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

Chapter 318: Truths Everywhere in Life!

"Hey, rooster demon, wait up!"
Seeing the rooster demon running quickly inside, Qi Yuan tried to call out to it.

If the other demons were just substitute White Moonlights, the rooster demon could count as half a White Moonlight.

Unfortunately, upon hearing Qi Yuan's shout, the rooster demon sped up and didn't stop, rushing further into the abandoned courtyard.

Holding Xiaojia’s cold sleeve, Qi Yuan pondered, "Could it be he guessed I wanted him to help pay off my star loan?"

Qi Yuan was planning to buy Gongxing, and the rooster demon was perfect for repaying loans.

Xiaojia nodded obediently, as if she agreed with Qi Yuan’s reasoning.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan laughed heartily and tightened his arm around Xiaojia's waist.

A small wooden sign with the word "Happy" dropped from Xiaojia’s sleeve. It was unclear whether she was amused by Qi Yuan’s words or because she heard Qi Yuan say she was the bride he married with a grand wedding procession.

The abandoned courtyard felt particularly deep and eerie, but with Xiaojia by his side, everything seemed warm and soft.

“Come on, Xiaojia, shall we go see my White Moonlight?” Qi Yuan said, holding Xiaojia’s cold sleeve. Meanwhile, he was thinking, what if Xiaojia got jealous and wanted to kill these White Moonlights?
Should he help her?

After all, wife and White Moonlight are naturally at odds.

With these strange thoughts in mind, Qi Yuan and Xiaojia walked deeper into the courtyard.

Along the way, Qi Yuan saw many hunched-over figures, their faces expressionless, some sweeping the ground, others serving tea.

If one looked closely, they would notice these people's throats and ears were damaged, making them mute and deaf slaves.

As Qi Yuan and Xiaojia proceeded, a mute servant came forward to lead the way.

Qi Yuan and Xiaojia walked toward the dilapidated hall ahead. Before they reached it, Qi Yuan already caught a whiff of a pungent, preserved odor.

From within the hall, a gentle and refined voice emerged.

“Dear friends, thank you for accepting the invitation and coming here. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with fresh food. Old Sheep feels quite ashamed. All we have are these preserved, dried goods. Please make do with what we have.”

An old goat with three horns, his beard reaching his waist—someone might recite a poem about waiting for their hair to grow long and finding a good partner.

"Old Goat, you should have added some candied fruit to this dried meat. I prefer sweet over salty," said a wolf demon wearing a tattered kasaya, grabbing some dried meat and stuffing it into his mouth.

"I like spicy food. Otherwise, the stench of this human meat is too strong," the rooster demon chimed in, giving his opinion.

The group of demons began discussing among themselves.

At this moment, Old Goat spoke up, “I’ve heard that today a special guest will be joining our gathering. I wonder if they’ve arrived yet.”

"I heard it's a wedding dress spirit. Quite rare! I’ve lived for three hundred years and have never seen a wedding dress turn into a spirit."

"Now... you've seen one."

At that moment, Qi Yuan's cheerful voice rang out.

He entered the hall with Xiaojia by his side.

"This is my wife, Xiaojia. I am Qi Yuan, a good person."

As Qi Yuan entered the hall, his eyes swept over the dozen or so demons present, filled with barely restrained joy.

It was as if he had finally seen his long-lost White Moonlight after many years.

The demons in the hall were bewildered by Qi Yuan's expression.

However, most of them had their eyes fixed on Xiaojia.

Unusual demons always drew attention.

“A wedding dress spirit? I’ve never heard of it, and I don’t sense any demonic aura… Could it be that someone from the Demon Subjugation Division has snuck in?” A two-hundred-year-old demon elder voiced his doubt.

The other demons also nodded. After all, this wedding dress spirit had brought a human man with her.

“Elder Locust dared to let her in, so she must be one of us. Do you all dare to question Elder Locust’s judgment?”
Old Goat’s words immediately silenced any doubts.

Elder Locust was a highly skilled and ancient figure. This two-hundred-year-old elder's grandfather had seen Elder Locust. Now, hundreds of years later, Elder Locust was still rooted here.

Even Elder Huang and the leader of the aquatic tribe had immense respect for Elder Locust.

The demons nodded, agreeing with Old Goat’s statement.

“Fairy... please take a seat.” Old Goat gestured invitingly.

Qi Yuan held Xiaojia's hand and prepared to sit.

But just then, a sharp voice interrupted, “This is a gathering of demons. Humans are not allowed to sit at the table.”

It was the rooster demon speaking.

Although he was afraid of the wedding dress spirit, surrounded by so many demons, he felt more confident.

Qi Yuan’s face changed several times, then he slumped, “It’s over; you’ve seen through my lie. Sigh, Xiaojia wasn’t brought home in an eight-carriage sedan. She brought me home in an eight-carriage sedan. I know, as a live-in son-in-law, I have no rights and can’t sit at the table. I won't sit; just don't make me drink foot-washing water.”

Qi Yuan was very ethical and always followed the rules.

As a live-in son-in-law, he accepted his humiliation.

Next time Ning Tao comes, if they get a marriage certificate, he might secretly swap Xiaojia in and get one with her too, escaping his status as a live-in son-in-law!

Xiaojia, being held by Qi Yuan, didn’t say anything. She took her seat happily after Qi Yuan signaled her to do so.

On the reddish-brown table in front of her were some tea and dried human meat.

The rooster demon spoke up, “Old Goat, why did you invite us here this time?”

The rooster demon’s question drew the attention of all the demons present.

This time, the demons in Yunyan County gathered in several locations for a Demon Promotion Conference.

These ordinary demons had all received invitations to come. However, they weren't entirely sure about the purpose of the Demon Promotion Conference.

Old Goat smiled and said, “I’ve invited you all here for two reasons. The first one... will start soon. As for the second, it concerns the future of all the demons in Yunyan County. We’ll have to wait for Elder Huang to announce it.”

Old Goat left them in suspense.

His words caused a stir among the demons present.

“Concerning our future? Old Goat, are you exaggerating?”

“Could it be that the Demon Subjugation Division is planning to wipe us out?”

The demons present were on edge, growing anxious.

“Everyone, calm down. I can assure you, this is not bad news. For all of you, it’s good news. Now, let me announce the first matter.”

Old Goat’s expression turned cold, and his tone became severe.

“Bring Yang Fan over!”

At Old Goat’s command, a mute servant brought in a disheveled sheep demon.

It was clear they didn’t receive the order from Old Goat through their ears.

“Uncle, spare me... I’ll change!” Yang Fan, the sheep demon, cried miserably, snot and tears flowing, looking utterly pitiful.

Seeing the sheep demon, the other demons’ expressions shifted slightly.

“Isn’t this Old Goat’s favorite nephew? What did he do?”

“Old Goat seems to mean business this time!”

Old Goat’s face was stern, his voice icy, “Prepare the oil cauldron.”

The mute servants busied themselves, quickly setting up an oil cauldron in the hall.

Beneath the cauldron, a roaring fire burned, and the oil above began to boil.

A murderous glint flashed in Old Goat's eyes, “My useless nephew here colluded with humans, betraying his kind! He leaked the information about the Demon Promotion Conference to the Demon Subjugation Division for a mere sum of silver. Therefore, he must die today, subjected to the frying punishment!”

“Uncle, I didn’t mean to... please spare me…” Yang Fan wept desperately.

He deeply regretted his actions. Because he desired the soft flesh of a courtesan, he needed money to buy it.
Lacking funds, what could he do?
Sell information.

Who would have thought he’d get caught and that his uncle would fry him?

How could he not be terrified? Tears flowed like an endless stream, as if he hoped they would turn into a vast ocean and dilute the boiling oil in the cauldron.

“Into the oil cauldron!” Old Goat’s command was undeniable.

Cries, curses, and pleas for mercy filled the air, sounding utterly pitiful.

Qi Yuan couldn’t stand it anymore, overwhelmed by sympathy.

“Sigh, look at him, so pitiful, crying so miserably. I can’t bear to see him thrown into the oil cauldron! How about I pay to buy him from you? You don’t have to fry him. Frying creatures... isn’t good...”
After all, it was the first time he had seen a fried whole sheep. Wasn’t it usually roasted?

“Haha, and what price is the esteemed guest willing to pay?” Old Goat asked without anger, looking at Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan reached into his pocket, fumbling awkwardly as he pulled out his silver, “Oh no, I don’t have enough silver, only about ten taels. I can’t afford to buy your nephew... How about selling me ten pounds of him? I want the blood-rich parts. What do you think?”

Qi Yuan felt he was getting smarter.

He was becoming more tactful, achieving win-win situations.

One, he fulfilled his moral sense, upholding the truth and beauty of human nature. Anyone who saw his actions would say, “There are still good people in this world.”
Two, he got the demon blood essence he wanted. If he succeeded in buying, no blood would be wasted.

A win-win.

Old Goat’s mouth twitched, and he looked thoughtfully at Xiaojia behind Qi Yuan, “Fry him up first, then serve him to the guest.”

“Be careful when frying; don’t dry out all the blood!” Qi Yuan quickly urged.

Old Goat remained silent.

Yang Fan, whose eyes had shown hope, now glared fiercely at Qi Yuan, as if wanting to eat him.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but sigh, “This is like the story of the farmer and the snake. I tried so hard to save him, but he bears a grudge against me. Such great kindness mistaken for enmity—now I finally understand the meaning of that old saying!”

Indeed, life is full of hidden truths.

In the blink of an eye, Qi Yuan experienced an epiphany.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yang Fan was thrown into the oil cauldron and fried alive.

His agonizing screams echoed through the eerie mansion.

After the frying, a thick stench filled the hall.

The demons in the hall instantly looked grave, some even showing respect.

A demonic wind swept through, and a burly old man appeared at the center of the hall.

This old man was leaning on a white bone-like cane, with snow-white, bristle-like short hair standing straight up. His eyes were piercing, exuding a powerful aura.

Seeing the newcomer, Old Goat’s eyes immediately showed respect, “Greetings, Elder Huang!”

The other demons present also stood up, showing respect, “Greetings, Elder Huang!”

The newcomer was none other than Elder Huang, a top-level Blood Energy Realm demon and the nominal leader of this base.

“Is everyone here?” Elder Huang’s gaze swept over everyone present, his eyes filled with pressure like venomous thorns touching everyone’s skin.

“Let’s cut to the chase. I’m here to talk about the Demon Promotion Conference!” Elder Huang's voice was rough, like a brute.

This was completely different from his younger brother, Elder Huang Si, who had a refined demeanor.

The demons present became tense, eager to know what was going on and how it concerned the future of all the demons in Yunyan County.

“Half a month ago, Boss Kun encountered a demon in the sea. That demon had three legs, three eyes, and two fins—a strange appearance and no intelligence. So, Boss Kun brought the demon back to Yunyan County for us to investigate its identity. After checking ancient records, we discovered that this demon is… a Son of Spirit Blood!”

“What?”

“A Son of Spirit Blood!”

“A Son of Spirit Blood without any intelligence!”

The demons present began to breathe heavily, their eyes turning fanatical.

“Doesn’t this mean that if we control it, we will have a powerful demon spirit in the future?”

“This is a demon spirit! In ancient times, it would have been a giant demon capable of establishing a demon court!”

In demon cultivation, the hierarchy consists of Blood Energy Demons, Jade Blood Demons, Demon Heroes, Demon Spirits, and even Demon Kings.

A Son of Spirit Blood, however, not only carries the bloodline of a demon spirit but can directly ascend to the Demon Spirit level without any bottlenecks, becoming a giant demon.

Such a giant demon at the Demon Spirit level would be comparable to a human martial artist at the Martial Spirit level.

In cultivation terms, this would be a Nascent Soul-level giant demon.

Overthrowing a country and causing chaos would be no problem.

Especially since this Son of Spirit Blood had no intelligence, meaning it could be manipulated however they wanted.

How could the demons present not be excited?

However, some demons were also cautious.

“Boss Kun discovered a Son of Spirit Blood; why would he share it with us?”

“If I obtained a treasure as valuable as a Son of Spirit Blood, I certainly wouldn’t share it with other demons.”

Upon hearing these remarks, Elder Huang remained expressionless and calmly continued, “This Son of Spirit Blood is in a unique situation. To grow, it requires nourishment from your blood essence. Therefore, Boss Kun and I decided to invite you all to feed the Son of Spirit Blood together. Once it grows, it will be under our control. Haha, once it reaches the Demon Spirit level, it will be us who dictate the terms, not only in Yunyan County but also in Fenglei State and the Tianzhuo Dynasty!”

Elder Huang’s words were highly persuasive, causing the demons present to feel tempted, though some remained cautious.

“What if we feed it our blood essence, but we don’t get to control the Son of Spirit Blood?” the two-hundred-year-old demon elder asked.

After all, what if Boss Kun just treated them like workers? If they fed their blood, and once the Son of Spirit Blood grew, it didn’t listen to them, what then?

“Rest assured, when feeding the Son of Spirit Blood, you can all sign a Heart-Linking Oath with it,” Elder Huang replied in a flat tone.

The demons present, hearing this, all became very interested.

It is well known that a Heart-Linking Oath could form a strong bond. Feeding it with their blood essence would be more effective, and the Son of Spirit Blood would also see them as kin, offering them protection.

“Boss Kun is being this generous?”

“I’m somewhat tempted.”

The demons in the hall had no objections.

With a Heart-Linking Oath, they would indeed be set for life.

“Does anyone have any objections?” Seeing their enthusiasm, Elder Huang asked confidently, scanning the room.

None of the demons spoke up; they all seemed to be deep in thought.

At this moment, Qi Yuan, who had been silent all this time, spoke up, “I have an objection!”

“Oh?” Elder Huang's piercing gaze fell on Qi Yuan, full of menace as if trying to see through him.

However, he had never seen Qi Er and thus didn’t recognize Qi Yuan.

“I think this is too unfair to the demons here. Drawing blood every now and then—how bad is that for their bodies? You don’t have any supplements here. Constantly drawing their blood is painful for them, and it pains me as well! That’s demon blood essence! Just giving it to the Son of Spirit Blood is such a waste! It’s so wasteful and heartbreaking.”

Hearing this, the rooster demon’s face turned strange.

The demons present also felt something odd. For some reason, they were somewhat touched.

Look, this human is concerned about our health.

What a great person.

“Hmph, you don’t understand the significance of the Son of Spirit Blood to us!” Elder Huang’s voice was stern and domineering.

“Don’t be angry; it’s bad for your health. What if your blood pressure and blood sugar spike? What I said is true, no deception involved. If you just let me eat the Son of Spirit Blood, I have a special constitution. I could be the new Son of Spirit Blood. Then, all you need to do is give your blood to me. I’ll take you all to the hospital every day to get a glucose drip. Isn’t that good for you?” Qi Yuan wasn’t sure if a glucose drip could replenish blood, but it should be enough to fool this group of uneducated demons.

Qi Yuan's words left the demons present dumbfounded.

So… you want our blood?

“Are you mocking us?”

“You… want to die!” Elder Huang was furious, exuding a powerful killing intent.

Qi Yuan quickly waved his hand, “Don’t get angry; it's bad for your health. If your blood pressure goes up, what will happen? What I said is absolutely true. You just need to let me eat the Son of Spirit Blood. I have a special constitution and can become the new Son of Spirit Blood. Then, you can just give your blood to me. I’ll give you a glucose drip every day, and it’s only ten yuan per bottle. Ten yuan!”

Qi Yuan was excited, gesturing as he spoke.

He had sacrificed so much for this world.