Divine Emperor of Death

"Young Inheritor Shirley. If I give an inch, you take a yard. This isn't good as the alliance funds belong to the entirety of the Everlasting Phoenix Alliance, which consists of all kinds of characters from the various phoenix races."

After calming himself again somehow, Egon Zenflame's voice was grave as he warned Shirley.

The crowd watching the exchange between the Everlasting Phoenix Alliance and Shirley was amused but also dumbfounded and appalled.

Forty thousand contribution points for each ingredient? Why doesn't she just rob them instead?

However, her next words caused them to almost cough out blood.

"Fifty thousand contribution points for using an old and overused analogy..."

Shirley's gaze wasn't even on him anymore as she spoke, causing Egon Zenflame to tremble as though he was in a land of ice. However, the only thing icy was his gaze.

"Fine. Have it your way."

"Good."

Shirley turned around as her voice became cheerful, "If I don't win- Uhm, that's not right. Where is the opponent?"

"Your opponent will arrive soon."

Egon Zenflame replied somberly, causing Shirley to shake her head.

"You dare to trick me?"

"What? No- I…"

"Hmph! Today, I'll stop myself from ripping apart your tongue. The next day, this time, if your challenger still doesn't arrive, then there'll be a deserving punishment for you- and you still glare at me with your eyes? Even if I join the Fire Phoenix Clan one day, I'll ask for your death as compensation, so you better take your hideous gaze off of me."

"…!"

Egon Zenflame clenched his teeth so hard that his eyes were practically spitting flames. However, as soon as Shirley mentioned to him that she would make him a sacrifice, his body chilled as though a bucket of icy water was splashed on him.

Instantly, he lowered his head and looked away, not daring to look at Shirley's face straight as she knew that her status was capable of that. Even if he brought her back, with a single word, she could probably lop his head off.

To make her compliant or willing, he knew that his Fire Phoenix Clan would finish him off in various ways possible.

Shirley glared at him with her crimson phoenix eyes before she signaled Ellia. The latter crushed a spatial talisman she had prepared before coming here, and as a result, they disappeared from the Proving Grounds and returned to their residence along with Natalya and Schleya.

"Wai-"

Egon Zenflame's expression churned with anger and humiliation.

Never in his life had he been treated with this kind of overbearingness, making him want to forget everything and slaughter Shirley in an instant. But if he did that, he knew that he would also die without a doubt.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place, but his hatred wasn't quenched, its heaviness gradually twisting his heart.

In Davis's residence, Ellia and the others appeared

Unexpectedly, a small black-winged figure jumped off from Ellia and seemingly stretched its adorable body.

"Just one move and his head would've flown into the air. A pity~"

Nadia yawned in her little wolf body before making herself comfortable as she wrapped her tails around her body like a cushion and slept on an empty guardian stone slab.

Ellia, Shirley, and Natalya couldn't help but wryly smile.

"Fifth sister, what's wrong? Couldn't we have won against them?" However, Natalya couldn't help but ask.

In response, Shirley shook her head.

"No, since they want to challenge me and even went far as to accept the overbearing exchange, I guess they're confident in winning and, perhaps, even doing something to me."

"How can that be…?"

Natalya had seen the defensive measures of the Aurora Cloud Gate. She felt that there was no way they could take Shirley away from this place.

"We can't be too sure." Shirley smirked, "All I know is that we can't let them get the upper hand, so I'm returning to cultivate. I thought I could leave it out, but it looks like I was proven wrong."

"Alright."

Ellia and the others nodded, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

Shirley didn't have the inheritance ring in her hand. Instead, her soul body that was in the Nine-Treasured Immortal Ordeal Palace possessed it. Therefore, she wanted to return to turn her Perfected Mortal Vessel into an Earth Immortal Vessel.

Her immortal inheritance already supported such an endeavor, but she was after the Heaven Immortal Vessel, so she didn't see the need to consume that kind of pill.

Depending on her cultivation base in the future, it would also cause headaches to create a Heaven Immortal Vessel, but now, she wanted to consume that pill, wanting to improve her battle prowess by one more level so that she could remain in control no matter what they threw at her.

Ellia couldn't help but smile at Shirley, knowing that her elder sister's teachings were allowing Shirley to see more about their opponent's intentions.

Bidding farewell, Shirley quickly left.

But on the other hand, Natalya and Schleya went to explore their newly obtained residences while Ellia went back to Myria. They all promised to meet here at the same time tomorrow. Even Schleya was coming with them, perhaps intending to protect Shirley.

To the southeast was a residence that got assigned to Schleya speedily. Natalya was also with her, checking it out.

"Blood Demoness, I like you more and more for your ruthless ability and loyalty to husband. Will you not officially join us?"

"I already tried. It was rejected."

Natalya blinked at Schleya's quick response. She was also shocked for a moment, wondering when that happened, but she realized the next second.

"I mean… I know you applied to be a member of the Reaper Soul Legion and got rejected, but what do you think about becoming my husband's woman?"

"…!"

Schleya flinched like a cat that had its tail stepped on and turned to look at Natalya with wariness in her eyes.

"Why do you… ask that?"

"Do I really need to say?"

Natalya couldn't help but giggle. The reaction Schleya displayed was really delectable to her, causing her to be more sure of her own thoughts.

"I'll help you if you want." She extended her pale hand out.

However, Schleya ignored her and continued binding her residence in the master room. Despite that, Natalya didn't give up. She continued to haunt her with stories of Davis back before they even met, causing Schleya to be full of attention and interest even though she didn't show it on her face.

Davis's history and his origins were not exceptional but phenomenal as she came to know that he rose from literally a Sky Grade Empire's Crown Prince.

Not only did she come to know what he was like during his early years, but she also came to understand more and more about the women he interacted with as Natalya explained the dynamic he possessed between them and why every woman beside him intensely sought his affection.

Unknowingly, Schleya was like a student listening to her master, and that mischievous master was slowly yet sneakily implanting a seed of curiosity that might eventually explode.

Their exchange even lasted while the master bound her new residence. It wasn't long before a complicated glint flashed across Schleya's eyes, thinking if she would ever be…

She shook her head. Her focus returned, and she saw Natalya's beautiful face.

"Yin Lotus Fairy truly knows how to tell a story. Whether it is true or not, I benefited from it as I got to hear about the person I respect the most. Thank you."

She cupped her hands and left, leaving a confused Natalya, who wondered if her sneaky actions really did amount to anything.

'Whatever… it's not like you could escape from his charms while staying together with him… if you did, I'd respect you in another way…!'

Natalya rolled her eyes. She then happily returned to the Nine-Treasured Immortal Ordeal Palace, wanting to report her true disciples status to Davis like an excited kid but once she reached the seventh floor and entered the Nurturing Life Formation, her expression went pale as she noticed the bloody aura of overbearing authority, perhaps two.

"Husband!~"

Natalya's foot hovered off the grass as she rushed towards the distance, where she saw Davis's purple robe stained with blood, especially his shoulder, where there seemed to be a deep gash that cut through his flesh and perhaps even bones.

However, in front of him was a half-naked woman with brownish-gold hair. She was kneeling. Her eyes flickered as she viewed Davis with trepidation. However, tears were flowing down her crimson-gold eyes as she shook her head.

"Master… I… I didn't- I… I'm sorry..."

Mira sobbed as she shook her head, causing Davis to lower his stature as he grabbed her head and hit his forehead together with her.

"It's fine, Mira. You've done very well. Now, have some rest."

With his intent directly conveying to Mira in the form of Heart Intent, Mira's trembling came to a stop as she bit her lips. However, it wasn't long before she lost consciousness and fell into his arms, seemingly asleep.

However, Davis sensed Mira's aura that felt as though it could slip into the realm of obscurity in no time. His life energy surged out, quickly trying to heal her while a bloody orb spun above them, its essence entering Mira to restore her blood essence and aid her vitals.

"Wha- what just happened!?"

Looking at Evelynn and Isabella's red eyes and Davis's injury, Natalya demanded an explanation as worry and outrage were prevalent in her misty eyes.