Emperor’s Domination

“Becoming an immortal is far harder than becoming an overlord.” Li Qiye said.

“Yep, it’s hopeless for my old bones.” The monarch didn’t seem too down about it.

“There’s still hope if you are ready to gamble everything.” Li Qiye smiled.

“How much hope?” The monarch asked earnestly.

Li Qiye assessed the man before responding: “Ten to twenty percent, perhaps lower.” 

“Uh…” The monarch froze for a bit after hearing a credible answer.

After a while, he said: “Isn’t it a bit too low?”

“What was your estimate prior?” Li Qiye said: “The overlord realm is a great achievement and I’m sure you have overcome pain and trials before. However, you are far from being the only overlord, and in a sense, it’s only the beginning of becoming immortal. It is at least ten times more arduous in both effort and dao heart.”

“But my dao is already so consolidated.” The monarch said. He believed his dao heart had never wavered regardless of the challenges.

“Many supreme overlords stood where you are right now but they succumbed to darkness later. Why?” Li Qiye said.

“Not enough pain and suffering yet?” The monarch asked.

“Not quite.” Li Qiye said: “Once you become stronger, the temptation will also be greater, the same with the price. When the scale tips to the other side heavily, even overlords’ dao heart will waver.”

“Hmm…” The monarch nodded: “A new cultivator would agonize over losing their cultivation. The despair only grows at higher stages. As for supreme overlords…”

“Thus, can you endure this type of destruction? That’s why I gave you ten to twenty percent.” Li Qiye said.

The monarch didn’t answer instantly.

Sure, he was strong enough to lord over a world. As long as it was around, so would he. There were numerous methods for prolonging life. In fact, they could survive a world’s total destruction. However, this type of living was shameful.

Therefore, taking the risk for these trials of destruction was not worth it. Any attempt could result in true death, and he needed numerous trials.

Moreover, there was no guarantee of survival or reaching the apex again after each destruction.  Thus, who would want to pick such a risky path?

“After thinking it through, it does make me feel despair. The path isn’t easy for overlords either.” The monarch sighed.

“Only others view immortal ascension as easy since they do not have all the information.” Li Qiye smiled.

The monarch nodded solemnly: “Yes, back to the old tree demon again, so impressive but still faltered to the waves of immortal tribulations. One wrong move resulting in utter defeat.”

“There is no shortcut. If there is, there will be a proportional payment later on.” Li Qiye said.

“But someone sneakily became an immortal, wasn’t that a shortcut?” The monarch asked.

“There was suffering in this too.” Li Qiye smiled: “Eating an immortal opened the door but not without turning him into an abomination. This would torture him forever unless he can do it again without taking shortcuts.” 

“So the door was opened.” The monarch said.

“Seems like you’ve thought about this before.” Li Qiye stared at him.

“Young Noble, I was only helping Desolate Ancestor since she was looking for him. However, the guy was so sneaky that I found nothing after scouring everywhere.” The monarch said.

“Which is why you descended from Heaven World.” Li Qiye said.

“I dare not say no to a favor from Desolate Ancestor. Young Noble, just know I am absolutely on your side.” The monarch arched his chest.

“Is that so?” Li Qiye smirked.

The monarch became nervous and repeated: “Young Noble, I have nothing but utmost loyalty for you, heaven and earth be my witnesses.”

“Why are you so nervous? I didn’t accuse you of anything and surely, you haven’t done anything, right?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Haha, Young Noble, even if I have done certain things kept in the dark, I would never backstab you. You are a survivor from above and I am not suicidal. I don’t care what the pseudo-immortals such as Evil Transformation and Fiendish Ground think, I just know I stand with you.” The monarch said.

Li Qiye chuckled and didn’t comment, focusing on eating instead.

Once he finished, Li Qiye said seriously: “You best drop this idea, even if you have the fortune and opportunity, it won’t work. Just continue as you are.”

“Sigh, I will listen and stay as an unambitious dog.” The monarch lamented: “I’ll try once I am more prepared.”

“No one can truly be prepared for this, not even after trying for a lifetime.” Li Qiye said.

“Hmm…” The monarch said: “I know I’m not ready, same with the bull and Weizhen. We have a long way to go. What about Lord of Life and Death? Young Noble, will Her Highness become an immortal?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“She hasn’t appeared in a long time, shifting between life and death. She might be ready and Desolate Ancestor will help.” The monarch said.

“The price and training.” Li Qiye sighed.

“She’s done it several times now, one with Desolate Ancestor’s destruction. She shifted to death while shifting Desolate Ancestor to life.” The monarch said softly.

“Death is destined, going against it is a test of the dao heart.” Li Qiye said.

“We can’t compare with her in this regard.” The monarch said: “She also wanted to help Bodhi Ancestor but Desolate Ancestor disagreed.”

“It was an immortal tribulation, she shouldn’t have.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“But if she had passed it successfully, her immortal ascension was all but guaranteed.” The monarch said.

“Perhaps.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Then we have to bring up Xian Chengtian. Either him or Li Xingchen. The former should be the strongest below the immortal stage.” The monarch calculated with his fingers.

“Won’t happen.” Li Qiye said.