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

Chapter 517: The Blind Artifact Master and the Glorious Jiang Yunxi

“Your birthday? What a coincidence.”

“Killing demons and eliminating evildoers on your birthday, you’re really starting to look like a protagonist.”

“Well then, I’ll stay…”

The voice gradually faded over the waters of Yeshan Lake.

---

Roughly two hours later.

A pale, delicate hand held a slender brush as crooked, uneven characters sprawled across the fine paper.

“I haven’t written in my diary for the past few days because I was doing something incredibly meaningful!”

“…The knife spun in my hand, lightning surged like a tidal wave, and wherever my gaze landed, specters fell in droves!”

“The final boss, the dreaded Water Sovereign, a powerful specter that terrorized the land, couldn’t even struggle against the might of my heroic blade.

In its last moments before life faded away, the Water Sovereign revealed its tragic tale to me.

It turns out it was once a human, a disciple of the Heavenly Sect, and it even had a childhood friend and senior brother it deeply cared for.

But during an adventure outside the sect, it unfortunately met its end. When it woke again, it was no longer human…”

“See? Every great villain has a moving backstory.”

Jiang Yunxi set her pen down and glanced at the knife lying beside her, feeling both delighted and regretful.

It was a pity the knife hadn’t shattered in her arms, dripping with its own lifeblood, or that she hadn’t lost an eye or a leg. Only then would her journey as a savior feel truly legendary, something unforgettable.

Although her diary painted this journey as fraught with peril and filled with bloody battles, the reality was that she had breezed through it with no danger at all.

“Turns out the savior I wrote about is far more interesting than what actually happened.”

At that moment, Jiang Yunxi was completely absorbed in her writing.

“Is it because reality was too smooth and easy, so it feels… lacking in flair?”

“Old Knife, what are you doing?” she asked, her thoughts wandering again. She turned to glance at Qi Yuan.

“I’m reflecting on the gains from this experience.”

Qi Yuan responded curtly, offering no further explanation.

What he said was half true and half false.

At that moment, his emotions were complicated.

“The reward for completing the roleplay… turned out to be wood.”

The first rewards for playing as the knife had been related to the sharpness of iron. The subsequent rewards had similarly enhanced his physical durability, granting him a body comparable to a Heaven-tier artifact.

But now that the roleplay was complete, the reward was “the vitality of wood.”

An immense, inexhaustible vitality filled Qi Yuan’s body.

“So, does this wood… represent the knife handle?”

That was the only conclusion Qi Yuan could draw.

The final reward seemed connected to the knife handle.

“Originally, I was more of a skill-focused fighter. But with this incredibly durable body, I became an unstoppable force. Now, with this boundless vitality, I’ve truly become… unkillable.”

This reward was undeniably valuable.

The seemingly endless vitality worked in tandem with his ability Death’s Radiance, enabling him to unleash tremendous power when surrounded by enemies.

If he were besieged by opponents of similar strength, he could feasibly achieve invincibility.

---

[Knife roleplay complete. Fourth character unlocked.]

[Fourth character: The Blind Artifact Master.]

Suddenly, an influx of information poured into Qi Yuan’s mind.

The Blind Artifact Master had been born blind. His parents, poor and unable to care for a blind infant, abandoned him in a river one stormy night.

Miraculously, the child survived, floating into the mountains, where an old man found him and took him in.

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The old man was a failed apprentice artifact master who had spent his life dreaming of becoming a true master.

Unable to achieve his own ambitions, he pinned all his hopes on the blind child.

When the Blind Artifact Master turned seven, the old man passed away, leaving behind a lifelong regret.

This regret became a heart demon for the Blind Artifact Master, who vowed to achieve his mentor’s unfulfilled dream.

His talent was extraordinary; he possessed a prodigious memory and mastered various artifact crafting techniques with ease.

But he was blind.

Despite seeking out the best medical experts, his blindness was deemed incurable.

Being blind was an insurmountable obstacle to artifact crafting.

Even with his immense talent, the Blind Artifact Master was unable to progress beyond the Heaven tier.

His greatest wish was to become a Divine-tier Artifact Master—or even greater—to see the world from the highest peak.

---

“Now, this is the kind of story that gets my blood pumping. Compared to that useless son-in-law Qi Yuan… what a waste.”

Qi Yuan mused, already forming his own theories.

When this game world had collapsed, he had infused it with his lifeblood, preserving it from total destruction.

The roles he was now playing seemed to be manifestations of that lifeblood.

Still, Qi Yuan couldn’t help marveling at the diversity of his bloodline.

It had given rise to not only the pitiful son-in-law but also a sentient knife.

Thankfully, there was now the Blind Artifact Master—a figure of true potential.

As Qi Yuan delved deeper into the Blind Artifact Master’s memories, countless crafting techniques and repair methods flooded his mind.

His understanding of the path of artifact crafting deepened considerably.

“This Blind Artifact Master really is a genius. His talent is unparalleled. Not like that good-for-nothing son-in-law who spends his days getting bullied and fetching footbaths for his mother-in-law.”

Qi Yuan felt reassured.

At least his bloodline wasn’t entirely wasted.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, Qi Yuan’s expression shifted.

Within the Blind Artifact Master’s memories, he heard a familiar voice.

“That’s… the voice of the son-in-law’s father?”

“He had dealings with the Blind Artifact Master?”

Qi Yuan was intrigued.

What a small world.

“Sir, your talent is unparalleled. You are destined to reach the Divine tier and even beyond. Please, join us. Together, we can protect the Azure Mountain Realm, safeguard our homeland, and drive out the darkness to restore the light!”

The voice belonged to none other than Qi Yuan’s father, the son-in-law’s progenitor.

From the Blind Artifact Master’s memories, Qi Yuan learned that his father had joined a mysterious organization. This group was enigmatic, often proclaiming that the world was on the brink of destruction. They believed that only by uniting all artifact masters to forge the ultimate artifact could the calamity be averted.

Qi Yuan’s father had invited the Blind Artifact Master to join their cause and craft the supreme artifact.

However, the Blind Artifact Master had refused.

“I’ll have to jot this down,” Qi Yuan thought. “If I want to roleplay the son-in-law, I’ll need every bit of relevant information.”

---

“Roleplaying as the Blind Artifact Master…”

Qi Yuan pondered, narrowing his eyes.

“This role is peculiar. Once I begin, I’ll actually go blind. And unless I achieve full completion, I’ll remain blind indefinitely?”

None of the other roles had such constraints.

He could switch freely between the knife, the Divine Avatar, and the son-in-law.

But with the Blind Artifact Master, once he committed to the role, he would have to complete it in one attempt.

“Is it because his willpower is the strongest among all the characters, exerting dominance?”

That seemed likely.

“Well, I won’t take on the Blind Artifact Master role just yet. I’ll stick with the son-in-law and Divine Avatar for now.”

Still, even if he avoided it for now, the system imposed a five-month limit. If he didn’t willingly take on the role, he would be forced into it after five months.

“No rush. I’ve got five months. In that time, I’ll focus on rapidly strengthening myself.

And if I manage to become a Divine-tier Artifact Master in the meantime, I’ll be able to clear the role as soon as I start.”

Qi Yuan had no intention of going blind.

He glanced at Jiang Yunxi, a contemplative look in his eyes.

“This network of connections… might as well make use of it.”

---

The fall of the Water Sovereign caused a massive stir.

Among the ten Weapon Masters who had ventured into the underwater palace, the most powerful, Wei Kun, chose to stay behind.

But shortly after the others left, the underwater palace collapsed with a deafening explosion. The once-sturdy structure was completely obliterated.

Wei Kun perished in the ruins, never making it out alive.

This left the remaining Weapon Masters deeply unsettled. Many suspected there was more to the story—a conspiracy lurking beneath the surface.

Amidst these swirling uncertainties, the news of Jiang Yunxi’s inscription on the Water Sovereign’s corpse spread like wildfire.

And the next day, Duke Zhenshan found Jiang Yunxi.

When questioned about the events in the underwater palace, Jiang Yunxi stammered and avoided specifics. However, later that night, the Duke stumbled upon her personal diary and uncovered the full truth.

“Jiang Yunxi is a child of destiny! She was chosen by a mysterious old man who lent her a powerful artifact—a knife—that allowed her to slay the Water Sovereign!”

“A mere Earth-tier Weapon Master defeating a foe even the Heavenly Sect couldn’t handle… What kind of artifact is this?!”

“From now on, I’m just Jiang Yunxi’s loyal follower!”

“The Water Sovereign is gone… just gone?!”

The news left everyone dumbfounded.

Just as the Artifact Forging Conference was gaining momentum and countless Weapon Masters were bracing themselves for a potentially fatal battle against the Water Sovereign, the threat simply vanished.

Slain by an unknown noblewoman.

Jiang Yunxi’s fame skyrocketed.

The Duke’s temporary residence was inundated with visitors bearing gifts.

The Duke greeted them all with a beaming smile, clearly delighted.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yunxi kept a low profile, spending her days poring over ancient artifact crafting texts sent by the Artifact Forging Conference.

Her behavior earned her even more respect.

“Unassuming and humble—she has the makings of a phoenix among mortals!”

“Too bad that knife… That legendary artifact was destroyed while shielding her during the battle against the Water Sovereign.”

---

Amidst this, outside a courtyard, Xie Danran stood with a solemn expression.

His posture was upright and composed, but a closer look revealed a trace of unease in his eyes.

He stood respectfully at the gate, his demeanor exuding humility.

A maidservant soon appeared.

“Master Xie, please enter. The Lady is waiting for you.”

Xie Danran offered a polite bow and followed her inside.

His mind was a whirlwind of emotions.

Only a few days ago, he had encountered this seemingly foolish noblewoman by Yeshan Lake.

At the time, they had clashed.

She had claimed she was destined to save the world, insisting he let her pass.

He had dismissed her words with disdain, silently mocking her arrogance.

But now, against all odds, she had slain the Water Sovereign.

“Jiang Yunxi is upright, naive, and kindhearted. She might have been upset with me before, but if I play my cards right, I can change her perception of me. Unlike the cunning Shen Lingshan, she’s easier to fool.”

Xie Danran adjusted his expression, standing even straighter as he resolved to make a good impression.

Soon, he was ushered into the room where Jiang Yunxi waited behind a curtain.

Xie Danran immediately dropped to his knees, his voice brimming with reverence.

“Xie Danran of the Heavenly Sect greets Lady Jiang Yunxi. Your bravery in saving the people from peril is truly awe-inspiring!”

He bowed deeply, nearly touching the ground, his demeanor exuding contrition.

“Back at Yeshan Lake, I failed to recognize greatness. My actions were disrespectful. Every time I think back on it, I am consumed by guilt!”

Behind the curtain, Jiang Yunxi’s toes curled with delight. She clearly enjoyed the praise.

Still, remembering Old Knife’s advice, she huffed, her voice sharp yet sweet like a nibbling deer: “I heard you suggested a vile scheme—to offer Shen Lingshan to the visitors from the Rosha Kingdom?”

Xie Danran froze. Wasn’t this meeting about his previous rudeness? Why bring this up instead?

He quickly dropped his head lower, his voice turning earnest and anguished.

“My lady, you may not know this, but Shen Lingshan is the one I cherish most in this life. The idea of sending her to the Rosha Kingdom pains me more than words can express.

But even if it breaks my heart, I must think of the people of Jining Prefecture. Their lives outweigh my personal desires. For their sake, I made this unbearable suggestion!”

Tears welled in Xie Danran’s eyes as he struck his chest, sobbing pitifully.

Behind the curtain, Jiang Yunxi was momentarily swayed by his performance.

Could Old Knife have been mistaken?

Was Xie Danran actually a good person, misunderstood by everyone?

Still, she thought back to Old Knife’s instructions and let out a cold snort.

“Hmph, who knows what kind of wicked thoughts you’re hiding!”

“For the sake of the people, I would gladly break my own body!”

The two exchanged words back and forth.

Despite Jiang Yunxi’s slight cleverness, she wasn’t particularly sharp.

After an hour of conversation, she found herself moved by Xie Danran’s words.

Xie Danran’s confidence grew. He straightened his back even further, convinced that a few more hours would be enough to win her over completely.

“You may leave now,” Jiang Yunxi said suddenly, waving him off.

Xie Danran was left a little frustrated, feeling as though he hadn’t yet played all his cards.

But he had no choice but to bow and retreat.

---

“Old Knife, I think Xie Danran might actually be a good person,” Jiang Yunxi muttered once he was gone. “When he talks, he seems so upright and passionate. He really seems like a righteous figure straight out of a storybook.

Even when I tried to provoke him, he didn’t get angry or say a single rude word.”

Nearby, Old Knife paused his reading for a moment.

“You’re still too young,” he replied. “I’m leaving tomorrow, so let me give you one last life lesson.”

“Tell me, did Xie Danran avoid using any foul or insulting language during your conversation?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yunxi nodded.

“That means he knows every single insult by heart, so he can avoid them perfectly.”

“What?”

“See? Only someone thoroughly familiar with bad behavior would be able to hide it so flawlessly.

He’s not just your average morally corrupt person—he’s a morally corrupt person who’s an expert at pretending otherwise.”

Jiang Yunxi’s eyes widened. “Old Knife, you’re absolutely right!”

Her mind cleared as though she’d been struck by lightning.

“And another thing. During your entire conversation, did he deny being a murderer, a rapist, a bandit, or a specter?”

“I… don’t think so.”

“Well, there’s your answer.”

Horrified, Jiang Yunxi gasped. “The more I think about it, the scarier it gets. Old Knife, if not for you, I wouldn’t have realized how skilled he is at deception. I’ll have him executed immediately!”

She jumped to her feet, fully intent on ordering Xie Danran’s death.

At this point, Jiang Yunxi was a hero who had saved Jining Prefecture. Her authority was immense, and her word carried absolute weight.

Offending her meant certain death.

“Old Knife, you’re truly a wise mentor. With just a few words, you opened my eyes completely. It’s a pity I can’t always keep you by my side.

With my talents, under your guidance, I might not only become the world’s greatest chef and savior but also the smartest person in Ning Kingdom!”

Although Old Knife had promised to stay for her birthday, he had lingered for several more days to finish reading the texts she’d gathered.

Now that the books were finished, it was time for him to leave.