Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?
Chapter 122: Preaching and Becoming a Supreme

He Wu glanced at Ning Tao and said after a long pause, “Going to the end of the world will take us through the Ten Thousand Eight Thousand Cities. As Northern Supremes, we must be careful.”

Among the Thirteen Northern Demons, only two were Grand Supremes: Ning Tao and He Wu.

Hearing this, a flash of killing intent appeared in Ning Tao’s eyes. “Is the Purple Daoist also in the Ten Thousand Eight Thousand Cities?”

The Purple Daoist had betrayed her, exposing the Blood Demon, leading to relentless pursuit. If it weren’t for her "husband’s" help, she might have died a bloody death by now. This grudge had to be avenged.

“He should be in the Bloodfall Thousand Cities,” He Wu did not hide the truth. “But I advise you not to go. Although you are stronger than him, you are not much stronger. If he manages to trap you and other Northern Supremes join in, they might be able to keep you there.”

Ning Tao laughed softly, with a hidden edge in her smile. “I’m just going to take a look.”

“Take care of yourself!” He Wu glanced at Ning Tao. “I must go now. If I stay with you any longer, I might not be able to resist... killing you.”

After speaking, He Wu’s figure disappeared into the snowy wilderness.

Ning Tao touched the left side of her face, looking at the mass of blood and flesh chained behind her. She smiled seductively, “Is my husband also afraid to see me, fearing that he might not be able to resist killing me?”

The Thirteen Northern Demons were not only loathed by the heavens and all beings.

Especially Ning Tao, she was the most unique among the Northern Demons.

It seemed her "demon" was deeper. Anyone who spent time with her couldn’t help but feel a strong urge to kill her.

The other demons experienced this too, but not to her extent.

...

In Wugui City, Qi Yuan sat on the city wall. “Now, my real-world cultivation should be close to the late Foundation Establishment stage.”

Due to the difference in time flow, he wasn’t sure if he should log out of the game just yet.

“I’m still too weak,” Qi Yuan sighed.

Whether in the real world or the game world.

Recently, Qi Yuan had challenged and killed a Grand Supreme. It seemed easy, but it was incredibly difficult in reality.

Qi Yuan’s mastery of the Great Forgetting Sutra, his origin divine ability, was only at the initial stage.

Killing the Purple Daoist last time exhausted that ability and it would take some time to replenish.

As for the Void Realm Ruler’s Heart Demon, he had plenty left, seemingly inexhaustible.

After all, just a bit of it could overwhelm Supremes of the same level.

“Sigh, why can I surpass two major realms in the real world, killing Nascent Souls while in the Foundation Establishment stage, but not do the same in the game, where Supremes kill... Yang Gods?”

Qi Yuan felt that his game character was too weak, only capable of being invincible at the same level, and struggling to challenge higher levels.

Of course, this had a lot to do with the increasing differences between minor levels as one’s strength grew.

“In the real world, even if I break through to the Golden Core stage, it would be difficult to fight Yin Gods across two major realms.”

“I must destroy the Light Palace quickly, or else if the Ice Mountain Overlordess is trapped by the high-interest loans from the Light Palace, I’m in trouble.”

“I wonder what the game will reward me with for guarding Wugui City for so long. Will it help me kill Yin Gods with my Golden Core?”

“Key fragments?”

“If not... I’ll have to condense the Flowwind Realm into my Golden Core, hahaha...”

At this moment, whether it was an illusion or not, Qi Yuan felt as if the world trembled slightly.

How could the world tremble?

Clearly, it was just his illusion.

“It wasn’t the world trembling, but Chen Huan returning.”

Qi Yuan stood up, looking into the distance. He saw a group of five people rushing towards Wugui City.

Leading them was Chen Huan.

Following him were four mythic beings.

Three appeared elderly, while one still retained a youthful appearance.

Qi Yuan could see they were nearing the end of their lifespan, their energy nearly exhausted.

In this world, mythic beings only had about a thousand years of lifespan, much shorter than Nascent Souls in the Canglan Realm.

These individuals were nearing their deaths, their bodies halfway into the grave.

Only such mythic beings would come to Wugui City.

Qi Yuan wasn’t surprised.

A spark can ignite a prairie fire.

As long as he preached once, more people would surely come to Wugui City.

If not, then something was wrong with this world and it needed fixing.

“Big brother, I went to Great Sadness City, and only these four were willing to come.” Chen Huan spoke, eyes filled with guilt.

The four behind Chen Huan were now scrutinizing Qi Yuan.

Dressed in a red robe, exceedingly handsome, his eyes filled with a deep crimson, yet restrained. One word to describe him: “Bewitching.”

Wang Gai stared at Qi Yuan, growing more curious the longer he looked.

It was his first time seeing such a unique... person.

Not even the most powerful Supremes gave him this feeling.

Could he really help them break through to Supreme?

That would be... Supreme.

“No matter. Since you have come to my Wugui City, you must join my Blood Palace. Understand?” Qi Yuan’s gaze was calm as he addressed the four.

“Lord Guardian, if you help me become Supreme, I will not only serve the Blood Palace but also oppose Great Sadness City if needed,” the young woman said.

Wang Gai and the others nodded.

If they could become Supreme.

The conditions set by the Wugui City Guardian were not harsh at all; in fact, they were almost too easy to believe.

How many mythic beings were there in this world?

No one knew.

But there were only a few thousand Supremes.

Becoming a Supreme gave one a chance to rise above and become a player rather than a pawn.

Below Supremes, all were pawns.

“Very well, let’s begin the preaching.” Qi Yuan said indifferently.

Wang Gai’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

So soon?

No contract signing?

No heart demon oath?

No loyalty test?

Just handing out the opportunity to become Supreme so easily?

Wang Gai felt this was too casual.

It was hard to accept.

This was easier than taking a ninth concubine.

The others had similar thoughts.

They felt it was too outlandish, leading to disappointment.

The simpler it was, the more likely it was fake.

Like someone not even bothering to put on an act.

Chen Huan knew Qi Yuan’s personality well. He knew his brother’s unpredictable nature.

Chen Huan glanced meaningfully outside Wugui City: “There are some small insects from Great Sadness City following us. Should we deal with them?”

“No need, our Blood Palace has no publicity department. Let them do the advertising for us, saves us from paying salaries.” Qi Yuan said casually.

He had long noticed the few mythic beings outside Wugui City.

But he didn’t care.

“Everyone... the preaching begins now.” Qi Yuan looked at the four, his gaze turning profound.

His aura grew more mysterious, seemingly merging with the world.

The four’s expressions turned serious, listening intently.

Whether true or false, the matter of becoming Supreme was significant. Even if there was only a one-in-a-million chance, it had to be taken seriously.

“The path of the Human Demon, the path of humans, the path of demons...”

“Humans and demons are one, two sides of the same coin...”

The voice was ethereal, like the music of immortals.

The four entered a state of deep focus, feeling as if they were in a celestial realm, with cranes and jade pools, auspicious clouds and flying phoenixes.

Suddenly, their surroundings changed, as if they were in an endless demonic realm.

Cranes turned into black crows, jade pools into blood pools, the clouds disappeared, and red and white burning clouds filled the sky. Countless demons reached out from the ground, grabbing at their ankles, trying to drag them into hell.

The preaching continued.

Chen Huan stood aside, listening intently.

Even as a Supreme, listening to the preaching again brought deep insights, greatly enhancing his strength.

Outside Wugui City, three mythic beings wore expressions of surprise.

“Has the preaching started already? This is too casual,” said Li Yunzhi.

He was a close friend of Wang Gai, who had entered Wugui City.

When his friend entered, Li Yunzhi had advised against it, fearing a huge conspiracy.

But Wang Gai, thinking of his family, still chose to go to Wugui City.

Li Yunzhi was worried, so he came to Wugui City, following orders from a Supreme of Great Sadness City.

He thought his presence might deter any schemes from the Wugui City Guardian.

As for the idea that the Wugui City Guardian, a natural sage, could help people become Supremes?

That was too ridiculous.

Not even the White Emperor or the Supreme could do that.

“This situation is suspicious. What is the Wugui City Guardian’s goal?

Such an obvious scheme, why bother?

Does he need to go through so much trouble just to deceive a few mythic beings? He’s a newly ascended Supreme. If he wanted to trick a few mythic beings, it wouldn’t be this complicated,” pondered a bearded man who seemed wise but foolish.

“Could it be that the Wugui City Guardian really is a natural sage?” the only woman among them joked.

Li Yunzhi shook his head, “Even a natural sage can’t help people become Supremes.

Even the White Emperor can’t make people comprehend their origin.

One must comprehend the origin themselves to walk their path.”

The bearded wise man nodded, sighing, “Yunzhi is right. How could they not understand such a simple truth?”

Li Yunzhi continued, “Cultivation is a struggle against the heavens. There are only so many resources.

The world cannot produce so many Supremes!

Even if the Wugui City Guardian is a natural sage, helping people become Supremes would defy the world’s order and bring heavenly retribution.”

From various angles, Li Yunzhi concluded... this was an inconceivable scam.

If there was a reason, it was that the Wugui City Guardian was insane.

The three waited outside Wugui City.

Time flew by, and night fell.

Li Yunzhi stretched lazily, “Looks like we’ll be waiting a while. If his preaching lasts for years, and my foolish brother Wang Gai dies of old age inside... we can’t deny the Wugui City Guardian’s preaching was ineffective.”

At that moment, the woman frowned, “The Wugui City Guardian... has left. Is the preaching over?”

The three were surprised.

Li Yunzhi awkwardly laughed, “The Wugui City Guardian... is quite unexpected.”

He had just said the Wugui City Guardian would outlast a few people, and now the preaching was over.

“Did it work?” the bearded wise man asked, puzzled.

“Comprehending the origin isn’t so simple. If it worked, it would be months later...” Li Yunzhi stopped mid-sentence, unable to continue.

He stared at Wang Gai on the city wall, eyes wide.

His close friend, who had been stuck as a mythic being, now exuded a terrifying aura.

“The origin!” Li Yunzhi’s eyes widened.

That aura, he knew it well, the origin he had dreamed of for hundreds of years!

The woman’s eyes were also wide, like copper bells, “It really is the origin!”

“Damn it,” the bearded wise man slapped himself, looking at Li Yunzhi, “Your close friend isn’t a plant, right?”

“No!” Li Yunzhi said angrily, “Damn it, this guy had worse talent than me, achieved less than me, how did he suddenly become Supreme!”

Before coming, he had hoped his brother would have a bright future.

But now, seeing Wang Gai about to enter the Supreme realm, he felt a pang of jealousy.

He feared his brother would live poorly, but feared more that he would live too well!

“This is suspicious. My wisdom can’t grasp the key. I think we should report this to the Supreme.” The bearded wise man said seriously.

The woman rolled her eyes at him, “Report what now!”

“But if we don’t complete the Supreme’s task, we’ll be punished!” the bearded wise man said seriously.

“Humph, if we become Supremes, can he still punish us?” Li Yunzhi said excitedly, looking at Wugui City, his eyes filled with fervor.

The woman felt the same.

The task was now forgotten.

This was a chance to become Supreme.

“Let’s go!” the woman said, turning into a stream of light heading for Wugui City.

Li Yunzhi followed.

The bearded wise man hesitated, not understanding.

“Are they going in to gather more information to report back?” He thought, quickly following.

He couldn’t let those sycophants outdo him!

After a few moments, the three entered Wugui City.

Chen Huan looked at them, smiling.

He said, “Today’s preaching is over. The Blood Lord said he dislikes trouble, so the next preaching will wait until ten people gather. The one after might be twenty, or a hundred, or a thousand.”

“What?” Li Yunzhi was disappointed, but quickly recovered, “That makes sense. Preaching can’t be so easy.”

Chen Huan turned and left, returning to Wugui City.

Leaving the three standing there.

They looked at the four on the city wall, eyes filled with envy, “All have the origin aura...”

Besides Wang Gai, the other three slowly showed the origin aura.

Li Yunzhi knew that within a day or two, these four would become Supremes.

What an opportunity.

He looked up at the sky, deep in thought.

The bearded wise man also looked up, seeing nothing, and asked, “Li Yunzhi, what are you looking at?”

“I’m wondering... why the heavens haven’t sent retribution?” The Blood Lord’s actions defied the natural order.

But nothing happened.

“What retribution, aren’t you supposed to be gathering information, why join the Blood Palace?” the bearded wise man asked.

“Are you brain-dead from heart demons? It’s to become Supremes?” the woman said.

“Let’s go, we need to gather ten people in Great Sadness City to hear the Blood Lord’s preaching!” Li Yunzhi was eager.

His brother was about to become Supreme.

He didn’t want to see his brother flaunting it in front of him.

...

The next day.

Great Sadness City.

Huang Mengling opened her eyes, reading the message, her face filled with disbelief, “Supreme... really Supreme, how is this possible?”

Just now, news came from within Great Sadness City, confirming that the four who went to Wugui City had comprehended the origin and were forming their origin divine abilities. Once successful, they would become true Supremes.

This was inconceivable.

Huang Mengling had seen Wang Gai recently.

He was old and weak, nowhere near comprehending the origin.

“Is this news true or false?” Huang Mengling still couldn’t believe it.

“This is... absolutely true,” said a Supreme, one of the Great Sadness City Supremes.

Huang Mengling was silent.

She had met the Wugui City Guardian days ago.

He seemed just like Chen Huan, how did he suddenly become Supreme?

“This matter... is very suspicious!” Huang Mengling paced, finally deciding, “I must report this to Senior Brother!”

She didn’t have direct access to the White Emperor.

But such a significant matter must be reported to her Senior Brother.

The Supreme nodded.

This major event had to be known by the real big shots.

He was a Supreme, but only at the initial stage, unable to handle this.

Then he remembered something, quickly saying, “Recently, the demon-controlling Supremes of Bloodfall Thousand Cities have disappeared. Even the Purple Daoist hasn’t appeared. There may be a conspiracy connected to Wugui City.”

“What? Those Supremes are missing?” Huang Mengling was shocked.

She remembered Chen Huan saying the Wugui City Guardian had killed the Purple Daoist and other Supremes.

She didn’t believe it then.

But now, the Purple Daoist was missing?

Could it be... he was really killed?

But that was a Grand Supreme!

Even if her Senior Brother acted, it wouldn’t be easy to kill.

How could a newly ascended Supreme kill a Grand Supreme?

Or was there another twist?

Huang Mengling rubbed her temples, finally saying, “Supreme Yin, you must send people to investigate if the Purple Daoist... is dead.”

“Dead? What!” Supreme Yin was startled.

That was a Grand Supreme.

One of the most powerful beings.

“And another thing, Supreme Yin. In the near future, the Thirteen Northern Demons may pass through the Ten Thousand Eight Thousand Cities, possibly Great Sadness City. Please don’t stop them; this is my Senior Brother’s will,” Huang Mengling said.

Her Senior Brother’s will likely represented the White Emperor’s will.

“Of course, of course.” Supreme Yin agreed, compared to the first matter, the second was trivial.

High-level plans, they just needed to execute.

“Thank you, Supreme Yin.” Huang Mengling’s words hinted for him to leave.

Supreme Yin left, eyes filled with suspicion.

Huang Mengling’s head ached.

Things were developing beyond her expectations.

She didn’t know if this was good or bad.

“Hopefully, Senior Brother can resolve this,” she thought, knowing she couldn’t handle it.

She couldn’t understand how a mythic being she met days ago, just handsome and charismatic, could suddenly...