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

Peach petals scattered across the ground.

The slender branches of the peach tree curved delicately, resembling a simple ink painting of a landscape, with thin, spindly branches.

A burly man clutched his chest, blood streaming down, staining the ground.

His face was twisted with a fierce expression: "Sword Disciple, no matter how strong your swordsmanship talent is, you will never find the culprits who annihilated the Marquis's mansion. You will never get your revenge."

With these words, the burly man breathed his last.

But before he died, his face still bore a mocking smile.

Beside him, Princess Anyang watched with a look of pity: "Sword Disciple, the trail has gone cold again."

Although Sword Disciple was younger than her by a few years, being near him felt like standing next to a block of ice.

Despite his handsome face and strong build, she felt no attraction, only fear that she might be cut down by his sword.

Princess Anyang continued, "Could it be... that the culprits are from another kingdom?"

This was the only guess she could make.

"I'm leaving," Sword Disciple said, and with that, his figure vanished.

Princess Anyang watched his retreating figure, biting her lip. She wanted to chase after him but ultimately gave up.

Beside her, a guard spoke up: "Princess, should we try to keep Sword Disciple? With his help, achieving our grand ambitions would be effortless."

Princess Anyang shook her head: "The Kingdom of Feilai... is not where he belongs."

Princess Anyang spoke quickly. In the following days, Sword Disciple traversed the Kingdom of Feilai on foot.

He continued searching for the culprits behind the massacre of his family and for his younger sister.

Unfortunately, even after traveling through the entire Kingdom of Feilai, venturing into the Kingdom of Aoxiong, south to the Tianhai Desert, and north to the Dixue Mountains, he found no trace of the enemies.

Those enemies seemed to have appeared out of thin air, slaughtered the Marquis's household, and then vanished without a trace.

The cold wind howled, biting to the bone.

Sword Disciple, carrying a broken sword, walked alone through the vast snowy wilderness.

The world was vast, and he was utterly alone.

Just then, Sword Disciple suddenly stopped. He looked toward the southwest.

Five hundred meters away, an orange flame flickered, accompanied by faint smoke.

A woman wrapped in a fox fur cloak sat on the snow, her brows like a painting, her lips exhaling white breath.

A red cape was tied around her, and her slender, delicate hands rubbed together. She glanced at Sword Disciple and raised an eyebrow: "Care to join me by the fire?"

Sword Disciple stared at the woman, sensing an inexplicable aura.

"What's your name?" the fox-fur-clad woman asked.

"Sword Disciple," he replied tersely.

"Fitting name," the woman smiled, her expression fox-like. "How about becoming my disciple? I can give you what you desire."

Sword Disciple fell silent for a moment.

He seemed to be thinking.

But without emotions, thinking became difficult.

Only the sword in his hand was something he could trust.

"Revenge... and finding your sister," the fox-fur-clad woman chuckled, seemingly cold. She rubbed her hands together. "If you keep wandering here, you'll never find them."

"Fine," Sword Disciple agreed. "I pay my respects to my master."

Though he lacked emotions, he wasn't a fool.

The woman's smile widened. She looked at the handsome young man and said softly, "You seem... familiar."

Sword Disciple remained silent.

"Have we... met before?" the woman continued.

She seemed to be a chatterbox.

Or perhaps, having been alone for so long, she couldn't help but talk more when she finally met someone.

Sword Disciple said nothing.

His silence was answer enough.

At that moment, the woman stood up.

The snow piled on her clothes scattered and fell to the ground.

Her figure was slender, almost like a delicate bamboo shoot, but with curves in all the right places, giving her a mature, elder-sister-like aura.

She clapped her hands, and the snowflakes dispersed: "Let me introduce myself. I am Wu Shi."

Sword Disciple listened and silently committed the name to memory.

Wu Shi.

For some reason, the name felt familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Hehe, I never thought I, Wu Shi, would have a disciple. I'll have to make good use of you," Wu Shi said, her fox-like eyes filled with delight. "Come, disciple, cook a meal for your master. It's been a long time since I've had a proper meal."

Indeed, it had been a long time.

She couldn't even remember the last time she had eaten.

"What do you want to eat?" Sword Disciple asked in a deep voice.

"Hmm... fish," Wu Shi replied, seemingly lost in memories, her gaze distant.

"Fine," Sword Disciple said, then turned and left without another word.

"Hey!" Wu Shi called out to the air. "Shouldn't you ask your master why I'm reminiscing, why I want fish? Don't you want to hear the story behind it?"

"No."

Sword Disciple's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.

"Hmph," Wu Shi snorted, though she wasn't angry. She placed her delicate hands over the fire.

Perhaps her skin was too pale, as her hands turned slightly red and translucent under the flame's glow.

The fish was quickly caught, and Sword Disciple began to roast it. Soon, the aroma of fish filled the air.

Despite the lack of seasoning, Wu Shi didn't smell any fishy odor. For the first time in a long while, her taste buds stirred.

Resting her chin on her hand, she stared at Sword Disciple, lost in thought: "You're quite skilled."

Her fox-like peach-blossom eyes seemed to gaze with deep affection at anyone.

Unfortunately, Sword Disciple had no emotions.

He didn't understand what affection was.

"I hereby appoint you... the Grand Steward of Cooking, my personal chef."

Wu Shi spoke as she picked up the fish and began eating with relish.

"Not bad, your skills are excellent."

"It's been a long time since I've eaten something so delicious, so satisfying."

"But I can't eat anymore, or I'll get a little belly."

Despite her gluttony, Wu Shi knew her limits.

Sword Disciple watched her finish eating before speaking: "Revenge. Sister."

His voice was as cold and hard as ever.

Wu Shi looked at Sword Disciple's handsome face: "Too cold. Smile a little?"

Sword Disciple hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile.

"Forget it, better not smile," Wu Shi said, exhaling a white breath. "The Marquis's mansion was attacked twice. The first time... was when you were born, but a celestial phenomenon occurred, and all the attackers died.

Later, there was a second attack."

Wu Shi kept her eyes on Sword Disciple's reaction.

Unfortunately, Sword Disciple remained silent, showing no emotion.

"Identity," Sword Disciple said tersely.

"They are from... the Nine Heavens Divine Palace."

Sword Disciple had never heard of this name.

"It's normal that you don't know. They are not from Cloud Dream Mountain."

"Oh, you don't know about Cloud Dream Mountain either."

"Cloud Dream Mountain is 100,000 light-years tall."

"But Cloud Dream Mountain is just a small hill."

Wu Shi spoke as if to herself.

"The Nine Heavens Divine Palace's target is your sister."

"Initially, they might have received a request from a client to kill your sister before she was born."

"But later, another client wanted her taken alive."

Wu Shi kept her eyes on Sword Disciple's reaction.

However, Sword Disciple remained silent.

"Hey, aren't you going to ask why they wanted to kill your sister, or why they wanted to take her alive?

If you beg me, I'll tell you," Wu Shi said, her eyes narrowing, her gaze even more fox-like.

"It doesn't matter. I just need to take revenge, kill them all, and find my sister," Sword Disciple replied.

"So you can say more than ten words at a time?" Wu Shi laughed. "But the Nine Heavens Divine Palace isn't something you can just destroy. They have... many Dao Gods. With your swordsmanship talent, you might be strong, but you can't even leave Cloud Dream Mountain. How do you expect to take revenge?"

Sword Disciple said nothing, only holding his sword.

"I am your master, so naturally, I will take care of you.

As long as you cook for me every day, I'll teach you how to become stronger."

"Fine."

On this day, in the snowy wilderness, Sword Disciple gained a master, and Wu Shi gained a disciple.

The snow on Cloud Dream Mountain seemed to fall even heavier.

Sword light crisscrossed, seemingly piercing the heavens.

[By becoming Wu Shi's disciple, the trajectory of your life changed.]

[Wu Shi was naturally quiet and disliked public appearances, so you became the sharpest sword in her hand.]

[Your strength grew, your realm advanced, and you drew closer to the Nine Heavens Divine Palace.]

[Ten thousand years passed. You fought battles everywhere, finally unifying Cloud Dream Mountain and establishing the Cloud Dream Palace.]

"To defeat the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, you can't do it alone."

In the snowy wilderness, pear blossoms scattered. Wu Shi sat on a throne.

Below her were 9,999 steps, the distance between the two of them. The orange-yellow lantern light intertwined with the snowflakes, creating a scene both warm and desolate.

Sword Disciple, clad in black, his features sharp and his jawline elegant, held a sword in his arms, resembling a peerless sword god.

"When will I be strong enough?" Sword Disciple asked.

Wu Shi narrowed her eyes, her smile enchanting: "When you can kill me with a single sword strike... then you'll be strong enough."

Sword Disciple remained silent.

On the throne, Wu Shi continued: "The background of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace is far more complex than it appears. Their business is vast... you could say it's the largest business in the world."

Wu Shi spoke as if to herself, her tone lonely.

"Have you heard of the True Spirit Reincarnation Method?" Wu Shi asked.

Sword Disciple shook his head.

"That is also their handiwork."

"In this world, there are Three Calamities and Three Tribulations. Overcoming them is incredibly difficult."

"However, one begets two, two begets three, and three begets all things.

In this world, all realms can be divided into three types.

The first is the 'One,' the beginning, also known as the Yang Realm.

The second is the 'Two,' the transition, known as the Rebirth Realm.

The third is the 'Three,' known as the Yin Realm.

In these three realms, if one searches carefully, perhaps everyone can find their counterparts.

We are in the 'Two,' the Rebirth Realm.

My dear disciple, perhaps in the Yang Realm or the Yin Realm, there is another version of you.

Well... he isn't you, but... he can be used to help you avoid the Three Calamities and Three Tribulations."

The three realms are distinct.

The Yang Realm is the beginning, the origin, the orthodox, possessing all kinds of innate spiritual energy.

Everyone is like a god.

The Rebirth Realm is more like a transit point. People from the Yang Realm can descend here, and those from the Yin Realm can come through the True Spirit Reincarnation Method.

As for the Yin Realm, it is the 'Three' that begets all things. Resources are scarce, treasures are rare, and the essence of transcendence is thin.

Thus, the path to transcendence for its inhabitants is exceptionally difficult.

"Your sister came from the Yin Realm. Her life was bought by a Dao God," Wu Shi said calmly.

Hearing this, Sword Disciple tightened his grip on his sword: "I will go practice my sword."

"Don't practice. Come eat fish with me. It's been a long time since I've had your fish," Wu Shi said, her face filled with anticipation.

The response she received was a cold "Practice."

On the towering palace, Wu Shi watched the slender figure, occasionally coughing: "I never thought that after all these years, my injuries... still haven't healed."

Bright red blood fell to the ground, staining the pear blossoms and snow.

...

"My sword is still not strong enough."

In the snowy wilderness, Sword Disciple practiced his sword.

Within the Cloud Dream Palace, his prestige was high. He was known as the God of Slaughter and the Sword Fanatic.

At that moment, whispers could be heard nearby.

"Sigh, the Cloud Dream Palace was built by Sword Disciple's efforts, so why is that woman the palace master?"

"Hmph, that woman is ambitious. She's just using Sword Disciple!"

"Sword Disciple is nothing more than a sword in her hand."

Hearing this, Sword Disciple stopped his sword practice. He looked at the distant figures whispering and said coldly, "She is my master."

At the mountain peak, Wu Shi heard this and couldn't help but cover her mouth, her fox-like eyes filled with laughter: "My disciple still cares about me."

Time flowed, and another 100,000 years passed.

Wu Shi sat high above, her smile cold and distant.

Sword Disciple stood before her like a sword.

"The mountains have been conquered. The Cloud Dream Palace is now the greatest power in the Hunxuan Wasteland," Sword Disciple said indifferently.

Behind him, a dozen Dao Gods looked at him with deep respect.

Over these 100,000 years, Sword Disciple had fought battle after battle, building the vast foundation of the Cloud Dream Palace.

He was known as the God of Slaughter, but also as a gentle God of Slaughter.

Though Sword Disciple's face was expressionless, he seemed to care for the world.

He never killed innocents.

His sword only killed those who deserved it.

This earned him the admiration of the Dao Gods behind him, though they also found it somewhat ironic.

A God of Slaughter who was so righteous it was almost sinister.

"Good, disciple. You've helped your master build such a grand foundation. Come, as a reward, you'll dine with me tonight," Wu Shi said with a smile.

However, the Dao Gods couldn't tell if she was truly happy.

The master of the Cloud Dream Palace was mysterious and enigmatic. Few had ever seen her take action.

All they knew was that she must be incredibly powerful.

"I need to practice my sword," Sword Disciple said, giving Wu Shi a deep look.

At his current strength, he was no match for Wu Shi, and thus couldn't seek revenge against the Nine Heavens Divine Palace.

Wu Shi's smile froze, and her voice turned cold: "This is an order."

She seemed genuinely angry.

The surrounding Dao Gods felt as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss.

Realizing what was happening, they quickly excused themselves.

At the mountain peak, only the master and disciple remained.

Wu Shi's icy demeanor melted away: "There were too many people earlier. Your master needs to save face."

Her voice became gentle again.

"Mm," Sword Disciple responded indifferently.

"I'm hungry," Wu Shi said, her face drooping listlessly. "You've been away fighting battles all these years. It's been so long since I've had a meal cooked by you."

As she spoke, she seemed lost in memories.

"I really miss the old days, when I wasn't the master of the Cloud Dream Palace, and you...

We would eat, sleep, wake up, and eat again. But... those days are gone."

She had always been a glutton, especially fond of food.

However, aside from the meals Sword Disciple prepared, she wouldn't eat anything else.

Perhaps her tastes had been spoiled by him.

"I'll cook fish," Sword Disciple said flatly.

Wu Shi's eyes finally lit up with a smile. She looked at her disciple's back, her gaze seemingly spanning millennia.

As if remembering something, she murmured, "Do you even have a heart?"

She placed her hand over her chest, where it felt empty.