My Core is the Boss-Chapter 189.2: Some People Are Powerful Not Because They Are Special
Zhao Zun felt both nervous and excited. Then, it occurred to him that all twenty-one could be sharing a single visualization art. He let his expectations drop, and with them, a part of his joy.
Even so, it would still be an enormous blessing. He could break through to mid-stage Violet Palace realm and gain enough power to take revenge.
As this thought crossed his mind, twenty-one visualization arts soared into the air, glowing golden. Every single one radiated a terrifying aura. In fact, the golden light on two seemed to take form, striking the senses with overwhelming force.
Zhao Zun froze. Legendary? Moreover, twenty-one of them?!
His heart raced. Everyone was stunned.
The strongest golden light shot straight into Zhao Zun's eyes. He couldn't comprehend what was happening at all!
How can such a powerful art be given to me so casually?! I haven't even formally spoken to the guardian god before! Even sworn True God brothers would fight for this art!
However, his incomprehension slowly transformed into heartfelt gratitude, deep emotions, and a powerful sense of being acknowledged.
Finally, someone has seen my extraordinary nature!
Besides a sense of pride, he felt even more grateful toward Qi Yuan, his benefactor. He absolutely could not betray Qi Yuan's trust!
Qi Yuan's voice rang out, calm and commanding. "Now, visualize."
Zhao Zun did not hesitate and immediately began visualizing.
Thunder flashed to Qi Yuan's side once more. He stared intently at Zhao Zun. "His God Visualization Art is rather extraordinary. It doesn't feel like your run-of-the-mill Legendary."
Qi Yuan replied calmly, "That's the Subduing Dragon Arhat, the strongest among the Eighteen Arhats, and the most steeped in myth."
Thunder snorted. "What audacity, taking 'Subduing Dragon' as a title! If I recall correctly, the North Sea Divine Eye is home to a group of vicious dragons. If they see him, they'll taunt him." He paused, still watching Zhao Zun. "Still, what an exceptional God Visualization Art."
Qi Yuan said nothing. The group sat quietly inside the temple.
His EXP surged wildly, but unfortunately stalled at level 89, unable to cross the final threshold. It was just like on the Moonwatch Continent.
***
The next day, when blood-red light once again illuminated the mortal world, Qi Yuan checked on the twenty-one people again. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Anticipation filled his eyes. "Not bad. All of you have reached peak Violet Palace realm."
That was how amazing a Legendary-tier God Visualization Art was. The result would've been just as great even with just a single person visualizing it.
Thunder stared at them, unable to calm himself for a long time. He handed out such precious God Visualization Arts like radishes?
Qi Yuan uttered casually, "Perfect timing. There are still five supreme treasures, take them and break through to True God."
He tossed the five treasures. Three landed in the hands of the women, while the remaining two fell to the men who had visualized Subduing Dragon Arhat and Taming Tiger Arhat. Overjoyed, they used the treasures right away.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Three divine beams shot into the sky. The three women broke through first, directly stepping into the True God realm. Meanwhile, Zhao Zun and the other man turned pale, sweat forming on their foreheads. They couldn't absorb the supreme treasures at all. On the contrary, the treasures seemed to be rejecting them. This was the same situation Qi Yuan had faced.
Thunder was stunned. "Is Subduing Dragon Arhat’s talent so terrifying that the treasure is rendered useless?"
The same was true for Taming Tiger Arhat. No reaction at all.
"What a pity!" Qi Yuan sighed softly, then uttered calmly to the two, "Don't blame yourselves. Your God Visualization Arts are simply too high-tier. These treasures aren't enough to help you break through."
Hearing this, Zhao Zun felt utterly conflicted. He couldn't tell whether this was good news or bad. It was truly absurd.
"It's fine. There will be plenty of chances in the future." Qi Yuan retrieved the two treasures, then pointed at the two other men. "You, smiling so happily. And you, with impressive eyebrows. Try breaking through."
These two were the cultivators of Laughing Arhat and Long-Browed Arhat. Full of delight, they took the treasures and broke through to the True God realm in an instant. A terrifying aura surged outward.
Thunder's eyes widened. "These are no ordinary True Gods. They've only opened a single divine aperture, yet they can battle those with three."
The True God realm was divided into Seven Steps to Heaven, with each step carrying an enormous difference. In fact, even within the same step, the gap could be massive. After all, eleven divine apertures versus one wasn't merely an elevenfold difference.
Qi Yuan remarked casually, "Your names are too complicated, I can't be bothered to remember them. I'll just bestow each of you with a title. From now on, that is your name."
The ever-ambitious Qi Yuan intended to recreate the Heavenly Court.
In one breath, he bestowed their titles. "You are Subduing Dragon Arhat. You, Taming Tiger Arhat. You, Deer-Seated Arhat and you, Long-Browed Arhat."
The three beautiful women were also given titles. Only, it felt somewhat strange that the former Four Heavenly Kings were now women.
Qi Yuan silently apologized in his heart. If the real Four Heavenly Kings truly existed, he hoped they wouldn't blame him. His memory was simply poor, that was why he borrowed their names.
With a wave of his hand, Qi Yuan set off. "The bodyguard squad is complete. Let's go to the Hundred Flowers Gathering!”
Accompanying him were the Four Heavenly Kings, the Eighteen Arhats, and Qi Qi. After brief preparations, the group advanced in a grand procession toward the North Sea Divine Eye.
***
Outside Clearwater Village, the villagers who had come to see Qi Yuan off were in tears.
Zhu Zhuangshi stared at Big Black Dog, finding it especially irritating. However, the moment he glanced at Qi Yuan's entourage, he went green with envy.
Zhu Zhuangshi couldn't help but cry out, "Lord God! I-I'm loyal too!"
This time, Qi Yuan's distribution of twenty-one God Visualization Arts didn’t just shake the entire village, but the whole Feihuang City.
Zhu Zhuangshi's jealousy burned fiercely. Yulei stood nearby in silence, secretly envious as well.
Beside him, Shen Tu secretly transmitted a message. “How about we tell Lord God about the Ancestral Land?”
Originally, they had planned to wait until Qi Yuan became a True God, intending it as a surprise for him. That was no longer the case anymore. They felt it would be better to tell him as soon as possible—to build goodwill and strengthen their rapport, and perhaps obtain a God Visualization Art!
Yulei quickly made his decision. "When Lord God returns, tell him right away."
He felt it was unnecessary to keep Qi Yuan in suspense or worry about timing any longer. Straightforwardness was the best approach!
Our chance to become True Gods is at a stake here!
***
A streak of light shot across the sky.
"The rain is getting heavier." The Northern Heavenly King, Mo Lihong, held an umbrella to shield Qi Yuan from the rain. Clad in a red attire, she said cautiously, "My lord, this rain is unlikely to stop anytime soon."
Zhao Zun said, "This place lies adjacent to the North Sea. It rains here all year-round. Rumors said that it's related to the murder of an evil dragon's son in the North Sea."
Qi Yuan's interest was piqued. "Oh? Could it be the Dragon King's Third Prince, the one whose tendons were stripped?" [1]
"The North Sea is infested with flood dragons. One particularly vicious dragon descended into the mortal world to wreak havoc—committing rape, abduction and slaughter. Eventually, it was slain by Miss Huang San, the third young lady of the Phoenix Clan. Thus, the North Sea Dragon Clan and the Phoenix Clan became enemies. And since this place happens to be where the evil dragon was slain, other dragons often come here to stir up trouble, ruining the harvests."
Qi Yuan stared at Qi Qi. An interesting story. Should I visualize Ne Zha for her someday?
After a moment's thought, he dismissed the idea. Ne Zha was far too rebellious. What if she became a bad influence for his goddaughter? Qi Yuan preferred obedient daughters.
Just then, a light, drifting voice sounded. "Fellow Daoist, I must correct you. The frequent rain has nothing to do with the North Sea Dragon Clan, but solely because of the slain evil dragon. Not only did it possess an extraordinary talent, it had even mastered water attributes. It even had the potential to become a Great Venerable in charge of rainfall. Ever since it was killed, this place has experienced heavy rain."
As the voice fell, three figures appeared before Qi Yuan. The leader was a handsome, upright True God, accompanied by a boy attendant and a maid.
The leader’s gaze swept over Qi Yuan's group, surprise flashing in his eyes. "I am Ye Liuyun. Greetings to you all."
Ye Liuyun was deeply curious about them. Despite his utterly mediocre look, the leader commanded six extraordinary True Gods. Even the remaining attendants were at least peak Violet Palace experts. None of them was ordinary, especially the one who had spoken earlier. Even though he was only at Violet Palace realm, Ye Liuyun slightly feared him for some reason.
Qi Yuan also stared at him with a hint of surprise. "Dragon Clan?"
Translator Notes:
The Eighteen Arhats (十八罗汉) are enlightened disciples of the Buddha in Buddhism, especially important in Chinese Buddhist tradition. You can find out more here. Each arhat has a distinct personality and are often shown as old monks, sometimes wild-looking, sometimes laughing. They are frequently paired with mythical beasts, weapons that are symbolic, not violent or gestures of teaching or protection. In Chinese temples, you’ll often see all 18 statues lined along the halls.
1. In Chinese mythology, the East Sea Dragon King's third son, Ao Bing was killed by Ne Zha and stripped of his tendons. Ne Zha used these tendons to craft a belt worn on special occasions. The Dragon King, enraged, sought revenge against Ne Zha. ☜
