Alchemist Thaddean Auraflame's scalp turned numb as she screamed, "Wait, wait! I know what you're talking about. My grandmother is a Zenflame who was exiled from the Zenflame Clan, causing her to be abandoned, and she sought refuge in our Auraflame Family. She later remarried my grandfather, who is from the Auraflame Clan, so my father was born, and then I was born. I have nothing to do with the Zenflame Clan, I swear!"
"…"
Davis blinked as he also saw the reaction of the other Fire Phoenix Lowe Realm's disciples. He felt some doubt, wondering how these youngsters knew about the Zenflame Clan when it was supposed to be not much relevant compared to the clan in the true immortal world.
After all, it was Great Ancestor Zenflame who created the Zenflame Clan.
Only after Reselius Zenflame's descendants ascended would the Zenflame Clan come to existence within the true immortal world. With that being the case, he wondered if the Zenflame Clan managed to establish themselves amongst the giants.
Davis had his questions, but he lowered the scythe, "Your grandmother is a Zenflame?"
Thaddean Auraflame nodded, "Yes, she isn't allowed to live near the main city due to her affiliation with the Zenflame Clan. The higher-ups feared that she could be a spy and didn't let her into our main city, so my grandfather has been living with her in another city for hundreds and thousands of years already. She is not a Zenflame anymore, so you would have no need to target me."
Davis's lips curled as the person before him seemed to have a complicated upbringing.
"Isn't a Zenflame Clan a part of your Fire Phoenix Lower Realm? He asked.
Hearing this, the Fire Phoenix Lower Realm disciples' expressions turned unsightly.
However, Thaddean Auraflame heaved a breath, his lips moving.
"Sigh… the Zenflame Clan was originally a branch family that ascended from an unknown world. Not much is known about their origins, but it's not a big deal as we do have some Fire Phoenixes creating some clans on their own in Minor Realms or pocket space but return eventually to join or create a clan in our Fire Phoenix Lower Realm."
"Nonetheless, it was said that the Zenflame Clan was well received amongst the hundreds of Fire Phoenix Clans, considering their clan members were mostly Kings. Although their King-Tier Bloodline was impure, they were taken care of with their potential, but as they grew, they finally showed their true colors around three hundred thousand years ago when one of them finally mutated, becoming more than a Fire Phoenix."
Having said this, Thaddean Zenflame's expression turned sore.
"The Zenflame Clan plotted to replace us, the Auraflame Clan, the main branch and the ruler of the Fire Phoenix Lower Realm. Naturally, we exiled them, but they managed to seek refuge within the Upper Realm that belongs to us phoenixes. Now, they occasionally harass us as they managed to butter up to our gracious Upper Realm."
"The Seven-Colored Phoenix Upper Realm…"
Davis uttered, his lips curling in annoyance. Naturally, he had soulscoured Eiren and a few others, so he now knew the names of all Upper Realms and what becoming a Seven-Colored Phoenix meant.
"Yes, yes~"
Thaddean Auraflame nodded hurriedly, "The Zenflame Clan had produced a Seven-Colored Phoenix back then, allowing them to receive the graces of the Seven-Colored Phoenix Upper Realm, but a thousand years ago, they gave birth to another Seven-Colored Phoenix, giving them the edge to contend with us for the seat of ruling the Fire Phoenix Clan Lower Realm."
'A thousand years ago…?'
Davis's brows squinted.
Didn't Killian Zenflame's father ascend recently in the past thousands of years? Could it be that he was the one who became a Seven-Colored Phoenix?
He turned to look at Xerna Zenflame, his gaze scanning her.
"What…?"
Xerna Zenflame took a few steps back as she placed her hands over her bosoms, appearing intimidated.
However, Davis didn't blame her.
He indeed thought of using her to bait Killian Zenflame's father, but considering that father-son should likely be both scums, he voted against using her.
"I told you should kill him while you had the chance…"
Xerna Zenflame uttered as she pursed her lips, "Now, you're on the brink of offending an Upper Realm."
"…"
Davis didn't say anything, but on the other hand, the five disciples from the Auraflame Clan looked at their conversation. They wondered a lot.
Could it be that this woman called Xerna Zenflame was a defector like Thaddean Auraflame's grandmother?
"Lady Xerna, we can accept you into our Auraflame Clan. I'll even marry you!" Offered Thaddean Auraflame with a bright smile.
"Boho~"
It was as though he was feeling good after acting righteous, but a foot fell on his face, causing him to blurt out a strange sound. A bit of blood drooped from his nose, leaving him teary-eyed from the residual pain flashing across his head.
"Why…?"
He asked Xerna Zenflame with a sound of disbelief as though he expected a yes from her.
"This arrogance… It's the same as the Zenflame Clan I left. Kill!"
"Ah! Save me!"
Xerna Zenflame raised her foot again, causing Thaddean Auraflame to scream out while the others surprisingly shook their heads as they abandoned him.
Offering a marriage to a maiden who was with a capable man, especially when they were prisoners? Their alchemist sure was an eccentric who easily courted death.
However, Xerna Zenflame didn't land a kick. She lowered her long leg, turning to look at Davis.
"What are you going to do with them? Kill them?"
"What do you— want to do?"
Davis returned her question with a question, causing her to look away.
"I want them alive. Can you let them go? It's clear now that it's just a misunderstanding."
Xerna Zenflame spoke in a low voice, her tone slightly imploring. It suddenly made Davis want to tease her, but as soon as he remembered she was Killian Zenflame's daughter, there was some prejudice in his heart.
However, she was good to him, warning him to kill her father before he could get him due to her personal family situation.
He didn't know how to treat this woman as he had designated Zenflames to be dead in his mind, as they never came to apologize to him or Shirley.
If it weren't for Great Ancestor Zenflame, the other two inheritors, and even Flamerose pleading for him to spare them, stating that they had lost their minds in their thirst for power and that they would bring them back to their senses, he would've long began his incursion against the Fire Phoenix Clan, harassing them as he acted like a true assassin and ended their lives one by one, group after group.
Even now, other than being with his family, he felt like killing Zenflames was his number-one priority after returning to the First Haven World. The only worry was Ancestor Reselius Zenflame, but he was confident in being able to stay clear of him.
Nonetheless, regardless of what or who Xerna Zenflame was and how he felt about her, the words she said resonated with his thoughts.
"Fine, I'll let you five go in exchange for the treasure list, including all the treasure lists you might've gathered from others."
"That…" Thaddean Auraflame appeared sheepish, "… we truly don't have any other treasure lists because we have yet to face an enemy faction who are willing to engage in a battle with us…"
"We also haven't killed anyone since we have set foot here except Feral Beasts…"
Cassia Auraflame also added in a proud tone as though it would give her good karma.
"…"
However, Davis's expression turned speechless.
Could it be that this Auraflame Clan was… not dangerous? Or were these youths paper phoenixes who haven't ventured into the outside world?
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