Emperor’s Domination

pitiful.” The old man smiled: “You know what you are doing but how many give a damn? Most are afraid of you, some revile and despise you, a savior who blew himself up.
You get nothing for your sacrifice.”

“Don’t pity me, I’m only doing it for myself.
Buddha and the dao, all I seek is the dao.
If I become the Buddha, that’s merely ancillary.
Plus, I’ve never claimed to be the savior.
Those who do usually destroy their own world eventually.” Li Qiye stared at the old man.

“Believe what you want.” The old man responded: “Even if you were to eliminate the villainous heaven, the inhabitants of the world will fear you instead.”

“The same way everyone fears the villainous heaven now, that’s fine.” Li Qiye chuckled.

“In a way, the villainous heaven is pitiful as well.
Standing at the apex for countless epochs now, understood by no one.” The old man nodded.

“Really now?” Li Qiye looked up at the endless azure, thinking about an eternal existence that has been watching the myriad worlds.

***

Suddenly, a ship appeared above Imperial Attendant City, looking like a colossal fortress.

“What is that?!” The inhabitants beneath became startled.

“Sea Conch!” An expert recognized it right away.

“No, it’s Tang’s Emporium now.” A big shot from the last generation said.

Back in the courtyard, Li Qiye also looked up at the ship.

“Sea Conch was its old, old title.
Boss Tang bought it and changed its name.” An ancestor commented.

“Tang’s Emporium? What a strange name for a ship.” A youth said.

“Boss Tang has an eccentric personality.” A senior shook his head.

“Rumble!” Thirteen bejeweled thrones appeared and floated in an arc in front of the ship.

“The auction shall commence in three days.” A lazy-sounding voice came from the ship.

“Another auction?!” This started an uproar throughout the city.

“Boss Tang is starting an auction soon!” This news spread swiftly across all four alliances, Lesser Firmament, Azure Peak, and Pure Land…

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this, more than ten thousand years now.” One powerful cultivator said.

Meanwhile, great existences in these powers stood up and opened their eyes.

“The greatest merchant is on the move again.
What will be the prize?” An apex existence woke up from her slumber and murmured.

“We must have one of the thrones.” Everyone focused on the thirteen thrones.