Chapter 2281 - 2278: The Method of Becoming an Emperor

Boom!

As Ye Xuan reached the end, a bloodstained hand large enough to grasp him appeared out of thin air, reaching fiercely towards him.

But just as the bloodstained hand was about to touch Ye Xuan, it suddenly halted.

"Your opportunity has come."

Ye Xuan said casually.

The bloodstained hand slowly receded, clearing the path.

Ye Xuan stepped forward, walked out of the end.

What met his eyes was the boundless blood sea boiling.

And in that fierce blood sea, countless blood hands were floating and sinking.

At the center, blood hands piled up into an enormous, tightly clenching fist.

As if venting anger to Heaven.

"You came."

A deep and low voice transmitted from the blood sea, carrying an overwhelming stench of blood towards Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan didn’t make any movement, that power naturally dispersed.

"Have you decided yet?"

Ye Xuan said, eyes indifferent, neither rushed nor slow.

The enormous blood fist trembled, then a voice came forth: "I don’t trust you."

Ye Xuan grinned faintly, calmly said: "After all this time given for consideration, is this your answer?"

The blood hand shook again.

Yet the blood sea was extremely silent.

Appearing exceptionally eerie.

After a moment.

The voice rang again: "Alright."

Ye Xuan’s smile gradually grew indulgent as he turned to leave, not looking back, saying: "Wait."

The enormous blood hand no longer clenched tightly into a fist, but suddenly opened, dispersing into individual blood hands falling into the blood sea.

The blood sea gradually calmed, and those blood hands sank to the bottom.

The scarlet sea surface had no waves.

Yet below the pitch-black seabed, there seemed to be massive bizarre beings writhing.

......

Ye Xuan turned and left this forbidden land.

Not long after, he met the old Daoist Xu Dengxian and the ascetic monk.

Seeing Ye Xuan return, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Ye Xuan didn’t say much.

Neither did they inquire further, following Ye Xuan to leave this eerie forbidden land.

After walking out of the forbidden land, the old Daoist and the ascetic monk both let out a deep breath.

That ghostly place, no matter how many times they visited, still made them feel uneasy.

Far too uneasy.

"Emperor Ye..."

After exiting the forbidden land, the old Daoist Xu Dengxian followed behind Ye Xuan, seeming to want to speak.

"There is no longer a need to guard this place."

Ye Xuan sat by the cliff, gazing at the vast East Sea, speaking softly.

"Eh?"

The old Daoist Xu Dengxian and the ascetic monk both paused, then looked at Ye Xuan, bowing their heads, saying: "Forgive us, Emperor Ye."

Ye Xuan waved his hand, saying: "Misunderstood, this place will open in the future, the seal need not be reinforced."

"Ku Xing will return to Spirit Mountain to watch over this world."

"Xu Dengxian will follow me back to Xuanhuang."

"Such a significant event as the Luotian Grand Jiao, you, being a Daoist Ancestor, do at least make an appearance, else what will it look like?"

Hearing this, the two were astonished.

They thought it was due to negligence in duty and Emperor Ye was angry.

"Emperor Ye, is this place... really fine?"

The ascetic monk asked worriedly.

The current Western Heaven Great World has already been cleansed, and is in need of restoration.

If the monsters of this place were to escape, they would surely bring chaos to the Western Heaven Great World.

The old Daoist Xu Dengxian also looked at Ye Xuan, with some confusion.

Just when entering the forbidden land, didn’t Emperor Ye say that the beings suppressed here could casually kill the two of them?

"No problem." Ye Xuan nodded slightly.

"Well then... this humble monk will first return to Spirit Mountain, Emperor Ye, Benefactor Xu, I will take my leave."

The ascetic monk was straightforward, not wasting further words, and took his leave.

The old Daoist Xu Dengxian waved his hand.

For this longtime companion he had shared the watch with, he held affection.

As the ascetic monk left, East Treasure Cliff was left with Ye Xuan and Xu Dengxian.

Xu Dengxian felt a bit bored, fiddling with a purple orchid by the cliff.

This purple orchid blooms annually.

With each bloom comes an aromatic fragrance.

Xu Dengxian pondered whether to take some back?

After all, they were returning to Xuanhuang Earth State.

Xu Dengxian looked at Emperor Ye and found him gazing off into the East Sea.

He followed suit, looking at the East Sea.

There are also dragons in this East Sea.

However, most have been tamed by the Buddhist sect, becoming Buddhist Heavenly Dragons.

It seems quite enjoyable.

Actually, it cuts off the path to becoming True Dragons.

The old monk had often told him before, there are some things the Buddhist sect does quite incorrectly.

Indeed incorrect.

"Xu Dengxian."

At this moment, Xu Dengxian heard Emperor Ye calling him, returned to his senses, leaned closer to Emperor Ye, and softly said: "Yes, Emperor Ye?"

Ye Xuan faced the sea breeze, squinted his eyes, and asked: "How long have you stayed here?"

Xu Dengxian thought for a moment and replied: "About six to seven million years?"

He and the old monk were both from the Middle Ages era, even older than the Heavenly Dragon Emperor’s ascendance.

Yet neither of them bore Heaven’s Will.

Nor did they leave an imperial title.

For this was Emperor Ye’s command.

As subordinates of Emperor Ye, they simply needed to follow orders.

"Do you know why I didn’t let you bear the Heavenly Destiny back in the day?"

Ye Xuan asked with a smile.

Xu Dengxian shook his head and said, "If Emperor Ye says so, there must be your reason behind it. I just follow Emperor Ye’s lead."

Ye Xuan glanced at Xu Dengxian and said slowly, "I know both you and Ku Xing have doubts, but I’m too lazy to explain to Ku Xing. As for you, now you can know."

Upon hearing this, Xu Dengxian’s eyes brightened.

Although he said so verbally, this doubt had been lingering in his mind for millions of years.

After all, he and the old monk both became Emperors back then, and no matter what, they could dominate an era and start an imperial undertaking.

But due to one order from Ye Xuan, they both hid in the darkness and missed out on many things.

If there’s never an answer, he couldn’t get past this barrier in his heart.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have stood by when the Western Heaven Great World interfered with the Five-Colored Sky Covering Cloth.

Ye Xuan leaned back slightly, lay on the ground, with both hands behind his head, gazing at the sky.

Those pitch-black eyes were extraordinarily deep.

Ye Xuan slowly began speaking, "Let me talk to you about the method of becoming an Emperor."

Xu Dengxian’s expression turned solemn, and he sat upright: "Listening carefully."

Ye Xuan said slowly, "From ancient times till now, hardly anyone knows there are three methods of becoming an Emperor."

"The first is the one known to people: bearing the Heavenly Destiny and initiating an era."

"This method is common for all who become Emperors."

"After becoming an Emperor, if one hasn’t borne the Heavenly Destiny, the gap between the two will be very apparent. In All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, when the two face off, the one who bears the Heavenly Destiny will always remain undefeated."

"Whereas those who haven’t borne the Heavenly Destiny, even if they become Emperors, will lack a force of a Great Emperor, thus they aren’t opponents of the bearer of the Heavenly Destiny."

"This point, surely both you and Ku Xing have sensed."

Xu Dengxian nodded repeatedly at these words.

Indeed, as Emperor Ye said!

Back then, after becoming Emperors, he and Ku Xing the old monk didn’t bear the Heavenly Destiny, much like the Double Emperors from ninety thousand years ago.

But sensing the moment the Heavenly Dragon Emperor bore the Heavenly Destiny, they knew that if they emerged, even joined forces, they’d likely not be a match for the Heavenly Dragon Emperor.

Looking at Empress Changxi and Emperor Mu from ninety thousand years ago, when they emerged in the Heavenly Domain, they could definitely contend with the Heavenly Dragon Emperor.

"Ultimately, in such circumstances, they can hardly be considered true Great Emperors, only pseudo-emperors."

Ye Xuan continued, "Whether it’s you and Ku Xing or those two traitors from ninety thousand years ago."

"Traitors?!"

Xu Dengxian suddenly froze, looked surprised, and said, "Could it be that the two are..."

He didn’t finish his sentence.

But he understood.

Those so-called Double Emperors were also taught by Emperor Ye!

Ye Xuan didn’t dwell on this topic, continuing, "Such pseudo-emperors have been numerous throughout history, though most began competing for Heavenly Destiny at the Quasi-Emperor Realm."

"During the battle for Heavenly Destiny, the victor usually becomes an Emperor with full momentum, simultaneously bears Heavenly Destiny, reaching the peak state."

"The loser exits the stage of history."

Ye Xuan paused and then continued, "The second method is to control Heavenly Destiny."

"Control Heavenly Destiny?"

Xu Dengxian murmured, suddenly remembering something, quickly stated, "Is it what Emperor Ye refers to as controlling Heavenly Destiny according to one of the Confucian Three Emperors from the Ancient Times, Emperor Xun?"

Ye Xuan slowly closed his eyes, smiling slightly: "He is also my disciple."

Xu Dengxian was instantly stupefied, looking at Emperor Ye who lay there with a smile, suddenly finding him extremely unfamiliar.

Even though he belonged to Emperor Ye, he never truly understood Emperor Ye, only knowing him as the genuine Governor of the Revenge Lineage.

In the Ancient Times...

There were disciples of Emperor Ye back then?!

So how long, exactly, has Emperor Ye lived!

Xu Dengxian had absolutely no idea.

Ye Xuan continued, "Controlling Heavenly Destiny to use it is the second method of becoming an Emperor; this method is ten thousand times harder than bearing Heavenly Destiny!"

"Emperor Xun was the first to exist to control Heavenly Destiny and make use of it."

"Emperors formed by this method have strength far surpassing those formed by bearing Heavenly Destiny."

"In the Ancient Times, following Emperor Xun’s era, the Douzhan War God Emperor ascended by this method, acclaimed for unparalleled offensive strength, unmatched in battle prowess. He did not compete for Heavenly Destiny, yet slew numerous bearers of Heavenly Destiny and set the stage for the Douzhan Era he founded."

"Oh, by the way."

Ye Xuan suddenly laughed, as if recalling something amusing, "The Douzhan War God Emperor is a monkey."

Xu Dengxian opened his mouth, not knowing what to say momentarily.

Because the things Emperor Ye talked about entirely surpassed his imagination and knowledge.

He had no idea that becoming an Emperor had so many considerations.

Even less did he know that the Douzhan War God Emperor, famed for unmatched battle prowess, was, astoundingly, a monkey.

"And the last method of becoming an Emperor is neither controlling Heavenly Destiny nor bearing the Heavenly Destiny, but suppressing Heavenly Destiny!"

"This method is also the most unbeatable path to becoming an Emperor."

"Throughout the river of history, fewer than ten people have walked this path."

Ye Xuan revealed all three methods of becoming an Emperor.

Xu Dengxian’s mouth was agape, somewhat unable to comprehend: "Not controlling Heavenly Destiny but suppressing Heavenly Destiny?"

Ye Xuan sat up, twisting his neck leisurely and said slowly, "Those who follow this method emphasize their own invincibility, not requiring Heavenly Destiny."

"Just like the Great Sage Realm, one can become an Emperor by following the path of an Invincible Great Sage or cut off by following the path of a Supreme Great Sage."

"Of course, wanting to suppress Heavenly Destiny without bearing or controlling Heavenly Destiny demands strength."

"Historically, many knew of this method but didn’t succeed; ultimately, they couldn’t control Heavenly Destiny nor bear Heavenly Destiny, only existing as pseudo-emperors."

"Naturally, those who didn’t succeed mostly died while attempting to suppress Heavenly Destiny."

"After all..."

"Heaven’s Will, Heavenly Destiny—it’s not anyone’s to suppress."

Ye Xuan smiled calmly, as if narrating something extraordinarily mundane.

Xu Dengxian was greatly shaken.

Ye Xuan’s insightful revelations disclosed to him unspoken secrets of the world, broadening Xu Dengxian’s horizon.

It turns out that even as an Emperor, he’s still a frog at the bottom of the well.

"So then..."

Gradually returning to himself, Xu Dengxian’s eyes gleamed with sharp light, saying, "Emperor Ye didn’t permit us—the humble way and the old monk—to bear Heavenly Destiny back then, aiming for us to take the latter two paths?"

Ye Xuan glanced at Xu Dengxian, chuckling, "You can at most take the second method; forget about the third one."

Xu Dengxian scratched his head, laughing, "That’s still better than bearing Heavenly Destiny, isn’t it."

Ye Xuan stood up, "Before that, follow me back to Xuanhuang. If the Luotian Grand Jiao fails, your path will also break."

Xu Dengxian also stood up, and upon hearing Ye Xuan’s words, immediately became serious, "If anyone dares to obstruct the initiation of the Luotian Grand Jiao, I will make them pay with blood."

Ye Xuan looked at Xu Dengxian with a peculiar face, "When the Five-Colored Sky Covering Cloth was being blocked in the Western Heaven Great World, didn’t you and Ku Xing thoroughly enjoy watching the spectacle?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Dengxian’s waist unconsciously bent, chuckling wryly, "That’s because we didn’t know..."

(ps: Two Chapters merged into one)