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

Qi Yuan carefully reviewed the information in front of him.

“Liu Ping, Princess of Changyang County, currently residing at the Floating Cloud Pavilion in Ning Country’s capital…”

“Wang Xiaochuan, richest man in Jiangzhou, Ning Country, residing in Anle Garden…”

…

“Tu Jingshi, third young master of the Tu family in Fengshan County, Jining Prefecture, Ning Country…”

Qi Yuan paused, “Isn’t this the guy who bought my light sword?”

He had seen Third Young Master Tu twice and had noticed many hidden details about him, including his name.

“Looks like he really is a rich young master.”

“But I can’t overlook Jiangzhou’s richest man either. That’s a lot of money!”

Qi Yuan sighed, feeling that the silver notes always seemed just out of his reach.

“Sigh, I still haven’t fully recovered; I can’t go wandering around recklessly.”

“Young Master, this old servant can go out in your stead!” Chen Kangbao offered at just the right moment.

“You make a good point,” Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.

If he couldn’t go out, he could send someone else on his behalf.

“Looks like I need to forge some reserve hidden energy sources!”

Qi Yuan contemplated, then began forging once more.

After about a day, Qi Yuan felt everything was ready.

Looking at the 107 drones in front of him, each equipped with its own hidden energy source, he smiled in satisfaction.

“It’s done! They’ll collect the debts for me!”

Chen Kangbao’s heart sank as he watched.

Am I about to lose my job?

Am I about to be replaced by these metal contraptions?

He rushed forward nervously, saying, “Young Master, they don’t know the way.”

“I’ve thought of that. Originally, I wanted to forge a satellite to send into orbit.”

“But this place... isn’t exactly a planet. Also, no money. Too much trouble.”

Back on Earth, Qi Yuan’s knowledge of technology was average. However, during his time in Gongxing, Zero-One had transmitted a vast database of information to him.

The database included an ocean of information, covering various technological constructs—even airships and celestial surveillance systems.

Thus, creating drones with incredible endurance wasn’t difficult for Qi Yuan.

“Don’t worry, the hidden energy sources aren’t just for endurance; I’ve also added AI chips. They can ask for directions themselves.”

“That’s right—they’re the latest model of intelligent robotic drones!” Qi Yuan introduced earnestly.

The AI chips were modeled after Zero-One’s original designs. While cruder than the old version of Zero-One’s chips, they were more than sufficient for tasks like navigating and debt collection.

Chen Kangbao’s sense of crisis deepened. “Young Master, but aren’t these drones? How come they’re robots now?”

“…,” Qi Yuan shot him a sidelong glance. “They need names.”

After pondering, Qi Yuan had an idea.

“From now on, you’re all part of the Debt Collection Sect. You’re Crow Brother, go find Wang Xiaochuan; you’re Black Cat, find Huang Kan; and you’re Chicken…”

After assigning unique titles to each drone, he used the Thousand Transformations Illusion technique to make them appear as all sorts of odd shapes.

Seeing this, Chen Kangbao’s anxiety grew.

His competition was getting out of hand.

What if the Young Master no longer needed him?

But then a thought reassured him, At least I have a brilliant mind and can be the Young Master’s strategist. Living off my intellect, I shouldn’t get replaced, right?

That thought brought a slight sense of relief.

“You don’t rely on your intellect—you rely on your nose to eat,” Qi Yuan commented casually, his words striking Chen Kangbao like a bolt of lightning.

Chen Kangbao’s eyes widened.

He can hear my inner thoughts?

The Young Master truly is divine!

So handsome!

...

In the black market, Fourth Uncle Tu and Zhan Lei had been lying low for days. Both of them wore disappointed expressions.

“So many days and no sign of those two mysterious individuals. It seems… they were merely passing through.”

“Experts like that are rare encounters. Who could be as lucky as Tu Jingshi?”

“His luck is incredible. To spend ten thousand taels and obtain such a treasure—it’s truly enviable.”

While the two discussed Young Master Tu’s fortune, Tu Jingshi himself had a different perspective.

At this moment, he was trembling uncontrollably, staring at a terrifying figure before him.

It resembled a green snake, its serpentine eyes faintly displaying human emotions.

Young Master Tu clutched the light sword hidden in his sleeve, his heart in disarray.

I’m doomed! The light sword is still cooling down!

This must be someone from the Bloodthorn, here to avenge Black Crow and Winged Serpent Elders, coming to take my life!

I should never have gone out tonight to hear songs at the brothel!

“Spirit of the divine, tainted by blood, I am the Green Snake of the Debt Collection Sect,” the green snake declared, its voice slightly mechanical.

The words startled Young Master Tu, then filled him with confusion.

Aren’t they here to kill me? Why would they start with a secret passphrase?

“Tu San greets the emissary!” Regardless of the situation, he immediately knelt in submission.

“I need banknotes. All your banknotes—the more, the better,” the green snake stated.

Banknotes?

Young Master Tu was dumbfounded.

Not here to kill me but to demand banknotes?

This is too strange.

“Emissary, please wait a moment. I will return home immediately to fetch the banknotes.” He could only feel that his luck recently had been abysmal.

The Black Crow Elder had extorted him before leaving, and now another Bloodthorn elder had arrived, demanding money?

Has my reputation for wealth spread so far that even Bloodthorn elders know of it? Why else would people keep showing up to demand money?

The green snake watched Young Master Tu closely, its eyes seeming oddly sentient.

“Undo your waistband.”

“Ah?” Young Master Tu froze. But under the cold stare of the snake’s eyes, he obediently untied his trousers.

With a swish, the green snake turned into a shadow and darted into his pants.

Young Master Tu immediately felt something hard and unyielding in his trousers.

Fear gripped him.

This Bloodthorn elder has no decency, no sense of propriety.

“Elder, I am loyal and devoted without any ulterior motives. I will fetch the money immediately. Just… just don’t bite!” he stammered, utterly terrified.

It concerned his future happiness, so he dared not resist.

“Hmph,” the green snake snorted, refraining from any further words.

“I’ll return to the manor for the money now!”

Meanwhile, across various parts of Ning Country, observant individuals might notice peculiar creatures flying across the sky.

“Mother, there’s a black cat flying up there!”

“You must be seeing things. Our cat at home can’t even chase a moth, let alone fly…”

“It’s not our cat!”

...

“I just had a thought,” Qi Yuan mused from Shen Manor. “If I attach storage artifacts to these drones, I could start a courier company—or even deliver takeout. How much money could I make?”

Over the past few days, the drones had started to return, and Qi Yuan’s silver notes had piled up.

The Bloodthorn members, it turned out, were mostly cowards. Hearing the secret phrases from Qi Yuan’s drones, they obediently handed over their silver notes.

Due to the drones’ limited capacity, Qi Yuan only asked for silver notes, though it pained him. He felt like he’d missed out on a fortune.

Still, Qi Yuan laughed it off and temporarily shelved the idea.

For now, he wasn’t short of money.

Most of the Bloodthorn members were exceedingly wealthy. After all, who else would join an organization like the Bloodthorn but the rich and eccentric?

“Brother Kitchen Knife, I’m curious. How many people are in your Debt Collection Sect?

Are you perhaps conducting experiments on augmented humans like us?”

A message popped up from the Bloodthorn operative through the Divine Wood Token.

The operative had provided Qi Yuan with the addresses of their members, clearly intending to track his movements.

What he hadn’t expected was that Qi Yuan would send drones to collect debts—drones disguised as animals.

Some Bloodthorn members with secret channels had already reported the incident, leaving the operative somewhat astonished.

“The brothers and sisters of our Debt Collection Sect span the heavens and the myriad realms. If someone owes me money, they’ll find their way to them on my behalf,” Qi Yuan replied nonchalantly.

In truth, the so-called Debt Collection Sect was nothing more than a bunch of cobbled-together machines.

“Brother Kitchen Knife, you certainly keep your cards close to your chest. Perhaps the Debt Collection Sect could join us at the Divine Wood Abyss…”

“Oh, does your Bloodthorn owe me money too?” Qi Yuan asked casually.

“If you bring the Divine Wood Token, what’s a little debt between friends?”

“You’re such nice people! I’ve made over a million taels!” Qi Yuan exclaimed. “By the way, could you provide me with information about your Bloodthorn members outside Ning Country? I could send my collectors to them too.”

“Brother Kitchen Knife, your appetite seems rather large.”

“Why not just share your headquarters’ address with Brother Kitchen Knife so he can collect in person?” Ji Wuyun chimed in.

“…,” was the operative’s response.

Naturally, the Bloodthorn’s headquarters would remain a secret.

...

Time passed, and half a month flew by.

The drones gradually returned.

Only one drone failed to make it back, having collided with a specter in mid-air and crashing somewhere unknown.

Altogether, Qi Yuan had amassed over two million taels in silver notes.

“Too bad I’m still not fully recovered. I can’t use As I Descend recklessly.”

Qi Yuan reflected on his current state.

Using As I Descend last time had been flashy but had drained his energy drastically.

Even now, after twenty days, he hadn’t fully recuperated.

“Still, it might’ve been because I was too weak then. If I used it now, after recovering, the toll wouldn’t be as severe.”

As his strength gradually returned, Qi Yuan kept a low profile, rarely stepping out of Shen Manor.

When he needed materials from the black market, he sent the drones instead.

One day, Shen Lingfeng approached him.

“Brother-in-law, are you going to Lake Yeshan?”

There was a hint of reluctance in Shen Lingfeng’s tone.

“Hmm, I’ll test Master Chen’s skills. If all goes well, I’ll head to Lake Yeshan. It’s about time I met your sister,” Qi Yuan replied casually.

Recently, artifact masters from across Jining Prefecture had been gathering near Lake Yeshan for the upcoming Forging Conference.

Even the Shen family was sending their forgers with the best prospects to the event.

In the past, Qi Yuan might not have been interested in Lake Yeshan.

However, with the conference approaching, it would attract many talented forgers.

Additionally, the largest black market near Lake Yeshan would open, along with numerous trade fairs and auctions for artifact masters.

With over two million taels in hand, how could Qi Yuan resist buying forging materials?

He even considered whether to forge an army of armored warriors.

After all, wouldn’t a god need divine guards?

But to craft such equipment, the materials available at Fengshan County’s black market weren’t sufficient.

“Sigh, Brother-in-law, if you leave, what am I supposed to do? Those ten or so girls… I can’t handle them,” Shen Lingfeng admitted his true concerns.

“Brother-in-law, teach me one more move for relationships!” Shen Lingfeng pleaded eagerly.

Qi Yuan’s expression darkened.

“Apologize!”

“Huh? Brother-in-law, what did I do wrong?”

“Apologize!”

“But I…”

“I told you to apologize!” Qi Yuan emphasized.

“I’m sorry, Brother-in-law. Now can you tell me what I did wrong?”

“Alright, you’ve just learned the greatest trick in relationships: apologize in all sorts of inexplicable situations,” Qi Yuan remarked. “You’re ready to graduate. Just remember: boys must protect their virtue. Don’t give your body to bad women.”

“Ah…” Shen Lingfeng looked puzzled. “Brother-in-law, your words are profound. But I don’t understand. Why would a woman want a man’s body? Are they going to eat it?”

Qi Yuan gave him a meaningful look and nodded. “That’s not entirely wrong.”

“When does your mother take baths?” Qi Yuan asked again.

“This…” Shen Lingfeng’s face turned awkward, as if recalling a traumatic memory.

The last time he’d been hung from the rafters left a deep scar.

“I’ll teach you a trick. Tell your parents you want a younger sister. They’ll definitely…” Qi Yuan chuckled, his plan unfolding.

“Huh?” Shen Lingfeng looked baffled.

“Just do as I say!” Qi Yuan instructed firmly.

When dealing with someone like Shen Lingfeng, there was no need to explain—just tell him what to do.

Taking his leave, Shen Lingfeng hurried away.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan’s progress in his role as a son-in-law had stalled at 56%.

He surmised that breaking through required achieving one of two things: obtaining the Heart of Forging, like last time, or fulfilling his long-standing goals—such as pouring bathwater for his mother-in-law or riding Shen Lingxuan.

Unfortunately, Shen Lingxuan had refused his previous invitation.

“Should I… secretly ride her?”

“No, I’m a gentleman. I won’t stoop to such depravity!”

“Mother-in-law, just take a bath already!”

As night fell, Shen Lingfeng knocked on Qi Yuan’s door.

“Brother-in-law, I told my mother I wanted a younger sister!” Shen Lingfeng exclaimed, breathless.

“And what was her reaction?”

“She… looked a bit flustered, and then…” Shen Lingfeng recalled, “she glanced at my father, and he gave a strange smile.”

“It worked!” Qi Yuan slapped his thigh in excitement.

“Huh?” Shen Lingfeng was confused.

“Look at the night sky… let’s go heat some water in the kitchen!”

Qi Yuan wasted no time.

Finally, he could pour bathwater for his mother-in-law.

“Brother-in-law, why are you heating water for my mother? Does this have some deep meaning?”

“There’s no need for meaning in everything we do. Should I expect you to write an essay about your thoughts every time you fart?” Qi Yuan retorted dismissively.

Half an hour later…

Shen Lingfeng carried a large wooden tub filled with steaming hot water, sprinkled with flower petals.

“Come on, let’s find your mother.”

The two headed for the main courtyard.

Outside the yard, servants and maids rushed forward.

“Young Master, Son-in-law, what are you doing?”

“Ah, you can’t go in!”

“Why are you stopping us? I’m just bringing water for my mother to bathe!”

“Don’t block the way—what if the water spills and hurts the Young Master?” Qi Yuan egged them on.

Sure enough, the servants dared not stand in their way, letting Qi Yuan and Shen Lingfeng enter the courtyard.

But Qi Yuan, ever tactful, stopped at the entrance.

“Leave the tub here, right here!” Qi Yuan instructed.

He couldn’t ruin their moment, could he?

The courtyard was vast, and this spot was far enough away that his mother-in-law probably hadn’t noticed anything yet.

Shen Lingfeng obediently set the tub down, sweat dripping down his face. He looked nervous. “Will my mother blame me?”

“You’re such a thoughtful son. She’ll cherish you. Why would she blame you?” Qi Yuan assured him casually.

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