Chapter 1618 - Status Quo
Ancestor Dian Alstreim, Ancestor Tirea Snow, Edgar Alstreim, Tia Alstreim, Lia Alstreim, Clara, Diana, Edward all came to congratulate him on his recovery.
After everyone welcomed him for rising alive from the grave, the star of the day was none other than Shirley. They all went towards her, thanking her for saving him and congratulating her for conceiving his child. She instantly became everyone's favorite in an instant, especially his mother, who kept her on a pedestal.
However, Shirley appeared a bit uncomfortable by the reception. She felt fortunate alright, but having to face everyone with whom she had little interaction was considerably awkward for her despite being a social person herself, and perhaps because she held Davis's child in her belly, it was all the more embarrassing for her; embarrassing for her not because of the fact that she conceived Davis's child but the way she conceived.
Even remembering it now, having to learn a few methods to insert a few needles at the right locations on Davis's body to divert most of the blood flow towards his groin and straddling him was highly embarrassing for her.
To her shame, there was another person in the room other than the two of them, watching the 'treatment' process. Initially, she was against it, but knowing that they would be cautious against her since they didn't know her well, she was fine with at least one person watching her, and it so happened to be Isabella, the person with the most weight here.
Furthermore, she herself was unsure of what would happen to Davis, so for accidents, she needed Isabella to stay, but to protect her reputation, Isabella swore not to speak a word of what she saw if the 'treatment' goes well.
Fortunately, it appeared like Isabella hadn't shed the details to others nor treated her wrongly.
While she was being surrounded by well-wishers, Isabella, Nadia, and Evelynn appeared beside Davis, their eyes flashing with a bit of amusement.
"How should we kill?"
Their voices echoed together, causing Davis to smirk.
"You're all raring to take revenge, huh..."
"Indeed, but we won't take a step outside without your permission." Isabella replied, "I... we don't want to lose you again without being absolute-"
"Isabella, there's no absolute in this world." Davis shook his head, "As long as you desperately need to do it, you should do it. On that note, Evelynn and the others who tried to gain powers by themselves did a very good job of staying alive. After all, it was foolish of them to leave your side."
"Sorry..."
Evelynn couldn't help but lower her head again.
"Davis, it's already over. Why are you bringing it up again?" Isabella stood before Evelynn, appearing to protect her.
Davis couldn't help but scoff.
"You say that, but what if one of them died? Next time if anything happens to me and if you all don't remain together, don't expect me to be understanding, although I do apologize for failing at that moment and would like to atone-."
"You're exaggerating, Davis." Isabella stopped him, "There was no way to take on such a powerhouse at that time. We were just hasty and arrogant, that was all. It's not your fault, so if you say you were, I am equally at fault too."
Davis couldn't help but wryly smile at Isabella, trying to console him.
"You know, it sounds rather funny if I said that a granny came out of nowhere and forced my hand, causing me to almost die."
Isabella and the others were flabbergasted, not knowing what to say to his dry humor, but Davis continued.
"If it weren't for that old hag's appearance, most of it was within my calculations. With the information I had at hand, the Soul Palace should've helped me dealing with Soul Emperor Hadrian Cross, not take revenge for his death."
Instinctively, Davis felt that no matter what kind of move he made that bordered on protecting the others, it would've led to the same fate with him sacrificing his soul. It was as if the heavens were forcing him to abandon important things in his life, perhaps his generous heart and rational mind so that it could get rid of him when he stumbles over a mistake.
"Still," Davis continued, "Taking a step back, let's just say his granny took a step out of Soul Palace to take revenge for her grandson, so why does Soul Emperor Yorhan need to come to us in search of their spatial ring, attacking us during our vulnerable moments? If it weren't for Nadia's unique soul attack that's overpowering and filled with death energy, there's no way you could've all held against that Peak-Level Soul Emperor."
"The Soul Palace needs to be destroyed."
Everyone nodded as they voiced out. However, they became confused as they saw Davis shake his head.
"No, I'm going to take over the Soul Palace alone and learn its secrets."
His statement gave them a shock before they grinned as they looked at him.
"For that to happen, we're gonna have to kill Old Man Yorhan and make the remaining Soul Emperor my slave, not a mindless one at that, which is going to be extremely difficult."
"So while Old Man Yorhan is having a hard time recuperating from Nadia's soul attack, Nadia and I will eventually put a nail on his coffin and take over the Soul Palace through enslaving. In the meantime, we'll take care of the Dragon Families and the Four Great Righteous Sects."
Davis spoke with confidence while the other felt as if though they had regained all their sight and confidence back. As expected, their man was always looking a few steps ahead, clearing a brighter path for them all to thrive and survive.
"Isabella, what kind of deal have you exchanged with the righteous path in order to cease conflict with them?"
Isabella nodded. Her rosy lips moved as she began to explain.
"After you almost died, the Four Great Righteous Powers, consisting of Heaven Gazing Sect, Heaven Mandate Temple, Astral Light Sect, and Vast Sky Emperor Palace: their four leaders assembled above the Grand Alstreim Ocean on the fourth day with a few subordinates, demanding I meet them, so I went along with Nadia. First, I would like to say that the Heaven Gazing Sect kept their words and tried to protect us."
"Oh?" Davis raised his brows, "How righteous of them, but since you said they tried, I take it that they had ulterior motives, even threatening to start a war if you do not comply?"
Isabella wryly nodded her head, "Since they know that I had the potential to become an Immortal, they didn't go too far but even tried to shamelessly woo me."
Davis's expression became cold on hearing that. Just when he was about to ask who they were who dared, Isabella continued.
"However, they did place a condition for a truce, and that was to give the key to the Grand Sea Continent, or the Forsaken Phoenix Realm as they would say."
Davis's pupils dilated as he felt shocked, "How did they come to know that the Earth Dragon Immortal Inheritance is in the Forsaken Phoenix Realm?"
Isabella shook her head, not wanting to explain as there were many reasons, like Davis's parents showing themselves while the All-Seeing Towers quickly caught on to it with their information collecting and assessing capabilities. Since they could assume that he came from the Forsaken Phoenix Realm, they naturally assumed that there was a chance that she was from there too.
"The Tripartite Alliance Territory, ah, it's back to being called the Desolate Territory because of the fall of Towering Cloud Hall and the Falling Snow Sect, of which the latter which has joined us but still, that place and especially the Desolate Plains is under strict scrutiny, so entering and exiting the spatial gate proves to be almost impossible."
"What?" Davis became dumbfounded, "Then how did Clara and Shirley come back? Was it with Nadia's help?"
"We were that brazen enough to try and forcefully save Clara and Shirley, lying in wait, which was like telling that we're trying to revive you. However, Clara, fortunately, found a new way to enter the Fifty-Two Territories, and to her claim, it was not one but twelve ways to enter."
"What?" Davis couldn't help but flinch before he abruptly remembered, "The Twelve Vile Vortices in Earth?"
"I think she said something like that, although I know for a fact that Clara and Shirley came out from a huge mountain in the Towering Cloud Hall Territory because of the hidden spatial tunnel in that area. Don't worry. I've secretly secured it with Nadia since Clara was smart to contact me as soon as she arrived in the Fifty-Two Territories."
"..."
Davis was extremely taken aback by the information provided before he clenched his teeth.
"That lass, braving dangers like that..."
What if something had happened to her? To the both of them?
"Did she find anything else?" He asked.
"I don't know. You should ask Clara as I asked her to forget about it and not to approach those vile vortices any longer since we don't know where the other eleven ways lead to individually."
Davis contemplated for a while before he glanced at Clara look delighted talking with Shirley.
"Alright, so how did you convince them without giving the token to the spatial gate?"
"Simple." Isabella smirked, "I just told them to wait until I finished grieving for you, at least a year, and funnily enough, they did as if they were scared that they could not please me enough, although I will say that the wicked path like the Infernal Lightning Palace, Blood Reaper Underworld, and Poison Rift Valley decided to become rather hostile during this time, taking some brunt away from us."
"Indeed, the best time to attack the righteous path is when they are shaken and distracted by something else."
Davis sneered while Isabella nodded and continued.
"After this mess, the Four Great Righteous Sects declared a ban on Large and Mid-Sized Territories' Ninth Stage Powerhouses from entering the Nine Western Territories, citing the reason concerning stability during the upcoming young expert competition as well as to protect them all from Nadia. Only they could enter, and anyone else found illegally entering will be severely punished for doing so, although I doubt that they will do anything."
"Uh? Is the competition still there after I killed half of the hegemons? You must be kidding..."
Davis's lips couldn't help but twitch in confusion.
"You say that, but it seems like they're bringing in youths from Mid-Sized and Large-Sized Territories as well."
Isabella shrugged while Davis became utterly confused.
Was a competition so important enough to stake their lives with the threat of Nadia looming around their heads!?
What kind of competition was this!?