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

Snowflakes drifted down, glimmering on the water's surface, resembling pear blossoms floating in the current.

Yue Shuang gazed at the distant scene of snow, moonlight, and romance, her pupils dilating in confusion.

The ones most astonished, however, were Zheg Gui and the Deputy Warden.

In their hearts, there were countless questions:

Wasn't this supposed to be about betrayal, invading the Moon God Palace, or ambushing Longyue Yang God?

How had it turned into embracing a Moon Maiden?

Had a war story suddenly transformed into a romance drama?

Even though they couldn’t make sense of it, they could only assume that the charm of this Yang God was so overwhelming that even a Moon Maiden of the Moon God Palace had fallen for him.

They didn’t doubt Qi Yuan's identity.

Secondly, this was a Yang God, coming from the Demon Abyss. There was no room for doubt—it had to be him. Who else could it be if not Moti?

The Deputy Warden of Absolute Moon Abyss pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply toward Qi Yuan from a distance.

"Yang God's charm is truly exceptional, enough to win over even a Moon Maiden of the Moon God Palace.

"When will Yang God join me... in attacking the heart of the Moon God Palace and severely injuring Longyue Yang God?" the Deputy Warden asked with unwavering determination.

As long as Longyue Yang God was injured, Moti Yang God would reward her with the opportunity to ascend to Yang God herself.

Her bow shattered the momentary tranquility.

From afar, Yue Shuang sensed an overwhelming sense of danger.

She wanted to ask Jinli, "Sister, if you're dating a Yang God from the Demon Abyss, can you at least let me know?

If possible, maybe you could ask him to spare my life?"

She naturally assumed that Qi Yuan was a Yang God from the Demon Abyss.

After all, how else could he have bypassed Moti Yang God and arrived here?

Her gaze dimmed with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

At this moment, Qi Yuan held Jinli's delicate hand and spoke softly, "Today is your birthday, and I have a special gift for you."

Jinli nodded, gripping Qi Yuan's hand tightly, just as she had clung to the Faceless Sword God's hand by July Lake, reluctant to let him leave.

Qi Yuan's eyes then fell on Zheg Gui and the Deputy Warden, and his gaze, sharp as blades, descended upon them.

The two Myths immediately felt a jolt of fear.

Suddenly, both of their faces turned pale, and they coughed up blood.

“Kneel!”

Qi Yuan's voice thundered like lightning.

The two Myths had no power to resist, their faces filled with disbelief as they dropped to their knees.

The difference between a Yang God and a Myth was like that between heaven and earth.

“Close your eyes,” Qi Yuan said.

Jinli glanced at him, seemingly a bit afraid, but she obediently closed her eyes, still holding tightly to Qi Yuan's hand, as if afraid everything would vanish like a dream.

At that moment, Qi Yuan's expression became serious.

A birthday gift for Jinli had to be special, unique.

It should also cater to Jinli's needs.

Before coming, Qi Yuan had secretly done some research. In the Demon Abyss, Jinli had a reputation as a fearsome warrior and battle-hardened figure.

Her goal was always military merit.

Being thoughtful and considerate, Qi Yuan had planned everything meticulously.

With a sweep of his broad sleeve, dark shadows immediately fell from it.

Suddenly, nearly thirty Myth figures appeared.

In addition, hundreds of Yin God Sovereigns were also tossed out from his sleeve.

These Yin God Sovereigns were bound by powerful magic, unable to move or speak.

Their faces were filled with shock and confusion, their eyes darting around.

They were thrown in front of Zheg Gui and the Deputy Warden, forming a line.

Looking at the scene before him, Qi Yuan felt quite satisfied.

Even if Jinli didn't cry from being moved, she would certainly like the gift.

"You can open your eyes now and see the birthday gift I’ve prepared for you," Qi Yuan said happily.

Moon Maiden Jinli opened her eyes, but her gaze first fell on Qi Yuan.

"Look in front of you!" Qi Yuan urged.

Jinli shifted her gaze and saw, not far away, hundreds of Demon Abyss beings arranged in the shape of...

"Happy Birthday!"

These restrained Demon Abyss beings all wore warm, cheerful smiles, as if they had come to celebrate Jinli's birthday.

Even those who usually wore long, somber faces had drawn smiley faces on their bellies, looking particularly comical.

Jinli stared for a moment, taken aback.

Seeing her reaction, Qi Yuan felt triumphant.

Got her.

He proudly added, "You've been lacking in military merit, so here you have 490 regular Yin Gods, 29 Myths, and 2 traitors."

Qi Yuan even listed the numbers.

Jinli listened carefully, her eyes filled with nothing but Qi Yuan.

As for the gift, seeing him was the greatest fortune.

“Heh, a total of 521!” Qi Yuan reminded her again.

He had thoughtfully arranged the number to be auspicious.

He had also been considerate in another way.

Initially, he had planned for these Demon Abyss beings to sing a birthday song for Jinli, just like a restaurant staff celebrating for a customer.

It would have been a joyful scene.

But after some thought, he realized that Jinli, like him, might be an introvert who found public displays uncomfortable. So he scrapped the idea.

Moon Maiden Jinli focused her gaze and murmured, "5-2-1..."

She understood the meaning.

Looking at Qi Yuan, she rose on her toes and, without hesitation, kissed him lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the surface.

Qi Yuan froze for a moment, the soft sensation vanishing as quickly as it had come.

He stared at Jinli, her beautiful face captivating him.

Did I just get kissed out of the blue?

If it had been any other woman, he wouldn't have allowed it.

But this was Jinli, his online friend, the mother of his child.

So... he decided to let it slide.

If there hadn't been so many people around, he would have kissed her back. He couldn't just let himself be taken advantage of.

Still, he understood that it was his gift that had moved her so much.

If those romantic men on Blue Star, the deeply devoted types, could learn from this, they'd have their goddesses wrapped around their fingers in no time.

“These are all military merits. Should we kill them?” Qi Yuan asked.

Jinli looked at the group of Demon Abyss beings and recalled the time she had used Linglong Jade Xi to communicate with Qi Yuan.

Back then, she had been innocent and kind-hearted, completely different from the fierce warrior she had become.

"I... rarely kill anyone," Jinli said, her face flushing.

She was glad she had dressed up today.

“Huh?” Qi Yuan was momentarily confused, glancing at Jinli. "Your body is practically smoking with killing intent!"

As a Yang God, Qi Yuan could see her killing aura at a glance—there was no hiding it.

To be blunt, she had even more killing intent than he had when he left the Flowing Wind Realm.

"This..." Jinli's blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears.

From a distance, Yue Shuang watched, her eyes wide. Everything that had happened today felt like a dream.

Also, the man in the blood-red robe—was he really a Yang God?

The way he acted... was downright bizarre.

Seeing that Qi Yuan meant no harm and was clearly close to Jinli, Yue Shuang grew bolder and couldn't help but speak up.

“Not everyone’s body is the same. Jinli could accidentally step on an ant, and her killing intent would still flare up.”

“Oh, really? I guess I’ve been too ignorant. Today’s been an educational experience,” Qi Yuan responded casually.

Originally, he had thought about gifting Yin Gods from the underworld to Jinli as a birthday present.

But then he realized that killing them would expose his identity.

Yue Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

This Yang God was... rather strange.

"May I ask the Senior's name?" Yue Shuang blinked curiously.

She had many questions.

"I’m Qi Yuan," Qi Yuan said without hesitation. "An old acquaintance from the Moonwatching Continent."

Hearing this, Yue Shuang was utterly shocked.

It was really him!

At first, Jinli's behavior had made her suspect, but she found it almost impossible to believe.

After all, it was improbable for him to have become a Yang God so quickly, given the time frame.

Even if he had, it would likely have been a low-rank Yang God, and it was even more unlikely that he had come from the Demon Abyss.

Unless... he was a Yang God of the Demon Abyss.

“He’s Qi Yuan!” Jinli affirmed confidently, as if sensing Yue Shuang’s doubts.

Qi Yuan’s gaze softened with memories as he said, “I left the Absolute Death Realm, keeping our appointment. But when I arrived, you weren’t there.”

His eyes were tender as he looked at Jinli.

He had waited beneath the Ancient Trees, beside July Lake, for a long time.

“But I still got to eat the crispy duck you made.”

In his memory, a young Moon Maiden’s silhouette appeared.

His face broke into a smile.

Back then, Jinli had promised that when he arrived at July Town, she would cook her signature crispy duck for him.

He hadn’t met Jinli at the time, but instead, met a Moon Maiden.

Jinli didn’t cook the meal, but the Moon Maiden did.

He still got his crispy duck in the end.

Hearing this, Yue Shuang was filled with emotion.

“How did Yang God come to be here?” Yue Shuang asked.

This question was important.

If Qi Yuan was truly a Yang God of the Demon Abyss, Jinli’s fate could be dire.

“I ascended from the lower realms into the Demon Abyss’s Fifth Heaven.

A Yang God from the Demon Abyss came to rob my house, so I caught him red-handed and captured him.

I pretended to be that Yang God and came to the Demon Abyss. And then, who would’ve thought, Moti Yang God tried to spy on me secretly.

How could I tolerate that? I took him down!

So, I’m now pretending to be him and made my way here,” Qi Yuan explained matter-of-factly.

Yue Shuang’s face was full of shock.

Every word Qi Yuan had said seemed utterly impossible.

Capturing a Yang God, then taking down Moti Yang God…

Moti was a Supreme Truth Yang God!

It was almost beyond belief.

Qi Yuan, who had once nearly perished at the hands of old Purple Mansion cultivators in the Absolute Death Realm, was now suddenly a Yang God?

How could he have made such a leap?

Jinli held Qi Yuan’s hand tightly.

She understood the price Qi Yuan had paid to meet her in the Sixth Heaven—it was far from simple.

It was as if, under the lamplight, an old friend had returned from a thousand miles away, quietly standing by her side.

Who could truly understand the hardships of such a long journey?

“Will Yang God meet with Longyue Yang God?” Yue Shuang asked.

After all, this was an important matter.

She couldn’t confirm if Qi Yuan was telling the truth.

Moreover, if Qi Yuan planned to take Jinli away, they would need to consult Moon God Ancestor.

After all, Jinli was a Moon Maiden.

Regardless of the situation, it was necessary to meet the Yang God of the Moon God Palace.

“Alright,” Qi Yuan agreed with a nod.

Arriving suddenly without confrontation was much better than being discovered while breaking in.

After all, now that he controlled the Deputy Warden, sneaking in was enough to severely wound Longyue Yang God.

Once Longyue Yang God learned what had transpired here, she would understand.

Thus, she would no longer view Qi Yuan as an invader.

In fact, she would even owe him a favor.

If it weren’t for Qi Yuan, the Moon God Palace’s presence in the Demon Abyss would have been seriously compromised, and Longyue Yang God herself would have been injured.

The entire situation in the Demon Abyss would have collapsed.

The Moon Festival Banquet was still in full swing, with a lively crowd and joyful laughter filling the air.

“It’s been so long since we’ve had such a lively celebration. Sister Yutiao's connections are truly enviable!”

“Half of the Wardens have sent people to deliver gifts—how impressive!”

The air was filled with compliments and conversation.

Yutiao wore a radiant smile.

However, just then, a sudden surge of vast, overpowering energy spread through the air.

All the guests’ eyes widened in alarm, their nerves suddenly on edge.

“Longyue Yang God!”

The source of this energy was none other than the Supreme Truth Yang God who presided over the area.

For Longyue Yang God to emerge… did something major happen?

Everyone’s eyes filled with vigilance, sensing that something extraordinary had occurred.

In an instant, all the guests shifted into battle-ready stances, preparing for whatever conflict might come.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Qi Yuan held Jinli’s hand, gazing calmly at the Yang God before him.

Longyue Yang God scanned Qi Yuan with deep, contemplative eyes. “I am indebted to you, Daoist.”

Yue Shuang had already informed Longyue Yang God of what had happened.

Upon learning the details, Longyue Yang God was filled with a sense of dread.

Had Moti Yang God’s plan succeeded, the Moon God Palace’s position in the Demon Abyss would have crumbled.

“No problem, a small matter. Given my relationship with Jinli, this was only natural,” Qi Yuan responded calmly.

Longyue Yang God was, after all, half a guardian to Jinli, so he showed her respect.

Longyue Yang God glanced at Jinli, her expression filled with mixed emotions. “This child… sigh…”

Then she looked back at Qi Yuan. “You’ve just entered the Sixth Heaven and have yet to join a major power. You won’t last long here. Would you like to join my Moon God Palace?”

Longyue Yang God extended an invitation.

She had seen Moti Yang God’s remnant soul and already understood the terrifying power of the man before her.

If such a Supreme Truth Yang God could join the Moon God Palace, it would greatly bolster their strength.

Qi Yuan shook his head. “No thanks.”

He had brought his marriage certificate with him—how could he join the Moon God Palace?

More importantly, Moon Maidens couldn’t marry.

And there was another reason: he valued his freedom.

Yang Gods who joined the Moon God Palace had to become subordinate deities to Moon God Ancestor.

That was something Qi Yuan wasn’t ready to accept.

Hearing this, Longyue Yang God felt a twinge of disappointment.

She knew that the Moon God Palace was in a precarious situation, and Supreme Truth Yang Gods like him would hardly want to join.

Other major forces would not turn away a Supreme Truth Yang God either.

“Please keep today’s events confidential,” Qi Yuan said calmly.

“I still have some unfinished business with the Demon Abyss.”

His well, after all, had been stolen, and he needed to get it back.

“Alright!” Longyue Yang God nodded, her spirits lifting slightly.

For Qi Yuan to act against the Demon Abyss was undoubtedly good news for the Moon God Palace.

“If you ever need assistance, feel free to contact me!” Longyue Yang God added, thinking carefully.

Now that Moti Yang God had been severely wounded, the Demon Abyss had only two remaining Supreme Truth Yang Gods.

This was an opportunity for the Moon God Palace.

“Alright,” Qi Yuan agreed without hesitation.

It seemed that he was destined to be a double agent after all, continuing his undercover role.

Longyue Yang God then shifted her gaze to Jinli.

Now it was time to address the personal matter between Qi Yuan and Jinli.

In the Moon God Palace, Moon Maidens were forbidden to marry.

“Jinli, with the addition of those 521 Demon Abyss Yin Gods, your merits are more than sufficient.”

Longyue Yang God didn’t say much more, but her meaning was clear.

Jinli now had enough merits to request a favor from Moon God Ancestor.

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