Emperor's Domination

The group never expected the once-supreme genius to share so many details regarding his past and cultivation.

Others rarely brought up their failures and insecurities, especially not to strangers and juniors. This could be a sign that his dao heart had improved dramatically.

“From a cocoon to a butterfly, this new dao heart will let you live again and set sail anew for a longer journey, potentially seeing the desired other shore.” Li Qiye said with a smile.

“Thank you for your kind words, Young Noble.” The old man bowed deeply and said: “Failure taught me how much of a fool I was. I took too many shortcuts out of confidence and although this made me the youngest pseudo-emperor, I had to pay the price for it. There is no shortcut to cultivation since the path must be walked eventually.”

“You spent the rest of your life fixing it and it is well done, this is your time.” Li Qiye said confidently.

The old man became emotional since this young noble spoke with so much confidence, seemingly understanding his situation and personality.

“Thank you again, Young Noble. One shortcut required a lifetime to fix but I didn’t waste it. I regret not being courageous and decisive enough back then to start all over. Otherwise, my dao foundation would be even stronger without patches.” He said.

The group admired his tenacity after putting themselves in his shoes. Others could have fallen entirely and not get out of the abyss. Nevertheless, he reflected and realized his follies.

Therefore, he could face the future regardless of the result. Another failure couldn’t stop him.

“Fellow Daoists, you all are also talented.” He told the youths: “Just remember to focus on your dao heart and strengthen it with effort and sweat. Talent is only a supporting tool.”

The group heeded his advice.

“Thank you for the warning, Senior. I will keep it to heart.” They bowed in response.

“Haha, old man, this is all in the past.” Black Witch Monarch patted his shoulder and laughed: “What were you doing occupying this peak?”

The old man smiled wryly and said: “It was a misunderstanding. I was using it as a vantage point to find the source of the earth vein, hoping to find a favorable location for a breakthrough.”

“Haha, looks like you couldn’t. Just leave it to me.” The monarch didn’t know how to spell the word “humility”.

“Can’t you be a little less boastful?” Princess Chen complained.

“Boastful about what? This little task?” He glared at her.

“Let’s go up then.” Li Qiye suggested.

“Please, Fellow Daoists.” Bronze-blade Ancestor became interested as well.

The monarch strolled up the peak but realized something. He stopped and bowed: “After you, Young Noble.”

Li Qiye smiled and shook his head while Princess Chen commented: “Only good at flattery.”

“What do you know, you’ll be copying me later.” The monarch glared at her.

“I would never.” She made a funny face at him.

While watching their banter, Bronze-blade wondered about the relationship between the group members.

They made it to the pinnacle and could see the whole continent. This peak towered above the rest. Other mountain ranges looked tiny in comparison.

“It’s a nice spot.” The monarch praised.

The group looked around and saw no end in sight of this boundless continent. At the horizon, mountain ranges seemed to be one with the sky.

“It’s a new birth.” Bronze-blade said: “Given its healing speed, I believe an earth vein is hidden here. The eruption of worldly energy must have been absurd, the vein might be larger than anything in Old World.”

“Such a large vein is beyond your ability to monopolize.” The monarch joked.

“I dare not even think about it, I only want to find the end and use the energy there to form my dao fruit, that’s all.” Bronze-blade smiled wryly.

“You cannot reach the true end either, only the outer regions.” Li Qiye said with a smile.

“And that would be more than enough.” Bronze-blade said.

“So how do we find the end from here?” Princess Chen asked.

“I’m not the only one trying, many big shots are here including several pseudo-emperors.” Bronze-blade gazed into the distance.

They took a closer look and saw many cultivators soaring above the mountains. Some were ancestors and lords, using their techniques to find the source of eruption.

“This world is nearly connected, it’s not natural.” The monarch said.

“Not natural?” Li Xian became curious. He didn’t notice anything peculiar since he was the weakest here.

Bronze-blade pointed at the distance and said: “I also think there’s a problem with it.”