Emperor’s Domination

“There is something to maintain it.” Li Qiye smiled.

“What?” The old man stared at Li Qiye.

“The world’s judgment.” Li Qiye said.

“Is there such a thing?” He was surprised.

“Yes, and it is reliable.” Li Qiye said.

“First time I’m hearing of it.” He said.

“Of course you do not know because you are not a regular living being and haven’t entered the world.” Li Qiye said.

“Sure, do elaborate.” He said.

“Ask oneself, ask others, ask heaven, and ask earth without shame and hesitation.” Li Qiye smiled.

“That cannot be upheld, too difficult.” He disagreed.

“There is power in life and death.” Li Qiye said.

“What kind of power is that? At the very best, living beings only hold ten to twenty percent.” He said.

“Yet it continues to exist while you and the others are destroyed. What is that?” Li Qiye replied.

“Hmm...” He contemplated.

“Where did the egg come from? How did it give birth to the high heaven and the myriad laws?” Li Qiye asked.

He had no response.

“Why are there nine words and not ten words? Why are you the source of all mysteries but not the source of the high heaven? Where did everything come from, and why were they here?” Li Qiye asked.

“It’s the cosmos that is like an egg.” He said.

“Then where did the cosmos come from?” Li Qiye asked again.

He couldn’t come up with an answer right away.

“Ultimately you were born in the primordial, I wouldn’t need to go further than that.” Li Qiye patted his shoulder.

“I suppose that although the high heaven takes up to seventy percent of the powers, you can still surpass the heaven, it’s truly illogical.” He said.

“The high heaven, the nine words, and living beings, that’s not everything yet.” Li Qiye said.

“That’s a hundred percent, what else is there?” He asked.

“Me, I’m on the opposite side of everything.” Li Qiye said: “Of course, this is conceptual but everything has two sides.”

“If that’s the case, once you leave, there will be no more powers.” He said.

“Don’t forget, the egg didn’t come out of nowhere.” Li Qiye smiled.

“I suppose there are more.” He was the source of mysteries, consisting of four words. Thus, he was capable of incredible deduction.

“Some call them maternal powers. I don’t have a problem with this name but for it to be official, it should be cosmic powers.” Li Qiye said.

“Cosmic powers.” He started calculating at a speed that could make celestial immortals dizzy.

After a while, he said: “There are more than just cosmic powers.”

“Yes, you are finally researching the world and opening your eyes to see all living beings, no longer isolated in your supreme splendorous shell.” Li Qiye said.

“I suppose I never cared enough to look. What should we call them?” He asked.

He was four primordial words combined into Splendor. All in all, he was an existence born at the start of time and never cared about lowly beings. He was different from the celestial immortals, even those who have let go.

He didn’t need to cultivate in the mortal world or cross through any karma, a perfect immortal. If he had taken the time to research the mortals, perhaps he could have reached a higher realm.

“I was not the first to find these things. Others have done so but it was too difficult to get these powers’ recognition.” Li Qiye smiled: “They were given names. For example, World’s Heart, Core of Order, Nest of Life, Source of Wisdom, and more.”

“I see...” He memorized these names: “What are their uses?”

“Yes, but if someone wishes to control them, their potential becomes limited as opposed to autonomy.” Li Qiye said.

“So not useful.” He said.

“What if they are as one, just like at conception?” Li Qiye asked.

“A complete, initial form?” He pondered carefully before blurting: “What are you trying to resurrect?”

“Nothing, I’m just allowing what should return to the true state to do so.” Li Qiye said.

“Wouldn’t that make it your puppet, not necessarily a good thing?” He said.

“I don’t want a puppet since I’m leaving anyway.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Who knows what will happen without your control? Not even the high heaven if it is still around.” He said.

“Don’t worry about it.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“What use is it for then?” He stared skeptically.

“The world’s judgment.” Li Qiye said.

“Like a soul?” He asked.

Li Qiye merely gave a mysterious smile.

“What about us?” He asked.

“Sun, Moon, and Cloud, along with all mysteries, should return to the world in a beautiful state. How does that sound?” Li Qiye asked.

“No need for living bodies in this case.” He understood.

“Of course, the choice is yours, to be Splendor Immortal or to return to being the nine words.” Li Qiye said.

“I understand. I suppose we should be where we are needed. I was not a living being at the start and don’t need to be one, subjected to the vexation of life.” He said.

“Yes, life can be frustrating.” Li Qiye smiled.

“I should disperse and return to the four primordial words.” He said solemnly.

“Then it’s farewell, Splendor Immortal.” Li Qiye replied with equal respect.

“Sir, farewell forever.” He bowed before dispersing into four enigmatic words - Thought, Form, Enlightenment, and Dao.