Emperor's Domination

“I thought it was four.” Li Xian said.

“Because Bodhi Ancestor found a legacy.” Li Qiye said.

“What is a legacy, does it help someone become an immortal?” Monk Zhu asked.

“Becoming one doesn’t require a legacy, but to go further, yes.” Li Qiye said.

“Is an immortal not the strongest already?” Orchidcore was surprised to hear this.

“Immortals are only a stage assigned by regular cultivators. A true immortal is not around but they still flatter themselves by choosing to be called pseudo-immortals or terrors.”

“Supreme terrors.” Coldblade had heard of this before.

“Pseudo-immortals or just immortals sound better.” Princess Chen murmured since supreme terrors sounded rather strange and discomforting.

“In the absence of immortals, overlords can reign supreme and devour their world?” Coldblade said.

“They would be the lords in that scenario and can do as they please.” Li Qiye said.

“Then it would be safer to have several instead of just one.” Li Xian said.

The birth of a single one could signal the end of the world.

“Is there no punishment for doing so? Trillions and trillions of living beings.” The princess shuddered.

“Do emperors or anyone above get punished for massacring a kingdom?” Li Qiye stared at her.

The group exchanged glances and had no response.

The strongest cultivators’ hands were stained with blood. However, few were punished specifically for the act of killing.

“It’s different compared to an overlord devouring a world.” Coldblade said, having a different perspective from the young ones since she was close to reaching the imperial level.

“Not wrong and yes, supreme overlords can get unlucky too.” Li Qiye said.

“How so?” Orchidcore asked.

“A personal limit for one, the other is a heavenly limit.” Li Qiye said.

“I haven’t heard of this before.” The young ones said.

“The personal limit is due to having a shaken dao heart and falling to the darkness. This requires fixing the dao heart or their cultivation will stop there.” Li Qiye said.

“How would one fix a shaken dao heart?” Coldblade asked.

“To fix it? Must go back to the source for a proper reflection of one’s true pursuit.” Li Qiye said.

“I see…” Coldblade memorized this statement.

“What about one that had fallen to the darkness?” Princess Chen asked.

“Give back.” Li Qiye said.

“Like spit out the world again?” Princess Chen was surprised by this answer.

“Is something chewed and spat out still useful?” Li Qiye said.

“Uh, no, then what do you mean by give back?” She smiled awkwardly before asking.

“Commit suicide and return everything.” Li Qiye said.

The group paused for a moment. Monk Zhu was the first to speak: “Who would ever commit suicide after reaching the apex?”

“Then they can continue living and hiding like stray dogs.” Li Qiye said.

“But why? They were invincible, not to mention the power of a whole world.” Orchidcore said.

“A supreme overlord being invincible? Don’t say this again unless you want to make people laugh.” Li Qiye said before pointing at the sky: “Now let’s talk about the heavenly limit. The high heaven is always there so they will have to hide forever. I suppose death is one way out.”

“What if we’re talking about an immortal instead of a supreme overlord?” Princess Chen asked.

“An immortal? They will no longer deserve that title since they are slaves to their desires. They will not have a good ending.” Li Qiye said.

The group fell into silence because this topic was heavy and irrelevant.

“There are levels to the immortal stage.” Coldblade said.

“The purer and more determined the dao heart, the farther they can go.” Li Qiye said: “Both natural and cultivated beings are on the same path, unable to escape from the dao heart or the self. Only when they reach the truth will they make it to the other shore.”

“The other shore?” Monk Zhu murmured since Buddhism also had this concept. Was it the same for daoists as well?

“We have two immortals right now, who will be the next?” Mu Hu changed the topic.

“It has to be the Lord of Life and Death.” Coldblade said with a serious expression.

“Not Xian Chengtian? The disciple of three immortals.” Orchidcore said.

“If that’s the case, then Weizhen is in the running too, the disciple of Zhan Sansheng.” Princess Chen said.

“Weizhen can’t, perhaps Supreme Black Ancestor.” Coldblade said.

“Lord of Calamities might be able to do it. He wields all tribulations in this world, rumored to be the child of the high heaven. That alone makes him a strong candidate.” Li Xian said.

“I don’t think so since it sounds like external help.” Princess Chen said.

“Lord of Life and Death is the prime candidate. From life to death and death to life, a cycle of metamorphosis. It will be her, no one else.” Coldblade said.

“So we have three, what about the last one, Xian Chengtian?” Princess Chen said.

“If I can vote, I would vote for Li Xingchen, a fellow clan member.” Li Xian said.

“Since when is Li Xingchen from your clan?” Princess Chen glared at him.

“At the very least, he is a Li as well. It feels good to have an immortal with the same last name.” Li Xian turned red before laughing.