Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?
Chapter 198: The Seed of the World

Wang Wenqi's eyes turned red as she gazed at the helmet.

She didn't say a word, but her reaction spoke volumes.

"So, this Flowing Venerable is connected to the Jiang Kingdom?" Qi Yuan muttered to himself.

If that were the case, it would mean he had killed a relatively important god.

Images flashed through Wang Wenqi's mind before settling on a final one. Her voice was cold as she said, "He was Zhang Feng's brother-in-law, a descendant of a Great Venerable!"

Zhang Feng, an ancient god, was a close friend of Wang Wenqi's great-grandfather, the Heavenly Treasure Venerable. In the end, this friend betrayed the ancient gods and joined the New Gods' faction.

Zhang Feng had caught the attention of a powerful Evil God and married his daughter to him. Later, the fall of Jiang Kingdom had Zhang Feng’s hand in it.

Evidently, the Flowing Venerable was the offspring of that Evil God.

"So, it was him," Qi Yuan said calmly.

Standing nearby, Qi Qi quickly grasped the situation, and her expression grew serious.

They had just slain the offspring of a Great Venerable!

This was no small matter.

If the Great Venerable sought revenge, they would be powerless to resist. Even with their twenty true gods, their strength was only in numbers. They wouldn't stand a chance against a Great Venerable, or even a true god at the Third Step of Heaven.

"Godfather, should we still continue the feast?" Qi Qi was starting to have second thoughts.

She wanted to persuade Qi Yuan to leave. Not to mention the Great Venerable, even Zhang Feng alone would make it difficult for them to escape.

Qi Yuan looked up at the starry sky, his gaze sweeping over the brightest star.

"In a game, if you get scared off by some second-generation god, then what's the point of playing?" Qi Yuan said dismissively.

He was always the dictator of his plans. While Qi Qi handled logistics and management, once Qi Yuan made a decision, it was final.

Hearing this, the worry on Qi Qi's face faded, replaced by a sweet smile. "Everything is up to you, Godfather."

"We continue the feast, continue the plan, and conquer territories. My plan is that within a month, every corner of Fei Ling Prefecture will be holding feasts!" Qi Yuan declared firmly.

Everyone present was fired up, their spirits lifted by Qi Yuan’s words.

The once-desolate Fei Wu City was transformed almost overnight with Qi Yuan's arrival. A long, continuous banquet was set up along the broad streets, stretching for miles.

Many of the city’s remaining residents peeked out from their homes, stepping into the streets to join this mysterious feast. All they knew was that a new ancient god had taken control of Fei Wu City.

For many, there was a fleeting sense of excitement, but it was quickly overshadowed by uncertainty about the future. They didn’t know how long this god would stay in Fei Wu City. Perhaps, after enjoying the celebration, he would leave with his entourage, leaving them to face the retribution of the New Gods.

"Big sister, what's happening outside?" A weak voice called from within a small house.

Yang Lian opened the door and looked at her frail younger sister lying on the bed. She explained what was happening outside.

"A feast? I want to go," the younger sister struggled to sit up.

Yang Lian shook her head. "We don’t know if this ancient god is friend or foe. You can't go out."

The young girl lay back down, disappointment in her eyes.

"I'll go out and bring back some food for you later," Yang Lian said, gently stroking her sister's head with a look of affection. "They probably won't stay in Fei Wu City for long. Once you’ve recovered, I'll take you away from here."

Yang Lian's eyes hardened with determination. "This is our chance. As soon as you’re better, we'll leave this city."

Her sister's illness was the only reason they hadn't left already. Now that the Origin Heavenly Venerable had arrived, Yang Lian was ready to take her sister away.

"Alright," her sister nodded.

"Remember, never reveal your powers in front of either ancient gods or evil gods until you’ve become a Great Venerable yourself. Never trust anyone until then!" Yang Lian warned, holding her sister's hand tightly.

The weak girl nodded again.

Yang Lian gazed up at the starry sky, despair clouding her eyes. "This world... it’s beyond saving. No one can save it. Leaving is the only way to survive."

Yang Lian’s sister carried within her the seed of the world. If she could leave this world and reach a higher plane, perhaps she could seek the help of other yang gods to save the Fanxin World.

But Yang Lian knew that doing so would place the Fanxin World in even greater danger. A primordial world, capable of creating endless possibilities, would be coveted by any yang god. And the Fanxin World had no means of defending itself.

Yet, turning to another yang god was the only slim chance of survival. Even so, the Fanxin World might end up under the control of another yang god. But that would be a better fate than the complete destruction of all life.

Yang Lian forced a smile. "Maybe I'm overthinking it. Even if we do manage to leave, replaceing another yang god will be nearly impossible. But as long as you’re alive, there’s hope."

"Mm," the girl nodded firmly.

After speaking, Yang Lian sensed something and hurriedly left the room.

Outside, there was a rhythmic knocking at the door. Yang Lian's breath quickened, and her nerves tensed.

"Is no one home?" After some time, a familiar voice sighed outside the door.

"Zhao Zun?" Hearing the voice, Yang Lian's wariness melted away. She opened the door and was greeted by a familiar face. "What are you doing here? I thought you...!"

Her eyes showed a mix of surprise and emotion. Yang Lian and Zhao Zun were old acquaintances.

Zhao Zun's heart leapt with joy upon seeing Yang Lian.

"I returned to Fei Wu City with the god," Zhao Zun said, his expression complicated. Upon returning to the city, he had sought out many of his old friends. His enemy, the man who had stolen his inheritance, had fled the city some time ago, only to be killed by bandits. Zhao Zun felt a strange mix of emotions.

Most of his old acquaintances had either left or passed away. Yang Lian was one of the few who remained.

"Qing Shui Village’s protector god?" Yang Lian was surprised.

She looked at Zhao Zun, realizing that his strength had grown to an unimaginable level—so much so that she couldn’t gauge it.

"Yes, the lord granted me a divine visualization technique. That’s why I’ve achieved what I have today," Zhao Zun explained, his eyes filled with admiration for Qi Yuan.

Looking at this old friend, Yang Lian hesitated before asking, "When do you plan to leave?"

In her mind, Qing Shui Village’s protector god had killed an evil god and was likely afraid of retribution. Surely, he wouldn’t stay in Fei Wu City for long.

"Now that we’ve taken this city, it belongs to Qing Shui Village. We won’t abandon it!" Zhao Zun said seriously.

Qi Yuan was already planning to conquer two more cities.

The lord’s plans were not to be disclosed, so Zhao Zun kept quiet about that part.

Yang Lian was momentarily stunned by the response, not expecting such a reply. "What if... the other evil gods attack?"

"Then we kill them!" Zhao Zun’s eyes flashed with a fierce determination. He had fought and killed seven true gods during the ancient battlefield at the Hundred Flowers Conference.

He no longer feared evil gods as he once did.

Yang Lian looked into Zhao Zun’s eyes. Knowing his character, she believed he wouldn’t lie.

Thinking of the Origin Heavenly Venerable she had never met, Yang Lian said, "He must be a great man."

"He is the person I admire most in this life!" Zhao Zun's gaze was unwavering.

"What a pity..." Yang Lian thought sadly.

Such a noble ancient god would ultimately die at the hands of the evil gods, buried along with the Fanxin World.

"Cough, cough..." At that moment, a fit of coughing came from inside the house.

Yang Lian’s heart tightened.

Zhao Zun, sensing something, asked, "Is that your sister?"

"Yes, I need to go check on her. Please wait here for a moment." Yang Lian hurried back into the room.

Once inside, she closed the door tightly, leaving Zhao Zun puzzled but silent.

After a few dozen breaths, Yang Lian emerged from the room, her expression filled with helplessness.

"My sister said she admires the Origin Heavenly Venerable and wants to give him a gift." Yang Lian extended her hand, revealing a delicate, translucent jade leaf.

The leaf was as thin as a cicada's wing, with veins etched into it like the passage of time. However, the entire leaf was blood-red, as if it had been soaked in blood.

Zhao Zun took the leaf, surprised by its uniqueness.

"I’ll make sure the lord receives it."

Yang Lian, remembering something, added, "My sister is very weak right now and can't see anyone."

Zhao Zun nodded in understanding. "I’ll relay that message as well."

After a brief conversation, Zhao Zun took his leave.

Once he was gone, Yang Lian shut the door tightly and returned to her sister’s side.

She looked at her even more frail sibling, her heart full of pity.

"Why did you go through all this trouble?"

The little girl on the bed opened her bright, clear eyes. "He killed an evil god, so he's our benefactor."

"But it’s not worth it," Yang Lian replied.

"Don’t worry, sister. He won’t discover my identity."

Yang Lian knew that was likely true, which is why she hadn’t stopped her.

"Sister, did you notice that Brother Zhao Zun... seems different from before?"

"Hmm... it does seem that way." Yang Lian frowned.

"The Venerable he follows must not be an ordinary person," the little girl murmured.

If he were, would she have felt the urge to bestow a gift?

"Perhaps in a past life, he was a... myth." Yang Lian boldly speculated.

Why else would her sister have bestowed a gift?

In this world, only those of mythic status were worthy of such gifts.

Mythical beings were those who had taken seven steps into the heavens, becoming legends.

Mythical beings were the strongest pillars of this world.

In the battle of Hongtang, when the Mother of All Beings perished, the Fanxin World lost countless true gods. More than seventy percent of the true gods and Great Venerables died. But the mythic beings, those who had taken seven steps into the heavens, all fell in battle.

Not a single one survived. The so-called Heaven’s Chosen weren’t favored by the heavens—they were those capable of visualizing mythic-level gods.

They were the last hope of the Fanxin World.

Yang Lian held her frail sister, her eyes filled with deep sorrow. "Are you still in pain?"

"A little," the little girl replied through gritted teeth.

"Hold on just a bit longer. Soon, you’ll be able to leave the Fanxin World, and then... it won’t hurt anymore." Yang Lian embraced her sister, thinking of Zhao Zun.

Perhaps, like Zhao Zun and the Origin Heavenly Venerable, she too would eventually fall in battle, giving her life to the Fanxin World.

But her sister would carry the seed of the world, the hope of the world, through the ages until it could finally sprout.

But... would it still be the Fanxin World that emerged?

Would the old memories still remain?

Meanwhile, Zhao Zun returned to the city lord’s mansion.

Qi Yuan was busy gnawing on a pig’s trotter when he remarked to Qi Qi, "You eat too slowly, savoring every bite. Xiaoxue’s way of wolfing down food is much more appetizing."

Qi Qi rolled her eyes. "Godfather, I’m a lady. Ladies have manners!"

In the mansion, the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Ji Buran also sat quietly at the table, nibbling on a pig’s trotter.

Then Qi Yuan declared, "In a few more days, we’ll capture the remaining two cities. My great plan is finally moving forward."

There was something incredibly satisfying about seeing daily progress on his plan.

Qi Yuan mused that if everyone on Earth had progress bars or experience meters, it would produce many hardworking talents like him.

Qi Qi listened while gnawing on a bone, refusing to engage with Qi Yuan’s “great plan.”

That was a plan? Honestly, Qi Qi thought her godfather’s plan was too simplistic—less detailed than her notes on planting and far less thorough than an elementary school guide to feeding pigs.

"When this plan is done, we’ll return to Qing Shui Village and prepare to enter the ancestral land of the Gu Clan," Qi Yuan said, filled with anticipation.

"The Gu Clan..." Qi Qi hesitated. "The ancestral land is dangerous. Godfather, you must be careful."

"Don’t worry. There’s no one more cautious than me in this world," Qi Yuan said, spouting nonsense as he slurped his fragrant soup.

"Godfather, you’re not cautious at all. The Thunder God is the cautious one. You’re just at the Purple Palace level, yet you dare face true gods, and even Great Venerables," Qi Qi said, exasperated.

"I’m not just at the Purple Palace level anymore. I’m a... Stellar Gold Core now. I’ve already become very cautious," Qi Yuan said as he continued eating heartily.

"Godfather, stop talking nonsense."

"If I weren’t cautious, I’d secretly summon my Stellar Gold Core and smash it into the Heavenly Pillar to crush that old evil god!" Qi Yuan said, his tone deadly serious.

He had considered it, but unfortunately, his Stellar Gold Core was only a projection. If it were a real star, he’d definitely try to clash with the yang god inside the Heavenly Pillar.

Even though his daughter said yang gods could swallow stars, Qi Yuan remained skeptical. Perhaps some yang gods could, but that didn’t mean all of them could. And just as yang gods varied greatly, so did stars.

Qi Qi looked at the night sky, smiling. "Godfather, if you could really summon the stars, you might actually crush a few evil gods!"

As for gods above the true god level, Qi Qi didn’t comment. That was a realm beyond her comprehension.

But a star could definitely crush a mythic being.

"Don’t worry. I’m working on it. I’m preparing to swallow another star. One day, I’ll secretly drop it down and give that old bastard a scare," Qi Yuan said, gazing at the night sky.

In the empty universe where Ning Tao resided, time continued to flow rapidly. The solar flames continued to accumulate, and soon, Qi Yuan would be able to condense two Stellar Gold Cores.