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

“...Ahem... his name is Qi Yuan,” Jiang Ruhua said, feeling a bit embarrassed. After all, who in this world didn’t know of Qi Yuan, the one who eliminated the Great Calamity?

It was a bit awkward for his son-in-law to share the same name as such a legendary figure.

Upon hearing this, even though Wang Lingtong was a Great Lord, his heart skipped a beat.

He quickly looked toward the staircase, where a blood-red figure was slowly descending, the sound of footsteps echoing off the wooden stairs.

Jiang Lingsu, dressed in a simple robe, was supporting the figure, her eyes filled with barely concealed joy.

All the cultivators in the tavern who had been drinking silently stood up at this moment, putting down their cups in unison.

The only sound in the tavern was the soft creaking of footsteps on the wooden stairs.

Jiang Ruhua didn’t notice the other cultivators standing, but the sound of Qi Yuan’s footsteps on the stairs made him blush slightly.

Sigh, his son-in-law really was from a small place like him. You could tell by how loudly he walked.

Didn’t he notice how quiet it was here?

Such lack of manners!

He decided that when they returned to the Eastern Lands, he would have to educate Qi Yuan properly. When traveling outside, they couldn’t afford to embarrass the cultivators of the Eastern Lands.

As the blood-red figure came into view, revealing a face of extraordinary beauty, still carrying a hint of laziness, as though springtime sleep hadn’t fully worn off, Jiang Ruhua stood up abruptly. He was just about to question the boy who was holding his precious daughter when—

The cultivators in the tavern bowed in unison, and a thunderous voice filled the air.

“We pay our respects to the Blood-Clad Sword God!”

“Senior has rid the world of the Great Calamity, a deed of immeasurable merit. You should be the Emperor of the Canglan Realm!”

Their voices were perfectly synchronized, as though spoken by one person, and they echoed through the heavens like crashing waves.

In that instant, all the Great Lords in the tavern bowed, no matter how noble their past status or prestigious their origins.

Before this blood-robed figure, all were humbled to the extreme.

Jiang Ruhua blinked, doubting both his eyes and ears.

His heart felt hollow, as though struck by lightning, leaving his entire body tingling.

The voices of the cultivators blurred into a constant ringing in his ears.

Qi Yuan... was that Qi Yuan?!!

He was completely lost, unable to think.

He was in a panic. He had just bragged about giving Qi Yuan a punch to the nose.

Now, he found himself in a dilemma, not knowing whether to move forward or retreat. He could only play dead while immense joy surged within him.

Could it be… I’ve hit the jackpot?

Wang Lingtong, still discreetly observing Jiang Ruhua, was both curious and expectant. He wondered if this man would actually go through with his earlier boast.

Of course, it was only a fleeting thought—he didn’t dare to dwell on it.

After all, the person before him had just vanquished three thousand Great Calamities!

And under his command were thousands of Yang Gods, each a supreme deity.

In the upper realms, this figure would certainly be a ruler of great power!

At this moment, Qi Yuan, looking drowsy, let out a yawn, his eyes still filled with fatigue.

He glanced at the Great Lords present and at Jiang Ruhua, who looked like he was in need of medical attention, and slowly spoke.

“The title of Emperor comes with responsibilities. I... am unworthy.”

An emperor must shoulder the burden of the Canglan Realm.

But he had swallowed the Canglan Realm—how could he bear its responsibilities?

Thus, he was unworthy!

None of the Great Lords dared to speak up, not even to refute his words.

After all, this was the Blood-Clad Sword God who had destroyed the Great Calamity!

His words carried more weight than any law.

Jiang Ruhua, seeing this scene, was now certain—this Qi Yuan was indeed that Qi Yuan.

Otherwise, why would all these cultivators have gathered here… to put on a play?

No wonder he hadn’t been able to discern the cultivation of these people—the weakest among them were probably Great Lords.

“Senior should be the ruler of all under heaven!” said Great Lord Baiyu as he bowed deeply. He was once the most powerful person in the Canglan Realm.

The other Great Lords quickly echoed his sentiment.

Now that the Great Calamity had been eliminated, if the Blood-Clad Sword God didn’t become the ruler of the world, what reason did they have to exist?

After all, the Canglan Realm’s stars had vanished, leaving only ten suns in the sky.

What future did they have now?

“The Great Calamity has been removed, but the being behind it has left a mark on all of you,” Qi Yuan said. “That’s why I swallowed the Canglan Realm and placed it in my Purple Mansion. If you leave my Purple Mansion, and that being behind the Great Calamity seeks revenge, with a single thought, you’ll all perish.

“So... for now, you’ll have to remain in my Purple Mansion.

“I’m a generous person, so even though I swallowed you all without your consent, I won’t charge you rent,” Qi Yuan said with a casual stretch.

The surrounding Great Lords looked at one another, some showing surprise and others confusion.

At that moment, Wang Lingtong stepped forward and spoke loudly, “What Senior Blood-Clad Sword God says is true. I am from the Xingli Realm, and the Yang Gods of my realm once spoke of this. The one behind the Great Calamity has left a mark on all living beings. Our lives and deaths are but a thought away.

“Now that the Great Calamity has been destroyed, if that being learns of it, he may wipe out our marks and harvest our lives!”

Hearing this, the other cultivators began to sweat coldly.

The Great Calamity had been terrifying enough, but the one behind it... was beyond comprehension.

All their plans, all their calculations from before, were now meaningless.

Great Lord Baiyu stepped forward, his eyes resolute. “Senior’s will is the will of the Canglan Realm!”

At that moment, he didn’t bring up the title of ruler of all under heaven.

After all, every living being in the Canglan Realm owed Qi Yuan their lives.

“I’m not interested in such things,” Qi Yuan said nonchalantly. “I’m just a weak, ambitionless cultivator, barely able to protect myself, a bit introverted and reclusive.”

Sigh, it’s this cruel world that’s forced me to act.

“If it weren’t for the Black Mountain Sect being too arrogant, the Bright Palace pushing people too far, the Dark Sun being too overbearing, and the Great Calamity being so ruthless… and some internet trolls constantly harassing me online, I wouldn’t be this exhausted.”

“I just want to see a peaceful, friendly, and harmonious cultivation world with good morals. That’s all.

“If that happens, I’d love nothing more than to stay in my sect all day, playing games,” Qi Yuan said seriously.

He was naturally introverted, not suited to being a savior.

Playing the role in a game was fine, but in reality, it wasn’t necessary.

The other Great Lords exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Qi Yuan’s words left them bewildered.

Jiang Lingsu, watching her Senior Brother, couldn’t help but smile. Her Senior Brother was still the same—his words were always so unique.

“Rest assured, Senior. We will do everything in our power to cleanse the cultivation world’s moral compass!” Great Lord Baiyu said, his voice firm.

The other Great Lords, some of whom had a habit of swearing, began to sweat as well.

“We vow to help Senior build a peaceful and friendly cultivation world!”

“Good, good,” Qi Yuan said casually. Then he added, “Hold on a moment. During the battle with the Great Calamity, the aftermath caused many beings to perish. Sigh, that’s my fault.”

Qi Yuan sighed. Despite the separation of yin and yang through the underworld, the aftershocks of the battle still couldn’t prevent casualties.

Great Lord Baiyu quickly responded, “This battle is not Senior’s fault!”

“It’s the fault of the Great Calamity!”

No one dared to blame Qi Yuan.

And even if anyone did, the Great Lords wouldn’t let those complaints reach Qi Yuan’s ears.

“Good thing I was smart enough to prepare in advance.”

The blood-red robed Qi Yuan raised his hand, and as he spoke, his previously lazy demeanor was replaced by an aura of divinity. It was as though a god from the Nine Heavens had descended.

Even though he was still holding Jiang Lingsu’s hand, his divine presence was undeniable.

Jiang Ruhua, witnessing this, couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence.

The Great Lords around him shared similar thoughts.

The Blood-Clad Sword God had been too approachable and down-to-earth before, almost like a dream.

Now, this was more fitting for his status.

Holy and immeasurable, mysterious and unfathomable. Suddenly, his aura became dark and ominous.

It was as though the gates of the underworld had opened, and an infinite amount of eerie energy flooded out.

The towering god-like figure spoke, his voice vast and deep, like an ancient ritual chant.

“Return to me, souls. There is no rest in the four directions.”

“The rootless float adrift, like duckweed on the waves.”

“The lonely ones cling to nothing, like fluff in the wind.”

“All marked by me, return.”

With his words, the entire world trembled.

The eerie aura grew thicker and thicker.

It was as though the gates of the underworld had truly opened.

The sound of Qi Yuan’s voice echoed throughout the Canglan Realm, and every living being heard it.

“Is that the voice of the Blood-Clad Sword God?”

“What is he doing?”

Countless cultivators, common folk, and even animals and insects were bewildered.

The Great Lords also used their senses to investigate and found that in the broken mountains, rivers, and dead cities, all those who had perished were being mysteriously summoned back from the dead.

“I’m... alive?”

“No, what’s going on?”

“Father! You’re alive!!”

Countless cultivators were stunned, and many were filled with fear.

All those who had perished during the Great Calamity, whether mortals or cultivators, were now being revived.

Their bodies, some transformed into spirits or ghosts, were now restored to their original form as though nothing had happened.

The sight left countless onlookers in awe, regarding it as a divine miracle.

And who, in the Canglan Realm, could perform such a miracle but the Blood-Clad Sword God, Qi Yuan?

“Blood-Clad Sword God!”

Many knelt in reverence, while others trembled in fear.

This was beyond their comprehension.

Even the Great Lords, who had seen so much, were left speechless. There was nothing like this even in the ancient records.

At that moment, Qi Yuan’s divine expression shifted, revealing a hint of complexity. “So, the boundary between life and death is just a form of change... Sigh, another day of learning.”

While using the powers of the underworld, Qi Yuan gained some understanding. He realized that life and death were, in essence, a transformation of energy—a change in the natural order.

This insight was somewhat similar to Ning Tao’s realization upon reaching the Yang God realm, that time itself was merely a change, not a fixed concept.

Of course, Qi Yuan’s insight was still very limited. There seemed to be far more about his control over the underworld that remained unknown to him.

Jiang Ruhua gulped nervously.

As for giving Qi Yuan a punch? That idea was long gone from his mind.

This Blood-Clad Sword God standing before him was beyond anything he could comprehend.

The Great Lords felt it even more deeply.

The stronger one was, the more terrifying the Blood-Clad Sword God’s miracle appeared.

“Alright, anything else?” Qi Yuan asked, his divine aura fading, returning to the casual demeanor of the Purple Mansion cultivator from Shen Guang Sect. “If not, I’m going to take a nap and recharge.”

He was still exhausted and weary.

Just then, Wang Lingtong suddenly knelt, and Wang Lingshan followed suit.

“Please, Senior Blood-Clad Sword God... devour the Xingli Realm!”

They had come here to seek the help of the Blood-Clad Sword God.

After all, the Great Calamity had been destroyed, but the marks left by the one behind it still lingered on them.

If the one from the Taihuang Palace wanted, they could wipe out the entire Xingli Realm in an instant.

Seeing that Qi Yuan hadn’t responded yet, Wang Lingtong continued, “If Senior Blood-Clad Sword God devours the Xingli Realm, all of our cultivation techniques will be yours!”

“Senior, didn’t you say you wanted to improve the moral state of the cultivation world? The Xingli Realm has many cultivators with bad habits—drunkenness, foul language, and more. It’s in desperate need of your correction!”

“And in the other worlds with Great Calamities, the cultivation realms are oppressed, and many cultivators suffer from mental instability. This also requires your moral guidance!”

“All the techniques from the three thousand worlds will belong to Senior!”

“Please, devour the three thousand worlds!”

Wang Lingtong’s voice was solemn, his attitude humble.

It was clear that he had done his homework before coming here and had learned a bit about the Blood-Clad Sword God’s personality.

Of course, he also knew that serving a powerful figure was like serving a tiger—trying to guess what pleased such a figure could easily backfire.

But at this moment, he had no choice but to take the risk.

The three thousand worlds could be destroyed at any moment.

Qi Yuan thought for a moment. “You have a point.”

The techniques were secondary.

The three thousand worlds’ techniques weren’t as valuable as those collected by the Buddhist nations.

If the one from Taihuang Palace learned of the Great Calamity’s defeat, they might activate the marks and harvest the three thousand worlds.

If the three thousand worlds were harvested, the one from Taihuang Palace would likely grow stronger.

So, to prevent that evil entity from gaining power, it was his duty to devour the three thousand worlds.

The most important thing was, Qi Yuan was a lawful good person. He never harmed innocents. Even when killing, he did so ethically and with a clear conscience.

Therefore, the three thousand worlds... must be devoured!

“Senior, this is the Xingli Realm’s location. We will gather the coordinates of the other three thousand worlds for you as soon as possible!” Wang Lingtong was elated and relieved.

As long as the Blood-Clad Sword God agreed to devour them, the three thousand worlds still had a chance at survival.

The black-robed man beside him was also pleased, though there was a hint of sadness and loss.

His home had already been devoured by the Great Calamity, leaving nothing behind.

“There’s no need,” Qi Yuan said calmly, glancing at Wang Lingtong. “When I destroyed the Great Calamity, I already obtained all the coordinates.”

Wang Lingtong fell silent, unsure of how to respond.

“Alright, no more talking. I’m going to devour the three thousand worlds now, then take a nap to digest it all.”

With that, Qi Yuan and Jiang Lingsu vanished, leaving behind a group of stunned Great Lords.

“The Blood-Clad Sword God is going to devour three thousand worlds... it’s unimaginable!” Baiyu Great Lord murmured, his voice tinged with awe.

The other Great Lords couldn’t fathom what that would even look like.

“The Canglan Realm is truly blessed to have given rise to Senior Blood-Clad Sword God,” another Great Lord remarked.

The Great Calamity had been dealt with, but they still felt as if they were dreaming.

They understood the Great Calamity’s power—it was something the Canglan Realm could never have withstood on its own.

And yet, the Great Calamity, more terrifying than they had imagined, along with three thousand of its kin, had been completely annihilated by the Blood-Clad Sword God.

At that moment, Wang Lingtong turned to Jiang Ruhua and took a deep breath before speaking with a respectful tone, “Senior, I had no idea the woman beside Senior Blood-Clad Sword God was your daughter.”

Jiang Ruhua was initially pleased to hear this, but then he thought about it—shouldn’t such things be said out loud for everyone to hear?

Aren’t these big-city cultivators lacking in social awareness?

Seeing the other Great Lords discussing the Blood-Clad Sword God, Jiang Ruhua suddenly felt sentimental. But his voice was loud as he said, “Sigh, my son-in-law has quite the appetite. He’s going to devour three thousand worlds at once. How am I supposed to host him at the Jiang family? How could we ever feed him?”

As Jiang Ruhua’s voice rang out, every Great Lord’s gaze fell on him simultaneously.

Their expressions were a mix of shock, amazement, and reverence.

Jiang Ruhua soaked in the attention, feeling immensely satisfied.

“My Jiang family really is too poor, sigh,” he added, with another loud lament.