Emperor’s Domination

“Dead yet still alive. Is this possible?” Bear Immortal asked.

“It depends on how much you yearn for life and your ability.” Li Qiye smiled.

“What kind of abomination would such a person become?” He asked.

“Would you prefer death or become an abomination?” Li Qiye asked.

“Well…” He couldn’t answer.

“For example, your master cleaned himself up, accepting death with style and dignity. If he had continued to struggle, he would have become something filthy.” Li Qiye said.

“Then death is better than such a life.” He said.

“Yes, because the high heaven will not permit it. The greater the struggle, the uglier and more pathetic it will be. You won’t be able to gather what’s left of yourself, just a filthy mess spilling everywhere. If you can live with that, others will still find it disgusting.”

He smiled wryly and thought about his master’s situation. If that were truly the case, his master would not have any dignity or reputation left.

“Of course, cultivators desire immortality while the dead desire to live again.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes.” He agreed. Accepting death when there are other options was easier said than done.

“How would one resist death?” Thunder Emperor interjected, unaware of the possibilities.

“The dao heart. You might be dead but the dao heart lives, it becomes a matter of choices.” Li Qiye said.

“So choosing to stay alive.” She said.

“Yes, but the probability is practically zero. And staying alive won’t be in the desired form. Even a primordial immortal cannot be reborn, the price is insurmountable.” Li Qiye said.

“Refusing death doesn’t mean staying alive.” The bear grasped a different perspective.

“What else is there then?” She asked.

“Look at Golden Lamp.” Li Qiye said: “What’s keeping it lit?”

“Golden Immortal’s dao heart.” She said.

“So is Golden Immortal dead?” Li Qiye asked.

“Well, yes, he should be.” She said with uncertainty.

“Where is he?” Li Qiye continued.

“The unreachable core of Golden Lamp.” She hesitated before answering.

“Is the core dead?” Li Qiye asked.

“No.” She answered.

Li Qiye patted her shoulder and said: “That’s a choice outside of life and death. It’s not necessarily for the sake of living.”

“I see.” She gazed at the horizon.

“Not all immortals seek everlasting life.” Li Qiye said.

“Right.” The bear agreed since this wasn’t his pursuit either.

“Where is Xian Shen now?” She thought about something else. If this world was made by him, where was his corpse?

“It’s a good question. I left in a hurry back then and left out a few details.” Li Qiye smiled before gazing at the water sphere.

“Back to the source.” He flicked his finger and shattered the sphere.

“Bam!” The remnant power could no longer endure his will.

The sphere shattered and blasted outward. Waves surged in all directions across the sky. However, a certain force at the center of the sphere still tried to draw them back.

Unfortunately, once shattered by Li Qiye, it could never become whole again.

Nevertheless, a maelstrom was formed. The water was no longer clear and transparent, infected by the shadow of death.

“A maelstrom of death.” Thunder Emperor shivered.

“Now I can answer your question. This is where the dead Xian Shen is.” Li Qiye smiled.