Divine Emperor of Death

Heavenly Ice Stasis Valley - Ice Mountain Region.

The Heavenly Ice Stasis Valley is the second of three sub-regions within the icy mountain range that covers most of this region. It was rumored that the valley was created by the creator of this world themselves, causing the immortals of the world to be pious and restricted in front of it.

No one dared to be disrespectful in this place. Even the Immortal Emperors who arrived were no different, and shortly, the youthful inheritors also stopped their battles. If they didn't choose to stop battling for the Immortal Emperors protecting them, then they chose it for the respect they held for this place.

"Hmph!"

Four men and two women harrumphed at the three crimson-robed figures. Although two men and one woman wore a crimson robe in the former group, they weren't associated with the crimson-robed figures of the latter group at all.

In fact, they glared at the latter group with hostile expressions all over their face and killing intent in their eyes. The remaining blue-robed people of the former group were also the same, glaring at the crimson-robed people with deep hatred in their eyes.

They were none other than the Vermilion Bird Clan and Blue Luan Clan Inheritors engaging in an altercation with the Fire Phoenix Clan Inheritors.

The Fire Phoenix Clan Inheritors merely sneered, knowing that they had made these two clans decline to the fullest. After all, they were the ones who had done it, killing their fourth inheritors and decimating their populace before going to sleep in the Heavenly Ice Stasis Valley.

But they didn't think the fault was with them as it was war, and the earlier the competition fell, the better the chances would be for them to pave the path to obtaining the reward that they were tasked to obtain.

Nonetheless, despite their cultivation base having lowered, the Vermilion Bird Inheritors and Blue Luan Inheritors didn't appear to be scared. Although they could be killed easily at this moment, they didn't seem to be nervous at all, perhaps because an Immortal Emperor of their clan were there for them right behind them, protecting them.

Although there was only an Immortal Emperor accompanying each of their group, they felt it was enough as they had a plan for exit. In fact, every power that participated in the Candidacy and had unfortunately declined over the years was thinking the same thing.

Despite it being dishonorable and unfair, they knew they must band together to survive, so soul transmissions were furiously being thrown around to communicate despite the altercation that went around.

"...!"

"Stop him!"

*Boom!~*

At this moment, heaven and earth shuddered greatly, and spatial cracks appeared in an area. However, numerous Immortal Emperors quickly gathered around that area, simultaneously reaching out their hands to stop an explosion from expanding and engulfing every one of them.

Chaos ensued as everyone not only retreated but became wary of each other.

Some Immortal Emperor's expressions went ugly, but the one Immortal Emperor who had the expression of despair filling his face slowly in front of the explosion threw his head and cried out.

"Third inheritor!"

That cry was full of fury and sorrow, causing countless hearts to churn and feel wary.

"What happened?" asked an Immortal Emperor.

"An Immortal Emperor committed suicide to take down an inheritor of the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan."

Another Immortal Emperor replied, causing his eyes to go wide.

"Who?"

"We don't know. It happened in a flash when everyone was de-engaging, but judging by the aura of the blast that was filled with darkness attribute, it's most likely an assassin of the three great assassination powers. To think someone paid them a hefty sum to do this... they must be fairly rich to bear the burden or poor now."

Despite making comments audible to everyone as though they were not bothered about it, they continued to retreat with their inheritors, absolutely prioritizing their safety.

Patriarch Klavius Rocksunder, who was interrupted by this blast, also spoke up.

"Let's leave first."

Great Ancestor Rocksunder, Crystia, and Noctis also nodded, causing the Earth Dragon Clan to board in their majestic, golden-red flying boat in the distance before they left.

Only after they gained a significant distance and confirmed that no threats were following them did they heave a sigh of relief.

They knew this was only the prelude to the starting of conflict that would gradually rise over the years in an attempt to get rid of the candidates before the Candidacy began. They could, by no means, relax for even a second if they really thought about it or risk lowering their chances of winning the Candidacy by losing their candidates.

"So, did the fourth inheritor die like the inheritor before? Seeing that it is time for Candidacy to take place in ten years, it seems that we're at a disadvantage."

Great Ancestor Rocksunder wryly shook his head while the other two inheritors also possessed complicated expressions on their faces.

"That... is not the case."

Patriarch Klavius Rocksunder interrupted with hesitance visible on his face, causing the three inheritors to narrow their eyes at him.

"Then?" Great Ancestor Rocksunder asked, his expression curious.

Patriarch Klavius Rocksunder possessed a difficult expression on his face.

What was he supposed to say? That their fourth inheritor got stolen by a rogue? A Divergent, at that?

"Patriarch, why are you still protecting them? Isn't it high time we took our fourth inheritor back already?"

One of the Grand Elders spoke up, causing Patriarch Klavius Rocksunder to turn to look at him.

"Grand Elder Orus, our fourth inheritor Isabella Davis has already stated her intent that she would never forsake her beloved. Even if we took her back, it is more or less clear that she would refuse to cooperate and, perhaps, even commit suicide. In that case, don't you think it is impractical to separate them but make progress as we try to work together with them?"

"What?"

Great Ancestor Rocksunder and the eyes of the other two inheritors widened. Their fourth and last inheritor was a female, but she was in love with someone else, someone who did not belong to their Earth Dragon Clan?

This could be considered an act of betrayal.

"What's going on? Explain this in detail."

Crystia's brows sharply narrowed. She was unwilling to think that an inheritor chosen by one of their immortal inheritance masters would turn out to be a traitor. It was a huge insult to the masters who sacrificed their lives to make them what they were today.

As a fellow female inheritor, she took this matter even more personally.

But just at this moment, the eyes of the Patriarch and Grand Elders flickered as they looked into the distance.

A crimson flying boat with a phoenix head appeared beside them as they cut through a mountain region.

Their brows fell, knowing that this flying boat belonged to the Fire Phoenix Clan.

"Ahahaha! Rocksunder, I guess it's been a long time, although I feel like it was yesterday for us."

A boisterous laughter spread across in a charismatic light, echoing throughout the region.

"Zenflame..."

Great Ancestor Rocksunder's languid expression turned solemn, recognizing the other party as the founder of the Fire Phoenix Clan in the First Haven World.