My Core is the Boss

Just then, a ripple moved through the space behind Qi Yuan. Two figures appeared: one stout, one lean.

Fat Egg craned his neck and scanned the surroundings. When his gaze fell upon Qi Yuan, he froze for just an instant. That's my father?

A wave of shame washed over him. He could have torn the flesh from his own bones. His father was too perfect. Fat Egg drew a slow breath, sucked in his stomach, and tried to appear slightly thinner.

The lean elder looked uncertainly from one of them to the other. "They do not resemble each other much."

They kept their thoughts to themselves and continued flying onward.

"Shen Sou of the Eastern Alliance greets Senior"

"Fat Egg of the Eastern Alliance greets Senior!"

Both bowed with full respect and stood to the side. The contrast between the two was remarkable. Despite Fat Egg's best efforts to hold in his breath, he was still several times wider than the lean elder's.

Qi Yuan remained transfixed at the Sea of Souls. "Why have you come looking for me?"

Fat Egg's mood sank a little. The surging of his bloodline confirmed this man was truly his father. Yet the cold, detached tone stirred a strange grief in him.

Bloodline martial cultivation progressed faster than the immortal dao, even offering the special bonus of bloodline leaps. Nevertheless, there was one major issue: those of lower bloodlines instinctively gravitated toward superior bloodlines and were easily swayed by their influence.

Shen Sou said earnestly, "We came from the Eastern Alliance. The Dawn Chime will soon begin, and the Mountain-Sea Scroll's progress is falling behind. We thereby extends a sincere invitation for Senior to join us and work toward the greater cause!"

He gestured at Fat Egg and his tone softened. "Senior's own son, Fat Egg Martial Lord, has also been serving the Eastern Alliance all this time."

Shen Sou was playing the sentimental card. He simply had no other incentives to lure Qi Yuan in. The Origin Land was too barren for that. What mattered most was that this matter concerned life and death, and no Martial Lord could part from it. If the Dawn Chime sounded, the world would sink into silence.

Qi Yuan murmured, "Well, it does sound interesting. But isn't saving the world the job of heroes and the chosen ones? And it takes far too much time. I'm very busy."

Shen Sou blinked. As much as he had expected to be refused, being told he was too busy to save the world came completely out of left field.

Shen Sou pressed on. "Senior, time can always be found if one looks for it."

Fat Egg also could not stop himself. "Senior, we can help with whatever you're busy with!"

Qi Yuan glanced at the Fat Egg with anticipation. "I wish to become a Spirit Martial God. Is there a way?"

His mission was more important than saving the world.

Fat Egg frowned. "I have not heard of one."

Within the Eastern Alliance, there were no records of a Spirit Martial God.

Shen Sou frowned as well, but then something stirred in his mind and he muttered, "We do not know of the Spirit Martial God, but the Wall of Dong Jun may have an answer."

Qi Yuan asked curiously, "The Wall of Dong Jun? What is that?"

"Dong Jun had left behind a miraculous wall within the Eastern Alliance. It knew all things under heaven and could discern truth from falsehood. Senior, the Ancestral Blood Battle is fast approaching. When the Ancestral Blood Battle concludes, the Wall of Dong Jun will appear. You could then ask about the Spirit Martial God.

"If Senior is willing, I can recommend you as one of the three chief examiners for the Ancestral Blood Battle. Chief examiners have the right to ask questions to the Wall of Dong Jun!"

Qi Yuan considered this briefly. "That sounds acceptable. Welp, guess I've got no choice but to be the chief examiner."

He was genuinely looking forward to becoming the Spirit Martial God. After all, his Mortal Martial God mission was nearly complete. Once he broke through to the Martial God of Ten Thousand Paths, the game would be over.

Shen Sou's face broke into relief. "Congratulations on joining the Eastern Alliance, Senior!"

Qi Yuan said, "Let me make one thing clear: joining the Eastern Alliance does not mean I swear loyalty to Dong Jun."

He was here to play a game, and not to pledge allegiance to anyone.

Shen Sou said at once, "That is perfectly fine. Although Dong Jun founded the alliance, our purpose is to save the world, not to serve any individual. Should Dong Jun ever seek to destroy the world, we would move against him as well!"

Qi Yuan nodded. "Then I'll come take a look at your alliance."

Shen Sou turned to lead the way. "Please follow me, Senior."

The three of them set off quickly.

At the back, Fat Egg trailed behind, his expression a tangle of conflicted feelings. Finally, steeling himself, he said softly, "Senior, please wait a moment!"

"Oh?" Qi Yuan stopped, looking slightly wary. "What is it?"

No good news ever started with, “Please wait, ...”

Fat Egg stumbled over the words, but finally got out the question he had carried for countless years. "May I ask, a-are you perhaps my long-lost... father?"

Hidden within his enormous frame was a trace of childlike innocence and sincerity. Such was the power of bloodline. Even a Great Martial Lord, when faced with a superior and more perfect bloodline, could not help letting slip the expression that only a junior would wear.

Qi Yuan looked at Fat Egg, struggling to keep his face straight. "Stop spreading rumours. I only recently got married. I don't have a child as big as you!"

His family register currently held exactly three names: himself, Little Bride, and Canary. Fat Egg was not in it.

Fat Egg's face fell, and disappointment settled over him. "I understand."

He said nothing more, but his heart ached.

He must think my mother was too unattractive. Father was put off, so he won't claim me.

He sighed internally. Why had he inherited his mother's looks and not his father's?

***

"We pay our respects to you, Ancestor!"

"Greetings, Senior!"

Aboard an abandoned ship, Mu Yan reverently gazed at the ancestor. Behind him stood several peak Martial Kings who had traveled from their respective outposts alongside him. Some bore Martial Seals, while others had pledged themselves to help Mu Yan achieve a great result in the Ancestral Blood Battle.

Though they faced only the ancestor's avatar, Mu Yan knew that if the ancestor so willed it, a single glance would be enough to annihilate them all.

He’s a Martial Lord. Every martial artist wishes to be him!

The Martial Lord said, "Good. You are young and accomplished. If you wish to receive the Ancestral Blood Baptism, aim for the top thirty. Within ten years, you will surely step into the Martial Lord realm!"

Every seal-bearing peak Martial King would receive the Ancestral Blood Baptism. However, their ranking in the Ancestral Blood Battle determined the extent of the Ancestral Blood Baptism. Those who ranked lower would take years to reach the Martial Lord realm. Even then, they would likely have exhausted their potential and stagnated forever.

Mu Yan said firmly, "I will do my best to reach the top thirty!"

The Martial Lord clearly held Mu Yan in high regard. "If you enter the top thirty, I will grant you one small request. Tell me now, what do you need?"

Mu Yan's heart stirred as something came to mind. He said sincerely, "While I was crossing the Black Sea, I faced a crisis. It was only thanks to a peak Martial King called Qi Yuan that I got to keep my life. However, he fought with someone called Zhi Xian and killed her. Behind Zhi Xian stands the Stacked Cat Martial Lord. I hope you can intervene and resolve this, Ancestor."

During the crossing, Qi Yuan resolved multiple dangers, essentially saving Mu Yan's life.

The Martial Lord seemed to be in good spirits. "Good. You are loyal and are a fine descendant of mine. I will handle this matter. When the time comes, have him offer an apology to the Stacked Cat Martial Lord, and the matter shall be settled."

Mu Yan was delighted. "Thank you, Ancestor!"

He thought, Qi Yuan is safe!

Then, another thought followed and he added, "The Eastern Alliance is short-handed at the moment. Brother Qi is the strongest and most gifted Martial King I have ever encountered. Is there any chance he could participate in the Ancestral Blood Battle?"

He still wanted to do Qi Yuan one more favor.

The other peak Martial Kings exchanged a look, something sharp flickering in their eyes. Clearly, none of them wanted to see Qi Yuan in the Ancestral Blood Battle.

The ancestor considered it. "Without a Martial Lord Seal, he would have no right to enter the Ancestral Blood Battle. That sort of exception can only be granted by a chief examiner. Each chief examiner holds power at the Titled Martial Lord realm. My standing is too low."

Mu Yan felt a flicker of disappointment but bowed all the same. "I have spoken out of turn."