My Core is the Boss-Chapter 186: Angry Qi Yuan

In Thundercloud Valley.

Great Venerable Thunder basked in lightning. He sighed involuntarily at his emaciated frame. “The lightning is still too weak to heal my injuries.”

Seventy years ago, one of his close friends betrayed the ancient gods and defected to the evil gods’ camp. Thunder furiously lashed out, going up against two Great Venerables at once. He had grievously wounded the traitor, yet his own state was just as dire, if not worse.

He murmured as he examined his condition, “I can still live another three hundred years... That’s not too bad.”

In truth, such a short span would have passed in the blink of an eye. Usually, a Great Venerable could live for hundreds of thousands of years. That was just how severe Thunder’s injuries were.

Just then, someone with an aged voice said, “Great Venerable Thunder, long time no see.”

It was the white-haired old man who had just finished speaking with Bai Xi.

Thunder’s brow twitched. A bolt of lightning fell straight onto the old man. “At your age, you still don’t know how to knock before entering? You don’t care about your life?”

Rather than getting angry, the old man chuckled. “Great Venerable Thunder, haven’t you always wanted a successor to inherit your legacy? I’ve brought you one.”

Hearing this, Thunder scoffed. “If he’s a weakling, I’d rather have none.”

“He’s no weakling. If it weren’t because we’re cultivating the destiny child, I wouldn’t have given you such a good seedling,” said the old man, before explaining about Qiyuann Sovereign.

Thunder showed a hint of surprise. “One Legendary?”

Even a single Legendary-tier God Visualization Art was nearly enough to create a Great Venerable.

The old man added, “According to him, there are three more True Gods of the same level.”

Lowering his head, Thunder muttered, “These Four Heavenly Kings... Why have I never heard of them? Actually, the same goes for that Howling Celestial Dog, Earth God, or Giant Spirit God...”

The old man frowned in thought. “I haven’t heard of these true gods either.”

Thunder speculated, “Could it be a certain divine lineage that never appeared on the main battlefield?”

The Hongtang War did not only have frontline combat. Some divine lineages bore heavy responsibilities and remained hidden, concealing their names.

“Well, none of those are important. Just tell me, are you satisfied with this disciple?” asked the old man.

“Somewhat,” Thunder said casually, but his beard was practically pointing toward the sky.

The old man then added. “The True Gods he contemplates are all unheard of. Perhaps he also knows of some deities who wield lightning. If he contemplates one of those, it might help treat your injuries.”

“Heh... You’re really imaginative.” Thunder laughed and kicked him. “That would require at least a Legendary-grade God Visualization Art. I need to get dressed. Get lost!”

The old man laughed. “Thunder, don’t be as reckless as you used to be.”

Thunder had always been as rash as a brute. If he hadn’t been so impulsive, choosing to fight two Great Venerables alone, he wouldn’t have been injured so badly.

Thunder glared at him. “As if I need you to lecture me!”

“Haa... I really pity your future disciple. He’s going to suffer,” the white-haired old man said with a grin. “He’ll probably spend every day persuading his master to be more cautious and less reckless.”

“Get lost already! I need to prepare to head out!”

Even for Thunder, going to a fallen zone required caution. Not only were there multiple Great Venerables in the fallen zones, there was even one at Fifth Step to Heaven in the northern lands. Thunder wouldn’t even think of fighting them. Otherwise, he’d basically be offering his head.

***

The next day, in Feihuang City...

Wang Wenqi gazed outside the window. Reflected in her sorrowful gaze was the falling rain akin to strings of beads. She was thinking of her empire, her family, and her great-grandfather.

The nearby maid also felt emotional as she watched the scene. “Miss, when will we leave Feihuang City? I want to see the snow in the Jiang Empire.”

While the Lin Empire was raining, snow was falling in the Jiang Empire.

Wang Wenqi remained dazed. “I don’t know either.”

At her great-grandfather’s behest, she had come to Feihuang City in search of Qiyuann Sovereign. Now, one had defected, and the other was gone. How could she bear to hand the treasures to Qiyuann Sovereign?

Moreover, she had met many major figures at the city lord’s manor today, including Ruo Yu, the ancient god of Sandstone Town. Everyone was extremely wary of Qiyuann Sovereign. Most believed he’d defected because he’d rather save his own skin.

In the past, she wouldn’t have taken such rumors at face value. However, after her great-grandfather was betrayed by a friend from the Lu Empire, it became a thorn in her heart. Resentment toward Qiyuann Sovereign rose within her as well.

The maid muttered, “It’s all Qiyuann Sovereign’s fault. Why did he have to defect to the new god?”

If Qiyuann Sovereign had been a decent ancient god, Miss could’ve helped him grow stronger with her great-grandfather’s items, and then get revenge!

Unfortunately, things had changed. Her mistress was lost and helpless, and the maid was no different.

At that moment, footsteps sounded. A man walked through the curtain of rain, holding an umbrella. He lifted the umbrella slightly, revealing a clean and handsome face.

Wang Wenqi looked at him in surprise, and heard him ask, “Have you met Venerable Tianbao?”

She froze, then nodded. “I don’t often see my great-grandfather.”

“Among the living, who knew him best?” the man asked again.

Anger rose in Wang Wenqi’s eyes. “Zhang Feng of the Lu Empire!”

“Is he a True God?”

“He is a Third Step True God!”

“Then his memories of Venerable Tianbao must be very deep,” murmured the man. “I am Qi Yuan. Your great-grandfather and I used to be in the same group. Wang Wenqi, do you want to slay a god?”

Wang Wenqi’s eyes widened. Whether from tension or excitement, her chest rose and fell rapidly.

The maid behind her was frantic. “Miss, he’s Qiyuann Sovereign!”[1]

Wang Wenqi peered into Qi Yuan’s clear eyes and reached out her hand. “Yes!”

She leaped down from beneath the windowsill, splashing water everywhere.

***

As the day of Taiyi’s descent drew ever closer, Feihuang City was gripped by panic.

Huang Mengying seemed exhausted, her expression bleak.

Ruo Yu lowered his head. “Qiyuann Sovereign is far too stubborn. There’s no persuading him at all.”

More accurately, it wasn’t because they couldn’t persuade him, but because they didn’t dare to.

“I think Qiyuann Sovereign may be plotting against that new god,” Nangong Wujin said, speaking up for Qi Yuan. “Otherwise, Miss Wang Wenqi wouldn’t have been willing to go to Clearwater Village with him.”[2]

The others fell silent.

Ruo Yu said again, “He has a lot of nerve. His opponent is a True God with three divine apertures. How dare he plot against him?”

He truly couldn’t understand.

Just then, an ethereal voice echoed. “Three days from now, when Taiyi descends, I will act once. Consider it helping that young friend.”

The people recognized the voice and were overjoyed.

“God Yuan, you’ve awakened!”

“Lord God, you’ve finally awakened!”

However, there was no further response. Ancient God Yuan fell back into slumber. Still, they grew slightly more confident. At least, things weren't looking so hopeless anymore.

***

Meanwhile, in Clearwater Village.

Qi Yuan excitedly stared at the altar ahead. “So Venerable Taiyi will descend here in three days?”

The thin, malnourished-looking evil god nodded timidly. “Yes.”

He was utterly terrified of Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan smiled. “I really hope time passes faster. May the day after tomorrow come quickly.”

Now, what kind of feast would be appropriate to welcome a True God?

Throwing a banquet in the shabby Gale Wind Town would be an insult to the gods. No matter what, it had to be held in Feihuang City!

The evil god beside him trembled violently.

Qi Yuan sat on a rock, passing time without a care. Then, someone ran to his side and whispered something in his ear.

A look of shock flashed across Qi Yuan’s face. “Ancient God Yuan is about to act?”

Beside him, Wang Wenqi held a pipa, her fingers plucking its strings.

Qi Yuan asked her, “Do you think Venerable Taiyi might get scared and decide not to descend?”

He hadn’t spread word of his scheme against Taiyi. What if Taiyi was an introvert and got scared off?

That was also why he had only let Wang Wenqi visualize the Dhrtarastra, without letting her consume the treasures to break through to True God realm.

When Wang Wenqi came to him, she bore five treasures capable of helping a peak Violet Palace ascend. Although Qi Yuan had never met Tianbao, he kept the gratitude firmly in his heart. He also engraved the name Zhang Feng in his head.

“Probably not. Ancient God Yuan has been gravely injured and unconscious. Even if he awakens, he won’t have much strength.”

“That’s good. I was just afraid he’d be too timid to come down.”

The ritual continued.

***

In some unknown space, someone said, “Venerable Taiyi, if you descend now, aren’t you afraid someone has set a trap for you?”

“Hmph. If I were that cowardly, I wouldn’t have achieved True God realm!”

“Then why are you forcing an early descent, even at the cost of using spiritual energy?”

“That boy is too strange. I can’t give him more time.”

“Then I wish you a smooth journey!”

Taiyi ignored him and directly entered the membrane. Immediately, enormous heartbeats and chewing sounds rang out. His spiritual energy was being consumed at a frenzied rate. In the next moment, brilliant light burst forth from his three divine apertures.

Taiyi roared uncontrollably, “So hungry! I'm going to starve to death!”

He even considered ripping off his own flesh and eating it.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, he suddenly burst into laughter. “The Mortal Heart World... I’ve finally arrived!”

***

A gigantic figure appeared in the night sky above Gale Wind Town. Taiyi roared wildly, joy on his face. True God's aura spread forth, seemingly encasing the entire world in mist.

The townspeople of Gale Wind Town were all stunned.

“Venerable Taiyi descended early!”

“How is that possible?!”

At the same time, the powerful figures in Feihuang City’s city lord manor sensed the aura and their faces changed drastically.

“Venerable Taiyi!”

“He descended early!”

“He must have sensed the threat. This is bad!”

“Where is Ancient God Yuan? Has he still not awakened?”

Huang Mengying stared at the terrifying figure in the heavens, her expression grim. “Ancient God Yuan won't awaken in time. We’ll have to rely on Qiyuann Sovereign alone.”

Hearing this, the people in the manor felt their hearts sink, a massive sense of crisis washing over them.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan looked at the terrifying figure in the sky and raised an eyebrow. “At least he’s got some brains, albeit not much.”

Beside him, Wang Wenqi immediately swallowed the Yinbirth Stone. At once, her energy transformed into spiritual energy, rapidly forming a divine aperture. She reached the True God realm as natural as flowing water.

However, what happened next caught them off guard. Boundless lightning descended from the nine heavens. They transformed into serpents, each capable of slaying a god.

Qi Yuan’s expression changed dramatically. “Oh no! Someone’s stealing my kill!”

In response, the newcomer laughed heartily. “My disciple, I’ve come bringing you a meeting gift!”

Qi Yuan shouted at the top of his lungs, “I’m begging you!! Do not kill him! Don’t steal my kill!”

As much as Qi Yuan wanted to curse his shamelessness, the newcomer was still a Great Venerable!

The Moonwatch Continent had taught him the terror of a Great Venerable. Everything below Fourth Step to Heaven were ants. This wasn’t an exaggeration.

One thing separated a Great Venerable from a Venerable: the divine domain. Inside said domain, a Great Venerable could kill a Venerable with a flick of a finger. Hence why Qi Yuan chose to cower instead.

Meanwhile, Taiyi was both starving and terrified. He was a poor old man. After enduring untold hardship to descend, what did he run into? A Great Venerable lying in wait to ambush a First Step to Heaven Venerable with three divine apertures! How was that reasonable?!

“You all are shameless!”

1. E/N: too late. He had her at hello. ☜

2. E/N: no it's definitely because of his face. ☜