Divine Emperor of Death

Founder Zenflame silently sobbed, but later, he turned around, slipping his hand into his sleeves again before gazing at the pills in his hand, his lips curling wide into a maniacal smile.

'Hehe… six Gilded Realm Ascendant Pills… Although it pains me to lose three out of the nine Gilded Realm Ascendant Pills of Minor Realms, it should still be worth it. After all, I have settled our debts and secured the trust of the Divine Emperor of Death, killing two birds with one stone…'

Founder Zenflame silently laughed.

'I… no, my Fire Phoenix Clan is going to soar…!'

He trembled, full of dreams for the future. He felt it was always good to have a person like Davis on their side even if he was an Anarchic Divergent.

But suddenly, his expression sank as he sensed a person by his side.

"…!" His heart leaped as he didn't sense someone coming, or he guessed that was how much he was distracted with the pill in his hands.

Quickly hiding the pills and turning his head, he saw it was none other than Shirley.

Shirley smiled.

However, Founder Zenflame blinked as that smile was strange, as though it was directed at an unfortunate person.

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in any additional pills you might have as three is also significant, more than enough for our deal to work. On the other hand, if you can keep the Auraflame Clan and your Zenflame Clan in check, then the Davis Family will secretly offer you our support whenever we can, so don't mess it up. Convince the Fire Phoenix Lower Realm to not mess with us when we ascend."

"You're a hero of your realm now, after all."

"…"

Shirley grinned and left Founder Zenflame like he was an emaciated person.

After all, if he had to move to convince the higher-ups, then he must also give up something of value, like the six Gilded Realm Ascendant Pills he had left.

Soon, there was a strange sound in their abdomen.

It caused Shirley and Isabella's eyes to widen as they saw that the ninth seal had gone. They rejoiced, finally able to enter the Immortal Emperor Stage and start their counterattack.

On the eve of the seventh day, a crimson-robed woman walked under the scorching heat of the sun, passing the grasslands.

"As I thought… the diagonal corners of the Crystal World is where the Crystal Gates are located…"

That woman smiled and said with a sexy voice as though seeing through the landscape of the Crystal World they were allowed to play in. Right now, she was in the southeastern corner of the Crystal World and saw a Crystal Gate at the furthest end.

However, the more distance she closed, the more intrigued she got.

She soon came into contact with another woman.

That woman was clad in purple robes, but the odd thing about her was she just seemed to have undergone her Immortal Emperor Tribulation as marks of tribulation lightning covered the ground.

"Fancy seeing you here, Evelynn~"

She smirked and said out loud, causing Evelynn to open her eyes.

Evelynn didn't seem surprised. Her indifferent third eyes opened, flashing with a crimson light.

*Boom!~*

A clump of crystals exploded behind the crimson-purple-robed woman.

"Are you not afraid this crystal beast could attract the Empyrean Stage Crystal Beasts over here, Zenova?"

"…"

Zenova smiled, not caring if a Peak-Level Immortal Emperor Crystal Beasts were chasing her. She was just playing tag with it as she had been quite bored for one reason.

"You didn't know…?" She raised her brows, "It seems like our very presence would act as a sanctuary from the Empyrean Stage Crystal Beasts, those who completed the Hidden Pagoda, I mean."

"What…?" Evelynn raised her brows.

"However, I don't think it applies to all. I completed the Seventh Hidden Pagoda, so only the upper three pagodas might reserve that right…"

Zenova sincerely contemplated while Evelynn's forcefully smiled.

She felt ashamed of staying near the Crystal Gate if that was the case. After all, she completed the Eighth Hidden Pagoda.

'Wait… is that why no Empyrean Stage Crystal Beast approached this place…?'

Evelynn was full of doubts over Zenova's statement, but it couldn't be like she got lucky since no one visited this area, so Evelynn felt that Zenova's conjecture couldn't be entirely wrong either.

"Aha~ The Crystal World was our territory for a few days. To think you failed to take advantage of that~"

Zenova laughed lightly.

"…"

Evelynn shook her head and stood up. That kind of provocation would work little for her, as she had to take care of a bunch of misfit sisters and children who brought her troubles over and over again.

"So… do you want to battle or work together like we did last time?"

"I love how we plundered the Mystical Herb Mansion together." Zenova's smile faded, "However, I seriously would like that destruction-attribute fruit. Would you not hand it over in exchange for another resource?"

"Unfortunately, it's not with me. You know Isabella has it."

"That's right… but it isn't like we couldn't make a deal."

"What do you have in mind…?"

Evelynn was intrigued. However, the two of them went silent at the same time, feeling something strange brewing in the air.

It was going be the end of the sixth day, so the Second Trial was going to come to an end.

Davis and his entire family had also gathered to watch the start of the Third Trial, wondering what it would be like. Their expressions were a bit solemn as they looked at the number of Candidates left.

It was down to one hundred and ninety-eight. It was of little doubt to them it was only going to get truly gruesome from here on out, so they didn't stop wishing for Evelynn, Isabella, and Shirley to survive no matter what.

In another space, there was a white-robed woman in an unknown location.

The entire space, including the ground, was white, but at the center was a pagoda canopy. Usually, there would be some seats to sit on, but right now, there was a coffin.

It was a golden coffin, looking extremely precious. Its grade was unknown but, at the very least, could be regarded as Empyrean Grade.

She walked towards the golden coffin and stopped before it, staring at it for some time, her thoughts unknown. Her slender form appeared upright, her back turned to the world outside. The delicate fabric of her robe swayed even when there was no wind as though saying that she should step back.

Still, the silent arch of her back and the gentle droop of her shoulders all hinted at the invisible burdens she carried. It was as if the very air around her shimmered with the echoes of silent anguish, yet if someone saw her face, one would see that her expression had never changed.

"It's time…"