I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Author Luan Xinghai Han Paopao presents "In Huangfeng Valley, I Have an Equipment Slot!" on Cola Novels.

Kuixing Island, Qingyun Mountain, Yuqi Peak.

The night was deep and all was quiet.

On the mountain path outside the cave, two Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivators dressed in the robes of the Six-Hall Sect were idly on duty.

They chatted in hushed tones, making small talk.

"Sigh, Master Zhou has been gone for eighteen years without a word... Headquarters has inquired about it several times." One of them sighed.

"Who says otherwise! You think Zhou Danshi... he might have had some kind of accident outside?" another person said with concern.

"Pah, pah, pah, you jinx! But... eighteen years! Not a single word. No wonder people are worried. Without Master Zhou's supply of pills, our Jade Ring Residence's business has declined considerably over the years. Manager Gong looks like he's turned a few hairs white with worry."

The person who spoke first couldn't help but start complaining.

As the two were discussing in hushed tones, the atmosphere in the main hall of the cave was equally somber.

Yuan Yao and her sister Yan Li sat facing each other. The spiritual tea on the stone table had gone cold, but they had no heart to drink more.

A faint cloud of sorrow now shrouded both of their exquisite faces.

"Sister Yao, Brother Zhou has been gone for eighteen years now..."

Yanli rested her chin on her hand, her eyes gazing towards the entrance of the cave, her voice filled with longing and worry, "There's been no news at all, I'm really worried."

Yuan Yao sighed softly and took her sister's hand: "Sister Li, Brother Zhou's cultivation is profound, and he has always been cautious and meticulous in his actions. He will surely return safely. What we need to do is guard this place, cultivate diligently, and not disappoint him."

Even so, the worry between her brows was no less than that between Yanli and others.

For the past eighteen years, the two sisters have hardly ever stepped out of their Jade Peak cave, devoting all their energy to cultivation.

With the ample elixirs left by Zhou Yuan and the assistance of the first three levels of the "Great Evolution Technique," their cultivation progressed rapidly.

Yanli has firmly reached the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Yuan Yao had even attempted to break through to the Core Formation stage several years ago, but unfortunately, she failed and her Golden Core shattered before it could be formed, causing her cultivation level to plummet.

It took her several years, relying on elixirs and arduous cultivation, to barely manage to cultivate her cultivation back to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

This failure made her more composed, but it also deepened her dependence on and expectations of Zhou Yuan.

Just then—

In the night sky, a faint light broke the silence, and the magical artifact landed silently on the open ground in front of the Jade Peak Cave.

The radiance of the ritual implements faded.

A tall and composed figure appeared, none other than Zhou Yuan, who had been away for eighteen years!

His aura was restrained, not much different from when he left (deliberately suppressed to the peak of Foundation Establishment/pseudo-Core stage), but his eyes appeared exceptionally deep and bright in the night.

"Master Zhou! You...you're finally back!"

The two Six-Hall cultivators on duty were initially startled, but upon recognizing Zhou Yuan, they became so excited that they were speechless and hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Yes, thank you both for your hard work on duty."

Zhou Yuan smiled slightly and said in a calm tone, "Go and inform Manager Gong that the stockpiled alchemy materials can be delivered tomorrow."

"Yes! Yes! We'll go right away!"

The two were overjoyed and surprised, as if they had been granted a pardon. They quickly harnessed their magical artifacts and rushed to Tiandu Street to deliver the news.

Zhou Yuan watched the two leave, then raised his hand and made a hand seal, silently opening a portal through the layers of restrictions outside the cave.

Inside the cave, Yuan Yao and Yan Li, who were feeling uneasy, suddenly sensed the opening of the restriction. They were startled at first, but then felt that extremely familiar aura, and a huge joy instantly overwhelmed them!

"Brother Zhou!"

"Brother Zhou!"

Two beautiful figures, like swallows returning to their nest, rushed into Zhou Yuan's arms, bringing with them a fragrant breeze.

The next morning.

There was another commotion outside the cave.

Gong Yan's voice came through the barrier: "Brother Zhou, Gong Yan has come to visit."

Accompanying her was another aura, which was more than ten times stronger than Gong Yan's, and was clearly a Core Formation stage spiritual energy fluctuation!

Immediately afterwards, a voice filled with complex emotions, yet unable to conceal its excitement, rang out:

"Brother Zhou, it's me, Third Sister! I was so happy to hear you were back."

It was Feng Sanniang!

Decades later, she has successfully returned after achieving the Golden Core stage!

The cave gate slowly opened, and Zhou Yuan strolled out, followed half a step behind by Yuan Yao and Yan Li, one on each side. Their faces were rosy, and their eyes were full of charm.

Seeing the increasingly beautiful and charming sisters beside Zhou Yuan, a trace of barely concealed anger and bitterness flashed across Feng San Niang's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Third Sister, congratulations! You've reached a new level in your cultivation and achieved the Golden Core!"

Zhou Yuan's gaze lingered on Feng Sanniang for a moment, sensing the stable aura of her early Core Formation stage, and he cupped his hands in sincere congratulations.

Ouyang Gong and Feng Sanniang were among the earliest friends he met on Kuixing Island, and they had a pretty good relationship with them.

"Greetings, Senior Feng."

Yuan Yao and Yan Li also stepped forward, curtsied respectfully.

As soon as they opened their mouths, Feng Sanniang's gaze swept over them like a knife, and she snorted coldly, making no attempt to hide her displeasure.

Decades ago, it was the appearance of these two sisters that made her realize that Zhou Yuan had someone else in his life.

Now that I've returned after achieving the Core Formation stage, I thought my status was different, but perhaps...

"Brother Zhou,"

Feng Sanniang took a deep breath, her gaze returning to Zhou Yuan's face, filled with unprecedented confidence and a hint of stubbornness.

"Although I have now achieved the Golden Core stage, my feelings for you have never changed."

"If you are willing to become my cultivation partner and... divorce these two concubines, I guarantee I can persuade a true expert in the palace to help you condense your Golden Core!"

She felt that the terms were generous enough.

Female cultivators at the Core Formation stage are already rare in the Chaotic Star Sea, and hold a transcendent status.

Given her current status and the background of the Six-Linked Palace, it's not impossible for her to obtain the resources or favors needed to help a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator achieve Core Formation.

She believed it was an irresistible temptation for Zhou Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan frowned almost imperceptibly, then let out a soft sigh: "Third Sister, why are you doing this to yourself..."

"Brother Zhou, you know me, my feelings for you are sincere!" Feng Sanniang said urgently, her eyes filled with expectation.

"No need." Zhou Yuan shook his head, his tone calm yet firm. "I've already formed my core."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stopped suppressing his aura and slowly released it.

His spiritual pressure, typical of someone in the early stages of Core Formation, emanated from him (he was still concealing his true cultivation level at the mid-stage). Although not as flamboyant as Feng Sanniang's, it was calm, refined, and utterly genuine.

"Brother Zhou, you...you've also reached the Core Formation stage?!"

The confidence and anticipation on Feng San Niang's face froze instantly, turning into disbelief and shock, followed by a complex mix of joy and deeper disappointment.

The good news is that Zhou Yuan has also entered the Core Formation stage, but the bad news is that his biggest "bargain" has instantly lost its meaning, while Zhou Yuan's refusal remains clear.

"We are not destined to become Daoist partners."

Seeing her dejected look, Zhou Yuan softened his tone, "But I will always remember the friendship we shared back then."

I don't want this affection to become a tormenting demon in your heart in the future. Third Sister, try to be understanding; your journey is still long.

Feng Sanniang stared blankly at Zhou Yuan, and Yuan Yao and Yanli who were clinging tightly to him, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.

After a long pause, she gave a bitter smile.

Her voice was weary: "I understand... Brother Zhou, don't worry, from now on, I... won't bother you anymore."

After saying that, she took one last deep look at Zhou Yuan, turned around and transformed into a streak of light, leaving with a sense of desolation and relief.

Gong Yan, standing to the side, was even more shocked than Feng San Niang at this moment!

Master Zhou... in the eighteen years since he left, he has quietly formed his core!

This means that his status will undergo a dramatic change, and from now on he will truly be above everyone in the Six-Hall Branch of Kui Xing Island, and be able to associate with the Island Lord and Deputy Island Lord on equal footing!