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

The leading expert, Professor Liu, seemed deep in thought, as if afraid that mentioning the wraiths rashly might expose Zhao Song's identity.

After all, they were proper humans, not vampires.

He hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Let's observe for a few more days, then tentatively bring it up."

He still didn't dare to reveal anything about the wraiths too quickly, fearing it might expose their identity.

At this moment, the group chat was bustling with activity.

"I really want to drink blood."

"Today, I drank a delicious beverage. (It only cost three hundred bucks a bottle.)"

"Demon hunters? Just tasty snacks for us."

"On my way back tonight, I ran into a group of demon hunters. Though I'm brave and powerful, I was outnumbered, and they stole a lot of my blood coins."

"Sigh, my phone was also stolen by demon hunters. I need to find some time to sneak into their lair and steal it back."

The group chat was filled with all sorts of random chatter.

For Qi Yuan, none of it was particularly meaningful.

But for Zhao Song and the people of the Sky Federation, these messages contained a lot of information.

"They mentioned phones. It seems these vampires also live in a civilized society."

"How strange. Do they also call phones 'phones' in their world?"

"Is the language the same, or... does this artifact translate our messages into something we can understand?"

"Regardless, this is the supernatural, something our current science and technology cannot comprehend."

The supernatural isn't superstition; it can also be explained from a scientific perspective.

It's just that their current level of technology isn't advanced enough to explain it yet.

"Just like the wraiths," Professor Liu said.

Mentioning the wraiths, everyone in the room looked uneasy.

Compared to two hundred years ago, the Sky Federation was now technologically advanced and prosperous.

In this world, there would no longer be famines or desperate acts like exchanging children for food.

Everyone, including the homeless, could have enough to eat.

But beneath the glitz and glamour, the wraiths were becoming increasingly rampant.

Especially at night, wraiths would occasionally appear on the streets.

Not everyone could see these wraiths—only a small portion of people could.

Those who saw the wraiths would suffer great misfortune.

Terror, death.

The atmosphere was eerie and terrifying.

Once, a group of twelve tourists went out for barbecue.

After eating and drinking, they prepared to take a taxi back to their hotel.

Normally, three taxis would suffice.

But one person called an extra taxi because he saw fourteen people.

The others only saw twelve.

It was somewhat like a Chinese horror story.

In the end, when he and the extra person were waiting for the taxi, a cold breeze sobered him up, and he suddenly realized something.

Realizing it was bad enough, but then... the extra people stared at him with sinister eyes.

In the end, he never got the taxi and never returned to the hotel.

Things like this happened frequently in the Sky Federation.

With a population of over a billion, the number of people who died from or because of the wraiths exceeded a million each year, and this number was steadily increasing.

Just ten years ago, it was only a hundred thousand.

Based on the Sky Federation's predictions and the frequency of wraith appearances, in three years, the annual death toll would exceed ten million.

In twenty years, civilization would collapse, destroyed by the wraiths.

Thus, they were desperate and saw this group chat as a lifeline.

"I hope the vampires can... deal with the wraiths," the tall woman said, her eyes filled with hope.

This was the hope of everyone present.

...

Time passed slowly.

The group chat was as usual, quiet during the day and lively at night.

"If it weren't for the strange nature of this so-called Myriad Heavens Mirror, I'd almost think these people were elementary or middle school students.

They don't have time during the day because they're in class, and only have time to chat at night after getting home."

"Right, and they log off very punctually every day."

In the Sky Federation, many people were discussing this, their expressions complex.

But they knew this was an illusion. The group was full of vampires.

Of course, there might also be some, like Zhao Song, who weren't vampires but were pretending to be.

The experts and strategists had already analyzed the conversations and suspected the identities of thirteen group members.

They also confirmed that the group leader, the so-called Vampire Emperor, had no way to determine whether they were wraiths or not.

At this moment, the Vampire Emperor spoke again.

"Are there any subjects willing to believe in me? I'm preparing to test my Divine Decree recently."

Qi Yuan was telling the truth.

He had been pondering the matter of Divine Decrees.

Divine Decrees were somewhat like making words into laws.

Reaching the Divine Decree stage was simple: it was about having one's Divine Decree recognized and trusted by believers.

The more the believers trusted and recognized it, the stronger the Divine Decree would become.

Then, it was about extracting the true essence of the Divine Decree.

Seeing this, the people of the Sky Federation held their breath.

Zhao Song also widened his eyes, excited.

Was the group leader finally mentioning something about the supernatural?

But what was this Divine Decree?

They were curious but didn't dare to ask, fearing it might expose their identities.

"What is a Divine Decree?" Fortunately, a group member asked for them.

"A Divine Decree is what a god says," Qi Yuan replied casually.

This statement was half true.

Generally speaking, for the True Gods of the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, Divine Decrees were the core rules they had condensed.

For example, if a True God's core was fire, or if the path they aspired to was fire, then the Divine Decree they could condense would be something like "fire can burn everything."

Then they would bestow a flame upon their believers to burn everything.

On the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, Qi Yuan had learned this from communicating with some True Gods.

However, he had his own understanding.

"If Divine Decrees are limited to things like fire, water, or space, then that's definitely the Divine Decree of a Void God, not a True God."

"Divine Decrees... should be about making words into laws."

Just like how Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is based on the Heavenly Dao.

Divine Decrees, aren't they just about making my words into laws?

Qi Yuan's idea was simple.

He had a superpower: his words could fulfill people's wishes.

For example, back in the Canglan Realm, a cultivator wished for a quiet companion.

After Qi Yuan responded, a cup appeared beside that person—one that could even be heated.

Using the Hall of Eternity to create a Divine Kingdom.

As for Divine Decrees, Qi Yuan thought of refining his superpower into a Divine Decree, making his words into laws.

Looking at the group chat, Qi Yuan continued, "There are many truths in the world, and my words are one of them."

Qi Yuan didn't think his words were the only truth.

"Grant me a soft companion? One that can protect me," said the person who called himself Count Nall.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan hesitated.

"Are you sure you want a companion?"

He thought of the cultivator from the Canglan Realm.

His Divine Decree wasn't stable yet.

He was afraid he might end up granting another cup.

"Yes!" Count Nall confirmed.

In the group, others watched curiously.

The people of the Sky Federation were filled with anticipation, eager to see the group leader's true capabilities.

"In that case, by my Divine Decree, I grant you a companion!"

In the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, Qi Yuan spoke, his voice calm and carrying a hint of sacredness.

His superpower of speech merged with the Divine Decree at this moment.

Meanwhile, in an unknown world, within a high-rise building, a young girl lay on her bed in pajamas, her legs raised as she happily read the messages in the Myriad Heavens Mirror.

She was the one pretending to be Count Nall.

After being diagnosed with severe delusional disorder, she could only have her own space at night after undergoing treatment during the day.

However, Count Nall always believed she wasn't sick.

It was the world that was sick.

These people, with their horse eyes, tiger heads, and snake bodies, dressed like humans.

In the entire city, there were very few humans like her.

"Can I really get a companion?"

The girl looked forward to it, her starry eyes filled with anticipation.

But the next moment, her anticipation turned into a scream.

"Ah... this... this!"

In her hand, a soft, gel-like object suddenly appeared.

Her face turned red instantly.

She looked at this companion, both shocked and embarrassed.

"This companion is a bit... outrageous," she said in the group chat.

Others asked curiously.

"Did you really get a companion?"

"What kind?"

"Cough, it's kind of like a stick," Count Nall said.

"A vampire staff? That's a good companion."

"It's a bit weird," Count Nall continued.

"What, you're not satisfied?" Qi Yuan replied. "You asked for a soft companion, so it's soft. But don't worry, when needed, it can also be hard."

Qi Yuan was telling the truth.

Count Nall's wish was for a soft companion who could protect her.

With Qi Yuan's Divine Decree, the companion appeared in her world.

When Count Nall was in danger, the companion Qi Yuan had granted would immediately become hard, indestructible, like a magical weapon, protecting Count Nall and slaying demons.

"I want one too!"

"I want a sweet wife!"

"I want delicious eggs!"

"I want ice cream!"

Now, the group had turned into a wishing pool.

Many people began making wishes.

"Indeed, the more people there are, the more fools there are."

"No need to scheme with them."

Qi Yuan was in a good mood.

In other groups, people would likely be cautious and not make wishes so readily.

But here was different.

"Alright, my Divine Decree will fulfill your wishes."

"Here's your sweet wife. Be careful, though—she's sensitive to heat and sunlight. Don't roast her, or she might melt."

"Here's a delicious egg, but be careful—it's a bit hard. Don't chip your teeth."

Qi Yuan was frantically fulfilling their wishes.

His superpower was also being refined into a Divine Decree.

Of course, even after cultivating the Divine Decree, his superpower remained.

At this moment, the people in the Sky Federation were tempted.

"Should we take this chance to make a wish?"

"What should we wish for?"

"We need to hold a meeting and discuss this carefully."

After all, it was rare for the group leader to fulfill wishes.

Could they take this opportunity to bring up the issue of the wraiths?

But just then, Zhao Song's face suddenly turned pale.

"A wraith!"

His pupils dilated, his eyes filled with fear, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

His scream drew everyone's attention.

A bad feeling crept into everyone's minds.

"What's wrong, Zhao Song? Did you see a wraith?" Professor Liu scanned the room, his face filled with concern.

"Yes... it's under the table, grabbing my leg, wuwu."

A sense of restraint and slipperiness came from his leg. Zhao Song didn't dare move, not even to look down.

At first, he thought it was something else, but when he lifted the tablecloth, he met a pair of dull, sinister eyes. His body went numb.

He realized he had encountered a wraith.

"What do we do?" Zhao Song, after all, was just a high school student. He didn't have the mental fortitude to face a terrifying wraith and immediately broke down.

"Don't panic, stay calm," Professor Liu took a deep breath.

The people around looked at Zhao Song with pity.

Those who encountered wraiths and survived were one in ten thousand.

Those were the extremely lucky ones.

Zhao Song clearly didn't have that kind of luck.

"There's a chance to survive if we find the pattern," Professor Liu took a deep breath, his mind racing.

Just then, the tall woman said, "Why don't we ask the group leader?"

Hearing this, everyone felt it made sense.

"Right, ask the group leader!"

"Maybe the group leader can help you!"

If Zhao Song died, what if the group disappeared?

So, many experts felt they must protect Zhao Song. Asking the group leader might be a good solution.

The numbness in his leg grew stronger. Professor Liu made the decision: "Ask the group leader what to do if you encounter a wraith!"

"Alright," Zhao Song's voice trembled, on the verge of tears.

"Vampire Emperor, I've encountered a wraith. I want to live... what should I do? I don't want to die, wuwu."

At this point, Zhao Song couldn't care less about pretending. After all, he was just a student.

"Encountered a wraith?" Qi Yuan's eyes flashed with a smile. "It's simple. Go to the nearest restroom and squat inside. If the wraith knocks, just say someone's inside."

Qi Yuan was quite satisfied with his answer.

If there's someone in the restroom, wouldn't the wraith leave?

"Do as I say, and you'll survive."

Hearing this, the experts in the room looked puzzled.

"Someone's in the restroom?"

"What kind of nonsense is this!"

"How could this work!"

Clearly, they didn't believe Qi Yuan.

After all, it was too absurd.

Moreover, restrooms were high-frequency locations for encountering wraiths.

Every year, tens of thousands of people died in restrooms after encountering wraiths.

Everyone discussed it, feeling it was unreliable.

At this moment, Professor Liu said solemnly, "Do as the Vampire Emperor says."

They had no better options and could only try this as a last resort.

After all, encountering a wraith meant certain death.

What if the group leader's words could really save Zhao Song?

It was worth a try.

"My legs are numb, wuwu, I can't walk to the restroom," Zhao Song said tearfully.

The wraith was still holding his leg, making it impossible for him to walk to the nearest restroom.

"Find someone to carry him," someone muttered.

Everyone's expressions changed.

Since they couldn't see the wraith, they could carry Zhao Song to the restroom without being affected by the wraith.

But... this would also draw them into the wraith's trap, leading to their deaths.

So, if someone screamed for help at night, it was best not to respond.

Because once you helped, you would also be targeted by the wraith.

"Li Xiang, you carry him," a high-ranking official finally ordered a guard to carry Zhao Song to the restroom.