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

Tu San looked at the strangely designed artifact, finding it somewhat ugly.

Still, recalling the rumors about this ruthless figure from the Red Cloud Bandits, he asked, “How much is this?”

The nobleman beside him remained silent, though his face was full of disdain as he looked over the pile of artifacts at Qi Yuan’s stall.

To him, they all seemed like trash—hardly worth a second glance.

“This is a Yellow-grade artifact, painstakingly crafted by me.

More importantly, it’s one of a kind—an item that existed only in imagination until now.

You’re in luck. It’s yours for just 1,000 taels.”

“What? 1,000 taels?” Before Tu San could speak, a passerby exclaimed, “Even a masterpiece Yellow-grade artifact rarely costs this much! You’re daylight robbery!”

“Too much! Unless it’s a top-tier Yellow-grade artifact, it’s not worth this price!”

Yellow-grade artifacts typically ranged between several hundred taels, with few exceeding 1,000 taels.

The nobleman couldn’t help but sneer. “Why don’t you just rob someone?”

Qi Yuan’s expression remained calm. “If you try to rob me, I might just take yours instead.”

Qi Yuan had always been law-abiding and kind, following the principle of “I won’t harm you if you don’t harm me.”

Since the nobleman hadn’t truly offended him, Qi Yuan refrained from taking action.

“You…” The nobleman started to speak but was hurriedly stopped by Tu San.

Tu San knew Qi Yuan was a dangerous individual.

If they truly angered Qi Yuan and ended up dead, who would they complain to?

“1,000 taels of silver… I’ll buy it,” Tu San said through gritted teeth.

The onlookers were shocked.

“He bought it?”

“Seriously? He actually bought it!”

“Wow, this guy must be loaded.”

Other vendors, seeing this, started eyeing Tu San like a fat sheep.

“Young man, I have a Yellow-grade artifact here just as good as his, and it’s only 800 taels. Interested?”

“Mine’s just 500 taels!”

Everyone saw Tu San as an easy target.

Tu San ignored them and turned back to Qi Yuan. “What unique features does this artifact have?”

“It certainly has them,” Qi Yuan said with a grin. “See the button there? Press it gently, and a light sword will appear.

This light sword gathers the energy of heaven and earth, making it incredibly sharp and durable. Its destructive power is astonishing.”

Qi Yuan hadn’t crafted an actual beam of light into a sword but had condensed heaven and earth’s energy into one.

Its primary strengths were sharpness and resilience.

“Hmph, that sounds so ordinary,” the nobleman commented scornfully.

Others agreed, thinking Qi Yuan’s explanation too plain.

Most Yellow-grade artifacts carried engravings or enchantments that granted special effects, like burning or freezing properties.

Qi Yuan’s artifact lacked any such features but was still so expensive.

“I’ll buy it,” Tu San said without hesitation, handing over a banknote worth 1,000 taels.

Qi Yuan took the note and said calmly, “Actually, this artifact has another special ability. However, it requires 10,000 taels to activate.”

“10,000 taels?”

“What did you just say?”

The crowd erupted in shock.

“With that kind of money, you could buy a basic Earth-grade artifact!”

“This is absurd!”

“No special ability could be worth 10,000 taels!”

The onlookers couldn’t believe what they were hearing. To them, Qi Yuan was blatantly extorting his customer.

The nobleman was equally stunned. “10,000 taels? Do you even understand what that means?”

Even for him, such an amount would be a significant burden.

Tu San hesitated, deeply conflicted. His head swam with doubt and fear.

“May I ask, Senior, what is this special ability?” Tu San finally asked, recalling the rumors of the Red Cloud Bandit’s terrifying power.

“Once I tell you, there’s no going back—you’ll have to buy it. Are you sure you want to hear?” Qi Yuan replied calmly.

This man was rich; Qi Yuan intended to milk him for all he could.

One big sale could cover his expenses for a year.

If he could get 10,000 taels, he could buy plenty of materials.

Sensing the opportunity, Qi Yuan wasn’t about to let it slip away.

The nobleman grabbed Tu San’s arm. “Tu San, why let this man deceive you? That’s 10,000 taels!”

While they came from wealthy families, 10,000 taels would still leave them financially strained.

Tu San hesitated, torn between believing in Qi Yuan’s strength and fearing this was a scam.

“Fortune favors the bold. If you walk away, this special ability may never be activated in your lifetime,” Qi Yuan said with a calm yet tempting tone.

Tu San’s mind raced as he stared at Qi Yuan’s face, recalling the Red Cloud Bandit incident.

Many had witnessed a mysterious figure’s power during the attack.

When various weapon masters went to investigate, they asked survivors to describe the figure’s appearance.

Strangely, every witness gave a different description.

It was as if some mystical force prevented them from identifying this individual.

However, all reports mentioned a scruffy old man and a strikingly handsome youth—facts that matched Qi Yuan and his companion.

Tu San also remembered the blood-red armor the mysterious man had worn. That armor looked like an unusual artifact.

Could this artifact’s special ability be related to that armor?

His heart pounded at the thought.

“I’ll buy it. Please tell me,” Tu San said at last, biting the bullet. He then turned to the nobleman. “I’m short 4,000 taels. Could you lend it to me?” ȒΑＮỌᛒЕ§

“Tu San, he’s clearly a scammer!” the nobleman protested, exasperated. “Look at these uncertified, bizarre artifacts. They’re worth no more than a few dozen taels! You’re seriously spending 10,000? Do you think this can rival an Earth-grade artifact?”

He rattled off objections like a machine gun.

“Brother Huang, lend me the money. If I’m cheated, it’s my loss, not yours,” Tu San insisted, visibly resolute.

Qi Yuan observed this exchange and thought to himself, If I were a scammer, I’d definitely succeed.

Still, Qi Yuan was a principled man. He would never break the law.

“Fine.” The nobleman, his face alternating between frustration and resignation, eventually handed over 4,000 taels.

Around them, the crowd watched with bated breath. Many looked at the duo with greedy eyes, their thoughts teeming with envy.

Tu San respectfully handed over the 10,000-tael banknote. “Please, Senior, reveal the special ability.”

“Its special ability is called God Summoning.

Within the light sword resides a dormant divine spirit, known as the God Incarnation.

You need only believe in it, even lightly.

In moments of peril, silently chant ‘God Summon,’ and the god’s avatar will descend to aid you.

However, this can only be used three times.”

Qi Yuan delivered this explanation via voice transmission.

Tu San froze, momentarily confused.

Summon a god’s avatar?

This sounds… too good to be true.

Any artifact capable of invoking a god must be a divine treasure or belong to a Heaven-grade weapon master.

Could this small Yellow-grade artifact really do something so miraculous?

“You’ve hit the jackpot. I only have three such artifacts left. Consider yourself lucky,” Qi Yuan said with pride, his tone brimming with self-satisfaction.

To Qi Yuan, this was a masterstroke: sell artifacts for money and gain followers.

When he used his godlike powers to help these “followers,” he wouldn’t earn tangible rewards but would advance his role-playing progress.

By presenting this as a purchasable feature, he essentially monetized the opportunity to serve as a deity.

Truly ingenious.

Arguably the smartest man in Ning Kingdom.

“Only three left?” Tu San gulped, still skeptical.

“Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Use it wisely and only as a last resort,” Qi Yuan advised.

The nobleman, his eyes narrowing, asked sharply, “Tu San, what’s the special ability?”

Tu San hesitated, unsure how to explain. “Brother Huang, this isn’t the place to discuss it. Let’s go elsewhere.”

He hurriedly pulled the nobleman away.

“There are two more artifacts left! Only 1,000 taels each! Pay 10,000 taels to activate the special ability!” Qi Yuan called out.

The crowd eyed Qi Yuan and Tu San with suspicion. Many believed Tu San was merely a shill.

Still, some grew more curious about Qi Yuan’s artifacts.

Yet, the steep prices of 1,000 taels—or even 10,000—deterred most. In the end, only a few cheaper artifacts, priced at a few dozen taels each, were sold.

<hr>

Two hours later, Qi Yuan stretched lazily.

“Money flows like water. I had over 10,000 taels, and now I’m down to less than half.”

After Tu San left, Qi Yuan quickly packed up and used the ghost market to purchase crafting materials.

The market offered a wide array of items, including many he needed.

He even spent 3,000 taels on a storage artifact, a crucial purchase for him.

Its capacity was under 10 cubic meters—small but sufficient for now.

The rest of his money went toward various materials, which now filled his storage artifact.

“With all these materials, I can craft plenty of powerful drones or even mechanical angels!” Qi Yuan thought, his ambitions soaring.

He envisioned assembling an electronic army to bolster his godly image.

After all, his artifact designs were inspired by Earth’s modern technology and pop culture.

In this ancient world, such creations would undoubtedly make him seem divine.

“Young Master, with that much money, you could’ve just bought more buns,” Chen Kangbao muttered nearby, fixated on food.

“You only ever think about eating,” Qi Yuan replied with a sigh.

At this moment, the two had left the ghost market, and Qi Yuan deliberately slowed his pace.

“In the Immortal Realm, I never encountered bandits. Yet here in this game world, I do. Interesting,” he muttered. Then, addressing the shadowy forest behind him, he called out, “Since you’re here, come out. Why bother hiding?”

As his voice echoed, five figures emerged from the forest, cloaked in black robes that concealed their forms.

Each exuded a menacing aura.

“Young man, hand over your storage artifact and silver, and we’ll let you leave alive,” their leader rasped.

When Tu San paid 10,000 taels for an artifact, many eyes had turned to Qi Yuan.

Such wealth was enough to tempt even a xuan-grade weapon master into action.

Among the five were two xuan-grade weapon masters and three high-level Yellow-grade weapon masters.

“You’re quite bold. Aren’t you afraid I might be hiding my true strength?” Qi Yuan asked calmly.

“Hah! Young man, don’t try to scare us.

The ghost market’s gate has detection artifacts. Do you think we don’t know your strength?

You’re merely a Yellow-grade weapon master—a fraud and a scammer.

The silver you swindled belongs to us!” one of the xuan-grade masters said coldly.

Everyone entering the ghost market passed through a gate equipped with a detection artifact.

That artifact, an Earth-grade treasure, could measure one’s power.

The five had confirmed with market staff that Qi Yuan’s power level was merely Yellow-grade—nothing to fear.

They assumed Qi Yuan had used trickery to scam Tu San and guessed the Tu family would eventually retaliate.

Thus, they intended to strike first, claiming the 10,000 taels before anyone else could.

“Sigh. Why must people be so wicked? Why bully me? I’m just a humble son-in-law,” Qi Yuan murmured.

As he spoke, his disguise vanished, revealing an even more strikingly handsome face.

“Remember, the person you’re bullying is the Shen family’s son-in-law… Qi Yuan.”

The five robed figures froze, clearly caught off guard.

“You’re… the Shen family’s son-in-law?” one xuan-grade master asked warily. “Shen Lingxuan’s husband?”

Shen Lingxuan’s name carried immense weight.

Though she was also a xuan-grade weapon master, her status as a top genius on the Heavenly Pride List made her leagues above them.

“This is him? That complicates things,” another xuan-grade master muttered, now regretting his involvement.

The Shen family’s wrath was not something they could withstand.

“But isn’t he supposed to be useless?” someone asked, puzzled.

Everyone knew the Shen family’s son-in-law was a weakling with no cultivation.

Yet now, he was revealed to be a Yellow-grade weapon master?

The leader’s face shifted between emotions before he finally spoke. “Young Master Qi, let’s call this a misunderstanding. We’ll leave and pretend this never happened.”

The five had no desire to kill Shen Lingxuan’s husband. Not even the ghost market could protect them if they did.

The others nodded, preparing to retreat.

“Hey, I’ve already revealed my identity. If you don’t continue bullying me, won’t I lose face?”

“Also, Wang Kanshan, Fang Tai, Lin Hu… Did you really think wearing those robes would hide your identities from me?” Qi Yuan called out their names directly.

The five froze in shock.

How did he know?

How did Qi Yuan uncover our identities?

If Qi Yuan returned to the Shen family and reported them, they were doomed.

He can’t be allowed to live!

Killing intent flared in Wang Kanshan’s eyes. He looked to the others, then growled, “Kill him and flee Jining Prefecture!”

No matter what, it seemed they had no other choice.

The others exchanged grim looks, their eyes burning with malice, before charging at Qi Yuan. “Die!”

The five attacked simultaneously, wielding their artifacts with lethal precision.

Though Qi Yuan’s appearance and behavior were strange, his strength was clear. As a Yellow-grade weapon master, he was no match for them.

“Time to show off again,” Qi Yuan muttered.

“Sigh, I’m so used to relying on raw power that I forget… I’m a technical genius.”

With a swift movement, Qi Yuan dodged their coordinated assault.

His movements were perfectly calculated—no more, no less—evading their attacks with ease.

In a flash, his short sword sliced toward Wang Kanshan’s neck.

The strike was swift, precise, and effortless.

In an instant, Wang Kanshan fell to the ground, clutching his neck. His body went limp.

Even in death, he couldn’t comprehend how that sword had reached him.

The remaining four stared at Qi Yuan in horror, as though he were a demon.

Qi Yuan’s techniques were incomprehensibly flawless.

Despite only possessing the strength and speed of a Yellow-grade weapon master, he completely dominated them.

They couldn’t even touch the hem of his robe.

“Keep bullying me! I’m just a weak, helpless son-in-law,” Qi Yuan said with a smile.

To the four, that smile was as terrifying as the devil’s.

Sword light flashed again.

In less than twenty breaths, more bodies littered the forest floor.

Sheathing his sword gracefully, Qi Yuan sneered. “So poor, yet you wanted to rob people?”

After searching their belongings, Qi Yuan found fewer than 300 taels—a pitiful amount.

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