Emperor’s Domination

“In my opinion, our ancestors disappeared because of Old Pact Strike.” Li Xian responded while looking at the tablet.

“You know of it.” Li Qiye smiled.

“They wrote vaguely of it and I came across their scrolls. Gao Yang, Bao Pu, Nine-Secret, and other ancient progenitors allied to take down a target.” Li Xian said.

“Dingtian?” Li Qiye smiled.

Li Xian looked around before answering: “I don’t think so, Fellow Daoist. They might have been targeting someone among themselves.”

“Go on.” Li Qiye was amused.

“Our progenitors were a part of this pact but didn’t go, I believe they refused to do so. Or maybe, they had another important mission that ended with their disappearance.” Li Xian said.

“Interesting.” Li Qiye responded.

This was not unexpected since Xuansu was a top progenitor. Thus, she was invited to join the group but ended up not participating. If she had joined, she would have been killed just like the rest.

“I lean toward them focusing on an investigation.” Li Xian continued.

“Of what matter?” Li Qiye asked.

“That’s beyond me since our records do not have details regarding this mission. I just know that is likely to be related to Life and Death Heaven or Desolate Ancestor.”

“I see.” Li Qiye’s brows furrowed.

“Don’t misunderstand, Fellow Daoist, they didn’t investigate Desolate Ancestor. What I meant was, it was a mission given by Desolate Ancestor.” Li Xian hurriedly elaborated.

“Oh?” Li Qiye said.

“Their scrolls mentioned a visit from Phoenix Commander. Ancestor Yuzhen went with her first and then Ancestor Xuansu followed as well.” Li Xian said.

Li Qiye naturally recognized this familiar title.

“All three never appeared again.” Li Xian smiled wryly: “And then our clan declined afterward so we no longer had access to top-level information. Communication ceased with Life and Death Heaven along with Desolate Frontier.”

“Your clan couldn’t keep up without them.” Li Qiye remarked.

“Yes, we participated in a few battles, losing one ancestor at a time along with territories. This is all we have left now.” Li Xian said: “But of course, I don’t care about retaking territories, just passing down the torch is hard enough already.”

“Isn’t it rather easy to maintain the line?” Li Qiye said.

“But it’s rather meaningless. In my opinion, we’ll become mortals in just three generations. The glory of the ancestor will not reach the descendants.” Li Xian said.

“True.” Li Qiye nodded: “It requires perseverance and willpower for clans and sects to maintain relevancy.”

“We’ve been relevant for long enough, it’s like a mortal living up to a hundred, perhaps it is time to die.” Li Xian smiled.

“No ambition at all to revitalize the clan?” Li Qiye asked.

“None, I know my limit. To do so is to indulge in fantasizing past prestige.” Li Xian said: “I can’t do it better than the ancestors.”

“Right, it’s difficult.” Li Qiye agreed.

“That’s why it’s good to just be alive. I don’t feel ashamed for not maintaining the lineage since it’s inevitable. If it’s not my generation, it’ll be the next several ones.” Li Xian said.

“It’s not an incorrect perspective.” Li Qiye said.

“I apologize for my lack of ambition.” Li Xian joked.

“Every stage of life has its problems. A descendant of a fallen clan is sad about one thing, an invincible master is sad about something else.” Li Qiye said.

“That rings true to how I feel. I’ve thought about this matter before, what stresses me out is to help the clan live peacefully. Becoming richer is impossible, and I’m sure characters such as Desolate Ancestor and Poye have their issues.” Li Xian said.

“Yes, some wish to defend this world while others have lofty goals. As long as one is alive, they will worry about something.” Li Qiye said.

“Maybe only immortals are free of this.” Li Xian continued.

“Not necessarily. For example, I’m sure the high heaven doesn’t enjoy sending tribulations down.” Li Qiye said.

“So it sounds like my life isn’t too bad, we’re pretty free to do whatever we want. Am I just consoling myself?” Li Xian said.

“It’s certainly a privilege and a good state of mind.” Li Qiye responded.

“I feel better after talking to you.” Li Xian smiled.

“Do you still want to take a look at Luminous Creek? I don’t have anything to do anyway.” Li Xian said enthusiastically.

“Very well.” Li Qiye nodded.

“Just be ready to find nothing since Luminous Creek was destroyed and excavated for some reason.” Li Xian said.

“Just taking a look is fine, no need to find anything.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Looks like you’re even more open-minded than me.” Li Xian joked.

The two of them traveled to the ruins of Luminous Creek. Sure enough, there was not much left outside of a small creek.

“I heard the dao lineage was created by Luminous Master’s thoughts right here at this creek. Of course, what we’re looking at isn’t the mythical creek.” Li Xian said: “The seniors told me that instead of water, heavenly dew flowed here back then.”

Li Qiye scooped up a handful of water and drank. He shook his head and said: “I don’t think there was any heavenly dew flowing back then. The original creek might not be one at all.”

“Well, Luminous Creek might just be a title from combining two titles, Luminous Master and Creek King. Our clan has something else, that Luminous Creek was referring to a dao source.” Li Xian said.

“Perhaps that’s the right answer.” Li Qiye smiled.

As they walked around, they made it to the end of the creek. There was nothing else noteworthy in this area.