Divine Emperor of Death

Just as the Mandate Emperor and Ancestor Shard appeared as if they could no longer wait to battle, a dark green-robed figure appeared between them.

"Stop!"

It was a middle-aged woman wearing the robe of the Jade Lotus Valley.

"Ancestor Ambercrown, do you intend to follow in his footsteps?"

The Mandate Emperor coldly spoke, his vexation visible on his face. He was highly irritated for a long time now. One powerful young man was causing trouble again and again in this competition, but the difference between their strengths would have it so that he could only stay his hand.

However, now other people were also looking down on him, thinking that he wouldn't do anything to them. That kind of thinking even had him snapping, wanting to show if he truly dared or not.

"My Jade Lotus Valley will stand along with the Emperor Sword Sect."

However, Ancestor Ambercrown of the Jade Lotus Valley didn't seem to be intimidated and declared, causing the Mandate Emperor to narrow his eyes more.

What reason did the Jade Lotus Valley have to follow them in this madness?

"Ahaha!"

Ancestor Shard laughed out loud as he threw his head above, "Today, we're capturing Fairy Myria. Let's see who has the guts to stop us."

As he spoke, he grabbed the hilt of his golden sword again.

"Wait a minute!"

However, a random shout from a person stopped him. Eyes fuming with displeasure, Ancestor Shard turned to look at the source and saw that the person who shouted was seated in the lower stratum, not even worth mentioning, but then, he suddenly noticed the identity of that person, becoming inwardly shocked.

"I can attest that the Shard Family plotted a devious scheme and wiped out my family's bloodline."

It was none other than Alexi Ethren.

"Brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you want to die?"

Ancestor Shard took out his sword and pointed at Alexi Ethren, his eyes gleaming with sinister intent.

However, Alexi Ethren didn't seem to be intimidated.

"Who are you exactly?"

The Mandate Emperor asked. It didn't take him much to see that Alexi Ethren wasn't just an Ethren of the Alstreim Family Territory's Ethren Empire. Otherwise, his story wouldn't make sense.

"Greetings, Mandate Emperor. My name is Alexi Ethren, hailing from the Ethren Empire of the Alstreim Family Territory. However, I'm a descendant of Soul King Garvin Woller of the Emperor Sword Sect."

"Garvin Woller…" The Mandate Emperor's eyes brightened, "I remember. The one whom the Shard Family declared a traitor and hunted down. So he survived… Did he break through to the Emperor Soul Stage?"

"Unfortunately, Ancestor Garvin Woller died a bit more than a decade ago. However, his will still remains, seeking vengeance through my image."

"Bastard! So you're a descendant of that traitorous Soul King. Now, prepare to receive your death."

Ancestor Shard grinned and took a step forward, intent on slashing Alexi Ethren to death before he could say anything else.

"Halt!"

A melodious voice resounded, causing Ancestor Shard's brows to narrow as he recognized this voice. He turned to look toward the Jade Lotus Valley's seating area, not expecting Ivy Aries to interfere at this moment.

"Little Ivy, I know that you grieve Rayn's death. However, you should stay back."

Ancestor Ambercrown raised her hand and stopped her.

Ivy Aries didn't stop and approached them with an indifferent gaze. However, there was a trace of disdain on her lips, hidden behind her veil.

"Grieve? I don't care much for that immoral person."

"You!" Ancestor Shard pointed at her, "Even if you do not like him, you do not have to desecrate a dead person, especially when he is your-.

"Desecrate? What big words for a lowly character."

Ivy Aries didn't seem to withdraw but closed in more. Ancestor Shard's brows narrowed. He took a step forward towards her, intending to teach her a lesson when an arm blocked his path.

"This isn't the time for an internal squabble." Ancestor Ambercrown spoke before eying Ivy Aries to leave.

They couldn't lose her in this battle as she was the hope of the Jade Lotus Valley, but the next words Ivy Aries spoke chilled Ancestor Ambercrown.

"Indeed, the Jade Lotus Valley doesn't have anything to do with this matter."

"Little Ivy, what do you mean!? You dare to go against the will of our sect? The covenant exchanged by our ancestors to have an allied relationship at all times, even at times of peril!?"

"Ancestor Ambercrown, you are right." Ivy Aries came to a stop a few meters away before she nodded, "The Jade Lotus Valley stands with the Emperor Sword Sect, but it doesn't side with the Shard Family."

"…!?"

For a moment, neither the Jade Lotus Valley, the Emperor Sword Sect, nor the entire crowd could understand a thing. However, a faint smile appeared on Davis and Natalya's lips.

Finally, it seemed that she read the letter and agreed, even making a move right now, which was out of their expectations and raised their impression of her.

Ancestor Ambercrown was stunned into silence before her expression changed as she lashed out.

"Ivy Aries, are you insane!? So many of your sisters have married to the Shard Family's men. The Shard Family is the current Emperor Sword Sect."

"Silence!"

Ivy Aries's gaze turned cold.

"You caused our Jade Lotus Valley to fall into a web of lies and deceit. If you want to support your lover, go ahead and do it. However, don't drag the Jade Lotus Valley into this, you deceitful woman."

"Wha-"

Ancestor Ambercrown became tongue-tied, her expression appearing confused and nervous. Ancestor Shard's expression also changed. He moved his hand when he suddenly felt the Mandate Emperor locking onto him, causing him to turn stiff.

Although he was powerful, he knew he couldn't afford to display a defenseless back against the Mandate Emperor.

"Little Ivy, are you telling the truth?"

Abruptly, two other Ancestors appeared behind Ivy Aries at this moment, each appearing older than the other. However, the Valley Master had also come.

Ivy Aries's eyes trembled as hesitation appeared to be prevalent. However, she took a deep breath before releasing it all.

"I can swear a Blood Soul Contract if that's what it takes for you all to believe. The Shard Family killed my ancestor Aries's husband and all your husband's and sons as well."

"What!? That's slander!"

Ancestor Shard lashed out as he waved his hand. However, the people behind Ivy Aries appeared dumbstruck before they hurriedly all sent a soul transmission to her. Even the ones in the seating area had their eyes turned red as they asked Ivy Aries through soul transmission, wanting to receive her admission of the events.

However, Ivy Aries shook her head as though she was not completely sure about the details the Emperor of Death had given her. However, she trusted her ancestor Aries's words that were once dismissed as ravings.

"It's fine if you all don't believe me. For this, even if I have to leave the Jade Lotus Valley, I'm willing. I will get revenge for my aggrieved ancestor and all the maidens who suffered under the Shard Family's shrewd actions. I can only apologize to those who have a good or colluding relationship with the Shard Family as the Jade Lotus Valley no longer welcomes you."

A minority of the maidens in the Jade Lotus Valley's seating area expression changed. However, they didn't dare express their thoughts when they looked around, witnessing the hateful gaze of their senior sisters, Elders, and Grand Elders.

Even the people became stunned to confusion as they witnessed this scene.

What's going on?

Is this an internal rebellion? Dissolution?

The Valley Master and the two other Ancestors of the Jade Lotus Valley stared at the determined Ivy Aries. They had never seen her this determined as she was an easygoing and carefree person. For her to do something like this, they couldn't understand, but they vaguely understood that this could've happened right after Yin Lotus Fairy visited.

Connecting the Yin Lotus Fairy through the Emperor of Death with Alexi Ethren, who was also said to be his friend, they felt it made some sense.

Suddenly, the Valley Master turned to look at Ancestor Ambercrown, who was still tongue-tied about this matter.

"Ancestor Ambercrown, you didn't remain chaste?"

Ancestor Ambercrown's body shook unwittingly, and looking at her reaction, everyone else's expressions changed!