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

Chapter 385: You’re a Bit Poor, So Just Lend 10.5 Billion

Jiang Lingsu nodded. Only then did Qiong Yunting leave, satisfied.

On the pavilion, only Qi Yuan and Jiang Lingsu remained.

Jiang Lingsu blinked her eyes and said, "Senior Brother, do you finally see now that she's not really my sister?"

Qi Yuan stroked his chin in thought. "She's more like our creditor."

"Huh? Are you really short on money?" Jiang Lingsu asked, surprised.

"Just a little bit," Qi Yuan replied casually.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Will this be enough?" Jiang Lingsu pulled out a storage pouch and handed it to Qi Yuan.

As if remembering something, she fished around herself and pulled out four more storage pouches.

Finally, with a bit of reluctance, she even took out a small pink storage pouch from inside her clothing.

"These six pouches are all the spirit stones I have. Is it enough? I'll lend them all to you!" Jiang Lingsu said earnestly.

Qi Yuan was slightly moved by this.

His junior sister, this wealthy lady, still had such a kind heart. Back when Qi Yuan was much weaker, she was the one giving him spirit stones and cultivation techniques.

"Hmm, it might not be enough. Keep the money for yourself, Junior Sister," Qi Yuan said, instinctively patting Jiang Lingsu's head as he spoke.

"Not enough? What are you trying to buy that requires so much?" Jiang Lingsu asked, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes as she pulled back her pouches.

She had forgotten that her senior brother was no longer the same as before. All the private savings she had collected over the years probably meant little to him now.

Just as she was about to put away the pink storage pouch, Qi Yuan placed his hand gently on hers, stopping her. "Junior Sister, I don’t like owing debts. The feeling of being in debt is terrible—it makes me want to run whenever I see the creditor.

How about this: instead of lending me those spirit stones, why don’t you invest them in me? In the game I’m playing, real estate is a booming industry, a sunrise sector.

You could invest these spirit stones to help me buy a piece of land, and when I build my Netherworld, I’ll leave you a plot to build your own house. How about that?"

Qi Yuan’s explanation was strange and unclear, but Jiang Lingsu seemed to be considering it seriously.

At that moment, Jiang Qian, the manager of the Jiang family’s property, arrived and overheard the conversation. Her expression turned slightly helpless.

“Miss, investing in property and purchasing deeds in Yuntian City isn’t the wisest decision,” Jiang Qian couldn’t help but caution.

Her opinion of Qi Yuan dropped another notch.

Still, he was her mistress’s senior brother, so she couldn’t say too much. Even though she couldn’t discern Qi Yuan’s cultivation level, his looks alone were enough to qualify him as a live-in son-in-law for the Jiang family.

Jiang Lingsu glanced back at Jiang Qian and said, "I’m not investing in Yuntian City. I’m investing in my senior brother, and I trust him!"

With that, she pushed the pink storage pouch into Qi Yuan’s hands.

“Make sure you save me a good spot!”

“Don’t worry!” Qi Yuan thumped his chest in assurance.

Seeing this, Jiang Qian sighed but refrained from saying more. Instead, she said quietly, "Miss, there’s word that the eccentric painter will be back tomorrow."

"Good. Tomorrow, Senior Brother and I will go see her," Jiang Lingsu said, happy that she could still help her senior brother.

As she thought about something, she casually asked, “I heard our family’s business here ran into some trouble?”

A flicker of concern crossed Jiang Qian’s face, but she responded calmly, “Miss, I’ll handle those matters. You just focus on cultivating. Once your strength grows, these problems will no longer be issues.”

Jiang Qian, who was from a side branch of the Jiang family, harbored a sense of envy toward Jiang Lingsu.

Miss Lingsu was born into the main family, with a golden spoon in her mouth, enjoying abundant cultivation resources. She had both beauty and talent, qualifying her to view the Jiang family’s treasured relics and even receive enhancements to her talent.

On the other hand, as someone from a lesser branch, Jiang Qian had no such fortune. Without exceptional talent or stunning looks, progressing in the path of cultivation was nearly impossible. Many like her ended up managing family businesses, gathering spirit stones and resources for the main branch.

So naturally, Jiang Qian felt a deep sense of envy toward her young mistress. With even one of Lingsu’s gifts—whether it be beauty, talent, or family background—her life would have turned out vastly different.

After reporting everything, Jiang Qian exited the pavilion, her heart still heavy with envy. If only she had been born into the main family, she might have had the freedom to choose someone she liked, even just to nurture a pretty boy.

She quickly brushed aside those thoughts and hurried off to deal with the family business.

Just then, footsteps approached.

“Manager Jiang, fancy meeting you here.”

A weaselly-looking man in a blood-red robe appeared before her, holding a fan in one hand and looking quite pleased with himself.

Seeing him, Jiang Qian frowned slightly. “Young Master Feng.”

The man before her was Feng Ruohan, a notorious playboy in Yuntian City. Despite his unsavory reputation, his family was far more powerful than the Jiang family.

Feng Ruohan, in his red robe, was clearly imitating the famed Blood-Robe Sword God.

He closed his fan and asked, “I’ve heard that the young miss of the Jiang family is as beautiful as a goddess. Would Feng be lucky enough to meet her?”

“You’ll have to ask her permission first,” Jiang Qian replied.

“Manager Jiang, you’re just a side branch member of the Jiang family. You probably won’t have any opportunities for advancement in your lifetime.” Feng Ruohan’s tone suddenly became serious.

“What do you mean by that, Young Master Feng?” Jiang Qian asked warily.

“It’s simple. I want to make a deal with you,” Feng Ruahan smiled. “I’ve been smitten with the young miss of the Jiang family for a long time. I wish to marry into the Jiang family, but I’m not the best-looking, and the young miss has a handsome senior brother by her side.

So, I’d like your help. Pour this vial of liquid into the young miss’s drink. Once she consumes it, she’ll fall deeply in love with me, and the Jiang family won’t be the wiser.

Didn’t you want the Feng family’s support? If you help me with this, the Feng family will immediately assist you and help solve your problems.

I’ll also back you up, ensuring you rise to higher ranks. You won’t be stuck as a mere manager; you could even reach the Nascent Soul stage.

So, what do you think? My offer is more than generous, isn’t it?” Feng Ruohan stared into Jiang Qian’s eyes.

Jiang Qian’s face paled, and she instinctively reached for a teleportation talisman. “I’m sorry, Young Master Feng, but this isn’t a joke.”

Feng Ruohan’s expression froze. “Are you refusing me?”

A murderous intent filled his eyes.

Before he came, Feng Ruohan had already set up an array in this area.

Now that Jiang Qian had heard his plan but refused, her only fate was death.

Once she was dead, he’d deal with Jiang Lingsu next.

Grinning cruelly, he added, “Don’t worry, I’ll only play with your corpse for a day.”

Jiang Qian’s face turned deathly pale as she realized her teleportation talisman had been rendered useless.

But suddenly, a flash of red light appeared in the sky.

In an instant, a thin line formed around Feng Ruohan’s neck. His head separated smoothly from his body, which collapsed to the ground with a thud.

A cold, indifferent voice echoed through the air.

“As I thought, staying home is best. You don’t encounter as much disgusting stuff this way.

Sigh, the cultivation world’s moral decay is still too severe.”

A handsome man in a blood-red robe appeared, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

Seeing who it was, Jiang Qian’s expression changed. “Young Master Qi!”

She hadn’t expected that her savior would be Qi Yuan.

With such strength... Was he already at the Nascent Soul stage?

Jiang Qian’s heart tightened.

Young Master Qi had just killed Feng Ruohan. This could turn the tide of Yuntian City upside down.

“Young Master Qi, he was the son of the Feng family, the top power in Yuntian City. Please take Miss and leave quickly. I’ll stay behind to deal with the aftermath!” Jiang Qian, experienced in managing affairs, remained calm, prioritizing the interests of the Jiang family’s main branch.

Qi Yuan smiled. “I’ll leave after I’ve seen the eccentric painter.”

With that, his figure vanished, leaving Jiang Qian standing there, her expression constantly shifting.

“No, I can’t let the Feng family find out too soon that Feng Ruohan died at the hands of the Jiang family. Otherwise, no one will get out of this alive. Sigh… Young Master Qi was too impulsive. He shouldn’t have killed him!”

Jiang Qian sighed, but the damage was already done. There was no way to undo it now.

---

“Senior Brother, hurry up and get ready! We’re going to the Nascent Soul banquet. Hmm, where did you just go?” Jiang Lingsu called from her vanity table, glancing at Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan didn’t quite understand Jiang Lingsu’s need to put on makeup.

She was already naturally beautiful, with flawless skin. There was no need for makeup at all.

In contrast, some of the women back on Gongsun Xing, like Wu Qi, could use makeup to enhance their looks, taking them up a level in the eyes of ordinary people.

“I went to kill someone, and while I was at it, I used my Tenfold Killing Fist to wipe out a sect. Just cleaning up the morals of the cultivation world—Yuntian City’s atmosphere is terrible,” Qi Yuan said casually.

The Tenfold Killing Fist wasn’t a Dao technique but a martial art.

What surprised Qi Yuan was that martial arts were indeed unique.

According to records, when a Yang God cultivator from the Immortal Dao entered certain strange lands, their cultivation would drop by one level.

Similarly, practitioners of other systems would experience a drop when entering the Immortal Dao world.

However, as a Martial God at the Ten Thousand Ways level, Qi Yuan had no such limitation. He retained his martial prowess, equivalent to the Yang God level of power.

“Oh, you were killing bad guys.” Jiang Lingsu wasn’t surprised by this. “Senior Brother, how’s my makeup?”

“Not as good as going without it,” Qi Yuan commented, objectively evaluating her look.

Jiang Lingsu shot him a glare. “I have to completely outshine Qiong Yunting!”

“There’s no need to compete with a bro,” Qi Yuan chuckled.

“What? Bro?” Jiang Lingsu blinked, then realized what Qi Yuan meant. She covered her mouth and laughed. “Senior Brother, you always know how to say the right thing. You should talk more at the banquet later!”

Jiang Lingsu suddenly remembered that her senior brother had a much sharper tongue than hers.

“I have social anxiety. I’ll just find a corner and munch on some melon seeds,” Qi Yuan responded.

“Huh?” Jiang Lingsu thought for a moment. “I’ll stay with you.”

---

Yuntian City’s Nascent Soul banquet was bustling with excitement.

Not only had many young cultivators gathered, but even the older generation had shown up.

Representatives from Yuntian City and other major forces in Helan Continent were present.

The guest of honor for this Nascent Soul banquet was none other than Wang Yunteng, the heir to the Wang family.

It was said that when Wang Yunteng was born, a divine fragrance filled the air, and a white deer came to offer spiritual liquid.

Wang Yunteng was considered the hope of the Wang family.

“Sigh, Wang Yunteng and I are the same age, but he’s already reached the Nascent Soul stage. We’re not even in the same league.”

“With someone like Wang Yunteng, the Wang family is bound to enjoy centuries of good fortune!”

“I’ve heard that the Wang family has an important announcement to make at this banquet.”

“What kind of announcement?”

“It’s rumored to be related to the legendary Blood-Robe Sword God!”

“Whoa, a Yang God expert!”

The guests kept showering praise.

Wang Yunteng stood with his fiancée, Qiong Yunting, exuding an air of arrogance.

No one minded his arrogance, though. After all, he was young, and being a bit haughty was expected.

Qiong Yunting’s eyes scanned the guests until she spotted a familiar face. Immediately, she walked over.

“Sister, you’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting for you.

Everyone, this is Miss Jiang Lingsu from the Jiang family, and she’s one of my closest friends!” Qiong Yunting said, her voice full of joy.

“The Jiang family? Wow, Wang Yunteng’s connections really are impressive. The Jiang family is far off in another continent, and yet someone came all the way here for the Nascent Soul banquet!”

“The Wang family’s influence speaks for itself. Every prominent family and sect in Helan Continent is here.”

“Speaking of which, isn’t it odd? Where are the Feng family members?”

The Feng family was the dominant force in Yuntian City, and its backer, Feng Palace, was one of the top three powers in Helan Continent.

Since they were based in the same city, the Feng family should have sent their gifts long ago, but there was no sign of them at the banquet.

“The Feng family’s always been proud. Maybe they’re planning to make a grand entrance.”

Guests whispered among themselves.

Meanwhile, Qiong Yunting’s attention remained on Jiang Lingsu.

This was one of the rare moments when she could outshine her.

“Your partner is so handsome, Sister! I didn’t expect someone from a small place like the Hundred Nations to produce such a dragon!” Qiong Yunting began, her words laced with condescension.

Though it seemed like she was praising Qi Yuan, in reality, she was mocking his humble origins.

Sure enough, hearing that Qi Yuan came from the Hundred Nations region, any guests who had been interested in making connections with him quickly lost interest.

The Hundred Nations was so insignificant that it didn’t even have a single Purple Mansion-level faction.

If it weren’t for the incident with the Bright Palace, they wouldn’t have even known of its existence.

Hearing Qiong Yunting deliberately misrepresent her senior brother as her partner, Jiang Lingsu’s face flushed, but she had no time to explain. Instead, she proudly boasted, “You’re right, my senior brother is a true dragon. He’s been on the Eastern Lands Genius Ranking!”

The Eastern Lands Genius Ranking was no small feat, representing the strongest of the younger generation in the Eastern Lands.

“He’s really on the Eastern Lands Genius Ranking?”

“I’ve never heard of Qi Yuan before, though.”

“The name sounds familiar, but that person isn’t a young genius.”

On the ranking, the strongest young people were in the Nascent Soul stage, with most still in the Golden Core stage.

Qiong Yunting was momentarily taken aback.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Lingsu to keep such a big secret.

Why hadn’t she mentioned something so important earlier? Clearly, she’d been saving it for now to steal the spotlight.

“Ah, what a shame. If Yunteng hadn’t been in seclusion for the past few years, he could’ve easily claimed a top-three spot on the Eastern Lands Genius Ranking,” Qiong Yunting sighed, feigning regret.

Jiang Lingsu mentally rolled her eyes at her.

Normally, she wouldn’t bother competing with Qiong Yunting, but insulting her senior brother was unacceptable!

Just as she was about to respond, Qi Yuan spoke up.

“Miss Qiong, earlier today, didn’t you say that if I attended the Nascent Soul banquet, you and Wang Yunteng would lend me some spirit stones to help with my urgent needs?

Let’s skip the small talk. I’ve already said the good words. So, when will you be giving me the spirit stones?” Qi Yuan asked bluntly, getting straight to the point.

He wanted to borrow the money and then leave.

Qiong Yunting was momentarily stunned, not expecting Qi Yuan to bring up the matter so directly. His shamelessness was astonishing.

Was this man really someone on the Eastern Lands Genius Ranking?

“Sister, if your Jiang family is facing difficulties in Yuntian City, I’m certainly willing to help. How much do you need? I’ll help as much as I can,” Qiong Yunting smiled, still maintaining her elegant demeanor.

The other cultivators glanced at Qi Yuan, some with puzzled expressions.

They had come to borrow money?

“Hmm... I did some calculations. The Wang family’s assets are probably worth about ten billion spirit stones, and the Qiong family is worth around five hundred million.

Honestly, you’re both a bit poor, so I won’t ask for too much—just lend me 10.5 billion spirit stones,” Qi Yuan said calmly.

As soon as he spoke, many guests drew sharp breaths.

Was this guy here to borrow spirit stones or to cause trouble?