Dominator Emperor

At a time like this, many young cultivators had formed alliances, intending to gather their collective strength to overcome the present ordeal. There were two major alliances, led by Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child, respectively.

This was hardly surprising. Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child hailed from the Ju Que Holy Land and the Insect Emperor Dynasty, respectively. Both were successors of Emperor Immortal Gates, which stood at the pinnacle of the Great Teaching Territories. Thus, Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child could be considered leaders among the younger generation of cultivators.

With their status and prestige, even geniuses like the Hundred Schools’ Sons and the Ghost Monk were willing to throw in their lot and ally with them.

Li Qiye had slain Mo Li Dao and Ye Sha, establishing a considerable reputation. Naturally, the faction of the Hundred Schools’ Sons was willing to extend an olive branch to him.

However, in response to the persuasion from the Hundred Schools’ Sons, Li Qiye simply smiled, shook his head, and said, ”I appreciate the kind thought, but I prefer to go it alone.”

The Hundred Schools’ Sons was unwilling to give up. ”Fellow Daoist Li,” he said, ”as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. I fear no single person can overcome this current ordeal alone. Our alliance has experts like Saint Child Ji Que to turn the tide. Why not join forces with us? If we look out for each other, it will surely be beneficial.”

”The so-called ordeal is only an ordeal for most people. For me, it’s not an issue,” Li Qiye said lazily, his interest clearly lacking.

Hearing this, the eyes of the Hundred Schools’ Sons narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them. ”So, you’re saying you have a way to cross this sea, Fellow Daoist Li? How about you tell us what it is?”

”And why should I tell you?” Li Qiye shot him a sideways glance. ”You can walk your wide, sunny road, and I’ll cross my single-plank bridge. Let’s not get involved with each other!”

Such an arrogant attitude displeased the Hundred Schools’ Sons. The All Gods Country was ancient and powerful in the Ghost Sacred Realm. Though not quite an Emperor Immortal Gate, it wasn’t far off.

As the heir to the All Gods Country and a prince of his generation, the Hundred Schools’ Sons had always held a high and lofty position. The only reason he had come to persuade Li Qiye today was that he had heard of his formidable Dao Practice. Otherwise, how could a mere member of the Human Race even enter his sight?

He never expected Li Qiye to show him no courtesy whatsoever; it was simply too conceited. The Hundred Schools’ Sons couldn’t help but say in a deep voice, ”Fellow Daoist Li, when you’re away from home, you rely on friends. If you have a good method, what’s the harm in sharing it? You would also benefit greatly in the future.”

”You’re too long-winded.” Li Qiye waved his hand dismissively. ”I do whatever I want. Stop wasting my time. My patience is limited!”

The face of the Hundred Schools’ Sons immediately sank. This went far beyond mere displeasure.

”So you’re Li Qiye!” Just then, an imperious and arrogant voice rang out.

A young man leading a group of people walked over. Many of the nearby young cultivators hurriedly backed away, clearly not daring to provoke this group.

Anyone who saw the leading youth would be startled. He was dressed in black and was tall and gaunt, like a bamboo pole. It seemed a gust of wind could blow him away.

But that wasn’t the scariest part about him. On the young man’s forehead was a large sac that looked somewhat like a pustule. It was horrifying to look at, and something was wriggling inside, as if a worm lived within.

In fact, there was indeed a worm inside the sac on the youth’s forehead. From time to time, it would poke its head out to look around. The worm’s appearance was both ferocious and nauseating. Anyone who saw it couldn’t help but shiver, their skin crawling with goosebumps. They even felt so disgusted they wanted to throw up. It was a sight that no one could stomach.

Seeing this young man appear, everyone was not only disgusted, but they also couldn’t help but take a step back.

”The Ghost Insect Demon Child!” Many young cultivators’ expressions changed, and the young women among them turned pale.

In Xishuicang, and indeed the entire Ghost Sacred Realm, the Ghost Insect Demon Child could be described as a young genius who struck terror into people’s hearts.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child hailed from the Insect Emperor Dynasty, an extremely ancient Emperor Immortal Gate. Its lineage predated the Age of Emperors, making it older than many of the Inheritance Territories in the Ghost Sacred Realm.

The Insect Emperor Dynasty was founded by the Insect Emperor Immortal Emperor. Throughout the ages, if the person most infamous for inspiring terror was the Tian Tu Immortal Emperor, then the one who made everyone’s skin crawl was the Insect Emperor Immortal Emperor.

The Insect Emperor Immortal Emperor came from the Insect Emperor Ghost Race. This clan was not necessarily the largest among the many Ghost Races in the Ghost Sacred Realm; in fact, their numbers were quite small. However, the disciples of this clan were the most terrifying of all.

Members of the Insect Emperor Ghost Race were born with their own Nether Emperor Insect. From the moment they were born, a Nether Emperor Insect resided within the sac on their head.

The Nether Emperor Insect was a very powerful creature that grew along with its master. The stronger the master, the stronger the insect. Legend had it that when a Nether Emperor Insect broke through the skin of its master’s head sac and could survive independently, it would become an incomparably terrifying existence—a true Insect Emperor.

Even before becoming an Insect Emperor, the Nether Emperor Insect was still incredibly fearsome. It was said that a single bite would lead to a fate worse than death. The victim’s body would slowly rot, forcing them to endure tens of days, or even tens of years, of agony before they finally, slowly, died.

That was why most people were unwilling to provoke anyone from the Insect Emperor Clan. Their Nether Emperor Insects made countless cultivators turn pale at the mere mention of them. No matter how powerful someone was, they would find it difficult to resist. Therefore, for many, being bitten by a Nether Emperor Insect was equivalent to a death sentence.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child was not only the successor of the Insect Emperor Dynasty but also the heir to the Insect Emperor Ghost Race.

Although both were successors of Emperor Immortal Gates, the Ghost Insect Demon Child’s Dao Practice was not necessarily stronger than Saint Child Ji Que’s—it might even be weaker—but his fearsome reputation was definitely greater.

If asked who they feared more between Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child, the vast majority of people in the Ghost Sacred Realm would likely choose the Ghost Insect Demon Child.

Offending Saint Child Ji Que might result in a quick death, but offending the Ghost Insect Demon Child would absolutely lead to a fate worse than death, possibly involving decades of suffering.

So when the Ghost Insect Demon Child appeared, an unknown number of people’s faces changed dramatically. In particular, seeing the Nether Emperor Insect occasionally peeking out from the sac on his head made them feel their skin crawl and nearly vomit. Even Qiu Rong Wanxue, who was by Li Qiye’s side, was no exception.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child had asked his imperious question, but Li Qiye merely gave him a dismissive glance and said, ”So what if I am?”

”Very good!” The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s ghastly eyes stared at Li Qiye as he gave a cold command, ”Get on your knees and kowtow to Brother Shen Ran to apologize!”

At this moment, Prince Shen Ran was standing right beside the Ghost Insect Demon Child. He had, without a doubt, joined the Demon Child’s faction. Besides Prince Shen Ran, Qing Jinzi was also present.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child was the successor of an Emperor Immortal Gate. Logically, someone like Prince Shen Ran should have been beneath his notice. But who could blame Prince Shen Ran for having a good sister? She was the fiancée of the Emperor. If he were to meet the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady, even the Ghost Insect Demon Child would have to show her some respect.

Not long ago, Li Qiye had slapped Prince Shen Ran across the face, an act the prince considered a great humiliation. Therefore, after allying with the Ghost Insect Demon Child, the Demon Child immediately stepped forward to back him up.

Seeing this scene unfold, many from the younger generation looked at Li Qiye with pity. In their eyes, making an enemy of the Ghost Insect Demon Child meant a fate worse than death. The mere thought of that terrifying outcome made them shudder.

’That kid from the Human Race slapped Mo Li Dao to death and cut down Ye Sha. He’s definitely a monster of the new generation. What a pity he ran into the Ghost Insect Demon Child today!’ A young cultivator couldn’t help but shake his head.

Everyone could imagine Li Qiye’s miserable end.

With the Ghost Insect Demon Child backing him, Prince Shen Ran’s audacity knew no bounds. He gave an arrogant sneer and said coldly to Li Qiye, ”Human ant, get on your knees and kowtow, now! If this prince is in a good mood, perhaps I’ll only break your four limbs and destroy your Dao Practice, and spare your worthless life.”

However, before he could even finish his sentence, a slap from Li Qiye flew across. With a miserable shriek of ”AH!”, Prince Shen Ran was sent flying, blood spraying everywhere. Who knew how many teeth had been knocked out.

”Where did this mad dog come from, barking and making a scene? So irritating.” Li Qiye slowly wiped his hand with a handkerchief, as if he had just dirtied it.

Everyone was stunned. To slap Prince Shen Ran flying right in front of the Ghost Insect Demon Child—this slap wasn’t just on Prince Shen Ran’s face; it was also a slap to the face of the Ghost Insect Demon Child.

Besides, Prince Shen Ran was no weakling, yet in the face of Li Qiye’s slap, he had absolutely no power to resist and was sent flying in the blink of an eye.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s expression changed drastically. He had come specifically to back Prince Shen Ran, yet this Human Race junior dared to slap the prince right in front of him. This was a blatant act of disrespect, completely disregarding his presence.

”Human ant, how do you wish to die!” the Ghost Insect Demon Child said, his face grim. A terrifying light shone from his eyes, and the Nether Emperor Insect in the sac on his head wriggled incessantly, making everyone’s skin crawl.

”Brother Ghost Insect, cut off his limbs first!” Prince Shen Ran shrieked. ”Then let the Nether Emperor Insect bite him! Make him suffer a fate worse than death! Make him howl for a hundred years—”

”Noisy.” Li Qiye slapped him again. This time, Prince Shen Ran was prepared, but he still failed to dodge the blow. With a loud ”CRACK!”, he was sent flying far, far away, splattering blood everywhere.

”You dare!” the Ghost Insect Demon Child roared, his expression savage. ”Human ant, I will make you suffer a fate worse than death!” As his voice fell, with a ”WHOOSH”, the sac on his forehead split open, and the Nether Emperor Insect within shot out like a bolt of lightning, aiming to bite Li Qiye.

”The Nether Emperor Insect!” several people shrieked, scrambling back in terror. All they wanted was to get as far away as possible. No one wanted to be bitten by the Nether Emperor Insect; the outcome was a fate worse than death.

”Be careful!” Qiu Rong Wanxue’s face turned pale with fright as she cried out a warning.

”Where did this stinking bug come from?” Li Qiye, however, remained perfectly composed. With a flip of his right hand, the Ten Thousand Furnace God appeared. BANG! Heaven and Earth Essence Fire instantly erupted, filling the sky. Accompanied by the cry of a phoenix, the flames transformed into a Fire Phoenix that swooped down like a raptor to peck at the Nether Emperor Insect.