Chapter 199.1: Mythic Plan

"Don't worry. I'm experimenting already. I'm preparing to swallow another star. When the time comes, I'll secretly drop it and scare that old fellow senseless."

Upon hearing that, Qi Qi could not help but give a thumbs up. "Godfather really is one in a billion. Our world has countless Core Formation cultivators, but not a single one has ever formed a Golden Core like this!"

No one knew whether she meant it as praise or sarcasm.

"The Mortal Heart World really does fall a bit short," Qi Yuan replied. "I know a friend, he doesn’t only form a Golden Core, but also a Nascent Soul."

Qi Yuan thought of Lord Great Wisdom, who lived up to his name.

With a soft slurping sound, Qi Qi took a sip of soup before setting down her porcelain spoon. "Godfather, to be honest, I think you’ll benefit more from forming a Star Nascent Soul than a Star Golden Core."

Qi Yuan listened earnestly. "How so?"

Qi Qi shared what she knew. "The Nascent Soul is a True God’s foundation. The god is only as strong as the soul that sustains it. The Core Formation is just a transitional stage anyway. You’d have to destroy your Golden Core sooner or later. Even if you don’t take it seriously, it won't affect anything."

Qi Yuan shook his head. "

Ah

, I feel like I just wasted my time. You really can’t compare to Lord Great Wisdom. At times, a single sentence from him is enough to enlighten me completely."

Seeing that their exchange had ended, Zhao Zun reported about Feiwu City’s situation to Qi Yuan. Though, Qi Qi was the one who listened attentively.

Then, Zhao Zun added, "Qiyuann Sovereign, while I was in Feiwu City, I encountered an old acquaintance. She asked me to deliver a gift for you."

Zhao Zun then recounted how he had met Yang Lian, as well as her younger sister’s predicament. He also relayed Yang Lian's words: her sister was frail and did not wish to meet strangers.

"

Oh

? A gift?" Qi Yuan's interest was piqued. "And from a little sister, no less. Looks like the people support me, and destiny is on my side!"

Qi Yuan stared expectantly at the blood-red jade leaf in Zhao Zun's hand.

[Blood Jade Leaf. This is a special creation, dyed red by a True God's blood. When equipped in the Mortal Heart World, it increases fortune by one.]

Qi Yuan took the leaf, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Fortune?"

That was a rather mysterious concept. On Moonwatch Continent, he could also bestow fortune upon others, but it had been quite superficial.

He murmured, "I'll accept her gift. I just don't know when I'll be able to return the favor."

Qi Yuan had understood the hint clearly. She didn't want to see strangers. Accepting the gift was enough, there was no reason to be intrusive.

Zhao Zun lowered his head. "I will pass along your words."

Qi Yuan responded, "

Mhm

."

***

Half a day later, inside a residence.

Yang Lian warmly stared at Zhao Zun. "There's no need to repay us. Just help me thank Qiyuann Sovereign for his kindness."

Worldly fortune. What kind of gift would ever be enough? Yang Lian felt that even a god could not repay it.

***

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Eighteen Arhats and the Four Heavenly Kings had returned from a campaign. This time, they had advanced together, splitting into two forces. Step by step, they pushed forward as per Qi Yuan's plan. The sudden assault caught the evil gods in the remaining two cities completely off guard, and they were all slain.

Of Feiling Prefecture’s seven cities, four had been claimed by the evil gods. Now, only the prefectural capital remained. According to the intel, a Second Step evil god would soon seize it. Moreover, said god was at mid-stage Second Step, extremely powerful. Even if Qi Yuan's entourage attacked together, victory would be difficult.

Feiling Prefecture was now in a state of surging undercurrents, restless and unstable. On one hand, Qi Yuan dispatched forces to exterminate evil gods to their roots. On the other hand, many remnants of the evil gods lurked in the shadows. They were waiting for a new god's descent to sweep away the ancient gods.

Furthermore, even though Qi Yuan had purged the evil gods, the great clans that had originally planned to migrate away left even faster. They were afraid of being dragged into the flames. Those who remained across the prefecture were mostly ordinary cultivators and impoverished commoners.

Of course, some great clans went to Feiwu City, choosing to face the coming crisis together with Qiyuann Sovereign.

In just a few days, the nearly empty Feiwu City became lively again. Every day, there were flowing banquet tables on the streets, filled with laughter and joy. Thus, the world once shrouded in blood mist gained a touch of festivity and cheer.

***

Qi Qi stood atop the city wall, overlooking the people who ate heartily at the banquets, smiles on their faces. She couldn't help but recall the day she stood on a high mountain, personally witnessing endless heavenly fire falling and burning Tianfu to the ground. Even though countless citizens had risen up in resistance, it was to no avail.

Perhaps, in this oppressive world, eating at an evil god's banquet is the only true happiness. No wonder people always hold banquets after someone dies. Maybe it's to use the liveliness to drive away the fear of death.

"Miss Qi Qi, Heavenly Sovereign is preparing to return to Clearwater Village."

Qi Qi lifted her head, her gaze bright. "Alright, I'll go see Godfather off!"

Godfather was returning to Clearwater Village. In other words, he was heading for the Ancestral Land.

She, the Four Heavenly Kings, and some of the Arhats would remain behind to guard Feiwu City.

***

In Clearwater Village.

Upon receiving the news, Thunder couldn't help but smile. "He's already killed three evil gods? Such a reckless fellow!"

In truth, he felt deeply moved.

This Qiyuann Sovereign truly is a man of action!

"Venerable Flirt will surely give him a hard time..."

Thunder had already learned about the various gods of the Lin Empire beforehand. Flirt was a Great Venerable’s offspring and Zhang Feng's brother-in-law. What Thunder hadn’t expected was that Flirt would rise as the new god of Feiwu City.

After some thought, he opened a jade slip, manifesting his projection.

***

In an ancient land, Thunder's projection appeared.

A white-haired old man was cultivating pensively. Sensing something, he opened his eyes. "Great Venerable Thunder, did something happen in the northern lands?"

"

Ahem...

" Thunder cleared his throat, his aura looking somewhat weak. "I'm here to ask you a favor."

The white-haired old man said with grief and indignation, "Don't tell me you lost your temper again, attacked an evil god recklessly, and exposed yourself?"

His old friend Thunder excelled in every way, except for one flaw: he was far too reckless and never heeded advice. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up so battered.

"

Cough, cough.

No, it wasn't me this time," Thunder said awkwardly. "It was the guardian god of Clearwater Village. He's a bit reckless and I couldn't stop him."

"

Oh

?" The white-haired old man grew interested. "Your disciple is reckless? Interesting. Didn't he stay in the village? What, did he run off and seduce an evil god's daughter?"

Thunder replied solemnly, "No, no... Well, he killed several evil gods of Feiling Prefecture."

To him, killing a few evil gods wasn't the issue. The real problem was what came after that. As a fallen zone, the entire northern region was essentially the evil gods' main base.

"How could he have such guts?" The old man was stunned. He muttered to himself, growing heavy with worry, "Before the evil gods react, hurry and flee south with him to our lands! His talent is extraordinary. He can visualize over twenty Legendary God Visualization Arts. He's no different from a Destiny Child!"

Thunder said bitterly, "I... can't."

The old man roared, "You can't even control your own disciple?!"

In response, Thunder only grew more awkward. "

Cough, cough

. What if he's not my disciple...?"

"What?"

"When I first went to Clearwater Village, he refused to be my disciple, saying he already had a master. I couldn't force him... Who would've thought that after a trip to the Hundred Flowers Gathering, Great Venerable Qionghua would become one of his people."

Every time he thought of it, Thunder felt utterly baffled.

The old man didn't believe it one bit. "A Great Venerable? One of his people? Great Venerable Thunder, are you messing with me?"

"I'm not lying. If I am, may heaven strike me with five thunderbolts!"

The white-haired old man laughed. "

Heh

. Heaven’s striking you with lightning, aren't you just asking for it?"