My Core is the Boss

Black Deer stood to the side with a somewhat complicated expression. "What a pity. Human hearts are simply too complicated. If only we could have joined forces with that mysterious faction, how much further along would Dong Jun's mission be by now?

"Unfortunately, they're far too closed off and impossible to communicate with. If they could meet Dong Jun and hear him out, I'm sure they would be convinced and join our cause."

Qi Yuan glanced at him. "Is Dong Jun that eloquent? I'm becoming more and more eager to meet him."

These people’s faith in Dong Jun had reached a frightening level. Qi Yuan found it rather strange. Could it be that even Dong Jun possessed charisma on par with his own? Well, to be frank, Qi Yuan felt somewhat inferior to that man. Though his Nascent Souls also held him in high regard, they were all essentially himself. Wasn’t it normal to believe in oneself?

Suddenly, Qi Yuan thought of the corpse inside the coffin within the ruins. "Have you ever seen Dong Jun's Dao companion, the Demon Ancestor Lord?"

Black Deer shook his head. "No. We have never even seen Dong Jun's true body. What we have seen were merely his avatars."

Qi Yuan did not dwell on it further. "Oh."

Black Deer's gaze fell toward the tower below, and he smiled. "Mr. Qi, you truly have exceptional insight and a keen eye for talent! Mu Yan has reached the fifteenth floor and is among the leading group. As for that black-robed young man... Ha! He truly is afraid of heights.

"He's been scared stiff on the sixth floor and doesn't dare move. Martial Lord Ji Qi is overseeing the sixth floor. She only made a minor adjustment to the trial, yet he's already struggling this much!"

Black Deer was very skilled at handling people. Without making it obvious, he brought up Ji Qi's gesture of goodwill toward Qi Yuan. Now, Ji Qi owed him one. Although, as a Titled Martial Lord, he cared little for favors from ordinary Martial Lords. Besides, it cost him nothing to do such a small thing.

Qi Yuan commented casually, "Not bad, not bad."

He glanced at the struggles inside the tower. Though the Martial Kings were fighting for their lives, to him, it was no more interesting than watching a paramecium devour a yeast cell. It was mind-numbingly boring. They weren't even as entertaining as the keyboard warriors back on Arch Star, who could create amusing drama and get into fiery arguments.

He checked the forum post he had made earlier. Qi Yuan was stunned. So many days have passed. Why are there no new replies? Have I been shadow-banned?

Qi Yuan made a malicious guess. According to the principle of inequalities, having no traffic meant someone was deliberately suppressing him.

He muttered, "How despicable."

Then, he tagged the genius who had previously suggested buying a piece of land.

Qi Yuan: @Genius, do you have any other insights? What should I do after buying the land?

Genius: Sigh Bro, Brilliant Star is invading. I don't have time to chat nonsense with you anymore.

Qi Yuan became serious.

Qi Yuan: Oh, so Brilliant Star is invading. But we're not chatting nonsense. We're discussing something that could change the entire cultivation world.

How could creating an underworld palace be called nonsense? If the world had such a place, wouldn't that make it possible to create a truly ideal society and achieve genuine socialism? The elderly would be cared for. Adults would have meaningful work. Children would receive education. The dead would have a place to return to.

It was basically perfect. And if people felt bored after death, they could even work for free in Qi Yuan's Underworld. How wonderful! Free employees!

Genius: Forget about changing the world. Let's worry about ourselves first.

Qi Yuan: I'm doing fine. Nothing's wrong with me.

Genius: How can it have nothing to do with you? Once war begins, countless people will die. Prices will skyrocket. Order will collapse. If Arch Star loses, we might become slaves. Our parents, wives, and children will be degraded by others. Our fates will no longer be ours to decide, but the enemy's!

The genius's words were filled with bitterness and helplessness. Clearly, he did not believe Qin Yuan stood much chance against Brilliant Star. After all, every one of the Eyes of the Sky had fallen. Qin Yuan was like a handsome man stripped down to nothing but his underwear, completely at the mercy of anyone who came along.

Qi Yuan: You have a point.

Then, something occurred to him.

Qi Yuan: If Brilliant Star's invasion succeeds, will they still hold the Martial Arts Tournament?

Genius: The Martial Arts Tournament? What's that?

Qi Yuan: I am the champion of the Martial Arts Tournament. I've won dozens of consecutive titles. If the tournament gets canceled, doesn't that mean I won't be able to win another championship?

Genius: I just looked it up. That antique relic of an event is actually still around? Forget the Martial Arts Tournament, even the Cultivation Conference will probably be shut down.

Qi Yuan lost it. "Outrageous! Why?! I just want to enjoy my cozy game and watch a goddamn tournament! Why are these NPCs being so troublesome? They're actually trying to cancel the Martial Arts Tournament! Absolutely unacceptable!"

He abruptly stood up and sent a message to the man.

Qi Yuan: Just wait. I'm heading home right now. I'll show those Brilliant Star bastards the true value of a Martial Arts Tournament champion!

Beside him, Black Deer appeared utterly bewildered. "Mr. Qi, what's happening?"

"Hmph!" Qi Yuan snorted. "There are bad guys among the NPCs. Someone dared to sneak into my hometown and launch an attack while I wasn't there. I need to go back and teach them a lesson!"

"Huh?" Black Deer appeared worried. "Are the enemies powerful? Should we intervene and assist?"

Qi Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "No need. They're just insignificant clowns. One breath from me will kill them. I'll be leaving for a bit. Oh, right, help delay the opening of the Wall of Dong Jun. I need to be present."

"No problem." Black Deer immediately nodded. Such a matter was trivial. "However, Mr. Qi, according to the rules, if you leave this place, you must carry a recording stone. Everything you do must be publicly displayed here. Though if it's something private, technically you don't have to—"

Qi Yuan spoke boldly, "It's fine. What's private about it? I do things openly and honestly. Give me the recording stone. I'll record it myself."

Black Deer handed it over. "Very well."

The recording stones of this world were quite similar to Canglan’s, except they were activated using blood martial qi.

"I've already activated it." Immediately, an image of Qi Yuan appeared before the tower. Yet instead of departing immediately, he shouted toward the heavens, "Emperors Shu and Hu, come at once!"

His voice rang out, seemingly spreading across the entire Origin Land.