Divine Emperor of Death

"…"

The thirteen Immortal Emperors became wary of Noctis. He was two levels higher than them, and they couldn't tell how far his prowess reached for sure, making them tense.

"Everyone, don't be shaken." Girias maintained his composure, still looking arrogant, "They have nine Immortal Emperors, but more than half of them would not stick to protecting that bitch until the end. In fact, they might even join us if we give them enough incentives."

He stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Everyone, we are all members of the First Haven World. Our clans have legacies stringing back to the true immortal world, filled with riches and appropriate rewards for us for completing our mission. With that being the case, do you really want to stick with an Anarchic Divergent's wife, even going as far as to protect her?"

"What if you were branded as traitors?"

"What if you were looked down upon by your peers and forced to self-exile!?"

He roared with a tone of indignation as though caring about their plight.

"…"

Isabella narrowed her brows.

It could be said that this serpent was truly a serpent, able to shake hearts as she could sense the inheritors who hadn't attacked her but also didn't ally with her enemies, now hesitate.

"The Earth Dragon Clan may have a duty to protect their own inheritor even if she is so disgustingly together with an Anarchic Divergent. It is their fate, but you don't need to protect or cover for her. It would only be detrimental to your future."

Girias cupped his hands, appearing solemn, "Fellow inheritors, even if you don't want to join us, I ask that you don't interfere in our battle. That will ensure you have not fallen to the wicked temptation of the power that an Anarchic Divergent can assure you."

"…"

Of the nine Immortal Emperors on Isabella's side, four of them had their expressions change.

Even Hayley's gaze shook.

Girias was basically implying that the reason why Isabella was so powerful was because the Anarchic Divergent's power corrupted her. With that being the case, if they stuck with her, it was possible that they could be framed.

All that glory they could engulf themselves in if they survived this Candidacy would be gone, blown to bits.

"My apologies. I am from a relatively small power and want nothing to do with this."

One person apologized and distanced himself, continuing to the next before all four individuals had left.

Only Hayley, Crystia, Noctis, Flamerose, and Frostrose were left.

Isabella couldn't help but grin back at Girias. She had no retort to that, as she believed Davis's power did corrupt her, and she loved it. Nonetheless, she knew everyone other than Hayley was dependable, so she gazed at Hayley, wanting to know her answer, but she didn't put her on the spot.

"You can leave if you want. Although our time was short, it was helpful. If we survive, we might meet again in the true immortal world."

"Ridiculous. I see Girias and Harmon as more than villains than your husband, and I still have to enact my revenge for being ganged up on in the trial. He will suffer for that~"

Hayley manifested a silvery-blue spear and pointed it towards Girias and Harmon.

"You'll regret betraying your power."

Girias grinned, causing Hayley to harrumph, "You won't die a good death."

"What are you smiling for? I should thank you for removing those we cannot trust to have our backs, idiot~"

Isabella laughed, causing Girias's expression to sink.

"Let's see for how long you maintain that facade of yours!"

As soon as his words fell, he jumped and pounced on Noctis, looking like he was going to engage head-on.

"Die!"

Noctis's earth dragon aura rumbled as he unleashed Earth Dragon's Overbearing Fist by circulating his immortal martial energy through the apt meridian points. His Domineering Earth Dragon Arts cultivation method rumbled within, surging with immense power as it gathered into his fist.

"Kill her!"

*Boom!~*

Girias abruptly revealed his cultivation. It appeared to have risen to Level Two Immortal Emperor Stage, allowing him to barely withstand Noctis's punch. His dark blue lightning arced like a web, trying to contain the force of Noctis's Earth Dragon Overbearing Fists, but it was more than he could suffice, causing him to clench his teeth and retreat.

However, the force was too much, causing him to be sent flying, but he still smiled as he saw six Immortal Emperors get past Noctis.

Crystia went to intercept them, managing to stop three Immortal Emperors, but three still shot past her.

"Protect her, you two!~"

She yelled at Flamerose and Frostrose, who had turned into giant magical beasts.

Their Immortal Emperor Beast forms were practically towering when they extended their wingspan. They blotted out a part of the area, reaching the Immortal Emperors by themselves, and struck them with their wings.

At that moment, a tremendous amount of nirvanic energy filled the air. Both fire and ice spun and blazed into the atmosphere, suddenly swirling together as they compressed. Icefire energy burst out of their union, filling the air with a dangerous chilling heat.

"Wha-"

The three Immortal Emperors who thought two phoenixes of opposite nature wouldn't cooperate were shocked. Their shock didn't last long before they were abruptly engulfed in these icefire flames, two barely managing to escape as they instinctively activated their Defensive Talismans.

On the other hand, one of them exploded into a bloody fountain. The crystallization of the icefire didn't even catch up to crystallizing the blood because of the intensity of the attack, causing the blood in the air to disperse from evaporation from the heat instead.

Only then did the frosty part of the icefire catch up, crystallizing everything in its wake.

The two Level One Immortal Emperors who put up a barrier using their Defensive Talismans were sealed in this crimson-blue crystal purgatory, eventually allowing Frostrose and Flamerose to fly away.

They launched themselves into the air, appearing like they were trying to escape.

"Quick, follow them. They're trying to escape! Argh!"

Girias spat a mouthful of blood.

He glared at Noctis while being sent flying again. For some reason, he was targeted repeatedly as though there was a kill order on his head.

With one Immortal Emperor dead, many were shocked at Flamerose and Frostrose's prowess. Even in the Immortal Emperor Stage, they maintained a prowess of eight levels higher using this terrifying Law called Icefire Laws.

They barely recognized it and hesitated following them, which gave enough time for Flamerose and Frostrose to gain a headstart.

"Girias, this is not what we heard!"

"Does it matter!?" Harmon roared, "Let's get her before she completely escapes. They're not truly strong. Otherwise, they would've stayed to fight!"

Hearing that reasoning, the other five Immortal Emperors, who had still yet to make a move, clenched their teeth and shot after the twin phoenixes.

However, Harmon himself wasn't able to leave.

He glared at Hayley, not expecting such a big retaliation from her as she held him down.

"Tranquil Lotus Nirvanic Mantra: Man Proposes, Heaven Disposes~"

Hayley had one leg locked in a lotus position, and the other used to stand. She held a silvery-blue spear with one hand and had the other between her ample bosoms, her eyes closed as she locked onto Harmon.

Remaining in the same space, she stabbed her spear into the air.

The tip struck the space, and it abruptly rumbled into a giant spear, shooting to pierce Harmon into oblivion.

"Arrogant! Bloody Talon Drain Slash!"

Harmon roared, his soul force gathering at the tip of this finger. It transformed into a bloody saber, which he grasped and hacked at the giant spear.

*Bang!~*

"Ugh!"

Harmon was sent flying as he spurt a mouthful of blood, his eyes still focused on Hayley as he saw her use another attack, which made his scalp turn numb.

His attack should, in all right, jolt her blood essence, leaving her unable to concentrate. However, she held her focus as though nothing could stop her, causing him to be wary of this ancient power called the Tranquil Lotus Temple.

He dodged the incoming spear and turned to look at Girias, who was also pinned down by Noctis, while Crystia single-handedly managed to pin down three Immortal Emperors, leaving two Immortal Emperors still stuck in the crimson-blue crystal mountain.

This made it so five Immortal Emperors were following Flamerose and Frostrose, their fates unknown as they had gone past the mountains, moving beyond their horizons.