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

Tu Wu Great World.

A voice entered Bai Xiaosheng's ears.

"Dao God Moneybags, you'd better watch yourself. Out of respect for White Sugar Dao God, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace has already shown you enough courtesy."

Bai Xiaosheng's expression remained calm, and he did not respond.

After the Nine Heavens Divine Palace discovered Tian Qian Gu, numerous Dao Gods descended upon the Tu Wu Great World.

The Tu Wu Great World was now a place where one could enter but not leave.

With Bai Xiaosheng's strength, he could have escaped through the Dark Void, and the Nine Heavens Divine Palace would have had a hard time catching him in the short term.

But if he left, what would happen to the Tu Wu Great World?

Moreover, he was a divine treasure born with a spirit, bound to the Tu Wu Great World. If the Nine Heavens Divine Palace took control of the Tu Wu Great World and refined it over time, dealing with him would become much easier.

Out of respect for White Sugar Dao God, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace had not launched a full-scale attack on the Tu Wu Great World.

Instead, they had given Dao God Moneybags a chance.

As long as Dao God Moneybags truly severed his connection with the Tu Wu Great World and handed it over to the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, they would spare him.

Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng looked out at the mountains, rivers, sun, moon, stars, wind, and falling leaves of the Tu Wu Great World.

"I will not abandon the Tu Wu Great World," Dao God Moneybags replied.

He had been born in the Tu Wu Great World, and it was like a mother to him.

The beings of the Tu Wu Great World revered him as their master.

How could he abandon the Tu Wu Great World and let the Nine Heavens Divine Palace enslave it?

"Dao God Moneybags... our patience is limited. You have a hundred years to think it over. Choose between death or severing your ties with the Tu Wu Great World."

The voice faded away.

In the vast palace, only Dao God Moneybags remained.

"Cough..."

He coughed, golden blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Although the Nine Heavens Divine Palace had not harmed him out of respect for White Sugar Dao God, they had still clashed.

"The gap between us... is too great."

Aside from his exceptional escape skills, he was quite ordinary in other areas.

And facing the siege of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, he couldn't run.

Otherwise, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace would seize the opportunity to take control of Tian Qian Gu.

Then, the Tu Wu Great World would become a stronghold of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, and he wouldn't be able to return.

"A hundred years..." Bai Xiaosheng muttered, his eyes filled with worry.

His time was running out.

If he couldn't give the Nine Heavens Divine Palace the answer they wanted within a hundred years, he would likely perish.

"Aside from the method Black Crow Dao Lord mentioned, is there any other way to erase the nodes?"

Bai Xiaosheng looked deeply troubled.

Now, resisting the Nine Heavens Divine Palace was nearly impossible.

The only way was to erase the nodes.

If he could do that, the Tu Wu Great World would be useless to the Nine Heavens Divine Palace.

Although they would still be angry with him, the situation would ease significantly once the nodes were gone.

"According to Black Crow, we need to find the Dao Lord of Devouring... is it Wu Shi?"

There were very few Dao Lords who had achieved enlightenment in the Rebirth Realm.

Such powerful beings, with their extraordinary talent, were usually taken to the Yang Realm.

And that Dao Lord of Devouring had already perished.

Moreover, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace was searching for Wu Shi.

It was highly likely that Wu Shi was closely connected to that Dao Lord of Devouring.

"No, if the Nine Heavens Divine Palace discovers her existence, she will definitely die."

Therefore, Bai Xiaosheng chose not to seek out Wu Shi.

Although Wu Shi had now reached the Divine Lord realm, reaching the Dao Lord realm would be incredibly difficult.

Even if she were the true spirit or Dao Fruit of a Dao Lord, the time required would be immense, and the success rate was not high.

And the Nine Heavens Divine Palace had given him very little time.

Dismissing this thought, Bai Xiaosheng went to Tian Qian Gu.

This wasn't his first time visiting Tian Qian Gu.

Since learning that Tian Qian Gu was a node, he had often come here, searching for a way to close the node.

"How... can I erase the properties of the node?"

He looked at the countless coins hanging from the money trees, his eyes filled with worry.

"Aside from devouring, what other methods... can erase the node?"

Even though Bai Xiaosheng was a Dao God, knowledgeable and well-informed, he had no solution for the nodes.

"Extreme fire? Intense light? Transfer techniques? The Dao of Yin and Yang?"

He murmured, pondering all possibilities.

Time passed, and Bai Xiaosheng sat in meditation at Tian Qian Gu. His once-black hair now had streaks of silver.

"I... am too weak."

"If I were as strong as White Sugar Dao God, even if I couldn't erase the nodes, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace wouldn't dare treat me like this!"

"If I dominated the heavens, stronger than the Heavenly Emperor, even if the Nine Heavens Divine Palace knew Wu Shi was my disciple, what could they do?"

Dao God Moneybags once again lamented his weakness.

What did it matter if he was a Dao God? He was still living a life worse than death.

All beings in this world had their own suffering.

Even a stone on the ground.

"Master..." Just then, a familiar voice called out. "I knew you'd be here."

Bai Xiaosheng turned around.

Under the money tree adorned with golden coins stood a masked young woman, a gleaming golden sword slung over her shoulder.

"You... why did you come back?"

Bai Xiaosheng's tone carried a hint of reproach.

But deep down, he felt an inexplicable warmth.

"If you're being bullied here, and your disciple doesn't return, those fox priestesses will surely gossip behind my back."

"Besides... your disciple is out of money. I need you to spit out some gold coins."

Hearing Wu Shi's lighthearted tone, Bai Xiaosheng smiled, though his smile was tinged with bitterness. "The Nine Heavens Divine Palace has given me a hundred years... When the time comes, you should leave. Once you've cultivated enough and become a Dao Lord, avenge me."

Bai Xiaosheng spoke these words to give Wu Shi a goal.

To prevent her from joining him in death.

"Enough with the talk of death!"

"Master, you're a Dao God, equal to the heavens!"

"Master, don't dwell on it. I came back to help you through this calamity."

Wu Shi spoke, her face showing no signs of despair.

Bai Xiaosheng looked at Wu Shi and took a deep breath. "You have a kind heart."

"Master, you're not that old. Don't act so ancient," Wu Shi said, her tone slightly displeased.

As she spoke, she moved closer to Bai Xiaosheng.

Noticing the ground was dirty, she tugged at Bai Xiaosheng's robe to cover the ground before sitting on it.

Once seated, she glanced at Bai Xiaosheng with a proud look. "This time, it's your disciple coming to save you. I deserve this."

"How will you save me?"

"I have a plan," Wu Shi's tone turned serious.

"What plan?"

"Master, haven't I been searching for a sword all this time?"

"Yes."

"Once I find that sword, I can regain the strength of a Dao Lord.

With me guarding the Tu Wu Great World and the Cosmic Alliance's support, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace... won't be able to conquer the Tu Wu Great World for millions of years.

By then, we can think of other solutions."

Wu Shi explained briefly.

As for why finding that sword would grant her the strength of a Dao Lord, she didn't elaborate.

After all, these words had come from the shadowy figure, and she couldn't explain it well.

So, she simply told Bai Xiaosheng about the shadowy figure.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "This will drag you into the mess."

"Master, if the Nine Heavens Divine Palace wanted to kill me, would you save me?" Wu Shi asked.

"Yes."

"Then stop being so indecisive. Come with me to Forget Zhou Mountain to find the sword.

Once we find that sword, everything will be fine.

The Tu Wu Great World... will have hope."

Bai Xiaosheng pondered and finally nodded. "Alright."

...

Bai Xiaosheng secretly left the Tu Wu Great World, following Wu Shi.

Leaving the Tu Wu Great World for a short time was fine.

Moreover, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace had given Bai Xiaosheng a hundred years to consider, so there was no immediate conflict.

"Master, the Zhou Mountain World is so vast. Where exactly is the Forget Zhou Mountain ruins?"

In the mountains, the figures of a man and a woman appeared.

The man was handsome, but a cloud of worry always lingered between his brows.

The woman, on the other hand, was always smiling, no matter what she encountered.

It was as if sadness and sorrow had no place in her life.

"Master, you know, you have a bit of a melancholic beauty now."

"Sigh, I'm such a cruel person, hehe."

Wu Shi spoke without a care.

By "cruel," she meant that instead of comforting her master when he was worried, she found him even more attractive in his melancholy.

"Master, we've been out for three months. Where exactly is Forget Zhou Mountain?"

"I don't know."

"I've been to Ming Ri Xue several times, but... I've never seen any trace of Forget Zhou Mountain," Wu Shi said.

At that moment, amidst the heavy snow, she stood side by side with Bai Xiaosheng.

This was Ming Ri Xue.

The place where she and her master had first met.

At first, she had wondered if Ming Ri Xue might actually be Forget Zhou Mountain.

But after searching for a long time, she had found no trace of Forget Zhou Mountain, let alone... the sword.

The snow on Ming Ri Xue fell heavily, like willow catkins drifting in the wind.

Wu Shi didn't use any Dao techniques, letting the snow fall on her head and shoulders.

Bai Xiaosheng's shoulders were also covered in snow.

"Master, do you remember? When you first met me here, I followed you until my feet were frozen before you agreed to take me as your disciple!" Wu Shi's eyes filled with nostalgia.

The scene was still vivid in her mind.

She had been an orphan on Ming Ri Xue, ragged and starving.

When she saw Bai Xiaosheng appear, it was as if she had seen a ray of light.

Her small figure had followed Bai Xiaosheng for four days and nights before finally moving him.

Bai Xiaosheng's eyes also showed a hint of nostalgia. "Time flies."

"Yes," Wu Shi's eyes also showed a moment of realization.

Happy times were fleeting.

She didn't know how much longer she could spend days like these, side by side with her master.

She had always wanted to find Forget Zhou Mountain.

But... she also felt some resistance.

What if that person... awakened and took over her consciousness? What would happen then?

Now, with the threat of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace looming, she had to put those thoughts aside.

"Forget Zhou Mountain..." Wu Shi murmured.

Time passed, and half of the hundred years had already gone by.

"Sigh, if we weren't looking for Forget Zhou Mountain, we might have had children who could fly by now."

Wu Shi shrugged and said casually.

Bai Xiaosheng rolled his eyes at Wu Shi.

Over the past fifty years, the two of them had almost traversed the entire Zhou Mountain World.

They had seen countless mountains, breathtaking scenery, and heard the most peculiar sounds of the world.

But there was still no trace of Forget Zhou Mountain.

"Forget Zhou Mountain... if we don't find it in the next forty years, I'll have to return to the Tu Wu Great World," Bai Xiaosheng said.

He also needed to save some time to deal with the Nine Heavens Divine Palace.

Hearing this, Wu Shi's smile froze slightly. "Master, don't worry. We'll definitely find Forget Zhou Mountain... and your disciple will become a Dao Lord and protect you."

"I hope so," Bai Xiaosheng sighed.

His mood was low.

Even though Wu Shi was like a cheerful snow spirit, it was hard for him to feel happy.

But just then, Bai Xiaosheng's expression suddenly changed.

"This is... no."

He looked up at the sky, his body trembling.

Even when facing the siege of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, he had never trembled like this.

Wu Shi's smile finally faded. "The curse of the Forbidden Land... is spreading."

"At this rate... in less than a thousand years, it will... reach the Tu Wu Great World..." Bai Xiaosheng's voice was filled with deep despair. "First the Nine Heavens Divine Palace, now the Forbidden Land. Is the Tu Wu Great World doomed?"

The Forbidden Land had always been expanding.

Even Dao Gods spoke of the Forbidden Land in hushed tones.

The Forbidden Land was a cursed place.

Any world pulled into the curse of the Forbidden Land would become part of it.

In the Forbidden Land, all things perished.

Even the immortal Dao Gods would dissolve if they stayed in the Forbidden Land for too long.

This dissolution was irreversible.

Thus, the Forbidden Land was also known as the Land of Endings.

Now, the Forbidden Land was spreading toward the Tu Wu Great World...

Once the Tu Wu Great World was pulled into the Forbidden Land, it would perish without the Nine Heavens Divine Palace's intervention.

Even a powerful True God who had overcome the Three Calamities and Three Tribulations could not stop it.

Wu Shi's face also showed worry, her usual smile completely gone.

"How could this happen..." She turned to Bai Xiaosheng, her eyes filled with tenderness and pity. She grabbed his hand. "There must be a way. There has to be a way. Once your disciple becomes a Dao Lord, maybe we can stop the expansion of the Forbidden Land."

She comforted him.

Bai Xiaosheng's figure looked desolate, but feeling the warmth of Wu Shi's hand, his heart calmed.

Panicking... would be useless.

Just then, his expression suddenly froze. "This is... Forget Zhou Mountain!"

He looked toward the direction where the curse of the Forbidden Land was spreading.

A broken mountain range appeared in his vision.

This mountain range seemed to have been pulled out by the curse of the Forbidden Land.

Wu Shi's eyes lit up with joy. "Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. Master... we've finally found Forget Zhou Mountain."

She glanced at Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng also looked at her.

Without hesitation, she took Bai Xiaosheng's hand, and together they stepped into Forget Zhou Mountain.

"Hope lies ahead. Once we find that sword, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace won't be able to touch us for a while."

"And we'll find a way to deal with the curse of the Forbidden Land."

Wu Shi spoke, though it was unclear whether she was comforting Bai Xiaosheng or herself.

"The wind and snow here are quite strong. Be careful."

At that moment, Bai Xiaosheng pulled Wu Shi into his arms, shielding her from the snow.

This snowstorm was no ordinary one—it could even harm Dao Gods.

So, he had to protect Wu Shi.

Wu Shi obediently stood in Bai Xiaosheng's embrace, her eyes fixed on the snowstorm outside.

"Master... be careful."

When she saw her master injured by the snowstorm, she simply clenched her sleeves, not saying anything sentimental.

"Don't worry, these minor injuries are nothing," Bai Xiaosheng said with a smile.

He shielded Wu Shi as they passed through the snowstorm, heading toward the broken peak.

"Who built these steps? Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps? What a hassle!" Wu Shi complained.

The nine thousand nine hundred steps were long, very long.

Carrying Wu Shi, Bai Xiaosheng walked for nine hundred days.

During these days, the two were never apart, step by step ascending the stairs.

"Master, once I become a Dao Lord, I'll definitely protect you!" Seeing her master's injuries, Wu Shi felt a pang of heartache.

The summit was now visible.

It was within reach.

Seeing that they were close to success, Bai Xiaosheng's eyes showed a smile. Frost had already formed on his eyebrows. "Alright."

For Wu Shi, the time spent climbing the mountain felt both long and short.

Long because her master had shielded her from the snowstorm.

Short because she was about to see the sword.

Another dozen or so days passed.

The snowstorm grew fiercer, crashing down like a waterfall, its momentum awe-inspiring.

At that moment, the next step was right beneath their feet. Wu Shi tightly gripped Bai Xiaosheng's hand. "Master, if the world were to write a book, we'd definitely be the main characters. Look... after overcoming countless hardships, we've finally arrived here."

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Xiaosheng carried Wu Shi and took the final step.

They suddenly found themselves at the summit of Forget Zhou Mountain, which was also the summit of Cloud Dream Mountain.

Whoosh!

The wind howled, cold as a blade, treating all living beings as mere wood, shaping the world.

"We're here," Wu Shi said, exhaling a large puff of white air. Her face was filled with anticipation as she looked ahead.

But in the next moment, her face turned pale.

"Where's the sword?"

"Where is the sword?"

Her face was filled with confusion and despair, as well as uncertainty about the future.

There was no sword here.

Only an empty stone scabbard.

If there was no sword here, then all hope... would be lost.

Bai Xiaosheng also scanned the area but found no trace of a sword.

Just then, he seemed to notice something, his eyes filled with a strange expression.

"Wu Shi, place the sword I gave you... on the stone scabbard."

Whether by coincidence or not, he suddenly felt that the stone scabbard matched the sword he had given Wu Shi.

A strange feeling arose in his heart.