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

Chapter 463: Conspiracy, and the Impending Storm

“Ah... well…”

Black Sword’s question left Qi Yuan momentarily at a loss for words.

He looked at Black Sword and said softly, “With my refined demeanor, how could I possibly lay an egg?”

Purple Fate Feng cast a sidelong glance at Qi Yuan. Someone so refined—how could he have developed an egg-laying version of the Ancestral Blood Technique?

“You didn’t cultivate the Ancestral Blood Technique you gave to Ice Sword?” Black Sword asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“No,” Qi Yuan replied, shaking his head. “One must tailor techniques to each person. The version of Ancestral Blood Technique I modified was best suited to Ice Sword, not to me.”

“You practice a different Ancestral Blood Technique, then?” Black Sword asked again, his assessment of Blood Robe rising even further.

Apparently, Blood Robe’s adjustments to Ancestral Blood Technique weren’t just a stroke of inspiration. He had other versions of the technique on hand.

“Yes.” Qi Yuan nodded, then turned to Black Sword. “The Ancestral Blood Technique I cultivate is rather unique, meant only for me and no one else.”

Qi Yuan was telling the truth. The changes he’d made were so specific that only he could practice this Ancestral Blood Technique.

Black Sword fell into deep thought at this, refraining from any further questions.

Just then, a message reached Black Sword’s ears, and his gaze flashed with urgency.

“Let’s go!”

…

Black Sword and Purple Fate Feng departed hastily, seemingly due to an urgent matter.

Qi Yuan returned to his cave and reviewed his recent gains.

“Not bad. Besides further enhancing the Human Emperor Banner, I’ve also acquired several hundred divine techniques.”

After a moment’s thought, Qi Yuan handed these techniques over to Ning Tao and Golden Canary.

Then, after further deliberation, he entered the Supreme Truth Gate once more.

The scene shifted abruptly.

Endless waves of majestic, radiant energy akin to a galaxy swept and surged all around him.

All of this energy was the aura of Supreme Truth.

As Qi Yuan entered, the various innate divine spirits who were observing the Supreme Truth in the gate rose and saluted him.

“Greetings, master!”

These innate spirits were all Qi Yuan’s Nascent Souls.

Qi Yuan rarely had time to personally enter the Supreme Truth Gate to study its profundities.

Therefore, he stationed his Nascent Souls inside to observe Supreme Truth on his behalf, saving him time.

Many Nascent Souls specialized in studying the Taihuang Palace’s Supreme Truth, while others focused on Ghost Heaven’s.

“How’s the progress?” Qi Yuan inquired.

Old Man Shenlei shrugged, a grin in his eyes. “You’d never guess—the Supreme Truth that Ghost Heaven’s Banner Lord comprehended is actually thunder-based.”

The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul Banner was an extreme technique of darkness and malevolence, seemingly incompatible with the pure, unyielding nature of the thunder arts.

“Could it be Yin Thunder?” Qi Yuan wondered.

“No, it’s the Primordial Polebinding Thunder, an earth-grade Supreme Truth. Focused, calm, and able to harness divine thoughts to bind the heavens, soul, and body alike with thunder’s cleansing wrath,” said Old Man Shenlei gravely.

“Binding?” Qi Yuan muttered, thoughtful. “Good thing I didn’t attempt a sneak attack at Ghost Gate. Against the power of such a Supreme Truth, if he used it, I doubt I’d even be able to retreat to my Purple Mansion.”

Qi Yuan’s fallback was an instantaneous retreat to his Purple Mansion, but this wasn’t foolproof.

All Supreme Truths held terrifying and unpredictable powers, some of which were strange beyond belief.

Take, for example, the Abyss Lord of White Dragon Abyss; his Supreme Truth granted him the power to make anyone he looked at become pregnant with an offspring containing his own bloodline.

Qi Yuan found the notion horrifying.

It was no wonder that White Dragon Abyss was so eager to invite the Demon Blaze Heavenly Sovereign to join them, even pledging fealty. They probably wanted him to be the one doing the “birthing.”

Were Qi Yuan a Supreme Truth, he could likely fend off such attacks, but his Absolute Adaptability and Willful Freedom were still in their early stages.

“Master of all thunder, could you perhaps... find a way to stall the Banner Lord’s Supreme Truth technique?” Qi Yuan asked, gazing seriously at Old Man Shenlei.

“Lad, you’re giving me too much credit. I might control all things thunder, but I’m still just a Heavenly Rank Yang God!” Shenlei’s beard twitched, bouncing with each movement.

Qi Yuan gave him a sidelong look. “Shenlei, doesn’t sound like you’re up to the task.”

Old Man Shenlei’s face flushed. “Who says I’m not? If you move the Supreme Truth Gate to the Star Hall, give me half a month, and I’ll find a way to stall the Banner Lord’s Supreme Truth for two seconds!”

The Star Hall Shenlei mentioned was actually the mysterious universe where Qi Yuan’s Stellar Golden Core resided.

Each day that passed for Qi Yuan was equivalent to a hundred years in the Star Hall.

This time dilation was incredibly advantageous, and Qi Yuan saw it as a potential exploit.

If he placed the Supreme Truth Gate inside this universe, his Nascent Souls could analyze the Supreme Truths within.

Given tens of thousands of days, he could potentially master all the Supreme Truths across the Six Heavens.

But this “exploit” was not so simple to execute.

Placing just the Supreme Truth Gate in the Star Hall was manageable.

But moving its internal workings into a separate universe would be highly taxing.

Every moment it remained there would drain Qi Yuan’s strength immensely.

All his Nascent Souls would need to exert effort.

And his power from the Ten Thousand Paths Martial God as well as his cultivation would be consumed.

His strength would drop to a mythic level.

If he encountered even a single Yang God, he could easily perish.

Returning the Supreme Truth Gate to its original place was the only way to stop the drain.

“Half a month?” Qi Yuan considered the risk.

It was dangerous, but perhaps worth it.

As long as he stayed hidden, he’d be safe.

“Alright, half a month it is!”

As the saying goes, “To catch the tiger cub, one must enter the tiger’s den.”

“I’ll make some arrangements, then we can begin,” Qi Yuan said.

“Alright, just say the word,” replied Shenlei, disappearing.

At that moment, another Nascent Soul appeared, reporting on their progress.

“So that old man’s Supreme Truth is... this…”

After considering it for a while, Qi Yuan left the Supreme Truth Gate.

If he intended to transfer the gate to another universe, he needed to make some preparations and avoid going outside for a time.

During this period, he would be at his weakest.

Qi Yuan set about creating protective formations, layer upon layer. Still feeling insecure, he devised various additional defenses.

After ten days of setting everything up, he suddenly slapped his forehead.

“Was I being too cautious? Nothing even happened over these ten days!”

Qi Yuan regretted his paranoia. Had he simply restored to an earlier point, Old Man Shenlei would already have completed his insights by now.

Satisfied with the arrangements, Qi Yuan began transferring the Supreme Truth Gate to that universe.

Roughly an hour later, Qi Yuan’s aura began to drop.

“I’m far too weak now. Best not go out at all; running into even a stray dog would mean a life-and-death struggle.”

Just as he was mulling this over, a boisterous voice called from outside.

“Blood Robe, open the door!”

Recognizing the voice, Qi Yuan knew Sister Oxhorn had arrived.

“What’s up?”

Qi Yuan ceased his formation preparations and looked outside.

“You’re still alive?” Sister Oxhorn walked into his cave, casually sat down on the floor, and hit him with a blunt question.

“I’m alive and well, better than you,” Qi Yuan replied, immediately annoyed at her presence.

“I thought you’d died in the Flower Moon Mystery Land,” she said nonchalantly. “Sigh, taking that long to deal with those prodigies... the gap between you and that powerhouse from Taihuang Palace seems... considerable.”

“No worries, I’m still young,” Qi Yuan responded seriously.

According to Leibus’s comparison method, he actually far surpassed that person from Taihuang Palace.

Still, Qi Yuan humbly refrained from mentioning it.

At this, Sister Oxhorn batted her eyes. “Did you see that mysterious Hall Envoy by any chance? Was he as handsome as they say?”

Recently, the Yang God of Ghost Heaven had been slain by an Envoy of the Human Emperor Hall.

The incident had caused a commotion in both Ghost Heaven and Black Demon Abyss.

Now, within these two holy lands, all the disciples and even the Yang Gods spoke of nothing but this mysterious Hall Envoy.

Their curiosity about the Hall Envoy’s identity was immense.

Unlike Ghost Heaven, which was filled with hatred for the Hall Envoy, Black Demon Abyss had come to see him as almost divine.

After all, he’d slain an enemy Yang God and withstood a Supreme Truth attack before vanishing without a trace. That was enough to stir the imaginations of many young cultivators.

“Yes, incredibly handsome, just like me,” Qi Yuan replied without modesty.

Sister Oxhorn looked him up and down. “If you say so. But when it comes to style... heh.”

Purple Fate Snow snickered, a faint hint of mockery in her tone.

Though she had never seen the mysterious Envoy, she had heard of him—clad in blood-red armor, like a god of death from the underworld, cold and terrifying.

Blood Robe, on the other hand... was handsome, sure, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

Purple Fate Snow had thought that if someone froze Blood Robe, he’d be the picture of a peerless beauty.

But let him speak, and his whole aura vanished.

“What do you mean by that?” Qi Yuan detected her mocking tone.

“Nothing at all.” Sister Oxhorn stopped snickering, then plucked a mushroom from her mouth and ate another.

After finishing it, she said, “Don’t you have a bunch of Ice Sword’s eggs? I was thinking, maybe we could work together and draw out some of Ghost Heaven’s prodigies, score some merit points like in the Flower Moon Mystery Land.”

Qi Yuan didn’t need merit, but Purple Fate Snow did.

Without a second thought, Qi Yuan shook his head. “That’s hardly the act of a gentleman. I’m not going.”

In his current weakened state, he’d decided not to leave for half a month.

Purple Fate Snow eyed him skeptically. “Where was this gentlemanly attitude before?”

“People change. I was young and foolish before, but now I’ve seen the error of my ways,” Qi Yuan replied nonchalantly.

Purple Fate Snow let it go and instead leaned in close, whispering, “Those eggs from Ice Sword... you didn’t lay them yourself, did you? With his talent, he couldn’t have produced those.”

Qi Yuan panicked.

“How dare you slander me!”

He truly was panicked.

He hadn’t laid those eggs, but he had created them.

“Let me see that Ancestral Blood Technique. I’m curious.” Purple Fate Snow reached out, eyes alight with anticipation.

By now, the modified Ancestral Blood Technique had been circulating in Black Demon Abyss, though only among the Yang Gods; Purple Fate Snow hadn’t obtained it yet.

“What’s this, are you interested in laying an egg yourself?” Qi Yuan tossed her a jade slip with a casual wave.

“Relax, I’m a woman of principle. I’ll be sure not to lay any eggs!” Purple Fate Snow took the Ancestral Blood Technique, studying it intently.

Focused and diligent, Purple Fate Snow exuded a certain allure.

As she looked over the modified technique, her eyes grew increasingly astonished.

“Suddenly, my principles feel like they’re worth very little,” she said, a look of greed in her eyes.

The lure of power was overwhelming.

For an immortal, what was laying an egg if it meant greater strength?

“Sigh, from now on, we’ll have to change our name from Black Demon Abyss to Black Egg Abyss!”

Purple Fate Snow couldn’t help but sigh.

Just then, time and space froze.

Purple Fate Snow remained frozen in her original position, motionless.

Qi Yuan immediately knew that Old Master Purple Fate had arrived.

Every time he appeared, the surrounding space would come to a halt.

“You’ve returned. Good, good,” Purple Fate Ancestor appeared, his face beaming with delight.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Qi Yuan asked.

“Oh, nothing.” Stroking his beard, Purple Fate Ancestor felt quite pleased with himself.

When Blood Robe returned, he hadn’t rushed over because he was busy cultivating the modified Ancestral Blood Technique.

After all, he had already boasted to others that Blood Robe had offered it to him first.

If he didn’t show results soon, wouldn’t he be a laughingstock?

For days, he’d been training intensely, finally succeeding in condensing an egg and reaching a new divine transformation.

Only then did he come to see Qi Yuan.

"I never expected that a young lad like you would have such remarkable talent to modify the Ancestral Blood Technique.

By passing it through Ice Sword to Black Demon Abyss, you’ve earned considerable gratitude from the higher-ups. They intend to reward you with a large number of Yang God gifts,” Purple Fate Ancestor remarked.

“I don’t need Yang God gifts,” Qi Yuan replied quickly.

Yang God gifts were of little use to him.

“I know you’re not interested, so I argued with the old codgers up top and managed to get you something better—ten drops of… Black Demon Ancestral Blood.” Purple Fate Ancestor chuckled as he produced a porcelain vial with a flick of his wrist.

Seeing the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.

“You really understand me, old man.”

The thing Qi Yuan lacked most was precisely Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

Recently, he had dispatched his Nascent Souls to locate Black Demon Ancestral Blood using miniature intelligent search devices, allowing him to quickly advance the Ancestral Blood Technique to the twelfth layer.

But now his progress had once again stalled—due to a lack of Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

With these ten drops, he could take another small step forward.

Of course, he was still far from reaching the thirteenth layer.

He would need a lot more Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

Once he reached that level, his Ten Thousand Paths Martial God cultivation could rival that of the Supreme Truth.

At this point, Purple Fate Ancestor continued, “Additionally, I reserved ten sets of Yang God gifts for you as well.

Considering that you’ll be marrying Lady Yue Jinli soon, these ten sets of Yang God gifts should help both of you safely reach the realm of the Yang God Sovereign. That way, you’ll have each other’s backs.”

“Thank you, old man.” Qi Yuan took the vial of Black Demon Ancestral Blood and the Yang God gifts, his eyes gleaming. “Who knew modifying the Ancestral Blood Technique would be so valuable. If I tweak it again, think I could get even more Black Demon Ancestral Blood?”

The ten drops weren’t nearly enough for Qi Yuan to reach the thirteenth layer quickly.

He needed more.

Purple Fate Ancestor shook his head. “You’re dreaming if you think it’s that easy. Modifying the Ancestral Blood Technique isn’t simple, and what’s more, Black Demon Ancestral Blood is a rare resource. I had to put my pride aside just to secure these ten drops. There’s no way they’d give you more.”

Qi Yuan looked slightly disappointed.

“Sigh, my poor, tragic White Moonlight, not even your blood could be gathered after your death!” he lamented.

Purple Fate Ancestor ignored Qi Yuan’s theatrics.

Just then, Qi Yuan seemed to remember something, and he leaned in closer. “Old man, you’ve been treating me like a prized descendant these days, so I prepared a gift for you.”

“Scram!” Purple Fate Ancestor scolded, though his heart was secretly pleased.

His resentment over not receiving the modified Ancestral Blood Technique sooner had long since disappeared.

“What kind of gift? If it’s something boring, it’ll just sit in my storage bag and gather dust,” Purple Fate Ancestor asked.

“This…” Qi Yuan pulled out a jade slip and handed it to him.

Purple Fate Ancestor took the jade slip and sent his divine sense into it.

He first looked intrigued, then astonished, and finally took a deep breath.

His face reflected surprise, delight, and a hint of bitterness.

“This… this is quite something. A real treasure indeed!” Purple Fate Ancestor said repeatedly, eyeing Blood Robe with a mixture of emotions.

“I crafted this specifically for your physique. Much stronger than Ice Egg’s version of the Ancestral Blood Technique, wouldn’t you say?” Qi Yuan explained.

After receiving so much Black Demon Ancestral Blood from Purple Fate Ancestor, Qi Yuan felt a bit of guilt.

Sure, the ancestor should rightfully show his juniors generosity.

But a junior should share their best treasures with their elder, right?

“Ice Sword’s version of the Ancestral Blood Technique was nothing special. This one, though, is just right for you,” Qi Yuan added, glancing at Purple Fate Ancestor. “Surely you didn’t secretly attempt Ice Sword’s egg-laying Ancestral Blood Technique, did you?”

Purple Fate Ancestor’s eyes went wide. “Why would I cultivate that egg-laying version? I’m a Supreme Truth cultivator, a man of dignity!”

He said this while covertly crushing his own egg.

“Well, as long as that’s the case.” Qi Yuan nodded.

“Stay inside for now; things are chaotic outside,” Purple Fate Ancestor said after a pause.

“Oh? What’s going on?” Qi Yuan asked.

“The Human Emperor Hall has reappeared, and their motives are unpredictable. No one knows where they came from,” Purple Fate Ancestor replied, clearly uneasy.

He suspected the Human Emperor Hall might be an ancient force from ages long past.

“Anything else?” Qi Yuan wasn’t particularly concerned about the Hall, considering it was just another identity of his.

“Recently... a region of Ghost Heaven’s outer heavens has connected with the mysterious lands, and vast quantities of Black Demon Ancestral Blood have been discovered there.” Purple Fate Ancestor’s expression grew even more serious.

The Outer Heavens referred to uncharted territories, places not yet explored.

Such regions could contain any number of mysteries.

When Yang Gods sought duels, they often went to the Outer Heavens.

Even Black Demon Abyss had its own Outer Heavens. If a Supreme Truth cultivator could claim a territory in the Outer Heavens, they could turn it into part of the Six Heavens and establish their own domain.

Now, Ghost Heaven’s Outer Heavens had yielded a vast store of Black Demon Ancestral Blood—this was of monumental importance to Black Demon Abyss.

“What a coincidence. Could it be a trap?” Qi Yuan asked.

Black Demon Abyss had only just gone to war with Ghost Heaven, and now Ghost Heaven’s Outer Heavens had turned up large quantities of Black Demon Ancestral Blood.

“It’s an open plot,” Purple Fate Ancestor said calmly.

Clearly, Black Demon Abyss’s leaders knew this was Ghost Heaven’s scheme.

Ghost Heaven had probably been hoarding Black Demon Ancestral Blood, only to reveal it now as bait.

Qi Yuan pondered aloud. “So… are you planning to go and seize it?”

He recalled the message Black Sword had received before leaving the Flower Moon Mystery Land, and his subtle reaction at the time.

Looking back, it was likely related to this matter.

“There’s only so much Black Demon Ancestral Blood in existence. Every drop used is one drop lost.

Now, Ghost Heaven has stationed two Supreme Truths there to corrupt the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. If they succeed... nearly ten thousand drops of Black Demon Ancestral Blood will go to waste.” Purple Fate Ancestor said, his heart aching.

Qi Yuan took a deep breath. “Nearly ten thousand drops of Black Demon Ancestral Blood… even I’m tempted.”

If he could get hold of all that blood, he was confident he could reach the fourteenth layer of the Ancestral Blood Technique within a year.

“Our time is short. If we can’t retrieve the Black Demon Ancestral Blood within a month, it will be fully corrupted.” Purple Fate Ancestor’s voice held a deep, serious note. “This time, I’ll personally intervene.”

He glanced at Qi Yuan as he spoke.

Were it not for Qi Yuan’s need for large amounts of Black Demon Ancestral Blood, he would have been only twenty percent likely to get involved in Ghost Heaven’s scheme.

But now, he chose to go of his own accord.

Purple Fate Ancestor looked Qi Yuan in the eye. “If things go awry, and I am severely injured, you… should go to Purple Fate Hall immediately and find Purple Fate Tan. He will escort you to the Moon God Palace.”

Purple Fate Tan was one of the few Supreme Truth Yang Gods of Purple Fate Heaven.

“Is it that serious?” Qi Yuan was surprised.

Purple Fate Ancestor smiled. “Just a precaution. Don’t worry—given my strength, no one can hold me unless a Supreme Lord takes the field.

Even if the Banner Lord himself makes a move, he might injure me, but he can’t kill me!”

Purple Fate Ancestor’s confidence was boundless.

In the Supreme Truth realm, the gap between levels was both significant and minimal.

If both were at the third level of Supreme Truth, a rival couldn’t even wound him.

Even if the Banner Lord personally attacked, he’d only manage to inflict injuries.

Furthermore, the Banner Lord wouldn’t make a move lightly.

So this time, despite knowing there was a trap, he was willing to dive in, at most risking some injuries.

Before, he might have had some misgivings.

But now, with the modified Ancestral Blood Technique Qi Yuan had given him, his confidence was ironclad.

Even if injured, this technique would allow him to recover quickly.

Qi Yuan nodded.

This was a matter beyond what a humble cultivator at the Purple Mansion level could interfere with.

It was likely that the Supreme Truth elders had already convened and discussed it in depth.

“Oh, by the way, old man, didn’t we have a mole in Black Demon Abyss? I know who it is—it’s Wind Decay Heavenly Sovereign.” Qi Yuan shared his findings with Purple Fate Ancestor.

“Wind Decay?” Purple Fate Ancestor frowned. “Wind Decay, of Shadow Soul Heaven…”

He didn’t ask Qi Yuan how he knew, only fell into deep contemplation.

“This is already under consideration. For the next month, stay indoors. If I am injured, head straight to the Moon God Palace.” Purple Fate Ancestor instructed again, then his figure dissipated.

In the quiet of his dwelling, Qi Yuan glanced at the frozen Purple Fate Snow, his expression calm.

It seemed he’d have to intervene in the impending storm half a month later—that nearly ten thousand drops of Black Demon Ancestral Blood couldn’t be overlooked.

…

In an unknown realm,

two spiritual presences conversed in hushed tones.

“You’re willing to spend so much? That’s two thousand drops of Black Demon Ancestral Blood,” a vast voice said in surprise.

If Purple Fate Ancestor had been present, he would have recognized it as the voice of the Old Ancestor from Shadow Soul Heaven.

“As long as our plan succeeds, those two thousand drops will come back to me. What’s the harm?” replied a voice that sounded neither male nor female.

This time, rather than saying Ghost Heaven was scheming against Black Demon Abyss, it would be more accurate to say… that a traitor within Black Demon Abyss was working with Ghost Heaven.

The Old Ancestor from Shadow Soul Heaven, his eyes glinting with wariness, asked, "Who exactly are you? Within Black Demon Abyss, I can't think of anyone else who could take out two thousand drops at once."

The figure, still indiscernible in gender, replied in an ethereal tone, “My identity doesn’t matter; what’s crucial is that we share a common goal: our mutual benefit.”

With the impending descent of the Linya's Transformation, even those of us who are Great Supreme Truths have to think of contingency plans. Are you certain you won’t join me in allying with the Taihuang Palace?" the Old Ancestor from Shadow Soul Heaven inquired with a hint of probing.

Among the Black Demon Abyss factions, Shadow Soul Heaven had always maintained the best relationship with the Taihuang Palace.

Shadow Soul Heaven had even come into conflict with the Moon God Palace.

“No,” the figure responded decisively.

"In that case... then I’ll claim the glory. Purple Fate Ancestor’s… blood, a Supreme Truth life, will mark the start of this Linya's Transformation era!" Shadow Soul Heaven’s Old Ancestor spoke with a mad gleam in his tone.

With the injection of the Corrupted Demon Blood, Purple Fate Ancestor was as good as dead.

“Ah, turbulent times yield powerful cultivators. Who knows when the Linya's Transformation will come to an end?” the ambiguous voice sighed, the words tinged with a kind of wistful uncertainty.

The Old Ancestor from Shadow Soul Heaven fell silent, his eyes growing shadowy. “By the way, what do you make of the Human Emperor Hall's mysterious envoy?”

“Mysterious and unknown, not a Supreme Truth, yet possessing unfathomable powers that have clearly proven problematic for Ghost Heaven…” replied the androgynous voice.

A flicker of murderous intent crossed Shadow Soul Heaven Old Ancestor’s gaze. “An unpredictable element like that should be eradicated at the first opportunity when the Linya's Transformation begins!”

The other party stayed silent, not responding.

The Old Ancestor continued, muttering to himself, “He may think he can hide, but with the start of the Linya's Transformation, Taihuang Palace will be scanning the heavens. Any Yang God practitioners attempting to avoid the Linya's Transformation will be exposed.

No matter where they hide, they’ll be revealed!"

Each time the Linya's transformation began, there were always Yang Gods who attempted to evade its reach.

Thus, the custom of “scanning the heavens” had developed.

Even hiding within mysterious realms would no longer offer protection.

Any Yang God power, wherever it might be, would radiate like a star across the heavens, known to all.

Concealing one’s strength was also ineffective.

The Old Ancestor from Shadow Soul Heaven was already planning to align with the Taihuang Palace, so he harbored nothing but malice toward the Human Emperor Hall’s unpredictable presence.

...

In Demon Pass.

Black Sword stood in a white robe, his gaze profound.

Typically dignified and calm, a dark worry now lingered in his eyes.

“Brother Purple Fate, who do you think has betrayed Black Demon Abyss? Could it be the Fifth Brother?”

The Fifth Brother, of course, referred to the Old Ancestor of Shadow Soul Heaven.

Purple Fate Ancestor’s expression was unreadable. “I don’t know. Whoever the traitor is, they’re no concern of mine.”

In the past, he would have been angered if he found out that Old Fifth had betrayed them.

But after recent events, his faith in his master had been thoroughly shaken.

Not long ago, he’d raised the matter of Qi Yuan marrying the Moon Goddess Palace’s maiden, and many of his fellow disciples had objected.

They had pointed out that the Moon God Palace was an adversary of the Taihuang Palace and that Qi Yuan’s union with the Moon Maiden would be unwise.

At the time, Purple Fate Ancestor had declared decisively:

The marriage would proceed, regardless of anyone’s objections.

If Black Demon Abyss opposed it, he would sever his connection to Black Demon Abyss to avoid implicating them.

Only after he had taken such a hard line did the matter receive approval.

Purple Fate Ancestor’s sentiment toward Black Demon Abyss had grown increasingly indifferent, coupled with growing disillusionment.

Hearing Purple Fate Ancestor’s answer, Black Sword recognized his intentions and felt a twinge of disappointment.

The Black Demon Abyss had fractured into a pitiful state, with weaknesses riddled throughout.

“Besides Old Fifth, there may be others hiding in the shadows. This time, as we head to Ghost Heaven to seize the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, we must exercise extreme caution. If things don’t go as planned, we should be prepared to abandon the Black Demon Ancestral Blood.” Black Sword spoke earnestly.

With his deep ties to Black Demon Abyss, he could not bear to see it fall apart.

Purple Fate Ancestor nodded silently, saying nothing further.

At their level, strategy often became secondary to sheer strength.

In this case, the opposition had left clues of a trap blatantly exposed, without making much effort to disguise it, yet he still had no choice but to enter the fray.

Whether the plot succeeded would ultimately depend on the strength of both sides.

At their level, confidence in one's strength prevailed. Losing slightly would not be a catastrophe.

A minor setback would barely leave a mark.