Chapter 502 - 430: Great Dominator, True Dominator, Golden Eagle

The entire Primitive Ancient Forest had been shaken. An unprecedented tide of Great Demons had been on the verge of charging out to slaughter the Demons, but even after paying a terrible price, they failed to overwhelm them. The Primitive Ancient Forest was left gravely wounded, and the Chaos Bloodlines retreated back into the depths to recuperate.

Of course, the Demons also paid a heavy price in that war. But they were not annihilated and remained tenacious. Overall, their losses were nowhere near as great as the sacrifices made by the Primitive Ancient Forest. A Demon Emperor drew a line between the two realms, forging a pact between the Primitive Ancient Forest and Demon City.

After that, the Chaos Bloodlines no longer ventured out, and the top-tier Demons no longer came in. However, some of the weaker Demons still invaded the Primitive Ancient Forest every year. And the Demon Race, never united, were constantly oppressed and slaughtered.

It was a one-sided situation. The Demon Race in the outer regions suffered immensely. Almost every month, a large number of Dominator Level beings died. Wild Ape still felt a lingering fear from it.

Yes, Wild Ape had encountered a Demon once. He could only say that he was lucky its target hadn’t been him, but a neighboring Dominator instead. Otherwise, he would have been the one to die back then.

’That feeling of terror is something I can never erase. The horror of the Demons is ingrained in my very soul.’ His greatest hope now was to pray that the Demons wouldn’t venture this deep again. Otherwise, everything would be over.

But then he’d heard that the Demons had actually suffered a setback at Tai Lake, a wondrous feeling of surprise that was forever etched in his memory. At the same time, he knew that Tai Lake didn’t really protect the Demon Race. There, Dominator Level beings were nothing more than food. This only made him even more fearful!

There were even faint legends among the Demon Race that the Tai Python of Tai Lake might be a tier stronger than the Chaos Bloodlines deep within the Primitive Ancient Forest. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for it to defend its territory.

Naturally, Tai Lake became known as a meat grinder, striking terror into the hearts of countless members of the Demon Race. No one dared venture there. Even some extremely powerful Dominators, coveting the Treasures of Heaven and Earth, had met their end in that place.

’Yes, there are ranks among Dominators. A Dominator like me has actually only just begun to comprehend how to use Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm. Right now, I’m at the Early Stage of this Realm... you could barely call me a lesser Dominator.’

’Once you advance further to the Middle Stage, you become a Great Dominator. And if you can reach the late stage and comprehend a purer method of commanding Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm, you can be called a True Dominator—someone who can command millions upon millions of living beings.’

’You can’t underestimate a True Dominator. They’re nothing like an ordinary Dominator. They can genuinely make all of us lesser Dominators band together, united by our fear of them.’

’Yes, a single True Dominator is like the central hub for several other Dominators. The only reason I know so much is because there is a True Dominator right here in the outer region of the Primitive Ancient Forest. That being is the absolute ruler of this area. Countless lesser Dominators and Great Dominators must obey their commands.’

’If anyone is stubborn enough to act on their own, refusing to pay respects and submit to that True Dominator, only death awaits them.’

’In this vast outer region of the Primitive Ancient Forest, disobedient Dominators are not permitted to exist. If you want to be a Dominator, you must submit to the True Dominator. The same goes for Great Dominators. You think you can become a Great Dominator just because your Realm is high enough and your territory is big enough?’

’No, that’s not it at all. Never mind the fact that breaking through Realms is incredibly difficult; even if you did, could you really be stronger than the True Dominator? That being decides life and death with a single word. They can dominate the fate of anyone they wish!’

’Besides, while there’s a direct link between a Dominator and their territory, and most powerful Dominators possess vast lands, a True Dominator’s own active territory isn’t actually that large. Even if they remain idle, all other Dominators must keep their territories hundreds of miles away.’

’Yes, everyone fears the True Dominator. A being like that... creatures at the Opening Spirit Veins Realm aren’t even worthy of knowing they exist. They’ve only ever heard the term "Great Dominator," but they have no idea who is a Great Dominator and who is a lesser one. It’s a classic case of not being able to see the forest for the trees.’

But now, Wild Ape sensed that Jiang Qiu’s origins were anything but ordinary. "Although I don’t know where Tai Lake is," he said, "I can tell you who does."

’Yes, he’s a True Dominator from another region of the Primitive Ancient Forest!’

’There are a few True Dominators in the outer regions of the Primitive Ancient Forest. Very few. Compared to the tens of thousands of Great Demons at the Opening Spirit Veins Realm and the so-called Dominator Level beings, they are truly the Peak of the outer regions.’

’Every single one of those beings is terrifying. A single roar could instantly kill countless creatures. After all, that’s a gap of two whole major Realms!’

Of course, the reason he suspected Jiang Qiu was a True Dominator was because that was the limit of his own perspective. He didn’t know any other True Dominators; the only one he was aware of was the one ruling directly above him.

’But I know he’s no simple character. That bloodline aura is terrifying... he clearly has an extraordinary background. As long as he’s not here to kill me, it’s best to just be patient and tolerate it.’

So, he told Jiang Qiu about the True Dominator he had been thinking of—the one ruling over him. "The True Dominator, Golden Eagle, is the True Lord above all other Dominators in this area. He knows of matters outside the Primitive Ancient Forest. If you need something, you can ask him. I truly don’t know where Tai Lake is."

’I just hope this expert leaves my territory and goes to find the True Dominator. I can’t have him staying here... the pressure is just too much.’

’I don’t want to get involved with an expert of this caliber. Nothing good ever comes from it.’

’The strong are born to bully the weak. Instances of the strong devouring the weak are everywhere. I know that even though I seem like a Dominator of this land, in the eyes of Great Dominators and True Dominators, I’m nothing special.’

’It’s just like how I see that bear—a mere creature at the Middle Stage of Opening Spirit Veins. Normally, I wouldn’t pay it any mind. But if a problem arose, or if I needed it for my Cultivation, I’d just eat it.’

’Yes, when necessary, even a being at the Opening Spirit Veins Realm can become my food. This is a Cultivation Technique I comprehended back when I was at the Opening Spirit Veins Realm. Of course, I rarely have to do it. My own exploration of my Realm isn’t deep enough yet, so I can’t extract abundant Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm from the bodies of Great Demons at the Opening Spirit Veins Realm.’

’But this also gives me a good idea of how a Great Dominator, or even a True Dominator, must see me.’

’Just an ant.’

’So, I absolutely must not get involved with a being like that. There are only downsides, no benefits.’ The facts proved him right. Jiang Qiu had indeed come here looking for a meal.

Getting the information was just an unexpected bonus. For now, however, Jiang Qiu felt Wild Ape’s attitude was acceptable, so he didn’t make things difficult. After asking where he should go to "pay a visit," he learned a bit more about the local situation.

Now, Jiang Qiu understood that above lesser Dominators were Great Dominators, and above them, True Dominators. A True Dominator was essentially the pinnacle of power in the outer regions of the Primitive Ancient Forest. They were extremely few in number, commanded millions of beings, and were exceptionally powerful.

Wild Ape didn’t know exactly how powerful they were; he was simply terrified on an instinctual level. He said that when he faced the True Dominator, Golden Eagle, he trembled uncontrollably as the very Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm around him surged.

’It seems the Realm of a True Dominator is quite high. They’ve likely already begun to mobilize Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm with great effect. In other words, they could probably threaten my physical body.’

’So, for now, I’ll focus on improving my own strength. I’ll investigate this Golden Eagle first, then decide what to do.’

Meanwhile, Xiong Batian, who had overheard all these secrets from the side, felt his entire worldview shatter. He never would have imagined that a Dominator Level being could be so afraid of other creatures, or that there were so many more powerful beings ruling from above!