Divine Emperor of Death

Outside the sect, the expressions of the Earth Dragon Clan and Fire Phoenix Clan's Patriarchs couldn't help but flicker at the insult. They were already stopped by a number of Immortal Kings of the Aurora Cloud Gate in the skies but still, they were just Early Immortal Kings, not a match for them, but now, there was an imposing voice that caused some unease in their hearts.

"Who!?"

Patriarch Killian coldly yelled out when a white-haired old man appeared in front of them, instantly causing their pupils to dilate.

'An Immortal Emperor…!'

Someone of that level was in a mere fringe branch!?

No! They instantly thought that it was because it was a vulnerable fringe branch that they turned it into a fortress!

"Tsk, is there no one here to take control of the situation? Why must I, an old fellow, be forced out of my seclusion?"

"Elder!"

The deacons and Immortal King disciples doing guard duty as missions went on their knees as they instantly felt graced by the presence of an Immortal Emperor. It was a realm that they could only dream of reaching, its heights vast and grander than crossing the entirety of the Immortal King Stage.

It was unknown how many got stuck in the peak of the Immortal King Stage, not because they couldn't break through but because they were scared to do so because the tribulation to become an Immortal Emperor was not something that could be easily crossed even by a genius!

"What are you all crying out for? Tell me what's going on, quick!" Elder Aradiel Furiose gestured with his hand, causing the deacons of the Aurora Cloud Gate to become nervous.

"This… Elder…"

"What this and that? You all should be punish- oh? "

Abruptly, Elder Aradiel Furiose appeared as though he found something intriguing as he looked at the intruders before his squinted eyes lit up.

"Ah, I didn't realize it was the Fire Phoenix Clan's Patriarch. Oh, even the Earth Dragon Clan's Patriarch is here? My apologies. I thought there were some kids who didn't know about the Aurora Cloud Gate's public flogging punishment for Immortal Kings entering unannounced and making a fuss."

"…"

Patriarch Killian and Patriarch Klavius smiled, but then their expressions became odd as they heard the Elder's latter words.

Was this Immortal Emperor making fun of them, or was he being honest? They couldn't tell. However, they saw the elder sigh.

"Esteemed individuals, if you were paying a visit to my Aurora Cloud Gate, why come unannounced? At least, your entourage could've been accompanied by one of our people to disallow things from getting out of hand."

Abruptly, a person stepped out from the Fire Phoenix Clan, wearing bright crimson robes and possessing a similar appearance to Elder Aradiel Furiose. Both of them appeared old, but he still had the tenacious look of youth. He raised his hands and cupped them together, displaying respect.

"Elder, we don't have time for that. This matter is of the utmost importance to the world as it concerns its peace. We came here to capture a vile criminal who killed our soldiers and wiped out two Divisions with his death-attributed wolf. He also has what belongs to us with him, so we politely ask the Aurora Cloud Gate to allow us to enter so that we may capture him as we suspect he infiltrated your power."

"Hmm…" Elder Aradiel Furiose nodded his head perfunctorily before his eyes flickered, "Who did you say that you want again?"

"Davis Alstreim of the Grand Beginnings Continent. He wears a purple robe, has sapphire eyes-"

"Oh, that youngling rumored to be a Divergent. I know of him too. It is said that he is crafty and insidious. However, he and his mount should just be a Level One Immortal if they left the lower plane and appeared here but for you to claim that his famous mount has wiped out two Divisions, do you take me for a fool?"

Elder Aradiel Furiose's expression became dark, causing the other Elder to freak out as he waved his hands.

"Elder…! We are telling the truth. If you don't believe us, you can investigate, but for now, please let us arrest him. I fear that he might escape deeper into the Domain using this confusion."

Elder Aradiel Furiose trembled but eventually, his expression eased as he waved his hand, "Davis Alstreim, stop hiding in my sect and come out. If you don't, then I will have to take the necessary steps to smoke you out, which wouldn't be rather courteous to you or magnanimous for an expert of my caliber. Don't make me make a move, or it will not end well for you."

"Elder is wise, and the Aurora Cloud Gate is righteous." Echoed the other Elder, who spoke to him in an amicable tone.

The expressions of the Patriarchs also eased as they nodded.

It was as the rumors said.

The Aurora Cloud Gate had reasonable people who listened, met out punishments and bestowed rewards, settled their debts, and kept their friendships on a clean slate despite their overbearing nature. It required good teachings and patience. Otherwise, they felt that they couldn't have survived this long while owning an entire Domain to themselves.

Suddenly, they couldn't help but turn to look at a purple-robed figure emerging from within the sect.

Their expressions came to possess a wild smile as they saw Davis Alstreim coming to them.

What was power? This was power. The influence of their dragon and phoenix powers also had a part in it.

Otherwise, just how could the Immortal Emperor hand over a person like Davis Alstreim to them without them giving anything back in exchange? If anything, they thought that the Aurora Cloud Gate would hide him and take the inheritance treasure for themselves while insisting that they would do a service to the world.

However, this Elder in front of them seemed to be a fair and just person, causing them to feel somewhat grateful for making this hunt easier.

"…"

But their eyes squinted as they saw Davis Alstreim stop before the invisible barrier that kept them at bay. Could it be that he could see it with his little prowess?

They quickly realized that his mount must have informed him, but then, they saw him take something out and hurl it towards the Elder.

Elder Aradiel Furiose caught the thing in his hand and for a moment, revealed some astonishment before he glanced at Davis with sharp, squinted eyes. His threatening aura began to flail unsteadily as his expression became dark.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Davis's expression was innocent.

"Elder, I'm also a part of the Aurora Cloud Gate as I just became a true disciple."

"What!? Elder, this vile being is lying. Don't believe his words!"

The Fire Phoenix Clan's Elder yelled, his expression churning into a scowl. Not only did he hate Davis Alstreim for stealing what belonged to them, he now truly looked down on Davis for playing the fool.

Becoming a true disciple? That was easier said than done. Even if he had the power, the screening was truly hard to overcome. After all, true disciples must be more loyal to the sect than anyone. He presumed that it was the same with any power, much less the Aurora Cloud Gate.

However, seeing the Elder check the status plate, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

The expressions of the others also became unsettling. Could it be that Davis Alstreim truly entered the Aurora Cloud Gate?

But how? They just saw him enter.

"What's this? It's displaying a different name. Brat, you dare to kill my Aurora Cloud Gate's true disciple!?"

Raged Elder Aradiel Furiose as he pointed at Davis, causing the Fire Phoenix Patriarch to laugh.

"Ahaha. Well said, Elder. This vile being of a Divergent truly must've assassinated one of your sect's true disciples. After all, he could even kill a Level Three Immortal King with irreverent methods. What's to say that he isn't daring enough to infiltrate the righteous Aurora Cloud Gate to take advantage of the protection that their disciples deserve?"

Davis gawked, thinking that this Elder was truly bored to keep this up. Nonetheless, since there was a farce, he joined with an aggrieved expression on his face.

"Elder, don't believe them. I registered under a different name but kept my identity true in the presence of the sect's legacy artifact. I have not lied, much less infiltrated the Aurora Cloud Gate. If you don't believe it, please check my identity, elder."

"How can it be- ah…" Elder Aradiel Furiose touched his forehead and looked away as though he was looking somewhere else before his eyes went wide.

He returned his gaze to Davis with incomparable sharpness before his expression softened.

"I see. So you are indeed a true disciple of the Aurora Cloud Gate."

"Yes, elder."

Davis's aggrieved expression became one of relief. But quickly, he turned to look at the Fire Phoenix Patriarch and raised his hands before his head as though he was scared but over those hands were two middle fingers pointed towards the skies.

"Courting death!"

The Fire Phoenix Patriarch's immortal king aura exploded like a volcanic tidal wave and thrashed onto the barrier, shaking it ever so lightly. But before the aura could surge again, it was abruptly overwhelmed by another superior aura, retreating to the person as the Fire Phoenix Patriarch became pale.

His aura was constricted by an overwhelming might.

Elder Aradiel Furiose appeared in front of Davis, but he stood outside the barrier, seemingly having a cold look on his face.

"Distinguished immortals, as you can see, this young person became our Aurora Cloud Gate's disciple, so you can leave and come through official cha-"

"What!?"

"Elder! Don't go overboard!"

"Yeah! We all know that you're after our treasures that he stole! Don't be so hypocritical and sanctimonious!"

Even the silent and patient elders of the Fire Phoenix Clan became angered at this point, coming to know that they had participated in a farce, except it wasn't the farce they thought was being played out.

It wasn't Elder Aradiel Furiose lusting after their treasures, but it was Davis and Elder Aradiel Furiose working together without even consulting each other to kick them out.

But at this moment, Elder Aradiel Furiose's expression darkened, his terrifying aura surging out like a mountain range covering them.

"Did you people just interrupt me?"

"We…"

Suddenly, their pupils constricted when a palm as heavy as a mountain manifested right beside them.

*Paahh!~*

The three of the elders who stood together and vented their anger were swatted like flies as their entire bodies were swept by the force of a single palm, their figures shooting into the distance like kites that had their strings cut!