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

Upon hearing Little Purple Fate’s words, Qi Yuan wasn’t surprised.

The Black Demon Abyss was inherently a loose alliance, with each division fighting its own battles.

Not everyone was willing to stir up trouble with Ghost Heaven.

"It seems Black Sword’s influence... is still lacking," Qi Yuan said casually.

He was fully aware of his position.

In the hearts of those in the Black Demon Abyss, Black Sword was the true leader, someone they considered "one of their own."

As for him, at best, he was a local tyrant within Purple Fate Heaven.

"These people are too much. In matters as serious as this, they still can’t unite. When Lynia's Transformation begins, who knows what will happen?" Little Purple Fate’s voice carried a trace of worry.

Clearly, she was unhappy with the decisions made by the higher-ups.

Qi Yuan, however, wasn’t too concerned.

He had no real connections with other parts of the Black Demon Abyss, only being familiar with Purple Fate Heaven.

"Since war has started, are we to participate?" Qi Yuan asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

After all, he was relying on Ghost Heaven to acquire an offensive divine artifact.

Little Purple Fate nodded and said softly, "But, Brother Blood Robe, you need to be cautious.

Since you caused the death of Great Celestial Bliss from Ghost Heaven, they may target you specifically."

Little Purple Fate didn’t ask Qi Yuan how he managed to escape the situation before.

After all, such matters likely involved secrets best left unknown.

"They’ll target me?" Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.

Little Purple Fate was stunned for a moment before answering, "This time, Brother Blood Robe, you should stay close to the main forces. Otherwise, even a Yang God might make a move against you!"

Before the official declaration of war, both sides still cared about maintaining appearances.

"A Yang God?" Qi Yuan blinked. "That sounds perfect."

Little Purple Fate was at a loss.

As a prodigy in the realm of the Yin God, the gap between them and a Yang God was like the difference between the earth and the sky.

Yet, here was Brother Blood Robe, seemingly excited by the prospect. She couldn’t understand.

"Brother, you need to be careful—that’s a Yang God!"

"What Yang God? It’s just my ‘White Moonlight’!" Qi Yuan said, brimming with excitement.

Had this been before, he might have hesitated.

But now that he had comprehended Supreme Truth, he needed to spar with Yang Gods to further solidify his understanding of it.

"Huh?" Little Purple Fate clearly didn’t understand what White Moonlight meant.

However, Qi Yuan suddenly turned pensive, as if reconsidering.

"You’re right. I should keep a low profile."

After all, with his elegant, otherworldly demeanor, if both Great Supreme Truth masters and the banner lords of Ghost Heaven came after him, he’d be in serious trouble.

Hearing this, Little Purple Fate let out a sigh of relief.

...

In an unknown location within the Black Demon Abyss, two terrifying figures lay in hiding, their souls communicating.

"Are you certain?" one voice, neither male nor female, asked with a hint of hesitation.

"Now that Taihuang Palace is overseeing Lynia’s Transformation, there’s no room for doubt," an ancient voice responded with certainty.

"But... Black Sword has comprehended Supreme Truth. He could lead us—"

"Black Sword’s Supreme Truth belongs to him alone. What does it have to do with us?

When Lynia’s Transformation begins, will he have the power to protect us? This time, Lynia’s Transformation will be the most brutal since the creation of the world!" the ancient voice declared.

"So, you plan to move against Black Sword?"

"Though he has grasped Supreme Truth, it would be difficult to kill him, even if we attacked by surprise.

However... we can go after Purple Fate instead.

That old man has never liked him, and now, with the grudge over Blood Robe, the tension between them is deep.

We’ll use Blood Robe as bait to lure him into our trap," the ancient voice said, filled with killing intent.

"But he’s a Great Supreme Truth practitioner. Even if we act together, it’ll be hard to hold him down."

"Look at this," the ancient voice said with a hint of smugness.

"Root... Demon Blood? Where did you get that?" the androgynous voice trembled.

This was the legendary Root Demon Blood.

It was incredibly rare and was known as the bane of Supreme Truth practitioners.

When unleashed, Root Demon Blood could trigger the Root Demon Tribulation within the hearts of Yang God practitioners at the Supreme Truth level.

For many old cultivators, the arrival of a Root Demon Tribulation could mean certain death.

However, Root Demon Blood was incredibly rare, with only a handful of vials existing in the Six Heavens.

"Taihuang Palace is overseeing Lynia’s Transformation. Naturally, this Root Demon Blood..." the ancient voice trailed off, implying its connection to Taihuang Palace and The One and Only Palace.

"Alright, then... it’s decided," the androgynous voice said, gritting their teeth.

At this point, there was no room for hesitation.

Now that the curtain had been raised, they had to pick a side. Neutral parties always perished the fastest.

Dark clouds hovered over the Black Demon Abyss, and with the fall of a powerful figure, it was inevitable that some would choose the path of "better them than me."

This Root Demon Blood would also harm its bearer.

...

On the other side, in Devil’s Pass, Qi Yuan appeared.

Ghost Heaven and Black Demon Abyss had officially declared war, and five divisions of the Black Demon Abyss had answered the call to arms:

Black Demon Heaven, Purple Fate Heaven, Ice Profound Heaven, Yin Soul Heaven, and Sun Scorching Heaven.

The five divisions gathered at Devil’s Pass.

Devil’s Pass was tall and imposing, its full height unknown. Its surface was pockmarked with battle scars left by countless past conflicts.

Beyond Devil’s Pass, hundreds of small stars orbited like decorations.

This was the site of countless legendary battles.

During the last Lynia’s Transformation, Black Demon Abyss had used Devil’s Pass to hold the line, fighting their enemies until the heavens collapsed and the earth shattered.

Those small stars were the remnants of worlds, fused together by the power of Yang Gods, modeled after the celestial bodies.

At this moment, the young prodigies from the five divisions stood atop Devil’s Pass, gazing at the stars with expressions of awe.

"It’s said that outside the Six Heavens, there are many worlds that aren’t flat but spherical, like stars.

The Yang God’s star projection is modeled after them," Ice Sword explained as he looked at the stars.

"These star projections... look like eggs," one prodigy said, confused. "How do people stand on such large eggs? Wouldn’t they fall off?"

Clearly, this prodigy had been in seclusion for too long and wasn’t up to date with modern cultivation knowledge.

"Strength... is a force that attracts the weak.

The weak can attach themselves to it without falling off," Ice Sword explained simply.

This comment made Qi Yuan think of the calamities, which were said to be drawn to great power.

The vastness of stars naturally drew attention... but from what, exactly?

Before he could think further, Sister Bullhorn’s voice rang out.

"Brother Ice Sword, you’re so knowledgeable about laying eggs. You sure do know a lot about things like yourself," Purple Fate Xue said, still spitting mushrooms from her mouth.

Ice Sword’s forehead twitched with black lines.

He decided he needed to stay far away from Purple Fate Xue.

He shouldn’t have said anything.

As expected, many of the prodigies present remembered the recent events at the Supreme Truth Debate, and several looked at Ice Sword with sympathy.

Qi Yuan, on the other hand, looked at Ice Sword with admiration. "Brother Ice Sword, when you become a Yang God and lay star-sized eggs, can you send me a few? I’m curious."

He had seen real stars, but a star-sized egg? That was something else.

The black lines on Ice Sword’s forehead thickened as he slowly retreated to the back of the group.

Today, he should never have come out to "show off" his knowledge.

He hadn’t been struck by lightning, but this was worse.

"You all..." A Yang God appeared then, his voice filled with exasperation.

"Greetings, Heavenly Sovereign!"

All the prodigies bowed respectfully.

When facing a Yang God, basic courtesy was essential.

"War is upon us. Brother Black Sword has summoned me to explain some things.

This battle with Ghost Heaven is no laughing matter. You all must be cautious.

Here are your merit tokens. For every Great Sovereign (4th-6th Step Yin Gods) you kill, you will earn one point.

Accumulate 200 points, and you can exchange them for... a Yang God’s Gift."

Hearing this, the prodigies’ breaths quickened.

All those present were on the path to becoming Yang Gods, but not everyone could make it.

Even if their cultivation reached the required level, without the necessary resources or accumulation of star projections, it would be difficult to ascend.

But with a Yang God’s Gift, everything changed.

Most Yang God’s Gifts contained star projections from deceased Yang Gods.

As long as one’s cultivation was sufficient, they could directly ascend to the Yang God realm.

This could save years, if not centuries.

For instance, someone like Little Purple Fate, who came from a humble background, would need to accumulate hundreds of thousands of years’ worth of resources or a vast foundation to raise her star projection and ascend to the Yang God realm. She didn’t have the advantages of Sister Bullhorn, who was born with a golden spoon.

Many of the prodigies were tempted.

War carried risk, but it also offered great rewards.

"How much merit for killing a Yang God?" Qi Yuan asked.

The Yang God paused, stunned by the question.

The other prodigies weren’t surprised.

He looked meaningfully at Qi Yuan. "A small Yang God earns you one major merit point."

"Can major merits be exchanged for Black Demon Ancestor Blood?" Qi Yuan asked eagerly.

If someone else had asked, the Yang God would have ignored them.

But this was Blood Robe, so he answered seriously.

"No."

Black Demon Ancestor Blood was almost exclusively reserved for the ancestors.

Even he had never received any.

Recalling how Blood Robe had arrived in Purple Fate Heaven and immediately received Black Demon Ancestor Blood as a gift from the Ancestor, the Yang God couldn’t help but feel envious.

"No Black Demon Ancestor Blood... so stingy. At least you have some offensive divine artifacts, right?" Qi Yuan asked.

Right now, he cared most about Black Demon Ancestor Blood and offensive divine artifacts.

"No..." The Yang God paused before answering.

In his heart, he was speechless.

As far as he knew, the entire Black Demon Abyss only had one or two offensive divine artifacts.

Such treasures were never given out lightly.

"Then... do you have anything useful?" Qi Yuan sighed in disappointment.

The Black Demon Abyss really was a bit poor.

"One major merit point can be exchanged for two Yang God’s Gifts. We also have various other treasures and pills..." The Yang God went on to list a series of rare pills and treasures.

Every item he mentioned made the prodigies’ eyes light up.

These pills and treasures not only boosted the combat power of Yang Gods, but also accelerated the formation of divine avatars, like the Earth Emperor Essence Pill.

Some could even enhance the breadth and depth of star projections, tempting even Yang Gods.

As the Yang God spoke, listing these rare pills, Qi Yuan’s heart remained unmoved.

None of the rewards interested him.

"Sigh, if someone offered these as a dowry to marry me, I’d still turn them down. Looks like I’m here on a charity mission," Qi Yuan lamented.

Purple Fate Xue chuckled. "If you earn some major merits, why not exchange them for mushrooms from my mouth? One major merit for a pound. What do you think?"

"You’re beautiful, but your thinking is just as lovely," Qi Yuan teased back.

The two of them bantered casually.

"Beyond Devil’s Pass lie the remnants of worlds, now star projections. These serve as a corner of the battlefield.

When you head to the frontlines, be cautious. It’s best to team up," the Yang God warned, casting a glance at Qi Yuan. "Brother Black Sword wanted me to tell you something: in this war, be careful. Merits aren’t important. What matters... is staying alive."

The other prodigies looked envious.

An Xunlu felt a twinge of jealousy.

Big Brother Black Sword hadn’t told her to stay safe, but he’d specifically asked Blood Robe to be careful. She felt a little bitter.

"Don’t worry. I’m always cautious. I never take unnecessary risks," Qi Yuan replied lazily.

The Yang God nodded in satisfaction. This Blood Robe fellow seemed sensible after all.

Due to the previous assassination attempt, several Yang Gods were now keeping an eye on him.

If Blood Robe were to be killed, it would greatly demoralize the Black Demon Abyss.

Some of the higher-ups in the Black Demon Abyss were even considering using Blood Robe as a pawn to trap Ghost Heaven.

Of course, Purple Fate Ancestor had already vetoed that idea.

"I’m going to hunt Yang Gods. Who has the best intelligence on Ghost Heaven’s Yang Gods? Want to team up?" Qi Yuan asked loudly.

The Yang God who had just praised Qi Yuan for being cautious now looked at him in disbelief.

The other prodigies exchanged looks, also not believing Qi Yuan, nor daring to team up with him.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but say, "I’m the local tyrant of Purple Fate Heaven. Is no one willing to team up with me?"

What he lacked most was information.

Combat strength, on the other hand, he had plenty of.

At this point, Purple Fate Xue laughed loudly, "I’m the Mother of Purple Fate Heaven. I’ll team up with you."

Qi Yuan was momentarily stunned.

Local tyrant of Purple Fate Heaven?

Mother of Purple Fate Heaven?

Were these matching usernames for a couple?

Before he could dwell on it further, Little Purple Fate weakly chimed in, "I’ll join too."