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

Chapter 97: The Overbearing Bright Palace

“Back then, my clan was annihilated, and I survived by hiding in Great Shang. Eventually, by chance, I joined the Shenguang Sect.”

True Lord Kumu's tone was calm, as if he were narrating from a third-person perspective.

Qi Yuan listened, feeling that this so-called chance was likely Sect Leader Kumu being captured by people from the Demonic Desire Sect and sent to the Shenguang Sect as a spy.

“My clan was wiped out, and a treasure from my clan was lost, becoming one of the rewards for being in the top 100 of the East Earth Prodigy Ranking.

In four years, the East Earth Prodigy Ranking will be finalized.

I need you to enter the top 100 and retrieve the treasure of my clan.”

Sect Leader Kumu then provided more details to Qi Yuan.

The East Earth Prodigy Ranking had very generous rewards for the top 100, including opportunities to reach the Purple Mansion stage.

Those who ranked higher could choose treasures first.

The treasure from Kumu Zhenjun's clan was extremely special and valuable, but outsiders didn't recognize its worth and included it among the treasures for the East Earth Prodigy Ranking.

“Top 100, no problem. Sect Master, what is the great opportunity you mentioned?” Qi Yuan was still fixated on the great opportunity.

Sect Leader Kumu’s eyes, usually as calm as still water, showed a trace of reluctance. “This item is called the Void Bright Soul Wood. Below the Purple Mansion stage, consuming it can increase one’s soul strength by a small level.”

This was undoubtedly a genuine treasure.

Its greatest use was for someone in the late Nascent Soul stage to break through to the Purple Mansion stage.

Using it would increase the chances of passing the Purple Mansion tribulation.

True Lord Kumu had never used it, saving it for his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage.

Now, he was giving this Void Bright Soul Wood to Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan opened the small gourd and saw a stick-like gelatinous substance resembling jelly inside.

His eyes confirmed it was genuine, and he beamed with joy. “Sect Master, you are truly a good person. Even if you are a spy from the Demonic Desire Sect, I recognize you.”

What Qi Yuan lacked the most now was a treasure like the Void Bright Soul Wood to enhance his soul strength.

“This item is incredibly valuable. You should save it for when you break through to the Purple Mansion stage,” True Lord Kumu reminded, despite the strain in his voice.

Since it could increase soul strength by a small level below the Purple Mansion stage, naturally, the later it was used, the better the effect.

“Is the same true for Heaven’s Path Foundation Establishment?” Qi Yuan asked.

Scet Leader Kumu was momentarily stunned. “It should be similar.”

He had never seen Heaven’s Path Foundation Establishment, so how could he know?
Hearing this, Qi Yuan had an idea.

Despite its value, he would consume it now to enhance his strength.

“In the meantime, focus on improving your cultivation. When the East Earth Prodigy Battle begins, I will inform you,” Sect Leader Kumu said, ready to leave.

But Qi Yuan called him back, “Sect Master, may I make a small request?”

Sect Leader Kumu looked at Qi Yuan, “Don’t push it!”

“Not excessive at all. It’s just that my wife has a small hobby—she likes to eat snacks.” Qi Yuan brought up his wife, Xiao Jia.

“Get to the point,” Sect Leader Kumu said, his expression darkening.

“The blood crystal mine in Wuxue City—I want the sect to buy it, and all the blood crystals should be brought to me.”

Sect Leader Kumu glanced at Qi Yuan, snorting, “This is a small request?”

The blood crystal mine in Wuxue City was well-known among loose cultivators.

Many loose cultivators relied on it to improve their strength.

Monopolizing the blood crystal mine might attract hostility from loose cultivators.

Though this hostility was insignificant to the Shenguang Sect, as sect leader, True Lord Kumu had to consider how to maximize benefits.

“Give me five days,” True Lord Kumu said, turning to leave.

In the simple wooden house, only Qi Yuan and Xiao Jia remained.

In the wooden house, Qi Yuan gazed greedily at the Void Bright Soul Wood in the small gourd.

“Hopefully, this can help me reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment in soul strength!”

Only then could he properly start the second game, truly entering it instead of being trapped in the Floating Wind Realm.

Qi Yuan began to consume and digest the Void Bright Soul Wood.

…

Great Shang, Imperial Palace.

Thousands of civil and military officials knelt, creating a grand scene.

"First, we sacrifice to the heavens!"

"Second, we sacrifice to all celestial gods!"

"Third, we sacrifice to our ancestors!"

The sound was majestic, and all who heard it bowed in reverence.

Colorful flags fluttered, drums pounded heavily, and a dignified and resounding musical performance played.

Dong Xian ascended the steps slowly, while ministers held jade tablets as a sign of loyalty and eunuchs held ceremonial staffs symbolizing imperial authority.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Dong Xian ascended the throne.

"The new emperor ascends..."

All civil and military officials knelt again.

Dong Xian, dressed in a dragon robe, exuded authority.

Inside, he felt a mix of excitement and disbelief.

There was no hardship, no thrilling events—just like that, he became the emperor of Great Shang, a position he had dreamed of.

"Elder Qi, is this all a dream?" Dong Xian asked Elder Qi in his mind.

Elder Qi’s voice echoed in his mind, “Hmph, you have seen too little. A mere emperor of Great Shang—what’s that worth?
There are over a hundred emperors in the Hundred Nations.

But not a single Purple Mansion stage cultivator.

Focus on your cultivation, aim to reach the Purple Mansion stage in a few thousand years, and rebuild my body.”

Elder Qi’s words shattered Dong Xian’s joy.

Right, what was an emperor?
His father was also an emperor of Great Shang, and look what happened to him.

Dong Xian calmed down, his earlier euphoria fading.

Becoming emperor was just a means to gain more resources and reach the Purple Mansion stage sooner!

Of course, a new emperor’s ascension was worth celebrating.

But then, a loud voice came from the sky.

"Is the emperor of Great Shang present?"

In the sky, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator flew in, exuding a powerful aura.

“Who are you?” The royal family's Nascent Soul protector, the barefooted Wu Dian Monk, confronted the Nascent Soul cultivator.

“I am an emissary from the Bright Palace of the East Earth’s Cuiyun Continent, sent by the palace master to include Great Shang in the Bright Alliance.” The Bright Palace cultivator arrogantly threw a decree to Wu Dian Monk.

Wu Dian Monk scanned it with his soul and found no issues, then presented it to Dong Xian.

Dong Xian opened the decree and scanned it, his face turning angry.

The Bright Palace cultivator continued, “Sooner or later, the Hundred Nations Blood War will begin.

The Bright Alliance will fight against the Devil Alliance.

Considering Great Shang has no rampant devil cultivators, the palace master, in his kindness, wishes to include Great Shang in the Bright Alliance.

When the Hundred Nations Blood War starts, Great Shang must send troops to fight the devil alliance alongside other Bright Alliance nations.”

The Bright Palace cultivator acted as if granting a favor.

Dong Xian felt his head swell with anger.

The Bright Palace was unreasonable!

Great Shang wasn’t a vassal of the Bright Palace. Why should they join the Bright Alliance?

And why should they follow the Bright Palace’s orders to start a Hundred Nations Blood War?

Did the Bright Palace consider itself the master of the Hundred Nations?
Dong Xian was furious.

But he knew the Bright Palace was a true giant power, with many Purple Mansion stage cultivators.

All the forces of the Hundred Nations combined couldn’t defeat the Bright Palace.

The Bright Palace cultivator, looking down on them, continued, “Before that, you must hand over Shenguang Sect disciples Kang Fulu and Qi Yuan to the Bright Palace.”

Another unreasonable demand.
Dong Xian immediately refused, “Impossible!”

The Bright Palace cultivator was momentarily surprised, then smiled, “If Great Shang refuses, it will be part of the Devil Alliance during the Hundred Nations Blood War.

All in the Devil Alliance must be exterminated.

Great Shang… will face destruction!”

The Bright Palace would support the Bright Alliance nations, while the Devil Alliance nations would be destroyed.

It was best if they were utterly annihilated.

Dong Xian felt an immense sense of frustration and helplessness!
The Bright Palace was too overbearing!
“In seven days, if you do not hand over Kang Fulu and Qi Yuan from the Shengu Sect, Great Shang will be part of the Devil Alliance,” the Bright Palace cultivator said, turning into a stream of light and leaving.

Dong Xian was left seething with anger.

He couldn’t possibly hand them over!
…

Qi Yuan was unaware of the events in the Great Shang royal court.

At this moment, he entered the game.

A look of joy appeared on his face.

With his mid-stage Foundation Establishment soul, he could easily enter the game without Ning Tao’s previous assistance.

But first, he entered the underground palace of Tianxin Palace.

“You’re awake?” Not far away, the barefooted Ning Tao opened her eyes, her uncovered half-face as beautiful as plum blossoms in the snow.

She looked at the blood-red meatball bound by eighteen chains, her eyes full of deep dread.

The original demonic egg seemed to have been digested, now becoming a mass of blood-red flesh, seemingly brewing an absolute fiend.

“Ning Tao, can I ask you a question?” Qi Yuan inquired.

“Ask, my lord.” Ning Tao’s phoenix eyes flickered, seemingly unhappy with the title.

Dressed in a black dress that clung to her figure, her slender waist accentuated her curves. Through the thin black veil, her slender, white legs were tantalizing.

“Who is the biggest villain in this world?” Qi Yuan wanted to know who the big boss was.

“My lord jests. If we speak of villains, we of the Northern Demons Thirteen are undoubtedly great villains.” Ning Tao’s eyes showed a hint of self-mockery.

Qi Yuan paused and asked, “May I see your other face?”

Ning Tao's eyes flashed with panic, but she smiled, charmingly. “Better not, my lord. I fear it would displease you.”

The half-face with the word “demon” was seen as extremely ugly.

When Ning Tao’s face showed the word “demon,” even her most beloved mother tried to kill her in her sleep.

Young Ning Tao fled, gaining a scar next to the “demon” word.

Later, she fled, constantly hunted, called a demon girl.

During her escape, she met Qi Yuan.

Since then, her face was covered by a black veil.

No one saw her other face.

Even she wouldn’t look at the disfigured side of her face.

She didn’t want Qi Yuan to see it.

“Besides the Thirteen Demons, are there other major villains?” Qi Yuan asked.

In his view, Ning Tao wasn’t the big boss.

Though Tianxin Palace was a powerful force, it wasn’t the strongest.

“There are no villains. To Southern cultivators, the North are all villains; to Northern cultivators, the South are all villains,” Ning Tao replied with a wry smile.

Ning Tao didn't mention that both sides saw demons as the greatest villains, hated more than the demon fiends.

“Is that so?” Qi Yuan was indifferent and stopped asking.

“My lord, when will you hatch and accompany me to see the vast night sky?” Ning Tao asked seriously.

“No,” Qi Yuan replied.

He wanted to play the game, not stargaze.

Ning Tao wasn’t disappointed. “My lord, be good. Your wife will go earn money to support the family.”

She put on another layer of gauze and shoes, leaving the underground palace.

As the Tianxin Palace leader, she had many duties to handle.

Sitting on her jade throne, looking at the decree, she mused, “Blood demon, an absolute fiend?”

But she smiled wryly.

She was considered an absolute fiend as well.

Nearby palace maids trembled at Ning Tao’s smile.

Ning Tao’s eyes showed complex emotions.

Those who claimed to be willing to die for her feared her smile.

The word “demon”...

...

In the underground palace.

“This mass of flesh is peculiar.”

Qi Yuan observed the mass where he resided.

Each look revealed different answers.

This time, he saw…

[Heaven’s Blood of Desire, ultimate desire.]

Last time, it was chaotic god blood.

“This must be a treasure.”

He suspected his irregular soul residency caused mutations in the mass of flesh.

Its form kept changing.

“What if I merged the soul blood with it?”

Qi Yuan pondered but dismissed the idea.

He didn’t know its value yet and didn’t want to waste the soul blood.

He needed to get stronger fast.

“Too bad I can’t take it with me. Otherwise, I could study it daily.”

“Alright, time to leave here and enter game mode.”

Qi Yuan thought, transitioning into game mode.

Suddenly, countless images flooded his mind.

He saw a towering city with thirty-zhang high walls.

Countless human cultivators and soldiers guarded the city.

Outside, terrifying demon fiends swarmed like the sea, attacking the city.

Arrows rained down, hitting the fiends, but it was futile.

Ferocious fiends stormed the walls, leading to brutal close combat.

Armored soldiers wielding spears and swords charged fearlessly.

The battle raged for three days.

Blood stained the walls.

The city walls turned black.