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

The moon sank as the crows cried; Shen Lingfeng was left hanging from a tree.

Lady Shen had changed into plain clothes, her light makeup still on her face.

Her eyes glared with fury, brimming with anger.

“You carried the bathwater?”

She held a whip in her hand, nearly ready to lash out.

After a harmonious evening with her husband, she had been preparing for a peaceful bath.

But then…

Of course, she still bathed, but afterward, she came looking for trouble with Shen Lingfeng.

“Mother, I was wrong!” Shen Lingfeng hung from the tree, utterly clueless about what he had done wrong. Remembering the trick his brother-in-law had taught him, he quickly apologized.

“Hmph, you know you’re wrong?” Lady Shen’s tone was sharp. “Then tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?”

This question left Shen Lingfeng utterly dumbfounded.

“Hmph, I can tolerate Qi Yuan’s nonsense—he’s been in an asylum before. But do you want to end up in one too?”

The mention of the bathwater reignited her fury.

She was now convinced that Shen Lingfeng’s earlier comment about wanting a younger sister was entirely deliberate.

“Pouring bathwater is one thing, but what’s the meaning of adding ginger, garlic, and scallions?”

Lady Shen brandished her whip, the crack splitting the air like thunder.

Shen Lingfeng let out a terrified scream, wailing like a banshee.

The household staff and maids cowered far away, not daring to get involved.

<hr>

“Today is a lucky day.”

“My son-in-law roleplay progress has reached 70%.”

“That’s more than I expected. Could it be… not only did my mother-in-law bathe, but my father-in-law as well?”

Qi Yuan speculated silently.

Based on his calculations, helping his mother-in-law with her bathwater should have raised his roleplay progress to around 60%. The extra 10% was a pleasant surprise.

Clearly, the bathwater he prepared hadn’t just been used by his mother-in-law…

“With this roleplay progress, I’ve received… the Yin-Yang White Flame.”

At 30% progress, Qi Yuan had gained the Heart of Forging, increasing his artifact success rate by 5%.

Now, he had acquired the Yin-Yang White Flame.

The Yin-Yang White Flame was a formidable internal flame.

An artifact master’s skill depended not only on their craftsmanship but also on their internal flame.

Many materials in the world were exceptionally tough, resistant to breaking or melting.

Some artifact masters with weaker internal flames couldn’t even process certain rare and precious materials.

The Yin-Yang White Flame, however, was unique. It was a potent and domineering flame, capable of melting even divine-tier materials.

“It seems that Qi Yuan as a son-in-law actually has exceptional artifact talent, though it was never awakened.”

Qi Yuan evaluated his newfound ability.

“Yin-Yang White Flame!”

With a thought, a chilling white flame appeared around Qi Yuan.

This flame emitted both an icy cold and searing heat, two completely opposing forces coexisting in harmony.

Curious, Qi Yuan retrieved a piece of special material he had purchased.

The material, called Fenghuang Gold, was a heavenly-tier substance.

Adding even a small amount of Fenghuang Gold into his subpar artifacts could elevate them to the Yellow Grade.

For already Yellow Grade artifacts, it could enhance them by a minor tier.

Previously, Qi Yuan couldn’t melt such materials.

But now, as the Yin-Yang White Flame surged forth, the Fenghuang Gold began to soften and gradually liquefy.

“As expected of the Yin-Yang White Flame. With this, I can aspire to craft Earth Grade artifacts.”

Up to now, the strongest artifacts Qi Yuan had crafted were Xuan Grade.

With the Yin-Yang White Flame, he could now attempt Earth Grade artifacts.

In Jining Prefecture, an Earth Grade artifact master was considered a regional powerhouse.

<hr>

The next day, Shen Lingfeng didn’t show up. Instead, Chen Xianwei arrived.

“In half a month, I’ll be heading to Lake Yeshan with the Shen family to attend the Artifact Conference,” Chen Xianwei said with a worried expression. “I wonder if this time, there will be a young talent capable of repairing the Weilong Xuanyuan.”

The Artifact Conference aimed to gather young talents from the three prefectures of Jiangzhou. The primary purpose was to discuss repairing the Weilong Xuanyuan.

“In the past, events of this caliber wouldn’t have allowed someone like you, a novice, to participate.

But now, with the threat of the Lake Yeshan Water Sovereign looming, every artifact master’s ideas and ingenuity are needed,” Chen Xianwei continued.

“Forging isn’t my strength, but ingenuity is,” Qi Yuan replied casually. “If I can repair the Weilong Xuanyuan, what would the reward be?”

“You’re thinking too far ahead.” Chen Xianwei chuckled. “The reward is likely a million taels.”

“Only a million taels? That’s so little,” Qi Yuan remarked.

Not long ago, he would have found a million taels to be an astronomical amount.

But now, with two million taels in his pocket, he could only scoff.

“Ah, a small goal, but worth my effort.”

“You’re ridiculous! Most Earth Grade artifacts are worth only tens or hundreds of thousands of taels.

The Weilong Xuanyuan is close to being a heavenly artifact and holds significant importance for the safety of the people in Jining Prefecture—that’s why it’s worth a million.

And yet you complain? The Shen family estate you’re staying in couldn’t even produce a million in silver notes,” Chen Xianwei exclaimed in exasperation.

The Shen family’s assets exceeded a million taels in value, but most of it was tied up in fixed assets. Liquid silver and notes were scarce.

Even Chen Xianwei, a relatively wealthy man, had only ten thousand taels in silver notes on him.

“Enough about that. Here are the materials for crafting the Xuan Yuan Spear. If you can forge it within the next few days, we’ll head to Lake Yeshan,” Chen Xianwei said, handing Qi Yuan a pile of materials.

The Xuan Yuan Spear was a standard, unrated artifact commonly used by elite spearmen in military formations.

A thousand spearmen wielding such weapons could suppress an Earth Grade WeaponMaster.

“Alright, I’ll forge it now.”

“Isn’t it a bit early? Shouldn’t you prepare first—”

Chen Xianwei stopped mid-sentence, stunned by what he saw.

On Qi Yuan’s arm, a flame appeared—alternating between icy cold and blazing hot. A pile of materials was placed into the fire.

In mere moments, the materials began to liquefy.

“These are Xuan Jade Irons! Even I would need at least fifteen minutes to melt them. But you…”

Chen Xianwei was flabbergasted.

Qi Yuan had melted the Xuan Jade Iron within seconds.

Staring at Qi Yuan’s flame, Chen Xianwei was both shocked and bewildered.

Had Qi Yuan’s internal flame become stronger than before?

Could his internal flame evolve?

What kind of flame was this?

His mind raced with endless questions.

Before his astonishment could settle, a brand-new, perfectly straight Xuan Yuan Spear appeared before him.

Its tip gleamed with a cold, cutting light, as if capable of piercing through any obstacle.

“Master Chen, do I qualify to go to Lake Yeshan now?” Qi Yuan asked nonchalantly, holding the spear.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Chen Xianwei stammered, nodding furiously. “Ahem, Qi Yuan, if you earn that million, could you share a bit with me… ahem.”

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Someone dared to ask him for money?

He was the Debt Collection Sect’s sect leader!

“Fine. Considering all the stories you’ve told me lately, I’ll give you some,” Qi Yuan said generously.

Chen Xianwei’s face lit up with joy.

At this moment, he looked at Qi Yuan with immense satisfaction.

"Qi Yuan, jot down your insights and techniques from forging the Xuan Yuan Spear. Let me take a look," he suggested eagerly, pulling out a notebook and pen.

“Do I need to?” Qi Yuan asked, a bit puzzled. Nonetheless, he didn’t hesitate and began to write his observations and insights.

After receiving the notebook, Chen Xianwei casually glanced at it. But with every passing second, his astonishment grew.

"Could Qi Yuan truly be as Chen Kangbao claims—a deity incarnate? How else could his artifact crafting talent be this extraordinary?"

Even the notes Qi Yuan jotted down contained concepts that some experienced Xuan-tier artifact masters would struggle to comprehend.

Chen Xianwei carefully added a line at the end:

"Qi Yuan’s Preliminary Notes on Forging the Xuan Yuan Spear. Witnessed by his teacher, Chen Xianwei."

Satisfied, he smiled.

In the future, when Qi Yuan rose to fame as a master artifact craftsman—or even reached the fabled Heaven-tier—these notes would undoubtedly become treasures studied by countless artifact enthusiasts.

And when they saw "Teacher Chen Xianwei" in the annotations, future generations would undoubtedly say, "Ah, Qi Yuan’s greatness was thanks to the guidance of his humble teacher, Chen Xianwei, who chose to stay behind the scenes. A man of true humility!"

The thought of this made Chen Xianwei giddy with anticipation.

“Keep working hard. Your teacher will head back now,” Chen Xianwei said, practically glowing with delight as he left to report back to the family patriarch.

<hr>

As he walked through the winding alleyways, Chen Xianwei bumped into his longtime rival, Wu Zhen.

"Well, Chen, why the rush?" Wu Zhen asked with a sly grin. "By the way, my apprentice recently forged this mediocre little trinket. Care to offer your critique?"

He held up a rod-shaped artifact that resembled a chopstick, wearing an expression of exaggerated disappointment.

“Ah, this child’s been learning artifact crafting for a whole month now, but this is the best he can manage. Makes my heart ache,” Wu Zhen lamented theatrically.

It was all an act. In truth, he was showing off.

"Look at this! My apprentice forged a low-tier artifact in just a month. Beat that!"

Chen Xianwei briefly glanced at the item in Wu Zhen’s hand.

"What a piece of garbage. The craftsmanship is atrocious!" he declared dismissively before walking off.

Wu Zhen froze, stunned by the blunt criticism.

It felt like someone had posted a carefully curated photo of their supposed “average” life on social media, only for the comments to unanimously agree that, yes, it was truly average.

Wu Zhen couldn’t make sense of it.

"How could Chen not appreciate this? Unless..."

His gaze shifted to the direction Chen Xianwei had come from—Qi Yuan’s courtyard.

"Could it be that… Qi Yuan’s talent surpasses even my own apprentice?"

As this unsettling thought took root, Wu Zhen called out sarcastically, "Hey, Chen, your hair’s all disheveled. At least fix it!"

Chen Xianwei nearly tripped but quickly pulled out a small mirror from his pocket to tidy his hair.

Watching this, Wu Zhen felt a small sense of victory.

<hr>

Meanwhile, back in his workshop, Qi Yuan evaluated his progress.

"My strength hasn’t fully recovered yet, but at least Heavenly Cleave Sword Technique and Death’s Radiance are operational again," he noted.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

"Why haven’t I unlocked any new skills? Does it require reaching the Heaven-tier?"

After ascending to Level 90, his previous abilities had returned. Yet apart from acquiring Thousand Illusion, he hadn’t gained any new major abilities.

"Advisor, think with me. The journey to Lake Yeshan might be dangerous. How can I avoid trouble?"

Qi Yuan looked to his loyal follower, Chen Kangbao, for advice.

"In the past, I wouldn’t have cared.

But now, as a son-in-law, I come with a built-in ‘taunt face.’ Everyone wants to hit me, and my current strength isn’t fully restored. If someone bullies me, I might not be able to fight back."

This concern lingered in his mind.

"Master, you could bless me, and I’ll protect you!" Chen Kangbao suggested with confidence.

Qi Yuan shook his head.

While Chen Kangbao, when blessed, could handle minor opponents, he wouldn’t stand a chance against formidable adversaries.

"Anything else?"

"Perhaps… Master could disguise himself as a steamed bun?" Chen Kangbao suggested eagerly, drooling slightly. "If I carried you around, surely no one would harm a bun!"

He wasn’t entirely wrong. No one would harm a steamed bun.

But Chen Kangbao might eat it instead!

Qi Yuan glared at him.

"Actually, you’ve given me an idea. As a son-in-law, I attract trouble. But if I’m not acting as the son-in-law, then no one will care. When we get to Lake Yeshan… we’ll leave the Shen family’s encampment."

"Transform into a bun?"

"Transform into a blade," Qi Yuan corrected with exasperation.

"A blade?" Chen Kangbao looked disappointed.

"When the time comes, find me a good cook."

"To make buns?"

"...Leave!"

Completely speechless, Qi Yuan dismissed him.

The old man seemed fixated on buns.

Still, Qi Yuan began planning.

His son-in-law roleplay progress had stalled again, and his Blade persona’s familiarity was still low. This trip would be the perfect opportunity to improve it.

"But first, I’ll need some reinforcements. What if that cook tries to use me to chop snakes, abalone, or steel bars? I can’t allow that."

Qi Yuan decided he needed to forge a protective casing—an armor-like sheath for himself.

It had to meet two conditions:

1. The exterior must be incredibly durable.
2. The interior must be soft and comfortable, so the blade could rest properly.

"Wait… do blades even sleep?"

"And what exactly is involved in roleplaying as a blade?"

For a moment, Qi Yuan considered asking his Blade Pet for advice on how to act as a blade.

Would it involve being polished?

Or… rummaging through trash?

Shaking his head, Qi Yuan rejected the idea. That was too much.

"Although, if it’s rummaging through treasure troves instead of trash, I might excel at that."

"The core of roleplaying lies in two aspects: portraying the essence of the character and incorporating my own understanding."

"After all, this is roleplay—not some puppeteer’s game."

He mused further.

If the next role he unlocked was a flower thief, would he have to steal flowers? Or if he unlocked Cao Thief, would he be obligated to sleep with other people’s wives?

Hmm… the latter didn’t sound too bad.

Qi Yuan thought of a potential loophole:

If he roleplayed as Cao Thief, and slept with his son-in-law persona’s wife, wouldn’t that technically count?