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

In Dingbo Prefecture, inside the main tent of the military camp:

Prince Zhenyuan, clad in full military armor, was seated with a yellowed, ancient book in his hands, carefully reading through it.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Nearby, two Blood Hand commanders stood in complete silence, holding their breaths, not daring to move. They feared disturbing the Divine-tier Weapon Master.

The Blood Hand’s leader, however, had a slightly more casual demeanor. Compared to the rigid posture of the commanders, his stance was almost languid. His sharp gaze, however, betrayed his readiness.

Roughly a hundred breaths later, Prince Zhenyuan finally put the book down.

“Ah Gui, how is old man Liu doing these days?”

“Old man Liu” was none other than Liu Sheng, the true patriarch of the Liu family and a powerful Divine-tier Weapon Master.

Liu Sheng wielded the divine weapon Fusang, which granted him an endless well of vitality. Among the Seven Divine-tier Masters of the Rosha Kingdom, he was regarded as the hardest to kill.

Prince Zhenyuan, on the other hand, was one of the Seven Gods known for being in the top three in raw offensive power. His expertise in poisons made him especially fearsome.

“He has remained in seclusion,” the Blood Hand leader responded, his voice calm. “This past month, he hasn’t made a single appearance.

A few days ago, Qianran was brought to the Liu family estate after sustaining severe injuries, but even then, old man Liu did not show himself.”

Prince Zhenyuan didn’t immediately reply, so the Blood Hand leader continued, “From what we can deduce, old man Liu is likely deeply poisoned, which is why he doesn’t dare show himself. Otherwise, it would risk exposing his condition.”

The two Blood Hand commanders quickly chimed in:

“Your Highness’s mastery of poisons is unparalleled. With time, you will undoubtedly slay one of the Seven Gods and shake the entire Blue Mountain!“

Prince Zhenyuan chuckled softly, his gaze turning contemplative.

“Fusang is, after all, a divine weapon. Its limits remain unknown. Perhaps the old man is simply fishing for information.”

A Divine-tier Weapon Master could annihilate armies numbering in the tens of thousands with ease.

If two Divine-tier Masters fought head-to-head, the battle would be devastating, capable of shattering mountains and rivers.

Without complete confidence, Prince Zhenyuan had no intention of making a move. Cornering Liu Sheng could force him to flee, which would create an ongoing threat to the Rosha Kingdom.

The Blood Hand leader lowered his head respectfully. “Your Highness represents the will of the royal court. The hearts of the people belong to the imperial family. You embody the greater momentum. Here in Dingbo Prefecture, the Liu family’s influence will only continue to wane. All Your Highness needs to do is wait patiently, and the old man will inevitably lose.”

Prince Zhenyuan sighed deeply.

“Do you think I don’t know this? But… His Majesty hasn’t given me much time.

If I cannot secure Dingbo Prefecture within thirty years… I won’t be the one sitting here. The glory will belong to someone else.”

His tenure in Dingbo Prefecture was limited to just thirty years.

If he failed to achieve this monumental feat within that time, someone else would be assigned to take over. He couldn’t bear the thought of such a massive achievement slipping through his fingers.

The two commanders and the Blood Hand leader all lowered their heads, unwilling to provoke him further.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by hurried footsteps and a voice shouting urgently outside the tent.

“Something terrible has happened!”

One of the Blood Hand commanders, Liu Du, burst into the tent without even waiting for permission to enter.

The Blood Hand leader’s sharp eyes flashed as if preparing to scold Liu Du for his lack of decorum.

But Prince Zhenyuan’s expression remained calm, showing no signs of irritation. “What’s the matter?”

“The Blood Cloud Bandits were wiped out at midnight last night!” Liu Du reported, his face pale and eyes wide with panic.

“The Blood Cloud Bandits were wiped out? Did old man Liu make a move?” Prince Zhenyuan’s brows furrowed slightly in surprise.

But it was just that—surprise, nothing more.

“No…” Liu Du’s face twisted into a grimace, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “According to the reports, it was a blood-colored giant, a hundred meters tall, that destroyed the Blood Cloud Bandits!”

“A blood-colored giant, a hundred meters tall?” Prince Zhenyuan’s expression shifted again, this time betraying genuine shock. “A specter?”

“No.” Liu Du’s face grew even darker as he recounted all the details he had learned.

Upon hearing Liu Du’s report, a flicker of fear flashed in Prince Zhenyuan’s eyes, though it was quickly replaced by a steely determination.

“Hmph, playing tricks and pretending to be gods. The Divine Descent… has long since fallen!” Prince Zhenyuan’s aura surged, exuding a terrifying oppressive force.

But beneath his outward confidence, there was a faint tremor of fear in his voice.

“This is suspicious… it must be old man Liu stirring up trouble!” the Blood Hand leader interjected.

Based on Liu Du’s report, wiping out the Blood Cloud Bandits with just two punches was not something a Heaven-tier Weapon Master could achieve. It had to have been a Divine-tier Weapon Master.

And in the vicinity, the only Divine-tier Master was Liu Sheng.

“Yes, it must be Liu Sheng causing this mischief!” the other commanders echoed.

“He’s just trying to use the name of the Divine Descent to sway public opinion and incite rebellion against the imperial court!”

Prince Zhenyuan’s expression shifted several times as he mulled over the situation.

He recalled a report sent from the royal court not long ago.

There had been signs of the Divine Descent’s revival in Ning Kingdom, with fragments of its power manifesting miracles.

The Fifth Prince had been dispatched to Ning Kingdom to investigate, but as of now, there had been no word.

Anxiety crept into his heart. Finally, he spoke:

“This matter… must be reported to His Majesty.”

The Blood Hand leader sensed Prince Zhenyuan’s unease and lowered his voice:

“In the battle all those years ago, the Divine Descent was struck down. Even if it has revived… it surely cannot compare to its former peak. Your Highness could suppress it with a mere flick of your wrist!”

Prince Zhenyuan squinted his eyes, recalling the events of the past. Deep within his gaze lay an unmistakable terror.

There was one thing he didn’t say aloud: Even at its so-called “weakened” state, he would not have been its match.

The Divine Descent… was a true god!

One divine weapon had been enough to suppress the entire royal family.

Uncertainty gnawed at his thoughts. What if this wasn’t a scheme by old man Liu? What if it truly was the Divine Descent?

“What then…?”

Finally, Prince Zhenyuan made his decision.

“I will go to the Blood Cloud Stronghold myself!”

That same day, he disguised himself as a hunter and quietly made his way toward the Blood Cloud Stronghold.

Dingbo Prefecture. Liu County.

Liu Chudong, dressed in a green lotus-leaf dress, appeared lively, her whole presence as light and fresh as a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.

Standing beside her was Li Fengzhi, a senior elder of the Judgment Association, her expression respectful as she gazed toward the Liu family estate.

After roughly a quarter of an hour, an elderly steward emerged from within the estate.

“What did Grandpa say?” Liu Chudong asked eagerly, her face full of anticipation.

Li Fengzhi, originally planning to leave earlier that morning, had decided to stay longer for a chance to meet Liu Sheng.

The elderly steward sighed and shook his head, a trace of helplessness visible on his face.

“The patriarch remains in seclusion and will not see guests.”

Hearing this, the steward felt a pang of frustration in his heart.

This young lady truly didn’t understand the weight of her actions!

The situation in Dingbo Prefecture was already complex, with Prince Zhenyuan’s forces eyeing them like a hungry tiger.

Yet this young miss had gone and brought an elder of the Judgment Association, considered a rebel group by the court, straight to the family estate.

Was she trying to give Prince Zhenyuan a reason to act?

Liu Chudong’s bright expression dimmed slightly, a trace of disappointment flashing across her face.

So, Grandpa still refused to meet anyone.

Li Fengzhi, standing beside her, also showed signs of disappointment.

The Judgment Association was currently plagued by internal strife and external threats. Their room to maneuver was shrinking day by day.

Among the Seven Divine-tier Weapon Masters of the Rosha Kingdom, Liu Sheng was the only one the Judgment Association had any hope of persuading to their side.

If Liu Sheng could be convinced to support them, the Judgment Association would have far greater opportunities to survive and thrive.

But now, Liu Sheng wouldn’t even meet them, his stance clear.

“Chudong, don’t worry too much,” Li Fengzhi said, forcing a smile. Her voice was warm and gentle.

Liu Chudong felt even more frustrated.

“Let’s go. Since there’s still time, you might as well check to see if that young man from Ning Kingdom has returned. You mentioned wanting to ask him about Ning Kingdom, didn’t you?” Li Fengzhi suggested, her tone filled with patient encouragement.

Hearing this, Liu Chudong’s mood brightened a little, her thoughts becoming more animated.

“Brother Qi…”

However, before she could finish her sentence, the elderly steward suddenly spoke up again.

“The patriarch has said… you may enter.”

Liu Chudong froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.

“Grandpa… changed his mind?”

Li Fengzhi also showed a hint of surprise, mingled with a trace of cautious confusion.

Why had Liu Sheng, a Divine-tier Weapon Master who had so decisively refused earlier, suddenly changed his mind?

She couldn’t quite figure it out.

Nevertheless, the chance to meet a Divine-tier Weapon Master was a rare and precious opportunity.

“Come, let’s go see your grandfather,” Liu Chudong said excitedly.

But when they reached the inner estate, Liu Chudong was stopped outside while Li Fengzhi was invited to enter alone to meet Liu Sheng.

Left to wait, Liu Chudong had no choice but to idly chat with her cousin, Qianran, to pass the time.

Roughly half an hour later, Li Fengzhi emerged from the estate, her face glowing with delight. It was clear that the meeting had gone exceedingly well.

Indeed, it had.

Liu Sheng had unexpectedly offered to provide material support and even promised to shelter the Judgment Association within Dingbo Prefecture.

However, this assistance came with a condition: the Judgment Association would need to help the Liu family deal with the Blood Hand.

For the Judgment Association, this was an overwhelmingly positive development.

“Chudong, your grandfather wants to see you now,” Li Fengzhi said warmly, her tone much gentler than before.

Liu Chudong was momentarily stunned before quickly rushing toward the inner estate.

<hr>

After passing through a bamboo grove and crossing a small stream, Liu Chudong finally arrived at the pavilion where Liu Sheng was seated.

The estate exuded an air of serenity, filled with the vibrant energy of life. The bamboo, trees, and flowering plants were meticulously maintained, their verdant hues defying the autumn season’s usual decline.

“Grandpa!” Liu Chudong called out sweetly, her voice cheerful and lively.

Inside the pavilion, an elderly man with white hair and a long beard sat quietly. His beard was tied into a neat knot, and his expression radiated wisdom and kindness.

On the small table in front of him was a painting, its ink still wet, clearly freshly completed.

“Grandpa, what are you painting?” Liu Chudong asked curiously as she approached, peering at the artwork with interest.

“The creature in this painting… it looks quite powerful!” she commented, her tone flattering but earnest.

She was smart enough to know how to butter up her grandfather.

The painting depicted a massive figure—a giant that appeared to be at least a hundred meters tall. Its entire body was covered in blood-red armor, and its eyes radiated an intense, murderous aura.

The figure looked like a being straight out of the underworld, a terrifying death god incarnate.

Yet, judging by the way her grandfather had painted it, it was clear that he held a certain degree of admiration for this fearsome entity.

Naturally, she decided to praise it.

“Heh, just a little doodle,” Liu Sheng replied modestly, though the faint glimmer of joy in his eyes gave away his satisfaction.

Just moments earlier, he had received the news that the Blood Cloud Bandits had been completely wiped out.

It was news worth celebrating, and yet, upon learning the details of the event, Liu Sheng found himself deeply shaken.

What kind of being could accomplish such a feat?

Furthermore, during his earlier conversation with Li Fengzhi, he had learned more about recent events in Ning Kingdom.

Apparently, several months ago, there had been signs of the Divine Descent’s revival, with credible reports of miracles taking place.

Could it be that… the Divine Descent truly was returning?

And the destruction of the Blood Cloud Bandits… was it the work of the legendary Divine Descent?

If the Divine Descent had truly returned, then the political landscape of Dingbo Prefecture would shift dramatically.

It would mean that the Liu family wouldn’t have to endure the slow encroachment of the imperial court any longer.

If anyone in the world would welcome the Divine Descent’s revival, it would be the Judgment Association, the downtrodden masses who still remembered the Divine Descent’s glory… and Liu Sheng himself.

“Grandpa seems to be in a good mood today. Do you have any wishes? I’ll do my best to fulfill them!” Liu Chudong said, her tone playful but affectionate.

Naturally, she knew her grandfather’s limits and wouldn’t make any unreasonable requests.

Although her grandfather often teased her for her lack of intelligence, she did have a certain emotional awareness.

“Oh?” Liu Sheng’s eyes glimmered with warmth as he smiled. “Tell me then—what’s on your mind?”

Liu Chudong’s eyes darted around mischievously.

“Grandpa, you’ve always said you don’t have a disciple, right? I recently made a new friend. He’s incredibly talented and also has a very charming appearance. Why don’t you take him as your disciple?”

Her reasoning was simple. If she wanted to influence her grandfather’s decisions, she couldn’t do it alone.

But if her new friend Qi Yuan could join forces with her, things would be different.

If her grandfather had a granddaughter who was part of the Judgment Association, and then a disciple who was also affiliated with it… how could he not support their cause?

Liu Sheng chuckled softly, clearly aware of her intentions.

“I’m too old to take disciples.”

“Grandpa!” Liu Chudong protested, her tone showing her dissatisfaction.

“Accepting a disciple isn’t something to be taken lightly,” Liu Sheng said, shaking his head. “If I were to take him as my disciple and fail to guide him properly, it could hinder his growth.

Furthermore, he is currently an outsider. Once he becomes my disciple, he’ll be drawn into the center of our conflicts. That could put him in unnecessary danger.”

Hearing this, Liu Chudong hesitated for a moment. She understood that trying to argue further was pointless. It was clear her grandfather had already made up his mind, and he wasn’t going to accept the young man as his disciple.

“What a pity,” she muttered with a sigh. “I think he has great potential. After all, he comes from a small kingdom, and yet he managed to make his way to the Rosha Kingdom. That’s no easy feat.”

Her voice carried a hint of sympathy.

The journey from Ning Kingdom to the Rosha Kingdom was long and treacherous. It required crossing vast oceans, rife with dangers like pirates and bandits. Without significant strength, it would have been impossible to survive the journey.

When Liu Sheng heard this, his eyebrows raised slightly, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face.

“He’s from a small kingdom? Which one?”

“Ning Kingdom,” Liu Chudong replied earnestly. “The same place where Sister Qianran is from.”

“What?!” Liu Sheng’s expression changed abruptly, his body stiffening momentarily.

“Grandpa? Is there something wrong?” Liu Chudong asked, startled by his reaction.

“No… nothing,” Liu Sheng said, shaking his head. But his eyes grew deep and contemplative.

From Ning Kingdom…

He thought back to recent events.

In the span of just a few months, this young man had arrived from Ning Kingdom to the Rosha Kingdom.

And almost immediately after his arrival, the Blood Cloud Bandits were destroyed, and the rumors of the Divine Descent began to spread.

Could there be a connection between the two?

Or perhaps… this young man had stumbled upon fragments of the Divine Descent and brought them to the Rosha Kingdom?

“Grandpa, if you think something’s wrong, I can bring him to meet you. Once you’ve seen him, you’ll know what kind of person he is,” Liu Chudong suggested, sensing her grandfather’s concern.

Although she trusted Qi Yuan, she also understood that her grandfather’s judgment was more important.

In her mind, a friend she had known for only a few days could never compare to her grandfather, who had been a pillar of strength in her life.

“There’s no need,” Liu Sheng replied, shaking his head.

He seemed to have come to some decision, and his tone softened as he spoke.

“I haven’t visited the Judgment Association yet…”

“Grandpa! You already knew about it?!” Liu Chudong exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.

“Fusang has a spiritual connection. It can sense those whose hearts harbor ill intent,” Liu Sheng explained with a faint smile. “I’ll bring Fusang with me and personally help you evaluate whether there are any untrustworthy individuals among the Judgment Association.”

His smile carried a profound meaning.

But his thoughts were already spinning in a different direction.

<hr>

In the Judgment Association’s stronghold, Qi Yuan let out a long yawn, his face pale and weary.

Despite being a Heaven-tier Weapon Master, his recent endeavors had pushed him to his limits.

Taking down the Blood Cloud Bandits in such a spectacular and overwhelming fashion had indeed been impressive, but the toll it had taken on him was immense.

Still, he knew that to play the role of the Divine Descent, he had to maintain an air of authority and grandeur.

It had to be dazzling. It had to be awe-inspiring.

Currently, his “Divine Descent Persona” rating was steadily increasing. Qi Yuan felt confident that the effort was worth it.

Once the rating reached a certain threshold, he would likely receive blessings or rewards from the Divine Descent itself—perhaps even a significant boost to his strength.

“Master, do you want a steamed bun?” Chen Kangbao asked worriedly, holding a bun out to him.

Qi Yuan shook his head.

“I need to sleep. While I’m resting, make sure no one disturbs me.”

With that, he headed straight to his room and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

He didn’t even bother to wash up.

Last night, he hadn’t just destroyed the Blood Cloud Bandits’ main headquarters. He’d also wiped out all their subsidiary outposts. The effort had drained him completely.

Now, all he wanted was a good, long rest.

On the bed beside him, Xiao Jia, lay quietly.

Her icy sleeve gently rested on Qi Yuan’s hand, her presence cool but comforting.

If Xiao Jia had a face, her expression at that moment would have been one of quiet devotion and tenderness.