The path to Emperor regardless of Sect: Oath/Citizen/Sect/Elite/Sect Leader/Emperor
Donations: 25 gold/50 gold/100 gold/200 gold(maybe 250)/Emperor probably qualifies if qualifies for Sect Leader
Level: 18/28/38/ That gets you to Elite, Sect Leader and Emperor'll happen after that, and on rare occassion before.
Seems pretty right.