Divine Emperor of Death

Davis had dissolved his disguise, so he was recognized upon being noticed.

"I truly wouldn't have noticed your presence if it weren't for the fact that you're still weaker than me in terms of cultivation, Emperor of Death."

Ancestor Cornelia spoke as her crimson-white hair swayed from her descent, "Nevertheless, to think that your prowess is just a level away from me while you're at the Peak-Level King Soul Stage. This proves to me that the next stage set up by the heavens is for the young ones to take."

Davis looked at the beautiful old lady standing in front of him a few meters away. Even though she was shorter than him, she radiated an immense prowess that made him aware that she could kill this avatar with a single wave of her hand.

Davis clasped his hands and slightly bowed.

"Thank you for the compliment, Ancestor Cornelia."

Ancestor Cornelia smiled, appearing to have become comfortable with his gesture.

"This isn't your main body, right?"

Davis nodded.

"Yes, I am feeling apologetic for this as I'm aware that I'm rude, but circumstances demand that I become stronger than I was before."

"I see, so you're cultivating. It's understandable and beneficial for us as well. I also see that you took the time to generate this soul body. However, this isn't a pure soul body, is it? Never mind, it doesn't matter as long as I get to talk to you."

Ancestor Cornelia appeared curious but pursed her lips and shook her head in the end.

"So, what do you think about my demands?"

Davis recalled that she wanted three drops of Fire Phoenix Blood Essence from Shirley and a debt that wanted him to protect the sect at the time of its crisis.

He nodded and moved his lips, "I think your demands are very reasonable. Before that, I want to thank you for allowing Shirley to leave without many restraints at that moment of having to make a choice between offending me or siding with me."

Ancestor Cornelia's old crimson eyes seemingly gleamed full of wisdom and happiness.

"You don't have to thank me for that since I don't have the habit of being overbearing towards my sect's little disciples who are in a mutual relationship with outsiders. The only demand I have for them is to bring them to my sect, but you are a person who appears to be far above what my Burning Phoenix Ridge can hold, so even that little demand I have is thrown out of the tree."

Davis couldn't help but smile as he didn't expect the conversation to be this amicable and smooth.

"It's fine. I hear that the Burning Phoenix Ridge is taking some attacks from the wicked path being active at the moment due to my actions momentarily shaking the Four Great Righteous Sects. Is it true, and if so, do you need my help?"

Davis asked while Ancestor Cornelia shook her head.

"No, just knowing that you are willing to help is fine with me because I need you to protect us from more dangerous situations. But indeed, we are being attacked. However, as long as I'm alive, I can handle the wicked path powerhouses just fine."

Davis nodded and didn't say anything but suddenly reached out and gave a neatly folded scroll to Ancestor Cornelia, who narrowed her eyes and took it from him. When she opened the scroll and viewed its contents, her eyes became wide!

"This is the complete Incandescent Vermilion Soul Mantra!?"

"Yes," Davis nodded with a smile, "It contains the ways to cultivate the soul to Peak-Level Emperor Soul Stage."

"Good! You really are a man of your word!"

Ancestor Cornelia praised before she closed the scroll and looked towards the person who was approaching them. As soon as that person neared them, Ancestor Cornelia sent the scroll flying towards the person.

"Little Lea, it came at a perfect timing to be useful to you."

A woman clad in a fiery crimson robe embroidered with burning phoenix patterns appeared and reached out her hand, catching the scroll. She didn't look at it but kept her stare at Davis while the latter did the same, having his eyes wide as he gazed at her gorgeous yet veiled countenance.

"You entered the Peak-Level Law Rune Stage?"

Davis uttered with surprise as he sensed her cultivation before he understood that she finished consuming the three drops of blood essences. However, his surprise came from the fact that her prowess appeared more than what he perceived.

"Indeed, I entered the peak of the Fifty-Two Territories, and all that is left is to get my Body Tempering Cultivation and Soul Forging Cultivation to the Ninth Stage."

Sect Master Lea Weiss replied as her melodious voice echoed. She opened the scroll in her hands before a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Now that I obtained this, my path to immortality is nothing but set."

"I thought so." Davis wryly smiled, "The Burning Phoenix Ridge also has a cultivation manual that leads to the Immortal Stage."

"Of course." Ancestor Cornelia lightly smiled, "Other than the Four Great Righteous Sects, powers like the Dragon Families and us have Immortal Grade Manuals. Particularly, the Soul Palace is said to have Immortal Grade Soul Forging Cultivation Manuals, but I don't know the veracity of it."

Davis was tempted to that they had five manuals of such caliber, but he didn't and looked at Sect Master Lea Weiss. Her prowess was such that it reached the unofficial fifth level of the ninth stage, making her probably match the leaders of the Four Great Righteous Sects. Perhaps, she was a bit more powerful, considering that she had three drops of immortal blood essences to consume.

However, he wasn't surprised by the increase in her prowess, considering that Isabella's prowess would be far higher when she reaches Peak-Level Martial Overlord Stage.

"You haven't gone out to test your prowess, have you?"

Davis felt that the wicked path would've scrammed out by now. Otherwise, it didn't make sense to him unless the wicked path had truly powerful powerhouses, but indeed, Sect Master Lea Weiss shook her head.

"I was in seclusion, so my ancestor, Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss, was protecting the Burning Phoenix Ridge in my stead. I came out of seclusion a month ago, but I don't see the need to come out and reveal my prowess when it is of absolute necessity to know one's allies and enemies."

Davis nodded, knowing that Sect Master Lea Weiss wouldn't want to be backstabbed by someone she considered her ally, especially because of her past where she lost her Burning Phoenix companion to Valerian Rein, whom she considered a senior brother. She remained rather smart about it, projecting a weaker Burning Phoenix Ridge to know one's enemies.

"What about me?" He couldn't help but ask, "Am I an ally or an enemy?"

"Personally, an ally, but if you were to go against my power or scheme against me, I wouldn't hold back."

Davis kept nodding, "I like it when we are honest and reveal our thoughts to each other but do you think you can kill me?"

Sect Master Lea Weiss momentarily paused. There was no change of expression, but she appeared to be tongue-tied, not knowing how to answer.

"Haha." Davis couldn't help but chuckle, "Don't worry. I won't kill you as long as you don't backstab me."

"Emperor of Death. I know you're capable of killing me, but do you dare face me in a fair fight?"

Sect Master Lea Weiss's eyes appeared reluctant.

"I'm less than a hundred years old. Don't you have any shame to be asking for a fair fight?"

"You...!?"

While Davis teased, Sect Master Lea Weiss went crimson as she blushed in embarrassment.

"Children..."

Ancestor Cornelia mumbled under her breath before she spoke up.

"Emperor of Death and Sect Master Lea Weiss, I hope you can both work together for the betterment of our Burning Phoenix Ridge."

"Our?"

Davis and Sect Master Lea Weiss both questioningly uttered at the same time while Ancestor Cornelia grinned.

"Indeed, Shirley is still a part of the Burning Phoenix Ridge, and you, the Emperor of Death, agreed to help us in time of crisis, which makes you a part of our Burning Phoenix Ridge, similar to a Guest Elder. If you require our help, I will help you personally, but at that time, please be aware that I would have to renounce my connection with the Burning Phoenix Ridge to protect it from scrutiny."

Davis raised his brows in shock on hearing this granny's speech.