I’ve never learned Emek haMalech, so I can’t really comment one way or the other. Being that it predated the Besht by quite a few years (it was published in 1648, the Besht wasn’t born until 1698), I’d guess that the definition of “tzaddik” isn’t the same.
I also agree with what you quoted – you should definitely connect with a Rebbe, and gain higher understanding and revelations in Godliness. But that’s not what the Besht taught – he taught that the tzaddik has to lower himself into realms of tumah in order to lift others out. Do you not see the difference between having a Rebbe to learn from, and the claim that people are incapable of lifting themselves? A person can learn Torah on their own, and grow from it. Having a Rebbe to guide you makes it easier and quicker to grow, because he will guide you in regards to what is correct and what isn’t.
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