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

Chapter 127: Memories of the Past in the Demon Gate

Above the void, Qi Yuan's mouth held a serene smile.

But this smile, in the eyes of everyone, was like a devil's sneer.

“Oh dear, the music just got to the middle part, and... everyone’s already dead?”

Qi Yuan looked helpless.

Seventeen hundred Supremes weren't enough to kill.

The music had just reached the halfway point, and they were all dead.

Everyone felt a chill.

That was seventeen hundred Supremes, not some random nobodies.

They died... just like that, without even knowing why.

Qi Yuan didn't seem to feel the same shock.

Game NPCs, especially enemy NPCs, dying wasn't much of an issue.

The music continued, so how could the killing stop?

His eyes fell on the remaining thousand Supremes.

"Should we... continue with a few more?"

Upon hearing this, the surviving Supremes were terrified, their eyes widening with fear.

The tall, burly man who had spoken up for Qi Yuan earlier quickly said, “Blood Lord, we have always been loyal to you!”

The nearly hundred Supremes who had stood up earlier, including Li Yunzhi, also quickly echoed, “We are willing to die for the Blood Lord!”

The remaining thousand Supremes, seeing this, were scared out of their wits.

At this moment, they understood what they should and shouldn't do.

Otherwise, they would end up like those thousand Supremes.

“Willing to die for the Blood Lord!”

The voices echoed, louder and more forceful than before when they were thanking the Blood Lord.

"In that case... those three Grand Supremes are yours to deal with. Don't kill them outright, leave them with a breath," Qi Yuan said lazily, looking disappointed.

His divine ability was invincible against ordinary Supremes.

But dealing with Grand Supremes was still troublesome.

Better to let these thousand Supremes attack and kill those three Grand Supremes.

The sound of the suona continued, and the drums became even louder.

The thousand Supremes looked at the three Grand Supremes in unison.

The momentum was enough to frighten anyone.

"How dare you plot against the Blood Lord, you deserve to be killed!"

“The Blood Lord is not someone you little minions can provoke!”

At this moment, the Supremes who were previously undecided became the most loyal warriors, charging towards the three Grand Supremes.

The three Grand Supremes showed pained expressions.

When the sudden change occurred, they wanted to flee, but were locked in place by the gazes of dozens of Supremes, unable to escape.

Now, with a thousand Supremes charging at them, how could they have any chance of survival?
Grand Supreme Huang Mei tore at his eyebrows in anger, shouting at Mi Kong, "Mi Kong, I shouldn't have come with you!"

Countless original divine abilities rained down.

The three Grand Supremes had no ability to fight back and could only defend themselves.

In just one round, the three powerful Grand Supremes lost their combat ability, their divine abilities exhausted, their bodies shattered.

Had it not been for the thousand ordinary Supremes holding back, they would have died already.

At this moment, with the sound of the suona still playing, Qi Yuan landed beside the three Grand Supremes with his broken sword.

“You guys were too weak, you didn't bring enough people. I couldn't even reach level 200.”

As he spoke, he took out his broken sword to finish off the three Grand Supremes.

Grand Supreme Mi Kong looked at Qi Yuan, unwilling to accept his fate. “You... you’re not human!”

Qi Yuan couldn't be bothered to respond. Amid the mournful suona music, he killed the three Grand Supremes one by one.

Before the song ended, the killing was over.

Qi Yuan felt utterly bored.

He returned to the city wall, looking at the musicians, and said softly, “If only you could be my musicians forever.”

Bringing a thousand suona players to the Guangming Palace to play every day.

Guangming Palace... would be nothing!

“Serving the Blood Lord is our honor!” Yang Hun Supreme said obsequiously.

They continued to play music while watching the slaughter below.

Seventeen hundred Supremes were killed in the blink of an eye by the Blood Lord.

What a terrifying event!
Yang Hun Supreme was thrilled with his early decision to join the Blood Lord, securing his place as one of the most valued members of the musical troupe.

"But you still need more practice. Ideally, the sound of the suona should be heard a hundred miles, even a thousand miles away.

That would suit my status.”

Qi Yuan said this, then shook his head.

“Forget it, that would disturb the people. There are small animals sleeping, too.
I’m a compassionate person; I can't do such a thing.”

Qi Yuan's indifferent voice sounded strange to everyone present.

This is compassion... killing a thousand Supremes just like that?
They had never seen such a compassionate person.

Yang Hun Supreme, trying to please, said, “The Flowing Wind Realm is fortunate to have the Blood Lord!”

Qi Yuan looked at Yang Hun Supreme and said, "Having you is indeed my good fortune."

Yang Hun Supreme: “...”

For some reason, even though the Blood Lord’s words seemed to praise him, he felt they might not be.

After the battle ended, the musical troupe finished their piece and descended the city wall.

Qi Yuan stood on the wall, feeling both joy and disappointment. “Level 200.”

This time, after killing over a thousand Supremes and three Grand Supremes, combined with years of grinding in the demon factory, Qi Yuan finally reached level 200.

“If my guess is correct, level 209 is the peak of Grand Supreme.”

The Grand Supreme realm spans levels 180 to 209.

Beyond that, is it the Yin God?
Or something else?

“Unfortunately, after today’s battle, my strength has been somewhat revealed.

I doubt anyone in the Blood Palace will rebel against me now.”

Qi Yuan wasn’t one to kill indiscriminately.

Those who wanted to harm or kill him were easily dealt with.

As for others, even NPCs, Qi Yuan didn't want to waste energy killing them.

“I should quickly expand the Blood Palace’s territory, recruit more Supremes, and have them capture more demons.

If I can’t defeat the White Emperor and the Supreme, I’ll just call for more people, right?”

If he had tens of thousands of Supremes, Qi Yuan didn't believe that no matter how strong the White Emperor and the Supreme were, they could kill tens of thousands of Supremes.

“Indeed, the power of the masses is strong!”

Of course, this applied to others, not him.

“Although I am a Grand Supreme now, why can't I engrave my original divine ability on my body and soul?”

Previously, Qi Yuan had difficulty advancing the Great Forgetting Heart Sutra. Now, even the Void Realm Dominator Heart Demon Invocation faced obstacles.

He simply couldn't engrave it!

“Is my talent really that poor?”

Qi Yuan was helpless.

Now, his Void Realm Dominator Heart Demon Invocation had reached the subtle level, just a step away from the engraved level.

Like a thin layer of window paper, but he couldn't break through.

If he could, Qi Yuan might become everyone's heart demon.

A glance at him would induce heart demons.

As for the Great Forgetting Heart Sutra, Qi Yuan was still at the time-traveling stage.

To advance to the subtle stage, Qi Yuan speculated that he might need to recall all the events of his life, forget them, and recall them again.

However, the memories of entering the Gate of Myriad Phenomena were still somewhat hazy.

Perhaps, a certain opportunity was needed.

“Do I need to enter the Gate of Myriad Phenomena again to remember?” Qi Yuan pondered.

Thinking of the Gate of Myriad Phenomena, he recalled Jin Si Que.

Unfortunately, he had never found the person from before.

“Big brother.” At this moment, Chen Huan ascended the city wall, his eyes filled with a killing intent. “What should we do with the remaining Supremes?”

This time, Mi Luo Supreme's attack had led to the betrayal of many Blood Palace Supremes, infuriating Chen Huan.

The remaining Supremes' initial indifference also frustrated him.

Qi Yuan smiled, “Those who stood up earlier are commendable. Their status in the Blood Palace should be elevated.”

In the Blood Palace, positions existed.

But previously, those Supremes were too scattered to care.

After this battle, having witnessed Qi Yuan's terror and strength, they would no longer act the same.

These positions naturally equated to power.

“As for the rest, let them be. I can't be bothered to deal with them.” Qi Yuan said calmly.

The art of ruling?

The tactics of an emperor?
For many, they were principles to follow.

For Qi Yuan, what were they?

He was just a player. Once the game ended, he would leave. Why overthink it?

“Understood!” Chen Huan understood Qi Yuan’s nature and didn’t try to persuade him, clasping his hands in salute.

In the Supreme realm, bodily regeneration was trivial.

When a few Supremes attacked him, severing his arm, it had long since regrown.

“I plan to retreat for a while and see no one.

The expansion of the Blood Palace is in your hands.

I’ll appear to lecture once a year.

If you find Jin Si Que, bring her directly to the underground palace.” Qi Yuan said.

He intended to go to the underground palace to deeply comprehend the original divine abilities.

This comprehension couldn't be achieved through monster hunting.

It required Qi Yuan's own efforts.

As for the expansion of Wugui City, recruiting peak land deities and capturing demons, he left it to Chen Huan.

After speaking, Qi Yuan left Wugui City and entered the underground palace outside the city.

He would comprehend the original divine abilities while diligently hunting demons.

...

Ten years flew by.

Liu Gaoda, in a blood-red robe, stood in a demon cave, looking displeased.

“What kind of demon cave is this? Not a single demon left?”

Liu Gaoda hailed from the Blood Palace. Ten years ago, during the Blood Palace rebellion, he had stepped up and earned the Blood Lord’s recognition.

Now, he had become a major figure in the Blood Palace.

“Liu, there’s nothing here. Let’s try the next one.” A mid-stage Supreme tried to appease Liu Gaoda, who was an early-stage Supreme.

Over the years, the Blood Palace had been expanding.

Many Supremes had joined the Blood Palace.

Old demons from the North either died or joined the Blood Palace.

After all, the Blood Palace was too terrifying.

Lacking high-end combat power, they compensated with sheer numbers.

Once, a northern Grand Supreme had insulted the Blood Lord, resulting in three thousand blood-robed Supremes marching overnight to the North.

First, they played a suona tune,
Then three thousand blood-robed Supremes attacked,

Beating the Grand Supreme to death!
Since then, the mighty Grand Supremes had kept their mouths shut.

They even warned their juniors not to provoke the legendary Blood Lord.

The world was in awe. Who didn't know the Blood Palace and the Blood Lord?
Stories of the Blood Lord were everywhere.

The Blood Palace continued to expand, swallowing the North.

Countless demon caves fell into Blood Palace hands.

Every day, endless demons were sent to the underground palace.

The once terrifying demons were now considered spoils by the Supremes.

In the past, demons seemed endless. Now, the Supremes complained they couldn’t get enough.

The Blood Palace saw many conflicts over demon caves and demons!

Liu Gaoda, having accepted the surrender of northern Supremes, was now leading a group to find demon caves.

“The next cave better have some.” Liu Gaoda sighed.

“There will be. The next cave houses a Grand Supreme.

He’s a confidant of the Supreme!” The mid-stage Supreme said.

Nowadays, the Supreme and the White Emperor were unheard of, only known to the Grand Supremes.

Without the Supreme and the White Emperor, the world belonged to the Blood Lord.

“The Supreme’s confidant, Demon Crocodile?” Liu Gaoda’s eyes narrowed.

“No, another one, the highest commander of the North in the South-North Decision.” The mid-stage Supreme replied.

Liu Gaoda's eyes lit up, feeling a wave of nostalgia.

Once, the South-North Decision was seen as the battle to end the South.

Now, he stood deep in the North, on the highest commander’s turf.

“Let’s go!” Liu Gaoda commanded.

...

In the Sea of Blood Demon Cave.

A terrifying figure opened his eyes, puzzled. “Strange, why have the number of demons decreased so much?”

Demons were terrifying.

But to a Grand Supreme, they were also valuable resources for cultivation.

Using demons for cultivation could stabilize their engravings.

“I had instructed them to regularly replenish the demons.

Now... they forgot? Outrageous!” Grand Supreme Grinding Stone shook his sleeves in anger.

He had been in seclusion for thirty years, with significant gains.

When he emerged, it was supposed to be the North’s offensive against the South.

Now, prematurely interrupted, he was furious.

With anger, he stepped out of the Sea of Blood Demon Cave.

“Huh?” He squinted, “Where is everyone?”

Upon emerging, there should have been dozens of Supremes to greet him.

But now, the place was deserted, not even a single land deity in sight.

Where had everyone gone?

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone was confused, shouting, “Tiger, Tong Xiu... where are you?”

His voice echoed for miles, but no one responded.

“Could it be...” A strange thought crossed his mind.

At that moment, a voice finally responded, “Grand Supreme Grinding Stone, you’re finally awake!”

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone saw the newcomer, puzzled, “Grand Supreme Peng Lai, what’s going on?”

“Don’t ask. A major figure from the Blood Palace is coming. We must prepare to welcome them!” Grand Supreme Peng Lai said urgently.

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone was baffled, “Blood Palace? Is that a force created by the Supreme?”

“No, the Blood Palace was founded by the Blood Lord of Wugui City in the South!”

“The South?” Grand Supreme Grinding Stone’s eyes flashed with killing intent, “A southern force dares come to our North?”

“Grand Supreme Grinding Stone, curb your killing intent. We cannot offend the Blood Palace!” Grand Supreme Peng Lai was terrified.

Afraid of any conflict.

Everyone knew this world belonged to the Blood Palace!

“What’s going on?” Grand Supreme Grinding Stone found it hard to believe.

“The Blood Palace was founded by the Blood Lord, commanding thirty thousand Supremes!”

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone: “...What did you say?”

The South-North Decision involved only a few thousand Supremes.

But suddenly, a mysterious force with thirty thousand Supremes?
Absurd!

“It’s true. Never offend the Blood Palace. Years ago, Grand Supreme Wu Zui insulted the Blood Lord. In response, three thousand blood-robed Supremes from the Blood Palace beat him to death!” Grand Supreme Peng Lai spoke with fear.

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone knew of Grand Supreme Wu Zui, infamous for his foul mouth.

Grand Supreme Grinding Stone felt as if he had traveled through time.

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely!”

“How long have I been in seclusion, a thousand years?”

“You’ve been in seclusion for... twenty-nine years.”

“...”

“Prepare to welcome the Blood Palace dignitary.”

“But I’m the highest commander of the North!”

“The North is gone. The Supreme is missing. The highest commander means nothing.”

...

Inside the Demon Gate.

In a desolate place, an underground fortress.

This fortress was a Flowing Wind Realm outpost.

Inside, the White Emperor’s avatar looked weak.

He gazed at the thirteen people before him with a nostalgic look.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

Over the years, he had guided the North’s thirteen demons into the Demon Gate.

The Demon Gate was a battleground, full of dangers.

The White Emperor had expended great effort to get these thirteen here.

He Wu looked at the White Emperor with respect.

Ning Tao was relieved, only the White Emperor could earn He Wu’s trust. She clutched her chain, deep in thought.

The other thirteen demons looked at the White Emperor with curiosity and doubt.

“White Emperor, why have you gathered us here?” Ling Yayi, elegant as jade, asked, “Can you explain the ‘demon’ character on our faces?”

Born as demons, they suffered endless hardships.

The White Emperor looked at them with nostalgia, “Actually, tens of thousands of years ago, you were... my junior brothers and sisters.”

His words shocked everyone.

Some were confused.

It was strange.

Tens of thousands of years ago, they weren’t even born. How could they be his junior siblings?

Reincarnation was beyond the reach of Supremes.

The White Emperor surveyed them, finally taking out a mirror.

“This mirror is called the Demon Mirror. In it, you might find answers.”

The mirror shattered into thirteen pieces, falling into their hands.

Ning Tao held the mirror, her expression complex. She asked the White Emperor, “Tens of thousands of years ago, did I have a Dao companion?”

The White Emperor shook his head, “I can’t recognize who is who.”

The others exchanged looks, finding this bizarre.

But they couldn’t doubt the White Emperor.

Even if he lied, how could they resist?
The White Emperor added, “In the mirror, you might see the most memorable scenes, whether of sorrow or joy.”

Hearing this, they focused on the mirrors.

Ning Tao, holding the mirror in one hand and the chain in the other, glanced at the blood ball, then at the mirror.

In the mirror, the scene shifted.

In a vast desert, a man in a blood-red robe walked with a long sword.

The man’s face was obscured, like through a cloud.

A delicate girl appeared, her face lighting up at the sight of the blood-red robe.

“Blood Bead!”

In the desert, the man in the blood-red robe turned, his voice cold and ethereal, “Who are you?”

He seemed to speak to the air.

In his view, there was nothing ahead.

Yet he felt someone was there.

“I...” The girl tried to speak.

The man suddenly drew his sword, “All in the world is to be forgotten.

You shouldn’t be here!”

With a swing, the girl fell like a broken kite.

Blood flowed, staining her clothes. The girl reached out, trying to call the man.

But he walked away without looking back.

“Blood Bead...”

The scene froze. Ning Tao looked at the blood-red robe, her expression unreadable. “Heh...”

The North’s thirteen demons watched the scene.

Their mirrors showed nothing yet.

He Wu wore a playful smile, “Who knew the famous Heavenly Heart Palace Master had such a past.”

The others chuckled.

Only the White Emperor showed pity.

This was... the Demon Mirror’s dream?

Was the master truly... a great demon?
Was Jin Si Que... a demon girl?
Ning Tao remained silent, watching the mirror.