Emperor’s Domination

Li Qiye picked up another book - Nine-world Tales. After taking a quick look, it appeared to be geography-focused. The author was still Li Wangcai.

“The nine worlds consist of Vajra, Mortal King, Sacred Nether…” This author seemed to know everything about the nine worlds and its major events.

Li Qiye appreciated the content and only smiled when he noticed the mistakes. Just like Dark Crow Chronicles, the mistakes were minor and didn’t affect the book’s direction and overarching accuracy.

“How amusing, to know all of this while living in Three Immortals.” Li Qiye remarked.

Those who had lived in the nine worlds didn’t possess this wealth of knowledge, especially not regarding the dark crow.

Although the details and secrets were missing, the book contained all the major events. Li Qiye was the only one who could discern the inaccuracies from otherwise.

Nine-world Tales spanned numerous eras. Some places lacked details and coherence, but it depicted the general structure and flow of the nine worlds.

Li Qiye boiled a cup of tea and looked outside at the waterfall, listening to the splashing. Reading under these circumstances was perfect, not to mention the excellent quality of the tea.

He finished several cups before picking another book - On The Epochs. It shared the same author as the previous two.

“After the absolute beginning came Time Immemorial, from Indestructible to Everlasting, Buddhism first before Remote Wildland. When the wildland disappeared, Primeval emerged…”

It spoke of secrets unbeknown to the world and impressed Li Qiye. Emperors didn’t have access to this information so others had no clue about the truths within.

Li Qiye understood everything and could match the eras in the book to the actual ones.

“Incredible, others might mistake this as a work of fantasy. Who could write something like this in the mortal realms?” Li Qiye smiled.

Li Wangcai certainly couldn’t be someone from the lower realms. Yet, here were these books.

“A few can come up with On The Epoch and Nine-world Tales, but Dark Crow Chronicle is a different story.” Li Qiye stroked his chin and mused.

Finally, he took the fourth book of the same author off the shelf - Toward Eternality.

”During Eternality, longevity in the mortal world was common, with lifespans of tens of millions seen frequently. Contemplating immortality, one can perceive time...” As Li Qiye opened this book, he became deeply engrossed in the recollection of the story.

Scene after scene unfolded in this book that supposedly did not exist. At this moment, in Li Qiye’s mind, it seemed as if memories long lost had resurfaced once more. Perhaps these memories, deeply buried, were now being reopened.

Of course, he had never experienced this past before so the memories were not his own. However, similar memories or stories existed in his mind but now, they also existed in this particular novel.

Eventually, he finished with the tea and the book. He closed it and had a satisfied smile: “Wonderful, so that’s how it was. What a shame that you couldn’t escape the high heaven’s execution or you could have continued.”

He returned the books politely and enjoyed more tea: “Old man, so close, just one tiny bit away. The path toward eternal life…”

He shook his head and continued: “There is no exception, this yearning for everlastingness…”

The old man knew everything he needed to know. Alas, he couldn’t walk on a different path or he might have been just like the current Li Qiye.

The thoughts of everlasting life intruded his mind, twisting his focus. His achievements were due to his long lifespan but this was also his undoing. The path couldn’t surpass the high heaven or let him endure the execution. This was the limit of everlasting life.

“You could have had a spot at the summit.” Li Qiye lamented and closed his eyes to rest.

After a long while, a loud bang sounded as someone suddenly entered the hut.

This person was surprised to find Li Qiye inside and shouted: “Who are you?!”

Li Qiye woke up and took a look - a girl wearing a tight golden robe. Her curves were alluring most importantly, they exuded power. Each fiber of her being seemed eager to erupt with strength as if dragons were hiding inside.

This ultimate physical power contrasted with her feminine charm but gave her absolute freedom. Her hair was tied up high, making her look proud and confident. It seemed capable of pushing up the heaven and would not yield to any pressure.

The sparkle in her eyes could turn into countless blades sweeping across the world, delivering unbearable suppression.

She was a rare sight - gorgeous like the sun’s rays and equally formidable. Unfortunately, she was covered in deep wounds with exposed bones.

Nevertheless, divinity flashed in these open wounds - a sign of her imperial cultivation or something beyond.

The most grievous wound was in her chest. The gruesome sight was covered by blood but it seemed to have been fully pierced.

She was surprised to see someone here so she focused her gaze. Thousands of divine blades manifested, capable of killing desolate gods.

Li Qiye dismissed them with a casual hand wave as if he were patting dust off his shoulder.

She trembled and wanted to channel more power to defend herself. Alas, she dropped to the ground and vomited blood from overexertion.

“Better heal them up fast or it’s over.” Li Qiye remarked.

She knew this man holding the teacup was right. Was he a friend or foe?

The urgency of the injuries made her tear off her upper gown where the wound was and take out a broken piece of treasure from her chest.

She took a deep breath - it would have been over without this defensive treasure. More blood splashed out from the wound with it gone and a strand of black energy oozed out.