Divine Emperor of Death

The two arbitrators of the Seventh Stage Segment glanced at the Alstreim Family before returning their gaze to the ranking, wondering what the hell was going on in that family to be this deviant, filial, and different than the norm, disrupting the course of the competition that usually would've been the most exciting when the top three battled but was silent instead.

[

1st rank: Logan Loret

2nd rank: Clara Alstreim

3rd rank: Sophie Alstreim

4th rank: Tanya Frostblight

5th rank: Drake Blackburn

6th rank…

7th rank: Mu Bing

8th rank: Niera Alstreim

9th rank…

12th rank: Hayou Azureclaw

13th rank: Kara Moonridge

14th rank…

18th rank: Dalila Leehan

]

Everyone could see that the solemn atmosphere of the competition was taken away when the top three, no, top four, emerged.

If there was someone poor still present, they would strive to do anything in their power, even use blood essence to survive through the end, but all the powers which remained were hegemons who were already quite rich and this Alstreim Family, need one say after witnessing the Emperor of Death unhesitatingly give out fifty Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Cores as though they were nothing?

What need do they have for the rewards?

At that point, they were just taking a family expedition!

However, it was honorable and filial for Sophie and Clara to not want to fight with their father-in-law and father, but what was the need for Tanya Frostblight to do so?

She was just a Falling Snow Sect top disciple and couldn't be truly said to be affiliated with the Alstreim Family. However, the moment their minds grasped how strong she had become from a small-sized Territory Hegemon's top disciple, conjuring a Perfect Ice Domain as well a Supreme Sword Domain, their minds couldn't help but doubt if she could have done it by herself.

Surely not!

They felt something must be going on behind the scenes!

The Emperor of Death was truly perverted, daring enough to say that he cuckolded someone publicly, causing irreparable damage to that someone.

What are the chances that he didn't have affairs with extraordinary women of other powers, giving them resources in exchange? Being extremely attractive in terms of looks, wealth, and power, they didn't believe for a single moment that he didn't have ambiguous affairs with many women!

However, they could only speculate with their imaginations and not converse because they were always afraid that the Emperor of Death would be listening to their conversation. If they were accidentally overheard, they knew that they wouldn't be able to endure the consequences.

Nevertheless, they conveniently forgot the fact that he had to spend so much time cultivating to the point that, in truth, there was little time he had for his women, and he was now merely enjoying the moment.

"Everyone, the Seventh Stage Segment of the Nine Western Territories Young Expert Competition has officially come to an end. The rewards will be presented immediately, so please step forward to collect them."

At first, from the tenth rank to the sixth rank, the top ten received rewards that consisted of Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Fragments and a few other resources.

The fifth rank, Drake Blackburn, came forward and received a Law Tree Fruit and ten Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Fragments.

The fourth rank, Tanya Frostblight, didn't appear before she secluded herself in the resting room for some reason, but Ancestor Tirea Snow went ahead and collected the same amount of resources for her, except there was twenty Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Fragments.

The third rank, Sophie Alstreim, collected the previous resources, but the Vein Fragments were increased to thirty while also obtaining a Dream Dusk Dew that allowed one to enter the Supreme Soul Stage.

The second rank, Clara Alstreim, received the previous resources but fifty Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Fragments.

The first rank, Logan Loret, went ahead and received the previous resources, but instead of Vein Fragments, he obtained ten Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Sources! One of them was even Lightning-Attributed, causing him to feel joyful that he finally obtained something of worth after coming to this layer, even if it was through his daughter's filial piety.

Moreover, he also obtained the Pearl Sage Ark created by the declined Vital Tempering Sect, a construct of High-Level Emperor Grade. It would make a good flying ship for him if he ever wants to adventure like before and even for the others who would like to travel for errands or a cultivation journey.

The reward ceremony was quite bustling, allowing people to rejoice for the experts or curse them in their hearts for obtaining resources that would make them do crazy things.

Davis was seated on the luxurious deewan with Evelynn by his side. They laid over it comfortably, with Evelynn reclining on him, laying her head on his chest while he held her soft waist as though they were watching a show.

"Now, I'm sure you're all wondering the rewards for the Eighth Stage Segment." Honorable Elder Julian Kruse continued after the reward ceremony ended, "Rest assured, for it will not disappoint you."

"Like before, only the top ten will receive the rewards, so the competitors must do their best to enter it."

"From the tenth rank to the sixth rank, the competitors would receive two Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Sources and increments of two additional Vein Sources for every higher rank. There would also be specialized resources that would allow your body to enter the Martial Sage Stage, perhaps even allowing you to form a Flawless Foundation."

*Gasp!~*

People couldn't help but gasp at the fact that the Four Great Righteous Sects were willing to give out Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Sources like that. Two for the tenth rank, four for the ninth rank, and ten for the sixth rank. That was about thirty Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Sources!

Furthermore, it was not even for the top five or the Ninth Stage Segment, making them all feel dumb.

Were the Four Great Righteous Sects emptying out their treasury? Are they trying to decline themselves to death?

Instantly, they couldn't help but deeply worry about the Calamity Light.

Was it that worse for them to be this dramatic about the rewards?

Looking at the reactions of the crowd, Honorable Elder Julian Kruse satisfactorily nodded, about to announce the rewards for the top five. However, he suddenly frowned as he received a soul transmission.

"This…"

His expression became hesitant before he received another soul transmission, causing him to nod his head after contemplating. He raised his hand and pointed towards a direction.

"Furthermore, the Soul Palace declared that they'll release insights of King Soul Stage to the top ten along with a few Soul Forging Cultivation Manuals up to High-Level Emperor Grade which can be obtained by the top three so that our human race can birth new Soul Emperors."

"What!???"

The Soul Palace was ending their control over High-Level Emperor Grade Soul Forging Cultivation Manuals!?

What kind of fantasy was this?

Were they dreaming now?

"This change isn't inherent and goes against the principles of the Soul Palace."

At this moment, everyone heard a melodious voice, causing them to turn to look at the place where the Soul Palace was seated. They saw it was none other than the acting Grand Elder of the Soul Palace, Yotan. She was the one who recently became a Soul Empress, shocking the world for some time.

"However, since our Palace Master, the Emperor of Death worries about the current state of affairs, stating that the human race is severely lacking Soul Emperors to defend themselves against other races that are truly powerful in terms of soul, he commanded us to make an exception this one time and reward the top three or the topmost three young experts other than themselves, but for the topmost three to gain the rewards, they would have to sign a Blood Soul Contract to not divulge anything, not even to their own kin until a hundred years has passed."

"…"

The New Era Battle Arena was dead silent after Yotan's speech. Her voice was melodious and powerful, but the content was equally mind-throbbing.

Slowly, murmurs picked up in echoes, becoming boisterous before the millions of people actually began to chant.

"Long live the Soul Palace!~~~"

"Long live the Emperor of Death!!!~~~"

Their sonorous voices overflowed the New Era Battle Arena, appearing to have gratitude from every power for this kind of move. Suddenly, it was as though the way the entire world viewed the Emperor of Death changed, as though he wasn't only capable of destruction but also being capable of being a bit benevolent, even if it were for appearance's sake because most supreme powerhouses wouldn't even bother to do that as one's first rules, opinion doesn't.

"Did you really say that, Davis?" On the luxurious deewan, Evelynn drew circles on his chest as she asked through soul transmission.

"Just sowing karma… and hope it does something good..."

"I see…"

Davis lazily answered Evelynn while being covered in her warmth. She smiled, appearing happy, but she still had a doubt.

"But why hundred years to spread the contents? Why not now?"

"Because there are little resources available in the wilderness and perhaps, it might change in the future with the presence of the Calamity Light, but that's not the point because the Soul Palace won't be needing these manuals in the future as they're going to become my personal legion of soul cultivators."

"You…" Evelynn's eyes went wide.

"Indeed, thousands of light-attributed spirit cores are with me, making it so that I can nurture the best of the best from the Soul Palace for our peace and security."

Davis brushed Evelynn's silky purplish-green hair with his fingers while she tightened her embrace around him more, feeling more secure and content.