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

Chapter 473: Qi Yuan’s Urgent Preparations, The Ultra-Grand Plan Takes Shape!

The phantom of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner had been set up directly by the Banner Lord himself, forming a series of barriers through which the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall could not easily pass. Even if he attempted to breach it by force, an immediate alarm and suppression mechanism would trigger, giving the Yang Gods stationed at Ghost Pass time to prepare and respond before he could wreak havoc.

However, all these precautions were in vain. The alarms and barriers proved useless, only activating sluggishly after the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall had already slain a Supreme Truth-level Yang God Sage and made a clean getaway, cutting down another unlucky Yang God before finally departing. Ghost Heaven was humiliated.

“He’s too slippery,” muttered the envoy from Taihuang Palace with a worried look. “This place isn’t safe.”

Scanning his surroundings, he felt as if danger lurked in every corner, as though the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall might appear at any moment. To be honest, he now longed to return to Taihuang Palace.

Nearby, other Yang Gods cloaked themselves in invisibility, unwilling to reveal their forms. Their voices were mere whispers drifting through the air.

“If not even the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner phantom can stop him…”

“Remaining here is like lambs waiting for slaughter.”

They had lived high and mighty for their entire lives, yet now they feared for their lives. The Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall seemed inhuman in his tactics. A typical Grand Supreme Truth-level Yang God with his power might hesitate to invade the core of a Sacred Land in the Sixfold Heaven, risking capture or suppression. Yet here he was, instilling terror by slaughtering the Yang God Sages of Ghost Heaven.

In just a short time, the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall had killed nine Yang Gods, including a member from the Black Demon Abyss and one Supreme Truth-level Yang God. This suggested that, short of the Grand Supreme Truths, none of Ghost Heaven’s other Yang Gods were safe from him.

At this moment, a cold, vast voice echoed through the air.

“The flaw in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner phantom… has been identified. This oversight is mine alone.”

The Banner Lord’s voice reverberated, though he remained seated within the core of Ghost Heaven. At his level, a master’s physical presence rarely left the sacred grounds. Qi Yuan had seen this personally not long ago with the White Dragon Abyss Master, whose appearance was also but a projection.

Hearing the Banner Lord’s words, the Yang Gods felt far less reassured than they had the first time. Their trust had waned, though they dared not speak up and wound his pride.

With a sigh, they resigned themselves to fate, even if it meant lamenting the fallen Yang Gods.

“In the coming days, the families and clans of the Yang Gods who perished in battle will receive equal status in Ghost Heaven. I will personally bestow a portion of Yang God energy to them,” the Banner Lord announced solemnly, making a rare concession.

The Ghost Heaven Yang Gods were slightly surprised, as such compensation had never been offered before. Ghost Heaven, a notoriously ruthless sect, typically had its resources devoured upon the fall of one of its Yang Gods.

“The flaw in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner has been pinpointed, and I have taken steps to repair it myself,” the Banner Lord declared. A few of the Yang Gods forced smiles, replying with polite thanks, though their trust remained tinged with doubt.

A number of Yang Gods cast subtle glances at the Taihuang Palace envoy, who immediately flinched and stammered, “Banner Lord, would it be prudent to double-check for any other weaknesses? Just in case, if the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall were to break through again…”

There was a long silence before the mighty voice replied, “This time, I shall summon a third of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner’s true form to protect you.”

This was a significant gesture. Unlike the previous phantom and lesser projections, summoning a portion of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner’s true form represented considerable sacrifice. Hearing this, the Yang Gods felt more secure.

Meanwhile, in the depths of Demon Pass, a hushed meeting of warriors convened in anxious silence. Ice Sword, Purple Fate Xue, and Little Dew Purple Fate exchanged worried glances, knowing they could only watch events unfold, helpless to alter their fates. Inside a grand hall ahead, a heated debate raged among the Yang Gods.

Purple Fate Xue threw up her hands in exasperation. “Well, Linya’s transformation hasn’t even begun, and it already feels like the Black Demon Abyss is starting to splinter!”

The news that their Abyss Master had bowed to Taihuang Palace and offered concessions had caused considerable shock among the Yang Gods and left these warriors caught off guard.

“We’re beaten before we’ve even started. The Black Demon Abyss is truly disgraced this time,” grumbled one young warrior.

“Let’s not judge the Abyss Master too harshly,” another warrior replied seriously. “He surely made this choice for the greater good. It’s better to avoid an unnecessary war. How many of us would die if we recklessly engaged in battle?”

“Isn’t surrendering to them just as bad as becoming their dogs? They’ll command us to bite at their whim,” An Xunlu countered unhappily.

“Aligning with Taihuang Palace at least makes us winners in Linya’s transformation. Opposing them… well, you’ve seen what happens,” the other retorted.

Then, Ice Sword spoke up. “Do you really think Taihuang Palace will let things slide so easily?”

The group fell silent, a creeping sense of dread in their hearts. They all knew Taihuang Palace was not known for forgiving its enemies, and the Black Demon Abyss had several factions with grudges against it.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions about things that haven’t happened,” another young warrior protested, though his voice held more hope than conviction.

At that moment, a calm voice interrupted as a handsome man in a blood-red robe appeared: “Even if the Abyss Master has yielded, Taihuang Palace’s theft of my property will not go unanswered.”

Of course, it was Qi Yuan who had arrived.

“What did Taihuang Palace steal from you?” An Xunlu asked.

Qi Yuan ignored her, glancing over at Purple Fate Xue.

“Where did you go recently, Blood Robe? I was hoping to have you try the Purple Fate Heaven’s delicacy, the mushroom I just cultivated, but you were nowhere to be found,” she asked.

“Secret,” Qi Yuan replied, casting a look at Little Dew Purple Fate.

Her cheeks flushed as her heart began racing. She alone knew he had ventured to the Heavenly Earth Mystical Land—Purple Fate Xue had no idea. This gave her a giddy sense of privilege.

“Sigh, our Black Demon Abyss has fallen so low. Not even our entire force can compare to the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall,” Lady Oxhorn remarked. “He faced Ghost Heaven alone, slaughtering Yang Gods like cattle. Meanwhile, we…”

She trailed off, glancing at Qi Yuan. “You remind me a lot of the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall.”

Qi Yuan’s pulse quickened with alarm. Could it be that even someone as careless as Lady Oxhorn had seen through his disguise?

“In what way?” he asked carefully.

“You both have that same rebellious spirit,” laughed Purple Fate Xue.

Her meaning was clear; Blood Robe was always going on about Taihuang Palace being his arch-enemy and how he needed to crush it. It was a boldness rivaled only by the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall.

“I’m waiting for you to defeat Taihuang Palace and make me your concubine,” Purple Fate Xue teased.

Beside her, Little Dew Purple Fate looked anxious. If Purple Fate Xue became a concubine, what would that mean for her?

Before she could voice her worries, An Xunlu’s mocking voice broke in: “The Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall is really out there slaughtering Yang Gods. Blood Robe here can’t compare; all he’s got is his talk.”

“Hey, you can’t tarnish my reputation just like that,” Qi Yuan shot back. “If you haven’t kissed me, how do you know all I can do is talk?”

An Xunlu was left speechless, her face flushed as she struggled for words.

Thinking of something, Qi Yuan suddenly asked, “By the way, does Black Sword have a sharp tongue?”

An Xunlu turned bright red. “What are you talking about?!”

Stretching lazily, Qi Yuan eyed Ice Sword curiously. “Why are you hiding your strength?”

Ice Sword’s face momentarily faltered. “How could you tell?”

He realized Blood Robe must have seen through his unstable energy field, still adjusting to his recent breakthrough into Yang God status after mastering the Ancestral Blood Sutra, which Blood Robe had gifted him.

Ice Sword didn’t hide it further, muttering in a whisper, “Keep it quiet for me, will you? I’ve got a surprise planned.”

Thrilled by his new Yang God status, Ice Sword was eager to flaunt it at the right moment.

Qi Yuan sighed, sensing a hint of impending doom. His right eyebrow had been twitching lately, and now he was beginning to understand why.

“Will every Yang God be exposed?” he asked, anxious.

“When Heaven’s Will scans the realms, it illuminates all Yang Gods who’ve breathed Sixfold Heaven’s air. No hiding,” Ice Sword said cheerily.

Qi Yuan muttered with growing worry, “If a Purple Palace cultivator had the power of a Yang God, would they be revealed?”

Ice Sword was bewildered by the question. “Well… perhaps?”

“Yes,” he finally answered, “if this Purple Palace cultivator has Yang God power, they would appear.”

Qi Yuan grew increasingly uneasy and wandered off in haste, determined to come up with a plan to handle the heavenly scan. He quickly excused himself, leaving the others puzzled.

Ice Sword watched him depart, deep in thought. Did something I say make him anxious?

Once alone in his cave, Qi Yuan paced, mind racing.

“I should’ve seen this coming!”

“Last night, I shouldn’t have gone to bed so early. Then I’d have had more time to process this storm.”

“Only my grand plan can save me now.”

After a half-hour of intense contemplation, Qi Yuan finally exhaled. “The ultra-grand plan is taking shape.”

Just then, time itself froze, and Qi Yuan knew it was the old ancestor, Purple Fate Ancestor, once again. The diminutive ancestor regarded him with a complex look.

“You know the Abyss Master has yielded to Taihuang Palace,” the elder began.

Qi Yuan merely nodded, now brimming with confidence from his ultra-grand plan.

“This Linya Transformation is going to be a treacherous ordeal for Black Demon Abyss. There’s a good chance we’ll lose a Grand Supreme Truth,” sighed the ancestor.

“Old man, you’re a good person. It won’t be you,” Qi Yuan replied.

The ancestor chuckled softly but continued. “Don’t interact with Black Sword and avoid meetings with the Abyss Master if you’re summoned. Instead, contact me.”

Alone once more, Qi Yuan set his gaze beyond the cavern, his sights set on the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner.

“It’s unfortunate that I’m still too weak. If I were stronger, I’d invade the very heart of Ghost Heaven.”

But he had no more time to waste. He needed to seize the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, gain strength, and complete the Emperor’s Banner.

A few hours later, hidden in the shadows of Ghost Pass, three Grand Supreme Truths lay in wait. The Banner Lord himself had left a slight flaw in the banner, baiting the Emperor’s Hall Envoy to enter, where they would pounce.

“He’s here!” Ghost Crime Sage grinned.

“He’s arrived at the flaw,” whispered Ghost Origin Sage.

But the Envoy of the Emperor’s Hall did not enter. He stood just outside, waiting.

“Could he have detected our trap?” Ghost Crime Sage murmured.

“Impossible,” Ghost Origin Sage replied.

After nearly one hundred breaths, the joyous voice of the Emperor’s Hall Envoy rang out across Ghost Pass.

“Thank you, nature! Look at the size of this Emperor’s Banner!”

The three Grand Supreme Truths watched in horror as the Envoy took hold of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner and vanished, leaving only the enraged roar of the Banner Lord in his wake.

Thus, news of the audacious theft of a third of Ghost Heaven’s sacred Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner shook the Sixfold Heaven.