Emperor’s Domination

The chongming dragon servants became alarmed while watching the flow of worldly essences.

“Immortal Monarch, what should we do? We can’t stop it, the veins are crumbling.” Stone Immortal found them while panicking.

The dragon servants tried to use the world tree to seal essences from escaping. Alas, the maelstrom’s pull exceeded their imagination.

As more energy flowed away, their veins began crumbling and the world tree was next. Without it, how many living beings could survive?

“Go, everyone, run.” The monarch meditated and waved at the servants.

“Where to?” Stone Immortal was shocked.

“Leave Divine Firmament, never return.” The monarch said.

“Our mission is to protect Chong Firmament and the divine beasts.” One servant said.

“No need anymore, Divine Firmament will disappear and none can stop it. Leave before it is too late.” He said.

“If the divine beasts and we all work together, there is still hope...” Another shouted.

“Work together? The divine beasts are not around.” He interrupted before letting out a sigh.

“What?” The servants became confused.

“The grand divine beasts started this.” He told the truth: “They want to survive the calamity and are reaping Divine Firmament to build the strongest fortress with ample resources.”

“...” The dragon servants became frozen, unable to handle reality.

For epochs now, they found pride in serving the sacred divine beasts. Thus, the betrayal inflicted immense psychological harm.

“Impossible... impossible...” Some didn’t accept it despite hearing from the monarch himself.

“Leave now, while you still can. Hurry.” The monarch repeated.

“Go, let’s go.” The overlords and immortals understood what must be done.

Their mental state aside, staying alive was top priority. Some immediately left Divine Firmament while others returned to their home, taking along their family members and disciples.

Of course, these were all overlords and up. As for emperors and ancient ancestors, they had a better chance running alone.

“What about you, Immortal Monarch?” Stone Immortal remained while others scattered like monkeys.

He could run faster than anyone but decided to stay.

“I will be right here.” The monarch sighed: “Old friend, leave, you have accompanied me long enough, thank you for your service.”

“Monarch, you can leave and survive this.” Stone Immortal said, finally realizing why the monarch allowed the young chongming birds to be escorted away.

In that case, he could have left as well. After all, he had more than ample status and power to stay in the new fortress.

“I never thought about leaving this world. If I am powerless to stop its destruction, then I shall go down with it.” The monarch said.

“Monarch...” Stone Immortal murmured.

“Old friend, travel as far away as possible. You are a dragon servant no longer, the mission shall not burden you. The divine beasts are unworthy of your protection.” The monarch said.

“I rather stay with you, let us go down together.” Stone Immortal sat down next to him.

“You have done more than enough, I don’t need your protection.” The monarch smiled and shook his head.

“Monarch, I am no longer the clan master of the dragon servant, so if you don’t mind my lowly background, let me stay with you until the last second.” Stone Immortal said.

“You can still live for a long time.” The monarch said.

“I recall when I was but a beggar living by the river with neither home nor food. You thought highly of me and took me in, teaching me cultivation and changing my fate. I would have died like a stray dog otherwise, so this is not a matter of mission or responsibility, just a final display of gratitude.” Stone Immortal said before prostrating.

“Old friend, I’m sorry for being so weak, unable to change anything.” The monarch raised him and said.

“Hahaha, we’ve lived long enough already.” Stone Immortal laughed.

“I suppose.” The monarch nodded before gazing at Chong Firmament: “I just lament the fact that I can’t do anything for this world.”

“For the living beings, even if they survive today, they won’t survive the incoming calamity. At the very least, they have lived in peace and prosperity in places they can call home.” Stone Immortal said.