Emperor’s Domination

The source of the worm remained in Corpse Wasteland in a hidden dimension. There was a stone palace resembling the previously seen immortal palace, albeit devoid of radiance.

“More than one was here.” Li Qiye entered and murmured.

He saw strange bamboo swords scattered everywhere, perhaps a technique attempting to bring the palace down.

Given the toughness of the walls and the level of piercing, the attacker was rather capable.

“This…” He pulled up one sword.

“A futile struggle.” The skull replied: “How interesting, a group effort.”

The stone palace had numerous seals but none could stop Li Qiye. Nevertheless, they stopped the bamboo swords successfully.

“Couldn’t get away.” The skull said.

As they traversed the palace, they saw more bamboo swords and could imagine how the user had gone mad.

The duo reached the final area of the palace – a hall as large as a field with stars hovering above. The thing served as a dao platform covered in profound runes of the immortal level.

No one could have made it this far through all the seals, not even a supreme overlord. However, Li Qiye broke the last seal and entered the platform.

“An amalgamation of different styles.” The skull said: “I see our primordial method and the three immortals’ method. Not bad for a corpse devourer.”

A pool of liquid awaited in the central area. It continuously morphed from something resembling mercury to molten gold, and then to a black liquid…

It shifted unpredictably at certain intervals in both color and shape, seemingly alive. It sensed li Qiye and writhed toward him.

It appeared that the main immortal seal here was used to keep intruders out as well as to keep this liquid inside.

Li Qiye grimaced after seeing it.

“He-help me.” It expended immense effort to get next to his feet and pleaded feebly.

Li Qiye sent a ray of primordial light to stabilize it.

“You’re already dead, I can’t save you.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Brother, Young Noble Li…” The liquid recognized Li Qiye.

“This isn’t yours.” Li Qiye said: “It’s not your desire, just a remnant intent.”

“I’m, I’m a remnant intent?” The liquid couldn’t accept this truth.

“Yes.” Li Qiye fonriedm.

“So… I’m really dead…” It fell into a daze and murmured.

“Yes, slain by Desolate Ancestor. You are just a remnant intent attaching to someone else’s desire.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, I remember now.” It raised its voice and said: “Yes, dead, dead long ago but I thought I was still alive.”

“Because your body was taken over.” Li Qiye said.

“This doesn’t belong to the mortal world, how did you cultivate the Primal Devil Art?” The skull said: “You’re different, born from the technique itself.”

“An immortal taught me the Primal Immortal Art.” It said.

“That’s nonsense.” The skull said.

“I found a jade and started dreaming about this art.” It said.

“And?” Li Qiye asked.

“The immortal must have descended and joined me…” It seemed to be confused.

“It’s all fake.” The skull sneered.

“Where did you find the jade?” Li Qiye frowned.

“I… I couldn’t break through.” Its memories were faint since it was only a remnant intent: “Brother Luminous handed me this old jade to protect and calm my dao heart. I’ve always had it with me.”

It paused for a long while and said: “It, it did protect me and showed me dreams of an immortal teaching me a wonderful technique.”

“Protect? No, it found a substitute.” The skull said: “The two bastards were working together.”

“Couldn’t handle the merging and had to separate.” Li Qiye’s brows slightly furrowed.

“Heh, brat, what can I say? You got really unlucky. I suppose to be selected by an immortal, you had serious talent and fortunes. Moreover, your dao had to be before Desolate Ancestor’s system. Pretty tough requirements.” The skull laughed.

“When, when I tried to become a supreme overlord, my body crumbled but the immortal descended and saved my body and dao…” It spoke, lost in thought.

“That was just possession. The old geezer never descended and only controlled you through a spell.” The skull shook.

“So I was just a puppet…?” Faint memories returned and it shouted: “Wait, I ended up here next, the immortal wanted to retrieve something and I regained clarity!”

“Yes, you briefly regained control of your body and became aware enough to escape. Unfortunately, this is a sealed area. You were dragged back and lost control again. Only a fragment of your intent is left now.” Li Qiye said.