Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?
Chapter 464: Black Sword’s Shock and Nature’s Generous Gift

In Demon Pass, dark clouds loomed heavily as an impending storm gathered. Strong Yang God cultivators frequently emerged from Black Demon Abyss, making their way to the Demon Pass.

Across the boundary, Ghost Heaven’s outer domain lay steeped in thick energy, suggesting the presence of two Great Supreme Truth realm guardians in wait.

How many other hidden powerhouses lay concealed remained uncertain.

Due to the recent matter of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, both factions had adopted an air of tense aggression.

Within his cramped cave abode, Qi Yuan consumed Black Demon Ancestral Blood to cultivate the Ancestral Blood Manual. These past fifteen days had been excruciatingly slow for him, filled with constant apprehension that some Yang God might launch a sudden attack against him.

Fortunately, no incident had occurred thus far.

“Blood Robe, Ice Sword’s cultivation has surged; he’s hosting a banquet and invited quite a few charming spirits. Why not come out, listen to some music, and sample some mushrooms?”

It was at this moment that Purple Fate Daxue sent him a message.

Without a second thought, Qi Yuan declined, “No, thanks. Mushrooms aren’t my thing.”

Qi Yuan was fully committed to his reclusive, turtle-like strategy.

“These aren’t your regular mushrooms; they’re handcrafted with my artistic flair!”

“Then I’m definitely passing. I’m not too convinced about you Black Demon Abyss cultivators’ culinary skills. Cooking isn’t your strong suit—you don’t even know how to stir-fry. Hmm… you know, if I were to set up a New Oriental culinary school here, would I make a fortune?” Qi Yuan wondered aloud.

After some consideration, he shook his head.

While he missed the food from Blue Star, it couldn’t really compare with the unique offerings of the cultivation world—though nostalgia did play a part.

Qi Yuan mulled it over and reversed the idea: when he returned to Blue Star, he could open a culinary school and give New Oriental a run for its money. With another business idea added to his future ventures, he felt content.

Roughly an hour later, Qi Yuan suddenly lifted his head to look at the sky.

Above, two blazing, god-like auras shone brightly like radiant suns.

Within the Demon Pass, the young prodigies raised their heads in unison.

“This is… the Great Supreme Truth realm!”

“A Great Supreme Truth leaving… is something major about to happen?”

The disciples looked around in confusion. They had no knowledge of the situation in Ghost Heaven, nor of the emergence of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

This time, Black Demon Abyss’s powerhouses had chosen not to hide their presence.

For cultivators of this caliber, strength alone served as the best deterrent.

An Xunlu glanced at the sky, a look of concern crossing her face. “Brother Black Sword has gone too; this must be serious. Let’s hope they’ll be alright.”

“The Transformation of Lynia hasn’t started yet, so no matter the conflict, it’s not a big deal. Just stay calm.”

Ice Sword spoke with a newfound ease, his past gloom swept away, looking rather pleased. Over this time, he had secretly advanced into the Yang God realm, though he had kept this quiet to consolidate his cultivation further.

Recently, Black Sword and Blood Robe had been in the spotlight, leaving him in relative obscurity aside from laying eggs. But when Taihuang Palace began its Heavenly Scanning, casting starlight over every Yang God, he intended to make a discreet yet stunning entrance.

Yes, the Black Demon Abyss had its own prodigies, Black Sword and Blood Robe—but Ice Sword, too, would shine across the heavens.

He was preparing in secret to capture the attention of all under heaven.

Oddly enough, Ice Sword couldn’t shake the feeling that his nascent celestial shape was… rather egg-like.

…

In the outer domain of Ghost Heaven—

Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan sat cross-legged in the void, holding a Soul Banner stretched across the sky, concealing his figure in its shadow.

Below him, vast reserves of Black Demon Ancestral Blood emanated a deep crimson glow.

Souls slipped in and out of the Ancestral Blood through the Soul Banner, slowly corrupting it.

In another half-month, the Black Demon Ancestral Blood would be fully contaminated, reduced to worthless blood.

Just then, a delicate figure approached, her eyes filled with respect as she gazed at the Soul Banner. “Third Ancestor, the Heavenly Venerables of Black Demon Abyss have departed for Demon Pass!”

Guiyuan’s eyes glinted, and he nodded, his expression sharpening as he asked, “And the Human Emperor Hall’s envoy? Have you tracked him down?”

Last time, the Human Emperor Hall’s envoy had appeared abruptly, killing Ghost Heaven’s Yang God. Furious, Guiyuan had attacked, only to see him escape, leaving Guiyuan feeling humiliated.

Since then, he’d ordered a full-scale search for any trace of the Human Emperor Hall’s envoy.

“Heavenly Venerable, we haven’t located him,” replied the delicate figure, trembling slightly. Though she, too, was a Yang God, she could not shake her fear in the presence of a Great Supreme Truth.

“Then withdraw,” Guiyuan instructed coldly, and she retreated, relieved.

A powerful voice rang in Guiyuan’s ears.

“Are you still stewing over that Human Emperor Hall envoy?”

This was Ghost Zui, the other Great Supreme Truth stationed in the outer domain.

Ghost Zui’s figure was small, with a “Zui” character etched into his face, shamelessly displayed.

Guiyuan’s gaze blazed. “A mere Yang God who hasn’t even reached Supreme Truth dared provoke me. He courts death!”

“A strange Yang God indeed, buzzing like an annoying mosquito,” Ghost Zui remarked. “Once our current mission is done, I’ll help you replace him and drag him out of hiding. Such disrespect against Ghost Heaven warrants adding him to my Soul Banner!”

“Do you think the Human Emperor Hall might be connected to Black Demon Abyss? Do you suppose their envoy will dare show his face?” Guiyuan’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent, along with a hint of unease.

The Human Emperor Hall envoy’s uncanny abilities—escaping right before Guiyuan’s eyes—left him wary.

Ghost Zui chuckled darkly, “If he dares come, he won’t be leaving.”

Guiyuan’s eyes lit up. “Could it be that the Banner Master himself will arrive?”

Ghost Zui shook his head. “The Banner Master is currently locked in a standoff with the old one from Black Demon Abyss and won’t act rashly. However, he has granted me a portion of the power of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, infused with a Supreme Truth killing technique—more than enough to detain the Human Emperor Hall envoy!”

The fraction of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner Ghost Zui wielded wasn’t the ordinary kind held by the Great Heavenly Venerables.

Ghost Zui’s held a tenth of the full Banner’s might, enough to carry the Supreme Truth technique of the Banner Master.

This portion was crafted specifically to capture the Human Emperor Hall envoy.

As for Black Demon Abyss’s Great Supreme Truths, the Banner had limited effectiveness. Even if they immobilized a Great Supreme Truth for an instant, it was challenging, if not impossible, to inflict real harm on one.

Nonetheless, they had their orders: defend the domain, for the Banner Master had his own plans.

Five days passed quietly.

Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan and Ghost Zui stood watch, corrupting the Black Demon Ancestral Blood in eerie silence.

The surrounding region was void of sound, a murky quiet that defied even the Yang Gods’ perception.

In such a place, Yang Gods’ destructive power was significantly limited, like two ordinary people struggling in thick mud.

Suddenly, without any warning, a golden hand tore through the fabric of space, reaching directly toward the Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

The void shuddered, rippling out in waves of instability.

Guiyuan’s eyes lit with ghostly fire as he opened them. “They’ve finally come!”

With a shout, he shook the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Symbols glowed, ghostly flames flickered, and gusts of wind rose, swirling with the stench of death as countless ghastly faces—men, women, children, and elders alike—materialized on the Banner.

The mournful wails and piercing cries of the souls within filled the air, making the scalp tingle.

Horrifying and eerie, the banner seemed to have consumed countless lives.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner unfurled across the sky, intercepting the golden hand.

In a frenzied tide, countless souls lunged forward, bellowing and wailing.

With a snarl, a chilling sword intent split the murky void in two.

A thin black sword shot forward with incredible force, like a glint of cold light piercing through the heavens.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner’s souls shrieked in terror.

A lone figure, dressed in white, strode forward, tall and imposing.

That strike had been his—a decisive, destructive blow.

The souls within the Ten Thousand Souls Banner scrambled back.

Those that moved too slowly seemed to be vaporized by sunlight, sizzling as they faded into nothingness.

Guiyuan’s eyes narrowed with trepidation. “To think, not even a Great Supreme Truth, yet he wields such power. Should he break through, he could probably kill me without a second thought!”

A chill ran down Guiyuan’s spine.

He felt fortunate that Ghost Heaven had aligned itself with Taihuang Palace. If Black Sword were to reach his full potential, Ghost Heaven would face an exceedingly difficult future.

“Knowing your own limits, surrender the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, and I’ll spare you when next we meet.” Black Sword’s voice was cold, and he held the thin black sword with an air of divine indifference.

Guiyuan smirked. “The Lynia Transformation is just around the corner. There’s no telling if you’ll survive to reach the Great Supreme Truth.”

His words carried an unfiltered murderous intent, almost as if he were predicting that, during this next Lynia Transformation, one of the newly emerging Supreme Truths might very well be him.

“You’ll be among the fallen,” he seemed to imply.

“Enough talk. Show your strength!” snapped Purple Fate Ancestor, impatient and unreserved. Without further words, he took action.

In the astral realm, stars shimmered, and Purple Fate’s enormous avatar emerged—so vast it dwarfed even entire worlds.

The colossal golden hand, with enough force to crush a sun, reached out toward the two Great Supreme Truths.

A battle of this magnitude would tear Demon Pass asunder if it were held there. However, here in this outer realm, only the faintest whispers of its energy reached the Yang Gods, enough to send shivers down their spines.

“Purple Fate, let me be the one to test your mettle!” Guiyuan shouted, calling upon his own avatar.

The two colossal figures collided in a fearsome clash of Supreme Truth techniques, filling the astral realm with explosions of energy that even the dense outer realm struggled to contain.

Black Sword stood motionless, gripping his slender black sword.

“Fifth Brother, I leave Ghost Zui to you!” he instructed an elder beside him with a calm voice.

The Fifth Patriarch of Black Demon Abyss, an elder from Yin Soul Heaven, stood with an inscrutable gaze and an ominous expression. He gave a slow, wicked grin. “Even if we go all out, it’d be pointless. How about we sit down and have a chat?”

Yin Soul Heaven’s Fifth Patriarch then took a seat, crossing his legs in the void.

Not far off, Ghost Zui grinned. “There’s sense in that. Without an offensive artifact, even tearing apart the heavens wouldn’t give us an edge.”

Above them, Purple Fate and Guiyuan engaged in fierce combat, their avatars locked in close quarters. The force of each exchange left the average Yang God trembling. Though Purple Fate appeared to have a slight advantage, he seemed unable to overcome Guiyuan completely.

The wind brushed against Black Sword’s robes as he looked solemnly at the Fifth Patriarch. His voice, heavy with regret, cut through the air. “Fifth Brother… we came from the same roots. Why betray Black Demon Abyss?”

The Fifth Patriarch looked directly at Purple Fate Ancestor, an unspoken hatred boiling over in his eyes. “I only wish to see my bloodline live on. I want… to see Moon God Ancestor dead!”

Mentioning Moon God Ancestor brought a flash of murderous intent to the Fifth Patriarch’s gaze, his hatred unmistakable.

“In the last Lynia Transformation, Black Demon Abyss was small, and we had only five Great Supreme Truths, yet we were brothers, united in hardship. Now, as the Lynia Transformation looms again and Black Demon Abyss grows stronger, we tear ourselves apart…” Black Sword’s tone grew sorrowful.

The Fifth Patriarch looked at Black Sword, a mocking smile on his face. “Even if you become a true Supreme, you’re still pitifully tied to your bloodline.”

Black Sword sighed. “Tell me, aside from you, who else wishes to leave Black Demon Abyss? Who orchestrated all of this?”

Ghost Zui, seated nearby, listened to the conversation with an amused look.

The Fifth Patriarch remained silent. Black Sword then stated, “I won’t stop you from leaving Black Demon Abyss.”

He continued, his tone deadly serious, “But in return, the Black Demon Ancestral Blood is coming with me.”

Though he resented seeing Black Demon Abyss fragmented, Black Sword had no intention of forcibly stopping anyone.

“That won’t do…” The Fifth Patriarch’s gaze shifted to Purple Fate Ancestor, murder blazing in his eyes. “He must stay.”

A deep sense of unease gnawed at Black Sword. His intuition told him that some unseen plot was in play, growing by the moment.

“It seems we have no deal.” Black Sword quickly sent a warning to Purple Fate Ancestor to be on guard.

“Whether he agrees or not isn’t up to him,” the Fifth Patriarch replied with an icy smile.

He lifted his hand, producing a porcelain-white jade bottle that shimmered with a faint red glow.

Everyone heard a steady, throbbing heartbeat emanate from the bottle.

The calm expression Black Sword wore was replaced by genuine alarm.

“Primordial Demon Blood!”

Even Ghost Zui flinched at the sight, a hint of unease coloring his face. “Primordial Demon Blood, indeed!”

Ghost Zui knew the Fifth Patriarch was prepared to betray Black Demon Abyss, yet the appearance of Primordial Demon Blood had taken him by surprise.

Primordial Demon Blood was a terrifying weapon, especially deadly for those in the Supreme Truth realm. It could trigger the calamity known as the Primordial Demon Tribulation, and without proper defenses, the afflicted had little chance of survival.

For someone like Purple Fate Ancestor, who had long suppressed his cultivation, a sudden onset of the Primordial Demon Tribulation would likely be fatal.

Hovering above, Purple Fate Ancestor sensed the blood and shivered involuntarily, feeling a wave of imminent danger.

Guiyuan cackled, “Purple Fate, seems this will be your last battle.”

“Hmph!” Purple Fate snorted coldly, his attacks fierce and unwavering despite his inner anxiety.

To think his enemies had brought out Primordial Demon Blood just to eliminate him!

Bitterly, he reflected on the irony of finally obtaining the revised Ancestral Blood Manual, only to face such a calamity.

Black Sword’s slender sword quivered in his grip as he looked at the Fifth Patriarch with trepidation.

The Fifth Patriarch, bottle in hand, strolled toward Ghost Zui, a maniacal grin on his face.

Ghost Zui mirrored his glee, elation gleaming in his eyes.

Victory was within their grasp.

With Guiyuan restraining Purple Fate Ancestor, the latter had no chance to escape. With the Primordial Demon Blood nearby, there was nowhere for Purple Fate to run.

But then, at that critical moment, Black Sword’s voice rang out, his aura shifting to a razor-sharp edge.

He shouted at the Fifth Patriarch, “Now! Attack!”

The Fifth Patriarch’s defection was a ruse, a scheme concocted by their master and the Fifth Patriarch himself to lure out and kill one of Ghost Heaven’s Great Supreme Truths.

Before departing, Black Sword had only just learned of the plan.

He surged forward, ready to strike at Ghost Zui.

But the Fifth Patriarch’s lips curved into a cold smile, and he whispered softly, “Now.”

It was the same phrase Black Sword had just used.

Ghost Zui’s smile deepened as he heard the words.

A Soul Banner appeared, exuding an overwhelming, terrifying aura as it unfurled.

It felt as though the banner could extinguish entire worlds.

Within it, a Supreme Truth killing technique bestowed by the Banner Master himself was aimed directly at Black Sword!

Black Sword’s mind went blank as realization struck. An overwhelming dread filled his heart.

The thought that filled his mind was horrific.

The Banner Master’s killing technique, carried by an offensive divine treasure, was directed… at him!

Black Sword’s body seized up momentarily, and his thoughts came to a dead halt.

Purple Fate Ancestor, witnessing the scene from afar, was struck with horror. “How dare you!”

It dawned on him that he was never their target—Black Sword was.

They had masked the intricacies of this plan so well that even he had been kept in the dark, a mere bystander.

Furious, he tried to break free, but Guiyuan blocked his way, leaving him unable to intervene.

The Fifth Patriarch’s smile turned radiant. “Dear Brother Black Sword, it seems you never realized our goal was always you. Even our master was deceived. Hahaha…”

The Fifth Patriarch laughed in satisfaction.

Ghost Zui called out urgently, “Use the Primordial Demon Blood now! The Supreme Truth killing technique will only hold him for half a breath!”

Their exchange took no time at all.

“Understood,” the Fifth Patriarch said, his laughter fading as he flung the Primordial Demon Blood toward the immobilized Black Sword.

The ominous, pulsating blood surged toward Black Sword.

Stuck in place, Black Sword’s thoughts spun wildly. Had their master truly been outwitted? Or was this…

But there was no time to wonder.

If he fell here, Black Demon Abyss’s future in the Lynia Transformation would be bleak.

The Fifth Patriarch’s face lit with cruel satisfaction. “This Lynia Transformation will see a Supreme fall, and it will be the young Supreme, by my own hand.”

But then his smile froze.

Ghost Zui’s eyes widened in shock.

Instead of reaching Black Sword, the Primordial Demon Blood veered sharply away, making a ninety-degree turn as if it had sensed a kindred spirit. It collided with the void where the Black Demon Ancestral Blood lay.

The air shattered, and out stepped a man clad in blood-red armor, holding a bowl as though he’d been scooping Ancestral Blood. A flicker of surprise passed through his cold gaze.

The Primordial Demon Blood slithered toward him, vanishing into his blood armor like a snake returning home.

The man—Qi Yuan—frowned, embarrassed at having been caught red-handed stealing Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

But he quickly masked his feelings, adopting a composed and detached demeanor.

Following the wise words Qi Yuan had once read on Blue Star:

When you’re in the right, argue the rules. When you’re in the wrong, muddy the waters.

Seeing that his opponents had reacted first, Qi Yuan spoke with indignant fury:

“How typical of you Ghost Heaven scoundrels, attacking me with a vile substance like Primordial Demon Blood while I was merely passing through the void! Now… I have a terrible stomachache!”

The armored man—Qi Yuan, of course—hid his bowl behind him as he spoke.

Fifteen days of recovery had restored Qi Yuan’s strength. Planning to steal a portion of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, he’d only just arrived when the Primordial Demon Blood had struck.

But he wasn’t bound by Supreme Truth, nor was he a Yang God, so he had no calamity or tribulation to fear.

All it did was cause a mild itch, which he’d promptly subdued, tucking the blood safely away in his Human Emperor Banner for future study.

Seeing this, the Fifth Patriarch’s eyes bulged in fury and horror.

The Primordial Demon Blood was gone!

Vanished!

Ghost Zui, equally furious, shouted, “You’re courting death, Human Emperor Hall envoy!”

Without hesitation, he attacked Qi Yuan directly.

“No, the ones courting death are you! You stole my Human Emperor Banner and ambushed me. I’m taking this Black Demon Ancestral Blood as your compensation!”

Having been caught, Qi Yuan decided to proceed openly. He brought out a few bowls and scooped up the Ancestral Blood as casually as if he were collecting soup.

Just as he finished, a tremendous blow hurtled toward him.

Ghost Zui and the Fifth Patriarch had joined forces in their assault on Qi Yuan.

The combined power was enough to shred reality itself.

In his current state, Qi Yuan could barely handle one Great Supreme Truth opponents; two were beyond him.

Just then, however, a calm, scholarly voice called out.

“My friend, allow me to assist you!”

As the voice rang out, Black Sword emerged from the Supreme Truth killing technique’s grasp. He raised his slender sword, its glint slicing through the void, positioning himself squarely between Qi Yuan and the Fifth Patriarch.

Black Sword’s gaze bore into the Fifth Patriarch, tinged with unrelenting fury. “Fifth Brother… there’s another accomplice, isn’t there?”

The slender sword in his hand pulsed with a power that conveyed unyielding strength.

The Fifth Patriarch’s face betrayed fear mixed with rage, while somewhere beneath, an ominous resignation surfaced.

Today’s carefully laid plans had turned to dust.

Without the Primordial Demon Blood, even if the Banner Master himself intervened, they’d be unable to trap Black Sword and Purple Fate Ancestor here.

The Fifth Patriarch looked sharply at Ghost Zui and transmitted his thoughts urgently: “Quick, we must call upon the Banner Master!”

Qi Yuan was indeed not powerful enough to resist a Great Supreme Truth; still, his mysterious means and ability to vanish without a trace made him infuriatingly elusive prey. For the Fifth Patriarch, ensuring Qi Yuan’s capture and recovering the Primordial Demon Blood now became the top priority.

Ghost Zui nodded in agreement, understanding this critical need. He prepared to signal for aid but was suddenly struck by an unexpected presence—a shiver ran down his spine.

A surge of raw, chaotic energy saturated the realm, an overwhelming force that seemed intent on bringing the world to its knees.

“Hold!” shouted Ghost Zui, exhilaration seeping into his voice as he recognized the presence.

“There’s no need to summon him. The Banner Master’s Supreme Truth killing technique has already arrived!” he cried.

In that instant, the overwhelming presence of an unstoppable force engulfed the area. It was a killing technique forged by the Banner Master, the peak of Supreme Truth, one that could ensnare all reality within its grasp.

Even Black Sword and Purple Fate Ancestor couldn’t mask the sense of dread that washed over them; they too could feel the impending, unavoidable assault.

The killing technique honed in on Qi Yuan with a vengeance.

“Beware! This is the Banner Master’s Supreme Truth killing technique, capable of freezing all time and space!” Black Sword called out to Qi Yuan, his warning urgent.

Purple Fate Ancestor, for his part, couldn’t hide his worry for the Human Emperor Hall envoy.

After all, the envoy had just saved Black Sword’s life.

For himself, though the Banner Master’s Supreme Truth killing technique would briefly restrain him, only something like Primordial Demon Blood could actually pose a fatal threat. Injuries were the worst he would endure, not death.

But Qi Yuan was different; he wasn’t a Great Supreme Truth. If trapped within this killing technique, survival would be virtually impossible.

Even as Black Sword shouted his warning, the killing technique zeroed in on Qi Yuan, capturing him in its crushing grip.

Ghost Zui’s face broke into a triumphant smile.

“Let’s see you escape this one, boy,” he sneered.

With the Banner Master’s killing technique active, Ghost Zui felt assured. Qi Yuan was caught, no longer able to evade their grasp, his fate sealed by the Banner Master’s powerful killing technique.

Seizing the moment, Black Sword lunged forward, intending to shield Qi Yuan, buying him even a sliver of time. Yet, the Fifth Patriarch blocked him like an immovable mountain, thwarting his attempt.

“Ghost Zui, recover the Primordial Demon Blood!” the Fifth Patriarch called out, urgency edging his tone.

With malicious glee, Ghost Zui unfurled the myriad-ghost Soul Banner. “Into the Soul Banner with you, brat! You’ll make an excellent soul wraith!”

He set the Soul Banner loose, brimming with dark, malignant energy. Normally, Ghost Zui wouldn’t expose himself in such a reckless, all-offense tactic without defense. However, confident in the Banner Master’s killing technique, he assumed Qi Yuan was powerless to resist.

Yet as Ghost Zui’s attack neared, something unexpected happened.

Qi Yuan—the Human Emperor Hall envoy they all thought immobilized—smirked.

The shock deepened as he reached out and clasped the Soul Banner’s segmented banner in his hand.

His voice rang out with a peculiar brightness, “Thank you, Nature, for your generous gifts!”

And with that, he vanished, Soul Banner and all.

Ghost Zui’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The Soul Banner—the one containing the Banner Master’s killing technique, capable of binding reality itself—had disappeared!

Aghast, he whispered, “Impossible.”

How could anyone move under the Banner Master’s Supreme Truth killing technique?

Ghost Zui was at a complete loss, his mind reeling with confusion and rage.

Even Black Sword was visibly stunned, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

How could someone like Qi Yuan—a mere Yang God, not yet a Great Supreme Truth—have such immunity to the Banner Master’s power?

For all present, this mystery remained unsolved, a secret as deeply veiled as the very cosmos itself.