Divine Emperor of Death

"Killian, do you realize that this is treason?"

Great Ancestor Zenflame's expression was icy cold despite his attribute being one of fire. However, Patriarch Killian Zenflame merely scoffed.

"Although you're the founder, I don't have time to listen to what children have to say. You don't have enough experience to run a power on our current scale, and you are naive to think that you can just get past with confidence and valor. This is not such an era. Besides, your true role is to be just an important piece in the grand scheme of things while I am this generation's Patriarch, destined to take the clan to greater heights!"

Patriarch Killian Zenflame's voice became emotional as he roared at Great Ancestor Zenflame, his expression fueled by ambition.

"So be it." Great Ancestor Zenflame indifferently replied, "I don't want your position and have no intentions to snatch it from you if you have mistaken. As the first inheritor, I'm only making sure-

"Lies. I lost respect for you when you chose to compromise instead of taking the fourth inheritor back as we should've rightfully done."

"You dare go against the ideologies of our Fire Phoenix Clan!?"

"How rude. That ideology is only catered when our dear phoenixes love another phoenix-blooded life, if not a dragon or a kirin but definitely not an idiot who has corrupt death energy fueling his soul, much less a ruinous Divergent. Don't you understand that we must save our fourth inheritor from his vile claws?"

"Looks like your status and power got to your head, thinking you can suppress everything."

Great Ancestor Zenflame's expression became a bit sorry, as though he was feeling sympathy for Patriarch Killian Zenflame, causing the latter's expression to twitch. He clenched his fist but released it, smiling.

"Let me tell you that even the current heir of our Fire Phoenix Clan will become stronger than you if we pour all the resources unto him than you, so you better shut your mouth. If you didn't have the karmic key to the Candidacy, I wouldn't be leaving you alive. Be grateful to our immortal clan that nurtured you to this level in the beginning. Right now, I am its Patriarch, so you should learn your manners and give enough respect!"

Patriarch Killian Zenflame growled and swung his hand in an arc, his palm heading towards Great Ancestor Zenflame's face.

"Stop!"

Hirona and Sierra raised their voices as their undulations surged, but suddenly, they were also suppressed heavily by Immortal Emperors, causing them to falter. Their expressions flickered, his actions fueling their souls with anger.

However, they saw Patriarch Killian Zenflame's hand stop right before Great Ancestor Zenflame's face. He didn't slap but patted his cheek, appearing full of smiles.

"I can't slap my ancestor. Even for me, who has done many things to keep the clan free of vermin, that's too rude and ungrateful, so I hope you'll reflect on yourself and come up with a better plan to retrieve our fourth inheritor back before the month is up."

Smiling lightly, Patriarch Killian Zenflame turned to look at the two female inheritors.

"Does the second and third inheritor have something to say?"

"You-"

"Stay out of this! Only do what you need to do for the clan."

"…"

Great Ancestor Zenflame yelled as he had his head lowered, causing the two of them to shiver ever so lightly. In the end, they forcefully clenched their teeth, not saying anything, and looked away, afraid that their eyes would give away the killing intent that brewed in their eyes at the moment.

"Very good." Patriarch Killian Zenflame nodded his head as though he was satisfied, "Grand Elders, I apologize for making you three have to do something like but please take our first inheritor to a secretive underground cellar and teach him a lesson so that he can turn a new leaf."

"As for you two, as long as you behave yourselves, I will not subject you two to disciplinary actions. It pains me to do this but believe me when I say that I have no intentions to harm any one of you as you three are the ones who will lead us to glory."

Hirona and Sierra felt the suppression leaving their bodies. They calmed down, watching Great Ancestor Zenflame being taken away before turning to look at Patriarch Killian Zenflame coldly.

"What are you planning to do?" Hirona asked.

"It's Patriarch for you, but on the account that you're my elder, I'll not pay attention to it."

Patriarch Killian Zenflame chuckled a bit, "The celebratory banquet will happen as planned, but there's nothing going to be signed. Instead, we're taking our fourth inheritor away from him."

"What if she doesn't cooperate?"

Hearing Sierra question him, Patriarch Killian Zenflame grinned.

"Then we seal her memories and have her cooperate. It is as simple as that."

"…"

Hirona and Sierra became taken aback, but they didn't let it show itself in their expressions. They weren't angered either. Instead, a trace of sorrow flashed past their eyes.

When had their Fire Phoenix Clan fallen to this level? Just who was behind this? There was no way a mere Patriarch would be able to influence the Grand Elders to this level.

It wasn't long before they left as well. However, Patriarch Killian Zenflame still remained with his Grand Elders, his expression solemn.

"Also, get me that woman called Zahara. There's something mysterious about her as her sister is Yeyin from the Ice Phoenix Clan. Our spies in the Ice Phoenix Clan have sent word that there are not one but two inheritors."

"What!? How can it be possible?" One of the Grand Elders reacted with disbelief.

The others also were also dumbfounded as this information suddenly came out of the blue from their own Patriarch's mouth.

"I received this information just as we landed on the Aurora Cloud Gate's grounds. The only one whose background we're unsure of is Zahara, and her half-blood sister is Yeyin from the Ice Phoenix Clan, who's now being doubted to be an inheritor by her clan."

"That's why I also wanted to extract Zahara in the guise of retrieving all disciples, but that old fart made things worse for me. Most likely, that old fart is planning on releasing them after we sign the Blood Soul Contract with that brat, so we would have to wait a month, but we can't wait that long. Quick, inform Rai Zenflame to secretively take care of things there. Also, bring my disobedient daughter back."

"Yes."

The Grand Elders replied and rose to the skies like burning scarlet comets, leaving the area.

Meanwhile, the Patriarch remained with a single Grand Elder guarding him. The former's expression was still solemn, but it was also immensely confused. He took out a few messaging talismans and told the people on the other side to check Zahara's background more until nothing was left of her past, wanting to get to the bottom of this sudden mystery that came out of nowhere.

However, his fingers shook, and his eyes flashed with excitement.

The only reason he was so bold against the inheritors was exactly because of Zahara's anomaly.

To him, the reason for her anomaly didn't matter. If she was truly an inheritor like her half-blood sister, then as long as he could subdue her to be his woman, then his prowess would soar, and he would become stronger than anyone in the Fire Phoenix Clan and reach greater heights!

At that point, even ascension would look like a child's game to him that he couldn't help but start shivering as many ambitions that he suppressed in his heart burst forth and came showering his soul like a tide, renewing his conviction greatly.