Emperor’s Domination

Black’s answer surprised everyone. Who wouldn’t ask for immortality in this situation? Of course, this realm wasn’t truly everlasting and unkillable, but still close enough from a mortal’s perspective.

Their lifespan was incalculable, and so was their power. Moreover, Black had reached the overlord realm and was truly close to the next.

The fortune awaited him now. No one else would miss this opportunity.

“It’s possible, I can grant you this fortune.” Li Qiye said.

“Let me return to being a calf?” Black asked.

“Yes, a fortune of joy lasting as long as life itself.” Li Qiye said.

“I’ll pick it then.” Black took a deep breath and said.

“No problem.” Li Qiye agreed.

“Thank you, My Lord. I’m afraid after this parting, we won’t be able to meet again.” Black bowed.

The crowd watched on in silence, aware that if Black were to return to the origin, he would no longer be Supreme Black Ancestor.

“It is rare to have something like this.” Li Qiye patted Black’s head and said softly: “I grant you a long life and lasting joy, an unyielding heart free of distraction, and purity akin to the chaos.”

“Boom!” A mark was imprinted on top of Black’s head, initiating a transformation.

A divine calf with a glossy black body appeared before everyone. It possessed harmony with the dao and its mind became simple again.

“Moo!” It bellowed happily and leaped up into the air, dashing forward and disappearing from sight.

“Is being a human that exhausting?” Someone commented after Black was reborn to be carefree like a child.

This was more than just Black returning to the original form. He received a life of longevity, unshackled by the mortal coil.

Emperors and above reflected inwardly – was being a human truly exhausting?

They coveted Black’s cultivation. However, he abandoned everything and wanted to be a carefree calf. It made them question their endless pursuit.

***

The boundless tree and its three thousand worlds couldn’t be fathomed by immortals. They could only see one corner at best. Whenever people saw the whole tree, this was only a visual phenomenon.

Sitting on the edge of a branch felt as if one were perched on the edge of an endless plain. Below were countless worlds cycling through birth and destruction and stretching beyond sight with innumerable visions and phenomena emerging.

They also felt an overwhelming urge to return to the primordial, to merge with the tree itself. For in that fleeting moment of return, one would exist alongside heaven and earth, alongside all ages and all existence. Of course, their desires aside, the tree needed to accept them.

In reality, not even an immortal could reach a branch of the tree due to its mystical size and dimensions.

At the moment, Li Qiye sat on one branch, slightly leaning back with his hands behind him; his legs dangling over the edge. He closed his eyes, feeling the flow of the tree’s aura.

Desolate Ancestor seated next to him, also dangling her feet and relaxing like never before.

“Young Noble, the primordial is truly infinite.” She said.

“The heart is boundless, so it is infinite.” Li Qiye said.

“And yet you never chose to stay.” She sighed.

“It is merely a part of the journey to me, not the destination. Thus, I must let go of it.” Li Qiye said.

“And your body.” She added.

“Yes, it is the right thing to do for this world.” He said.

“I shall follow you, Young Noble.” She said.

“Do you want to?” He stared and smiled at her.

“Yes, would that be acceptable?” She nodded.

“You can walk your own path, there’s no need to follow in my footsteps.” He said.

“Your journey lit my path.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

“You can take care of yourself now.” He said.

“I just wish to keep on seeing you.”She said.

“Then you will have to walk a long, long road.” He said.

“I am willing.” She said with determination.

“And I know you can do it well. Fine, keep walking, but just know that there is a chance you will be alone. You must remain steadfast in your dao heart, don’t give up or all of your suffering to get here would be for nothing.” He said.

“Yes, Young Noble, where you go, I shall follow.” She gripped his hand tightly.

“You must go to Heaven Realm then, more time is required.” He closed his eyes for a bit before answering.

“You go on ahead, Young Noble. My heart is with you.” She said.

“I have to be ready to say goodbye, not to anyone else but myself.” He said.

“Young Noble, what does it mean to let go?” She asked.

“A final farewell to the self. When I return everything to the mortal world, I will truly be myself.” He explained.

“I will do the same if I can.” She said firmly.

He looked into her determined eyes and brushed the hair by her ear: “I believe you can do it. The primordial is right beneath you. Keep going and when you reach the shore, you can let go then. This is the ultimate apex of the dao, allowing you to break through.”

“Is the ultimate apex of the primordial the power of the high heaven?” She asked.

“No, some people believed this to be true but if it is, we would have more than one high heaven.” Li Qiye shook his head.