Dominator Emperor

”That’s all,” Sikong Toutian said with a smile. ”Actually, Kid Chi is a good guy. I might have tricked him out of a few medicinal herbs, but I’d still like to be his friend. He’s genuinely a decent person. I can tell he’s been trying his best to set you up with the Chi family’s young lady. He’s really gone to great lengths for you...”

”...Although, the Chi family’s young lady is a bit proud, and as for experience... well, she’s a young girl who hasn’t seen much of the world, so she’s certainly lacking. However, Big Brother, you treat Kid Chi well. If you don’t hold it against her for failing to recognize a great person, keeping her by your side as a handmaiden wouldn’t be a bad idea. It would be a great fortune for her. Besides, you already have two peerless beauties with you. What’s one more?” Sikong Toutian eagerly egged Li Qiye on.

Compared to the Chi Xiaodie siblings, Sikong Toutian had a much shrewder eye. The brother and sister were still young and hadn’t weathered many storms. Sikong Toutian was different. He had seen it all, knew when to press forward and when to fall back, and understood the unspoken rules.

”I don’t just take anyone into my retinue. Those who stay with me must, at the very least, possess some quality that makes them worth my effort to nurture,” Li Qiye said, glancing at Sikong Toutian. ”If you were to stay and work for me, however, I might consider it.”

Sikong Toutian’s personality reminded him of Nan Huairun. ’That kid, Huairun, was smooth and socially adept, a master at reading people, but he lacked Sikong Toutian’s particular brand of roguishness.’

’In truth, by my standards, Nan Huairun’s aptitude didn’t quite merit my full nurturing efforts. But he was the very first person to side with me when I joined the Xiyan Ancient Sect. It was for that loyalty that I never mistreated him; I even secured an Emperor Technique for him!’

Li Qiye drained his cup and said leisurely, ”I do rather admire your roguish nature. Follow me, and I won’t treat you poorly. As long as you serve me faithfully, you will become the second Human King of your Celestial Secret Valley!”

These words struck Sikong Toutian like a bolt of lightning. Of course he knew what his Celestial Secret Valley’s Human Ancestor represented! Forget just the Celestial Secret Valley; even across the entire Human Emperor Realm, their Human Ancestor was a figure of great renown! It was just a shame that the ancestor’s long life was nearing its end, a fate the Celestial Secret Valley could not prevent.

”Big Brother... you’ve met our Human Ancestor?” Sikong Toutian couldn’t help but ask.

Li Qiye just smiled, drained another cup, and said nothing. Sikong Toutian was so stunned that he froze, completely forgetting to pour the wine.

”Hu Yue, the successor of the Tiger Roar Sect, is here.” A small commotion rippled through the hall. Many of the young geniuses present stood up to welcome the newcomer.

A young man strode in through the door. He had the brow and eyes of a tiger, and an overwhelming presence. The moment he entered, the aura of a savage beast washed over the hall like a tidal wave. His tiger-like eyes glinted with a cold light. Anyone caught in his gaze felt as if they were being stalked by a predator, a deeply unsettling feeling that sparked a sense of immediate danger.

The moment the young man entered, Chi Xiaodie’s expression changed. Hu Yue—the successor of the Tiger Roar Sect! Rumor had it that the Bao Yun Family was most likely to betroth Princess Bao Yun to him. This was her brother’s greatest and most dangerous rival.

Despite her inner hostility toward Hu Yue, Chi Xiaodie, as the host, still went to greet him personally.

”Brother Hu Yue, it’s been a while.” Many of the young geniuses in attendance stood and clasped their fists in greeting. No matter how proud they were, none of them dared to act too arrogantly. Even Sima Longyun of the Nu Xian Sacred Country stood to offer a greeting.

The Tiger Roar Sect was a powerful lineage in the East Hundred Cities. Legend said its Primordial Ancestor was a Tiger Demon who had achieved Divine Enthronement, proclaimed himself a True God, and left the sect an astonishingly deep foundation.

The Tiger Roar Sect wasn’t necessarily stronger than the Nu Xian Sacred Country, but even the conceited Sima Longyun didn’t dare act too presumptuously toward Hu Yue.

Among the younger generation in the East Hundred Cities, Hu Yue was a prominent figure. Some gossips had once made a ranking of the young cultivators, and Hu Yue had definitely placed in the top five. In fact, he was likely on par with Sima Longyun’s own senior brother, Ba Xia, the Eldest Prince of the Nu Xian Sacred Country.

Because of this, even Sima Longyun, who hailed from the Nu Xian Sacred Country and was known for his arrogance, showed Hu Yue a measure of respect.

As Hu Yue entered, Li Qiye’s eyes narrowed. ’Just as Chi Xiaodao said, Princess Bao Yun is very likely to be betrothed to Hu Yue. Even the Bao Yun Family seems happy to let this marriage alliance succeed. This is Chi Xiaodao’s greatest rival. Since I promised to solve this for him, I certainly won’t give Hu Yue the chance.’

”That kid is no simple character,” Sikong Toutian immediately said, noticing Li Qiye’s narrowed gaze fixed on Hu Yue. ”He’s the successor of the Tiger Roar Sect and already a Five-Star Master. Legend says the blood of their Primordial Ancestor, the Tiger God, flows in his veins.”

A Five-Star Master. To have reached the level of a Five-Star Master at such a young age was truly incredible; one might even call it a display of breathtaking talent. No wonder people said he possessed the bloodline of their Primordial Ancestor, the Tiger God.

Cultivators who reached the Star-Picking Realm were addressed as True Masters. This was an incredibly difficult hurdle to overcome on the path of cultivation. For Hu Yue to already be a Five-Star Master at his age meant that his accomplishments and his talent were both truly formidable. He might not even be any weaker than the successors of the Emperor Immortal Gates!

After entering, Hu Yue nodded in greeting to the crowd. His tiger-like eyes swept across the room as if searching for something. The moment he spotted Princess Bao Yun with Chi Xiaodao, his eyes turned cold, and he started walking toward them.

”He’s heading for Kid Chi. That guy is definitely his most powerful rival. Kid Chi’s current Dao Practice isn’t high enough; he can’t compete with someone like that,” Sikong Toutian murmured as he watched Hu Yue approach Chi Xiaodao’s table.

”Let’s hope he’s smart enough not to mess with my little brother. Otherwise, I’ll dismantle him bone by bone.” Li Qiye drained his drink and slowly rose to his feet.

He had promised Chi Xiaodao he would back his pursuit of Princess Bao Yun, and he wouldn’t sit idly by now!

Sikong Toutian immediately followed, his heart thrumming with excitement. ’This is going to be a good show.’ He had already heard about Li Qiye’s exploits in the Middle Grand Realm—this was a ruthless man who dared to slay experts from an Ancient Country and massacre the Holy Heaven Sect. If Hu Yue truly didn’t know his place, he was likely to die a horrible death.

Chi Xiaodao, who had been chatting happily with Princess Bao Yun, felt his heart jolt as he saw Hu Yue approaching. He took a deep breath, stood up, and let his fighting spirit flare, refusing to back down. Today, he had to fight for his own chance!

Princess Bao Yun, who had been laughing with Chi Xiaodao, felt her expression change and her smile freeze the moment she saw Hu Yue. He was the last person she wanted to see, but she had no control over the matter of their marriage!

When Chi Xiaodie saw Hu Yue heading toward her brother, her face paled. She knew something major was about to happen. A knot of worry formed in her stomach; she knew her brother was no match for Hu Yue.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavy. Many people sensed the change and turned to look, shattering the tranquility of that corner of the room.

”Brother Chi, thank you for entertaining Bao Yun on my behalf. A busy man like yourself must have other things to attend to. Allow me to accompany her now,” Hu Yue said as he walked up to Chi Xiaodao. His opening words were polite enough.

Hu Yue’s words made Chi Xiaodao’s breath catch in his throat. He took a deep breath to steady himself before replying slowly, ”Brother Hu is too kind. Princess Bao Yun is our guest, so it is my duty as a host to entertain her.”

Hu Yue laughed. ”The scripture recitation is about to begin, and Brother Chi will be too busy to manage. I’ll accompany Bao Yun. It’s a perfect time to discuss the marriage between our two families.”

Hu Yue’s words made Chi Xiaodao’s face fall. Princess Bao Yun’s expression also darkened, but she was in no position to say anything.

Chi Xiaodie couldn’t help but clench her fists. She desperately wanted to help her brother, but it was completely inappropriate for her to intervene at this moment.

”So you’re Hu Yue, I take it?” Just as Chi Xiaodao was caught in a dilemma, Li Qiye’s leisurely voice cut in as he slowly ambled over.

Hu Yue’s gaze swept over, his tiger-like eyes flashing coldly. ”I don’t care who you are,” he said slowly, ”but I’m in no mood for pleasantries.” His aura was palpably aggressive.

”Pleasantries?” Li Qiye chuckled languidly. ”You think far too highly of yourself. I’m not here to exchange pleasantries with you.”

Hu Yue immediately spun around. The cold light in his eyes flared, locking onto Li Qiye. His killing intent erupted like an uncaged beast, an overwhelming pressure that resembled a hungry tiger about to devour its prey. The sight alone was enough to chill one to the bone.

”I don’t care who you are. If you know what’s good for you, scram. Otherwise, I don’t mind getting my hands bloody before the recitation begins.” Hu Yue’s killing intent was so palpable it sent a shiver through many in the crowd.

Li Qiye barely lifted an eyelid. ”A Five-Star Master, is it? Very well. I suppose I can lower myself to break the bones of a so-called Five-Star Master today.”

Li Qiye’s words caused an immediate uproar. The countless young geniuses present looked at each other in disbelief. One prince muttered, ”This kid is far too arrogant. Does he have any idea who he’s provoking?”

Everyone present thought Li Qiye had a death wish. In the current East Hundred Cities, Hu Yue was an absolute powerhouse. With the strength of a Five-Star Master, he could do as he pleased among the younger generation.

”You ignorant little beast!” Sima Longyun shot to his feet and roared, ”A nobody like you isn’t worthy of Brother Hu’s attention! I am more than enough to kill a whelp like you!”

”Scram.” Li Qiye didn’t even bother to look up. He clenched his hand into a fist, which he swung like an axe in a backhanded chop. As the blow flew, his Prison Suppressing Divine Body erupted. Thunder and lightning flashed beneath the axe-fist as the Void itself shattered. The power of a single punch, heavy as the earth itself, crushed the Ten Thousand Realms. With his Immortal Body at Minor Achievement, his might was unstoppable!