Dominator Emperor

"I understand what you’re thinking, Young Master," Sikong Toutian said in a low voice, trying to gauge Li Qiye’s thoughts. "Normally, those people wouldn’t have the guts to attack the Celestial Dao Academy, but things are different now."

Li Qiye smiled and said, "Oh? How are they different? Let’s hear it."

Sikong Toutian glanced around before saying, "I hear the Celestial Dao Academy’s Domain God is about to perish. It’s possible the Domain God will be affected by this portal’s opening—not just perishing, but potentially going berserk. Rumor has it there’s something wrong with the academy’s Domain God. It might even go mad and destroy this entire world."

"So, some people want to fish in troubled waters," Li Qiye said with a smile.

"Yes. When the time comes, I’m afraid the Celestial Dao Academy will be too busy to fend for itself. It’ll likely fall into utter chaos. That would be the absolute perfect opportunity to take advantage of the crisis," Sikong Toutian said.

"Are you talking about yourself, or about other people?" Li Qiye glanced at him and said.

Sikong Toutian gave a dry laugh. "How could I have such nerve? Besides, taking advantage of a crisis like that is just for petty thieves. I’ve received a top-secret tip: someone wants to take down the entire Celestial Dao Academy!"

"Swallowing the entire Celestial Dao Academy is no easy matter." Li Qiye knew the academy’s true strength better than anyone; even the foundations of an Ancient Country weren’t as deep as the Celestial Dao Academy’s.

"Exactly. That’s why some people are forming a secret alliance. They’ve already managed to borrow several Immortal Emperor’s Treasures, and they might even bring out an Immortal Emperor True Artifact," Sikong Toutian said in a low voice.

Li Qiye narrowed his eyes. "They must have some serious influence. There are lineages that could gather a few Immortal Emperor’s Treasures, but not many. And mustering several Immortal Emperor True Artifacts would be even harder."

"It would indeed require an extraordinary person to pull this off. I heard a legendary figure has emerged and secretly lobbied several incredible lineages. Some Old Undyings who have been in seclusion for ages are tempted to come out of hiding. I’m afraid this matter doesn’t just involve the East Hundred Cities, but also the Middle Grand Realm, the Western Wilderness, the Southern Red Land, and the Northern Ocean," Sikong Toutian whispered.

Li Qiye rubbed his chin. ’To swallow the Celestial Dao Academy, a single lineage wouldn’t be enough. Even an Emperor Immortal Gate couldn’t devour the whole academy. This would require several major lineages to secretly join forces.’

"A legendary powerhouse." Li Qiye couldn’t help but smile. ’It’s impossible for a legendary powerhouse to appear during the Tough Dao Era. A being like that would have to be an old fossil dug up from its grave!’

"What do you think, Young Master?" Sikong Toutian asked in a low voice.

Li Qiye shot him a sidelong glance and said, "Stay out of the Celestial Dao Academy’s business. Be careful you don’t end up with more trouble than it’s worth. This time, with the academy’s portal opening, you should stick with me. I might have a use for you."

"Well..." Sikong Toutian hesitated for a moment and rubbed his nose.

Li Qiye just smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave. Behind him, Sikong Toutian gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and then shouted at Li Qiye’s retreating back, "If you need me for anything, Young Master, just say the word! I won’t turn you down!"

Only then did Li Qiye stop. He turned around, looked at Sikong Toutian, smiled, and finally said, "Have you returned the medicinal ingredients to Kid Chi yet?"

This sudden question stunned Sikong Toutian for a moment. He then gave a guilty laugh and said, "Heh, to answer your question, Young Master, that kid doesn’t have time for me. He’s been getting real cozy with that girl from the Bao Yun Family lately. They’re all lovey-dovey, stuck together like glue, totally inseparable. Heh, I didn’t want to disturb them."

"Return them," Li Qiye said. "Start with this. I won’t repeat myself."

Sikong Toutian took a deep breath, nodded sharply, and said, "Since you’ve put it that way, Young Master, I will deliver them to him with my own two hands."

Li Qiye said nothing more and turned to leave.

"If you need anything, Young Master, let me know anytime! I’m at the Leisure World Academy!" Sikong Toutian hurriedly shouted at Li Qiye’s back.

Li Qiye wasn’t surprised at all that Sikong Toutian had gone to the Leisure World Academy. The Leisure World Academy was a melting pot where all sorts of people gathered. A kid like him hiding in such a place would surely be like a fish in water.

When Li Qiye returned to the Great World Academy, the courtyard they lived in was quiet and deserted. The beautiful sight of the flock of beauties from that morning was gone.

After Li Qiye returned, Chi Xiaodie quietly prepared things for him to wash up. To this day, she still considered herself his servant, but Li Qiye had never discussed the matter of whether she should stay or go.

"I’m going into the city tomorrow to meet with my friends," Chi Xiaodie said, seeking Li Qiye’s opinion after he had finished washing up.

"A get-together?" Li Qiye asked softly.

Chi Xiaodie quickly explained, "There will be students from the Great World Academy and a few from the Dingshi Academy. They’re all young-generation Cultivators from the Lion Roar Country or neighboring countries. A few are from Imperial Families as well."

"Strengthening your connections." Li Qiye understood and nodded. This was the biggest difference between Chi Xiaodie and Li Shuangyan. If Li Shuangyan was a proud winter plum, blooming defiantly in the snow, then Chi Xiaodie was a belle of the mortal realm.

As the Princess of the Lion Roar Country, Chi Xiaodie’s starting point wasn’t as high as Li Shuangyan’s. In other words, Chi Xiaodie was closer to the smaller sects and clans, while to them, Li Shuangyan was a lofty, unreachable figure.

Chi Xiaodie also needed to socialize with the younger generation from the Lion Roar Country and its neighbors to solidify her country’s position and make new friends for it.

Li Qiye smiled and said, "I’ll go with you."

"Uh—" Chi Xiaodie was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Li Qiye to go with her.

Li Qiye glanced at her and said leisurely, "A cloud of beauties with voices like songbirds. Just like Xiao Niqiu said, all those fair, jade-like legs... it would be a shame not to look. Being surrounded by so many women is a great pleasure. How could I miss an opportunity like this?"

These were lecherous and vulgar words. Coming from anyone else, they would sound like the ramblings of a degenerate. But when Li Qiye said them, the tone was completely different—leisurely and at ease, as if he were discussing romantic poetry. Everything about it seemed so elegant.

Chi Xiaodie was stunned again. She had truly never imagined this side of Li Qiye. Ever since she started following him, her impression of him was that he was profound and unfathomable, as imposing as a mountain, inspiring fear and awe. Sikong Toutian felt it, and even Elder Daoist Peng was wary of him!

Even though Li Qiye was clearly much younger than her, ever since she began following him, she had never seen him as a mere boy. It was as if Li Qiye were a dignified and august sovereign.

This change in Li Qiye left Chi Xiaodie in a daze. This was, once again, a little different from how she had imagined him.

"Alright, stop spacing out. It’s a good thing to go out and relax," Li Qiye said with a laugh. "I’ve been pretty strict with you lately, so just relax for a bit. I’m a young man too, in the prime of my youth, right? How could I not join in on such a lively event?"

Li Qiye also felt a wave of emotion. He had indeed been strict with Chi Xiaodie recently. After returning to the East Hundred Cities, too many past events, too many long-sealed bloody battles resurfaced. Reminiscing about the past couldn’t help but weigh down his heart.

At the same time, it was a case of "tough love." The "love" here, of course, did not refer to romantic love for Chi Xiaodie. Her Chi Family ancestor, the Hundred Battles Divine Emperor, was once a beloved general under his command. Coming to the East Hundred Cities this time and meeting his descendant, Li Qiye hadn’t originally intended to nurture Chi Xiaodie. However, for the sake of the Hundred Battles Divine Emperor’s loyalty back then, he changed his mind. This was what made him so strict with her.

"Okay, I’ll make the arrangements. I’ll introduce you to my friends tomorrow, Young Master." A smile bloomed on Chi Xiaodie’s face. Suddenly, she seemed much more at ease. Even the way she said "Young Master" sounded more natural. Unconsciously, she relaxed. Before this, Li Qiye had been like a stern teacher to her, so much so that she had almost forgotten he was young himself. Now, his words let her feel that youthful energy once more.

"Just be yourself," Li Qiye said with a final smile. "I won’t give you any grand lectures today. Relax your heart and calmly face the Great Dao you must walk alone. I have guided you this far, but your future cultivation still depends on you. I am not your master."

"I understand." Chi Xiaodie took a deep breath, looked deeply at Li Qiye, who was younger than her, and then her face broke into a wide smile.

Li Qiye just smiled and shook his head gently, saying nothing.

The next day, Chi Xiaodie had a gathering with her friends in the city. Although the Celestial Dao Academy was called an "academy," it could in fact be called a nation. It possessed vast territories and even countless cities! Within the Celestial Dao Academy itself, majestic ancient cities still stood, bustling with life.

Chi Xiaodie and her friends gathered joyfully at a restaurant in a city not far from the Great World Academy, having booked the entire floor. Although it was a get-together for Chi Xiaodie’s "friends," there were in fact several dozen beauties present. Most of them hailed from the Lion Roar Country or its neighbors. A few of the female disciples had higher statuses, being a princess of a nation or the successor of a sect, with a status and Dao Practice not far from Chi Xiaodie’s. Aside from the few of them who had entered the Dingshi Academy, the other girls were all from the Great World Academy.

In an instant, the banquet became incredibly lively. The air filled with songbird-like chatter, soft cries, and coquettish pouts. The myriad charms of the beauties were more than one’s eyes could take in.

In terms of beauty, compared to the many other girls present, Chi Xiaodie was second to none. As the "Golden Canary" of the Lion Roar Country, she could be described as a peerless beauty. However, even if the other girls were not quite as beautiful as Chi Xiaodie, each had her own unique charm and was still a feast for the eyes.

A group of girls gathered together, chattering away about all sorts of things. Watching them laugh and chat so merrily, Li Qiye, who sat quietly in a corner, couldn’t help but smile.

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