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

Chapter 246: Because Your Number of Nascent Souls Is Too Few

Hearing these words, everyone else nodded in agreement with Shen Zhifeng. This way, they wouldn’t lose face.

At that moment, a lazy voice drifted in.

"His strength is barely acceptable, but if you’re talking about taking first place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List, he still wouldn’t get it."

Qi Yuan appeared, dressed in a bright red blood robe, his face strikingly handsome, his aura like that of a transcendent being. Anyone who laid eyes on him couldn’t help but show a hint of reverence or other complex emotions.

Even Jiang Lingsu took a few extra glances at Qi Yuan. Today, it seemed that he had gone to extra lengths to dress up, making him particularly eye-catching, with a charm and appearance that made her heart flutter and her face flush.

The only flaw in this picture was that he was holding a rope in his hand, with a pet cleaver tied to the other end.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qi Yuan!"

"It’s been a few days, and Senior Brother Qi Yuan is as impressive as ever," said Zhuge Miao of the Divine Medicine Peak, his expression complicated.

The last time Zhuge Miao had seen Qi Yuan, he had asked him for advice on improving a pill formula. At that time, he had called Qi Yuan "junior brother." Afterward, he ventured into a secret realm, gained substantial benefits, and returned triumphantly, having advanced to the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.

And now... Qi Yuan had already reached the Nascent Soul stage.

When Zhuge Miao heard this news, he was dumbfounded.

At that moment, the other Nascent Soul cultivators also turned their gazes toward Qi Yuan, their expressions varied.

"Greetings, True Lord Qi Yuan!"

"Who would have thought that today our Great Shang would gather such talents."

"It won’t be long before Qi Yuan becomes the second Shen Wushen."

"True Lord Qi Yuan is a young genius; he’s sure to achieve great things in the future."

The Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t help but flatter him.

Qi Yuan, however, couldn’t help but respond, "No need to talk about the future; I’ve already achieved great things."

Saying that he would achieve great things in the future felt like an insult to him.

Wu Dian, the monk who had spoken earlier, was taken aback and gave an awkward laugh.

At this moment, Shen Zhifeng looked at Qi Yuan and asked, "True Lord Qi Yuan, why do you say that Lord Shen cannot take first place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List?"

In Shen Zhifeng’s eyes, Shen Wushen, who had descended from the Upper Realm, was like a celestial being. How could any Nascent Soul cultivator from the lower realms compare to her lord? Even Yin God-level cultivators had to show her lord respect.

The others also looked at Qi Yuan, curious about why he would say such a thing. Was he not afraid of offending Shen Wushen?

Shen Wushen’s background was clearly extraordinary, and he might even have the support of a Yin God. His status was no less than Qi Yuan’s.

"Because... I also participated in the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List," Qi Yuan said with a proud smile, clearing his throat as if preparing to make a grand speech. "I, not being very talented, used a backdoor method to secure first place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List."

As soon as he said this, everyone was momentarily stunned, then shocked, or perhaps bewildered.

First place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List? Using a backdoor?

It was certain now—this Blood-Robe Alliance leader, the Blood-Robe Sword God, was definitely Qi Yuan’s biological father.

Otherwise, how could he have used a backdoor to secure first place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List?

Shen Zhifeng’s eyes flashed with a hint of disdain. "If that’s the case, then indeed, Lord Shen might not take first place on the Eastern Lands Heavenly Talents List. But... could he claim the title of the number one Nascent Soul in the Great Shang?"

Shen Zhifeng looked at Qi Yuan, her expression unreadable. She seemed like a die-hard fan of Shen Wushen, eager for her "gege" to be number one in the world.

"Sorry, but the title of the number one Nascent Soul in the Great Shang has already been taken—by me!" Qi Yuan said humbly.

When it’s time to be modest, he’s modest; when it’s time to be bold, he’s bold.

His Nascent Soul might be ordinary at the moment, unable to even kill a Yang God, but its growth potential was immense. Especially with the Divine Vision Technique and the high tower from the ancestral land, once his Nascent Soul fully awakened, it could pave the way to the Yang God level.

Right now, it might be ordinary, but the future was bright, and even now, it was enough to be called the number one Nascent Soul in the Great Shang.

Naturally, Qi Yuan didn’t want anyone else to take this title.

When he said this, the Nascent Soul cultivators were stunned.

Kang Fulu quickly sent a sound transmission: "Senior... brother, this Shen Wushen is a tough opponent. He just defeated all thirty-three Nascent Souls here!"

He feared Qi Yuan might not know what had happened due to being absorbed in gaming.

"Oh, he’s got some skill, but not much," Qi Yuan replied via sound transmission.

Since obtaining the Divine Visualization Technique, all his followers had been true peerless talents.

Even Zhu Zhuangshi could challenge opponents across realms, exceeding the Yin God level.

If Shen Wushen reached the Yin God level, he certainly wouldn’t match up to Zhu Zhuangshi.

If he couldn’t even compare to one of Qi Yuan’s Nascent Souls, how could he be called the number one Nascent Soul in the Great Shang?

As Qi Yuan spoke, Shen Wushen’s gaze locked onto him, filled with intense battle intent.

He was, at heart, a battle maniac.

"You’re strong?" Shen Wushen asked excitedly, looking at Qi Yuan.

"Just average, third in the world," Qi Yuan said lazily.

He was being modest.

"If you injure me, this bottle of pills is yours!" Shen Wushen offered, holding out the Seven-Harmony Nourishing God Pills again.

The Nascent Soul cultivators on the scene all held their breath, their eyes filled with greed.

They, too, wanted that bottle of pills, but they had been utterly defeated by Shen Wushen.

Qi Yuan glanced at the pills, then yawned. "I’m not interested in those pills, nor am I interested in defeating you."

Shen Wushen was momentarily stunned.

This was the first time he had encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator who wasn’t interested in the Seven-Harmony Nourishing God Pills.

Shen Zhifeng couldn’t help but sneer. "Or perhaps you just don’t dare?"

The other Nascent Soul cultivators looked on, eager to see what would happen next.

They also doubted that Qi Yuan could be a match for Shen Wushen. After all, Shen Wushen had just displayed overwhelming power.

Qi Yuan had only recently entered the Nascent Soul stage. His speed of advancement might be astonishing, but could his strength really compare to Shen Wushen’s?

After all, Shen Wushen’s status and background were not necessarily inferior to Qi Yuan’s.

"It’s not my white moonlight, so I’m too lazy to fight," Qi Yuan said casually.

He usually fought for three reasons: first, to eliminate his white moonlight and gain benefits; second, based on his mood—he didn’t even know when he would make a move; and third, simply out of a desire to show off.

"White moonlight? What’s that? What are the requirements to become your white moonlight?" Shen Wushen asked.

He had come to the Canglan Realm to seek worthy opponents. And as someone who always pursued fair fights and the honing of his unique path and original divine abilities, he was willing to make sacrifices.

In a previous descent to another realm, he had agreed to a female Nascent Soul cultivator’s request to live with her in seclusion for fifty years, accompanying her every day, playing music, and practicing swordsmanship like a divine couple.

After fifty years, he was finally able to fight her.

But she couldn’t withstand even three of his moves, leaving him disappointed.

At that time, he had shaken his head and said to the beautiful female cultivator, "Too weak."

Then he had left, indifferent, as she chased after him, crying and begging for another battle.

Shen Wushen had no interest in fighting the weak, so he had called out, "Become a hundred times stronger, and I’ll fight you again."

Faced with Qi Yuan, whose cultivation level he couldn’t discern, Shen Wushen was also willing to make sacrifices and live in seclusion with him for fifty years if necessary.

"You’re not an old man, so you can’t be my white moonlight," Qi Yuan shook his head. "However... if you can provide a Heaven-level technique, I might consider sparring with you."

Heaven-level techniques were exceedingly rare; typically, only a Yin God would possess one, and even then, it would likely be of lower quality.

Even after emptying out the Climbing Heaven Pavilion, Qi Yuan had not found any top-tier Heaven-level techniques.

"That’s easy," Shen Wushen said, casually producing a jade slip. "I came across this by chance."

He handed over the Heaven-level technique as if it were nothing more than a common vegetable.

"Let me take a look," Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.

Due to the different world rules, Qi Yuan still couldn’t perfect the Qi Yuan Sutra using other world’s techniques.

But this Shen Wushen was clearly not from the Canglan Realm.

Shen Wushen handed the Heaven-level technique to Qi Yuan without hesitation.

The Nascent Soul cultivators present could only watch in envy.

The techniques they cultivated were mostly Jade-level, with an occasional lower-tier Profound-level technique being enough to spark bloody conflict in the Great Shang.

And here they were, witnessing a Heaven-level technique.

Unfortunately, the person possessing it was far too powerful.

Even if they were filled with greed, they dared not act on it.

"Hmm, this technique isn’t bad," Qi Yuan said, surprised.

The Heaven-level technique Shen Wushen had provided wasn’t from the Canglan Realm, but it could still be used to modify the Qi Yuan Sutra.

How could he not be impressed?

Even though the technique couldn’t be cultivated by Canglan Realm cultivators, Qi Yuan could still use it as a reference—it didn’t matter if he couldn’t practice it himself.

"Do you have more techniques like this?" Qi Yuan began to consider other possibilities.

If Shen Wushen’s world was filled with such techniques, why not conquer that world and “borrow” all their techniques?

"Plenty," Shen Wushen said, his gaze growing even more intense. "Do you want them?"

"Of course," Qi Yuan could sense something was off in Shen Wushen’s gaze, but he still nodded.

"If you injure me, I’ll give you five more!" Shen Wushen said generously.

Qi Yuan was tempted.

Five Heaven-level techniques—this guy was loaded.

No wonder his left eye had been twitching all morning.

This was a sign of good fortune.

"What if I defeat you?" Qi Yuan’s eyes sparkled.

"If you defeat me, I’ll give you all the techniques I have, even my primary cultivation technique, a divine law... it will all be yours!" Shen Wushen’s battle spirit surged.

"A divine law?" Qi Yuan was excited.

This was a divine law.

He hadn’t even seen a top-tier Heaven-level technique yet.

"I won’t take advantage of you. If I defeat you, I’ll upgrade and refine your divine law for free!" Qi Yuan said enthusiastically.

He never liked taking advantage of others.

If he won and got a bunch of rewards, Shen Wushen should get a bunch of rewards if he won too.

Not far away, Jiang Lingsu couldn’t help but feel exasperated. She muttered, "Senior Brother, you’re not offering free upgrades—you’re clearly just eyeing Shen Wushen’s divine law!"

But she quickly added, "Senior Brother... good luck, and be careful!"

She had learned the phrase "good luck" from Qi Yuan.

"Thanks, Junior Sister," Qi Yuan said politely.

Shen Zhifeng was now brimming with pride. "Soon, you will understand what true power is!"

Most of the Nascent Soul cultivators shared Shen Zhifeng’s sentiment, feeling that Shen Wushen’s victory was a foregone conclusion.

Jiang Lingsu couldn’t take it anymore. She turned to Jiang Ran and said, "Let’s cheer for Senior Brother together!"

After all, no one else was cheering for Senior Brother.

Today was supposed to be his Nascent Soul ceremony; he shouldn’t feel neglected.

So, Jiang Ran and Jiang Lingsu became an impromptu cheerleading team, rooting for Qi Yuan.

At that moment, Qi Yuan looked at Shen Wushen with a calm expression. "I’ll let you make the first move. Otherwise, if I attack, you won’t have a chance to."

After all, Shen Wushen was a wealthy opponent.

Qi Yuan wouldn’t mistreat a wealthy benefactor, his patron.

He had to give him some face.

"Arrogant!" Shen Zhifeng couldn’t help but exclaim.

The other Nascent Soul cultivators felt the same way, but out of fear of offending Qi Yuan, they kept their opinions to themselves.

When gods fought, it was best to keep silent if you were too close.

"Come, show me how much of my power you can draw out!"

As Shen Wushen spoke, an overwhelming aura filled the air.

This time, the power he unleashed was even stronger than when he had faced the thirty-plus Nascent Soul cultivators earlier.

A powerful attack bore down on Qi Yuan, who stood motionless as if he hadn’t even noticed.

It’s over.

All the Nascent Soul cultivators thought the same thing. Qi Yuan hadn’t even reacted, let alone defended himself.

Elder Kumu of the Shen Guang Sect grew anxious, flying up in an attempt to intervene.

But there was no stopping it—he simply wasn’t fast enough.

Shen Wushen’s attack landed directly on Qi Yuan.

To everyone’s surprise, Qi Yuan remained unharmed.

He hadn’t been hurt at all.

A lazy voice followed.

"To be honest, it’s been a long time since I’ve personally faced such a weak Nascent Soul."

The Nascent Soul cultivators were all stunned.

Shen Wushen’s power had been clear for all to see.

Such an attack could have killed any of the Nascent Soul cultivators present.

Yet, it hadn’t even scratched Qi Yuan.

"Qi Yuan is this strong?"

"But he just reached the Nascent Soul stage, didn’t he?"

"He’s strong, but not much stronger than Lord Shen!"

"You’re strong!" Shen Wushen didn’t back down; instead, he grew even more excited, as if he had found a fated rival. "Once I defeat you, I’ll have reached the pinnacle of my Nascent Soul path and can then form my Purple Mansion! I didn’t expect to gain so much this time!"

"I suggest you go ahead and form your Purple Mansion early. Defeating me... you’re still far from that," Qi Yuan said with a faint smile.

Then he looked at Shen Wushen and suddenly opened his mouth, blowing gently.

Immediately, Shen Wushen’s face filled with astonishment.

A powerful wind surged toward him.

It seemed as if Qi Yuan had simply blown gently.

Yet Shen Wushen felt this wind was even stronger than his original divine ability.

"God-Slashing Extinction Technique!" Shen Wushen roared, unleashing his most powerful attack.

This strike was strong enough to kill even a Purple Mansion cultivator.

But against the casual breath of Qi Yuan, it was like an ant roaring at a tornado.

Shen Wushen couldn’t move.

That breath was like the strongest divine ability, pinning him in place.

All the Nascent Soul cultivators were stunned.

"This kind of technique..."

"It’s not a divine ability; how can it be so powerful?"

"But... Qi Yuan’s technique clearly... is still at the Nascent Soul level!"

"The sky over the Great Shang is really going to change!"

Shen Zhifeng was in complete shock, her face full of disbelief. "How is this possible!"

Jiang Lingsu was initially stunned, then overjoyed, though tinged with slight disappointment. She waved her hand. "Senior Brother, you’re amazing!"

The Nascent Soul cultivators looked at Qi Yuan with changed expressions.

At that moment, Shen Wushen lowered his head, his face filled with confusion, murmuring, "I lost... I lost..."

He couldn’t understand why he had lost.

Why couldn’t he withstand a simple breath from Qi Yuan?

Suddenly, he looked up and stared at Qi Yuan. "We’re both Nascent Souls. Why... are you so much stronger?"

Qi Yuan smiled. "Because... your number of Nascent Souls is too few."