Qi Yuan stared appreciatively at Jiang Lingsu. “Junior Sister, your thoughts are a bit dirty. Your Water Spirit Root is just murky.”

He truly was seeing this side of her for the first time. It had a unique charm.

Jiang Lingsu remained bold and unreserved, not hiding anything. A trace of delight rose in her heart. All men and women possess a sense of pride. Naturally, being admired by a heaven-defying genius like Qi Yuan would bring joy.

He couldn’t help but offer his evaluation. “Not bad. Your looks and figure far surpass your sister’s. You’d be more than qualified to be a doorkeeper.”

Jiang Lingsu’s smile froze. There it is... Senior Brother will always be Senior Brother. One should never hold expectations for what comes out of his mouth.

Still, she was sincerely grateful. “Senior Brother, thank you so much for helping me.”

“It’s nothing. Just a small matter.”

Senior brothers and sisters should love one another like family. Unfortunately, their master wasn’t here. Perhaps she was in the Upper World, where the mother of his child was. Alas, since he wasn’t yet a Yin Spirit, he couldn’t travel there.

“Senior Brother, you’ve helped me greatly. I have no way to repay you. How about this? You may make one request of me. So long as it’s not too excessive, I’ll agree to it,” Jiang Lingsu said earnestly.

Qi Yuan was momentarily stunned.

She added generously, “Actually, even if it’s a little excessive, that’s fine too.”

Knowing his character, she dared to say it. If it had been someone else, she would’ve offered all her spiritual stones and treasures instead.

He was inspired by her words. “I helped you, and you were given two choices, which would you pick?”

“What choices?”

“First, ‘This humble girl has no way to repay your kindness. In my next life I’ll be your ox or horse in gratitude.’ Second, ‘This humble girl is willing to offer herself in marriage.’”

From Qi Yuan’s memories, if the benefactor was ugly, the noble lady would choose the first. If it was the other way around, she’d immediately offer herself in marriage. There were many such stories. Even in ancient times, when a matchmaker arranged a meeting, a satisfied woman would say, “I’ll leave it to my parents to decide.” Otherwise, she’d use entirely different phrasing. In short, high EQ was everything in speech, and he was striving to develop it.

Jiang Lingsu frowned slightly, seemingly pondering seriously. After a long while, she raised her head and stared straight into his eyes. “Compared to becoming an ox or horse, I’d rather offer myself in marriage.”

Qi Yuan immediately beamed. He really was handsome! Having it confirmed by others felt completely different from thinking it himself.

He was just about to bask in it when Jiang Lingsu hesitated. “Senior Brother, could it be that the excessive request you intend to make... is this? If so, I...”

Qi Yuan quickly waved his hands. “No, no. I’m not the sort to leverage kindness for personal gain!”

He couldn’t pull off something like the cowherd’s deeds.[1]

Jiang Lingsu was briefly thrown off. Though she appeared calm, her heart had undergone quite an internal struggle before giving that answer. His response made her emotions a complete mess. She wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. Still, this style was unmistakably her senior brother’s. He was always erratic and hard to predict.

By now, Jiang Lingsu had mastered the art of conversing with him. If she couldn’t understand something, she simply chose not to.

Then, Qi Yuan switched the topic. “You can consider that request deferred for now. Oh, right. When we hold the Nascent Soul Gathering, make sure to invite the Demonic Desire Sect!”

He emphasized the latter half. Several Ji-surnamed disciples and elders of the Demonic Desire Sect had offended him before. He was in the middle of destroying the Bright Palace at the time, so he took out some of their elders as well.

Upon returning to Great Shang, he learned that the Demon Desire Sect had been thrown into upheaval. For a long time, the sect’s power had been divided between two factions: the low-profile, reserved Shen Clan and the arrogant, domineering Ji Clan.

For years, the Ji Clan had suppressed the Shen Clan. However, he recently discovered that the Shen Clan had turned the tables, eliminating the Ji Clan entirely. Now, the Demonic Desire Sect was once again ruled by the Shen surname.

Qi Yuan found it rather intriguing and wanted to learn more about the sect’s current situation, hence the instruction. Now that the Ji Clan was no more, he couldn’t even be bothered to visit personally anymore.

After parting with Jiang Lingsu, he returned to his room. Qi Jianjun was elusive as ever. Who knew where she was fishing this time. Qi Yuan took the opportunity to channel his consciousness into the gaming jade. As usual, a new game icon was slowly forming within.

His spiritual sense rushed toward the icon, but to no avail. He wondered eagerly, What kind of world will it be?

The game had helped him immensely. In less than a single day, he had advanced from Core Formation to Nascent Soul. Though still far inferior to the civilization of the Ancestral Land, he could now be considered a city-level elite in the Canglan World.

Just then, Qi Yuan recalled something. He took out the Primordial Seed. Not only could it take root and grow in any world, it could also develop in his place. Moreover, the in-game strength transferred into reality would far surpass anything he had gained from the game before.

Without hesitation, he split off a thread of consciousness, infused it into the seed, and molded it into his own likeness. Under his control, the Primordial Seed entered directly into the jade slip.

“Hm? It went straight in? No resistance at all?” Qi Yuan was quite surprised. “Damn thing! It won’t let me in, but the Primordial Seed can?”

He felt both furious and helpless about the situation. Just then, in the unseen depths, he sensed a life being conceived. The feeling came from within the game icon. It helped him understand the function of the Primordial Seed more clearly.

Someone had an intercourse for love, or for some other reason, and thus created his identity in this new game.

Don’t tell me that when I enter, I’ll still be an embryo?

The thought made Qi Yuan’s teeth ache. He had no desire to wear diapers, be spoon-fed, or be raised by someone. Just imagining it was terrifying. Qi Yuan eavesdropped on the game jade slip for several minutes. Hearing no movement, he withdrew.

I’ll take another look once the game finishes downloading.

With that thought, he went to see Withered Tree. His mention of a Nascent Soul Gathering briefly rendered Withered Tree speechless. After all, he would comply with any of Qi Yuan’s requests, even if it meant hosting an Ascension Assembly.

Lastly, Qi Yuan added, “There’s one more thing. Since I’ve advanced to Nascent Soul, living in a brick house no longer suits my status. I want to build a large single-story house made of cement!”

With his wealth, he could probably afford a standalone villa. Nevertheless, he stayed true to his roots, remembering the virtues of diligence and frugality.

“What is cement?” Withered Tree asked, puzzled. He knew water and mud, [2]but combining them to build a house sounded rather strange.

“How uncultured. Back on my Blue Planet, there’s a neighborhood full of talented people. Some never even finished middle school, yet they know how to make cement."

That neighborhood was, of course, the comment section.

“I’ll teach you.” Qi Yuan explained the method of making cement.

Withered Tree, being a True Lord, grasped the principle instantly. “An interesting little thing.”

Considering how powerful the Canglan World was, his lukewarm feedback was only natural. A Nascent Soul cultivator could remain unscathed by Blue Planet’s strongest nuclear bomb. They had no use for technological advancement. Take fertilizer, for example. Would cultivators even use one? Just cast a Growth Spell and be done with it.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan suddenly missed his life on Blue Planet. The comment sections there were full of experts. People could argue thousands of posts over whether tofu pudding should be sweet or salty. Unfortunately, he preferred it spicy.

“In a single day, your new... cave residence will be completed,” Withered Tree said.

“Good. And we must hurry with the Nascent Soul Gathering.”

Withered Tree paused. In Great Shang, cultivators who advanced to the Nascent Soul stage did hold gatherings, but no one rushed it like Qi Yuan. He wanted to hold the gathering tomorrow.

In the end, Withered Tree nodded. “Very well...”

Qi Yuan vanished soon after.

Withered Tree stared at the spot where he had stood, deep in thought. “Is he really just playing with life?”

Whatever the case, it was the greatest opportunity of his life. Withered Tree had to handle it well. With a wave of his hand, two paper spirit cranes flew off.

Not long after, the now white-haired Kang Fulu hurried over. “Sect Master, did you summon me?”

His confusion hadn’t ebbed. He had just returned from the Cuiyun Continent after making it onto the Eastern Lands Prodigy Rankings, yet the sect master had reacted indifferently. Of course, Kang Fulu had also investigated what happened during his absence.

A Violet Palace cultivator had caused trouble, only to be slain by a Violet Palace from the Blood-Clothed Alliance. The alliance itself had deep ties with Seven-Colored Peak. Moreover, an unknown individual had pulled some strings during the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. It made Kang Fulu recall Qi Yuan’s joke about “using connections.” Putting everything together, he couldn’t help but suspect that Qi Yuan had deep ties with the Blood-Clothed Sword God.

Could it be that Qi Yuan, dim-witted as he sometimes appeared, had been taken as a disciple by the Blood-Clothed Sword God? With his line of reasoning, that was the only answer he could come up with.

Withered Tree casually glanced at Kang Fulu. “Tomorrow, Divine Radiance Sect will host a Nascent Soul Gathering. Go make preparations and send out the invitations.”

Kang Fulu lit up. “Which Senior Uncle has advanced?”

Another Nascent Soul meant increased strength. With the Demonic Desire Sect in turmoil, the Divine Radiance Sect could become the kingdom’s foremost sect.

“Seven-Colored Peak... Qi Yuan.”

Kang Fulu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Junior Brother did?!”

Qi Yuan has reached the Nascent Soul realm?! Wasn’t he just at Foundation Establishment?!

“As the chief disciple of a peak, your mental state is far inferior to his,” Withered Tree said smugly.

When Qi Yuan claimed he had reached Nascent Soul, Withered Tree had not been shocked, only puzzled. Why would a dignified Yin Spirit pretend to have just advanced to Nascent Soul?

Kang Fulu was silent for a long time. “Sect Master, you’re not joking, are you?”

Someone at Foundation Establishment disappeared for half a day and returned as a Nascent Soul. Who would believe that? It was like being a mediocre college student while one's underachieving roommate suddenly won a Nobel Prize and became an academy fellow overnight. How could anyone make sense of that?

“Would I lie about such matters? The invitations are ready. Send them.”

As per Qi Yuan’s request, “Great Shang’s Number One Nascent Soul” was boldly written on the invitations.

Kang Fulu didn’t object. If Grandpa wants to play, then we’ll play along.

***

At that moment, Qi Yuan entered the group chat of the Four Divine Flower Emperors.

Qiyuann Sovereign: I have good news: I’ve advanced to the Nascent Soul realm.

Naturally, he had to show off.

He even considered asking the Divine Flower Society’s leader to pin a post on the forum. Congratulations to Qi Yuan of Seven-Colored Peak, Divine Radiance Sect of Great Shang, on advancing to Nascent Soul—becoming Great Shang’s Number One Nascent Soul.

However, since privileges should be used discreetly, he let it go.

Rogue Immortal: Nascent Soul already? Qiyuann Sovereign, you are too good!

No matter what, Rogue Immortal decided to just praise him.

Great Sun Flame Emperor also appeared to flatter him.

Iceberg Empress also chimed in with a few compliments before sighing.

Iceberg Empress: You all keep advancing, while I’ve been stuck for centuries...

She had long been trapped at the peak of Violet Palace. To break into the Yin Spirit realm, she had to traverse the endless lightning sea. However, with the Great Calamity approaching, the sea had grown even more perilous. Even a Yin Spirit faced risks in the endless lightning sea.

With her grandfather being old and injured, recklessly entering could mean death. She didn’t dare to attempt it without a suitable protector. Once, she had even considered asking Qiyuann Sovereign, but eventually gave up. She could not afford the price. Moreover, the Yin Spirits were conserving their strength for the Great Calamity centuries away.

Iceberg Empress: Damn this Great Calamity!

Without it, she could have had a chance.

Qi Yuan’s expression grew solemn. The Great Calamity...

In the Mortal Heart World, he had surpassed Mythic and even slain two Yang Spirits. Nevertheless, he was still wary of the Great Calamity, which could summon reinforcements. Sure, he could do the same, but what if his opponent summoned a Yang Spirit?

The gap between Yang Spirits was greater than that between humans and dogs. Besides, he didn’t even know which Yang Spirit stood behind the calamity.

Qiyuann Sovereign: Big Sister Iceberg Empress, don’t worry. Once I finish another game, I’ll wipe out the Great Calamity!

If the Yang Spirit behind it couldn’t descend or wasn’t too strong, he could even solo it once his realm stabilized.

Iceberg Empress: Qiyuann Sovereign, stop calling me ‘Big Sister.’

If a Yin Spirit expert called her that, wouldn’t that make her sound old?

1. The “牛郎” (Niúláng, Cowherd) reference is to a famous Chinese legend. The legend of the cowherd and weaver girl. This is one of the most well-known romantic myths in Chinese culture. Niulang is a poor cowherd and Zhinü is a celestial weaver girl, daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. In the original legend, Niulang’s marriage is somewhat morally questionable by modern standards.In many versions. A magical cow tells Niulang that heavenly maidens will bathe in a lake. Niulang steals Zhinü’s clothes, preventing her from returning to heaven. Because she cannot fly back without them, she marries him. ☜

2. cement is 水泥, which read as separate words, are water and mud. ☜