955 Recruitment
(AN: I would like to remind everybody that the two extra chapters you receive every week are the courtesy of BlackJesus1999.
It's for the Castle Gift he gave a while ago. I promised extra chapters, and I'm delivering. Don't say I did not keep my word and slander me online.)
"Why are you recruiting me, and why am I the thirteenth Emperor? If I remember correctly, you should be the tenth?"
Wang Wei raised his hand to condense a talisman with a bunch of information.
Although he could directly input them into her mind, he still showed her respect, not only because of their former friendship but because of her accomplishments.
Dong Lifen took the talisman and used her Divine Sense to review everything.
"Nine Emperor Curse, Immeasurable Emperor, Heavenly Emperor, Heavenly Court, Twelve Emperor Curse, Balance Mechanism."
As she muttered these key terms, she began to look at Wang Wei with a little bit more awe. Previously, she only thought he was a powerful Eternal Emperor but did not care much. With her current strength, she had absolute confidence to prove the Dao and also become an Eternal.
But now, she understood that her old friend's achievements were even more legendary than hers.
"I guess I should not be surprised since it's coming from you."
She was no longer than the ignorant little girl they met. Over the years, she has traveled far and wide and knew how unique many of Wang Wei's ideas and thoughts were. So, she's not that surprised that someone like that would create miracles and wonders during his cultivation journey.
Dong Lifen took a moment to think about the entire situation, "I owe you and the Dao Opening Sect a great karma for saving my life and taking care of my master."
Although she had not seen her master in nearly a million years, she still remembered her, and Dong Lifen considered her one of the few people close to her heart. As the saying goes, a master-disciple relationship is as strong as any daughter and mother.
"However, it's not enough to just join you.
So, what can you offer me?"
Wang Wei took a sip of his tea; he was not surprised by her words. With Dong Lifen's current achievements, few things could interest her. So, things that any Emperor Lineage could offer, like resources, unique techniques, backup protection, or secret knowledge, she can acquire all of them after proving the Dao.
"It depends on what you want," replied Wang Wei. "What is your pursuit? Do you want to continue the Great Xia Dynasty or have other goals?"
Dong Lifen did not answer him immediately. She looked in the distance, her eyes overseeing the entire dynasty. In an instant, she saw the lives of countless citizens.
"For a long time, I was obsessed with the dynasty, believing it was my duty to make sure it prospers," she uttered in a soft voice.
"However, what happened, I realizedI had long accomplished that goal. Even worse, my ambitions and greed often led my
people to danger."
"So, you've let go?"
"You could say that."
"So, what are you pursuing now?"
"I just want to be happy," she replied calmly.
Wang Wei swirled his tea before taking a sip.
"A simple goal, but not easily achieved."
"Yes," agreed Dong Lifen, looking him in the eyes. "The cultivation world is cruel. Even if I step out from the world, at any moment, someone could come to ruin my happiness."
"So, you need strength to protect your happiness."
Wang Wei resonated with that sentiment; his desire is only to be free from all constraints and fetters. However, his desire opposed the very nature of society, which is full of rules and regulations. So, even back on Earth, his goal could not be fulfilled, let alone the cultivation world that is a million times more complex.
"Do you know the realms after the Great Emperor?" asked Wang Wei.
"I don't," admitted Dong Lifen; one of her weaknesses was her lack of background, so she did not have access to such information. However, it did not matter since changing the situation was one of her agenda after proving the Dao.
"At Tier 11, there are normal Empyreans who can create world and life with a wave of their hands, followed by Everlasting Empyreans who understand their [True Self] and escape the shackles of reincarnation.
"Tier 12, there are Paragons and Boundless Paragons. I don't know much, but in this realm, these beings treat the River of Time like their back garden, and the influence of fate on them reaches the lowest level possible."
Dong Lifen took a moment to savor these words. She could fathom how powerful these realms were just by the short description. So, her eyes showed a look of desire.
"Do you think this is the end?" continued Wang Wei. "Paragons used to be the rulers of the universe until my Ancestor did some world-changing events in the upper
dimension, bringing the world the realm of Half-Step Transcendence."
"Transcendence," muttered Dong Lifen. As she uttered these words, she immediately felt the power contained in them; she had a feeling that all sentient beings, all cultivators, should pursue that single word.
Wang Wei secretly smiled when he saw her reaction, "If you want to protect your happiness, you need strength. I will admit the Dao Opening Sect cannot give you much help in the lower dimension.
However, it's another thing after you ascend.
"After your experience, you should understand how much easier cultivation can be with the correct background."
Dong Lifen greatly agreed with that last statement. As a self-made, successful cultivator, she knew how hard it was without the appropriate background. She was not arrogant to the point she could not admit part of her success was due to the help of her friend before her.
Had he not given her control of the Warring Kingdom World, she did not know what path her life would have taken. But the chances of it being as glorious as now were very small.
"I must say, I'm tempted," said Dong Lifen.
"But I cannot make such a decision lightly."
"If you have any concerns, you can ask me."
She looked at him, "My intuition is telling me you're not telling me everything."
"What do you mean?"
"How do I explain it? I feel like your promise is real, but at the same time, empty inside. I don't understand why I have this sensation."
Wang Wei laughed after hearing this, "Your intuition is correct."
"Oh, is there any secret?"
"The current situation of the upper dimension is not ideal," replied Wang Wei before condensing more information for her. So, Dong Lifen knew about the blockage of the lower dimension, the confrontation between the two suns, and the involvement of the eight parasites.
"How could this be?" she muttered; she did not expect such a drastic thing to happen in the upper dimension. Although she knew little about the place, she also did not expect things to be so bad.
"How is the Dao Opening Sect?" she asked, going directly to the crux of the problem.
"Already caring about your future sect?"
"I see you're as shameless as I remember."
"It's called being thick skin, no, being strategically minded," replied Wang Wei with a smile. "To answer your question, it's probably sealed, not allowing anyone entry or exit."
Dong Lifen nodded, but she became quiet, thinking about what choice to make.
"You don't have to worry about them," added Wang Wei.
"Oh, why do you say that?"
"According to my predictions, True Heavenly Dao will change the time flow rate after I ascend, making the time of the upper dimension pass faster. So, by the time you ascend, I should have taken care of these parasites."
"Destiny?" she asked.
"Yes."
"I thought you would reject such a thing."
"I'm not pedantic," replied Wang Wei.
"These people will stand in my way one way or the other. If I can use Heaven and Earth's help to get rid of them, why not bear the burden of destiny?"
"True," nodded Dong Lifen, analyzing the situation.
'Changing the time flow rate is a good move to prevent the lower dimension from being too affected by this battle.'
If these seven individuals are not dealt with, more Great Emperors from the lower dimension will ascend and get entangled in this messy situation. So, it's best to deal with them as soon as possible and reduce their influence.
"So, what do you think?" asked Wang Wei.
"I am tempted, but I also have reservations."
"Tell me, and we'll see if we can come up with a solution."
"Firstly, I do not know whether I will fit in with the other people of the Dao Opening Sect," said Dong Lifen. "Secondly, there is the issue of trust. I did not grow up in the sect nor show any signs of loyalty. So, will they truly trust me and treat me as their own?"
Dong Lifen knew there was a reason sects accepted young disciples; it's easier to cultivate loyalty and obedience at such an age. But it was different for her.
"These issues are not much of a problem,"
said Wang Wei. "Your master has agreed to become the sect's protector, so you already have a foundation of loyalty.
"Trust can be slowly cultivated. I have a lot of plans, some of which will require a talent like yourself. So, as long as you contribute to the sect, trust will no longer be an issue.
"As for things like betrayal, I'm sure you won't do anything stupid like that."
Dong Lifen's eyes squinted as she understood his meaning. If she betrayed the sect, there wouldn't be a place in the world for her; her fate would be to be hunted down, and if she dared ascend, that would be her end.
"Of course, I also acknowledge your side of the situation," continued Wang Wei. "I promised to leave you with something in case the sect is the one who betrays you."
Wang Wei did not think the members of his sect were infallible. Therefore, he also took into consideration Dong Lifen's perspective.
"In that case, I agree," replied Dong Lifen.
"I admire your decisiveness."
"I wouldn't achieve what I have if I did not have such a trait."
"True," nodded Wang Wei, who felt relieved after hearing the positive answer. Before coming here, he was unsure because he knew Dong Lifen was extremely attached to the Great Xia Dynasty.
Luckily, fate was in his favor.
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