Chapter 900: Chapter 121: Emperor? Not at All!
Li Guanyi looked at the little Qilin with interest, keeping the matters of the Flame Mountain in the Western Regions in mind. Over there, the Ancient Red Dragon handed the [Four Seas Hidden Spirit Pearl] to the Fire Qilin, then looked at Li Guanyi and said, “This item has finally returned to its rightful owner.”
“When you enter the Western Regions, pay attention. If it transforms into the Fire Earth Qilin, come seek me, and I will personally guide it through the path of water and fire.”
“As for you…”
The Ancient Red Dragon gazed at Li Guanyi and said, “Having practiced the ‘Emperor’s Divine Skill,’ have you ever wondered why these skills, once renowned in their time, are not the strongest in later generations?”
Li Guanyi indeed harbored some doubts.
Whether it’s the ‘Red Dragon Power,’ ‘Mountain Shattering,’ or ‘Breaking Mountains,’ they are undeniably strong. However, they are only comparable to the martial skills of General Xue or slightly surpassing his inherited level, not enough to establish a great legacy.
The Ancient Red Dragon spoke slowly: “Because their era has passed.”
Li Guanyi, thoughtful, asked, “Era?”
He had a slight realization, and his expression changed slightly.
The Ancient Red Dragon said, “You’re correct in your speculation. ‘Emperor’s Divine Skill’ has the characteristics of its era. Or rather, ‘Emperor’s Divine Skill,’ [Qi Fortune], [Divine Weapon]—these three are indispensable. Only when the three are combined does it form the true [Absolute Skill].”
“Like my friend, the [Red Dragon Suppressing Nine Provinces] skill, [Chi Xiao Sword], and [Red Emperor Legend] combined allowed him to reach the pinnacle of that era, even with just the foundation of a Grandmaster, yet exhibiting power not inferior to Martial Arts Legends.”
“Like Emperor Chen Wu from Chen Country three hundred years ago.”
“The Chen Family’s Absolute Skill, the Chen Family’s Divine Weapon Armor, and those massive achievements all combined. With the Emperor’s Martial Arts, as the era gradually changed, the descendants no longer had such overwhelming Qi Fortune. Even if they wielded the Divine Weapon and practiced the forebears’ cultivation techniques, they could not reach their level.”
Li Guanyi frowned slightly and asked, “[Qi Fortune]?”
The Ancient Red Dragon coiled in the void, its gaze fixed on Li Guanyi: “The Qi Fortune of the people, the Qi Fortune of the world, is the Emperor’s Destiny. The multitudes of people, territories spanning thousands or even tens of thousands of miles—the so-called momentum of the Dragon and Tiger contention.”
“It’s the Emperor’s Qi Fortune, entering the game alone, stirring the Qi Fortune of heaven and earth.”
“Then gathering this Qi Fortune upon one person.”
“Internally with the [Emperor’s Divine Skill], externally with the [Emperor’s Divine Weapon], merging into one, reaching the heavens above and the earth below.”
Li Guanyi suddenly understood why Chen Dingye and Jiang Wanxiang both possessed decent martial skills, yet the martial arts of the Central Red Emperor’s lineage diminished with each generation. They all practiced the Emperor’s Secret Skill, closely tied to their territories and the lives of the people under their rule.
The Ancient Red Dragon said, “The people’s Qi Fortune is forged onto one person.”
“It can form an immense momentum, overwhelming any ordinary man; this is the Emperor’s Divine Skill. Throughout your journey, I’ve observed, hidden among the clouds. Now, you have the Jiangnan region, over two thousand miles of territory, a population of more than a million households. Every action you take has already stirred the great momentum and storm of the world.”
“And you possess the Divine Weapon.”
“I once made a pact with you, initially to protect the life of Murong Longtu. I failed in the end, and I indeed owe you. Thus, I can help you, assist you combining the Divine Weapon, the Qi Fortune of the people, and the great momentum of Jiangnan into one.”
“To help you forge your own path.”
“Create, what belongs to your own ‘Emperor’s Divine Skill.'”
“If I’m not mistaken, with this surging momentum, forging your own path will prove more effective than rulers like those of Central State, Ying Country, or Chen Country who practice the predecessors’ magic skills. You are at the initial state of the Fifth Layer Heaven, and with a single breath, you can stride through the Fifth Layer Heaven and the Sixth Layer Heaven.”
“In time, as your territories expand and your population grows.”
“Leveraging the Qi Fortune of the people, breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm becomes simple.”
“And should you achieve the Unification of the World, utilizing this great momentum and Qi Fortune, possessing martial prowess not inferior to a Martial Arts Legend is not entirely impossible.”
The Ancient Red Dragon solemnly promised.
At such a level of cultivation and insight, when it opens its mouth like this, it’s not a joke. It’s truly believed that practicing the Emperor’s Divine Skill can help Li Guanyi break through barriers, perhaps even stepping into the realm of power that has entrapped countless talents.
Although it would only be legendary power, not the realm itself.
But that in itself is a great temptation.
Inside Li Guanyi’s heart rippled with emotions, his martial skills were at the initial state of the Fifth Layer Heaven, already considerable for his age, yet compared to the people of the world, he could only be seen as a general.
Now, reaching out, it could be within his grasp.
Li Guanyi couldn’t help but be moved; it was instinctive. He murmured, “The Qi Fortune of countless people gathered in one person, cultivating Divine Skills, forging Divine Weapons, dominating the world, reaching beyond the clouds, reaching beneath the earth, under command, none dare disobey—this is the work of the Emperor, the way of the Emperor.”
Li Guanyi was truly moved; he reached out towards the Red Dragon, whose immense head hovered in the air, golden eyes watching the youthful man, Red Dragon’s whiskers fluttering, yet Li Guanyi’s movement paused.
The Ancient Red Dragon noticed the ambition in the young man’s eyes, the ambition akin to past heroes, and the Martial Artist’s yearning for great power, his battle robe billowing, reaching out to him.
But then that hand stopped, and his fingers fell.
Those eyes closed for a moment.