My Core is the Boss-Chapter 148.1: Fish-Dragon Banquet

Inside the Bright Palace, the atmosphere was bleak and heavy.

Last time, only a dozen Violet Palace cultivators had gathered. Now, more than thirty were present, exceeding half of the palace’s total. Everyone had a sour look on their faces.

Zi Ran finally said, lacking her usual calmness, "From this moment onward, all Violet Palace cultivators outside must return to headquarters."

Previously, the Blood-Clothed Sword God had been revealed to be at late-stage Violet Palace. Zi Ran hadn’t taken him seriously as a result.

During the last attack, the Blood-Clothed Sword God had slain five Violet Palaces. They were convinced he had exhausted his strength and was recuperating somewhere.

Yet afterward, six more Violet Palace elders of the Bright Palace had fallen. The situation had spiraled far beyond their expectations.

Zi Ran issued the command, "Until our confrontation with the Blood-Clothed Sword God is resolved, all Violet Palace cultivators are to remain at headquarters."

The rest of the Violet Palaces exchanged uneasy glances.

"How exactly should we deal with this Blood-Clothed Sword God?" one of them asked cautiously.

Zi Ran said with a trace of helplessness, "The Grand Palace Master is negotiating with the Eastern Lands Lord of the Divine Flower Society. Before the results come out, we need only hold our ground here."

As the righteous leader of Cuiyun Continent, when had the Bright Palace ever been forced into such humiliation? It spoke volumes of how great the adversity they faced.

"If we must make peace in the end, wouldn’t that be an unbearable humiliation?" one Violet Palace muttered, already foreseeing the likely outcome.

After all, not only was the Blood-Clothed Sword God overwhelmingly strong, he also wandered constantly. It would be extremely difficult for the Bright Palace to corner and capture him.

One elder snapped. "Hmph. If he dares step into our headquarters, he’ll never walk out alive!"

Always on the domineering side, this sudden retreat was difficult for them to swallow.

"He’s not a fool. Why would he come here just to die?" Another elder snorted. "Anyone who reaches this realm is cunning. Hah... it seems we can only swallow this humiliation."

A lady in yellow spat. "He got off easy!"

Thus, the meeting at the Bright Palace ended quietly.

From this day onward, no one in the palace dared mention the Blood-Clothed Sword God, let alone talk about ambushing him.

All elders and stewards simply waited for the Grand Palace Master’s return. No matter how much the Blood-Clothed Sword God was making noise all over the Divine Flower Forum, they could only ignore him.

***

Outside the cave residence.

A faint cloud of worry still lingered between Jiang Ya’s brows. Even after practicing the Heaven-tier technique from Elder Wutian for some time, she still hadn’t made any progress.

She glanced at Qi Yuan and Kang Fulu, and waved softly. "Are the two of you interested in the Fish-Dragon Banquet?"

In her hand was the invitation to the banquet. Everyone who had appeared on the Eastern Land's Prodigy List would receive one.

Kang Fulu’s eyes lit up. "Of course!"

The banquet featured the Fish-Dragon Golden Core Dance. It was much better than the recordings!

Qi Yuan, however, shook his head. "A friend of mine is arriving in Cloud City soon. I have to pick him up. He’s bringing me to the banquet, so I won’t go with you two."

Jiang Ya stared at Qi Yuan in mild surprise.

Kang Fulu was equally shocked. "Junior Brother, you actually have a friend here?"

"Mhm. Someone I met on the net."

"On the net?" Kang Fulu frowned. What net? Spiderwebs?

"Be careful. Don’t get scammed," Kang Fulu warned. As the senior brother of the Divine Radiance Sect, he felt responsible for keeping an eye on Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan glanced at the Divine Flower Society’s jade slip. "Don’t worry."

Rogue Immortal hadn’t replied for two days. Could something have happened again?

Qi Yuan felt a pang of anxiety. It was just meeting up, why did it have to feel so troublesome?

***

On a spirit ship.

Rogue Immortal looked at the man with upturned slit eyes with forced concern. "Senior Brother, are you feeling better?"

The man’s face was pale and weak. "Cough... Yes, I've recovered somewhat."

Rogue Immortal felt utterly speechless. His senior brother had always been passionate about "making friends." As someone ranked on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, he was considered a notable figure even on this small flying vessel.

However, a few days ago, his senior brother befriended a girl ranked on the Eastern Lands Junior Prodigy Ranking. One thing led to another, and they ended up on the bed. If Rogue Immortal hadn’t found him in time, his senior brother would’ve been drained dry. The girl’s cultivation method was one of absorbing yang and nourishing yin, and his senior brother had fallen straight into her trap.

Rogue Immortal had spent days burning his own energy to patch up his senior brother’s battered self. After all, his senior brother was the only ranked prodigy in the sect—their one and only hope.

Rogue Immortal lectured earnestly, "Senior brother, stay away from those demon girls."

His senior brother showed fear, but also a hint of fond remembrance. "Who told her to be so soft? Junior brother, I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t do it again!"

Rogue Immortal didn’t believe it. This wasn’t the first time, and the sect master never scolded him, which Rogue Immortal found baffling.

Regardless, he pushed the thought aside. "We’re almost at Cloud City. I promised my friend he’d pick me up."

Thinking of Qiyuann Sovereign, he felt excited again.

His senior brother sighed dramatically. "Mhm. Bring him along. We’ll go to the Fish-Dragon Banquet together. Haa... so many twists and turns, but we made it in time."

At that moment, someone intentionally said loudly, "Someone from the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, seduced by a demon girl? Gao Jien, when we reach Cloud City, don’t mention you're from Thunderwalk Continent."

A tall handsome man with waist-long hair appeared, sharpness in his gaze.

Gao Jien’s expression darkened. "Hmph! Luo Cha, say that again when your ranking surpasses mine!"

Luo Cha belonged to a sect that had long-standing grudges with Gao Jien’s sect. The two had always been at odds. As a side note, Gao Jien outranked Luo Cha by exactly ten places.

Luo Cha said coldly, "This time, when the list resets, I’ll definitely surpass you."

Just then, the spirit ship stopped.

Luo Cha’s face lit up with excitement. He pointed proudly to a golden-robed man ahead. "See that? That’s Lei Chong, ranked eighty-ninth on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List. He’s my sworn brother. With his help, I’ll surpass you for sure!"

Gao Jien’s face twitched slightly. Although he was within the top 300, the top 100 were the true monsters.

Rogue Immortal had no interest in Lei Chong. He looked around as he stood beside Gao Jien, but failed to spot who he was searching for.

Then, someone called out, brimming with excitement, "You’re Rogue Immortal?"

Rogue Immortal turned. A handsome youth in a blood-red robe stood before him. The youth’s presence was so subtle, one could easily miss him.

"Qiyuann Sovereign??" Rogue Immortal lit up. "You actually came. Also, you're so handsome!"

Gao Jien glanced at Qi Yuan. "So you’re my Junior Brother’s friend. Truly extraordinary."

Qi Yuan said humbly, "I don’t rely on my face, only my strength."

Since he planned to attend the Fish-Dragon Banquet, Qi Yuan didn’t want to use his real identity. He was from a small kingdom, what if others looked down on him?

Besides, the other Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment cultivator would also be there. Hence, Qi Yuan used a stronger disguise. The Blood-Clothed Sword God would do nicely.

Hearing his shameless words, Rogue Immortal instantly knew it was indeed Qiyuann Sovereign.

Gao Jien urged. "Let’s hurry to the banquet, or we’ll be late."