Yang Lian was momentarily stunned.
She had never imagined receiving such an answer.
This was a Seed of the World, virtually equivalent to the accumulated foundation of an entire world.
The seed of an innate world represented boundless possibilities; even a Yang God would covet it immensely.
"Celestial Venerable... will you truly not reconsider?" Yang Lian was unwilling to give up just yet.
The only person who could possibly take her younger sister out of the Mortal Heart Realm was likely Origin Celestial Venerable.
"No need," Qi Yuan replied decisively, his figure vanishing into thin air.
In the alleyway, Yang Lian was left alone, staring at the spot where Qi Yuan had disappeared, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
***
Meanwhile, outside Feiwu City, powerhouses were gathering in droves.
The flight of the evil gods from their headquarters had shocked the entire world.
Among the upper echelons of Ancient Gods in the Southern Lands, heated arguments had broken out.
Regarding Origin Celestial Venerable, those Ancient Gods held varying opinions.
Some believed Origin Celestial Venerable was the savior of the Mortal Heart Realm, its one and only life-saving straw that had to be clutched tightly.
Others thought Origin Celestial Venerable's glory was merely temporary; against the two evil gods above True God, he stood no chance whatsoever, and only the Mythological Plan offered a sliver of hope.
Still others believed Origin Celestial Venerable was simply another evil god, placing no trust or faith in him.
Most of those who had arrived at Feiwu City were Ancient Gods holding the first view.
Dong Jianghe was among the crowd, following closely behind his master.
The smugness on his face was gone, replaced by a layer of indignation. "Those old bastards are utterly detestable! The Mythological-grade God Visualization Art I finally managed to visualize... was snatched away by them."
Dong Jianghe had decided to come to the Northern Lands with his master to become a subject of Origin Celestial Venerable.
Certain Ancient Gods of the Southern Lands had forced him to leave behind the Mythological-grade God Visualization Art. Those old fellows claimed that the Mythological Plan had provided resources to help the Child of Destiny visualize a Mythological-grade God Visualization Art, so the resulting art had to remain in the Southern Lands.
His master consoled him from the side, "Coming to the Northern Lands may well be the greatest opportunity of your life. It's just a Mythological-grade God Visualization Art; it amounts to nothing."
In the Mortal Heart Realm, a Mythological-grade God Visualization Art could at most allow a Step Two Sky Treading Venerable to step into Three Steps of Sky Treading overnight.
As for a Great Venerable, gaining half a step was already considered exaggerated.
In terms of potential and cultivation growth, it was not even on par with the Legendary arts Qi Yuan had visualized.
"Right! Origin Celestial Venerable said he'd give us perks!" At the thought of this, Dong Jianghe's mood brightened again.
For this trip to Feiwu City, all the Venerables in the group had arrived, and they were currently gathered here chatting among themselves.
Dong Jianghe's lament just now had mostly been an attempt to boast before his group chat friends.
Unfortunately, those group members were already well aware of his tricks and couldn't be bothered to respond.
Beside him, Venerable Shenmiao glanced at Dong Jianghe with disdain. "Turns out you're only at Step One of Sky Treading, yet you dare call yourself the Youthful Heavenly Emperor! I'm at Three Steps of Sky Treading—does that make me a Prime Heavenly Emperor?!"
Venerable Heilong, who was somewhat advanced in age, chuckled beside them. "To think the weakest among our group is actually Dong Jianghe!"
"I still remember back when Origin Celestial Venerable first appeared, Dong Jianghe even took him for a divine creature that hadn't reached the True God realm. Who could have known Origin Celestial Venerable is actually a Mythological!" Venerable Baixi sighed wistfully from the side.
Clearly, not much time had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
Dong Jianghe was displeased upon hearing this. "Is that my fault? Back then, Origin Celestial Venerable was practically a total newbie who knew nothing, not even what the True God realm was! Who knew he was playing the pig to eat the tiger just to mess with us!"
When Origin Celestial Venerable first joined the group, he really had acted like a complete newcomer, constantly asking about everything under the sun.
"Who could have imagined... he is actually a Mythological!" A look of awe surfaced in Venerable Shenmiao's eyes.
Hearing this, the Ancient Gods present couldn't help feeling a surge of admiration.
Mythological—the only Mythological in the Mortal Heart Realm.
"Could it be possible... that when we first met Origin Celestial Venerable, he wasn't a Mythological?" Venerable Heilong spoke up at this moment, deep in thought.
The Ancient Gods present froze.
Not a Mythological?
A divine creature?
"Venerable Heilong, what nonsense are you spouting? How could anyone go from Purple Mansion to Mythological in a single month? Even a reincarnated Yang God couldn't accomplish that!" Dong Jianghe didn't believe it for a second.
He felt Origin Celestial Venerable had simply been baiting them back then.
The Ancient Gods present agreed with Dong Jianghe.
Origin Celestial Venerable must have been a Mythological long ago, biding his time and amassing strength. Once his power was sufficient, he unleashed a fierce strike against the evil gods.
"Therefore, we shouldn't engage in wild speculation, nor should we believe rumors. Aren't there rumors claiming Origin Celestial Venerable is crazy and a bit touched in the head? For Origin Celestial Venerable to cultivate to Mythological and possess such might, how could he possibly be dim-witted?" Dong Jianghe continued.
"Indeed! We interact with Origin Celestial Venerable frequently in the chat group—how could we not know what he's like?"
"Such an unrivaled Ancient God must reign supreme across the world; even the Holy Mother of Inedia cannot compare to him."
Just then, the figure of Great Venerable Huanghun appeared, a profound and ancient aura permeating the area.
All the Great Venerables and Venerables looked toward him.
"This aura..."
"I sense boundless, endless water!"
The Great Venerables present were shocked.
They had a feeling that if Great Venerable Huanghun were to take action against them, not a single one among them would be his match.
The Great Venerable Huanghun before them was simply too formidable.
One Venerable stared at Great Venerable Huanghun, his eyes full of terror and disbelief.
He had once met Venerable Huanghun, who, like him, had been at Step Two Sky Treading.
Now, however... he had become a Great Venerable, and far from an ordinary one at that.
Facing Great Venerable Huanghun, having cultivated water control arts as well, he felt an urge to bow his head and submit.
"It is too late today, and the Celestial Venerable has already retired for the night. Everyone... please partake in a feast together first. Once day breaks, Origin Celestial Venerable will summon you all," Great Venerable Huanghun spoke, his voice gentle and cultured.
At this moment, Qi Yuan was hanging from a crooked-neck tree sleeping alongside Xiao Jia.
Seeing such a thing for the first time had astonished Great Venerable Huanghun as well.
After all, once one reached their level of cultivation, did they still need sleep?
At the time, someone had even quietly gone to ask.
In the end, Origin Celestial Venerable had replied: even True Gods have to eat, so what's wrong with sleeping?
Those Ancient Gods had been left speechless.
The Ancient Gods who had rushed over from the Southern Lands were somewhat baffled as well.
Sleep?
What True God ever needed to sleep? This had to be a display of authority to put them in their place!
Uneasy though they were, they accepted the premise.
However, after uneasily partaking in the feast and meeting Origin Celestial Venerable the next day, they realized they had misunderstood him yesterday.
Origin Celestial Venerable had genuinely been sleeping.
At that moment, Qi Yuan looked bleary-eyed and stretched his neck.
"Everyone... is here? Not bad, not bad—nearly a thousand people showed up. Did you find the feast to your liking?"
Like a gracious host, Qi Yuan looked over the thousand-odd Ancient Gods.
"Very much so!"
These Great Venerables and Ancient Gods scrutinized Qi Yuan, eager to see what the legendary Origin Celestial Venerable looked like.
Qi Yuan spread his hands, looking languid. "My goal is for feasts to be enjoyed everywhere in the Mortal Heart Realm, and more than half of that has already been accomplished."
When he first arrived in the Mortal Heart Realm, he had been starving; Qingshui Village had been destitute, without a scrap of food to eat.
Only by attending feasts could he fill his belly.
He didn't want to see anyone else in this world starving as he had.
Thus, extending his empathy to others, he made sure everyone under heaven had feasts to eat.
Having reminisced on past bitterness to sweeten the present, Qi Yuan's gaze suddenly sharpened.
"I've always been lazy. I can't be bothered to paint rosy pictures or waste my breath duping you all!"
As soon as Qi Yuan said this, the Ancient Gods present took on strange expressions.
Dong Jianghe was stunned as well and couldn't help sending a divine sense transmission to Venerable Shenmiao:
"This Origin Celestial Venerable really is something else!"
"You mean you want to say Origin Celestial Venerable is crazy, don't you?"
"Venerable Shenmiao, you're finished! I just recorded your transmission. If you don't give me that piece of Stellar Divine Copper, I'll hand this recording to Origin Celestial Venerable!"
"...Playing tricks on your brother?"
In truth, the Ancient Gods present all felt Origin Celestial Venerable was indeed somewhat unhinged.
Regardless, shouldn't pleasantries and polite speeches be made?
Even if you don't have pie in the sky, at least painting one... would be better, right?!
At that moment, Qi Yuan paid no attention to everyone's reactions.
"Since you've come here, I have only one requirement: become my subjects. If you agree, fill out the form within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If you don't, pack up after eating the feast and leave."
Qi Yuan couldn't be bothered to explain things at length to a bunch of NPCs.
When playing a game, explaining yourself to NPCs was amateurish.
Sure enough, Qi Yuan's words threw the Ancient Gods for a loop.
Shouldn't they first converse, discuss, and then decide whether to become his subjects?
Being told outright like this made several Ancient Gods uncomfortable.
Murmurs spread among them.
"This is far too blunt!"
"Shouldn't we exchange thoughts first?!"
"What if we become his subjects and he suddenly decides not to attack the evil gods?"
"This leaves this old man with no face at all. Couldn't he talk to us privately in a quiet place?"
Many Ancient Gods took issue with Qi Yuan's blunt approach.
It was too crude and direct, lacking all refinement.
In reality, by coming to the Northern Lands, they had already prepared themselves to pledge allegiance to Origin Celestial Venerable.
For only Origin Celestial Venerable dared to strike against the evil gods and possessed the chance to lead them to victory.
"There is no need to guess what Origin Celestial Venerable is thinking—just look at what he has done! He took action against the evil gods and slaughtered over ten thousand of them; he is our benefactor! For this alone, I am willing to become Origin Celestial Venerable's subject!"
"I am willing as well!"
The gods in attendance voiced their opinions.
Basic Information Registration Forms fluttered down, and many Ancient Gods registered their details upon them.
Yet there were also Ancient Gods clutching the forms, torn inside, unwilling to commit and wanting to wait and see.
Such was human nature, and not even Yin Gods were an exception.
Qi Yuan was not surprised in the slightest.
Soon, form after form was handed over to Qi Qi. Roughly two-thirds of the Ancient Gods present chose to become Qi Yuan's subjects.
Of the remaining third, some chose to quietly slip their forms to Qi Qi when no one was around, while the rest chose to watch from the sidelines or departed in secret.
An hour later.
Inside Feiwu City, Qi Yuan looked at all the Ancient Gods present, his gaze calm.
At this moment, gathered below were not just the newly joined Ancient Gods, but also villagers from Qingshui Village.
All told, there were over four thousand people gathered together.
Among them, ninety-nine percent were Venerables, along with a few in the Purple Mansion realm, like the big black dog.
"Not bad! Truly worthy of being my subjects—every single one of you is full of vigor!"
Qi Yuan couldn't help praising them.
After all, back on Blue Star, outside of the military, a gathering of several thousand people would usually look listless and drained, like people who had spent the entire night gaming in an internet cafe.
"With such a formidable, tiger-like host, gathering the entire strength of Qingshui Village, how could we worry about failing to wipe out the evil gods?" Qi Yuan remarked with feeling.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuangshi and the other villagers of Qingshui Village looked visibly excited.
From starving, freezing villagers on the brink of death to mighty gods revered across the land—all of it was because of Origin Celestial Venerable.
"We are willing to lay down our lives for the Celestial Venerable!" Village Chief Yulei said solemnly.
The remaining villagers of Qingshui Village, as well as those from Xiaoshi Village and Chenxi Village, roared in unison, "We are willing to lay down our lives for the Celestial Venerable!"
Whatever the case, at this moment, they truly seemed ready to fight to the death for Origin Celestial Venerable.
Great Venerable Huanghun and the other Ancient Gods seemed swept up in the fervor as well, roaring together, "We are willing to lay down our lives for the Celestial Venerable!"
At this moment, they made no mention of the Mortal Heart Realm, speaking only of Origin Celestial Venerable.
Qi Yuan raised a hand, and the roaring wave of sound instantly vanished, leaving behind total silence.
"Since fate brought us together, I hope that once matters in the Mortal Heart Realm are settled, you will all have bright futures."
Qi Yuan also had many subordinates back in the Liufeng Realm.
In truth, however, aside from the few he was closest to, he didn't know the rest at all.
Those people didn't share a common goal with him either.
Their goals were to raise their strength despite shortened lifespans.
In the end, intimidated by Qi Yuan's origin divine ability, they had chosen to serve him, with an element of coercion involved.
The Mortal Heart Realm was different; here, everyone shared the same goal.
These Ancient Gods were genuinely willing to serve Qi Yuan.
"Celestial Venerable, when shall we... launch our counterattack against the evil gods?" Great Venerable Lingzhong spoke up, voicing the question weighing on most everyone's minds.
He had once been entrusted by the Holy Mother of Inedia to deliver something to Origin Celestial Venerable before heading to the Heavenly Pillar.
"Once... your strength has been elevated this time, we will rest for a day, and then we fight the decisive battle!" Qi Yuan's eyes shone like torches.
Truth be told, among all the plans he had ever devised, this one filled him with the most apprehension and the least certainty.
Two Yang Gods... could he truly triumph?
Even he had no certainty.
Hearing his words, excitement welled in the hearts of the Ancient Gods present.
After all, the breakthroughs of Great Venerable Shenlei, Great Venerable Huanghun, Great Venerable Huolian, and others had occurred right before their eyes.
They didn't expect to step directly into Mythological like Great Venerable Shenlei.
Yet obtaining a formidable God Visualization Art and gaining some strength... was always welcome.
Qi Yuan swept his gaze across everyone, his voice steady. "Everyone... set forth!"
This time, he intended to use the Lost Glowstick to return to the past one final time, visualizing even more God Visualization Arts to empower these Ancient Gods.
It wasn't as if an Ancient God could only use a single God Visualization Art; for instance, with Great Venerable Shenlei, Qi Yuan could also visualize an art like Lei Gong for him to use, which would further boost his strength.
Now, Qi Yuan had led his people in slaughtering over ten thousand evil gods, including four Mythological-level ones.
The evil god spiritual power in his hands was more abundant than ever before—over a hundred times greater than what he had during his last visualization.
The deities he could visualize would be far more numerous and vastly more powerful.
Those renowned, mighty gods—Qi Yuan intended to visualize them all in one fell swoop.
Even... the Three Pure Ones.
This would also be Qi Yuan's final opportunity!
Chapter 229