Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?

Empty Mountain Sect.

Located on the steep and lush Empty Mountain, the sect was surrounded by dense greenery, with figures occasionally darting through the trees, seemingly practicing martial arts.

"San Tong, you look troubled. Is the sect... short on funds?" A woman approached, her hair neatly tied up in a bun, showing no signs of disturbance, a clear indication of her excellent lightness skill.

Liu Xian'er, with her gentle demeanor, looked at her husband with concern in her eyes.

Since taking over the role of sect leader fifteen years ago, Wu Santong had been tirelessly working to revive the sect, dedicating himself day and night.

Under Wu Santong's efforts, the Empty Mountain Sect had indeed grown significantly, rising from the bottom of the second-tier sects to a position where it could challenge the first-tier sects.

However, Wu Santong was somewhat old-fashioned, strictly adhering to ancient traditions.

Disciples of the Empty Mountain Sect were forbidden from using their martial arts to bully the weak.

Because of this, as the number of disciples increased, the sect's expenses were becoming unsustainable.

Sometimes, Wu Santong and Liu Xian'er would venture down the mountain to hunt down notorious bandits, earning bounties from the imperial court, or help escort caravans for some security bureaus.

"The bounty we received for capturing the flower thief Wu Tong last time still has some left," Wu Santong said.

"Could it be that you're worried about... the Severing Heaven Society?" Liu Xian'er mentioned the Severing Heaven Society, her eyes also filled with concern.

The Severing Heaven Society was a recently risen force in the martial world.

Its leader, Hua Wubing, was a prodigy with astonishing martial talent. At the age of seventeen, he defeated the renowned Jiangnan hero, Yun Tiankong, and became famous overnight.

Later, he joined the first-tier force, the Severing Heaven Society.

Now, in his early thirties, Hua Wubing was widely regarded as the top martial artist in the world.

He was also ambitious, aiming to unify the martial world and become its leader.

The Empty Mountain Sect was not far from the Severing Heaven Society. Last month, three sects had already been annihilated for refusing to be absorbed by the Severing Heaven Society.

"The Severing Heaven Society's methods resemble those of demonic sects. How can they become the leader of the martial world?" Wu Santong said with worry.

Mentioning the martial world leader, he, like other young heroes, had once dreamed of becoming the martial world leader.

But as he grew older and faced reality, his only goal now was to revive the sect and uphold the legacy of his master.

It was only after joining that chat group some time ago that he saw a great opportunity and reignited his dream of becoming the martial world leader.

However, after communicating with Zuo Jingyun and obtaining a peculiar cultivation technique, which Zuo Jingyun claimed to be incredibly powerful, Wu Santong found himself unable to master it.

What he didn't know was that in Zuo Jingyun's world, martial arts had reached a level where one could fly and move through the earth at will.

But cultivating such martial arts depended heavily on destiny.

Without destiny, no matter how talented or hardworking one was, it would be useless.

Moreover, with the Severing Heaven Society's increasing aggression, the immediate concern was not becoming the martial world leader but preserving the Empty Mountain Sect and the lives of its disciples.

"The Severing Heaven Society's backing might... have the imperial court's involvement," Liu Xian'er said, her expression grave.

Mentioning that behemoth, Wu Santong felt the situation was even more dire.

As the leader of the Empty Mountain Sect, his internal energy was profound and refined, making him a martial arts master.

But if faced with over twenty armored imperial guards, he would stand no chance.

Individual martial prowess was nothing in the face of such a terrifying war machine.

"I need to think about how to get through this..." Wu Santong pondered whether to seek help from the martial world's leading figures.

But just then, a hurried voice came.

"Bad news, Master! The Severing Heaven Society has sent an envoy, demanding that all our disciples attend their Hero Conference in half a month. If we don't go..."

Hearing this, Wu Santong's expression tightened.

"Half a month?"

The Severing Heaven Society was giving him little time.

Wu Santong frowned, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Could it be that the legacy his master left him would be destroyed in his hands?

As someone who cherished his reputation, how could he accept such a thing?

Suddenly, he remembered the chat group, especially the newly joined Origin Heavenly God.

If he was truly a god, could he resolve this crisis?

...

"These people are relentless, constantly inviting me to banquets."

"I'm so socially awkward, attending a banquet is out of the question."

Shortly after settling into the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, Qi Yuan received numerous invitations from various god-children and goddesses, all of which he declined.

"Now, the cultivation of the Divine Kingdom... seems to lie within the Myriad Heavens Mirror.

But with just these few worlds... the improvement to my Divine Kingdom is less than a drop in the ocean."

Qi Yuan was speaking the truth.

For other god-children, conquering those worlds and gaining their faith would significantly boost their Divine Kingdoms.

But Qi Yuan's Divine Kingdom was built on the Hall of Eternity, which was already extraordinary. Adding a few more worlds wouldn't make much of a difference.

"So, I need to find a way to increase the occupancy rate of the Myriad Heavens Mirror," Qi Yuan pondered.

He then shared his thoughts with Feng Ye.

Hearing this, Feng Ye sighed, "This... requires opportunity. It cannot be forced. If we could increase the probability of other beings entering, the power of many True Gods would skyrocket."

Feng Ye meant there was no shortcut.

After all, the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain's method of increasing strength was through expansion and the acquisition of faith.

Naturally, the more worlds discovered, the better.

Especially worlds not yet claimed by other True Gods.

"Is there no other way?" Qi Yuan was somewhat disappointed.

Feng Ye hesitated, then whispered, "There are rumors that True Gods at the fourth stage, the Spirit Gods, might have a way to increase the probability.

However, fourth-stage Spirit Gods rarely appear in the divine world. Even with Your Highness's status, it would be difficult to meet one."

"I see," Qi Yuan responded.

He was also curious about the True God system.

According to the records here, Spirit Gods, equivalent to the fourth stage of Yang God, had a unique state of existence. Unlike in the Immortal Realm or other universes, their true spirits did not perish but existed in the past and future, eventually condensing into a Heterodox Treasure.

But with his current low strength, he couldn't access more information about Spirit Gods.

"If there's a chance to increase the probability, it seems I need to devise a plan to find more worlds."

Qi Yuan considered restarting his grand plan.

If the Myriad Heavens Mirror couldn't find more worlds and gather more faith, his strength would stagnate.

He might as well flaunt his inheritance.

He could inherit his Stellar Golden Core universe, the Immortal Realm, and the hundreds of universes left by the Nanke Dao Lord, having those beings worship him.

Of course, Qi Yuan currently only had his Nascent Souls worship him.

The constitutions of different universes varied. What if those beings worshiping him caused an accident?

Experimentation was necessary.

Just then, the Myriad Heavens Mirror flickered.

"Huh, someone is privately messaging me. Is it that love-struck girl?"

Qi Yuan's consciousness entered the Myriad Heavens Mirror, and he was surprised to see the private message was from someone named Wu Santong.

This person had been lurking.

"Esteemed God, I am willing to worship you. I only hope that you can save my Empty Mountain Sect."

Wu Santong's words were sincere.

He didn't beat around the bush.

After all, trying to scheme in front of a god would be laughable.

"Oh, is that so?"

At this moment, Qi Yuan activated his superpower, the ability of his ears.

He could hear thoughts and gather more information.

Indeed, even through the Myriad Heavens Mirror, he could hear some of Wu Santong's thoughts.

"Tell me about the major forces in your world, and I'll think about how to help you," Qi Yuan replied.

He didn't put on airs or refer to himself as "this deity" or anything like that.

Hearing this, Wu Santong hesitated.

Because gods... were usually aloof and not so approachable.

"As you command, God..." Wu Santong spoke humbly, detailing the Empty Mountain Sect, the martial world's situation, and even mentioning the imperial court.

"Ah, I see. In half a month, you don't need to go to the Severing Heaven Society. Take your disciples to You Mountain City, and you'll get what you want," Qi Yuan quickly devised a plan to help Wu Santong.

Of course, the price was Wu Santong's worship.

Wu Santong was puzzled. Go to You Mountain City?

You Mountain City was currently unstable.

There were rumors that the You Mountain King was planning a rebellion.

However, since it was the Origin Heavenly God's instruction, he dared not refuse.

...

"Origin Heavenly God, today is the rest day. Don't forget!" Wen Zhuyun seemed nervous.

Qi Yuan smiled, "Don't worry, the helpers I found are very reliable. They will definitely ask the Minister of Rites' son for you."

Zuo Jingyun also said in the group, "Now we'll see if the Origin Heavenly God is truly a god."

"Can you give me the coordinates of your world? It's been a long time since I've seen a good, well-sealed person," Gou Bu Dao chimed in.

Wu Santong also said, "The God will surely fulfill Miss Wen's wish."

He was also looking forward to how the Origin Heavenly God would fulfill Wen Zhuyun's wish.

If he could fulfill it, it would mean that even if the Origin Heavenly God wasn't a god, he still had some extraordinary abilities.

Perhaps he could help him too.

Hearing Wu Santong's message, Zuo Jingyun was slightly surprised. It seemed Wu Santong had privately contacted the Origin Heavenly God.

"Wait a moment, they will soon meet Yan Yuqing and help you confess," Qi Yuan said confidently.

"Alright," Wen Zhuyun replied, though her heart was still in turmoil.

...

Meanwhile, in the Great Ruins World.

Outside Chang'an City, a group of young nobles and officials' sons, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, were in high spirits.

With falcons on their left arms and hounds on their right, they carried bows and arrows, clearly heading out for a hunt.

Yan Yuqing, the son of the Minister of Rites, held a prominent position among these second-generation elites.

"Yuqing, I heard you came in first in the mounted archery exam the other day. It seems today's harvest will be bountiful," said the son of a count, his tone flattering.

This count's son was a bastard child.

In the Great Ruins Kingdom, bastards were inferior to legitimate children, to the point where there was a saying: "A bastard emperor must kneel before a legitimate prince."

Yan Yuqing was a legitimate child and the only heir for three generations, giving him a much higher status than this count's bastard son.

"But I've also offended the Prime Minister's son because of it," Yan Yuqing sighed.

The second place in the archery exam was the Prime Minister's son.

"Hmph, that Yang Xiong is just a bastard. How can he compare to Brother Yuqing!" the count's son immediately flattered.

A handsome man said, "Brother Yuqing's archery skills are divine. I heard there's a water monkey in the Drunken Pavilion Lake ahead that often causes trouble, drowning women washing clothes by the river. Why don't we go and shoot the water monkey? Whoever kills it will be today's top hunter?"

"An excellent idea!"

"Agreed."

The group of several dozen rode their horses toward Drunken Pavilion Lake.

About an hour later.

Yan Yuqing shot an arrow, piercing the water monkey's abdomen. A dark stain of blood appeared in the lake.

The other officials' sons clapped and cheered.

"Brother Yuqing is truly both cultured and martial, unparalleled in mounted archery! With one arrow, he killed the troublemaking water monkey!"

"Such archery skills could even shoot down the sun in the sky."

"Haha, even if a god descended, could they dodge this arrow?"

They flattered each other, boasting.

Yan Yuqing, still young, felt somewhat inflated by the praise, feeling as if the world was in his hands.

But just then, their horses began to neigh, seemingly restless.

"What's going on?"

"What's happening? Is there a tiger around?"

"Hmph, even if a tiger came, could it withstand three arrows from Brother Yuqing?"

"If Brother Yuqing kills a tiger with three arrows, he will surely become famous throughout the Great Ruins World."

Hearing this, Yan Yuqing held his bow, his ego swelling.

"Wait, why is the sky darkening?"

"Is it an eclipse?"

Then, they realized something was wrong.

It didn't seem to be a tiger.

Their surroundings had turned dark, as if night had suddenly fallen.

This phenomenon was quite rare.

Just then, a thunderous voice echoed.

"Are you Yan Yuqing?"

Yan Yuqing's horse shivered, throwing him off. His ears rang, and his thoughts became chaotic.

"Who?"

"Who is it?"

"Where?"

The other officials' sons were also terrified, unsure of what was happening.

"Your grandpa is above you."

As the voice spoke, a massive figure seemed to shift its foot.

With that movement, the earth shook.

Some sunlight broke through, and Yan Yuqing and the others saw a towering, terrifying giant above them.

This giant was taller than Chang'an City's walls, no, taller than Mount Ye!

The giant had a thick beard, bushy eyebrows, and a fierce expression, wearing golden armor and holding a battle-axe.

Seeing this, everyone was stunned, their worldviews shattered.

"A god..."

"There really are gods in this world!"

"Ah, we have offended the gods. We deserve to die!"

The quick-witted immediately remembered they had just urged Yan Yuqing to shoot the god.

Had the god heard and descended to punish them?

They felt bitter and terrified.

Especially Yan Yuqing, whose legs trembled, on the verge of wetting himself.

Faced with such a terrifying giant, anyone would instinctively fear.

A dog would wet itself seeing a tiger, a house cat would defecate seeing a stray cat, let alone them.

"Yan Yuqing is here..." Yan Yuqing knelt on the ground, trembling, already imagining his death.

But the next moment, the god's words left him dumbfounded.

"In Chang'an City, there is a woman named Wen Zhuyun, as beautiful as a flower. She admires you but dares not speak her heart, so she sought us to ask."

"Yan Yuqing, do you like Wen Zhuyun?"

Hearing this, Yan Yuqing's scalp tingled, feeling utterly confused.

It was as if on Earth, you suddenly encountered the President of the United States with an army, arresting you and asking, "Do you like eating century eggs?"

As Yan Yuqing was stunned, several more thunderous voices rang out.

"I, the Barefoot Immortal, ask you, Yan Yuqing, do you like Wen Zhuyun?" The earth shook as Yan Yuqing saw a massive jade foot.

This foot seemed as large as Chang'an City.

Yan Yuqing's mind was in chaos, unable to speak or think.

He even struggled to recall Wen Zhuyun, only vaguely remembering seeing her before, the daughter of a merchant.

In front of the Wen family's gate, there wasn't even a plaque.

In the Great Ruins, merchants were of low status. How could their daughter marry into a noble family?

At best, she could be a concubine.

Then, more majestic voices sounded.

"I, the Heavenly King of the East, Mo Lihai, ask you, Yan Yuqing, do you like Wen Zhuyun?"

"I, the Heavenly King of the South, Mo Liqing, ask you..."

"I, the Heavenly King of the West, Mo Lishou, ask you..."

"I, the Heavenly King of the North, Mo Lihong, ask you..."

"Yan Yuqing, do you like Wen Zhuyun?"

Four majestic voices echoed one after another, as if four deities had appeared in the world.

One held a pipa, another a vajra, a third was entwined with a red dragon, and the fourth held a precious umbrella.

Their presence was awe-inspiring, their anger palpable.

Faced with these gods' roars, Yan Yuqing felt dizzy.

"I... I like her."