Emperor’s Domination

The woman took a calming breath and contemplated everything carefully.

“I suppose nothing is guaranteed.” She said.

“One does not have the qualification to cultivate without a dao heart. The entry level stems from the original pursuit, something essential.” Li Qiye said: “I’m aware you are feeling a sense of injustice from Jiang Ba’s death. However, this was his pursuit and comprehension of the dao, he was more than happy to die for this cause, and you are far from his level.”

“Ancestor Jiang spoke how a firm dao heart can break through, I still don’t understand his failure.” She uttered coldly.

“Which is why you are doubting the dao heart.” Li Qiye smiled: “Cultivators become confident eventually, believing they are the best. If others became immortals, then others got lucky. Have you seen their arduous process and how they were prepared to die? Do you underestimate the dao heart belonging to your progenitor, Zhan Sansheng, and the three immortals? Don’t be a fool with a narrow view. Perhaps you should ask your progenitor how she found success.”

“How did she do it in your opinion?” She answered with a question.

“Details are elusive but right here on where we stand, she experienced near-death trials countless times, one step away from facing demise.” He said while gazing at the horizon.

“How do you know this?!” She blurted.

“Her screams once echoed here, a testament to years of agony.” He said.

She had no response this time and sat in a daze. After a long while, she said softly: “Yes, Ancestor Jiang spoke of our progenitor’s numerous trials and the misery accompanied.”

Li Qiye paused briefly before asking: “Tell me about her past.”

“You don’t know?” She stared strangely at him.

“How many does?” He smiled.

“But you know about her trials.” She said.

“I heard her screams on the river of time, they still echo even now.” Li Qiye said.

“Really?” She focused up and tried to listen to no avail.

“Of course you can’t hear it, you can’t even see the thirteenth peak.” Li Qiye remarked.

“!” She became startled again.

Numerous thoughts coursed through her mind, especially legends about the unknown peak. She knew it was real because Ancestor Jiang confirmed it. Alas, she had no idea its location, let alone tried to climb it.

“Now back to your progenitor, tell me more about her experiences.” Li Qiye said.

She acquiesced, trying to find a good place to start. Eventually, she said: “Ancestor Jiang always mentioned the progenitor’s difficult times.”

“The world only sees her invincible size and her immortal ascension. The dazzling radiance hid her pain and indomitable dao heart.” Li Qiye smiled.

She didn’t argue about the effectiveness of the dao heart this time: “Her dao debut wasn’t the current system. She was on the path of the True Emperors.”

“The most competitive path for a weak and inexperienced cultivator.” Li Qiye remarked.

She nodded, gradually changing her mind while replying: “Yes, she persevered and became a True Emperor. She had a rival then, the son of Three-eyed Prodigy.”

“Not Seventy-two Origin Ancestor.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Yes, he was not the firstborn. Three-eyed Prodigy had another son with unparalleled talent, chosen by God Eye Progenitor as the successor.” She said.

“I see.” Li Qiye nodded.

“Ancestor Jiang didn’t know how the rivalry started but when the progenitor was proving her dao, he coveted her fortune and ambushed her. She still finished the dao succession in time and reversed the tides, defeating him…” She became emotional as she told this forgotten tale: “God Eye Progenitor interfered and destroyed her dao and body. Ancestor Jiang who couldn’t stop him in time was furious and killed the son as retribution.”

“The start of the conflict, but this was not the end of your progenitor’s journey.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, she still had one strand of soul left. Her soul condensed again and through perilous attempts, she rose again to become a True Emperor once more.” She said.

“Easier said than done, starting over with just one strand of soul.” Li Qiye nodded.

“She never stopped progressing and became a progenitor next.” She paused here.

“More suffering awaited.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, troubles and disasters never stopped finding her. A friend with the title of Empress wanted to prove her dao. This led to hidden masters desiring her fortune appearing for an ambush. The progenitor served as a dao protector, fighting against three progenitors. Her dao shattered again during the shocking battle.” She went on. [1]

“This was why she killed God Eye, Bronze, and Strong-grass later.” Li Qiye sighed.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Still only the beginning, nothing compared to her trials.” Li Qiye said.

“What were these trials?” She couldn’t help but ask.

“Jiang Ba didn’t tell you the details?” Li Qiye asked.

She shook her head.

“Tell me more about her.” Li Qiye waved his hand and said.

She didn’t continue right away and stared at the tablet again. Recalling her progenitor’s past made her gain trust in the dao heart. The hardship she had experienced was nothing compared to the progenitor’s.

1. Empress here is Su Zhen or Skyshroud Emperor. Li Qiye had the title of Emperor in Heavenguard and she was chosen as his wife, hence Empress ☜