Carefree Cart Pulling

Several days later.

Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged on a desolate and lifeless star, its surface scarred and devoid of any signs of life.

He activated the Star-Devouring Grand Technique.

In an instant, a powerful force enveloped the star, and an astonishing sight unfolded—the barren celestial body began to melt away at a visible pace, as if it were an ice cream under the scorching sun.

The star dissolved into a torrent of dazzling, immense stellar energy, which surged into Gu Qingfeng’s body.

At this point, the Star-Devouring Grand Technique had reached its limit.

Had it been the Star-Devouring Ancestor performing this feat, he would only have been able to expel this energy, utterly incapable of converting it into his own power.

But for Gu Qingfeng, who possessed the Law of Stellar Extremes, this energy was a feast—no matter how much, he could devour it all.

The Law of Stellar Extremes, as expected of a law mastered by a Celestial King, was like the supreme ruler of stars—a higher existence capable of freely manipulating stellar energy.

The vast, surging stellar energy that poured into Gu Qingfeng’s body was rapidly absorbed and refined into his own foundation under the influence of the Law of Stellar Extremes.

Gu Qingfeng could feel his mana, physical body, and soul soaring wildly under the nourishment of the stellar energy.

Several hours later, the desolate star had completely turned to dust.

"Phew... the 233rd star," Gu Qingfeng murmured, savoring the overwhelming power within him.

He had never expected the combination of the Star-Devouring Grand Technique and the Law of Stellar Extremes to be so effective—only slightly inferior to the system’s rewards, yet far surpassing the benefits of consuming immortal pills and elixirs.

After several days of cultivation, devouring 233 stars had elevated his strength to a level where he could hold his own among Golden Immortals.

The only regret was that he hadn’t encountered a stellar storm yet—otherwise, breaking through to the Golden Immortal realm would have been within reach.

However, he decided to halt his cultivation for now, as the Seven Stars Assembly was less than a year away.

Though a year might seem like ample time, it wasn’t—the journey to the Seven Stars Immortal City, where the assembly would be held, would take at least half a year, not to mention the potential disasters and mishaps along the way.

Compared to solitary cultivation, family was far more important.

With this thought, Gu Qingfeng transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the depths of the starry sky.

Traveling through the cosmos was an excruciatingly dull affair—months could pass without encountering a single living soul.

Though stars were countless, the probability of stumbling upon a life-bearing ancient star was minuscule.

After a month of flying, Gu Qingfeng could no longer endure the loneliness.

"Damn it, when has this Emperor ever suffered like this?"

He began reminiscing about the days when he would travel in a palanquin carried by a retinue of subordinates, surrounded by pomp and fanfare.

Though he could summon countless underlings from his Palm World now, their strength was too weak—if he relied on them to pull his chariot, it would take a century to reach the Seven Stars Immortal City.

After some deliberation, Gu Qingfeng thought of his "beloved son," Ye Wuyou.

Though not a top-tier expert, Ye Wuyou’s strength as a Mystic Immortal was at least sufficient for the task of chariot-pulling.

And so...

"My son Wuyou, where are you?"

Ye Wuyou, who had been immersed in cultivation—frantically improving himself in his quest to one day overthrow his "father"—was abruptly summoned.

He glanced at the desolate ruins of the starry sky around him, an uneasy feeling creeping into his heart.

It was no surprise—every time Gu Qingfeng called him out, it never boded well. How could he not be afraid?

He vaguely remembered the last time, when he was sent to buy wine in the Shadowghast City, only to end up beaten half to death and imprisoned.

Who knew what fresh torment awaited him this time?

"My son Wuyou, cultivation is not just about seclusion. As the saying goes, 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.' I summoned you this time so you can broaden your horizons, take in the scenery along the way, and gain some life insights—it will greatly benefit your cultivation."

Ye Wuyou’s lips twitched. Here we go again.

Then, Gu Qingfeng produced a golden ancient war chariot, complete with reins at the front.

Without hesitation, he wrapped the thick reins around Ye Wuyou three times, bundling him up like a tiny dumpling.

"F-Father, this..." Ye Wuyou was on the verge of tears.

Ignoring him, Gu Qingfeng leisurely boarded the golden chariot and tossed out a star chart.

"Head to the Seven Stars Immortal City. If we don’t arrive within three months, I may have to reconsider our father-son relationship," he said flatly.

Though filled with reluctance, Ye Wuyou dared not disobey.

After all, a father’s command was as weighty as the heavens.

"Yes, Father. Please hold on tight—hyah!"

Like a little foal, Ye Wuyou dashed through the starry sky, pulling the golden chariot behind him, vanishing into the horizon in a streak of light.

Inside the chariot, Gu Qingfeng summoned the Little Corpse Charm, instructing her to take on the form of Yin Yudie, the Shadowghast Madam, and serve him tea and refreshments.

Thus, a bizarre spectacle unfolded in the cosmos—a child no older than three, shorter than the chariot’s wheels, sprinted through the void, pulling a golden war chariot a hundred times his size.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

As Ye Wuyou charged through a particular region, his expression suddenly changed.

"A detection array!"

He turned and urgently called out to Gu Qingfeng, "Father! Trouble! The area I just passed was rigged with a detection array. It has no offensive power, but it senses anyone who crosses through. It must be the work of star pirates—they use these arrays to detect travelers and ambush them!"

Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng’s spirits lifted.

"Stop the chariot immediately. Wait right here," he commanded.

Ye Wuyou was stunned. "Father, but—"

"I’ve been bored for a whole month without killing anyone. Now that prey has delivered itself to us, how can we let this opportunity slip?"

Listening to Gu Qingfeng’s eager tone, Ye Wuyou felt his future grow ever bleaker. He hastily halted the chariot, terrified that if his father couldn’t vent his bloodlust, he might turn on him instead.

On a distant, ochre-colored star, a band of star pirates stared intently at the golden chariot.

"They stopped? Could this be a trap?"

"If even the child pulling the chariot is a Mystic Immortal, what kind of figure must be seated inside?"

"What do we do, boss? Do we move in?"

All eyes turned to a black-robed man, their leader.

The man hesitated briefly before making his decision.

"Attack! This is our territory. We’ve operated here for years, setting up countless traps and arrays. Even if we can’t win, escaping will be effortless."