Dominator Emperor

”Alright, let’s not talk about your Celestial Secret Valley. That’s all stale, rotten business.” Seeing Sikong Toutian’s hair stand on end, Li Qiye smiled and stopped making things difficult for him.

Sikong Toutian couldn’t help but sigh in relief. He had always been a mysterious person and had gone to great lengths to conceal his origins. But in front of Li Qiye, he felt completely exposed, as if nothing could escape those eyes of his.

”Brother Li, you should still be careful of Ji Kong Wudi.” After a sigh of relief, Sikong Toutian collected himself and reminded Li Qiye in a low voice, ”Ji Kong Wudi is an absolute monster. He was born with a Holy Destiny, a Holy Wheel, and a Sacred Body! The Three Saints’ Form makes him number one in the current generation. Even Mei Fairy, with her Innate Immortal Bone, might not be more monstrously talented than him.”

The Three Saints’ Form—anyone hearing of such aptitude would be frightened out of their wits. Throughout the eons, those who possessed the Three Saints’ Form were few and far between.

”The Three Saints’ Form is all it is.” Li Qiye chuckled. ”As long as he doesn’t provoke me, I couldn’t care less what Three Saints’ Form he has. If he messes with me, I’ll personally rip his bones out, even if he had the Three Immortals’ Form! If Ta Kong Immortal Emperor were still alive, I’d have a score to settle with him!” As he spoke, his eyes narrowed.

’He knew who was responsible for what happened at Demon’s Back Ridge. If Ta Kong Immortal Emperor were still alive in this generation, he would unleash his ultimate weapon and smash Takong Mountain to smithereens!’

’Since Ta Kong Immortal Emperor was no longer in this world, he couldn’t be bothered to take out his anger on the man’s descendants. He couldn’t be bothered to smash Takong Mountain to bits just for the Immortal Emperor’s sake. Of course, if the disciples from Takong Mountain dared to come looking for trouble, he’d be more than happy to kill as many as came.’

These words alone made Sikong Toutian’s heart tremble, a chill running down his spine. He would never believe this was just an empty boast. He was certain Li Qiye was absolutely capable of doing it.

”Brother Li, you’re here! Please don’t blame me for my poor hospitality.” Chi Xiaodao, who had been busy to the point of utter chaos, finally managed to catch his breath. Seeing Li Qiye drinking alone, he hurried over to greet him.

Li Qiye smiled and said, ”No need for such formalities. You go handle your business. Look at your sister—she’s busy, but you can tell she’s happy.”

”Heh, how about I get my sister to show you around the Imperial Palace?” Chi Xiaodao glanced at his sister and immediately said with a grin.

Li Qiye glanced at him, shaking his head with a smile. ”Alright, kid, I know what you’re plotting. Don’t worry, your sister will be fine. As for that matter, I’ll lend her a hand.”

Chi Xiaodao never missed a chance to matchmake his sister and Li Qiye; he was always trying his best to create opportunities for her. How could Li Qiye not see his painstaking efforts? Li Qiye quite admired Chi Xiaodao. As for Chi Xiaodie, he didn’t dislike her. For someone of her standing—Golden Branches and Jade Leaves—it was only natural to have a bit of pride.

Since Chi Xiaodao was trying so hard to create this opportunity for his sister, Li Qiye decided to do him this favor, even though he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to help Chi Xiaodie otherwise.

”Heh, heh, is this a friend of yours, Brother Li?” Seeing Sikong Toutian sitting with Li Qiye, Chi Xiaodao immediately greeted him, not recognizing who he was.

”He’s that little thief,” Li Qiye said with a smile, glancing at the awkward Sikong Toutian sitting beside him.

”The little thief!” Hearing Li Qiye’s words, Chi Xiaodao jumped in shock. He stared warily at Sikong Toutian and exclaimed, ”Little thief, what are you doing here? You’d better not cause any trouble! This scripture lecture is a major event for our Lion Roar Country. If you mess this up, I’ll become your sworn enemy!”

It was no wonder Chi Xiaodao was so startled; he couldn’t afford for this scripture lecture to be ruined. With Sikong Toutian’s criminal record, who knew what kind of earth-shattering trouble he might stir up by sneaking into the Imperial Palace.

”Is there a need to be so dramatic?” Sikong Toutian said with a wry smile. ”I’m a good guy. I made a special trip this time just to deliver a message to Brother Li.”

”Really?” Chi Xiaodao was skeptical. ”You even dared to rob the ancestral graves of the Tiger Peak Sect. Who’s to say you aren’t here to steal the treasures of our Lion Roar Country?”

Sikong Toutian was left speechless. But what could he do? His reputation was already in tatters; he was like a rat scurrying across the street, with everyone wanting to take a swing at him.

”Relax, I’ll keep an eye on him. Nothing will happen,” Li Qiye said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at Chi Xiaodao’s nervousness.

Sikong Toutian immediately grinned. ”There, see? With Brother Li vouching for me, you can finally relax. Rest assured, I won’t do a thing. I’ll be on my best behavior. I’m just here to listen to Mei Fairy’s scripture lecture.”

”If he dares to cause any trouble, I’ll help you break his bones,” Li Qiye added with a smile.

Sikong Toutian, who was just starting to get cocky, immediately deflated. He could only say, ”I absolutely won’t do anything! I guarantee it!” He patted his chest as he spoke.

”So, does that mean you were plotting some mischief just now?” Li Qiye asked, looking at him leisurely.

”No, absolutely not!” Sikong Toutian immediately denied, swearing to the heavens. ”Brother Li, rest assured. While on the Lion Roar Country’s territory, I’ll be a model citizen. I won’t even touch a single flower or blade of grass!”

Despite Sikong Toutian’s oath, Chi Xiaodao didn’t believe the unreliable fellow for a second. The guy was notorious; he’d done it all—robbing ancestral graves, stealing treasures, swindling, cheating—and was an expert in every one. However, with Li Qiye’s guarantee, Chi Xiaodao finally relaxed.

”Sigh, is my character really that bad?” Sikong Toutian couldn’t help but sigh, feeling wronged by Chi Xiaodao’s suspicion.

Chi Xiaodao retorted irritably, ”How good could your character be? You still haven’t returned my medicinal herbs. Let’s talk about character after you’ve given them back.”

”I will, I will, I’ll definitely return them,” Sikong Toutian said with a dry laugh, then quickly added, ”I’m a bit tight on funds right now, but once I’m back on my feet, I’ll definitely return them. I’ll even deliver them to your door myself.”

Chi Xiaodao didn’t really believe a guarantee from someone like Sikong Toutian. He felt that letting the medicinal herbs fall into this little thief’s hands was like throwing a meat bun at a dog—there was no hope of ever getting them back.

Just then, the gentle tinkling of jade pendants announced an arrival. A young woman approached with a graceful gait. She was exceptionally beautiful, and a faint, treasured aura emanated from her, making all who saw her sigh in admiration. This was truly one of the Golden Branches and Jade Leaves!

The moment he saw this young woman enter, Chi Xiaodao—who had just been interrogating Sikong Toutian—completely forgot what he was doing. He stared at her, utterly captivated.

”The princess of the Bao Yun Family,” Sikong Toutian commented from the side.

Even if Sikong Toutian hadn’t spoken, Li Qiye would have known who she was just from Chi Xiaodao’s expression.

”Little Saber, what are you waiting for? Come and entertain our distinguished guest!” The moment she saw Princess Bao Yun, Chi Xiaodie called out to her brother, intentionally creating an opportunity for him.

Chi Xiaodao snapped back to his senses. He glanced at Princess Bao Yun from a distance and hesitated.

”Losing your nerve before the battle even starts is no way to be.” Seeing Chi Xiaodao’s hesitation, Li Qiye offered some advice. ”Go on, show some masculine courage. You need to be domineering to win a woman’s heart! Success or failure, you have to give it your all. If you fail, it’s no big deal. You won’t have lost anything. But if you don’t even try, you’re guaranteed to fail! Losing without a fight is far more humiliating than being utterly defeated in battle! Remember, even invincible Immortal Emperors have tasted defeat, so what’s it to you? It’s nothing. Now go, the beautiful lady is waiting!”

Li Qiye’s encouragement made Chi Xiaodao’s heart stir. He took a deep breath, his fighting spirit ignited and his blood running hot. His eyes suddenly brightened, and his entire demeanor changed, radiating a new energy. Like a gladiator entering the arena, he walked, full of heroic confidence, toward Princess Bao Yun.

”Looks like the kid’s in heat,” Sikong Toutian muttered, seeing Chi Xiaodao’s invigorated state.

”Miss Bao Yun, you have traveled a long way. Please forgive our humble nation for any poor hospitality.” Chi Xiaodao radiated confidence as he greeted Princess Bao Yun. He was already a handsome man, and now, brimming with confidence, his cheerful demeanor had a certain charm.

Princess Bao Yun smiled at the sight of Chi Xiaodao and gave a slight nod. ”Brother Chi,” she said, ”it has been a long time.”

Chi Xiaodie, eager to create an opportunity for her brother, immediately said to Princess Bao Yun, ”Sister Bao Yun, I’ll let my brother be your guide. If he does anything rude, feel free to teach him a harsh lesson.”

Chi Xiaodie’s words made Princess Bao Yun laugh. Chi Xiaodao seized the opportunity to guide the princess to a quieter area, away from everyone else, securing some time alone with the beautiful woman.

Chi Xiaodao was a naturally cheerful and talkative person. Before long, peals of laughter could be heard from their direction. Without a doubt, he and Princess Bao Yun were getting along splendidly.

”I didn’t think the kid had such a way with women,” Sikong Toutian said in surprise, glancing from afar at the happily chatting Chi Xiaodao and Princess Bao Yun.

Li Qiye smiled faintly. ”A descendant of the Chi Family is no coward. The Chi Family’s ancestors were heroic figures in their day. Even in the most perilous of times, they held their heads high and pressed forward. Millions of years have passed, and though the Chi Family has declined, how could its descendants possibly tarnish the glory of their ancestors?” He couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion as he said this.

Sikong Toutian was moved and said nothing. He, too, had heard tales of the Chi Family’s ancestors. They were supreme beings who had participated in the Immortal Slaying War, their names forever etched in the annals of history.

”Sima Longyun is here,” someone announced, and many of the young elites stood up to greet him.

Sima Longyun strode in, looking suave and carrying himself with an extraordinary air. The innate arrogance of someone from a great nation was on full display.

When Sima Longyun arrived, many of the young elites rose to greet him, a clear sign of his popularity. Whether due to his own status or the power of the Nu Xian Sacred Country he represented, Sima Longyun was destined to be held in high esteem and welcomed everywhere.

...