Dominator Emperor

"OPEN—" Sima Longyun’s expression changed drastically. With a furious roar, he summoned a shield. His Blood Qi flared like a rainbow as his Treasure Shield met Li Qiye’s fist, full of confidence.

BANG! The fist struck the Treasure Shield. THUD, THUD, THUD! Sima Longyun was forced back again and again, his feet stamping deep craters into the ground with every step. With a sharp CRACK, the Treasure Shield in his hand suddenly disintegrated, scattering fragments everywhere.

The entire scene fell silent. All the young paragons present felt a tremor in their hearts. Li Qiye had shattered the Treasure Shield with a single, casual punch. The shock was like a great axe cleaving through their minds. ’Just how domineeringly powerful is his physique?’

"You little bastard, you have no idea who you’ve provoked!" Sima Longyun’s expression was utterly grim. He let out a savage roar, and his Blood Qi instantly billowed forth. In a flash, the dense Blood Qi surrounding him coalesced into a fierce bull. At that moment, Sima Longyun’s entire body was enveloped in a golden radiance, as if he were wearing a suit of Golden Armor!

A gigantic golden bull materialized before Sima Longyun. It shone with a metallic luster, looking as if it had been forged from pure gold.

"MOOO—" With a deafening bellow, the golden bull’s aura surged like a tidal wave crashing against the heavens. Its momentum rolled forward, giving the impression of ten thousand bulls stampeding—a flash flood bursting through a dam!

"The Golden Bull Body!" Seeing Sima Longyun’s vast, primordial aura, the expressions of many young experts in the crowd changed.

"Innate Body Great Success!" someone gasped, muttering in disbelief.

"A petty trick, nothing more." Li Qiye finally turned around, not even bothering to lift an eyelid. He clearly didn’t view Sima Longyun as a worthy opponent. In that same instant, Li Qiye’s Blood Qi surged like a Vast Sea. His Life Palace appeared, a Kunpeng Soaring in the Void, and his Emperor’s Power crashed down like a tidal wave.

The moment they felt the Emperor’s Power, everyone’s expression changed dramatically. Someone cried out, "An Emperor Technique—"

Hearing the words "Emperor Technique," even Sima Longyun’s expression changed. He roared, "KILL—"

BOOM—BOOM—BOOM! In that instant, the Golden Bull charged forward. Its four hooves seemed to trample heaven and earth. Its iron-shod hooves lashed out, fast as lightning, powerful enough to shatter mountains and rivers.

"Get lost." As the Golden Bull charged with its hooves kicking out with immeasurable force, Li Qiye didn’t even bat an eye. He yelled, his arm swinging down like a celestial club. His Prison Suppressing Divine Body was Wudi; a corporeal phantom appeared, crushing down with the weight of a trillion mountains.

BOOM! With a deafening explosion, the charging Golden Bull was sent flying by Li Qiye’s blow. Sima Longyun himself was flung through the air, spitting a mouthful of blood. CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! A series of roars echoed as Sima Longyun smashed through several palace buildings. When he finally managed to crawl out from the rubble of bricks and tiles, he was a complete mess.

This scene left everyone utterly stunned. Sima Longyun, a Prince with a Golden Bull Body at the Great Success stage, had been sent flying by a single arm. His opponent, meanwhile, remained completely nonchalant, as if he hadn’t even considered Sima Longyun a worthy adversary.

Chi Xiaodie’s heart was in turmoil, reeling from the shock, and she couldn’t calm down for a long time. ’All this time, I thought Li Qiye was merely proficient in the Medicine Dao. Judging by his Dao Practice, I never thought he was stronger than me. And yet... he might not make a move often, but when he does, it’s world-shaking.’

Even Chi Xiaodao was taken aback by Li Qiye’s tyrannical power and let out a sharp gasp.

As for the others in attendance, their reactions went without saying. Even Hu Yue’s expression darkened, his tiger-like eyes flashing with a cold, terrifying killing intent.

At this point, Li Qiye couldn’t even be bothered to glance at Sima Longyun again. He turned, a calm and unhurried smile on his face, and said to Chi Xiaodao, "When I slay dragons and butcher tigers, I’ve always been cruel and merciless. Little Saber, take Miss Bao inside the palace first. We wouldn’t want her to get splattered with blood."

Chi Xiaodao instantly understood Li Qiye’s meaning. He immediately led Princess Bao Yun aside and away from the battlefield, which also saved her from being caught in a difficult position.

Hu Yue’s face sank. Just as he was about to move, Li Qiye blocked his path. Li Qiye slowly rubbed his hands together and said nonchalantly, "I believe someone just said they wanted to get my blood on their hands. At this point, it would be a disservice to myself if I didn’t slay a dragon and butcher a tiger."

The entire scene fell silent again as everyone drew a sharp breath. If Li Qiye had said such a thing earlier, everyone would have laughed at him for overestimating himself. But now, a chill ran through their hearts. They all understood: this was not someone to be trifled with.

A cold glint flickered in Hu Yue’s tiger-like eyes, his killing intent palpable. "I don’t care who you are, the East Hundred Cities is no place for you to run rampant! If you’re seeking your own death, then I’ll be happy to oblige! I’ll tear you apart bone by bone with my own hands!"

"Run rampant?" Li Qiye gave a slow, leisurely smile. "Across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, there are truly very few places I wouldn’t dare to run rampant. As for tearing me apart bone by bone... some time ago, there was some old codger, a Great Divine Demon from the Nantian Country, I think. Oh, I almost forgot. I accidentally ground him into a meat paste. I just wonder if your bones are any harder than his."

As soon as Li Qiye’s words fell, everyone present felt their breath catch in their throats. Even though the East Hundred Cities was relatively cut off from news of the Middle Grand Realm, they had all heard of the Nantian Country. And who among them didn’t know that the Nantian Country was, without a doubt, a power that was only stronger, never weaker, than the Tiger Roar Sect!

"Hmph!" Hu Yue snorted coldly and took a step forward. At that moment, a tiger’s roar echoed. He seemed to become the King of Ten Thousand Beasts, commanding all the Fierce Beasts in the world. An aura of primordial beasts washed over the crowd like a tsunami, forcing many of those present to fall back.

"We have all gathered here to discuss the Mysteries of the Great Dao. Why must there be mutual slaughter?" Just then, a voice as pleasant as an Immortal Sound drifted through the air. As the voice fell, it instantly dispelled the murderous atmosphere. The tension in the air eased, like the return of spring to the earth, or a cool breeze in the sweltering summer. Everyone felt their bodies relax and their spirits lift.

The sound washed away the gloom and hostility in everyone’s hearts. It was as if this was an Immortal Sound from Above the Nine Heavens, a melody so beautiful it could linger for days. Even a bloodthirsty butcher, upon hearing this voice, would find their heart becalmed and their anger soothed.

Hearing this voice, Li Qiye nodded. ’This little lass has certainly mastered this Supreme Technique to perfection.’

"Mei Fairy—" Forgetting the battle entirely, everyone turned to look toward the source of the voice.

A woman appeared, seemingly treading on the moonbeams. She wore a snow-white dress, as if draped in moonlight itself. She was ethereal, peerless—a fairy descended to the mortal realm, a divine maiden gracing the world below. Her arrival was a sight that pen and ink could never capture. Her aura was transcendent, as if she were above all mortal concerns. Her bearing was unmatched, like a True Immortal gracing the world of red dust. Her form was perfect; a fraction thinner and she’d be too slim, a fraction fuller and she’d be too plump. Whether in countenance or in figure, she was a beauty rarely seen in this world.

As she walked upon the moonlight, auspicious phenomena manifested. A refreshing breeze blew, making one feel like a parched traveler in the desert who had just stumbled upon a sweet spring. A hundred flowers bloomed, green shoots unfurled their leaves, and ice and snow melted into babbling brooks...

As these visions unfolded, they made one forget the troubles of the mortal world, forget all grievances and disputes. Even the most bloodthirsty killer would feel their heart grow tranquil and peaceful in her presence.

The atmosphere was incredibly infectious. Even Hu Yue, who had been about to settle his score with Li Qiye, found his anger dissipating. He merely shot Li Qiye a cold snort before his gaze fell upon the woman, unable to look away.

"Mei Fairy," someone murmured. Seeing her arrive upon the moonlight, countless people were instantly captivated. Even the noble ladies, the so-called Golden Branches and Jade Leaves, couldn’t help but feel outshone.

In terms of both Dao Practice and beauty, Chi Xiaodie was a Heavenly Pride Girl. She was not one to think little of herself, but upon seeing Mei Suyao, she couldn’t help but sigh, acknowledging her own inferiority.

"All you accomplished individuals have gathered here today to discuss the Mysteries of the Great Dao." With her otherworldly grace, Mei Suyao resolved the conflict with a single sentence. She was truly a formidable woman.

Mei Suyao took her seat, and everyone else followed suit. They focused their minds, their expressions turning solemn as they prepared to listen respectfully. For any Cultivator, hearing Mei Suyao lecture on the Dao was a great stroke of fortune. Many had achieved enlightenment after hearing her speak in the past.

"Suyao will now offer her humble views. If there are any inadequacies in my words, I hope you will all correct me," Mei Suyao said, sitting with the peerless grace of a fairy.

"The Dao Source is the original heart. It is the Source of Heaven and Earth, the root of all things..." Mei Suyao began her lecture. Her voice was enchanting, and as it fell upon their ears, it sounded like a divine pronouncement—unforgettable, as if it could linger for an eternity.

Mei Suyao began her lecture, explaining the profound in simple terms, moving from the simple to the complex and back again with ease. As she reached the most profound points, incredible phenomena manifested. Illusory flowers rained from the sky and an Earth-Surging Golden Spring appeared. It was as if an Immortal King was personally bestowing the Dao, as if ancient sages were cheering, as if a Saint Buddha’s Zen Chant was echoing through the air...

Countless listeners were completely captivated, intoxicated by her words. Many of the younger generation, hearing Mei Suyao’s explanation of the Dao’s mysteries, suddenly found clarity. Aspects of the Great Dao that had always perplexed them were suddenly illuminated, and everything clicked into place. Many entered a state of Divine Travel in the Void, lost in the profundity of her lecture. Even a figure like Hu Yue listened in a fascinated trance.

Li Qiye sat in a corner, listening intently to a portion of Mei Suyao’s lecture. He nodded to himself. ’To comprehend such Mystical Meaning at her age is truly remarkable. The Long River Sect has done well to cultivate such an heir. This girl is indeed worthy of her Innate Immortal Bone. Possessing a Forehead Immortal Bone... such a peerless advantage is something other so-called geniuses could never hope to match.’

’With a Forehead Immortal Bone, with such a supreme gift, all Ten Thousand Techniques become simple, and all of the Wan Dao seem ordinary. For someone with that kind of talent, it would be difficult *not* to be Heaven-Defying.’

After listening for a short while, Li Qiye rose silently and drifted away. He had no more interest in the lecture. Instead, he ventured deeper into the Imperial Palace, taking in the beautiful night scenery.

As far as Li Qiye was concerned, his purpose in coming to the Imperial Palace wasn’t to hear Mei Suyao’s lecture, but to back up Chi Xiaodao. Now that he had created an opportunity for him, he had little interest in the lecture itself. And so, he simply strolled into the night, admiring the beautiful scenery in the depths of the Imperial Palace and enjoying the hazy moonlight.