1086 The Guardian
"Do you know the most required characteristic for becoming an Earth Emperor?" asked the Jade Yama King.
"Strength?" replied Li Jun.
"You would think so, but no. The most crucial traits for an Earth Emperor are patience and lack of ambition. These are not qualities one might typically associate with a ruler, but they are essential for maintaining the balance of Samsara.
"Why is that, sir?"
"The world of the living is different from that of the dead," explained the Jade Yama King. "It's alright if the world of the living is in chaos, but it's unacceptable for the world of the dead. True Heavenly Dao might be lenient and laissez-faire about how to rule the world of the living, especially the upper dimension, but we are strict and orderly.
"As Earth Emperor, your primary responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of Samsara, a system that is already well-operated and perfect. Your role is not to intervene unless something goes wrong. You must not use Samsara to achieve personal ambitions or goals. Your duty is to use your power to assist Samsara's operation, and you must wait patiently until the end of time - or, in your case, until someone else takes your position. This is the essence of being an Earth Emperor.
"Do you think you can do these things?"
Li Jun did not immediately answer and thought about it for a few minutes, "I believe I can."
"Let's see if that's true."
Li Jun sensed the world around him change, and he sat on a black throne with designs associated with the soul, life, and death. A weird demon with goat hooves, red skin, and horns began explaining his role, and Li Jun quickly adapted.
Then, time passed, and countless problems arose in Samsara, and he had to deal with them; this process allowed him to gain experience and knowledge, which led to his team or people having greater faith in him.
One day, someone he knew and was very close to him tried to revive a dead soul, and he found himself in a conundrum. Despite Samsara's strict rules, they consider the powerhouses to be emotional beings and allow them to revive the dead as long as they don't go too far or break some rules. Unfortunately, his friend's revival broke a major rule, and he asked Li Jun to accommodate him.
After thinking about it for a while, Li Jun refused, which resulted in a confrontation with his close friend and ended their long relationship. Despite his deep gut pain at losing someone so dear to him, Li Jun did not regret his decisions; he understood the importance of his duty and the respect it deserved.
Time healed that emotional trauma, and Li Jun settled into his role. He did not know how long he had spent in this position, but it was very long. Most might find it dull and boring, and at times, his blood boils due to a desire for a fight or even a war, but he persevered.
He faced another catastrophe when he was about to become complacent in his position. The love of his life - Yan Liling - died, and it was true death. However, as an Earth Emperor, he knew a way to revive her, but he would break a hundred rules. Every fiber in his body screamed he should revive her despite knowing the potential worldwide ramifications. And when people from his past came to ask him for help, Li Jun almost succumbed.
He resisted not out of a sense of duty but out of logic. He knew that if he broke the rules and revived her, the higher-ups of Samsara would hunt them down, and Yan Liling's fate would be the same. So, he chose another path: he hoped to become the best Earth Emperor possible, hoping the higher-ups would reward him with the opportunity to break the rules.
From that day on, Li Jun became a model employee/Earth Emperor. He did everything he was supposed to do and more; he resisted the temptation when many Yama Kings revolted and promised he would not have to wait so long and could see her again.
He resisted when True Heavenly Dao was separated, and their confrontation was a perfect opportunity to break the rules without consequences.
Li Jun opened his eyes, "Where am I?" He took a moment to regain his bearing and realized what had happened.
"Interesting," said the Jade Yama King. This test was a test as no participants had ever chosen this path of asking permission to break the rules. They either succumbed to the temptation, tried to be clever, or became heartless and abandoned their loved ones for power.
"Sir Jade Yama King, have I passed the test?"
"Yes, and with excellent marks," nodded the red face. He did not need to test Li Jun's strength since he already knew and it was acceptable.
A small black dragon carving and a black list floated before Li Jun. "This the Luck Condensing Artifact of the Samsara Court and the Conferred God List. Remember, anyone on the list will have to pass a test, and the ones who fail cannot take any position in the court."
"I understand," replied Li Jun before bowing. Then, without noticing, he returned to the place where he had just proven the Dao.
"Are you alright?" asked Wang Wei and Yan Liling simultaneously.
"I'm fine."
"How was the test?"
Li Jun explained the situation, and Wang Wei was in deep thought, "I was worried about the Earth Emperor Position becoming as popular as the Heavenly Emperor, but my worries are not needed."
He was also worried that Samsara would become chaotic once people heard about the Earth Emperor's Position and tried to gain it. He understood the Yama Kings were even stricter than True Heavenly Dao.
"Do you want to announce your presence now or do it together?" he asked.
"Let's do it together." (2x)
"Very well."
Wang Wei waved his hand, and someone appeared before him: Old Man Tianji. He looked at the group with his cold and indifferent eyes.
"What do you want?" he asked directly.
"A deal," said Wang Wei.
"There is one thing you cannot force me to give you: a Heaven Will," said Old Man Tianji, no, Heavenly Dao. "What to exchange?"
"An oath," replied Wang Wei. "She will become the guardian of the Myriad Emperor World, dedicating herself to protecting it at all costs. She will place its protection above everything else, including the Dao Opening Sect or the safety of her family or clan."
"Hmm," muttered Old Man Tianji, but after two minutes, he did not say another word.
"I know you have enough World Source after saving for more than 20,000 years and siphoning from the Lower Realm," continued Wang Wei. "And you should understand the importance of a powerhouse protecting the world at all times after what we will do to the lower dimension."
"You have a point," nodded Old Man Tianji, waving his hand to summon a Heaven Will. "Make your oath." Yan Liling stepped up and made an oath, which created a chain around the Heaven Will. As she absorbed it, Old Man Tianji disappeared, and Wang Wei and Li Jun gave her space.
They sighed in relief after seeing the three golden loti in the back of her head. Meanwhile, Wang Wei noticed something. Yan Liling's strength was the pinnacle of 4-Fold, like Xu Shi. However, her soul had the potential to break the limit of a 5% Grand Dao Boost. According to his estimate, it might reach as high as 7% after a few years of training.
'This guardian position, in essence, is a long-contracted Human Emperor Position,' thought Wang Wei with squinted eyes. Yan Liling's job will be to protect the Myriad Emperor World at all costs in times of catastrophe or disaster.
'Now that all three positions have shown up in the lower dimension, what will you do, Ying Zheng?'
Li Jun ran to embrace his wife, and the two kissed passionately. If not for Wang Wei's cough to remind them he was here, who knew how long these two would give each other those doting and lovey-dovey eyes?
"Let's get to business," said Wang Wei, and the two nodded.
"I, Yan Liling, will now be known as the Pill Sage Empress and Guardian of the Myriad Emperor World. I will dedicate my life to protecting my home and ensuring our lasting prosperity."
"I, Li Jun, will be known as the Crimson Slaughter Emperor and the Earth Emperor, ruler of the Samsara Court. All interested parties can come to test whether they are worthy to protect the integrity of the afterlife."
Their voices traveled throughout the entire Myriad Emperor World community and did not spread only because Wang Wei did not want them to. All eyes focused on the vision while thinking how the world was about to change in a major faction again.
Some people were not as surprised by this news as they had expected after seeing how Yu Yan proved Dao.
"Hmm?" muttered Wang Wei as he sensed something and looked in a direction.
