My Core is the Boss

Xie Tang quickly suggested to Qi Yuan and Canary, "Are you two also here for the gathering? Why don't we travel together? We can look out for one another."

Wang Zhiqi also approached, full of curiosity. She felt a sense of familiarity as well.

Qi Yuan nodded. "Sure."

Wang Zhiqi was Yang Shan's daughter. When Qi Yuan was new to the game, Yang Shan had given him considerable help on martial arts. In fact, Qi Yuan had only been able to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament because Yang Shan had pulled some strings. Hence, Qi Yuan held goodwill toward his daughter.

Xie Tang eyed the two curiously. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. Among the Three Worlds and the demon races, there were very few Nascent Soul cultivator couples like them, let alone any who matched their physiques.

Roughly estimating their ages, she figured out that they were probably newly advanced Nascent Souls like herself, rather than ancient monsters. All her enemies were the latter, so she was only a bit wary of Qi Yuan.

Xie Tang couldn’t help but sigh. "The path of immortality is truly difficult. Especially Violet Palace... It's on an entirely different level from Nascent Soul. I wonder if I’ll ever have the opportunity to step into Violet Palace in this lifetime."

Qi Yuan nodded. "Haa... I completely agree. Every stage is filled with hardships and dangers. Back when I was breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm, I fought nearly three thousand old men and almost died.

"Don’t get me started on Core Formation. My core was a bit too large and I nearly exploded. I encountered the greatest crisis of my life during Nascent Soul. They almost crashed my game."

And he meant every word. His path had truly been far too cumbersome.

Xie Tang was a bit puzzled. Almost beaten to death by nearly three thousand old men sounded outrageous, but still barely acceptable. But what did “they almost crashed my game” meant?

In the end, she still agreed, remarking emotionally, "Fellow Daoist, you are probably an unaffiliated cultivator. Your path to breakthroughs must have been rather difficult."

Wang Zhiqi appeared sympathetic as well, taking the opportunity to flatter him, "Although you had it harder than us proper sect disciples, look at it this way! It was hardship before success—a transformation from mortal to dragon."

Qi Yuan became unwilling. He had a sect, alright? He was about to break through and become his sect's first Violet Palace in all eternity. What a glorious achievement for the sect!

"I'm not an unaffiliated cultivator!"

Wang Zhiqi froze. "Huh? Then why were your breakthroughs so difficult?"

Admiration filled her gaze. "Senior must simply be a late bloomer!"

Qi Yuan was taken aback. Yang Shan's daughter was already seventy or eighty years old, yet she still didn't know how to speak tactfully. Her emotional intelligence was hopeless.

His urge to show off surged. "Has it occurred to you that my Foundation Establishment might not be the same as yours? You’re simply too weak. I could beat ten thousand of you alone!

"If you don't believe me, we can spar a bit."

Canary giggled from the side. "One hundred thousand."

Wang Zhiqi froze in place, utterly dumbfounded. No way, Senior. You're a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator, and you want to spar with a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Isn't that outright bullying?

Wang Zhiqi hurriedly replied, somewhat panicked, "Ahem, Senior, how would I dare to spar with you? I am simply unworthy."

Qi Yuan decided to properly "educate" Yang Shan's daughter. "Haa. The Qing Dynasty has already been gone for so many years, yet some people still have braids on their heads? Nowadays, we advocate equality for everyone. You and I are both human beings. We are equals. If we spar with one another, how could there be any question of being unworthy?"

Wang Zhiqi was younger than him, yet her thinking was so feudal. She clearly wasn't an independent woman of the modern era.

Wang Zhiqi froze slightly. For some reason, she felt that his words actually made a lot of sense. Still, the thought of sparring with a Nascent Soul expert left her feeling discouraged. She cast a pleading look toward Xie Tang.

Xie Tang smiled. "Why would Senior joke around with a junior?"

Qi Yuan said earnestly, "I'm not joking. I'm serious. You're from ancient times, so it's understandable that your thinking is ancient. But she's a modern person, yet still so old-fashioned."

Xie Tang was stunned as well. The previously harmonious atmosphere suddenly became awkward. The four of them fell silent, no longer conversing much.

After presenting their invitations, everyone boarded the cruise ship to attend the gathering. More than thirty Nascent Soul cultivators were present, along with many more juniors like Wang Zhiqi. All the Nascent Soul cultivators had assigned seats, while juniors stood. Nearly a hundred people gathered in the hall.

An old man wearing a pure red mask entered, radiating a powerful aura. He was clearly at the peak of Nascent Soul. His gaze swept across everyone present before he slowly said, "Since everyone has arrived, I shall not waste any more time. This gathering shall begin. I will cast the first brick to attract jade. Let us exchange ideas and spar together."

He proceeded to sit in the main seat. Slowly, he said in an ethereal voice that flowed like heavenly music, "Transforming from Nascent Soul to Violet Palace revolves around the divine soul. Only by tempering the divine soul to its utmost limit can one break through. The greatest difference between Nascent Soul and Violet Palace lies in divine abilities.

"Nascent Soul uses divine techniques, while Violet Palace approaches Origin Divine Techniques tied to the laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, I believe that to advance, one must temper the divine soul and comprehend the origin. Among these, comprehending the origin is the hardest. Since ancient times, countless cultivators have been stuck at this stage.

"Comprehending the origin depends solely on oneself. Outsiders cannot help. Even if gods descended into the mortal world, they would be powerless to help. Both are essential.

"If one's divine soul is sufficient but origin comprehension is lacking, one cannot advance. If one successfully comprehends origin divine techniques but lacks sufficient divine soul, one may use a Divine Ignition Pill to stimulate the soul and step into Violet Palace."

Many cultivators lowered their heads in agreement or contemplation, feeling enlightened. Especially the unaffiliated cultivators, who had never encountered such knowledge.

However, Qi Yuan was deeply disappointed. It could not compare to even one strand of Lord Great Wisdom's hair. He felt that at this rate, he definitely wouldn't gain anything. Perhaps he should guide them onto the correct path.

"Haa... When you said 'cast the first brick to attract jade,' I originally thought you were just being modest. Turns out you were serious. You really did throw out a brick. I have to admit, though, you're quite honest."

Everyone immediately turned their attention toward him.

Wang Zhiqi gawked at Qi Yuan. She felt this senior's mouth was truly venomous. How could someone speak like that?!

A wandering Nascent Soul cultivator could not help but say, "This elder is already at the peak of Nascent Soul, but he is still willing to share his experience with us. That is already a good deed. Why must you insult him?"

The masked old man seemed to be seething. "Since my words are merely bricks, then do you possess jade-like wisdom, Your Excellency?"

Qi Yuan said seriously, "No jade-like wisdom, but your bricks are broken bricks. For example, you said that those lacking divine soul strength can use pills to enter Violet Palace. Is that truly feasible? Well, it's not entirely impossible, but perhaps only one in a hundred million will succeed.

"And regarding origin comprehension. Who says others cannot help? I know many people who were trapped at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, yet managed to break through thanks to another person's guidance."

Back in the Flowing Wind World, he had once spread the dao and helped many experts comprehend origin divine techniques, stepping into the Supreme realm.

Discussion and disbelief broke throughout the hall.

"Heresy! Utter nonsense!"

"Origin Divine Techniques are one's personal dao. How could they be taught by others?"

"Find such a person, then!"

Among them, a purple-robed man felt his heart pound violently, as though he had heard something terrifying. He gazed at Qi Yuan with shock and suspicion.