Swallowed Star: Lord of the Wolf

"Hehe, scared, huh?" Guji deliberately broke the heavy atmosphere with a lighthearted tone, patting its belly with its chubby paws. "You'll get used to it. In the Origin Continent, an Eternal True God... well, how should I put it, is considered to have truly stepped into the threshold of the strong, but the threshold of the strong is far from the top. The core of a force must at least be at the peak of the Eternal True God level. Ordinary Eternal True Gods have no status. Chaos Rulers like Master are the real giants who can wield power over a region."

He pointed down the mountain: "For those guys down there, being able to work here is already a great opportunity and a respectable position for many of them. Xuanhu City is backed by its master, and its resources, security, and heritage far surpass those of the outside world. The master is also kind to his subordinates. They may seem to be doing trivial tasks, but in reality, they are coming into contact with resources that are unimaginable to the outside world, and they are experiencing the blessings left by their master, which is of great benefit to their cultivation. Look at that old vine."

Guji pointed to the old man in the dark green brocade robe in front of the dining hall, a true god of eternity, "He was originally an enlightened 'Eternal Green Vine,' stuck at the early stage of the true god realm for countless epochs. After joining the master, he received guidance and, nourished by the rich vitality of Xuanhu City and the treasures occasionally bestowed by the master, he actually broke through to the middle stage a few years ago! Now he is full of energy, managing the dining hall in an orderly manner, afraid of losing this 'honorable job'!"

Guji's words, like a resounding bell, struck the hearts of the three once again, giving them a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the "Origin Continent" and "Xu Yang's power".

The eternal God is merely a threshold.

The ruler of chaos is the true giant!
Serving as a servant or guard in the Xuanhu City Lord's Mansion is a "respectable job" and a "great opportunity" that countless beings on the Origin Continent would rather die for.

All of this is rooted in Xu Yang.

Just then, a gentle, familiar voice, seemingly capable of calming all turmoil, rang out behind them with a faint smile: "It seems your first impression of your 'new home' is quite profound."

The three of them turned around abruptly.

Xu Yang had quietly appeared on the terrace at some point, still dressed in a simple black robe, standing with his hands behind his back. Sunlight shone on him, casting a warm glow upon him.

His gaze was deep and gentle, filled with the joy of reunion, as he looked at them.

"Father!" Yu Ji could no longer hold back. Like a fledgling returning to its nest, filled with excitement, she threw herself into Xu Yang's arms and hugged him tightly. "Waaah... It's so good to see you!"

She was incoherent, overwhelmed with shock and the relief of finding her father, which turned into a torrent of tears.

In her father's eyes, she would always be the favored, child who never grew up.

"Husband!" Mengcha stepped forward quickly, her eyes glistening with tears, her excitement overflowing.

"Master!" Cangya also bowed in respect.

Xu Yang gently patted his daughter's back to comfort her with one hand, and helped Cangya up with the other. His gaze met Mengcha's, and everything was understood without words.

He looked down at the bustling scene below, his voice calm yet containing supreme majesty and power: "The Cosmic Sea is but a pond. The Origin Continent is the true ocean."

"Here, the Eternal True God is not the pinnacle, nor is the Chaos Ruler the end. The Great Dao is vast, and the powerful are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges."

“You need not belittle yourselves, nor be alarmed by the circumstances of others. This is the place I have chosen and laid the foundation for you.”

"Xuanhu City is your home on the Origin Continent. Here, no one can bully you in the slightest." His gaze swept over the respectful figures below the mountain, finally settling on his daughter in his arms and his wife and disciples beside him. His voice became incredibly firm: "With me here, this sky will not collapse. You can grow in peace."

A mountain breeze swept across the terrace, carrying the faint sounds of a babbling spring and the fragrance of grass and trees below.

The bright sunshine illuminates this celestial paradise standing amidst the vast city.

Yu Ji sobbed in her father's arms, gradually calming down, leaving only a deep sense of dependence. Meng Cha held her husband's hand tightly, her eyes filled with peace and happiness after all the hardships they had endured.

Cangya straightened his spine, his wolf eyes burning with a blazing flame—the light of having found his direction and strengthened his resolve.

Looking down at the awe-inspiring scene below where "the eternal true god is a servant, and the true gods of the void are like ants," feeling the warmth of family reunion around them, and hearing Xu Yang's words that were like a pillar of strength, the huge sense of loss in the hearts of the three gradually replaced by an unprecedented sense of security, pride, and boundless motivation.

Yes, this is the Origin Continent, cruel yet magnificent.

But they have a home to return to and mountains to rely on.

And this is precisely the most solid shelter and the most glorious starting point that Xu Yang earned for them by transcending the cycle of life and death!
……

The palace complex atop Xuanhu City Mountain is called "Qingwu Palace".

The Green Wutong Tree is a sacred tree originating from the mainland, brimming with vitality. Taking this name embodies Xu Yang's protection and expectations for his family.

Life at Qingwu Palace was peaceful and prosperous, filled with the preciousness of surviving a calamity and the warmth of reunion.

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight, carrying the scent of the sea of ​​clouds and the tides, pierced through the thin mist that shrouded the mountain peak and shone on the terrace in front of the main hall of Qingwu Palace, Chenghui Hall, Xu Yang and his family were enjoying their breakfast.

The terrace is paved with a single piece of warm, smooth "sunlight jade," and when you step on it barefoot, the warmth goes straight to your heart.

A round table carved from Wanji purple heartwood was placed in the center, and on the table were not ordinary rice and millet, but delicacies that Teng Bo had personally arranged and carefully prepared.

Before Yu Ji lay a crystal-clear jade bowl filled with azure nectar, containing "Emerald Cloud Ganoderma Dew," refined from the millennia-old Emerald Cloud Ganoderma that grows in the crevices of chaotic crystals. It contained pure wood essence, best for nourishing the foundation of the divine body. Beside it was a small dish of "Star-Patterned Fire Dates," their fire toxins already cleansed by the Ice Soul Water, leaving only a sweet and crisp texture. A faint starlight shimmered on their surface; they melted in the mouth, transforming into a warm current that nourished the soul. There was also a small piece of pastry steamed with "Five-Colored Divine Rice" and "Jade Marrow Honey," fragrant, sweet, and soft.

Before Meng Cha was a bowl of "Nine-Turned Jade Lotus Soup," its broth clear and bright like jade, with several lotus petals shaped like white jade floating in it, exuding a unique fragrance that calms the mind and soothes the spirit. It was a fine product for stabilizing the soul and refreshing the origin of life, accompanied by a few "Jade Tide Fruits" containing the essence of water and wood.

Before Cangya lay a large bowl of steaming "Spirit-Nourishing and Meridian-Consolidating Soup," exuding a rich aroma of meat and herbs. The main ingredient was "Star Tear Grass," 50,000 years old, simmered with the finest meat from several warming and nourishing mythical beasts. The broth had a warm amber hue and was said to have remarkable effects on stabilizing the divine body, repairing hidden injuries, and strengthening muscles and bones. Another dish, made primarily with "Dragon Tendon Vine" using a special stir-frying method, was also present, its chewy texture replenishing divine power.

As for Guji, there was a feast of meat in front of him, cooked and roasted to a fragrant aroma, and he was enjoying it immensely.

Xu Yang's breakfast was relatively simple: a cup of "Enlightenment Tea" brewed with Chaos Spirit Spring water and a few crisp, sweet spirit fruits. He mostly watched his family enjoy their meal with a smile, occasionally serving his daughter some food or exchanging a few words in hushed tones with his wife.

Teng Bo, dressed in a dark green brocade robe, stood respectfully a short distance away. His aura was perfectly balanced, having reached the mid-stage of the Eternal True God realm, yet here, he maintained an extremely humble posture.

Whenever Yu Ji curiously inquired about the origin of a certain food, Teng Bo would step forward and explain in a calm and detailed voice, like the most learned mentor. He had a lot to say about food! Although he did not enter the Dao through cooking, he had been immersed in this path for countless epochs, and he was no less than the eternal true god who entered the Dao through cooking.

After the meal, the sunset was in full bloom.

"Father, I want to go down and take a look!" Yu Ji was always the first to be unable to contain her curiosity, tugging at Xu Yang's sleeve and acting coquettishly. She was filled with a desire to explore this magnificent immortal city under Xu Yang's rule. "Alright, I'll have Cangya accompany you for a stroll, and we'll also bring two Xuanjia Guards." Xu Yang never refused his daughter's reasonable requests, but he would always make the necessary arrangements.

And so, the trip was arranged.

Yu Ji changed into the flowing cloud fairy dress prepared by the servants. The skirt fluttered and was adorned with starlight. Compared with her firefly armor, this dress was less sharp and more gentle.

Cangya was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, his wolf head held high, his aura steady yet sharp. Behind them followed two Xuanjia Guards clad in dark gold heavy armor, their auras as deep and unfathomable—both were peak-level Eternal True Gods!
As this group stepped out of the spatial barrier surrounding the Qingwu Palace and down the winding crystal staircase into the main city area of ​​Xuanhu City, passersby gave way and looked on with awe.

"It's the Xuanjia Guards..."

"What a powerful background! The Xuanjia Guards are personally protecting them!"

"Those two in front must be from the City Lord's Mansion, right? I've never seen them before..."

"I've never seen it either, but with the Xuanjia Guard protecting them, their status must be extremely high!"

The whispers were extremely low, filled with envy and awe.

Yu Ji was initially unaccustomed to the feeling of being the center of attention. After all, the people who envied her were not the immortal gods and cosmic venerables in the Cosmic Sea, but the Void True Gods and even Eternal True Gods whose strength was no less than hers!
In contrast, Cangya appeared much more composed, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings with a hint of sharpness. The two Xuanjia Guards stood like two moving mountains, silently releasing an invisible pressure that kept out any possible prying eyes or disturbances.

The prosperity of Xuanhu City was not much greater than that of the cities they had visited in the Cosmic Sea... but the experience brought by the strength of the people they met along the way far exceeded Yu Ji and Cangya's imagination.

The streets were teeming with people.

True Gods of the Void were everywhere, some hurrying along, others strolling leisurely. Cultivators at the True God realm were as numerous as carp crossing a river. Occasionally, one could even see Eternal True Gods with profound auras flying overhead, but when they saw Yu Ji and her group, especially the two Xuanjia Guards, they all immediately stopped and made way for them, showing the utmost respect.

"Senior brother, look at that!" Yu Ji pointed to a roadside stall, her eyes shining.

It turned out to be a stall selling all sorts of exquisite ornaments. The stall owner was a kind-faced old man who seemed to be a true god of the void. What attracted Yu Ji was an earring made from the wings of a creature called "Illusory Crystal Butterfly." It was as thin as a cicada's wing and refracted a mesmerizing rainbow halo in the sunlight, making it extremely beautiful.

"Miss likes it?" The old man's face immediately lit up with a respectful smile when he saw Yu Ji and her group, especially the two Xuanjia guards. "These iridescent crystal butterfly earrings of mine are taken from the depths of the Azure Sea. Wearing them has a calming and tranquilizing effect, and they are most suitable for your ethereal beauty, Miss."

Yu Ji happily picked up a pair and looked at them in the sunlight.

Cangya stood to the side without speaking, only looking at his junior sister with gentle eyes. He knew that their master had already prepared countless treasures for them, and this small item was nothing to mention, but he was glad that his junior sister liked it.

"How much cosmic sand?" Yu Ji asked.

"No, no!" The old man waved his hands repeatedly, feeling extremely apprehensive. "It is my honor that Miss likes it. How could I dare to accept money! Consider it a plaything that I offer to Miss."

Yu Ji frowned slightly. "How can this be? Trade must be fair." As she spoke, she pointed to a vendor watching the commotion nearby and said, "Your stall is closest to his. Tell me, what's the usual price of his goods?"

The woman who was called upon quickly bowed and dared not conceal anything: "Replying to Miss, these iridescent crystal butterfly earrings are usually sold for three cosmic sands."

Three is not a small number for a Void God, but it's not a large number either.

As for Yu Ji, the daughter of the city lord, there was even less. Before she left home, Xu Yang gave her tens of thousands of cosmic sands as pocket money.

"Take it." She took out three grains of cosmic sand and handed them to the old man. Yu Ji wouldn't take advantage of the old man, but she also wouldn't give him a reward that exceeded the price of the item for no reason.

The old man gave a wry smile, quickly extended both hands to accept it, and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Miss."

Yu Ji then beamed with joy, put on the earrings in front of the water mirror, and paired them with her dress, she looked even more radiant!
……

Time slipped away quietly amidst the bustling city of immortals and the cozy atmosphere of Qingwu Palace.

One month later, deep within the Qingwu Palace, in a meditation room specially set up for Xu Yang's family.

Xu Yang sat cross-legged on the central futon, his body enveloped in a faint, chaotic aura, his presence as profound as an abyss.

In a corner of the quiet room, Yu Ji was meditating on a movement technique called "Starry Moon Flowing Light," with starlight swirling around her. Cang Ya sat in another position in front of Xu Yang, practicing the "Nine Tribulations Battle Body" body-refining method taught by Xu Yang. Dark golden divine patterns faintly appeared on his body, his blood and qi surged like a dragon, and his wolf eyes were closed as he immersed himself in cultivation.

The quiet room was peaceful, with only the subtle sound of the light of the laws flowing through it.

Suddenly, Xu Yang's deep eyes, as dark as a chaotic starry sea, trembled slightly. He didn't open his eyes, but an indescribable joy and excitement, seemingly transcending time and space, surged forth from the depths of his soul without warning.

This surge of emotion was so intense that it instantly shattered his meditative state, causing even the calm, chaotic energy around him to ripple slightly.

"This is..." Xu Yang suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes bursting with uncontrollable excitement! The light pierced through the restrictions of the meditation room, and even caused the entire space of Qingwu Palace to resonate faintly!

My mind and will were touched!

Before his wife, daughters and disciples came to the Origin Continent, Xu Yang had a territory and even multiple burrows... but he had no roots on the Origin Continent. His roots were in the Cosmic Sea!

On the Origin Continent, he was like a traveler, able to abandon everything at any time, even his three clones, as long as he left a trace of his essence to revive.

Therefore, he didn't feel any sense of crisis!

but now.

The arrival of his wife, daughter, and disciples created a 'flaw,' causing his slightly relaxed mindset to unconsciously tense up. His mental will actually broke through to the second level of the God King realm without the help of a higher will technique!

Good fortune and misfortune are intertwined; having something to care about can actually lead to greater achievements. (End of Chapter)