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

The pond water was emerald green and clear as the masked man placed his hand into it. A few black fish immediately swam towards him, seemingly mistaking him for a feeder.

The masked man grabbed one fish; it was slippery and sticky. The fish lay quietly in his hand, not struggling.

The masked man suddenly smiled, “I won't eat fish after all.” With a wave of his hand, a stream of water rose, and the fish in his hand returned to the stream.

Looking at the black fish, he said, “Go tell your mother that you are about to embark on a journey.” He placed the black fish into a bamboo tube and fastened it to his waist.

Gazing at the corpse on the ground, a sinister light flickered in his eyes. “Should I loot the corpse?”

...

Zheng Jianghe, dressed in black, wore an extremely grim expression.

“People from the Black Mountain Sect are staying at the Chen residence?” The Law Enforcement disciple from the Golden Light Hall nodded, his eyes almost spitting fire. “Yes!”

Zheng Jianghe clenched a Yin Wood Pearl, crushing it in his hand. “The Black Mountain Sect is too arrogant!”

Just half a month ago, Chu Tianxiong had slaughtered the Chen family. It was supposed to be a day of joy for the family, but instead, dozens of lives were brutally taken overnight, including the bride. When Zheng Jianghe arrived at the Chen residence, he witnessed a scene of utter carnage.

The bride's father, travel-worn, had rushed to the Chen residence, kneeling and kowtowing to him repeatedly. The sight of the elderly man with white hair kneeling before him was unforgettable.

Especially later, after Chu Tianxiong had left, the stubborn father and his wife knelt outside the gates of the Shen Guang Sect for more than ten days. Zheng Jianghe remembered it clearly.

And now, Chu Tianxiong had chosen to stay at the Chen residence again. What was he planning?
“Let's go to the Chen residence!” Zheng Jianghe gritted his teeth.

Initially, he planned to send some people to monitor the Chen residence to prevent Chu Tianxiong from committing more atrocities. But after some thought, he decided to go himself.

A group of people, under the cover of night, swiftly headed towards the Chen residence. Their expressions were all heavy with a sense of foreboding.

They knew they were powerless against Chu Tianxiong and the Black Mountain Sect disciples. It was the same last time, and it would be the same this time.

“Blood!” Suddenly, Zheng Jianghe stopped, sniffing the air. Using a technique to enhance his sense of smell, he detected a strong scent of blood, coming from the direction of the Chen residence where Chu Tianxiong and the Black Mountain Sect disciples were staying.

Worry grew in Zheng Jianghe's eyes. Could it be that the Black Mountain Sect disciples had committed another massacre in Rong City? “Hurry!”

The group quickened their pace towards the Chen residence. At that moment, the main gate creaked open, and a man in a strange mask and white robe emerged.

Zheng Jianghe's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the masked man, feeling wary.

A member of the Black Mountain Sect? No, it wasn’t!
The disciples of the Black Mountain Sect always carried a faint scent of blood. But this masked man did not.

How did he come out of the Chen residence? Where were the Black Mountain Sect disciples?
“Senior…” Zheng Jianghe hesitated before speaking, “There are many Black Mountain Sect disciples in the Chen residence. Please be careful, they are very vicious.”

Although the masked man might be an acquaintance of the Black Mountain Sect, he still warned him to prevent any mishap.

Qi Yuan recognized Zheng Jianghe and spoke in a hoarse voice, “The Black Mountain Sect disciples were quite obedient. I wanted to eat fish, so I opened the door to catch some fish.”

Zheng Jianghe was stunned. The other disciples of the Shen Guang Sect were also bewildered, not knowing what to make of it.

“My wife is about to give birth. I have to go,” said Qi Yuan before dashing off, leaving Zheng Jianghe and the others in confusion.

But soon, Zheng Jianghe focused on the gate of the Chen residence. The closer they got, the stronger the smell of blood.

He stepped forward. Knock, knock!

The sound of knocking echoed in the quiet night, making it feel particularly eerie.

Inside the Chen residence, there was no response, only silence.

Zheng Jianghe and his group exchanged glances, each harboring a dreadful thought. Suppressing his excitement, Zheng Jianghe signaled, and they kicked the door open.

What they saw made them gasp. In the courtyard of the Chen residence lay a dozen corpses.

Zheng Jianghe saw a head—it was Chu Tianxiong’s! “Ancestor Bai Ji, that's Ancestor Bai Ji!” a Shen Guang Sect disciple shouted in fear.

Looking over, Zheng Jianghe saw that the once imposing Ancestor Bai Ji had been cut in half, his eyes wide with disbelief. This was a real Yuan Dan cultivator with a Golden Core! Yet he was dead, just like that!

Zheng Jianghe laughed, exclaiming “Good!” three times in a row. He thought of the strange man he had just met. Could it be him who killed them?
Though he had his suspicions, seeing it firsthand was still shocking.

Quickly regaining his composure, Zheng Jianghe knew this matter was extremely serious. The Black Mountain Sect wasn’t powerful, with only a few Yuan Dan cultivators. But behind them was the Black Chicken Old Demon.

“Set it on fire!” Zheng Jianghe ordered.

The disciples of the Shen Guang Sect hurriedly prepared torches and set the Chen residence ablaze. Zheng Jianghe wanted to destroy the evidence, though he knew it might not be very effective. But it was better than doing nothing.

...

Outside the Shen Guang Sect.

The sun had long set, and the moon was slowly rising. The Shen Guang Sect felt chilly at night.

An elderly man with white hair knelt outside the gates of the Shen Guang Sect, his forehead covered in cold sweat. The old man, frail and at death's door, could die at any moment—perhaps from a fall or in his sleep.

“Old man, let’s go back,” said the old woman beside him. Though her hair was also white and disheveled, her attire suggested she had once been well-kept.

“I’ll kneel a bit longer. If a passing immortal sees us, they might be moved and avenge Qian Qian!” The old woman’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at her stubborn husband.

In a world of cultivators, ordinary people’s lives depended on fate. Living in the region controlled by the Black Mountain Sect meant a tragic fate. Under the rule of a righteous sect like the Shen Guang Sect, life was luckier. But in the eyes of the lofty immortals, weren't they still just ants?

Facing Chu Tianxiong, they had no power to avenge themselves and could only hope for the Shen Guang Sect’s help. Their situation was like those who petitioned the emperor for justice. Fortunately, no one drove them away here.

At that moment, a clear, melodious voice rang out. “Today I caught a blue flower fish. I’m in a good mood, so I brought you some fish soup.”

Qi Yuan appeared, holding two bowls of fish soup. The aroma was mouthwatering and particularly enticing.

Seeing this, the old man’s face lit up with excitement, and he was about to kowtow. “Please, Immortal, avenge my poor daughter!”

Qi Yuan flicked his finger, a burst of spiritual power steadied the old man, stopping him from kowtowing. Qi Yuan handed the fish soup to the elderly couple.

“The sect is aware of your situation.”

“Drink this soup and rest well.”

Qi Yuan turned away, feeling a bit introspective. “The great man was right. If heaven has feelings, it will grow old; the true path is the rough one.”

“Since ancient times, love leaves only empty regret, this regret continues endlessly.”

“Justice delayed is not justice; my heart is at peace where it belongs.”

Qi Yuan muttered to himself. Finally, he sighed, “I hope those who hear my words won’t be misled by me.”

With that, he vanished. The elderly couple kept bowing, joy finally appearing in their eyes. An immortal had noticed them! Their persistence had not been in vain.

Of course, many such efforts in the world end in nothing.