Dominator Emperor

The Qingxuan Ancient Country had produced two Immortal Emperors, and in their eyes, it was already an insurmountable behemoth. So for a sect like the Long River Sect, which had produced three Emperors—what kind of terrifying existence must that be!

”The Nine Realms are vast, and some things are far beyond your imagination,” Li Qiye said with a smile. ”Although the Immortal Emperors from our Human Emperor Realm are in no way inferior to those of any other realm, some things have always been considered taboo. Once you’re able to leave the Human Emperor Realm and see other places, you’ll have a completely different perspective.”

These words made Qu Daoli and the others exchange glances. For them, even leaving the Great Middle Realm was a difficult feat. The realm was immeasurably vast; traveling from the Great Middle Realm to the East Hundred Cities or the Northern Ocean was no easy task. Opening a Daoist Door to do so would consume a massive amount of Essence Jade!

”Legend has it that ever since the battle between the Black Dragon King and Ta Kong Immortal Emperor, the Celestial Mandate was torn apart, the paths between realms crumbled, and the barriers were sealed. The Nine Realms have been cut off from each other ever since,” Qu Daoli said softly.

”That’s right. The Nine Realms have been disconnected for thirty or forty thousand years,” Niu Fen lamented with a soft sigh. ”The legendary battle between the Black Dragon King and Ta Kong Immortal Emperor was said to be so cataclysmic that it even tore the Celestial Mandate apart. It’s just a shame I wasn’t born then. I would have loved to witness that fight with my own eyes.”

”Was the Black Dragon King really that powerful?” Xu Pei’s large, round eyes widened as she asked timidly, ”But aren’t Immortal Emperors supposed to be invincible? Could the Black Dragon King truly fight Ta Kong Immortal Emperor?”

At the mention of the ”Black Dragon King,” even members of the older generation like Niu Fen were visibly moved. He and the other elders exchanged a look.

”The Black Dragon King... one might call him a taboo existence.” Niu Fen was the one who finally spoke. ”He is the only being widely known to have lived through three separate eras without having to seal himself away to prolong his life. He dominated all three, earning the respect of the Immortal Emperors of each generation. It’s said that the two Immortal Emperors before Ta Kong, and even Ta Kong Immortal Emperor himself, all held the Black Dragon King in high esteem. There are even rumors that when the Black Dragon King was out and about, other Immortal Emperors would go out of their way to avoid him, giving him a wide berth.”

”Th-that powerful? D-does that mean he’s on the same level as an Immortal Emperor?” Hearing Niu Fen’s explanation, the younger disciples like Qu Daoli were completely stunned.

”If the Black Dragon King was that powerful, why didn’t he shoulder the Celestial Mandate and command the universe to become an Immortal Emperor?” Luo Fenghua asked out of curiosity.

Niu Fen shook his head. ”I’m afraid no one knows the answer to that. It’s always been a mystery. I doubt even the Black Dragon King’s own disciples knew the reason why.”

”So, in the battle between the Black Dragon King and Ta Kong Immortal Emperor, who won?” Nan Huairun asked excitedly. ’One was a being revered through three generations, the other an invincible Immortal Emperor. Their clash tore the Celestial Mandate itself. What a terrifying battle it must have been.’

”No one knows.” Niu Fen gave a wry smile. ”To this day, nobody knows the outcome of that battle. After the fight, the Black Dragon King vanished, and Ta Kong Immortal Emperor was never seen again. His Emperor’s Power faded from the world, and the Celestial Mandate was reset.”

Luo Fenghua and the others were completely mesmerized. ’To be able to fight an Immortal Emperor—what an incredible being. To tear the Celestial Mandate and plunge the Nine Realms into the Tough Dao Era, forcing the world’s cultivators to struggle for thirty thousand years... what a terrifying battle that must have been.’

While Luo Fenghua and the others discussed the Black Dragon King, Li Qiye remained silent, not uttering a single word. He just sat there, staring into space, lost in thought.

As his personal Sword Attendant, Li Shuangyan noticed something was off with Li Qiye. When a lull fell over the conversation, she quietly asked, ”What’s wrong?”

Li Qiye snapped out of it, smiled, and shook his head. ”It’s nothing. It’s just an incredible legend. It makes one feel a bit wistful.” As he spoke, he sighed inwardly. ’Of course I know why Little Black made his move!’

”A duel for the ages. It’s a shame we weren’t born in that era to witness such a battle,” Qu Daoli said with a sigh.

Luo Fenghua and the others were similarly lost in thought, remaining silent for a long while.

An unknown amount of time passed before Shopkeeper Gu finally returned. The moment he entered, he bowed repeatedly to Li Qiye and said solemnly, ”Your insight is unparalleled, sir. Our Elders have appraised it and confirmed that it is absolutely the True Words. The Gu Family’s Elders have agreed to your request. If you give us the ’Nine Ancient Languages,’ we will give you the three sheets of paper in exchange.”

”It’s a pleasure doing business with the Gu Family.” Li Qiye nodded. ”I’ll give you the ’Nine Ancient Languages’ right now. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to come find me at the Xiyan Ancient Sect.”

After speaking, Li Qiye took up a brush and began to write. Li Shuangyan and the others understood the gravity of the situation, so they stood aside and didn’t dare to look.

Li Qiye finished writing the ”Nine Ancient Languages,” sealed the document, and handed it to Shopkeeper Gu. The shopkeeper, in turn, had already prepared the three sheets of yellow paper, placing them inside a Treasure Box before respectfully presenting it to Li Qiye.

”I hope we have the chance to work with you again, sir,” said Shopkeeper Gu after carefully stowing away the ”Nine Ancient Languages.”

Li Qiye smiled leisurely. ”We will. There will be many more deals to be made with the Gu Family in the future.” With that, Li Qiye didn’t linger, leading Li Shuangyan and the others out.

As they left, Luo Fenghua couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at the Wandering Dragon Rope slithering overhead like a little golden dragon. He truly adored the Extraordinary Treasure, but with his current means, he couldn’t possibly afford it.

Just then, Shopkeeper Gu reached out, snatched the writhing Wandering Dragon Rope from the air, and offered it to the longing Luo Fenghua. ”Since you like it so much, young friend, please take it.”

Luo Fenghua couldn’t believe his ears. He shivered and had to rub his eyes, staring at the Wandering Dragon Rope in front of him.

”What are you waiting for? Thank Shopkeeper Gu for his generosity,” Li Qiye said with a knowing smile, nodding at him.

Luo Fenghua snapped out of his daze. He accepted the Wandering Dragon Rope and bowed repeatedly, thanking Shopkeeper Gu with excitement and gratitude. Then, he turned and bowed deeply to Li Qiye. ”Thank you, First Brother.”

Luo Fenghua was one of the more talented disciples of the younger generation, and he was also smart. He knew that Shopkeeper Gu had only given him such a precious treasure out of deference to his First Brother. Otherwise, a man of the shopkeeper’s stature wouldn’t have given a junior cultivator like him a second glance.

Seeing this, Nan Huairun practically started drooling. He brazenly chuckled and said, ”Elder Gu, hehe, you can’t just play favorites...”

Before Nan Huairun could finish, Li Qiye slapped him on the back of the head. ”You greedy little brat,” he chided with a laugh. ”Shopkeeper Gu has been more than generous today. If you get any more shameless, I’m not bringing you along next time.”

Nan Huairun gave a few dry laughs and didn’t dare say another word. When Li Qiye laid down the law, he knew better than anyone to behave.

”Let’s head to our sect’s villa and get settled. My Master has already given instructions to the disciples there,” Li Shuangyan said to Li Qiye after they left the Ancient Meaning Studio, noting that it was getting late.

”Fine, let’s get settled,” Li Qiye nodded, and followed Li Shuangyan to her sect’s villa.

Although the Nine Saints Demon Gate couldn’t compare to an Emperor Immortal Gate, it had been established back in the age of the Mingren Immortal Emperor and had stood strong ever since. Its foundations were deep and its coffers were full. Even in Celestial Ancient City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the Nine Saints Demon Gate had its own property.

The Nine Saints Demon Gate’s property in Celestial Ancient City was a small courtyard. Though it didn’t look large from the outside, upon entering, one would discover a whole new world within. Inside were countless buildings and courtyards, surrounded by picturesque, idyllic scenery.

Without a doubt, the courtyard was a refined Grotto Heaven, capable of holding thousands of people.

The Sun Demon Emperor had given his orders beforehand, so when Li Qiye’s group arrived, the Nine Saints Demon Gate disciples stationed there immediately arranged for their accommodations.

Seeing such an idyllic Grotto Heaven in the middle of the priceless Celestial Ancient City made Nan Huairun and the other juniors endlessly envious. It was in moments like these that they truly felt the gap between the Xiyan Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate.

”This place must be worth a fortune,” Nan Huairun exclaimed, with dollar signs in his eyes. Ever since he started following Li Qiye, the kid had become increasingly obsessed with money.

”Legend says our Xiyan Ancient Sect used to have a huge property in Celestial Ancient City as well,” the normally taciturn Tu Buyu said with a soft sigh. ”Unfortunately, after our decline, we could no longer afford to maintain it and had to sell it off.”

At Tu Buyu’s words, the expressions of the other juniors dimmed. The decline of the Xiyan Ancient Sect was a fact they couldn’t deny.

”We might not have any property now, but one day, we’ll earn it all back for the Xiyan Ancient Sect!” Nan Huairun declared, trying to lift their spirits.

The energetic Luo Fenghua nodded vigorously. ”That’s right! One day, the Xiyan Ancient Sect will surely rise again!”

Though Qu Daoli and the others said nothing, they too clenched their fists in silent agreement.

Li Qiye simply smiled at the juniors’ show of unity, saying nothing.

After everyone else was settled in, Li Shuangyan and Chen Baojiao, in their roles as his maids, remained by Li Qiye’s side.

Inside his room, Li Qiye took out the Treasure Box and removed the three sheets of yellow paper. He studied them meticulously for a long time before sighing with emotion. ”Immortal Order Paper. It truly lives up to its reputation. I was destined to obtain it.”

”Isn’t this Emperor Paper?” asked Chen Baojiao, who was less composed than Li Shuangyan.

”Emperor Paper?” Li Qiye glanced at her, chuckled, and shook his head. ”Of course this isn’t an Emperor’s Treasure. If it were, do you think they would have just traded it for the ’Nine Ancient Languages’? The Gu Family has a gold-standard reputation for being trustworthy. I’d say this was a fair trade. If I had really wanted to rip them off, I would have made them throw in that stone as well.”

”Are you saying these three sheets of yellow paper are even more precious than an Emperor’s Treasure? And that even the Ancient Meaning Studio doesn’t know their true value?” Li Shuangyan asked, her composure finally breaking.