Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?
Chapter 162: Spiritual Energy is Toxic

Qi Yuan was somewhat disappointed that he didn't get the answer he wanted.

"May I ask, how many Great Sovereigns are there in the Canglan Realm?" Qi Yuan asked, looking at the woman in white with great anticipation.

He had finally encountered someone qualified to be his ideal, his "white moonlight." How could he not take full advantage of her?

The woman in white spoke in a low voice, "There might be, or there might not be.

Faced with the great calamity, even the Great Sovereigns dare not show themselves.

What difference does it make whether they exist or not?"

She didn't have high hopes for the future of the Canglan Realm. The only chance of survival was to leave the Canglan Realm and follow that path.

"Perhaps you should leave with me, and escape this land of strife," the woman in white urged once more.

Because that path was filled with danger, it would be very difficult for her to walk it alone.

Qi Yuan smiled silently, making his attitude clear.

The woman in white sighed, "Even the Great Sovereigns dare not face the great calamity; how can you... Alas."

"Is the great calamity really that terrifying?" Qi Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"The great calamity itself is terrifying, but what's even more terrifying..." The woman in white looked up at the sky, at the countless stars, "Is that above it all, there are immortals and gods."

The woman in white had stayed in the Canglan Realm for nearly ten thousand years. Although she had never seen a Great Sovereign, she vaguely sensed that there must be one lurking in the Canglan Realm.

Yet, in the face of the great calamity, these Great Sovereigns remained unmoved, hiding away like turtles.

For one, they feared the calamity; for another, they feared the immortals and gods above it.

Otherwise, if the immortals and gods descended, how could the Canglan Realm possibly resist?

Qi Yuan also looked up at the countless stars, glanced at the moon, and his thoughts wandered.

Suddenly melancholic, his eyes then brightened with a new idea.

"Since you're leaving the Canglan Realm anyway, do you have anything you don't need? Maybe have a clearance sale?" Qi Yuan looked at the woman in white with anticipation.

After all, she was a powerful Yin God.

The resources of such a figure were exceedingly vast.

Worth a thousand Young Master Breaking Wolf!

No, Breaking Wolf was nothing in comparison. Truly, there were no names in this world wrongly given— "Breaking Wolf" was just scrap metal and couldn't compare to a yin deity at all!

The woman in white was momentarily stunned as she looked at Qi Yuan. "It's all just worthless stuff that may be useless to you."

"I'm not picky." Qi Yuan rolled up his sleeves, showing off his muscles, "I'll take anything— I'm big and strong, looking thin in clothes but all muscle underneath."

The woman in white was at a loss for words. After thinking for a long time, she finally waved her hand.

A jade pendant fell into Qi Yuan's hand.

"Since we've met by chance, take this jade pendant. Go to the extreme north, replace any inn, and show this to the innkeeper.

You just need to state your request, and the innkeeper will do their best to fulfill it.

If you have the time, please look after my sect..." the woman in white sighed.

Compared to survival, a sect that had existed for nearly ten thousand years was not much.

She was only holding onto a bit of sentimentality.

After all, once she left, other forces would certainly covet her sect, so it might as well go to the Blood-Robe Sword God.

Qi Yuan glanced at the jade pendant, his face beaming, "When someone gives you something, you have to take care of it! I'll take good care of it!"

He couldn't even imagine what it would be like to consume all the resources of a yin deity.

"Farewell, until we meet again," the woman in white said, and her figure slowly disappeared by the lakeside.

Qi Yuan looked at the lake, his gaze clear. "A great calamity that even the Great Sovereigns dare not face is indeed troublesome.

The main issue is, according to that powerful being, the calamity could summon help— immortals and gods from the heavens!

A group of immortals and gods ganging up on a little Golden Core cultivator like me?"

A scene instantly appeared in Qi Yuan's mind.

Him, a Golden Core cultivator, battling countless immortals and gods!

"One star wouldn't be enough to handle that, would it?"

"No, I have to replace a way to summon help too, or maybe even stars. Let's see who can summon more and stronger forces!"

...

Returning to Chuangguo, Qi Yuan landed on the city wall.

A map of the Mo Luo army camp had already appeared in Qi Yuan's hands.

He looked at the few people beside him and couldn't help but sigh, "As expected, a powerful being is generous, handing over their sect's resources before fleeing."

As he spoke, Qi Yuan gave a pointed look at Jiang Ya.

It seemed like he was hinting that she should be more generous too.

Jiang Ya was slightly stunned. "What powerful being?"

The Blood-Robe Sword God possessed resources on par with an Yin God. How powerful must someone be for Qi Yuan to call them a powerful being?

Could it be another Yin God?

"An Yin God." Qi Yuan didn't hide the truth, as the woman had not asked him to keep it secret. "She said that a great calamity is approaching and that she's planning to run away, to leave this place."

"Run away?" Da Zhi Zhenjun's expression turned rarely stern. "She won't be able to. Does she really think she can avoid the great calamity by leaving the Canglan Realm?"

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Qi Yuan looked at Da Zhi Zhenjun.

"Based on my years of observation, I've discovered a terrifying truth." Da Zhi Zhenjun's face turned serious.

Qi Yuan's heart tightened.

Everyone present also looked at Da Zhi Zhenjun, their curiosity piqued.

Although Da Zhi Zhenjun was known for being eccentric, he was truly a prodigy, or else the Old Man Wu Tian wouldn't have wanted to take him as a disciple.

Everyone watched as Da Zhi Zhenjun, with a heavy expression, opened his mouth: "Spiritual energy is toxic!"

Jiang Ya was momentarily stunned.

Xu Tongchen was bewildered.

"According to my observations, everyone who uses spiritual energy for cultivation ends up dead.

Therefore, spiritual energy is toxic!" Da Zhi Zhenjun said solemnly.

Jiang Ya couldn't help but retort, "Cultivating to the level of a Great Sovereign grants near-immortality, living as long as the heavens and earth. Great Sovereigns also use spiritual energy for cultivation, so why haven't they died of old age?"

"Have you ever seen a living Great Sovereign?" Da Zhi Zhenjun asked quietly.

Jiang Ya was at a loss for words. "...No, I haven't. But I haven't seen a Yang God either. Does that mean Yang Gods don't exist?"

Da Zhi Zhenjun looked up at the countless stars in the sky. "Who knows if they exist or not?"

Qi Yuan, however, was deeply shaken.

He didn't know if spiritual energy was truly toxic.

But the cultivation techniques of the Canglan Realm definitely had problems.

After cultivating, one would become food.

This Da Zhi Zhenjun was truly a genius!

Suddenly, Qi Yuan thought of Blue Star.

Everyone on Blue Star who had ever inhaled oxygen had died.

Does that mean... oxygen is toxic too?

"The great calamity is approaching, all life will wither, and running away won't solve the problem," Da Zhi Zhenjun said.

"I support Da Zhi Zhenjun's statement. When I'm stronger, I'll sneak into the heart of the calamity and chop off its head!" Qi Yuan said seriously.

Da Zhi Zhenjun's eyes lit up, "Senior, could you take me with you? I also want to see the head of the calamity!"

Qi Yuan thought for a moment, "I'm short of someone to play the suona. When I chop off the calamity's head, you can play for me!"

"Deal!" Da Zhi Zhenjun nodded vigorously.

Jiang Ya remained silent.

These two... really know how to boast.

Who would dare to face the great calamity without the strength of a Great Sovereign?

With only a few hundred years left until the great calamity, no matter how talented the Blood-Robe Sword God was, he wouldn't become a Great Sovereign in time.

"Let's go, and destroy the Demora Clan!" Qi Yuan said.

"Senior, I'll start playing the suona right now, just to get into the habit!"

"Senior, may I join as well?" Xu Tongchen asked timidly.

He was feeling threatened, sensing that his master's role was being taken over!

He needed to join in.

"Sure, no problem." Qi Yuan was very pleased. He looked at Jiang Ya, "Do you want to join too? I need a cheerleader!"

Jiang Ya shook her head vigorously.

There's absolutely no need!

...

Five days later, in a pitch-black valley, the wind howled.

In the valley, giant beasts four to five meters tall were all sleeping.

Their pitch-black scales reflected faint light, making them look particularly eerie in the silent night.

All these members of the Mo Luo race were fast asleep.

If Qi Yuan were here to see this scene, he would surely compliment them for not snoring in their sleep.

At this moment, within a cave, five terrifying figures appeared, their auras clashing with the surroundings, causing a faint sense of rejection from the heavens and earth.

However, due to the flaws in the world's laws, the rejection wasn't too severe.

"The Canglan Realm has broken its promise, allowing Purple Mansion cultivators to slaughter our people at will. It's truly unforgivable!"

"Who will capture that Purple Mansion cultivator?"

"Why don't the five of us strike together? After all, they broke their promise first!"

"Alright, once we eliminate that Purple Mansion cultivator, let's pacify the Wangyue Continent and then invade the Canglan Realm!" One of the Purple Mansion experts couldn't wait.

After all, in their eyes, the Canglan Realm was far stronger than the Wangyue Continent.

A world like that had far more resources.

"Forget about it..." an experienced Purple Mansion cultivator spoke up, "The waters in the Canglan Realm run deep. Even Yin God sovereigns tread carefully there, let alone us."

This seasoned Purple Mansion cultivator, whose ancestors included an Yin God, held the highest status among the five.

"Alright, let's forget about the Canglan Realm for now and focus on killing that Purple Mansion cultivator!"

"I've heard that the Purple Mansion cultivator is highly skilled. Shouldn't we plan this carefully?"

"A late-stage Purple Mansion and four mid-stage Purple Mansions— what do we have to fear?"

The five Purple Mansion experts chatted casually, reaching a consensus, and prepared to leave.

However, at that moment, a deep voice echoed.

"I've been reading quite a few storybooks from the Wangyue Continent lately, especially about that Faceless Sword God slaying otherworldly demons.

It got me thinking— if the Faceless Sword God hadn't had time to grow, and the otherworldly demons had struck earlier, wouldn't the Faceless Sword God have been defeated?"

The ground split in two as a massive, obese member of the Mo Luo race, resembling a mountain of flesh, emerged from the earth.

It was immensely fat, with sagging flesh, but its back was covered in densely packed scales that seemed invincible.

When the others saw who had arrived, they all showed expressions of reverence.

"Greetings, Mo Hui Sovereign!"

The newcomer was none other than an Yin God of the Mo Luo race, Mo Hui Sovereign.

Mo Hui Sovereign's figure was bloated, and just looking at him could make one feel nauseous.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with a smile, "I've been bored lately, so I'll join you in checking out this so-called Blood-Robe Sword God."

He was thirsty and hungry, ready to go out for a snack.

"There's no need for you to intervene, Sovereign," the late-stage Purple Mansion Mo Luo said. "We can easily capture the Blood-Robe Sword God and present him to you!"

Mo Hui Sovereign squinted and smiled, "Based on the latest storybooks I've read, if you go after the Blood-Robe Sword God, you might just end up giving him more experience points.

But I'm different. If I personally take action, I can snuff out any chance of him growing."

Mo Hui Sovereign spoke casually.

He just needed an excuse to go out.

"But Sovereign... the Moon Dynasty's barrier..." the late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator hesitated.

"No need to worry. With my brother around, the people of the Moon Dynasty... won't be able to escape." Mo Hui Sovereign said confidently, "Once the Moon Dynasty is destroyed, it will be time to rename the Wangyue Continent."

Seeing this, the five Purple Mansions didn't persuade him further.

...

A blood-red sword slashed across the sky.

Accompanied by desolate and murderous sounds.

Countless streams of blood and sword light flew through the air.

Within the Mo Luo army's camp, countless members of the Mo Luo race were slain by the sword light.

The vast, continuous camp was shattered by a single sword strike.

Under this sword, whether they were in the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, or Nascent Soul stage, none survived.

Qi Yuan's sword treated all beings equally.

He looked at the devastated continent with gentle eyes.

The once-barren battlefield was instantly filled with lush mountains and rivers.

The sound of the suona became even more vigorous and impassioned.

Qi Yuan looked at the dozens of people playing the suona behind him, showing a hint of regret in his eyes, "If only you were all in the Purple Mansion stage."

The scene of Purple Mansion cultivators playing the suona would be even grander.

But the strongest among those playing for him now was just a Nascent Soul cultivator, and only a few at that.

Most of the others were either in the second or third stage of cultivation.

Zhao Ci of Chuangguo was among them.

Qi Yuan had saved Chuangguo, and Zhao Ci, with nothing else to offer in return, had joined the suona-playing group.

As Qi Yuan continued to take action, the number of people playing the suona grew.

Of course, Qi Yuan kept it to a manageable number, lest it slow him down.

Jiang Ya stood to the side, her expression complicated.

Everyone was playing the suona, except her, which felt awkward.

Right now, she felt very strange.

She could barely understand why Da Zhi Zhenjun would join the suona group.

But later, when they went to other countries, and the Blood-Robe Sword God casually mentioned it, people from all walks of life— from commoners to nobles— eagerly signed up to join the Blood-Robe Sword God's band.

It was as if joining the band had become a lifelong honor.

She really wanted to tell one of the band's emperors:

"You're an emperor, and you're running off to play in a band?"

She couldn't understand it.

That emperor, whom she had only seen a few times, was clearly a ruler of great ambition.

And this is what he chose?

"Senior, what exactly did you do to them to make even emperors want to play the suona for you?" Jiang Ya had spent enough time with Qi Yuan to understand his personality, so she spoke more boldly.

"Isn't it normal for an emperor to play the suona?

I've even seen a carpenter emperor.

I've also seen some countries where comedians become leaders." Qi Yuan replied casually.

Now, there were only a few weeks left until he would fully control the heavenly laws.

And he was getting closer and closer to the Moon Dynasty.

But instead of excitement, he felt a sudden apprehension about returning home.

Just then, Zhao Ci from the suona band stepped forward, speaking respectfully, "Senior, a divine envoy from our Faceless God Sect wishes to meet you. He says he has urgent news to deliver."

Qi Yuan perked up.

A die-hard fan?

"Let him come over." Qi Yuan was always enthusiastic about meeting fans.

Before long, a middle-aged man in black embroidered robes appeared. He glanced at the Blood-Robe Sword God, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes, "Greetings, Senior!"

"Oh? What is it?"

"Senior, according to information from our Faceless God Sect, the Mo Luo race has taken notice of you and plans to send five fifth-stage cultivators to besiege you.

Please leave this place immediately, or you risk being trapped here," the divine envoy from the Faceless God Sect said.

At the same time, he felt a strange sense of kinship toward the Blood-Robe Sword God, an otherworldly being. This was something he had never felt before.

"Five Purple Mansions, huh?" Qi Yuan sighed helplessly, "Why are otherworldly cultivation techniques so weak?"

Otherwise, these five Purple Mansions could have been five "white moonlights."

The kind he liked to blow up.

Qi Yuan reflected on this.

He decided that from now on, any potential "white moonlights" must be from the Canglan Realm.

"Senior, please conceal your identity. Our Faceless God Sect can use a special passage to escort you to the Moon Dynasty!" the divine envoy said seriously.

If they were to protect the Blood-Robe Sword God to the Moon Dynasty, the Faceless God Sect's external members would likely serve as decoys, and their sacrifices could be significant.

The divine envoy knew that every member of the Faceless God Sect was unafraid of death and willing to fight for the Wangyue Continent!

"I'll go to the Moon Dynasty, but there's no need for you to escort me." Qi Yuan didn't take the five Purple Mansions seriously.

The divine envoy became anxious upon hearing this.

The senior didn't want to go with him?

He was desperate to persuade him further.

But then he saw the Blood-Robe Sword God look up at the sky and say slowly, "It's too late to leave now because... their people have already arrived."

Qi Yuan had already sensed the arrival of the Mo Luo race's powerful beings.

Unfortunately, none of them were "white moonlights" that could send him cultivation techniques. Qi Yuan was disinterested.

The blood-red sword behind him, sensing the arrival of powerful enemies, let out a resonant hum.

The divine envoy's face turned ashen. "So soon? We're doomed."

Five fifth-stage cultivators— how could the Blood-Robe Sword God possibly withstand them?

Everyone present would likely die here.

But then, a deep, thunderous voice echoed, causing the divine envoy's face to drain of all color.

Because... he saw an Yin God!

A god from legend!

"Jie jie jie, good thing I came. Otherwise, you five would just be giving him more experience points.

This one is clearly no ordinary late-stage Purple Mansion!"

Mo Hui Sovereign, standing fifteen meters tall, appeared, looking down at Qi Yuan with a mocking expression, like a cat toying with a mouse.

The five Purple Mansions, standing beside Mo Hui Sovereign, felt a chill in their hearts.

They followed Mo Hui Sovereign like mere sidekicks.

At this moment, everyone who saw Mo Hui Sovereign felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

It was the instinctive fear of a weaker creature facing a stronger one.

Especially the divine envoy, who had turned deathly pale.

With an Yin God taking action, the Blood-Robe Sword God had no chance of reaching the Moon Dynasty.

Qi Yuan, however, looked up and down at the Yin God, feeling helpless, "You, a mighty Yin God, bullying a little Golden Core cultivator like me— how thick is your skin?"

"What an amusing human. Upon seeing me, your first thought wasn't to kneel and beg for mercy.

Could it be that you really... have something wrong with your head?"

"You're the one with something wrong! Your whole family has something wrong with their heads!" Qi Yuan couldn't stand it anymore.

If an Yin God insulted him, he had to insult them back.

Mo Hui Sovereign didn't get angry; instead, he continued to watch Qi Yuan with interest.

But the five Purple Mansion cultivators beside him couldn't hold back, "Offending a god— such a crime is punishable by death!"

"Sharp-tongued, prepare to die!"

Not far away, Jiang Ya watched this scene, her eyes filled with shock and curiosity. She wanted to know what the Blood-Robe Sword God's trump card was.

At this moment, Qi Yuan shrugged helplessly and snapped his fingers, "Play the music, play something cheerful."

This time, no mourning tunes.

Da Zhi Zhenjun, standing behind him, picked up the suona and began to play.

The others from the Wangyue Continent seemed unfazed by the god's pressure. Under the god's watchful gaze, a lively, slightly out-of-place tune began to play.

Jiang Ya stood silently by.

Facing an Yin God... and they're playing music.

This Blood-Robe Sword God is truly extraordinary!

No, even those second- and third-stage cultivators playing the music are extraordinary!

After all, who would dare provoke a god like this?

Even a Purple Mansion wouldn't dare.

But these people did!

She couldn't make sense of it!