Chapter 187.2: The History of the Artifacts

Meanwhile, in Feihuang City.

The people in the city lord's residence were stunned.

"Venerable Taiyi's aura is gone!"

"Gone?"

"Did you see that terrifying lightning just now?"

"That was definitely a True God! Qiyuann Sovereign actually has external support!"

"We all misunderstood him..." Huang Mengying said with regret.

They had always been deeply wary of Qiyuann Sovereign. Now that the truth was clear, guilt weighed heavily on her heart. The others felt the same, including Ruo Yu.

Out of fear of Qiyuann Sovereign, Ruo Yu had left Sandstone Town and fled to Feihuang City. His shame was even greater.

At that moment, Nangong Wujin said solemnly, "Venerable Taiyi's fall is only the beginning of Feihuang City's greatest crisis."

Everyone's expressions grew heavy again. After all, the only reason other evil gods steered clear of Feihuang City was because Taiyi had claimed it.

Huang Mengying decided. "Let's go to Clearwater Village and meet Qiyuann Sovereign."

However, before even a quarter of an hour had passed, a clear announcement echoed throughout Feihuang City.

"Venerable Taiyi has fallen! By decree of Qiyuann Sovereign, Feihuang City shall hold a feast. There shall be three days of great eating!"

The people who were about to depart froze in place.

Nangong Wujin shook his head. "This Qiyuann Sovereign... truly a wondrous fellow. What a pity, what a pity."

Someone asked, "A pity for what?"

"A pity that I worship the No-Food Goddess," Nangong Wujin replied. "Otherwise, I'd definitely eat for three straight days."

Everyone laughed.

"If Qiyuann Sovereign is holding a feast in Feihuang City for three days, it means Feihuang City is under his protection," Nangong Wujin continued, "with him around, we no longer need to worry about evil god invasions."

Taiyi had just descended, only to be slain by Qiyuann Sovereign, a mere village-level guardian god. The news spread like wildfire to surrounding cities and regions. Many True Gods took notice of Qi Yuan, their gazes curious. Some evil gods sneered, not taking him seriously. Other ancient gods' eyes gleamed with peculiarity.

***

Within the North Sea Divine Eye.

A woman in magnificent robes held several invitations in her slender hand. A trace of amused surprise appeared in her eyes. "Qiyuann Sovereign of Clearwater Village actually destroyed Venerable Taiyi. Interesting. Very interesting."

This was the second time she had heard the name. The first time had been a few days earlier, when the palace master wished to host the Hundred Flowers Gathering, and had invitations sent out to ancient gods. She had been responsible for that matter.

A few days ago, an old friend came asking to add one more spot. When she checked, it turned out to be for a village-level guardian god. He was not even a True God, perhaps not even at the Violet Palace realm.

In the end, she had to politely turn her friend down. They couldn't just let any random cat or dog into the Hundred Flowers Gathering, after all.

However, upon discovering that the other party possessed True God level combat strength, she could do her friend a favor.

The robed woman said, "Someone, summon Mapo."

Before long, an old woman entered the palace. Her dazed expression and cloudy gaze suggested some mental instability.

The robed woman tossed the invitation to Mapo. "That guardian god from Clearwater Village you mentioned last time should have True God level strength. Originally, he wasn't qualified to attend the Hundred Flowers Gathering. Still, for the sake of our long friendship, I'll give him this invitation."

Holding it, clarity returned to Mapo's murky eyes. "Thank you."

The robed woman smiled. "Our friendship doesn't require thanks. But you must remind that ancient god. This time, the guests at the North Sea Divine Eye are all of extremely high status. He must keep a low profile. If he offends other ancient gods, even I won't be able to smooth things over."

Mapo nodded. "Understood."

The robed woman sighed at her. "Our two clans were once close allies. In ancient times, both were great clans... What a pity."

The North Sea Divine Eye was inhabited by the aquatic races. Without their consent, even True Gods could not enter. Combined with its geographical advantages, no evil gods dared target it for now, making it the safest place in the northern lands. Every year, many True Gods came here seeking refuge.

Mapo's eyes suddenly sharpened. "The Phoenix Clan will rise again from the flames!"

In ancient times, the Phoenix Clan had produced several Sixth Step to Heaven gods. They were true giants of the era.

As long as she could bring the young lady back to the ancestral land, she would definitely be able to inherit the clan's legacy and restore its former glory.

***

Clearwater Village.

Qi Yuan held the artifacts with a complicated look. "These five artifacts still can't help me ascend to the True God realm?"

After reaching level 89, Qi Yuan had prepared to advance. However, even with the artifacts ready, he sensed that breaking through was impossible.

He glanced at them.

[Mysterious Command Armor. Has a somewhat peculiar origin. Can help a person break through to the True God realm.]

[Threefold Joy Jade. Has a somewhat peculiar origin. Can help a person break through to the True God realm.]

Qi Yuan felt both baffled and curious. "It clearly says they can, so why can't I? Could it be that I'm not human?”

Thinking of something, he left the divine temple. He immediately came across Qi Qi and Thunder.

After meeting Qi Qi, Thunder had decided to take her instead. Unfortunately, she refused. Why rely on her own effort when her godfather was there?

Thunder urged earnestly, "Qi Qi, your talent is no weaker than your godfather's, don't waste it!"

Qi Qi shook her head. "Enough. I refuse."

Qi Yuan's light laughter rang out. "Qi Qi did the right thing. If she acknowledged you as her master, wouldn't we end up in the same generation? I'd be losing out."

Thunder's eyes widened. "You consider being in the same generation as me humiliating?"

Qi Yuan admitted honestly, "A little bit."

If looks could kill, Thunder would have killed Qi Yuan dozens of times already. "You brat, your mouth is filthier than mine. Watch it, or disaster will come from your tongue!"

Even so, he felt that Qi Yuan suited his temperament perfectly. Had any other non-True God acted so brazenly before him, they would've died countless deaths already.

"I brush my teeth every day, my mouth doesn't stink," Qi Yuan said seriously. "Want me to recommend you a toothpaste?

Hmm...

Sensidyne will be perfect for you."

Thunder rolled his eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be preparing to become a True God? What are you doing out here?"

Qi Yuan took out the five sacrificial artifacts, his gaze desolate. "

Haa

... I don't know why, but these artifacts can't help me break through."

Thunder's eyes flashed with surprise. "You can't break through?"

Qi Yuan nodded firmly. "

Mhm

. I can't."

Thunder pondered, his gaze deepening. "These artifacts can help people break through to the True God realm. But some true prodigies with immense potential need more than one treasure."

Following that, he stared at Qi Yuan in disbelief. "Kid, are you that kind of prodigy? I really couldn't tell."

Qi Yuan's face fell. "What's with that excessive requirement?"

There were only so many artifacts like the Yinbirth Stone in the world. If even that wasn't enough, wouldn't someone like Erlang Shen have a difficulty breaking through with just these artifacts?

"Speaking of which, we must trace it back to ancient times," Thunder said, looking at the artifacts. "Do you know what these artifacts actually are?"

Qi Yuan looked puzzled. "

Huh

?"

Thunder said slowly, with a hint of desolation, "These are what the No-Food Goddess transformed into before her death. During the Hongtang War, she was the strongest ancient god of our Mortal Heart World. She was only one step away from surpassing the True God realm. Unfortunately, she perished at the hands of the evil gods.

“The invasion of the evil gods shattered the Heavenly Pillar. From then on, no one in this world could break through to the True God realm again. The No-Food Goddess could not bear to see this. Before she died, she transformed into these sacrificial artifacts, leaving behind an alternative path."

Qi Yuan was deeply moved. It reminded him of when a whale died, all things were nourished.

Thunder added, "Because of this, if someone's talent exceeds even the No-Food Goddess, then a single treasure will be insufficient to ascend. Some extraordinarily gifted individuals can't even break through no matter how many artifacts they have."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Although No-Food Goddess had once been suspected to be the number one in the Mortal Heart World, her talent was not the absolute pinnacle of all beings.