Emperor’s Domination

Jiang Qingmei said softly: “It is the greatest honor to see you, Ancestor.”

“Looks like you know quite a bit.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Wisdom Ancestor told me about your legends before, Ancestor.” She said.

“How is the little girl doing?” Li Qiye said.

“Wisdom Ancestor returned after the untimely passing of my ancestor but fell into a slumber shortly after. She hasn’t woken up yet.” She said.

“She’s reaching the point. A slumber is required before the metamorphosis to maturity.” Li Qiye didn’t find this surprising.

“You are aware of our Wisdom Ancestor’s matters?” She asked.

“I’ve met her already. She became young again, not the smoothest path, but since she has made up her mind, her future achievements will be higher.” Li Qiye said.

“Ancestor, so she can return to her prime again?” She was happy to see this.

Wisdom Ancestor was another ancient ancestor of Desolate Frontier - another member of the seven stars.

These seven disciples belonged to a lost era, far before the founding of Desolate Frontier. Desolate Ancestor was another member while First-gen Chen was their senior.

In the present, only two out of seven remained - Desolate and Wisdom Ancestor.

Although Desolate Ancestor was the primary founder, she was occupied with other tasks including starting a new path and wars. 

Wisdom took care of administration and educated waves of talents, many of whom became emperors and primal ancestors.

Subsequently, she grew weary of this and focused on the dao alone, reversing her age to obtain a pure heart. Desolate Ancestor supported her choice so Wisdom left Desolate Frontier.

Future descendants gradually forgot about this ancient ancestor that had contributed so much to their sect. She returned later as a little girl. No one recognized her outside of a few emperors and primal ancestors.

She wasn’t close with anyone except Jiang Qingmei who adored her innocence. Because of this, Qingmei heard many stories about the progenitor and the mythical legend, Li Qiye.

“Returning to her prime? That level wouldn’t have warranted this type of cultivation.” Li Qiye said.

“Then how far can she go?” She asked.

“Depends on how long she can maintain her pure heart, it is a limitless future.” Li Qiye said, surprising Qingmei with the answer.

He then entered the inner corridor and Jiang Qingmei followed. Beyond the corridor was a small courtyard paved with gravel.

Five trees were planted, small in stature but not in grandeur. They looked like dragons coiling in the area, inspiring awe and respect. They were protecting something floating at the center.

Above was a blue sky, seemingly pulled down extremely close. One just needed to float up a little and reach the firmament.

The floating object at the center resembled a pile of stones. Jiang Qingmei felt something weird because each stone looked animated, capable of shifting.

There was no rule governing their position. The flatness was not even throughout with holes and protruding spots.

She still became attracted by this the moment she entered the courtyard. Intuition told her it was extraordinary.

One woven mat was placed near the front. Li Qiye wasted no time sitting down and closing his eyes, sensing the aura here.

She quietly stood near him but couldn’t avert her gaze from the floating stones.

“Your progenitor found the dao here.” Li Qiye said.

She became emotional because could this place be the source of the power in Desolate Frontier? This was the legendary immortal source? 

However, she didn’t sense its existence at all.

“Is the dao source embedded below?” She asked.

“What do you think is your sect’s power sources?” Li Qiye asked.

She pondered before answering: “The grand momentum embedded by the progenitor in conjunction with worldly essences.”

“One part.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Just one part? Then there are other things, Ancestor.” She said.

Li Qiye chuckled in response.

“Then the primary lake too?” She said.

Too many stories existed regarding the foundation of her sect. Some said it was built on a grand momentum established below by Desolate Frontier. Others talked about nine lakes with one hidden.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have the means to verify this.

“Not wrong, but your progenitor certainly played a part in creating the current Desolate Frontier.” Li Qiye said.

“Where is this primary lake then?” She looked around the courtyard and didn’t see any clue.

Eight were found in Desolate Frontier but the last one eluded them. Perhaps Everlasting Jiang or Wisdom Ancestor knew its location but they never talked about it. She didn’t know the reason behind the secrecy.