Emperor’s Domination

The progenitor stared piercingly at the invader. Emperors and ancient ancestors sensed their progenitor’s dreadful sword dao and became confident.

However, she appeared to be struck by lightning upon seeing him. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Am I that scary looking?” Li Qiye asked with a smile.

She jolted once before regaining her wits. She hurried over and kneeled before him: “Sir, I did not know of your arrival, please forgive my lack of hospitality.”

This was the last thing the crowd expected to happen. Their progenitor was the strongest cultivator in Dusk Realm. She passed down the method of cultivation to them for generations now.

“Rise, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Li Qiye waved.

“It is thanks to your protection, Sir.” She was none other than Ye Fantian of the six continents. [1]

“I do not dare to claim credit for this.” Li Qiye shook his head.

She invited him into the ancestral ground and then told the crowd: “Times have changed, do not stay here to die needlessly. Disperse.”

They stood frozen upon hearing this.

***

She personally prepared the best tea available for him and offered a cup with both hands: “This is our Dusk Realm’s native Dusk Snow, please have a taste.”

“Grown by the energy of a celestial immortal, it’s excellent.” Li Qiye sipped before commenting. He placed the cup down and asked: “How did you get here?”

“After receiving your grace, I was able to enter Heavenrealm. Due to my weak cultivation, I traveled the world and ended up in Ruin. I was then trapped in Heavenfall Path but Desolate Immortal appeared and took me to Dusk Realm. Of course, this was all possible because of you.” She prostrated again.

“I never helped you.” Li Qiye said.

“I know what you have done.” She said respectfully, aware of his connection with Desolate Immortal.

“You picked this place?” He asked.

“Desolate Immortal chose a direction for me. As I walked and trained, I felt that this place was it for my dao. I started a lineage and helped others learn the dao.” She explained.

“Do you know what this place is?” He asked.

“From what I can tell, this might be Dusk Realm’s dao source?” She said.

“That’s correct.” Li Qiye smiled.

“I knew the power here was beyond my ability, regardless of how many eras I spent here. I would need to become an immortal first before starting the research.” She smiled wryly: “Alas, I am still one step away, unable to ascend.”

“Why do you think that is?” Li Qiye asked.

“I believe that my cultivation has been too smooth and my foundation isn’t fortified enough from the tests. Thus, I need to spend time perfecting it.” She said.

“Your dao is flawless, you can ascend now with the help of this place.” He said.

“Yes, I have thought as much, but doing so might result in my dao cracking afterward. I will stop at the grand level.” She said.

“Isn’t that more than what most cultivators can reach?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Yes.” She shook her head: “But you had high hopes for me once, I cannot let you down.”

“Cultivation is for your own pursuit, not to live up to someone’s expectation. I didn’t care about whether you would become an immortal or not, but rather, the type of person.” He said.

“I understand, I will keep following the guiding light that is you.” She nodded solemnly.

“To do so requires overcoming temptation.” He said: “The celestial source is right beneath your feet. If you consume it after becoming an immortal, you can surpass more stages.”

“There’s a price.” She understood.

“Of course, this power doesn’t belong to you, it will cripple your dao afterward.” He smiled: “But this stage is still more than most can hope for.”

“If I continue for epochs, there’s a chance I might break this limit.” She said.

“Yes, it is dependent on your dao heart. The limit can be broken.” He said.

“I understand, I know how difficult it is to become an immortal but would still like to take it step by step. My ambition is at the very top, I’ve never forgotten your guidance.” She said.

“Very well, then stay here and train.” He said: “Although this source won’t let you become a celestial immortal, it can help with preparing a great foundation.”

“I shall obey.” She finally stood up: “Sir, this source is left behind by the immortal known as Dusk, right?”

“More than that.” He smiled.

1. I thought she was Mundane Immortal since both of them have the word ‘Fan’, which is mortal or mundane. They are not the same person ☜