"-want to know what the Fire Phoenix Clan would do from now on."
Davis articulated in a speculative tone, "Their Ancestors unleashed a ruthless attack against me but, most importantly, their own Patriarch. Will they surrender as I demanded or still go about their ways? From the way they attacked me now without hesitation, I would guess it would be the latter, but let's see how things change as they had just gotten their Patriarch back."
He lightly smiled as he shook his head, "Perhaps, they would now be able to think with their heads straight."
Nadia looked at him, imagining that he might not even believe his own speculation as they were all a proud bunch.
Only she knew how a paragon immortal beast would refuse to bow its head in the face of right or wrong as their very existence was justice, and everything else was just ants.
"Don't worry, master. You don't have to slaughter them. As a beast, I'll devour them all alive."
Looking at Nadia, Davis couldn't help but feel moved.
One of the reasons why he released Patriarch Killian Zenflame was because he was wary of the true mastermind known as Ancestor Reselius. He had not seen him, not even once, so through Patriarch Killian Zenflame's eyes, he was going to see him, see the others in the Fire Phoenix Clan, spy on them, know their moves, and block them from harming his family.
He planned two or three moves ahead with this move alone.
'Hopefully, they don't find my new life-attributed karmic technique…'
Davis's lips curled, knowing that even a phoenix's nirvanic rebirth wouldn't be able to get rid of it as it was the same thing he used to eliminate Lars Zenflame's consciousness, except using Death Laws and Karma Laws together.
However, if they checked Patriarch Killian Zenflame's state, then there was a chance that his little trap could be found.
Nonetheless, he sighed, "Well, even without depending on Killian, I think we can learn some answers in the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan."
They left the area, moving away from the Fire Phoenix Clan's direction as they headed toward the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan.
Within a few seconds, a pink-robed beauty appeared above Nadia as she flew threw the skies, flapping her purplish-black wings etched with unseen runes.
"Did you two mean you're going to slaughter the people living in the Fire Phoenix Clan's Prefecture?"
Davis opened his eyes as he saw Lereza descending and standing on Nadia's back. He was resting on Nadia's back, simply feeling some warmth from her as she flew him to the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan, but seeing Lereza appear, his lips curled as he knew this softie was also unable to leave things be like the Nine-Phoenix Locking Relic's artifact spirit which was still in his hands.
"No, I meant their youths and geniuses, elders and many who are nurtured by the clan. After all, if they truly believe they're enacting their justice by hunting me, an Anarchic Divergent, while also throwing a claim on my wife, then I'll return the favor without fail."
Davis lazily replied, causing Lereza to look at him carefully.
"Whatever you do, don't go mad or lose your sense of self. Otherwise, serving you would have no purpose for me."
"…"
Davis blinked. He stood up, matching her stature, as he cupped his hands.
"I'm grateful, Lereza."
Lereza took a few steps back, looking at him with confusion. Sometimes, he acted like hatred took over him, and sometimes, he acted like he was super calm. She couldn't understand what drove him to take this decision other than his loathing for the Fire Phoenix Clan.
"You're acting strange… hmph~" She left a few words as though admonishing him and disappeared.
Davis lightly chuckled as he dropped his hands.
Lereza may be thinking hatred was driving him, but that was somewhat satisfied when he tormented Patriarch Killian Zenflame's will into breaking. Now he could see more without hatred limiting his perspective, but if it weren't for Lereza reminding him that he had his promises to protect, then he would've gone ahead and ended Patriarch Killian Zenflame's life as that man served no purpose in his revenge by losing his mind.
He felt grateful to her for reminding him of what was important.
Moreover, he still felt guilty about what happened to the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan, so he didn't want another war taking place on their grounds. But that didn't mean he was willing to let go of Patriarch Killian Zenflame, so he planned all this in an effort to eradicate the stubborn chickens who couldn't see that he had initially meant no harm.
This way, he felt like he didn't have to harm the innocent people.
========
"And the news is: 'Patriarch Killian Zenflame died to the Emperor of Death but was able to be retrieved safely as the phoenix's ability to revive saved him.'"
A black-robed woman read a scroll, looking astounded before she turned to look at the other women who were gathered around her.
"Ridiculous. They lie even now…"
Shirley shook her head, sighing at Mingzhi, who kept the scroll down, and shook her head.
"Killing a Patriarch is truly a wrong move. It's basically declaring war against the Fire Phoenix Clan, so whoever their next leader is, they might start attacking the Starlight Jade Wolf Clan again, which darling would want to absolutely avoid as he's a devoted and caring man…"
"Indeed."
Shirley nodded as her lips curled, "That said, I'll leave it to him to make the decision as both are valid decisions. My words could've misled or pushed him to satisfy me, so I stayed quiet."
"Shirley, I don't know if we are blessed as we're constantly targeted, but I'm honored to have you as my sister."
Isabella walked from the side and wrapped her arms around Shirley's head, patting her, "Without you, I would be a lifeless husk as husband almost died that day…"
"Hehe~ Praise me more~"
Shirley giggled. The closeness she felt towards Isabella had increased even more after helping Davis increase his cultivation together. Isabella also felt the same as she felt like Shirley was truly a little sister to her.
Only she knew how disappointed Shirley was when she learned that they were targeted by a weak man just because he sat in a position of power.
All this mess… all this suffering they went through… what was the point? If the Fire Phoenix Clan's Patriarch was a different person, would this still have happened?
They all wanted to vent, but the outlet wasn't there anymore. It was simply a husk that didn't even feel regret as it lost its mind.
Shirley patted Isabella on her arm, and the latter let go of her. Taking a deep breath, Shirley eyed her two immortal inheritor masters as she opened her mouth.
"Mistress Zahara. Mistress Yeyin. Have you finally made up your minds?"
"We understand."
"These two lives. They're lifeless but were pulled out of the reincarnation cycle by him, no?"
Mistress Zahara and Mistress Yeyin had solemn expressions on their faces.
After seeing Davis's powers, they felt that they would be lying to themselves if they didn't believe their lives were truly saved by him.
"We don't know what to feel anymore." Mistress Zahara lowered her head, "We don't feel a connection nor any intense feelings of gratitude to the Fire Phoenix Clan or the Ice Phoenix Clan. All we want is to be safe and, perhaps, find a chance to repay the Emperor of Death."
Shirley's face wilted. She didn't want them to feel distant.
"That's not a problem. You can address him the same way you addressed him before. Our husband wouldn't take offense as he likes informality over stiff formality. We… I am willing to protect you two even if the Aurora Cloud Gate sends you out because your clans are requesting your exile on the basis of Candidacy."
"You… do you not hate us for putting you in this position…?"
Mistress Yeyin's gaze shook.
If they were the inheritance masters of the Fire Phoenix Clan, then it was also their responsibility that Shirley was in this mess. As the ones who pushed her into this mess, they wanted to take accountability but didn't know how to go about it.
"What are you two saying…? How can you two be responsible for what corrupt phoenixes do? You two are the most righteous and understanding existences I have ever come across. Mistress Zahara, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to save my husband back then. Mistress Yeyin, if it weren't for you, then I wouldn't have the kinds of power I have right now. You are both the person I aim to become~"
"…"
The eyes of the twin phoenix sisters eyes gleamed as they became moist.
The Fire Phoenix Clan had done so much harm to Shirley, but she still smiled at them, even cheerfully, as though nothing affected her.
They were proud, proud that they had chosen her even if they didn't remember her from those times.
They were unable to utter a word as their hearts felt heavy from guilt and gratitude.
"Is… is there any way I can help? Also, although I stated I couldn't feel any gratitude for the Fire Phoenix Clan, I still don't want them… want my people to perish."
Mistress Zahara's gaze shook as she stood up, "I… I'm willing to reform the Fire Phoenix Clan, so give me… give the immortal inheritors of the Fire Phoenix Clan a chance…!"
"…"
Shirley blinked, "Did you two speak with Great Ancestor Zenflame, Hirona, and Sierra?"
Mistress Zahara nodded her head with some guilt visible on her face. It only turned worse as she saw Shirley's gaze change into one of coldness.
Although she was also treated the same by the Fire Phoenix Clan, she could see that the immortal inheritors meant no harm.
In fact, even Shirley could see the same. If it weren't for those three, chances are that there would be no talks between them than slaughtering each other. The action of surrendering themselves was foolish but valiant, causing her Davis to be somewhat moved by their sincerity.
"I understand."
Shirley lowered her head, causing Mistress Zahara to become stunned.
"In return, you'll become my immortal beasts."
"Y-Yours…?" Mistress Zahara's mouth went agape.
"Indeed. Since you speak for the Fire Phoenix Clan, which is understandable since there are many innocent lives there, then I'm going to see you as someone neutral, not allied, and not an enemy. That's the most I can do for someone I respected so much and still do. However, since our goals aren't aligned, then I can't do anything about it other than demand compensation."
"Compensation…" Mistress Yeyin's expression appeared blank.
What kind of compensation was being demanded?
Looking at the bevy of beauties around, watching them with hawk-like eyes, the two of them couldn't help but shiver.
"I want to become stronger, so can you two become King-Tier Immortal King Beasts? I need more of your blood."
Shirley's gaze turned cold, "And I mean… a massive amount of blood essence that might lead to your regression or even death."
"…"
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