The Dark Sun had fallen, and the Divine Flower Society had changed hands.
Turbulent winds swept across the entire Canglan Realm, ushering in monumental changes.
Among them, the names of two organizations drew the most attention.
The first was the Origin God Sharing Society, and the second was the Divine Flower Society.
Yet the true controller behind both of these organizations was none other than the Blood-Robed Sword God.
Originally, the Blood-Robed Sword God’s fame had been confined to the Fengtian Domain and the Eastern Lands.
Now, however, his name was spoken across more than twenty domains in the Canglan Realm.
Of course, that fame still paled in comparison to the Divine Flower Society's "boosts" and "crowdfunded divine arts."
Under the terrifying pressure of the Blood-Robed Sword God, every branch of the Divine Flower Society had spared no expense.
Temporary jade slips of the Divine Flower Society were being sold practically at cost.
These temporary jade slips were stripped-down versions.
Cultivators who possessed them were not formal members of the Divine Flower Society, but they could still complete tasks, advance their progress bars, and earn rewards.
Most importantly, they could give a boost to other cultivators.
Because of this, some members of the Divine Flower Society generously purchased a slip for every single cultivator in their clans, inviting them all to give them a boost.
And once those relatives realized they could redeem actual cultivation arts through the Divine Flower Society, they promptly threw themselves into the grand enterprise of crowdfunding divine arts.
Leaving aside the incredibly lavish personal rewards, if the divine art pool was filled to completion, wouldn’t that mean everyone could obtain a divine art?
Old monsters who had been in seclusion for millennia were dragged out by their martial brothers or masters.
The very first thing shouted at them was:
"Get up quickly and give me a boost!"
After all, each person could only give a boost once.
Cultivators who had been in deep seclusion had clearly never boosted anyone before.
As a result, the Canglan Realm grew exceptionally lively.
Powerful cultivators deep in secluded meditation were awakened one after another, shoved a temporary Divine Flower Society jade slip in total bewilderment, and made to assist with a boost.
At first, these awakened seniors were utterly unwilling. But once they pieced together the recent earth-shaking events and saw that they could redeem divine arts and other untainted techniques, they were thoroughly stunned.
They soon fell head over heels for it.
Across the Canglan Realm, the way cultivators greeted one another had changed completely.
"Did you boost today?"
"What's your progress bar at?"
"I don't know why, but I've been stuck at 99% for three straight days!"
Countless cultivators surged forward in relentless waves, continually throwing themselves into the cause.
After all, cultivation arts were the root of everything.
To the cultivators of the Canglan Realm, a divine art was as coveted as true immortality arts would be to practitioners from the Blue Star.
Even Yin Gods were no exception.
Incalculable numbers of cultivators joined this grand endeavor.
***
Meanwhile, Qi Yuan was on his way back to Qinghong City in the Fengtian Domain.
As he traveled, he published a post on the forum:
[After Obtaining a Heavenly Art, Between My Busty Junior Sister and the Sect Master's Daughter, I Chose...]
Naturally, the title had to be baiting and provide no answers.
Only then could he lure the members of the Divine Flower Society in.
As for the contents, it was essentially his own soft-launch promotion:
"After uploading a few Jade-grade arts, my progress bar reached 50%. I originally thought it would award me a Jade-grade technique.
Who could have guessed that it actually gave me a Heavenly-grade cultivation art!
That's a Heavenly art, the legendary technique practiced by Yin Gods!
Sigh, I'm just the sort of person who loves to show off, and as a result, word spread across the entire sect that very night.
The Sect Master's daughter knocked on my door in the dead of night, saying she wanted to come inside and look at my cat.
How could I let her in? My busty junior sister was already inside looking at the cat.
If the two of them bumped into each other, I'd suffer terribly.
Sigh, sometimes having too much luck and getting a Heavenly art isn't entirely a blessing.
One is my childhood sweetheart, a mortal royal princess; the other is the Sect Master's daughter, noble beyond compare.
How should I choose? My mind is in turmoil, so I humbly ask all you mighty seniors for guidance!"
Over the past several days, Qi Yuan had continually shared his progress.
In just a few days, his fabricated life had grown incomparably thrilling.
Slapping deacons in the face, suppressing senior martial brothers, brutally crushing enemies, catching the favor of senior martial sisters, earning the esteem of elders, standing guard while his junior sister bathed...
In short, it was exciting, gratifying, and made him look like a complete winner in life.
Such content pumped the cultivators striving to complete their goals full of adrenaline, driving them to frantically collect and upload cultivation arts.
The moment the post went live, a flood of comments poured in:
"A Heavenly art at 50%? Fellow Daoist, your luck is absurd!"
"I only got a Heavenly art once I hit 80%!"
"I vote for the junior sister!"
"Pick the senior sister!"
"Why not take both?"
"Honestly, I think the Sect Master's wife is quite charming—she still has plenty of elegance. If given the chance, I'd gladly share the same path with the Sect Master."
"I have an excellent suggestion: castrate yourself, and you won't have to worry about this anymore."
"Buying cultivation arts and boosts at high prices! DM me!"
Browsing through these comments, Qi Yuan felt as though he had returned to the Blue Star.
"Compared to the keyboard warriors on the internet, they're still lacking. None of them can drop a truly witty meme."
He scanned the thread and breathed a sigh of relief when he found no one insulting him. If anyone ruined his mood, it would be an unforgivable offense, and he'd have to mute them immediately.
"Eldest Senior Brother, hehe, my progress bar reached 70%, and I'm ranked first on the Hundred Kingdoms leaderboard!
I got a Heavenly art, and I'm giving it to you!"
Right then, Jiang Lingsu sent a message, accompanied by a Heavenly-grade cultivation art.
Even to the Jiang family, a Heavenly-grade technique was quite precious.
Yet knowing how desperately her Eldest Senior Brother needed all sorts of cultivation arts, she sent it to Qi Yuan without a moment's hesitation.
A warm feeling welled up in Qi Yuan's heart. His own junior sister truly was the best, just like a cozy padded jacket.
Even though the art had originated from him in the first place.
"Thank you, Junior Sister. Your senior brother is deeply touched!"
"Don't get too touched. Giving you the art was just an afterthought—I'm ranked number one in the Hundred Kingdoms!"
Indeed, Qi Yuan had added a ranking feature to the individual progress bars.
For instance, Jiang Lingsu's progress had surpassed 70%, ranking her first across Great Shang.
People in this world loved chasing rankings.
Especially those trailing behind—every rise in rank brought boundless joy.
"Impressive!" Qi Yuan offered a brief praise.
"Don't come back this month, or you'll be in big trouble!" Jiang Lingsu warned again, suddenly remembering something.
Her father was already on the way and would likely arrive before long.
"Your Eldest Senior Brother is already a Divine Infant True Monarch with countless subordinates under my command. I'm not afraid of trouble," Qi Yuan replied nonchalantly.
"Hmph, if you have countless subordinates, why don't you call them over to boost me?" Jiang Lingsu seized the opportunity.
"Sure, I'll go gather some people to boost you right away!" Qi Yuan said enthusiastically.
Then he suddenly recalled an internet meme from his past life:
*The God of War returns, only to find his wife unable to slash that last cut on Pinxixi, so in a rage he summons a hundred thousand soldiers to slash a cut for her, yet they still can't slash it down.*
Qi Yuan thought that God of War had been pretty stupid. Even if they all helped slash it, how much could they actually get? They would have been much better off delivering packages for Pinxixi together; they'd earn far more.
"Junior Sister, I discovered a loophole that hardly anyone has noticed yet!" Qi Yuan whispered conspiratorially.
Since his junior sister enjoyed watching the progress bar rise, he decided to give her a hand.
Sure enough, upon seeing Qi Yuan's message, Jiang Lingsu's eyes widened on Seven Colors Peak. "What loophole?"
"I found that besides uploading immortal cultivation arts, uploading worldly martial arts manuals... also increases the progress bar," Qi Yuan said seriously.
For now, he had only instructed a few Yin God Venerables in the Divine Flower Society and Great Venerable Wujun to collect martial arts manuals from the mortal realm.
He had not made this knowledge public.
Now, he had shared it with Jiang Lingsu.
"That works too?" Jiang Lingsu was stunned.
Her Eldest Senior Brother had never lied to her.
"It works. But make sure you don't tell anyone else," Qi Yuan instructed.
In truth, even if it spread, it wouldn't matter.
"I'll go try it out... If it really works, I'll personally cook a meal for you!"
Ever since Qi Yuan had cured her illness, the warmth between them had steadily grown.
"I don't eat beef."
"How about I stew that fish you've been raising?"
"Don't. It has too many bones. Cook something boneless."
"I'm in a good mood and offering to cook for you, yet you're already being picky? Go find people to boost me, and bring all those countless subordinates of yours!"
Amid her scolding messages, the exchange came to an end.
Qi Yuan pondered for a moment, then sent a message to Great Venerable Wujun:
"Get me six thousand Divine Flower Society jade slips. Also, have everyone in the Origin God Sharing Society who hasn't boosted anyone yet give a boost to someone for me."
Since his junior sister wanted boosts, he would give them to her.
After all, his wealthy junior sister could be considered his angel investor.
Much of Qi Yuan's early resources had come from her.
With that, Qi Yuan sent his junior sister's boost link to Great Venerable Wujun.
Upon receiving the message, Great Venerable Wujun quickly agreed.
"When will Senior be returning?" Great Venerable Wujun ventured to ask.
The Blood-Robed Sword God had traveled alone to the Youtian Domain to challenge the Dark Sun single-handedly.
This had stirred up an enormous shockwave across the Canglan Realm.
The various Yin Gods of the Dao Seeking Palace had contacted numerous experts throughout the realm.
Back then, not a single one of them had held high hopes for the Blood-Robed Sword God's fate.
Within the Dark Sun, there was an expert of the Mythological tier.
Moreover, by the time they learned of the matter, the Blood-Robed Sword God had already been nearing the Youtian Domain. Even if they had wished to dissuade him, it was far too late.
Yet who could have anticipated that the Blood-Robed Sword God would actually emerge victorious, utterly eradicating the Dark Sun?
How could the Yin Gods who had attended that gathering not be astounded?
After destroying the Dark Sun, the Blood-Robed Sword God had begun his journey back.
Now, many Yin Gods and Great Venerables had caught wind of the news and were rushing toward Qinghong City, eager to meet the legendary Blood-Robed Sword God.
Inside the Phoenix Palace, all the Yin God Venerables of the Fengtian Domain had been slain, sharply reducing the domain's number of Yin Gods.
Yet currently, nearly a hundred Yin Gods had traveled to the Fengtian Domain and were lodging at the Dao Seeking Palace, all for the sake of seeing the legendary Blood-Robed Sword God.
After all, they desperately wished to behold someone so terrifyingly formidable.
"I'll be back shortly, very soon. Probably... half an incense stick of time?"
*That fast?*
Great Venerable Wujun's heart tightened.
He hurried off to carry out the tasks Qi Yuan had assigned, while also informing him of the visiting Yin Gods.
About half an incense stick of time passed.
Inside the Dao Seeking Palace, one hundred and twelve Yin God Venerables were gathered in one hall.
Their expressions were fraught with apprehension.
The Grand Palace Master of the Dao Seeking Palace wore a black robe, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Great Venerable Youhua chuckled genially. "The Blood-Robed Sword God's name was never inscribed upon the Mythological Stele, yet he managed to slay a Mythological entity. It truly defies all expectation."
At these words, every Yin God present nodded in agreement.
To lack a name on the Mythological Stele—meaning he was not a Mythological being—yet still possess the power to obliterate the Dark Sun was astonishingly terrifying.
They had grown all the more curious about the Blood-Robed Sword God.
"Three hundred thousand years ago, the Canglan Realm suffered a defeat. I wonder if this time..." an elder sighed softly.
Three hundred thousand years ago, a Yang God had emerged in the Canglan Realm.
That had been the realm's greatest hope of mounting a counteroffensive against the Great Tribulation.
Regrettably, that attempt had ended in failure.
There had been many hidden truths behind that defeat, and it had shattered nearly half of the Canglan Realm's strength.
Even now, the realm had yet to fully recover.
If the Blood-Robed Sword God raised the banner of righteousness this time, should they follow him?
Minds churned with varied thoughts.
Right at that moment, a blood-red silhouette materialized, standing aloft in the void. Even the azure sky seemed stained in crimson.
Before him, even the sun hanging high in the firmament seemed dull and lusterless.
Every Yin God who laid eyes upon Qi Yuan felt an unfathomable depth.
"Greetings, Senior!"
Over one hundred and twenty foremost experts from various domains—Yin God Venerables and Great Venerables—bowed their proud heads in unison, like retainers greeting their lord.
This gesture laid bare their intentions and resolve, serving as a silent oath of fealty to the Blood-Robed Sword God.
Qi Yuan surveyed the Yin Gods with a calm gaze.
The Canglan Realm truly was impoverished.
All these Yin Gods who had traveled from afar, gathered together, were still fewer in number than the casual diners at the banquet in the Mortal Heart Realm.
"You have journeyed thousands of miles to come here... What is your purpose?" Qi Yuan asked mildly.
The Grand Palace Master of the Dao Seeking Palace was momentarily taken aback.
He had not expected the Blood-Robed Sword God to be so blunt.
Shouldn't they have first discussed the Dark Sun, spoken of the Great Tribulation, shared their mutual hatred for the enemy, and then naturally pledged their allegiance?
Instead, he had cut straight to the point.
Yet recalling the Blood-Robed Sword God's eccentric temperament, the Palace Master paid it no mind and said softly, "The Great Tribulation plagues the Canglan Realm, and the Dark Sun slaughtered the common folk with reckless abandon.
"Senior Blood-Robed Sword God eradicated the Dark Sun, an act that brought immense joy to all and earned our deepest reverence.
"Alas, we were too far away and pressed for time back then to lend our aid.
"Now, with the Great Tribulation looming, we have come willing to assist Senior with all our strength!"
The other Yin God Venerables spoke up in succession:
"We are willing to assist Senior with all our strength!"
Their meaning was abundantly clear.
As long as the Blood-Robed Sword God raised the banner to wipe out the Great Tribulation, they were ready to charge into battle on his behalf.
Hearing this, Qi Yuan's eyes lit up. "You're all here to help?"
He truly did need help.
When it came to gathering cultivation arts, having Yin Gods step in would naturally accelerate the pace.
"It just so happens that I have a major matter right now that requires your assistance," Qi Yuan said.
The expressions of the gathered Yin God Venerables turned solemn.
If the Blood-Robed Sword God called it a major matter, it had to be earth-shattering.
After all, what kind of deeds had he accomplished so far?
Establishing the Origin God Sharing Society to collect cultivation arts from all across the world.
Destroying the Four Generals of the Lei Family, slaying Great Venerable Moli, sweeping through the Divine Flower Society, and wiping out the Dark Sun.
Every single one of these feats was enough to trigger massive tremors across the Canglan Realm.
Yet he had accomplished all of them in the span of a single month.
These Yin Gods could hardly keep up with the shock, furiously sucking in breaths of cold air and making a massive contribution to warming the atmosphere of the Canglan Realm.
Now that the Blood-Robed Sword God had a matter he needed help with, it would undoubtedly be a task of equal magnitude—most likely preparing against the Great Tribulation.
They gazed at Qi Yuan in keen anticipation, only to hear the Blood-Robed Sword God's casual, relaxed voice:
"Do you have Divine Flower Society jade slips?"
"This old man has one."
"I do not."
Most of the Yin God Venerables admitted they did not possess one.
"Wujun, distribute a jade slip to each of them," Qi Yuan instructed.
Great Venerable Wujun hurriedly handed out the Divine Flower Society jade slips to the Yin Gods.
At the same time, he passed the surplus jade slips Qi Yuan had requested directly into Qi Yuan's hands.
Chapter 272