Chapter 154: Taking the Backdoor

Chapter 154: Taking the Backdoor

As Great Sage True Monarch gazed at Qi Yuan, he spoke, "Since you don't want to shatter your own Golden Core, why not shatter others' cores to form your Divine Infant?"

Qi Yuan scanned the entire crowd, and with a bitter expression, he said, "Their cores are too weak; I don't think much of them."

Upon hearing this, several Celestial Prodigies in the room had their faces slightly changed.

One of the prodigies couldn't hold back and said, "Lu Di, with my ten thousand years of Dark Yin Aura, I condensed an Earth Rank Golden Core. When the core appears, within a three-li distance, it transforms into Dark Yin. I dare ask, is this core weak?"

The singing girls on the flower boat all showed envious expressions upon hearing this.

For ordinary cultivators, being able to form a Golden Core is a joyous occasion.

Most formed cores are between the Ninth and First Ranks.

Those who can form Mystic, Earth, or Heavenly Ranks are indeed one in a billion.

There are more than a billion living beings in the Hundred Nations, and yet, aside from Qi Yuan, the highest is Kang Fulu's First Rank Golden Core.

Qi Yuan glanced at the prodigy and said with regret, "Weak."

Within a three-li distance, it transforms into Dark Yin?

That's nothing!

During his Qi cultivation, he could have killed with just a kitchen knife.

"Why don't you take out your core and let us have a look?" the prodigy coldly mocked.

Qi Yuan shook his head, "I'm afraid that if I take it out, you'll all die."

A Stellar Golden Core isn't something that can be summoned at will.

"You're just afraid," the prodigy coldly taunted.

They naturally thought Qi Yuan was boasting.

The other prodigies laughed, "Lu Di, perhaps he has an Immortal Rank Golden Core, so he naturally looks down on your Earth Rank core."

Qi Yuan paid them no mind; these people were too young, and it would take them thousands of years to mature into his White Moonlight. He couldn't be bothered.

He continued to seek help from the Great Sage True Monarch, "Their cores are too weak; I truly can't bear to look at them. Is there any other method?"

The Great Sage True Monarch said, "Do you know why the Divine Infant is called so?"

Qi Yuan was stunned by this question.

To be honest, he didn't know.

Generally speaking, it's just shattering the core to form the infant, and the divine soul takes control.

"To be honest, I don't know either," the Great Sage True Monarch admitted, "But, based on my many years of reading ancient books, I have a theory.

I speculate that the Divine Infant is the foundation of the Dark Deity.

As we all know, once you enter the Dark Deity realm, you can give birth to the Primordial Soul and roam the Great Void.

How do you think this Primordial Soul is born?"

The divine soul is the soul of a cultivator.

The Primordial Soul is a more profound entity.

Upon reaching the Primordial Core, the divine soul can leave the body.

The Primordial Soul is a higher-level existence than the divine soul and can enter the legendary Great Void.

"Are you saying that the Primordial Soul is transformed from the Divine Infant?" Qi Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, that's what I'm guessing. Since both have the word 'divine' in their names, there must be a connection.

So, I believe that the Primordial Souls of all Dark Deities, and even Bright Deities, are Divine Infants." The Great Sage True Monarch shared his discovery with Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan stared at the starry sky above, his eyes widening, "Are all divine beings Divine Infants?"

"I'm telling you this, but you mustn't tell others. There's a great cause and effect behind this," the Great Sage True Monarch said solemnly.

The singing girls on the flower boat and the prodigies all fell silent upon hearing this.

Divine beings as Divine Infants, he dared to say that.

"Rest assured, I won't tell others about this," Qi Yuan assured, glancing at everyone on the flower boat.

For some reason, everyone in the room felt a chill in their hearts.

The Great Sage True Monarch nodded, "Do you know what my Divine Infant is?"

"What is it?" Qi Yuan asked.

The Great Sage True Monarch's expression turned sorrowful, "My Dao companion went astray and perished. I took her hair and made it into an external pill, and her body formed a Golden Core.

My Divine Infant is her hair.

I hope that one day, when I advance to the Dark Deity realm, the Divine Infant will give birth to... her."

Qi Yuan fell silent upon hearing this.

He wasn't good at comforting others and said, "May your cultivation reach fruition."

"I appreciate your kind words," the Great Sage True Monarch's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "One day, she will be reborn within my Divine Infant, and in my soul, she will rise from the ashes."

Qi Yuan's thoughts drifted far away.

He remembered the Five Ancestors in the Five Elements Forbidden Land: the Golden, Water, and Earth Ancestors.

In the beginning, they sacrificed themselves to help Qi Yuan gain control of the Five Elements Forbidden Land.

If he could form a Divine Infant with his thoughts, perhaps one day, when he enters the Dark Deity realm, those old acquaintances could walk out of his Divine Infant. Of course, Qi Yuan was just thinking about it.

At this moment, the Great Sage True Monarch said, "Coexisting with both a Golden Core and a Divine Infant is already defying the heavens. You may face heavenly retribution, so you should consider your actions carefully."

"Mhm," Qi Yuan nodded.

On the Stellar Golden Core, the Solar Flame had already been ignited.

The potential of this core was infinite.

In Qi Yuan's eyes, with enough time, he could even devour all the stars in a universe.

Even if Qi Yuan didn't enter the Divine Infant realm, with the strengthening of his Stellar Golden Core, he would still grow stronger.

So, even if he didn't perfect the Qi Yuan Canon, he could still gradually become one of the top powers in the myriad realms.

The Golden Core was already an invincible path; why bother forming a Divine Infant?

However, it was clear that Qi Yuan had ambition.

He wanted to improve himself from all aspects.

The Qi Yuan Canon would naturally be perfected.

He also intended to form a Divine Infant.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your enlightenment. I am deeply grateful," Qi Yuan sighed.

The path to the Divine Infant was not yet fully determined, but Qi Yuan already had many ideas.

...

As night fell, Qi Yuan returned to his cave.

The Ice Mountain Tyrantess from the Divine Flower Society sent him hundreds of spells.

These spells were given to Qi Yuan by her sisters.

Among them, there were four Heaven Rank spells, numerous Profound Level spells, and countless Jade Rank spells.

In an instant, Qi Yuan went from being poor to temporarily wealthy.

"With so many spells, I should be able to advance the Qi Yuan Canon, right?

"Qi Yuan immediately immersed himself in the grand endeavor of refining and adapting his cultivation technique.

Time flew by swiftly.

The day of the Dongtu Prodigy War drew closer and closer.

The number of prodigies in Cloud City increased day by day.

Every day, one could spot several prodigies flying through the skies of Cloud City.

Qi Yuan, oblivious to the world outside his window, dedicated himself solely to perfecting the Qi Yuan Canon.

One day, Qi Yuan suddenly snapped out of his focus.

'In just two days, the Dongtu Prodigy War will commence...' Qi Yuan muttered to himself.

To be honest, Qi Yuan's Qi Yuan Canon had reached a critical juncture in its development.

He had no desire to participate in the Dongtu Prodigy War.

However, remembering that the top twenty in the Dongtu Prodigy War would gain entry to the Moon Viewing Continent, and recalling the Sect Leader's instructions, Qi Yuan's determination grew.

'It seems I'll have to take part in this Dongtu Prodigy War after all.'

With this thought, Qi Yuan stepped out of his cave abode.

At that moment, outside the cave, Kang Fulu was having a heart-to-heart conversation with a Catwoman.

Jiang Ya sat on a Bodhi tree in the distance, seemingly deep in thought.

When Kang Fulu noticed Qi Yuan, he was taken aback, "Junior Brother, where are you headed?"

"To participate in the Dongtu Prodigy War," Qi Yuan replied.

Kang Fulu's face turned pale with fear, "Today?"

He slapped his thigh, thinking he had forgotten the date.

But when he checked the calendar, he looked at Qi Yuan with a puzzled expression, "Isn't it in two days? Why are you going now?"

"I'm going to see if there's any backdoor I can take," Qi Yuan said softly.

"A backdoor?" Kang Fulu's face grew even more perplexed. He turned to Jiang Ya in the distance, "Is there a backdoor to enter the Dongtu Prodigy War?"

Jiang Ya, roused from her thoughts, glanced at Qi Yuan, "The Dongtu Prodigy War is overseen by three Dark Deities, and there's no backdoor to bypass them."

"There are no backdoors in the world, but when many people take them, they become paths," Qi Yuan stated matter-of-factly.

For some reason, after saying this, he felt that something was off about his words.

Kang Fulu looked at Qi Yuan but didn't say anything further, "Junior Brother... you've successfully found a backdoor."

Qi Yuan left the residence.

An hour later, Qi Yuan's appearance underwent a significant change, and he donned a crimson robe.

He stopped in front of a palace, his eyes gleaming with joy, "Finally, I've found it!"

The palace ahead was quiet and desolate.

A young attendant at the palace entrance was dozing off, fighting sleep.

Qi Yuan glanced at the attendant.

The attendant, in his slumber, seemed to sense something and jolted awake, "You... who are you?"

He looked at Qi Yuan, a nameless dread filling his heart.

"I... am a Golden Core Cultivator participating in the Dongtu Prodigy Ranking," Qi Yuan replied truthfully.

The attendant's fear subsided slightly, and he asked cautiously, "Why have you come here for the Dongtu Prodigy War?"

"I heard that the organizer of this Dongtu Prodigy War, the Wind Lan Sage, resides here," Qi Yuan explained.

"No one is allowed to see her," the attendant said with disdain.

Currently, there were only two Purple Mansion Cultivators in Cloud City.

One was the Cloud Pavilion Master, and the other was the Wind Lan Sage.

Occasionally, some overconfident cultivators would visit the Wind Lan Sage.

The man before them was likely one of those cultivators.

Just then, the palace doors opened, and a tall woman emerged.

"What's the matter tomorrow?" the tall woman asked.

"This person is here to seek an audience with the master," the attendant quickly explained.

Qi Yuan looked at the tall woman, his eyes widening in surprise, "Snot Fairy, I never expected to see you here. What a coincidence."

He glanced at the tall woman's hand, noticing her fingernails.

They were neatly trimmed, and the long nails seemed to have been cut recently.

Qi Yuan couldn't help but sigh, thinking that these prodigies were so stubborn. Despite his advice to cut their nails and use Daoist techniques instead of picking their noses, they had immediately trimmed their nails.

The Moonflower Immortal's expression changed dramatically upon hearing this. Her face flushed with anger.

In recent days, the most famous person in Cloud City, aside from the top three on the Prodigy Ranking, was her, now known as the Snot Fairy.

Even her sisters had used this nickname to mock her.

Recently, one of her admirers had secretly sent her a spell, and when she opened it, it turned out to be a nose-picking technique!

She despised the Great Sage True Monarch and Qi Yuan and wished to give them a sound beating.

However, she didn't want to take advantage of her strength, so she decided to challenge Qi Yuan during the Dongtu Prodigy War, hoping to teach him a lesson.

Now, a stranger had directly called her the Snot Fairy, and she couldn't help but feel furious.

"Who are you?" she asked, her eyes blazing with anger.

If the stranger didn't offer an explanation, she was determined to give him a beating.

"I... am the Blood Robe Sword God," Qi Yuan replied calmly.

"What? The Blood Robe Sword God?" The Moonflower Immortal was stunned.

Fear and reverence surged within her.

She hadn't attended the Dragon Phoenix Banquet, but she had heard of the Blood Robe Sword God's strength and terror.

He was a ruthless individual who had single-handedly destroyed the Palace of Light.

What was he doing here? The Moonflower Immortal had no doubt that the man before her was the genuine Blood Robe Sword God.

The Blood Robe Sword God's reputation was notorious, and no one dared to impersonate him.

Moreover, many knew that the Blood Robe Sword God had almost offended the Ye Qiong Venerable.

Impersonating the Blood Robe Sword God was akin to seeking death.

The Moonflower Immortal scrutinized the Blood Robe Sword God before her, but she couldn't discern his strength.

It had to be the Blood Robe Sword God without a doubt!

She felt both fear and awe.

Even a senior like the Blood Robe Sword God knew her... by the nickname Snot Fairy?

A senior like the Blood Robe Sword God could easily live for tens of thousands of years.

In other words, for at least ten thousand years, she would be known as the Snot Fairy.

"Senior, please wait, I'll go inform the Ancestor right now!"

"Just take me in directly, it'll save time," Qi Yuan said casually.

The Moonflower Immortal's face changed, and she eventually nodded.

At that moment, deep within the palace, Feng Lan was playing a game of chess with the Cloud Pavilion's Lord.

"It's only been a month since I arrived in Green Cloud Continent, and such a major event has already occurred," Feng Lan remarked, reflecting on the recent developments.

The Cloud Pavilion's Lord shared a pensive expression, "Who could have imagined that the once-mighty Bright Palace would be destroyed overnight?

This Blood Cloak Sword God is truly a murderous deity.

I wonder how he managed to annihilate the Bright Palace.

Could the Great Sun's descent that day be related to him?"

"Impossible," Feng Lan shook her head, "In this realm, there can only be one. You know that."

Upon hearing this, the Cloud Pavilion's Lord fell silent, understanding the implications.

Out of respect for the Venerable, especially one of such stature, he chose not to speak further.

At this moment, Feng Lan's face contorted with worry, "Once the Eastern Land Genius War concludes, I must return immediately. Staying in Green Cloud Continent is too dangerous.

If the Great Tribulation doesn't kill me, dying here would be sheer bad luck."

He felt a deep fear of the Blood Cloak Sword God.

As the organizer of the Eastern Land Genius War, he served three Dark Deities.

Technically, he was a temporary subordinate of Ye Qiong Venerable.

If the Blood Cloak Sword God were to find out, it would be disastrous.

Based on their understanding of the Blood Cloak Sword God, he would surely slay anyone who got in his way.

In Green Cloud Continent, who wasn't afraid of the Blood Cloak Sword God?

It was like a giant ogre eliminating evil!

"Ancestor, the Blood Cloak Sword God is here!" Just then, an urgent message interrupted them.

Feng Lan's hand trembled, and the chess piece she was holding fell to the ground. Her face paled in horror.

The Cloud Pavilion's Lord was taken aback, "What? You must flee, the Blood Cloak Sword God is coming to kill you!"

Feng Lan's face twisted in pain, "I can't stay, I have to run, the Blood Cloak Sword God is coming for me!"

As she spoke, she made her way out.

However, she couldn't bring herself to leave.

Before she could take a step, she felt a pair of terrifying eyes fixated on her.

"You're preparing to run as soon as you see me. Are you a villain?" the Blood Cloak Sword God's voice echoed. "If you are, I, the Blood Cloak Sword God, will uphold justice!"

Even as a Purple Mansion Cultivator, Feng Lan's divine soul couldn't help but tremble. Her face contorted, "Not running... I need to pee, I really need to pee."

"You Wind Lan people are truly odd. One picks their nose, and the other has a weak bladder," Qi Yuan said, glancing at Wind Lan and Feng Lan.

Feng Lan, upon hearing this, felt a twinge of embarrassment.

She wondered, was the Blood Cloak Sword God here to kill her?

She looked at Qi Yuan with reverence, "Venerable Blood Cloak Sword God, what brings you here?"

At this moment, she lacked the aura of a Purple Mansion Sage. Instead, she appeared like a small, pitiful figure.

After all, she could only show respect to a Dark Deity.

When it came to the Blood Cloak Sword God, she felt pure terror.

He was, after all, a great demon.

"I recently signed up for the Eastern Land Genius War," Qi Yuan began, casually taking a seat.

Feng Lan was momentarily stunned.

The Blood Cloak God had signed up for the Eastern Land Genius War?

What was a Purple Mansion Sage doing by joining this competition?

"It's a pity. I've been immersed in cultivating my technique, and I've reached a crucial stage. I won't be able to participate in the Eastern Land Genius War," Qi Yuan said with a gentle request.

His tone was amiable, as he had a favor to ask.

"Senior... I'm afraid the Eastern Land Genius War cannot be delayed," Feng Lan said, her face filled with difficulty.

She couldn't fathom why the Blood Cloak Sword God, who was likely over ten thousand years old, would want to join the Eastern Land Genius War.

Feng Lan explained that the opening of the Mystic Realm had a fixed time and couldn't be changed.

Qi Yuan turned to Feng Lan, "In your opinion, compared to the top ten geniuses on the Eastern Land Talents Ranking, who is stronger, you or them?"

Feng Lan looked confused.

Was the senior here to tease her?

"Of course, Senior is stronger!" she replied cautiously.

"You admit I'm stronger," Qi Yuan said, "Doesn't that mean that if I join the Eastern Land Genius War, I'll definitely rank in the top ten?"

"Yes," Feng Lan nodded, "But Senior, your age is a bit advanced. The Eastern Land Genius War is only for those under 200 years old."

"I'm very young. I'm not even 200 years old yet," Qi Yuan asserted.

Qi Yuan had originally thought he was young, but then remembered he was already married to Xiao Jia.

Marrying before 200 years old was against the marriage law, so he had to lie about his age.

The Cloud Pavilion's Lord watched this scene, unable to speak.

Wind Lan stood by, wanting to laugh but daring not to.

Feng Lan's face was filled with difficulty, "Senior... you do look young."

"It's not just my appearance, I am young!" Qi Yuan corrected Feng Lan's mistake.

"So, my strength meets the requirements, and my age is within the limit. Joining the Eastern Land Genius War, I can definitely rank in the top ten, if not the top three. Since the outcome is the same, let's not worry about the process and directly place me in the top ten," Qi Yuan declared.

"This matter requires the approval of the three Dark Deity Venerables. I... don't have the authority to decide," Feng Lan said weakly.

"Then hurry up and report it. I want a quick decision," Qi Yuan urged.

Feng Lan's forehead broke out in a cold sweat, "I'll report it immediately!"

Even if she had a thousand lives, she wouldn't dare to go against the Blood Cloak Sword God.

The Bright Palace's demise was still fresh in her memory.

For tens of thousands of years, the Bright Palace had been the strongest force in Green Cloud Continent. Yet, in an instant, it was destroyed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end