Chapter 1083: Heavenly Emperor Linâs Background
Jikong Wudi told the venerable: âNo matter what happens or what we have to pay, we have to eliminate Li Qiye.â
This decision had been cemented in his mind. He would pay any price to destroy Li Qiye.
The war for the throne had always been merciless. Even though many of these past competitions were between Emperor Candidates and people said that only those who dared to face their most powerful enemies and overcome them would become emperor, this was not always the case. In fact, for millions of years, there had always been conspiracies and schemes beneath the surface of these wards. Behind these candidates were an abundance of followers and mighty dao protectors.
A lot of brilliant geniuses died pitifully to schemes, ambushes, and assassinations. Only by surviving this cruel war would one become the Immortal Emperor.
More often than not, these despicable means were looked down upon. However, Jikong Wudi couldnât care less about it at this point. In his eyes, after he becomes the Immortal Emperor, the public would stop caring about it later on! Who would actually dare to bring it up at that point?
âLi Qiye⦠I really canât see through you, just how powerful are you, really?â After hearing this news, Lin commented while hellishly training with Zhan Shi.
âVery, beyond our imagination.â Zhan Shi spoke.
Zhan Shi had entered the Heavenly Dao Academy before. Back then, he was a student of the Sacred Era Hall. Although he was not friends with Li Qiye then, he knew full well of his deeds.
Lin movingly spoke: âI think my senior brother will meet a powerful opponent in this generation. If he isnât careful, Iâm afraid he will have to run after suffering defeat.â
âIt seems like Brother Lin is very open-minded.â Zhan Shi told Lin.
âWe are having a heart-to-heart talk, thereâs no need to hide anything.â Lin said: âBrother Zhan, you know my background. Just like you said, I donât mind letting everything go even at this point, itâs not worth mentioning at all.â
Zhan Shi looked at the young man and spoke: âBrother Lin is willing to give up the battle for the Heavenâs Will just like that? Immortal Emperor is something everyone will want as long as they have some ambition in them.â
âThe truth is that I have never thought about competing for the Heavenâs Will or becoming the emperor. This opportunity is not being prepared for me, it is meant for my senior brother.â Lin smilingly said.
âI am not someone who underestimates myself and I see that you are the same way.â Zhan Shi said: âNo matter how powerful your senior brother might be, in my opinion, Brother Lin still has a chance to compete.â
âNo, there is a big gap between us.â Lin gently shook his head: âAt the very least, right now, I have no way of surpassing him.â
Zhan Shi disagreed by shaking his head: âI donât think so. More often than not, the dao heart is more important than talents when it comes to becoming an emperor. Of course, talents are indispensable, but the dao heart is even more crucial. Without a firm dao heart, even the most brilliant talents would only be for show. For ages now, countless great geniuses with weak dao hearts couldnât handle defeat and eventually succumbed to their own inner demon.â
âOnly by courageously treading forward without caring for trials and hardship would one be able to become the emperor.â Zhan Shiâs eyes turned profound as his determination became even more resolute.
He looked at Lin and said: âIn terms of talents, skills, and dao heart, Brother Lin does not lack any of these. You meet the conditions and have the qualifications to compete for the Heavenâs Will.â
âThe sect chose my senior brother, not me.â Lin shook his head: âI will not be the one standing in my sect and my senior brotherâs way.â
Zhan Shi did not agree: âIn my opinion, Brother Lin is not a person who is overly adherent to old ideas, so why do you have such thoughts? Your fate should be up to you alone!â
âI am already very satisfied.â Lin smiled: âEverything I have today was given to me by my sect. If it values my senior brother, I will let him pass and hope that he will not let us down by becoming the emperor.â
Zhan Shi went on: âIf you no longer want to become the emperor, why do you still want to fight Li Qiye? You should quit this game, this path paved with cruelty.â
âThis is my attempt to lend the sect a hand by exploring Li Qiyeâs true worth so that my senior brother can have a better chance.â Lin smiled: âPlus, running without fighting isnât my style! I want to have a real battle against Li Qiye, not losing after one or two moves! I canât accept such a defeat!â
âI canât accept it either.â Zhan Shi didnât wish to dwell on this matter and smiled back: âWho can accept losing to Li Qiye right away without even knowing what happened! No matter what, we have to see what he is really about! Even if we lose, we have to understand the process at the very least!â
âThatâs right, let us work together and give him a good fight.â Lin laughed out loud in a gallant manner.
Zhan Shi laughed loudly as well: âIf we can defeat Li Qiye, then let the two of us compete for the Heavenâs Will in the future!â
âIf such a day will come, then I shall compete as well.â Lin accepted happily the idea. These words were erring on the playful side.
âIf that day comes, Brother Lin, remember that I wonât take it easy on you.â Zhan Shi solemnly said with a firm glare.
Lin laughed heartily in response: âDonât worry, Brother Zhan, I wonât show mercy either. We will fight until the sky collapses!â
Despite his heroic demeanor, Lin gently sighed inside. He knew that that day wouldnât come. It didnât matter whether they could defeat Li Qiye or not, he would concede to his senior brother in the future. The sect had given his senior brother everything, so he couldnât cause trouble for them by standing in his brotherâs way.
After all, his senior brother was the chosen one. He couldnât act so ungrateful towards the sect!
***
Li Qiye and the girls entered the Dark Maxim Palace and continued along the road. Many palaces appeared in their sight.
From the outside, the Dark Maxim Palace seemed to be just one palace, but this was not the case. It was a heavenly grotto with many different palaces inside.
Li Shuangyan and the others felt a suppressive aura. It seemed to be emanating from the palace itself and a different location at the same time.
Eventually, the group came before a huge palace. After entering, the colorful glimmers of treasures were reflected everywhere.
Many different items were displayed inside, ranging from divine metals to immortal steel. Weapons and holy artifacts of all kinds were placed along the palace walls. The shelves collected rare boxes as well.
Outsiders would be driven insane by seeing this. This many treasures could plunge the world into a bloodbath from greed.
Fortunately, Li Shuangyan and the girls were experienced. She and Chen Baojiao had been following Li Qiye, so they were no strangers to treasures. Needless to say about Mei Suyao, she came from the Eternal River School, a lineage with three emperors. It was a place that never lacked treasures.
Bai Jianzhenâs Sword God Sacred Ground was also an imperial lineage, so they had plenty of treasures as well.
âPick your favorite.â Li Qiye smiled: âRemember, each person can only take one item out of the palace, no more.â
After hearing Li Qiye, the girls didnât rush for the treasures. They only carefully looked over everything on display.
âThis is the Devil Lordâs collection. Although the best ones have been taken away by him, there are still many incredible items in here. It is up to you guys to pick the most suitable treasure for yourselves.â
The girls took their time. At this point, their harvest depended on their own luck.
After giving the hint, Li Qiye left for another big palace.
There was nothing else besides a huge painting hanging in the main hall of this palace. It was neither a drawing of a devil king engulfed in evil energy nor the Devil Lord of legends. It was a painting of a monk, or rather, a Buddha.
The Buddhist aura coming from this painting was far-reaching and had a great rhythm. Regardless of how many years had passed, it still emitted a faint Buddhist light. One couldnât see this Buddhaâs face since he was turning his back on all existences while walking to a very, very distant destination.
While looking at the painting, one would think that this Buddha was slowly disappearing before their eyes towards the horizon. But time and time again, he didnât disappear completely as if his journey was especially long and arduous. It was a never-ending trek across millions of years.
âWas this not drawn?â While Li Qiye was quietly admiring this painting, a gentle voice came about.
It was Mei Suyao. She had already picked a treasure for herself. She stood next to Li Qiye and looked at the painting as well. With a natural immortal bone, she had a unique perspective both when picking her treasure as well as looking at this painting.
âRight, it wasnât painted.â Li Qiye smiled and nodded his head.
âA Buddha has imprinted himself in this place.â Her immortal bone could see through the origin. After a careful look, she was startled: âHe left his will in this place, is this his attempt of suppressing the Devil World?â
âYou can put it that way, but it is not to the point of suppressing. To be more exact, he is trying to stabilize the Lesser Imperial Devil World.â Li Qiye explained while looking at the painting.
âIs this the legendary master of the Buddhist Kingdom?â Mei Suyao had to ask.