Core is a Star, do you call this cultivating?

On Huanghun and Huolian, the Ancient God Alliance's leader sensed an overwhelming power he couldn’t contend with. This meant... they hadn't just recently stepped into the fourth step of ascension.

The three great venerables of the Ancient God Alliance were utterly shocked, feeling as if they were in a nightmare. The other ancient gods were equally stunned by the scene unfolding before them.

"Kill," Qi Yuan said softly.

At this command, Venerable Huanghun and Venerable Huolian showed no mercy. Facing their former leader, they acted decisively, unleashing the full power of their divine domains, which immediately crushed the divine domains of the three great venerables from the Ancient God Alliance.

The leader’s face turned pale. "Fifth step of ascension!"

"How is this possible?" another venerable cried out in terror.

"We’re all on the same side—there’s no need for such violence!" one of the venerables from the Ancient God Alliance pleaded, feeling utterly helpless.

Unfortunately for them, Venerable Huanghun and Venerable Huolian did not receive any orders from Qi Yuan to hold back, so they pressed their attack.

Their terrifying divine domains, one of water and the other of fire, crushed the divine domains of the three great venerables as if they were nothing!

Venerable Huanghun had visualized the Water God of Calamity, who ruled over all the waters of the world. How could these three hope to compete against him?

Their divine domains, cobbled together without divine authority, were like fragile porcelain dolls in the eyes of Venerable Huanghun and Venerable Huolian, full of weaknesses.

In just one breath, the divine domains of the three venerables shattered. They were utterly paralyzed.

A complete slaughter!

This wasn’t just a difference in cultivation level; it was a disparity in the very essence of their divine domains.

The strength of a great venerable lay in the divine domain. A divine domain with divine authority was an entirely different concept compared to one without.

To use an imperfect analogy, it was like comparing a university student who could use mathematical formulas without understanding them to a mathematician who had created those very formulas. The gap was enormous.

The divine domains of the three great venerables from the Ancient God Alliance were shattered. Then, a wave of divine power surged forth, and the three venerables were slain on the spot.

Silence.

Fear, shock... various emotions spread across the faces of the ancient gods present.

Qi Yuan looked at the corpses of the three venerables and sighed, "Delivering divine power from a thousand miles away, such a thoughtful gesture. To repay this kindness, I’ve decided to eat three extra bowls of rice today."

The deaths of the three venerables didn’t stir any emotion in Qi Yuan. In fact, he seemed to have a good appetite, ready to enjoy his meal.

The other ancient gods shifted their gazes toward Qi Yuan, their expressions changing.

Ye Liuyun remained silent. Qi Yuan’s actions continually shattered his understanding of the world.

Three great venerables—just killed like that.

Even though the venerables of the Ancient God Alliance had murderous intent, they hadn’t outright attacked. But Qi Yuan? He didn’t waste time talking; he simply killed them.

Ye Liuyun still couldn’t understand how Venerable Huanghun had become a great venerable and, more puzzlingly, how he had reached the fifth step of ascension.

Qi Yuan looked at the fearful ancient gods and spoke softly, "There’s no need to be afraid. I’m not a bloodthirsty person. These people were from the Bright Palace’s main branch and had a deep grudge against me. Back when I was just building my foundation, they humiliated me in every way possible! But luckily, the day came when I rose up, overthrew the oppressors, and wiped out the Bright Palace! Who would have thought they would set up their main branch here too? I had no choice but to kill them. But rest assured, I am a good person. I never harm the innocent, and I don’t wipe out entire families."

The people present gave awkward smiles.

Ye Liuyun really wanted to tell Qi Yuan, "Brother Qi, you might want to use a speechwriter next time. Do you realize your words contradict each other? First, you say you wiped out the Bright Palace, and then you claim you don’t wipe out entire families?"

The leader of the Ancient Ape Clan, Yuan Kun, was sweating profusely. "My grandson offended the Origin Heavenly Lord, and he was right to kill him. I, Yuan Kun, apologize to the Origin Heavenly Lord!"

Qi Yuan’s gaze turned cold, and a bone-chilling aura enveloped Yuan Kun.

Then, he heard Qi Yuan say, "Was the leader of the Ancient God Alliance your grandson? Could it be... that you’re a hidden powerhouse?"

"Of course not!" Yuan Kun hurriedly explained.

Qi Yuan relaxed slightly. "Oh, you’re from the Ancient Ape Clan. You scared me for a moment. I was wondering if you were biding your time, planning to take revenge for that golden-furred monkey. I was even thinking about bringing some great venerables and venerables to visit your clan. Don’t worry, I have no ill intentions. I just wanted to bring a wreath for the golden-furred monkey and maybe attend a funeral banquet."

Qi Yuan’s face was full of smiles, looking very amicable.

But Yuan Kun’s smile was more like a grimace, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Qi Yuan said he had no ill intentions? Nonsense.

Bringing great venerables and venerables to deliver a wreath? Attending a funeral banquet?

He meant to wipe out the clan!

Yuan Kun felt lucky he had come here today.

"Origin Heavenly Lord, my Ancient Ape Clan is willing to fully submit to you and become your subjects!" Yuan Kun gritted his teeth and said.

He mainly feared that the Origin Heavenly Lord might change his mind and wipe out his clan. After all, he had just seen the three venerables of the Ancient God Alliance killed without hesitation.

He was terrified!

"Huh?" Qi Yuan was a bit surprised.

Someone actually volunteered to become his subject today? Usually, when he tried to recruit gods as his subjects, it was like pulling teeth. And now, an entire clan was offering itself up?

Was his luck especially good today?

Seeing this, Qi Yuan beamed and looked at the other ancient gods. "And what about you?"

He wanted to test if his good luck was holding.

Ye Liuyun hesitated, but seeing Qi Yuan’s radiant and friendly smile, a deep chill crept into his heart. He couldn’t understand Qi Yuan’s intentions. Was he having a fit, or was he threatening them?

Recalling the mentions of the Candle Dragon and Five-Clawed Golden Dragon that Qi Yuan had previously brought up, Ye Liuyun gritted his teeth and said, "My Well Dragon Clan is willing to become the Heavenly Lord’s subjects."

Qi Yuan’s smile widened.

He really was having a lucky day.

"And the rest of you?"

The leaders of the other clans were heartbroken, feeling both sad and aggrieved. Some of them looked at Venerable Huanghun, considering their options.

"We are willing to become the Heavenly Lord’s subjects!"

The other ancient gods also declared their allegiance.

Qi Yuan was pleased. "It seems my luck is really good today. Too bad there’s no lottery shop around. I’d love to buy a few tickets."

The ancient gods exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to speak.

"Xiao Qi," Qi Yuan called out.

Qi Qi, dressed in a green gown, appeared once again. She glanced at the three corpses on the ground before looking back at Qi Yuan. "Godfather."

"Where are the registration forms? These people want to become my subjects, so make sure to register their information."

Qi Qi’s surprise flashed briefly on her face. "Understood."

Soon, a pile of registration forms was handed out.

Qi Yuan added, "Remember to register the information of any true gods in your clans who aren’t present as well."

Yuan Kun quickly nodded. "Understood!"

Faced with Qi Yuan, the ancient gods were filled with fear. This was a true killer, who had no qualms about slaying three great venerables right in front of them.

Once the forms were filled out, they were handed over to Qi Yuan.

At that moment, an old man cautiously approached and asked, "Heavenly Lord, with the war about to break out on Qingheng Continent, what should we do?"

Another ancient god chimed in, "The demonic army is incredibly powerful. Shouldn’t we all quickly retreat to the Northern Sea God’s Eye and use its natural defenses to resist the demons?"

The ancient gods discussed this among themselves.

Most of them had come here for this very reason.

Qi Yuan shook his head. "Hiding in the Northern Sea God’s Eye isn’t my style."

"What?"

"Does the Heavenly Lord have a different plan?"

The ancient gods were puzzled by Qi Yuan’s statement.

"Of course I have a plan. I’ve even made detailed preparations," Qi Yuan said seriously.

Qi Qi, standing nearby, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Another plan.

The other ancient gods, unaware of his past, looked on with curiosity.

"What plan?"

"The Heavenly Lord truly deserves his title as ruler of this region!"

"However, my plan is so intricate that any leak could disrupt the entire scheme. If the demons were to find out, they might be prepared. If I tell you about it today, you must promise not to reveal it," Qi Yuan continued.

"Another plan for today?"

"We swear by the heavens, we will never leak it!"

The ancient gods were very curious. Was there really a better option than the Northern Sea God’s Eye?

"Right now, my army is resting. After a half-day’s recovery, I will deploy my entire force to launch a surprise attack on the demonic army’s main base on Qingheng Continent, wiping them out in one fell swoop! They dared to plot against Qingshui Village, but they’ve already signed their death warrant. The best defense is a good offense. They’d never expect me to mobilize the entire village to exterminate all the demons on Qingheng Continent!"

Qi Yuan spoke passionately about his strategy, which blended elements from The Art of War and his own thoughts.

Such a perfect plan would surely make the ancient gods present want to applaud.

"......"

"......"

Silence.

The ancient gods were stunned into silence by Qi Yuan’s plan.

Mobilize the entire village to attack the demonic army’s main base on Qingheng Continent?

How... delusional!

But out of fear of Qi Yuan, none of the ancient gods dared to speak up.

Seeing their reaction, Qi Yuan asked, "Isn’t my plan good? Why aren’t you applauding?"

"Absolutely," Ye Liuyun said with difficulty.

Yuan Kun also grunted, "Absolutely."

The other ancient gods, seeing this, quickly echoed, "Absolutely."

The plan was indeed... absolute.

"Why no applause? Are you afraid of smashing the green wood table with too much force?" Qi Yuan asked.

Finally, Ye Liuyun couldn’t hold back. "Origin Heavenly Lord, you can’t be serious about this plan, right?"

He had some familiarity with Qi Yuan, which gave him the courage to speak up.

"Of course I’m serious. The plan is already in motion. All the villagers say it’s a great plan and fully support it! Since you’re all new here and a bit weaker, you don’t need to participate this time. But in a few days, when I counterattack Tianzhu, you can join in," Qi Yuan said casually.

"Counterattack Tianzhu? Us?" Yuan Kun was bewildered.

If the previous plan sounded ridiculous, what could this possibly be?

If they tried to counterattack Tianzhu, wouldn’t they just be marching to their deaths?

They wouldn’t even make it there before dying on the way.

"Don’t worry, my plan is well thought out. You just need to play your roles, and follow my guidance. From now on, the people of Fanxin will once again become the masters of the Fanxin Realm. With firm belief, we will make the Fanxin Realm great again!" Qi Yuan said, casually borrowing a famous speech.

He wondered if he should find time to destroy Earth, just in case anyone noticed the plagiarism. That might be awkward.