Emperor’s Domination

Now, she found out the abyss looking back at them was Fiendish Ground.

“Why?” Orchid Sage asked.

“To find a successor, but in a unique way.” Li Qiye said.

“A successor? But his mental state wasn’t right.” Orchid said.

He saw Luminous Master being taken over by the evil power. The guy was both lucid yet not - something truly indescribable.

He lent his flute to Creek King, hoping she would be able to use it to suppress the evil. However, his melody couldn’t revert the man to normal.

Creek King was grievously injured and only survived because of the immortal artifact. Orchid had no intention of fighting and fled while carrying her.

“It wasn’t a possession, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Li Qiye said.

“It wasn’t?” Creek King was surprised.

“Times were changing with the death of three immortals and destruction of a redemption ground. Just passing down a legacy didn’t work either.” Li Qiye said.

“Xian Chengtian is an example.” Orchid understood.

“That was one reason. They worried but had to make a change since new immortals were appearing. There was no turning back.” Li Qiye smiled.

Orchid understood these beings were beyond his reach. Becoming a supreme overlord was not enough to contend against them.

He was aware of four immortals dying - the three legendary immortals and Heavenly Sin.

The remaining ones wanted to change but were wary of potential betrayal. Passing down the legacy had ample risks.

Was there a second path? Possession was one plausible answer.

“What else could it be?” Creek King asked again.

“If you think that it was possession, then you are looking down on the redemption grounds and think too highly of yourselves.” Li Qiye said.

“We wouldn’t have been able to bear.” Orchid understood the problem.

“Yes, you all might be strong but not worthy as vessels. Your body would have crumbled like branches.” Li Qiye smiled: “There’s a precondition to this.”

“What is it?” Orchid asked.

“Your willingness.” Li Qiye said: “The willingness to stare into the abyss and find out what’s down there. Otherwise, the abyss wouldn’t just reveal everything. Thus, it was more of a borrowing of power, not possession.”

“Like selling one’s soul to the devil.” Orchid said.

“Close enough.” Li Qiye nodded.

“I understand now.” Orchid understood why Luminous Master’s state of duality - both madness and lucidity.

“Impossible.” Creek King clenched her fists tightly.

Orchid held her hands tightly and comforted her.

“Impossible...” She didn’t want to accept this reality.

It was one thing for Luminous Master to fall into madness due to an evil force. This meant he had no control over his thoughts and actions.

However, he was still clear-headed and knew what he was doing. He knew he was draining his sect members’ vitality and killing his wife.

“In this case, the abyss only gazed back at the willing.” Li Qiye repeated.

She trembled and said: “Maybe the evil power was just too much.”

“Indeed.” Li Qiye nodded: “The evil power became enormous to the point of needing more blood and life forces. That was the only way his grand dao power could endure the influx.”

“No!” She raised her voice.

Luminous Creek was once everything to them. They poured blood, sweat, and tears into the sect for generations. Members included their families and disciples who loved them.

Did Luminous Master plan everything from the start? Was the sect just a way for him to gather enough life force to endure the power of Fiendish Ground?