Emperor’s Domination

“Saint, please enter.” Incense Daoist bowed and said respectfully.

“Stop calling me that, it’s giving me goosebumps.” Li Qiye said.

“How should I address you then, perhaps Young Noble?” The daoist asked.

“You didn’t inherit your ancestors’ skills, only their thick skin.” Li Qiye quipped.

“Young Noble, I have no choice but to grow thick skin given my meager skills. Otherwise, all of my children will starve to death.” The daoist responded.

Li Qiye chuckled and continued onward, taking a look at the old structure built against the mountain. Ruins could be seen around it with remnant bricks and tiles.

They painted a picture of prosperity long ago. Unfortunately, this lineage weakened and was abandoned by its members.

The only building left gave a sense of vicissitude. Each brick and tile told a story. The wooden eaves made of beams had scorch marks as if struck by lightning. It looked lonely and fragile like a sculpture at dusk. Time came to a stop here.

It could accommodate more than a hundred members without a problem. Alas, only one was left - Incense Daoist. He was both the leader and the disciple. The lineage would end in his absence.

Li Qiye stood in front of the gate and looked up at the entrance plaque - Heaven Calculating Observatory.

The first two characters appeared ancient and powerfully written, brimming with dao rhythm. The essence and mysteries of the dao were imbued in the two characters.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about the final character - Observatory. It lacked both history and profundity, looking silly compared to its peers.

If the initial characters were written by a great scholar, then the last character was written by a new student.

Although the latter had tried their best and focused everything on each line, the result was inadequate - even unsightly.

Some would think the third character was added later, perhaps replacing something else that was there.

“A dog following a sable.” Li Qiye smiled and shook his head.

“We descendants can’t maintain the flow of the ancestors, such a connection to the grand dao.” The daoist smiled wryly.

Li Qiye stepped inside and saw how meticulously clean it was. Traces of decline could be seen and a certain solitude that couldn’t be broken.

“The pavilion that once stole the heaven’s fortune. It is no more.” Li Qiye remarked.

“Yes, Young Noble, we are living pathetically after the calamity. No one capable has appeared after all this time.” The daoist said without any hint of shame.

They only existed in name by this point, having zero influence among the eight sects of the alliance.

Li Qiye turned his attention toward the largest pillar inside the building, made from rare divine wood.

In reality, the materials used in construction were carefully chosen. After all, this was a once-famous lineage. Progenitors and others came to ask for a fortune while offering precious gifts. Alas, the lack of capable inheritors reduced them to the current state.

Li Qiye saw a vertical scorch mark stretching downward. In fact, similar marks could be seen throughout the building. They just weren’t visible at a glance due to the weathering of time.

“Quite a lightning strike.” Li Qiye commented.

“Rumor has it that it nearly reduced our sect to dust.” The daoist said softly.

Li Qiye walked to the main hall and saw a statue holding an ancient mirror with edges adorned with trigram symbols.

It appeared dull and lifeless at first but it was an integral part of the statue and couldn’t be removed.

The statue depicted a woman with her face hidden. Of course, Li Qiye could still see everything and the image of a girl appeared in his eyes.

She wore loose-fitting garments and a hat with a green veil covering her face and the majority of her body. It didn’t do a good job at hiding her remarkable figure. She resembled a flower shrouded in mist - an enigma to all onlookers.

“Your ancestor.” Li Qiye sighed.

“Yes, Young Noble, our Heaven Calculating Sacred Ancestor, the most gifted at fortune-telling. She could see the secrets of the heavens and read the changes from the past to the future.” The daoist spoke with pride.

Progenitors came seeking for her wisdom but she was rather selective in the targets.

“Those who play with fire will eventually burn themselves. Peeking into the heavenly secrets might result in death.” Li Qiye said.

“So you’re aware, Young Noble.” The daoist was surprised at first but then again, the venerable saint should be all-knowing.

“Yes, your ancestor perished to a heavenly tribulation. Even the supreme momentum was penetrated by the lightning bolts.” Li Qiye said.

“Right, the ancestor couldn’t escape in time and the grand momentum went down too.” The daoist smiled bitterly.

“There was nowhere to escape when being hunted by the high heaven.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, the ancestor regretted her decision.” The daoist looked sad while recalling the unforgettable lesson.