From the side, Qi Yuan said, "Eat more fish, let the Heavenly Pillar become sturdier."

This round of visualization not only brought significant improvement to his followers, but also benefited him greatly. The first step of his plan could be considered successfully completed. Next, he would lead the army to annihilate the Qingheng Continent’s evil god army. That way, he would gather just enough spiritual energy to wield the Lost Glow Stick, returning to the past for one final upgrade.

Qi Yuan had no idea when and where that final return would land him. Either somewhere between the present and the Hongtang War, or perhaps much earlier.

Nevertheless, feeding No-Food Goddess to further reinforce the Heavenly Pillar was always a good idea. The pillar would have to hold even more for his next round of visualization.

Recalling something, he asked, "Do you know about the Ancestral Land of the Ancient Clan?"

He had always been curious about the Ancestral Land. Unfortunately, no one had ever shared any information with him.

Her expression grew complicated. "That is an extremely dangerous place. Even Mythics may not survive inside."

He sighed. "Indeed. It’s impossible to enter without special methods. Rushing in recklessly could kill even a Mythic."

It seemed No-Food Goddess didn’t have much information about the Ancestral Land either. She lowered her head and continued eating fish, saying nothing more.

Qi Yuan gazed at the stars in the sky, somewhat pale. Fortunately, his recent growth was considerable, so the effects of losing the Immaculate Glazed Blood were not too severe.

He added, "Before I leave, cook more fish: boiled, spicy grilled, pickled cabbage... every single one."

"Alright."

On the last day, No-Food Goddess sat by the lakeside and spent the entire time fishing. Her black hair cascaded to her waist, eyes glinting with an unmelting coldness.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan reclined casually on a lounge chair she had picked up from somewhere. He wasn’t truly resting. Watching the fish glide through the lake, his mind was clearer than ever.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. "If you could return to the past, but couldn’t change a thing like me, what would you do?"

He truly had no good way to alter the past. Even the most powerful visualization arts couldn’t be passed on to people in the past. Moreover, a God Visualization Art can only be learned through visualization, not by verbal instruction. He truly had no way to truly strengthen the Mortal Heart World.

Teach No-Food Goddess nuclear fission? The thought made him laugh.

To a True God, that weapon would be little more than a fish fryer. Had he been able to return physically, things could have turned out differently. Of course, that was impossible.

No-Food Goddess hesitated briefly, then said slowly, "As a passerby, it would be enough just to look upon mountains and rivers."

That made him recall how she had taken him sightseeing around the Mortal Heart World during the Hongtang War.

"You are truly worthy of being number one of the Mortal Heart World, living freely and unrestrained!" he murmured.

Several hours later, the table was filled with all kinds of fish. The aroma was rich, though Qi Yuan was fated never to smell it. He felt a little heartache when he saw the fish. Still, he dropped his Immaculate Glazed Blood onto them. The impurities were cleansed once more. Qi Yuan wavered slightly, as though suffering from a cultivation-version of hypoglycemia.

Then, he clapped his hands. "Alright, I have to go."

The task was complete.

No-Food Goddess glanced toward his spot, then looked at the table. "Thank you."

Qi Yuan smiled. "No problem. Mutual help is a traditional virtue."

Yet inwardly, he couldn’t help but curse, "Playing a game and still having to burn Immaculate Glazed Blood, this game really eats your life!"

Without further ado, he vanished.

The bamboo hut stood empty. At that moment, No-Food Goddess’ expression froze, as if she had uncovered some hidden truth.

Inexplicably, a hysterical voice rose from deep within her heart.

"Devour him... devour... everything..."

A cold glint flashed through her eyes. Holding her chopsticks, she stared at the fish, her gaze becoming increasingly complicated. She chewed slowly, spending half a day to finish only half a fish.

***

A group suddenly appeared in an open area within Feiwu City. Each radiated terrifying auras, their faces filled with excitement and exhilaration.

Still half convinced it was all a dream, Wang Song murmured to himself, "I never imagined that I would have the chance to reach the Fifth Step to Heaven in this lifetime!"

Not only had he risen to Great Venerable, but he was also already at the peak of the Fifth Step. Even among Great Venerables, he was far from mediocre.

Zhanghui sighed three times in a row. Ultimately, he was unable to turn the tables on Thunder. Thunder had become a Mythic, the first since the Hongtang War. It was no wonder the gods were envious.

Qi Yuan smugly glanced at the gods. "Take a full day to settle yourselves. Tomorrow, I have important things to attend to!"

They would require time to consolidate and familiarise themselves with their new power. Only then could they push through effortlessly once the great battle began.

Over a thousand True Gods replied solemnly in unison, "Understood!"

Waving his hand again, Qi Yuan commanded, "Each of you will receive ten vials of Primordial Divine Aperture Serum. Whether you open divine apertures or not depends on yourselves."

Divine Domain Immortal Serum was limited in quantity and couldn’t be distributed freely. However, the Primordial Divine Aperture Serum was different.

The countless True Gods saluted together.

"Thank you, Heavenly Sovereign!"

Qi Yuan felt elated, as if he was the Jade Emperor himself. Then, he vanished again.