Emperor’s Domination

The youths couldn’t answer his hypothetical question.

“The core of the issue is personal benefits.” Li Qiye said: “Only one person can become an immortal, so would you prefer to become immortal or leave it to an unknown descendant years later?”

“Of course I would pick myself.” Orchidcore smiled wryly and answered truthfully.

“It’s just human nature.” LI Qiye said: “This is evolution too, not just in terms of power but human nature.”

“Sir, do you mean to say that human nature such as greed will take over the moment one becomes a supreme overlord? They will want to devour all living beings then.” Li Xuansu said.

“Greed and selfishness are not sinful, they’re inborn traits like many others. However, this doesn’t mean to say humans must be perfect and that darkness isn’t allowed.” Li Qiye said.

“But darkness is what brings suffering and misery to the world.” Princess Chen remarked.

“Do you believe the light can’t be the cause of suffering? What do you think is the purpose of the light?” Li Qiye asked.

“Eliminate darkness.” The princess answered without thinking.

“That’s the problem, you view darkness as an affinity. It is a type of life, originating from greed, selfishness, jealousy, and other negative emotions. Those who birth these emotions are also living beings.” Li Qiye elaborated: “When there is an immortal treasure waiting in front of you, if you do not gift it to a companion nearby, then it is due to greed and selfishness. Would you still take it?”

“Yes.” The princess answered honestly.

“Then despite being a follower of the light, you possess negative emotions belonging to darkness that can potentially cause you to fall into the abyss. The light will obliterate you then, hence heralding misery.” Li Qiye said.

The princess couldn’t refute.

“You, an emperor, are fighting against a heinous villain. However, when you took this cultivator down, you also destroyed a kingdom and more, something the villain never did before. Which was more destructive, the light or darkness in this case?” Li Qiye said.

“I could minimize the destruction, not to mention preventing future massacres.” She said.

“Yes, but don’t forget that during your path to becoming an emperor, you flattened and destroyed. From another perspective, you were no different than the villain outside of the number of kills.” Li Qiye said.

“What about you?” She mustered all of her courage.

She and the others knew how unfathomable Li Qiye was. After all, masters such as Li Xuansu and Violet Dragon Empress revered him.

Therefore, her question was disrespectful and could incite his anger, resulting in death. The others sweated in her stead, worrying about his reaction.

“Me?” Li Qiye smiled and gently stroked her hair: “Some called me the dark hand behind the curtains, the butcher of nine worlds. You tell me, am I a good or bad person?”

“Well...” She couldn’t answer right away.

“You are a good person in my eyes, Young Noble.” Li Xian said firmly: “I was a nameless junior, an insect, but you still protected me and granted me a fortune.”

Li Qiye smiled and said: “The same person can be a hero or a villain depending on the perspective. Thus, light and darkness can exist together. The existence of one does not void the other.”

“As you say, Young Noble, personality and character also evolve. If I become a supreme overlord, would I become more selfish and greedy? How do I maintain control?” Violet Dragon asked.

“A key issue.” Li Qiye said: “Is it certain that these negative emotions will grow? Have you tried to balance your human nature?”

“Balance my human nature.” She repeated.

“In this world, the new overlords are relatively young.” Li Qiye smiled: “But the three immortals have lived long enough. When they first arrived, this world was in a primitive stage. And given their cultivation as immortals, they were certainly greedy. Strong enough to swallow worlds yet they didn’t do so, choosing to pass their dao to this land instead.”

“Why were they different from others?” Monk Zhu couldn’t help but ask.

“Their dao heart.” Li Xuansu answered.

Li Qiye nodded in agreement: “Yes, their dao heart. As a cultivator evolves in both cultivation and human nature, they will have to foster a capable dao heart. Overindulgence will only lead to failure on the dao path. The more power, the more firm the dao heart has to be. This is crucial in maintaining the right path, making one worthy of their actual power.”

“Fostering the dao heart.” The juniors memorized this.

“Does the dao heart exist at the start of cultivation?” Mu Hu asked.

“Were you diligent every day? Stood up again after failures?” Li Qiye asked.

“Yes.” Mu Hu nodded.

“Then that was the dao heart since you moved forward without giving up.” Li Qiye nodded.

“Then how do supreme overlords falter? As you said, these successful cultivators must possess a firm dao heart.” Li Xuansu asked a more profound question.

“The dao heart is always there on the journey, it is a matter of quantity. What do you think normal cultivation consists of?” Li Qiye asked.

“Understanding mysteries to build a dao foundation.” Mu Hu boldly answered.

“It’s true for a weaker cultivator such as yourself. There is another path, eating pills and other medicines, it will make you stronger.”

“But there is a ceiling when relying on alchemy, one cannot become an emperor. Moreover, overdosing will cause a backlash, the body will be poisoned.” Mu Hu said.

“For supreme overlords, swallowing worlds has the same effect.” Li Qiye said: “Why would anyone choose this shortcut? It’s because their dao heart became unstable and that limits their ceiling.”

“Is the dao heart really this simple?” The princess asked.

“It has never been profound, but guarding the dao heart is the toughest ordeal.” Li Qiye said: “It is essential, a prerequisite. Once your dao heart is firm enough, power will come.”

“Is that true?” Orchidcore was skeptical about the dao heart’s practical application.

“The dao heart is not just an intangible concept. It requires constant polishment, whether it be your mental state or cultivation.” Li Qiye said.

“I understand.” Mu Hu said.

“Long and arduous, the dao is.” Violet Dragon sighed.

“Yes, and it requires you to walk it yourself, whether it be via your soul or other methods.” Li Qiye said.