Emperor’s Domination

Of course, if Heavenly Crane had been a bad person during his youth, he wouldn’t have been accepted to both academies.

However, he wasn’t satisfied with either and left to seek the dao on his own. He found success and became an emperor, not stopping until the primal level. He was a true cultivator up until this part with no room for criticism.

“I displayed discipline and commitment to the dao, I had no regrets and acted with a clear conscience for the first half of my life.” Heavenly Crane said.

“This can be confirmed.” Ocean-gaze nodded in agreement since he was there due to his long lifespan.

“Thank you for speaking up on my behalf, Fellow Daoist.” Heavenly Crane’s intimidation was replaced by humility and politeness.

Although he was a peak, others imagined him bowing toward Ocean-gaze.

After a brief pause, he said: “My being the first-ranked villain was a matter of circumstance. I fused with the peak and became the lord of the isles. The villains ran here since they had nowhere left to go, I pitied them and took them in.”

“Now you sound like a good guy. The isle was not a place of virtue but an area hiding filth and corruption.” Goldblade shook his head.

“Fellow Daoist Goldblade, you ended up there when you were stuck in a corner. This applied to Devil Emperor as well. I was an old man living in solitude, unaware that the new refugees harbored such great evil.” Heavenly Crane said.

Luosha and Goldblade agreed there was some truth to this. Moreover, they did find safety in Isles of Evil thanks to this primal ancestor.

“I found refuge here, that was true.” Luosha nodded.

“Thank you, Devil Emperor.” Heavenly Crane said: “During my time here as the first-ranked villain, I never did anything evil nor interfered with anyone else. Isn’t that right, Fellow Daoists?”

“Yes, nothing evil, at least less than a bandit such as myself.” Goldblade admitted.

“Right.” Luosha said.

Although Heavenly Crane certainly had evil thoughts, he never did anything during this period. He lived reclusively like a hermit and never commanded the other villains.

“Thank you again. I was a lonely old man and wanted more people to be around before my death. Moreover, I had no control over new visitors.” Heavenly Crane said.

“How convincing, I’m almost starting to believe you. A round of applause is warranted.” Li Qiye clapped his hands.

“Thank you, Sir.” One could imagine Heavenly Crane bowing in gratitude.

“So when it’s all said and done, you are actually a good guy who had never done anything wrong?” Li Qiye asked.

“Well...” Heavenly Crane hesitated for a moment before replying: “No, Sir, I have done something terrible. I wanted a dao companion with impure intentions, wanting to use her as a cultivation cauldron. When I failed, I refined a kingdom into vengeful souls, a truly evil deed.”

“It is something that cannot be forgiven.” He continued: “But I was punished for it, Staff Ancestor shattered my body and soul so I am trapped here, unable to ever leave. This peak is my prison.”

“Do you think your sin has been sufficiently atoned?” Li Qiye smiled.

“I wouldn’t dare to say so.” Heavenly Crane said: “But, if I may ask, the emperors and desolate gods here have spilled blood, which of them has been punished? I’m sure the number of lives lost is considerable.”

“I recall someone wanting to destroy Imperial League and capture three female emperors, what was that about?” Li Qiye stroked his chin.

“Sir, you know I am impotent, I was just putting on an act so that no one would find out.” Heavenly Crane truly went all out to survive.

Others wanted to laugh but couldn’t bring themselves to.

“Imperial League would have been destroyed without my interference.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, Sir, it was my fault again. Thank you for preventing me from committing another great sin.” Heavenly Crane admitted.

Li Qiye chuckled and asked Ocean-gaze’s group: “If that’s the case, tell me, should I forgive this villain?”

They exchanged glances and ruminated. From their perspective, Heavenly Crane was not only a villain but also their enemy.