Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

The Fire Emperor never considered himself a "good person".

Throughout his life, he was decisive and ruthless, his hands were stained with blood, and he also bore a bad reputation.

In the eyes of the heroes of the eight regions, he was a ruthless and powerful ruler, an iron-fisted monarch who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

However, when it came to the matter entrusted to him by that unfathomable being, the Fire Emperor had his own scales in his heart, and those scales did not weigh interests, but righteousness.

He has only one criterion for choosing allies—they must be loyal to the human race.

Fire Emperor didn't care how those forces, those cultivators, and those so-called righteous sects schemed against each other or how many shady things they did in private.

As long as they are willing to stand on the side of humanity at critical moments and defend the last line of defense for the billions of living beings on this land, the Fire Emperor will recognize them as allies.

As for those who try to take advantage of the chaos, secretly collude with other races, or think of profiting from the crisis of humanity—no matter what conditions they offer or how powerful they are, the Fire Emperor rejects them all without showing any mercy.

Because he knew better than anyone that some things could be compromised, but some bottom lines could never be yielded. Taking a step back today would lead to an abyss tomorrow; giving an inch today would result in a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood tomorrow.

The Fire Emperor never pledged loyalty to Li Chenzhou, nor did he utter any grand or impassioned words. He simply proved himself through his actions, through his ruthless methods in selecting allies time and time again, and through the powerful forces that were kept out of the alliance.

He did not betray the trust of that being, nor did he fail in his responsibility as the ruler of the Fire Kingdom.

This isn't about pleasing anyone, nor is it about gaining anything in return.

This is the insurmountable red line in the Fire Emperor's heart; it is his simplest yet most solemn explanation to himself, to the Fire Kingdom, and to all living beings on this land.

A great era is approaching, and the winds of change are blowing. He may not be the strongest, but he must be the most trustworthy.

The Fire Emperor did something that shocked everyone. He included forces with whom he had past grudges, conflicts, or even blood feuds in the list of those entering the Trial Tower.

As long as they are not biased in their stance and as long as they stand on the right side for the greater good of humanity, the Fire Emperor will not hold grudges and will treat them all equally.

This is not because he suddenly became magnanimous, nor because his heart broadened overnight.

The Fire Emperor remains the same Fire Emperor, clear about right and wrong, and always seeking revenge.

The reason he made this decision, which surprised many people, was that after pondering the meaning of that being, he gradually understood what was truly important.

Li Chenzhou never cared about petty grudges or who was his enemy or who was his ally.

What he cared about was the big picture, whether humanity could stand firm in the storms to come, and whether this land could preserve the last spark of life in the coming chaos.

Although the Fire Emperor had not followed that being for a long time, he saw things clearly.

That being does not seek dominance or a single power to rule, but rather to give all human cultivators the opportunity to become stronger and have a greater chance to protect themselves in future calamities.

So the Fire Emperor let go.

He put aside those old grudges, those personal unpleasantnesses, and even his usual iron-fisted methods.

He also pushed those who were on the right side toward that door.

Even if those people had cursed him, schemed against him, or wished for his early demise.

This isn't magnanimity; it's going with the flow.

This is not forgiveness, it's taking a long-term view.

The Fire Emperor knew perfectly well that the being who had given his Fire Kingdom a head start and countless benefits was not meant for him to use to suppress or eliminate dissidents. It was trust, but also a test.

If he were to exclude those who shouldn't be turned away from opportunities because of his own personal grudges, what difference would he make from those narrow-minded people he once despised?

So he broadened the list, lowered the threshold, and temporarily locked those grudges away in the deepest part of his heart.

It's not that I forgot, it's just that the time hasn't come yet.

Once the chaos subsides and the great calamity is over, he will settle all the scores that need to be settled.

But right now, everything is for the greater good of that being.

The Fire Emperor stood before the door that was about to open, his face calm, but his mind was churning with countless thoughts.

He didn't know if he had done the right thing, but he knew it was the safest choice he could make after trying to fathom the will of that being. As for whether those people appreciated it or were grateful, he didn't care.

He only needs to live up to the trust placed in him and the responsibilities he bears, and that will be enough.

The Fire Emperor didn't even lift his eyelids; his gaze remained fixed on the tightly closed door in front of him, as if the middle-aged man who questioned him was just a passing breeze, not worth his second glance.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an indifference that was impossible to ignore.

"roll."

He said it so softly, as if he were just chatting with someone next to him.

But beneath that light and airy tone lay an undeniable pressure.

The Fire Emperor did not get angry, did not slam his fist on the table, and did not even raise his voice in the slightest. But it was precisely this calm and collected attitude that was more embarrassing than any thunderous rage.

Because it meant that, in his eyes, the middle-aged man didn't even have the right to anger him.

"You—" The middle-aged man's face flushed red, the veins on his forehead bulged, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

He was, after all, the leader of a powerful force and a figure of considerable influence in the Eight Domains. He had never been so humiliated in public before.

His anger surged to the top of his head, and he almost rushed forward.

But as soon as he raised his hand, it was held down by several people next to him.

"calm!"

"Don't act impulsively!"

"What kind of place is this? Do you think you can run wild here?"

Some of the people holding him down were his fellow disciples, some were representatives of forces that were on good terms with him, and a few were simply trying to prevent the situation from getting out of control. As they held his arms down, they whispered urgent and forceful advice in his ear.

The middle-aged man was pinned down and unable to move, his chest heaving violently, his eyes practically spitting fire.

But he held back in the end. Because he knew these people were right.

This is the Realm of the Void Gods, right under the nose of that being. Behind the Fire Emperor stands not only the Fire Kingdom, but also the owner of that mysterious hut. If he dares to make a move here, forget about regaining face; he'll likely lose his life.

The Fire Emperor still didn't look at him. From beginning to end, his gaze didn't waver even slightly.

It was as if the little commotion just now was nothing more than a mosquito brushing past his ear, something he could easily swat away and not worth looking back at.

The representatives of the various factions around watched this scene, each with their own thoughts.

Some sneered, some shook their heads, some secretly rejoiced that they hadn't been the first to act, and others silently remembered the Fire Emperor's domineering presence.

The Fire Emperor simply stood there quietly, his expression calm, without uttering a word. His attitude was clear: the opportunity was given to you; whether you could get in or not was up to you.

As for the rest, enough of the nonsense.

Those forces that once united to put pressure on the Fire Kingdom appeared powerful on the surface, but in reality they were nothing more than a disorganized mess.

Not all of them harbored deep hatred for the Fire Kingdom. On the contrary, the vast majority of them had no past grievances or recent conflicts with the Fire Kingdom, and they rarely even crossed paths with it.

The reason they gathered together and bared their teeth at the Fire Nation is ultimately for one word—profit.

That mysterious tower holds immense treasures, yet the Fire Kingdom guards its gates tightly, allowing only its allies to enter and exit.

They were envious, they were resentful, they felt excluded. So some took the lead, some echoed, and some cheered.

Some people fanned the flames, swarming forward in an attempt to overwhelm the Fire Kingdom with their momentum and force the Fire Emperor to relent.

Now that the tower is about to open its doors, it will treat all forces equally. Those pretexts originally used to coerce the Fire Kingdom will naturally fall apart.

You're forcing people because they're hoarding food.

Now that they've stopped eating and even brought out the dining table, who's going to argue with you? Who's going to cause trouble?

Everyone's busy grabbing positions and seizing opportunities, who has the time to mess with the Fire Nation?

So-called alliances are merely temporary piecing together driven by self-interest. Once the interests are gone, the alliance disintegrates.

Without even saying goodbye, everyone tacitly went their separate ways. This is reality, cruel and true.

The Fire Emperor understood this better than anyone else, which is why he never took that rabble seriously. They were destined to be a disorganized mess, easily scattered by the wind.

The Fire Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly sweeping over the breathless crowd. He knew that every pair of eyes was fixed on him, and every ear was waiting for his next words. He stopped beating around the bush, and when he spoke, his voice was not loud, but it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

"You guessed right. There is indeed an opportunity in this tower. An opportunity so great that you wouldn't even dare to dream of it."

He paused slightly, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"Inside are supreme magical artifacts, cultivation manuals left by ancient sages, and marrow-cleansing elixirs that can transform you completely. The most powerful techniques you've desperately sought are piled up like mountains. The immortal weapons and divine artifacts you've always dreamed of are displayed in rows. And—"

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over the faces that were already holding their breath.

"A heaven-defying destiny that can cause the bloodline within you to revert to its ancestral evolution."

The crowd exploded like a powder keg that had been lit.

Bloodline reversion! Evolution! For cultivators whose bloodlines flow with the remains of their ancestors, these are words even more powerful than becoming a god. Countless ancient families and powerful clans have devoted their entire lives to the awakening and purification of their bloodlines, yet many die without ever breaking through that barrier. But the Fire Emperor says that within that tower lies a heaven-defying opportunity that can cause one's bloodline to revert to its ancestral form and evolve.

No one doubted the Fire Emperor's words anymore. Although the Fire Kingdom had grudges against many people present, the Fire Emperor was a man of his word and never stooped to using tricks in such matters. If he said it existed, then it definitely existed. If he said it was piled up like a mountain or arranged in rows, then it was more than enough.

Those pairs of eyes were fixed on the wide-open gates of the Tower of Immortality, their pupils burning with scorching flames. Some clenched their fists, some licked their chapped lips, and some instinctively took a half-step forward only to abruptly stop. Their breathing became rapid and heavy, like a pack of wolves that had been starving for three days and three nights and had finally caught the scent of meat.

The Fire Emperor took everything in, said nothing more, and simply stepped back, clearing the space in front of the door. The words had been spoken, the path pointed out; now, it was up to each of them to rely on their own abilities.

The Fire Emperor had no reason to lie about such a matter. As the ruler of a nation, his word was law, and he had no need to fabricate lies to mislead people.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone couldn't contain himself and stepped forward to rush into the doorway.

But before he could take a step, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his sleeve tightly.

Immediately afterwards, more people started moving.

Instead of rushing towards the door, they rushed towards those who wanted to be the first to enter.

Some people pulled, some pushed, some made sarcastic remarks, and some directly intervened.

Nobody wants to let someone else beat them to it.

"Why should you go first?"

"Who do you think you are?"

"Move aside, I'll go first!"

The noisy arguments rose and fell, like a pot of porridge bubbling and bubbling.

Those representatives of forces who had not long ago been united in their hatred and put pressure on the Fire Kingdom were now red-eyed, blaming and shoving each other, wishing they could trample anyone who stood in their way under their feet.

The Fire Emperor stood aside, watching this scene with cold eyes.

His expression remained unchanged, and not even a hint of mockery appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He simply watched silently, like watching a flock of vultures scrambling for carrion. Not long ago, these people had been in cahoots, working together to pressure him, as if they were so united and invincible.

Now that the opportunity was right in front of them, the rope broke, and the grasshoppers scattered, each jumping around in their own place, wishing they could trample their companions to death.

This is human nature.

The Fire Emperor shook his head slightly in his heart.

He wasn't surprised or saddened; he just found it somewhat laughable.

At the same time, a sense of relief welled up in his heart.

It wasn't that she was glad she had escaped this struggle, but rather that Huo Ling'er had formed a good relationship with the successor of that being.

If it weren't for that connection, the Fire Kingdom probably wouldn't have escaped this chaos either.

His daughter, too, will be like these people with bloodshot eyes, desperately trying to squeeze through that door, fighting, grabbing, and even getting hurt.

Now, all he needs to do is stand here, watch them fight, watch them snatch, watch them tear each other apart.

The Fire Kingdom has already received its share, and more and better than these people.

While they were still fighting over who could be the first to enter, the Fire Kingdom's cultivators had already walked quite far inside the tower.