Emperor’s Domination

The crystal-clear stream flowed gently, crystal clear, with fish swimming gracefully beneath the surface. They looked like majestic eagles gliding through the sky.

Such small rivers and streams can be found in hundreds, even thousands, throughout Desolate Frontier. They nourished life, hence the legend of this place starting from the nine lakes.

They were indiscernible. The visible ones might not be showing their true forms, only parts of them. Four were located in Imperial Domain and four in Ancestral Domain. The so-called first one couldn’t be found.

They flowed around the main mountains; an outline could be seen by those powerful enough, at least at the desolate god or imperial level.

Li Qiye appeared next to a stream in Imperial Domain. Once he got close enough, the scenery suddenly changed to that of a surging river.

The water was a dark blue, increasing in hue the deeper it went. The entire river resembles a jade belt, gently descending in one stage after another from a high point, curving and winding, looking incredibly beautiful.

When attempting to find the source, one would find four limitless lakes stacking on each other. Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be one entity - seamlessly integrated and not overlapping. This resulted in an illusory and fantastical scene.

The currents resembled numerous dragons leaving the lair, forming countless streams and creeks to nourish the mountains nearby.

Rumor has it that these nine lakes were connected to the nine earth veins with boundless worldly energy. Thus, the water was a manifestation of this energy.

Sure enough, the shores had precious alchemy plants and grasses. Some possessed incredible spirituality and divinity - another reason for Desolate Frontier’s prosperity.

A valuable violet tassel tree grew next to him. The branches looked like tassels and exuded a violet energy. Anyone could see how precious it was at first glance.

A large deer came over, taller than Li Qiye. It had quite an intimidating aura while staring at him. Just its eyes could freeze cultivators. However, Li Qiye only paid attention to the lakes and ignored it.

The deer lifted its head and stretched its tongue to pull a leaf into its mouth. Whether it was due to habit or some innate flaw, the deer’s mouth always twitched and its head tilted to the side. The whole motion gave off a sense of weightlessness and it leaned toward Li Qiye.

He would casually push its head away each time. This repetition frustrated the deer, causing it to glare at him.

Li Qiye ignored it until he was done with his scan, finally taking a look.

“A defect at birth or later?” Li Qiye said with a smile.

The deer found his directness insulting, erupting with power.

“Crack!” However, he grabbed its head and as he closed his palm, something sounded like bones breaking. This was him forcefully straightening its crooked mouth.

The deer stood there in a daze, unable to grasp the result. As for Li Qiye, he already rode the waves toward the four lakes.

It still chewed on a leaf while watching his departure. After a while, it shouted in astonishment: “M-my dao bone is straight! It’s straight!”

The excitement made it change to a humanoid form - a muscular youth with a tasseled robe decorated with flowers. It didn’t cover his muscular and glowing chest. Each inch of flesh was filled with divinity. 

A radiant pair of antlers grew on his head, beautiful and deadly.

“My dao bone…” He realized Li Qiye had just fixed his dao bone.

However, something shocked him next - many fish leaped up along Li Qiye’s path. They left behind rainbows in the sky.

“Rainbow immortal fish.” The youth had never seen this before: “This didn’t happen with Ancestor Jiang’s arrival. What is going on?”

“I smell some rainbow fish, where are they?!” A figure descended next to him and shouted.

The figure saw him standing in a daze and asked: “Alch-deer, what’s wrong with you?” [1]

“My dao bone is straight now!” The antler youth responded.