The fiery ocean also consisted of regular expanses of water - verdant green and full of sea spray and wind containing a salty taste.
This was rather refreshing and made some smack their lips to savor.
One in particular was an external entity, not part of the fiery ocean. No one could see without prior permission, not even the powerful emperors.
Li Qiye walked on top of its water with a simple on his face, delving deeper into its territory. He eventually came across a little island, green and peaceful like a pearl.
He went to a beach there with delicate white sands. Walking barefooted here felt like walking on cotton.
The sun above sent down bright rays to bathe this wonderful beach and seafront. This place was as beautiful as could be - a true paradise.
Relaxing in a soft chair beneath a coconut tree and drinking ice tea felt as relaxing as can be.
In the next second, Li Qiye was already doing so, sipping on a teacup.
The ice was an 8,000-year-old crystal found on an immortal peak. The tea leaves were found on a phoenix-roost tree, and only the best type with a violet color. It took 30,000 years for one leaf to form.
The process had eight refinement stages. The first used black dragon dao flame. The second used mythical turtle true flame. The third required nether yin flameâ¦
Not to mention mortals, even an emperor couldnât make this tea. Only a progenitor could do so.
The water consisted of the finest grade of chillwater infused with frost dragonâs dao, then finally topped off with the ice crystals from the immortal peak mentioned prior.
Only Li Qiye had the privilege of drinking this tea. Of course, the tea brewer could enjoy it as well.
âThe finest type of tea.â Li Qiye sighed and said. This tea actually made him sigh with pleasure.
Meanwhile, a youth nearby was very busy. He looked relaxed wearing loose pants suitable for the beach. However, he still emitted an aura akin to the flow of the stars.
âThe finest tea requires someone of your level to appreciate it, Teacher.â The youth smiled and said.
âI suppose this is worthy of my sparing the old men from your clan.â Li Qiye smiled and took another sip.
âI already told him that his path of revenge is suicidal.â The youth smiled wryly and shook his head: âUnfortunately, he didn't listen. He didnât have a son until his old age so hatred blinded his eyes.â
âWell, this tea is worth it.â Li Qiye said.
âTeacher, do as you please. I wonât interfere because the grand dao is long. There will always be problems popping up. If progenitors care about every little thing, they will die from fatigue.â The youth sighed and said.
âTrue.â Li Qiye smiled: âThatâs why a few brilliant men chose not to establish their dao system and preferred to be alone. They know that descendants can be unfilial and disappointing.â
âEveryone has their fortune, just leave it to fate. Plus, progenitors arenât omnipotent anyway.â The youth said.
âRight again.â Li Qiye nodded: âDifficulties exist in all situations. For cultivators, being from a prestigious clan is good but their burden is heavier as well. An eagle carrying a mountain on its back will eventually fall.â
âAlas, no one can truly be worry-free.â The youth sighed.
âCarrying a mountain is not easy for regular birds, but a golden peng has no problem doing so. Youâre this golden peng.â Li Qiye chuckled.
âIâm forever honored to receive this praise.â The youth said.
âSo why donât you create your own system?â Li Qiye asked.
âIâve thought about it.â The youth carefully responded: âEveryone has a personal agenda, wanting to prolong their legacy. The first death isnât the end, only when theyâre forgotten by all. The ones to remember you the most will probably be your descendants and members of your system.â
âItâs a shame that not all descendants will grow up well.â Li Qiye laughed.
âYes.â The youth said: âNo one can predict what will happen. The descendants have their own fortune. For example, our meeting is a stroke of fate as well.â
âA coincidence is not fate.â Li Qiye shook his head.
âSure, people play a big part, but the fact that youâre giving me some face right now is also a type of fate.â The youth leisurely said.
âI suppose.â Li Qiye nodded and stared at the youth: âItâs a waste that youâre using your peerless talents on food all day long. The world will think less of you.â
âBecause they donât know that Iâm actually saving them by doing so.â The youth freely said.
If a third person were to hear this, they would not buy the youthâs argument.
âYou certainly have a special way of saving the world.â Li Qiye said.
âThere are many methods and paths. My cultivation is too weak so I have to use a roundabout route. Thereâs nothing wrong with that.â The youth said.
âSo humble. If youâre weak, there are no experts in Three Immortals then.â Li Qiye shook his head.
âI canât compare myself strictly to the contemporary.â The youth admitted: âA monkey reigns supreme on a mountain without a tiger. Even the greatest progenitors eventually falter. My cultivation probably canât last that long.â
He sighed after saying this.
Li Qiye put down his cup and said: âThe heart and mind have so much potential. A single thought can determine their fate along with their worldâs.â
He paused for a bit and continued: âBeing too brilliant might not be a good thing. The highest trees will face the strongest gales. The ones chosen were picked for a reason.â
âYouâre right, Teacher. I hope that everything will be fine in Three Immortals since I canât do much for its inhabitants.â The youth smiled wryly.
âYou put on a carefree act yet your mind is still worrying about others. Whether it be fishing in the ocean or cutting wood in a perilous land, your ears are still listening to the motions back in Three Immortals.â Li Qiye shook his head.
âI donât want to. People are selfish so if I had a choice, I would rather be by myself. Alas, I was born with too many restraints. As you have mentioned earlier, great power comes with heavier responsibility.â
Li Qiye nodded and didnât say anything else. A brief silence ensued.
âWar is coming, are you ready?â He asked a while later.
The youth stopped working and pondered quietly before answering: âTeacher, what kind of enemies are coming?â
âProgenitors. The vanguards will have some weaklings but the real fighting forces will be at the progenitorial level.â Li Qiye looked at him.
âWell, then all I can do is fight.â The youth shook his head: âI canât run anyway even if I have the desire to do so. Behind me is my home, you would do the same, Teacher.â
âThere will be time as long as the sky moat is there. It has its uses.â Li Qiye said.
âIâm afraid the inevitable will come.â The youth looked worried.
âHard to say at this level.â Li Qiye replied: âIt might come or not then everything will be good. In that case, burn an incense stick and celebrate.â
âI understand. But if Three Immortals wonât be the battlefieldâ¦â The youth had a serious expression.
âI will take action regardless.â Li Qiye said: âBut just know that I will only participate in one sky-rending battle. I guarantee nothing else.â
âThree Immortals is lucky to have you here.â The youth nodded, albeit still nervous.
A âsky-rending battleâ from Li Qiye must be a terrifying event. Maybe Three Immortals would be blown to pieces.
Unfortunately, no one could change the current momentum. He didnât have the strength to stop it.
âIâm more excited about Uncrossable Expanse. Thatâs a better battlefield, far more interesting and stimulating.â Li Qiyeâs eyes became profound; his lips curled into a smirk.
The youth smiled wryly, knowing that âstimulatingâ probably meant destruction. Everyone would probably be scared out of their mind at that stage.
âI hope not, Three Immortals might not be able to withstand the impact.â The youth helplessly said.
âDonât worry, when it escalates to that point, the old geezers will make sure that the battlefield is restricted to the expanse. They have been protecting your world for so many years and donât wish to see it become the next battlefield, broken.â Li Qiye calmly said.
âI hope youâre right.â The youth could only pray.