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

"It seems we don't need to appear and ask; he has already agreed."

Four more heavenly gods were hidden in the sky, not asking any questions.

Just those few were enough to get an answer from Yan Yuqing.

At this moment, Yan Yuqing kept his head down, not daring to look up at the majestic gods in the sky.

His heart was in turmoil, and all the Confucian teachings of benevolence and morality he had learned were long forgotten.

As for Wen Zhuyun, he recalled seeing her at a gathering once. She had a dignified appearance, and he had glanced at her a few times.

Back then, some people had even teased him, suggesting he take Wen Zhuyun as a concubine.

He had indeed considered it.

However, given Wen Zhuyun's family background, she could only be a concubine, and he wasn't ready to take a concubine yet, so he had dismissed the idea.

At this moment, he was most grateful that he hadn't married yet.

At the same time, a hint of ambition stirred in his heart as he prostrated himself on the ground.

So what if she was the daughter of a merchant? So what if her ancestors had never held high office?

This was a match made by the gods!

"Since you like her, how about... you get married right here? I've even brought the civil affairs bureau," the Giant Spirit God said in a booming voice.

With a loud crash, the officials' sons saw a building descend from the sky.

Seeing this, they prostrated themselves on the ground, filled with awe.

"A miracle!"

"A divine miracle!"

"Is this where the gods reside?"

Yan Yuqing's head was spinning.

"I will follow your arrangements, esteemed gods," Yan Yuqing said, trembling.

But then, the Giant Spirit God seemed to remember something and slowly said, "We still need to ask Wen Zhuyun for her opinion. You go home first and ask your parents if they agree."

After saying this, the Giant Spirit God and the other gods disappeared.

The world brightened again.

The officials' sons knelt on the ground, shivering, feeling as if what had just happened was an illusion.

"Was I... dreaming just now?"

"I think we all had the same dream."

"No, it wasn't a dream. Look at that building... the civil affairs bureau!"

The officials' sons all looked at Yan Yuqing, their expressions lively. Some of the smarter ones began to piece things together.

"Congratulations, Young Master Yan!"

"Brother Yuqing, congratulations!"

What followed was simple.

Yan Yuqing, following the Giant Spirit God's instructions, returned home.

And thus, the following conversation took place.

"Father, I want to marry Wen Zhuyun, in a proper wedding!"

"Who is this Wen Zhuyun? A merchant's daughter? Nonsense!"

"Father, I truly like her. More importantly, this time is different. Her matchmaker is..."

"Even if the Emperor himself were the matchmaker, he couldn't insult our Yan family!"

"Father, her matchmaker is a god!"

"What are you talking about? Wait, today's strange phenomena..."

Meanwhile, Wen Zhuyun, at home, was filled with anxiety.

She clutched the broken jade in her hand, her thoughts in turmoil, her heart racing with the worries of a young girl.

Did Young Master Yan agree?

Would he look down on me for being a merchant's daughter?

Did the Origin Heavenly God really send someone to ask?

Just then, in the group chat, Qi Yuan asked Wen Zhuyun.

"I've already sent someone to ask Yan Yuqing. He said he likes you. It seems you two are meant for each other. Congratulations."

Hearing this, Wen Zhuyun was overjoyed, her ears turning red.

"Really?"

"Yes. I've already told him to go home and ask his parents for their opinion. If they agree, they will come to propose to you. Are you willing to marry Yan Yuqing and become his wife?" Qi Yuan asked again.

He never forced matches.

"Ah?" Wen Zhuyun felt a wave of immense joy. "I am willing!"

Without any hesitation, she agreed.

Qi Yuan wasn't surprised.

After all, Wen Zhuyun was a hopeless romantic.

At this moment, everyone in the group was paying attention to the messages.

Especially Wu Santong, who wanted to see if he was truly as powerful as he claimed.

After some time, Wen Zhuyun sent a message in the group.

"Ahhh! The Yan family has really come to propose! Origin Heavenly God, thank you!"

"How did you convince them? The Yan family is a powerful noble family!" Wen Zhuyun was both delighted and shocked.

She hadn't expected that Young Master Yan Yuqing also admired her and was willing to marry her as his official wife.

"It's not about convincing. I just sent my people to ask, and it turned out he also likes you, so he said yes," Qi Yuan replied.

He never forced anyone, always preferring to persuade with reason.

Of course, with enemies, he didn't even bother with reason; he just killed them and held a feast.

In the group, Zuo Jingyun's expression changed slightly, murmuring, "He really is a foreign demon."

...

On the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain.

Qi Yuan looked at the messages in the Myriad Heavens Mirror, his eyes thoughtful.

"A few Nascent Souls entered and found no danger. Should I go in and take a look, maybe attend a feast or something?"

Qi Yuan pondered.

Now that he had helped Wen Zhuyun fulfill her wish, it was time for him to enter her world, start gathering followers, and harvest resources to perfect his Divine Kingdom.

If he asked Wen Zhuyun and Yan Yuqing to do this for him, it would probably be very slow.

With the backward manpower of that feudal dynasty, building temples and statues for him would take who knows how long.

Moreover, Qi Yuan, being socially awkward, didn't want to trouble others.

Life was already hard for the common people; forcing them into corvée labor to build temples and undertake large-scale construction projects wasn't right.

As soon as he expressed his desire to enter the Great Ruins, Feng Ye, the Divine Lord, came over to advise him: "Your Highness, you must be careful. If you encounter danger, please return to the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain immediately."

"Mm, I know," Qi Yuan replied calmly.

From Feng Ye, he had learned much about the various planes and worlds.

Many of the worlds connected by the Myriad Heavens Mirror had World Spirits.

These World Spirits, in the context of a cultivation world, were akin to the Heavenly Dao.

However, unlike the Heavenly Dao of the Immortal Realm, most World Spirits had their own consciousness and intelligence.

"Wen Zhuyun, I'll come to your feast later. Don't refuse," Qi Yuan had already made up his mind and said to Wen Zhuyun.

Wen Zhuyun, seeing this, was overjoyed: "Alright."

Great Ruins World.

Rumors began to spread.

"Have you heard? The son of the Minister of Rites is going to marry a merchant's daughter, and as his official wife!"

"How is that possible? This is the Minister of Rites we're talking about!"

Logically, shouldn't the Minister of Rites be the most concerned with propriety?

"I heard the Emperor is furious and plans to dismiss Minister Yan."

"It seems the wedding is today."

"This is going to be interesting."

At this moment, undercurrents were stirring in Chang'an City.

The son of the Minister of Rites marrying a merchant's daughter was, in the Great Ruins World, a violation of propriety and a disregard for the rules of etiquette.

Moreover, the one violating these rules was the Minister of Rites himself.

How could people not be shocked?

Even Confucian scholars had begun to speak out against this marriage.

However, this did not affect the love-struck Wen Zhuyun.

It also had little impact on Yan Yuqing, who was determined to go through with it.

At this moment, outside the Yan family estate, the atmosphere was festive.

Although this wedding violated propriety, many of those who had hunted the water monkey together, along with their families, chose to attend.

"Greetings, sir. May I ask your name?" A servant of the Yan family looked at the young man beside him, unable to help but take a few extra glances.

This young man was even more handsome than the young master.

"Mm, Qi Yuan. I was invited by Wen Zhuyun to attend the feast."

As he spoke, Qi Yuan presented his gift.

His gift was simple: a piece of calligraphy with the characters "百年好合" (May you live in harmony for a hundred years).

The servant looked at the calligraphy and couldn't help but praise, "Young master, you are indeed a calligraphy master."

He was somewhat surprised.

The young master's wedding had caused quite a stir in the city, even angering the Emperor, who had threatened to dismiss the Minister.

Because of this, many scholars and Confucianists had avoided the event, and no one of note had come to attend.

Clearly, he mistook Qi Yuan for a renowned scholar.

Under the servant's guidance, Qi Yuan was seated in the upper hall.

Although the marriage between Yan Yuqing and Wen Zhuyun violated propriety, the Yan family, being the family of the Minister of Rites, had divided the feast into three areas: upper hall, middle hall, and lower hall.

Qi Yuan sat casually, occasionally drawing glances, as his appearance was too striking.

While attending the feast, Qi Yuan wasn't idle.

He occasionally listened to the sounds of the world and even used his divine sense to skim through some books.

The more he read, the more he found this world peculiar.

"This world is quite interesting."

"A bastard prime minister kneeling before a legitimate county magistrate."

"Class distinctions are rigid and unbreakable."

"But the Emperor committed suicide for love."

"The general commanding a hundred thousand cavalry, when his wife was humiliated, surrendered his military authority just to save her."

The stories of this world were somewhat insane.

To use an inappropriate analogy, it was as if a "romance novel's Heavenly Dao" had invaded.

Of course, this "romance novel's Heavenly Dao" wasn't the real thing but rather the stereotypical notions of "legitimacy," "rules," "imperial authority," and "love" being paramount.

(Note: No offense intended toward romance novels.)

These fixed impressions had shaped the world.

"This World Spirit is quite interesting. I should go and meet it."

According to the records, this world wasn't always like this.

But since the founding of the Great Ruins Kingdom three thousand years ago, it had become this way.

The Great Ruins Kingdom had lasted for three thousand years.

There had been times of suffering, times of corrupt officials, but everyone had always adhered to the "rules," not daring to challenge the "legitimate Emperor."

"Wen Zhuyun, I've finished your feast. Goodbye, let's talk again next time."

After sending the message, Qi Yuan's figure disappeared.

In the upper hall, the feasting guests were momentarily stunned.

"Huh? There was a handsome young man sitting next to me just now. Where did he go?"

"Who was he?"

Everyone was confused, doubting their own eyes.

But those who had gone to hunt the water monkey were filled with excitement.

"Could it be that the person just now was the... divine being Sister-in-law mentioned?"

Those who were already tied to the Yan family knew a lot.

They knew that Wen Zhuyun had called someone to ask Yan Yuqing.

And those terrifying gods were all subordinates of the Origin Heavenly God.

As Qi Yuan left, about thirty breaths later, Yan Yuqing and the Minister of Rites rushed out, their faces filled with urgency.

"Where is that divine being?"

Not seeing Qi Yuan, Yan Yuqing was disappointed.

...

"Is this the World Spirit?"

Qi Yuan looked at the World Spirit, his expression calm but with a hint of curiosity.

"This World Spirit is quite powerful."

Qi Yuan made his assessment.

In the lower realms of the Immortal Realm, the Heavenly Dao of those worlds could be devoured by a Great Sovereign.

But this World Spirit was not something an Yin God could handle.

"According to the Ten Thousand Gods Mountain's system, it is probably at the Divine Decree stage."

The Divine Decree stage was somewhat similar to the concept of "words becoming law," establishing rules.

And this World Spirit's rules were that the legitimate were superior to the illegitimate, rules were paramount, and love was also paramount.

Thus, the Great Ruins Kingdom had all sorts of bizarre occurrences.

Just then, a stern voice rang out.

"Audacious! Why do you not kneel before me?"

This was the World Spirit's instinctive roar.

Seeing Qi Yuan, a True God, descend, it felt a greedy desire to suppress and devour him.

The original World Spirits of this world had all been devoured by this new World Spirit.

Now, it had taken over.

"Why should I kneel to you?" Qi Yuan asked calmly.

In an instant, various divine lights emanated from the World Spirit, rushing toward Qi Yuan.

Within them, Qi Yuan felt the power of Divine Decrees.

"I am the legitimate World Spirit, the master of this world. All living beings who see me must kneel!"

The World Spirit instinctively declared.

Qi Yuan did not resist, allowing the Divine Decrees to fall upon his body.

In an instant, he felt many thoughts arise in his mind.

He was illegitimate; he should kneel to the legitimate.

He seemed to have fallen in love with the World Spirit; he should commit suicide to prove to the World Spirit that he loved it the most.

"So, this is what influences the living beings of this world, placing a lock on their souls?" Qi Yuan murmured.

If the Giant Spirit God and the other gods had not appeared and shouted, affecting the "Divine Decrees" of this place, Yan Yuqing probably wouldn't have had the courage to marry a merchant's daughter.

Those people wouldn't have attended the wedding.

Those who criticized outside the Yan estate and wrote mocking songs were the majority.

Qi Yuan really wanted to say, "Qiu Ya is getting married, and you're here singing and dancing."

Qi Yuan shook his head, and the strange thoughts in his mind disappeared.

"I like your Divine Decrees. Soon, they will be mine."

Although he was only at the Divine Kingdom stage, his Divine Kingdom was constructed from the Hall of Eternity.

Even against a Divine Lord, he dared to fight, let alone this Divine Decree-stage World Spirit.

"The illegitimate need not kneel to the legitimate!"

Qi Yuan spoke, divine light emanating from his body.

He took a step forward, and a lotus flower bloomed beneath his feet.

"Do kings and nobles have a divine right to rule?"

Another lotus flower bloomed, bright and vibrant.

"The Emperor's throne rotates; tomorrow it will be my turn."

Although Qi Yuan had not reached the Divine Decree stage, his words were like the sharpest blades.

Crack!

Crack!

The chains of rules on the World Spirit's body broke one by one as Qi Yuan spoke.

"No!" The World Spirit instinctively let out a roar.

It was somewhat puzzled. It was the legitimate World Spirit, at the Divine Decree stage, and of higher status than this Divine Kingdom-stage being. Why was the gap in power so vast?

Finally, with a mournful cry, the World Spirit fell silent.

Its Divine Decrees condensed into a Rule Divine Decree, falling into Qi Yuan's hands.

Qi Yuan looked at the Rule Divine Decree, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"This Rule Divine Decree seems to be able to lower the intelligence of enemies."

If he mastered this Rule Divine Decree to an extremely high level, could he tell a Dao Lord, "You are illegitimate; kneel before me!"?

Suddenly, Qi Yuan felt a bit melancholic.

"Without this Divine Decree, I wonder if this world will become better or worse."

"It's fine. Worshiping me is definitely a good thing!"

"I am lawful good."

As Qi Yuan murmured, in an instant, everyone in the Great Ruins Kingdom felt as if they had lost something important.