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

Chapter 69: The Invitation

"With the help of your Yibu Forbidden Army, I have already taught the Tianyun Sacred Sect a lesson.
The three supreme emperors of the demon clan have also been shot dead by the Yibu Forbidden Army.

In another half month, I... will have completed my mission." Jin Li was also learning to speak in Qi Yuan's manner.

"Mission completed? So soon! Impressive, once you’re done, don’t log off yet, wait for me a bit, we can meet in real life!"

"Okay." Jin Li held the Linglong Yuxi in her hand.

Now, with the Yibu Forbidden Army in hand, she truly became the empress of Nan Qian.

The taste of power is indeed intoxicating.

But as someone who always enjoyed the mountain springs and breezes and understood her own place, she soon woke from it.

"Once this is over, I should leave."

"I was never a qualified emperor, so leaving it behind is no big deal."

She had done her best with the tasks at hand, relying on the Yibu Forbidden Army to sweep away the demon clan, suppress the Tianyun Sacred Sect, and eliminate some threats. The future matters would be left to those who follow.

At this moment, Jin Li sat by the window, gazing at the distant ancient qichun trees, lost in thought.

......

"Senior Brother, an invitation!"

Early in the morning, Qi Yuan was awakened by someone calling him in his dream.

Having killed too many people in the game, he had grown accustomed to it, no longer having nightmares.

But killing too many is exhausting, so he had been sleeping longer these days.

Waking up, he rubbed his sleepy eyes, brushed away the hair from his brow, and asked, "What? What is it?"

Qi Yuan felt a bit grumpy upon waking.

But remembering there was a reason for this, he suppressed his grumpiness.

Leaving the thatched cottage, he saw Jiang Lingsu standing gracefully outside the yard.

Her beauty, with its mix of charm and playfulness, was pleasing to the eye, dissipating some of his morning grumpiness.

"Senior Brother, this is an invitation for Master." Jiang Lingsu handed the invitation to Qi Yuan. "The sect master had Qing Ying deliver it, and she also said the sect master has a message for you."

"Oh? What message?" Qi Yuan took the invitation.

The invitation looked quite high-end, with a watercolor painting on the outside.

"The sect master said, you can open the invitation and take a look." Jiang Lingsu said.

Qi Yuan was slightly stunned.

Not knowing what the sect master was up to.

He opened the invitation and carefully read it, his brows immediately furrowing.

He felt that his grumpiness upon waking was justified.

A thought struck him—could it be that the other day when he mentioned the Bright Palace, the experts of the Bright Palace sensed it and sent an invitation to see his master?

The invitation was issued in the name of the Bright Palace.

The content was simple: the foundation-building cultivator Zhu Lianhua of the Bright Palace had come to Da Shang, wanting to invite some top righteous figures of Da Shang to gather and discuss the future situation of Da Shang's cultivation world and determine Da Shang's development.

Before the gathering, he would visit.

Zhu Lianhua would come to the Shen Guang Sect in the next few days; the exact time was not fixed, so the Shen Guang Sect needed to prepare in advance.

After reading the content, he breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't trouble for him; he had worried for nothing.

Qi Yuan looked at the content of the invitation, sneering: "This guy is more pretentious than I am!"

As he spoke, he handed the invitation to Jiang Lingsu.

After all, this wasn't something that needed to be kept secret.

Jiang Lingsu took the invitation, biting her silver teeth as she read it, and especially upon seeing that name, a faint hint of killing intent flashed in her eyes: "This Zhu Lianhua is ridiculous, always so high and mighty, who does he think he is?
A mere foundation-building cultivator, yet with such a grand attitude!"

The content of the invitation showcased Zhu Lianhua's arrogance to the fullest.

Moreover, the exact arrival time was not fixed, yet they were to prepare for his arrival.

Did he think he was a leader coming to inspect?

And to discuss the future development of Da Shang's cultivation world, to determine Da Shang's development, such an attitude would make any Da Shang cultivator want to say: Who do you think you are, what qualifications do you have?
The arrogance of Zhu Lianhua was evident throughout the invitation.

"Great minds think alike." Qi Yuan very much agreed with his junior sister's words.

Jiang Lingsu continued: "People from the Bright Palace are always like this, especially when they come to small places; they always have their eyes on their heads.

Unfortunately, they do have the capital to be arrogant.

We'd better not offend them, otherwise... it could cause trouble."

Jiang Lingsu had some fear of the Bright Palace.

Of course, it was just a bit of fear.

"I'll take the invitation to Master." Qi Yuan took the invitation, his mood suddenly brightening.

Maybe he could see his master again.

It had been months, and he missed him.

Qi Yuan reached halfway up the mountain, once again encountering a barrier blocking his way.

He held the invitation high and shouted: "Master, someone from the Bright Palace is here to visit, here is the invitation."

As he spoke, he held up the invitation, looking forward.

He wanted to see his master.

At that moment, a breeze stirred, flipping the invitation.

A ray of moonlight seemed to spill from the peak.

The light and shadow formed two words: "Not seeing."

They lingered for a moment before dissipating.

"I understand, Master." Qi Yuan felt a bit disappointed, not seeing his master.
He held the invitation, feeling its texture: "Seems pretty fancy, maybe I can sell it for a spirit stone."

A day later, in the market around the Shen Guang Sect.

A distinguished figure appeared, accompanied by a foundation-building cultivator.

The foundation-building cultivator was at the peak of foundation building, but before the other foundation-building mid-stage cultivator, he seemed very obsequious.

"Daoist Zhu, this is the market below the Shen Guang Sect.

But it’s quite shabby, not much of worth, incomparable to your Bright Palace." The peak foundation-building cultivator spoke aloud on purpose.

Unfortunately, no one in the market had heard of the Bright Palace, so his words had no effect.

Only a cloaked cultivator seemed to catch something, his heart skipping a beat before pretending nothing had happened.

Zhu Lianhua glanced over the market, saying lightly: "It's okay, I can manage to stay here, hoping to find some overlooked treasures."

His visit to the Shen Guang Sect was firstly to pay respects to the strongest person in the Shen Guang Sect, the Seven Color Peak Master; secondly, there had been rumors of a treasure appearing in the Shen Guang Sect recently, with several anomalies. Such a treasure should belong to the worthy.

He came from the Bright Palace, hence he was the worthy.

The latter was his true purpose.

The peak foundation-building cultivator, Wang Shuang, snickered internally but fawned: "Daoist Zhu is also here for that treasure?"

"If it is indeed such a treasure, I must personally take it.

The Shen Guang Sect is too small, they can't handle such a treasure; it would bring disaster." Zhu Lianhua spoke as if it were a matter of course.

Wang Shuang internally despised him but continued to flatter: "Daoist Zhu truly cares for the world.

Even without having established ties with the Shen Guang Sect, you are already thinking of them."

"You think they have obtained this five-element treasure?" Zhu Lianhua asked.

Wang Shuang pondered: "Even if they have, they probably wouldn't admit it publicly."

"What if I offer a recommendation to join the Bright Palace in exchange for their treasure, would they agree?"

Wang Shuang was stunned.

A recommendation to join the Bright Palace was indeed precious.

But just that.

The Bright Palace was strong, but too far from Da Shang!

Wang Shuang respected Zhu Lianhua, but if pushed to the limit, he might dare to kill him.

Of course, without being pushed, who would take such a risk?
Wang Shuang found Zhu Lianhua's mentality from the big city absurd but still said: "I'm afraid the Shen Guang Sect might not recognize the value."

In other words, the Shen Guang Sect would not hand over the treasure.

Zhu Lianhua was not surprised: "Seems I need another way."

Though accustomed to arrogance.

He understood not to push too hard.

Otherwise, his identity wouldn't mean much.

In Da Shang, he might look down on all foundation-building cultivators, but if a yuan dan cultivator decided to risk it all, disregarding their life, he would be in trouble.

The two walked through the market, occasionally transmitting messages and occasionally speaking aloud.

Wang Shuang then said: "I have learned a treasure-seeking technique, though not always reliable, it occasionally finds something.

Today, let me show Daoist Zhu some treasure hunting, as an offering."

Wang Shuang kept a low profile, understanding part of Zhu Lianhua's personality.

Sure enough, Zhu Lianhua showed interest: "Let's see your skills."

Wang Shuang performed a spell, named the Heavenly Treasure Seeking Technique.

He could sense some peculiar treasures.

But he knew this market had no precious items, so he decided, if he failed to find anything, he would use his own money to buy something to replace it.

The spell performed, a golden light appeared in Wang Shuang's eyes.

After about half an incense stick of time, Wang Shuang's brows lifted with joy: "Unexpectedly, there is indeed something here, Daoist Zhu, wait a moment, I will buy it and show it to you."

If both went, the stall owner might see Zhu Lianhua's distinguished attire and raise the price.

Zhu Lianhua nodded, understanding this, allowing Wang Shuang to go alone.

He waited quietly in the market, knowing that even if Wang Shuang failed to find anything, he could secretly replace it with something else.

Soon, Wang Shuang returned with a look of joy: "Daoist Zhu, I spent only a spirit stone, and successfully found a treasure, take a look!"

Wang Shuang held up the item he had found: "Though it looks a bit fancy and somewhat damaged, its material..."

He stopped speaking abruptly.

Noticing Zhu Lianhua's grim expression.

Did he say something wrong?

Wang Shuang was frightened: "Daoist?"

Zhu Lianhua grabbed the item from Wang Shuang's hand, his expression shifting: "Where did this come from?"

Wang Shuang's heart sank, cautiously asking: "Daoist recognizes this treasure?"

"It's no treasure at all!" Zhu Lianhua threw the item to the ground, "This is my invitation to the Shen Guang Sect!"

His anger evident, he was clearly furious.

Wang Shuang was stunned.

He hadn't expected the item he found to be Zhu Lianhua's invitation to the Shen Guang Sect!

This was too... ridiculous!