Golden Core is a Star, and You Call This Cultivation?

“How… how much?” Qiong Yunting’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Qi Yuan glanced at her, feeling speechless. “Didn’t you clean your ears last night? Are they blocked? I said it loud and clear—10.5 billion spirit stones!”

Qi Yuan feared she might have a lot of earwax, so he raised his voice. His words echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of many.

Immediately, many people turned to stare at Qiong Yunting’s ears. Some couldn’t help but cover their mouths to suppress their laughter.

Jiang Lingsu, who was clinging to Qi Yuan’s arm, was laughing so hard that her face was almost pressed against his arm.

She felt like she had finally gotten her revenge.

Qiong Yunting’s face turned bright red with anger and embarrassment. “What nonsense are you spouting? I… I did clean my ears!”

“Seems like you didn’t clean them well enough. Not very diligent,” Qi Yuan concluded bluntly.

Qiong Yunting was so furious, even though she was already in the Foundation Establishment stage, she found it hard to catch her breath from anger. She could already imagine how the rumor of her not cleaning her ears would spread all over Yuntian City.

“Sigh, don’t be shy. You could just clean them thoroughly now, or else I’ll have to keep shouting, and that’s exhausting,” Qi Yuan continued to advise her.

“You!” Qiong Yunting’s eyes turned red, and she was on the verge of tears from Qi Yuan’s words.

“Don’t be shy, sister. We should reject the shame of cleaning our ears. Be bold and be yourself! I once knew a fairy who, in order to pick her nose better, even created her own Dao technique. You should learn from her and not worry about what others think!” Qi Yuan’s words became more animated, his tone increasingly persuasive.

Qiong Yunting, with her reddened eyes, had long forgotten her original plan to humiliate Qi Yuan.

At that moment, a man in a green robe, Wang Yunteng, spoke up with an air of dignity. “Fellow Daoist, are you the Jiang family’s… son-in-law? Have you come to the Nascent Soul banquet just to borrow spirit stones?”

Now it was Jiang Lingsu’s turn to blush.

“Not at all, I’m not a son-in-law, and I don’t fetch foot-washing water,” Qi Yuan shook his head. “Today, the Earwax Fairy said her husband’s family is very wealthy, and if I was ever short on money, I could come to the Nascent Soul banquet and her husband would solve my financial problems.”

Wang Yunteng looked at Qi Yuan, his expression filled with pride. “The Jiang family is a great clan from the Eastern Lands. I’ve heard they’ve run into some troubles with their business here in Yuntian City. I have some understanding of the matter. How much do you need?”

Before the Nascent Soul banquet, Qiong Yunting had already mentioned Qi Yuan and Jiang Lingsu to him.

He had agreed to teach Qi Yuan a lesson, and if possible, take over the Jiang family’s businesses in Yuntian City.

“10.5 billion,” Qi Yuan repeated.

He had a feeling this couple never cleaned their ears, probably spending their nights cleaning each other’s ears before going to sleep.

Wang Yunteng’s eyes flashed with displeasure. “10.5 billion spirit stones? Are you joking? With that much, you could probably buy all of Yuntian City!”

Whether or not 10.5 billion spirit stones could buy Yuntian City, Wang Yunteng didn’t know.

But he was certain it was enough to buy the life of a Purple Mansion-level cultivator.

“I’m not joking. I’ve done the calculations.

Your Wang family owns forty-five spirit stone mines, runs five auction houses, and has stakes in over three hundred businesses. If you sold everything, it would be worth around 10 billion spirit stones.

As for the Earwax Fairy, her family is even poorer. A gambling father, a sick mother, and a useless brother—together, they’re only worth about 50 million spirit stones,” Qi Yuan said with a smile.

“I’ve come here today to fulfill the promise. So, are you going to lend me the money or not?” He extended his hand.

Wang Yunteng’s expression didn’t change, but his gaze toward Qi Yuan became colder.

Many of the cultivators present looked at Qi Yuan with strange expressions, while others appeared amused by the scene.

This red-robed cultivator had clearly done his homework on the Wang family’s assets.

But this wasn’t simply about borrowing money.

Wang Yunteng, aware of this, sneered. “Who’s backing you, Qi Yuan? Where do you get the nerve to ask for 10 billion spirit stones?”

A powerful aura belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator surged in that moment, sweeping across the hall.

Some onlookers, sensing the tension, began to back away, while others stayed to watch the unfolding drama.

Jiang Lingsu moved closer to Qi Yuan but didn’t feel the oppressive aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Her eyes fixed on Qi Yuan, and she realized that her feelings toward him had changed significantly.

Qi Yuan stretched lazily, appearing indifferent.

To be honest, he had never used his connections to bully others before.

Today, accompanying his junior sister to this event, he figured he might as well try it out for fun.

After some thought, he answered, “The one backing me is… the Blood-Robed Alliance!”

He decided to lean on his own reputation.

After saying those words, Qi Yuan felt a surge of satisfaction.

No wonder those spoiled second-generation heirs always liked to flaunt, “Do you know who my father is? Do you know who my grandfather is? Do you know who my master is?”

This feeling of lording one’s connections over others—it was indeed a little exhilarating!

“The Blood-Robed Alliance?”

The faces of the guests changed, some showing fear.

“He’s actually from the Blood-Robed Alliance?”

“And wearing a blood-red robe…”

“Looks like the Wang family is in trouble. If the Blood-Robed Alliance is involved, they’re doomed!”

Nowadays, who didn’t know about the Blood-Robed Alliance?

The story of the Blood-Robed Sword God was nothing short of legendary.

He had set out on the path of immortality late in life and only achieved greatness in his later years.

Upon returning home, he found that his daughter had been humiliated by the Bright Palace and forced to live in a doghouse!

Fueled by anger, the Blood-Robed Sword God began his legendary journey.

He wiped out the Bright Palace, killed Yin Gods, and established the Blood-Robed Alliance!

Later, he offended the Divine Flower Society and was banned from speaking in their forums.

In retaliation, the Blood-Robed Sword God single-handedly stormed the Divine Flower Society’s headquarters and killed its leader with a single strike!

Now, the Divine Flower Society was under the control of the Blood-Robed Sword God.

In the Eastern Lands and more than twenty surrounding domains, the Blood-Robed Sword God was the most famous and feared figure.

If this blood-robed man was indeed backed by the Blood-Robed Alliance, the Wang family was truly in danger!

Though the Wang family was the dominant power in Helan Continent, if the Blood-Robed Alliance decided to target them, not even the talented Wang Yunteng, with his potential to become a Yin God, would stand a chance.

As many began to worry for Wang Yunteng, he unexpectedly laughed, his voice filled with scorn. “These days, con artists have become bold enough to show up at my Wang family’s door.

Do you even know that the Blood-Robed Sword God himself has agreed to take me on as his disciple?”

Wang Yunteng said proudly.

The important announcement the Wang family was planning to make at this Nascent Soul banquet was precisely that Wang Yunteng had been accepted as a disciple by the Blood-Robed Sword God.

“What? Wang Zhenjun is going to be the disciple of the Blood-Robed Sword God?”

“Congratulations! That’s so enviable!”

“The Wang family has truly produced a dragon!”

“With his extraordinary talent, Wang Yunteng would definitely rank on the Eastern Lands Genius Ranking. It makes sense that the Blood-Robed Sword God would want to take him as a disciple!”

“I never expected the Blood-Robed Sword God to accept a disciple!”

The crowd buzzed with shock and envy.

“If that’s the case, it’s like a family feud. This red-robed cultivator must be in trouble now.”

Those watching now felt pity for Qi Yuan. Even if he were from the Blood-Robed Alliance, offending the Blood-Robed Sword God’s disciple would still spell disaster.

Qi Yuan, however, was baffled.

The turn of events had taken him by surprise.

“Hey, this is a bit much. I was supposed to be the big deal here!”

“Why are you all so impressed by him?”

“And why are you stealing my thunder with this crooked-mouth villain act?”

Qi Yuan felt a little helpless. He had been in a good mood, ready to play the role of the big-shot Dragon King for his junior sister, but it seemed he had failed.

He looked at Wang Yunteng and said calmly, “You claim to be the Blood-Robed Sword God’s disciple. Do you have any proof?

If you’re really his disciple, then I… I’m the Blood-Robed Sword God’s father!”

Qi Yuan had initially planned to say he was the Blood-Robed Sword God.

But if the other party wasn’t actually his disciple, claiming to be the Blood-Robed Sword God would have created a contradiction, and the statement wouldn’t have made sense.

“How dare you insult the Blood-Robed Sword God! You’re done for! In the Eastern Lands, no one will protect you!” Wang Yunteng’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

He seemed to truly believe he was the Blood-Robed Sword God’s disciple.

“Why don’t you call your master, the Blood-Robed Sword God, over here, and let me take a look?” Qi Yuan said, crossing his arms.

He was curious to see if someone with the same name as him existed.

If so, it would be an infringement of his rights, and he would have to demand compensation.

“The Blood-Robed Sword God isn’t here, but I am.”

At that moment, a voice, old and drunk, drifted in.

An old man appeared, wobbling as he walked, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist and the strong smell of alcohol surrounding him.

His nose was red, clearly from years of drinking.

He had appeared so suddenly that no one had sensed his presence beforehand.

The cultivators present looked at the old man with apprehension.

It was as if he had materialized out of thin air.

“Greetings, Wine Immortal!” Wang Yunteng quickly bowed respectfully before introducing the old man to the crowd. “This is the legendary Wine Immortal, a celestial figure. Even my master, the Blood-Robed Sword God, would respectfully address him as ‘senior’!”

Wang Yunteng proudly announced to the guests.

The Wine Immortal took a long swig from his gourd, the fragrant aroma of his wine filling the air.

The scent alone was enough to astonish the cultivators, as it seemed to be imbued with an endless supply of divine power.

It was as if the wine was made from the divine power of a Yin God.

For the Wine Immortal to drink such wine, he must be a Yin God himself!

The crowd’s confidence in the Wine Immortal grew stronger.

After finishing his drink, the Wine Immortal hiccuped. “This kid Wang Yunteng is pretty good. He’s got talent, and I like him.

Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to take on disciples, so I handed him over to the Blood-Robed Sword God.”

Qi Yuan looked at the Wine Immortal with a calm expression.

In his eyes, the Wine Immortal’s every move was laid bare.

This Wine Immortal was indeed a powerful Yin God, and not just an ordinary one.

“Have you met the Blood-Robed Sword God? And would he agree to take Wang Yunteng as his disciple?” Qi Yuan asked.

“I was half-awake, drunk, lying in a carriage. The Blood-Robed Sword God is a considerate guy. He stood guard for me all night,” the Wine Immortal boasted. “Giving Wang Yunteng to him is a blessing for him. He’d be more than happy to take the kid.”

As he spoke, the Wine Immortal wore a smug smile.

Qi Yuan remained calm.

At first, the Wine Immortal’s nose twitched slightly, suggesting he was lying about the Blood-Robed Sword God standing guard for him.

But the rest of his statement seemed to be true, or at least the Wine Immortal believed it was true.

“You’re awfully confident. I’m 99% sure that the Blood-Robed Sword God won’t take him as a disciple,” Qi Yuan said lightly.

“On this matter, even if you’re truly the Blood-Robed Sword God’s father, the Blood-Robed Sword God has to listen to me,” the Wine Immortal said confidently. “The stronger someone is, the more they have to rely on me because only I can offer them a way out!”

The Wine Immortal spoke with arrogance, brimming with pride.

Qi Yuan’s expression remained indifferent. “I’ve heard the Blood-Robed Sword God is the strongest in the world. Does he really need you to give him a way out?”

“You just don’t get it, do you?” the Wine Immortal said. “If I take off my shoes, the Blood-Robed Sword God will have to put them back on for me.

If you’re really from the Blood-Robed Alliance, call him over. I’ll make him put my shoes on right here!”

The Wine Immortal’s confidence was unshakable, as if he were a supreme expert.

The cultivators present were visibly shocked by his words.

Wang Yunteng’s face had turned pale, and deep down, he hoped the Wine Immortal wasn’t just blowing hot air.

Otherwise, the Wang family would be finished.

Still, thinking of the Wine Immortal’s peculiar abilities, Wang Yunteng felt a bit more at ease.

At that moment, Qi Yuan looked at the Wine Immortal with amusement. “To borrow an old saying: In this world, there can be no one who acts more arrogant than me!”

He was getting tired of the Wine Immortal’s posturing.

He couldn’t let the old man keep showing off like this—Qi Yuan was starting to feel itchy all over, like ants crawling under his skin.

And when that itch took over, the only thing left to do was... kill, kill, kill.

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