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

After Qi Yuan finished speaking, he waited patiently.

This new ability seemed to create some mysterious effects from the words he spoke.

In an unknown world.

Endless fallen leaves covered the ground, a giant serpent flicked its tongue, and the light flickered.

A biting cold wind, sharp like blades, pierced into the body of an old man dressed in animal skins, making him shiver uncontrollably.

Suddenly, it was as if a divine voice echoed in his ears. He quickly knelt reverently to the ground, his head thumping loudly as it hit the earth.

He babbled endlessly in his own language.

Finally, a spark of realization flashed in his mind, as if he had discovered something profound.

"Poor... money..."

He uttered these two syllables, then prostrated himself even more devoutly, his face filled with ecstatic joy.

A grand idea had formed in his mind. He would follow the divine guidance and create something called "money."

Back in the underworld, Qi Yuan was bored.

"It’s just like talking to a tree hole. No fun at all, not even any feedback."

He lazily stretched.

Then suddenly, an idea struck him: "Why not run an experiment?"

After replenishing the Strange Painter’s energy, Qi Yuan left the underworld and returned to the Jiang family’s base in Yuntian City.

His junior sister, Jiang Lingsu, was still in her room, with the lamp on.

Qi Yuan closed his eyes and activated his ear’s ability.

He began listening to see if there were any strange sounds nearby—perhaps some interesting conversations.

“If I could become as powerful as the Blood-Clad Sword God, my mother-in-law wouldn’t look down on me anymore!”

“When the sky falls, the tall ones can hold it up. If the cultivation technique is dangerous, what’s that got to do with me?”

“This bun is delicious!”

“I wish I had a thoughtful, loyal Dao companion who wouldn’t betray me, who could share life’s ups and downs with me. Oh heavens, please grant me a Dao companion!”

These mutterings reached Qi Yuan’s ears.

His attention immediately locked onto the cultivator wishing for a Dao companion.

It was a reclusive cultivator, his green robe covered in so much dust that it seemed crusted on—probably hadn’t moved in years, just sitting there lost in his thoughts.

"Let’s give you a little luck so you can find your Dao companion sooner," Qi Yuan thought, speaking to the recluse.

Now that Qi Yuan had reached the Purple Mansion realm, and with his Yang God Heavenly Lord’s power, while he couldn’t truly make his words instantly manifest reality, it was easy for him to slightly shift someone’s fate or luck.

Since he overheard it, he figured it was destiny and casually decided to grant him some good fortune.

As his voice faded, the recluse in the cave suddenly opened his eyes wide, shock and terror filling his gaze. "Who? What senior is passing by and playing tricks on me?"

He was deeply shaken.

If he had accidentally spoken out loud or transmitted his thoughts and a senior overheard, that would be one thing.

But these were just his private thoughts, unspoken—yet someone had heard them?

His nerves tightened as he scanned his surroundings, finding nothing.

“Could it have been... a hallucination?”

The recluse was skeptical.

Suddenly, ripples appeared in the space around him, and a shadow materialized out of the void, landing on his meditation cushion.

The recluse froze, staring at the strange object.

“A cup?”

When he read the instructions on it, his face turned bright red.

“A Dao companion?”

He held the cup in his hands, his expression a mix of shock, fear, and confusion.

He felt powerless, as if his casual wish had been overheard by some being who had responded—but the result was quite strange.

“Could it be that my random thoughts were heard by some malevolent spirit from beyond?”

The recluse broke out in a cold sweat.

On the other side, Qi Yuan’s eyes also widened in surprise.

A reclusive cultivator, holding onto a certain cup—it was truly a bizarre sight.

“So, does this make me some kind of divine figure, like the Wealth-Spreading Boy?”

“Who would’ve thought I just granted him the most powerful ‘Dao companion’ in the entire Canglan Realm. The most amazing cultivator with the most amazing companion—what a life!”

Qi Yuan squinted, reflecting on himself.

After all, he kept granting things yet gained nothing in return—quite a loss.

He even considered knocking out the recluse and stealing the cup back.

After all, he had given something, but what had the recluse contributed?

About a hundred breaths later, Qi Yuan opened his eyes.

"It seems... my speech has become clearer, and my hearing more sensitive."

After fully inspecting himself during those hundred breaths, these were the only changes he noticed.

Of course, there might be deeper transformations that he was still too weak to perceive.

After all, he was still in the Purple Mansion realm, just a newbie in the world of cultivation.

In the Canglan Realm, he could claim a mountain and be its king, but in the upper realms, well... maybe he could still be a mountain king there too.

Lost in thought, Qi Yuan suddenly heard a voice.

"Hmph, this time I snuck over here, let’s see where you’ll run, you brat. How dare you seduce my daughter—I’ll break your legs!"

Qi Yuan’s face immediately changed upon hearing the voice.

It was unmistakably Jiang Ruhua!

Sensing the surroundings, he quickly realized that Jiang Ruhua was already on his way to Yuntian City.

"Junior Sister, run!"

Without thinking, Qi Yuan rushed into Jiang Lingsu’s room, grabbing her wrist.

Judging by Jiang Ruhua’s determination, he had all sorts of charms and formation plates ready, clearly confident he could capture Qi Yuan.

"Ah... hey... Senior Brother, what are you doing?" Jiang Lingsu’s face flushed, her round eyes wide with surprise.

One of her hands was being held by Qi Yuan, while the other was holding the edge of a thin, flesh-colored stocking she seemed to be trying on.

Her fair, delicate foot slipped into the stocking’s base, her long leg pressed tightly against it, the skin glowing white as jade.

Her smooth, jade-like thighs were exposed to the air, and the stocking’s fit made her leg appear taut and full.

Under the lamp’s light, a thin white line ran from her knee all the way to her foot.

Qi Yuan glanced for a moment and quickly averted his gaze, reciting, "See no evil."

Looking further up, her hips were as round as half moons, veiled in misty silk. Well, that’s even more indecent.

Further up still... okay, way too indecent.

Tonight’s moon was big, bright, and perfectly round.

Qi Yuan chanted Buddhist mantras in his heart.

"Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form. Where there is form, there is emptiness..."

"Senior Brother, why are you in such a rush?" Jiang Lingsu’s face was bright red. "I’m just trying on the clothes you gave me!"

"Quick, finish dressing. Your father’s coming to kill me—he’ll be here any minute!" Qi Yuan let go of her hand so she could cover herself.

"What?!" Jiang Lingsu’s face paled.

If her father found out that her senior brother was in her room, who knew what would happen.

Without any hesitation, she quickly dressed.

"Senior Brother, let’s get out of here!"

"Yeah, the further we go, the better!"

This time, Qi Yuan decided to take her to the shared halls of the Origin God Assembly and the division of the Seeking Dao Palace in the Fengtian Domain.

Neither of these places were in the Eastern Lands—there was no way her father could chase them there.

Maybe they should nickname her Jiang Runrun.

About fifteen minutes later, an enraged voice echoed through Yuntian City.

"Qi Yuan, you won’t get away!"

Clearly, Jiang Ruhua had found a new direction and was continuing his pursuit.

...

Half a month later.

The Origin God Assembly was packed with powerful figures.

You could say that 90% of the major powers in the Canglan Realm had sent a shadow of their Yin Gods to attend.

In the great hall, these Yin Gods emitted all kinds of terrifying auras. Even though they were trying to suppress their energy, the collective presence was overwhelming.

A man in a white robe squinted, holding an empty fish basket in his hand.

At that moment, a voice spoke.

"Great Lord Whitefish, weren’t you in the Central Heavenly Domain? How did you manage to get here in just half a month? It seems you’ve long been interested in the Blood-Clad Sword God."

The speaker was an elderly man with black hair, his left ear missing.

This old man was the famed rogue cultivator, Great Lord Left Ear, well-known across the Canglan Realm.

“As the lord of the Central Domain, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to meet the Blood-Clad Sword God and discuss the Great Calamity, is there?” Great Lord Whitefish was the strongest in the Central Domain and closest to the impending calamity.

It could be said that the most powerful person in the Canglan Realm, at least on the surface, was Great Lord Whitefish.

“The Blood-Clad Sword God is strong. He wiped out the Dark Sun and the Divine Flower Society—he likely has the power of a myth. Such strength is enough to command respect, but to confront the Great Calamity... that’s another story,” remarked another great lord, a yellow ox that had attained the Dao.

“This time, the Blood-Clad Sword God invited us here. What do you all think? Should we unite to face the calamity, or...?” asked a shifty-eyed cultivator, his tone playful.

"Great Lord Hunqiong, what’s your opinion?" Great Lord Whitefish threw the question to the shifty-eyed cultivator.

The other cultivators in the hall looked at Great Lord Hunqiong, their eyes full of caution.

Some looked pained, sending messages to their friends.

“Secrecy is key to success. The Blood-Clad Sword God is being too ostentatious. He hasn’t even confronted the Great Calamity yet, and he’s already making it public. It’s one thing to invite fellow cultivators, but why invite someone like Hunqiong, a well-known traitor?”

It was clear to everyone that Great Lord Hunqiong had already sided with the Great Calamity, becoming its lackey.

Now his shadow projection was here, acting with impunity.

“I just think the Blood-Clad Sword God is too young.

How long has he been famous? How long has he studied the calamity?

Anyway, I’m not getting involved. I’ll just sit back and watch,” Great Lord Hunqiong said, sounding smug.

Many of the Yin God Lords and great lords present began to feel uneasy.

“Such an important matter cannot be decided in a day. I, for one, agree that the Blood-Clad Sword God should think this over carefully.”

“I won’t get involved in this.”

These Yin Gods had come to give the Blood-Clad Sword God face, but confronting the Great Calamity... no, thanks.

With a traitor like Hunqiong here, how could they discuss resisting the calamity without giving away all their plans to it?

Many great lords turned to Great Lord Whitefish, their eyes flickering as if asking for his decision.

Great Lord Whitefish remained calm, speaking slowly: “As cultivators, death is inevitable. To die in battle against the Great Calamity would be an honorable death.”

He had already resolved to die.

He was close to losing control and ascending to the Mythical realm.

When that happened, his name would be inscribed on the Monument of Myths.

Once that occurred, there would be no turning back.

"What a shame," Hunqiong remarked, not bothering to hide his glee. "Once the Blood-Clad Sword God falls, this Origin God Assembly and the Divine Flower Society will be left without their leaders. Don’t fight me for it, everyone—I’ll make sure to take good care of the Blood-Clad Sword God’s heirs."

Hunqiong was utterly fearless.

The projection here was just a shadow—his true form was hidden in the Canglan Realm, and even mythical figures couldn’t find him.

And many of the great lords here knew about his betrayal.

When he received the invitation to the Origin God Assembly, to be honest, he was a bit confused.

But he came anyway.

Since he was here, he figured he might as well stir things up.

Once the Blood-Clad Sword God fell and this resistance against the Great Calamity ended, perhaps he could gain something from it.

Many of the Yin Gods and great lords present were visibly troubled by Hunqiong’s shameless words.

But there was nothing they could do.

Hunqiong then chuckled. “Don’t be so down. After all, the Blood-Clad Sword God managed to destroy Fate Mountain—he might have some tricks up his sleeve. This time... you great lords should stop holding back and enter the Mythical realm already.”

His words were clearly provocative.

Once someone entered the Mythical realm, they had no choice but to fight.

Hunqiong’s intentions were clearly malicious.

Great Lord Whitefish glanced at Hunqiong but said nothing.

A noble man doesn’t argue with a petty one—no need to ruin the mood.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.

Except for a few who were eager for battle, most of the Yin Gods and great lords were hesitant.

With Hunqiong present, any secret discussions about resisting the Great Calamity were doomed to fail.

Even those who were willing to resist didn’t dare show it.

This gathering was full of hidden agendas and mixed intentions.

Just then, a ripple spread through the void.

Every Yin God present, both lords and great lords, looked toward the source.

A flash of blood-red light appeared, and a man in a blood-colored robe emerged, his sleeves billowing casually.

His face, handsome beyond compare, carried a faint air of wickedness. His gentle, jade-like eyes glinted with a sharp, icy light.

“Is the tea to everyone’s liking? No issues with the local water?” Qi Yuan spoke with a casual tone, yet his words showed concern for the Yin Gods.

After all, they had come from all corners of the world—if they got sick from the water in his territory, wouldn’t he have to pay compensation?

The Yin Gods quickly stood and offered their opinions.

“Blood-Clad Sword God, resisting the Great Calamity is a grave matter. We should plan carefully.”

“No matter what happens, I’m willing to stand with you and fight the Great Calamity!”

“I’ll be watching from the sidelines, cheering for you,” Hunqiong said with a smirk.

“This is too big a matter. It needs more consideration,” many of the Yin Gods said, already showing signs of retreat.

Great Lord Whitefish sighed at the scene.

No matter when it was, it seemed the Yin Gods of the Canglan Realm could never reach a consensus.

Fighting the Great Calamity was always the cause of a determined few.

“You’re being too noisy.”

Qi Yuan raised a finger, and the hall fell silent in an instant.

The great lords who had been speaking realized they couldn’t hear their own voices.

Their hearts tightened, growing even more wary of the Blood-Clad Sword God.

Qi Yuan spoke again, his tone icy.

“I didn’t invite you here to ask for your support or opposition.

I’m here to inform you that the ‘Qi Yuan’s Calamity Removal’ plan will be personally carried out by me three days from now!”

Qi Yuan’s aura surged, deep and vast as the ocean.

“In three days, I will head to the Central Heavenly Domain and slay the Great Calamity myself!”

“And when you return, you will announce to the world that ‘Qi Yuan’s Calamity Removal’ has begun. If any anomalies occur, the people need not panic—everything will be under control.”

The great lords and Yin Gods looked at Qi Yuan, their faces filled with shock.

He was going to confront the Great Calamity alone?

How could he dare!?