Emperor’s Domination

Black Witch Monarch had returned with a black dog from somewhere and took it to the altar. He then killed it and gathered its blood into a bowl.

”What are you doing?!” Princess Chen was furious.

”This is the key.” The monarch said while holding the bowl of blood: ”It is the ultimate anti-evil ingredient, nothing can escape.”

”Is this a joke? What can blood from a dog seal?” The princess said.

”The more you speak, the more you display your shallow knowledge. This blood is the nemesis of all evil.” The monarch said.

”Impossible.” Orchidcore disagreed.

Treasures and merit laws could seal evil entities, not dog blood. If this could work, then what was the point of cultivation? They might as well just go gather dog blood.

”Amitabha, you shouldn’t have killed an innocent life.” Monk Zhu placed his palms together.

”Bah! You baldies love acting sanctimoniously the most. You kill yet you chastise others for doing the same thing. Your hands are stained with blood and your conversion, no different from enslavement. Who would willingly devote themselves to something for eternity? Hypocrites.” The monarch said.

”... There is bias in your words.” Monk Zhu couldn’t come up with a response right away and started changing a Buddhist mantra.

”What bias? Have you not killed before?” The monarch said.

”Well... amitabha...” Monk Zhu had certainly killed before since this was inevitable for cultivators.

”Tell me how you persecute those who leave your order as well, treating them as heretics and devils.” The monarch went on.

”Merciful Buddha, Merciful Buddha...” Monk Zhu chanted without retorting.

”Hahaha, sounds like I’m making sense.” The monarch gloated.

”It’s almost dark, tonight is the night to exorcise.” Li Qiye glanced up and said.

”Yes, I am adequately prepared.” The monarch rubbed his palms eagerly and said: ”Stand to the side and watch, maybe you will learn a thing or two.”

”We don’t want to learn your witchcraft.” Princess Chen shook her head.

”It is unique in history and will benefit you for a lifetime.” The monarch laughed.

”He’s right, you all can learn from it.” Li Qiye nodded approvingly.

”Forget it, we cultivate the dao, not witchcraft.” Princess Chen refused.

They already had an amazing background on top of being Orchid Academy’s students. Their future was already paved flat, there was no point in seeking an unproven art.

Orchidcore also smiled and shook his head. Little did they know this decision made them miss out on a supreme fortune.

***

The group waited together with Li Qiye on the second floor, leaving Black Witch Monarch alone on the altar.

Li Xian took care of tea and snacks for everyone. At first, he was confident in his ancestors but Li Qiye’s high evaluation of witchcraft scared him.

Nevertheless, he was confused about the monarch’s strange mortal trinkets. How could they help with exorcism?

”There is no chance.” Princess Chen smiled.

”But how did he know there are ghosts here and his confidence too, he’s clearly no fool.” Orchidcore responded.

The group thought he was haughty and arrogant, not foolish enough to court death against potential ghosts.

”Observe and when necessary, we can save him.” Monk Zhu said despite the monarch’s apparent disdain for Buddhism.

”Well, we have to be careful as well, the ghosts are too strong.” Princess Chen said.

”That is true, I can sense that the atmosphere here is off, something is purposely doing it. Once again, it is too strong for us to assess.” Orchidcore said.

”I believe we need to go back to our original plan, invite an emperor or desolate god.” Monk Zhu said.

”I appreciate how much effort everyone is putting into this, but it’s too trivial to involve anyone else.” Li Xian anxiously said.

”If we can invite one here, it is a fortune for you in more ways than one.” Princess Chen said.

”You’re too funny, Your Highness. If one comes, I’ll be praying for them not to break my residence or kill me, let alone a fortune.” Li Xian said with a pained expression.

”...” The group thought he had a good point.

Powerful cultivators never showed restraint when exercising their great powers. This residence would go down after one stomp but none cared about the dead insects beneath.

”This is so delicious...” Mu Hu took out a fried centipede out of nowhere and devoured it.

This killed the conversation entirely.

”Whoosh!” Meanwhile, the winds finally started.

”It’s coming.” Li Xian said.