Divine Emperor of Death

Chapter 5250: Voidheart Astral Orchid

A short while earlier...

The fractured sky had only just begun to rain down beams of astral radiance when the first great power arrived.

A deafening roar echoed across the distorted landscape as an enormous obsidian warship emerged from a tear in space. Its front was sculpted into the snarling visage of a six-headed hydra, each head opening its maw as streams of darkness poured into the surroundings. Countless black-and-white banners fluttered from its towering masts, bearing the emblem of the Abyssal Radiance Empire.

Dozens of figures descended in orderly ranks.

Every one of them wore luxurious black-and-white robes embroidered with intertwining hydras. Their blue hair fluttered against the oppressive darkness that naturally gathered around them, and faint azure scales occasionally surfaced along their necks and hands, revealing traces of their half-hydra bloodline.

Leading them was a broad-shouldered middle-aged man whose eyes resembled deep abyssal whirlpools.

He was none other than the Abyssal Radiance Empire’s Emperor!

Beside him walked several Grand Elders, each radiating the oppressive aura of Late Exalt and Primarch Stage experts. There were plenty of cultivators within their ranks, but they seemed dwarfed under the mighty forces of the Abyssal Radiance Empire.

Far behind them, where ordinary senses could no longer reach into the spatial layers, the surrounding void faintly rippled.

An ancestral existence was present. Hidden beyond overlapping spatial layers, they merely observed in silence.

The Emperor swept his gaze across the place. He noticed the Divine Emperor of Death and Jaiyan from the rumors. His eyes only transformed into a frown before snorting.

"A Hierarch Grade spatial treasure... it belongs to our empire. I want to see who dares interfere with our harvest."

His voice resounded. It didn’t seem targeted at all as it spread in shockwaves.

No sooner had his declaration faded than a clear sword hum echoed across heaven and earth.

Thousands of emerald sword lights descended like a rainstorm before dispersing into countless gentle breezes.

From within those winds emerged another procession.

Green-robed sword cultivators calmly walked through the air, each carrying an ancient sword upon their backs. Their hair varied in color, but every strand danced harmoniously with the wind, making them appear like immortals who had descended from the heavens.

It was the Gale Burial Pavilion, a strong major power. They stared at the Abyssal Radiance Empire with contempt, but their brows still frowned as they knew they would not be a match. However, their Pavilion Master laughed.

Beside them appeared another force clad in opulent yellow robes embroidered with dark green tempest clouds.

Their emerald hair flowed proudly behind them.

They were none other than the members of the Zephyros Family.

Unlike the disciplined sword cultivators, the Zephyros Family members carried themselves with unmistakable nobility. Wind and darkness circulated naturally around them while several graceful wind spirit feys hovered nearby, their translucent bodies resembling spirits born from the very breeze. After all, they possessed a spirit bloodline, which was termed spiritline.

The Gale Burial Pavilion Master rested his palm atop his sword.

"The Abyssal Radiance Empire truly speaks boldly. However, this orchid is deeply connected to spatial fluctuations. It naturally belongs to those who understand the wind that governs the majority of space."

The Zephyros Family Patriarch chuckled as he followed suit, "Our family would be satisfied sharing it with the fellow cultivators of Gale Burial Pavilion."

"Hmph!" The Abyssal Radiance Empire’s Emperor harrumphed, his voice thundering, "Don’t overestimate your qualifications. Let’s see if you could maintain the same tone when your powers eventually come under us."

"That remains to be seen."

Before either side could continue, a violent howl erupted from the eastern horizon.

Poisonous mist rolled forward like a tidal wave. Within it strode enormous wolf-like feys whose gray fur seemed stained by countless toxins. Their emerald eyes glowed with savage intelligence as every step corroded the ground beneath them.

They had black-green hair and were dressed in opulent gray-black robes and a fur coat.

The Grayscale Poison Hound Clan had arrived.

Yet what truly caused the surrounding experts to stiffen was the phenomenon following them.

Dark violet lightning crawled across the heavens.

Each bolt silently vanished into space before reappearing elsewhere without warning. The lightning illuminated another group advancing through warped space. Their luxurious brown robes shimmered with countless spatial runes, while their long purple hair gently floated despite the absence of wind.

The Blackcurse Voidfang Eel Clan stormed into the place, arriving only a beat later than the Grayscale Poison Hound Clan.

Every member exuded an unsettling mix of darkness and spatial energy.

The Grayscale Poison Hound Clan’s Patriarch bared a sharp smile.

"So lively. It seems everyone has the same idea."

The Blackcurse Voidfang Eel Clan’s Patriarch merely glanced at the orchid before speaking calmly.

"This treasure resonates with Space Laws. Our clan deserves it more than any of you."

The Zephyros Family Patriarch laughed.

"Space? You merely swim through it. My Zephyros Family commands the winds that weave through every layer of space."

The Gale Burial Pavilion’s Pavilion Master remained expressionless, but he still opened his mouth, "The Gale Burial Pavilion has studied spatial sword intent for countless generations. No one here possesses greater qualifications."

The Abyssal Radiance Empire Patriarch scoffed, "Qualifications are meaningless."

His voice rose an octave, "Strength decides ownership. Let’s see if you are all capable as you claim."

For an instant, the oppressive auras of the five Peak Exalt Stage leaders collided.

Darkness.

Wind.

Poison.

Space.

Each Great Law pushed against another, causing the already unstable surroundings to distort even further. The countless cultivators who had accompanied them instinctively retreated. No one wished to be caught between such monstrous existences.

Due to the importance of the World Hegemon Grade Treasures, it seemed like it might instantly devolve into a battle of the giants with no rules in place.

It was not a place for them to interfere, but it was more than likely that they would be used as cannon fodder, so they clenched their fists or armaments heavily.

Hidden beyond perception, the void quietly rippled once more.

Within separate folds of space, the ancestral experts of each great power watched everything unfold. Their gazes remained fixed upon one another, silently restraining each other without revealing themselves.

If one moved, the others would immediately follow.

However, focus wasn’t on each other’s power but the Divine Emperor of Death and Jaiyan.

Davis and Jaiyan also discussed what they needed to do despite the forces surveying them.

"The old foggies hidden in the space are likely Alpha Exalts. Their prowess is near the layer limit, so they don’t necessarily fear us."

"True, it seems like they’re all awakened by your presence and the advent of the Golden Era. Who doesn’t want to quickly swipe some treasures from the treasured lands scattered across the realm? They’ll likely spend the remainder of these lives to obtain this treasure for their future generations because their own chances of breaking through are bleak."

"That’s... quite problematic..." Davis muttered under his breath.

At this rate, he might need to go full force as he did for the Celestial Transcendent.

But if he did that, it was certain that the Celestial Transcendent and the Heaven’s Warriors would be forced to step in to throw him out. It would then devolve into a hunt again instead of the seven-day truce. This was also the reason why the powers here ignored them.

They really thought he wouldn’t make a move.

But Davis knew what they were thinking as he watched their behavior.

They couldn’t wait for him to make a move, so he could be thrown out. Their schemes were laid bare before his Enigmatic Heart Laws. They wanted him gone so his Davis Family would not be able to vie for the Realm Core.

Fortunately, he already had two spies in the Grayscale Poison Hound and the Blackcurse Voidfang Eel Clan. Both their Patriarchs had fallen prey to his Enigmatic Will’s corruption, so they were fiercely loyal. However, they showed no signs of siding with him.

Davis could still feel they were under his control, so it could be seen they were no mindless slaves who only obeyed orders. They were of their own powers, but if he commanded, they would instantly switch sides.

Still, Davis felt he shouldn’t expose his powers here nor use these pawns early. They were needed for the Realm Master to unify the realm.

The Abyssal Radiance Empire’s Grand Elder was also here, but with their Emperor also here, he doubted that he could do anything.

In fact, he seemed to have his head lowered. After all, he had just lost Crown Prince Wilxes Ingrimm, which was a deep blow to the Abyssal Radiance Empire. This was a supreme genius who had high hopes to reach the Absolute Primarch Stage or die trying, but his potential could even be used as he was killed.

Still, it was quite suspicious to see that the Celestial Transcendent didn’t investigate them since he could easily discern if their Wills were corrupted through a soul inspection after learning that they were involved with City Lord Kain Waterland, whom he had impersonated, but perhaps this was also one of the Supreme Ruler’s schemes to clean up the realm using him.

’Problematic indeed... he’s still quite a few steps ahead of me... I’m lagging behind... and it probably won’t change until I could at least sit at the same table...’

Thinking wryly, he let himself hover in the Celestial Transcendent’s palm for a while.

Davis had his own plans. As long as the benefits align, neither party would overwhelm the other and would maintain the status quo.

He guessed this was also a test.

The Celestial Transcendent wouldn’t talk without reason. Since he emphasized how he embodies reason in the form of circumstantial ruthlessness and disciplined restraint, that would mean he wanted to see how he would unify the realm and cleanse the evil.

He turned around and cupped his hands towards the three sides.

"Fellow cultivators, we came here first. I suppose that doesn’t mean anything to you all, but today, this treasure belongs to us. I lawfully claim my right to this World Hegemon Grade treasure since I was the one who made the Golden Era possible. Should elders have some concerns, I’ll listen like an obedient junior and send you on your way."

He bowed lightly and cast a gentle smile.

Once his voice echoed, everyone felt a tremor in their hearts.

They had witnessed the battle between him and the Celestial Transcendent. Even if they weren’t there, they saw the imagery crystals of the battle, although most had broken, unable to withstand the karmic burden in it except for a few profound and durable imagery crystals.

As noble and powerful factions, they were able to get their hands on it.

"What lawfully claim my right to this treasure?" The Abyssal Radiance Empire’s Emperor was the first one to speak out.

His blue hair billowed as he unleashed his aura, revealing a Level Six Supreme Primarch Stage cultivation base, "Divine Emperor of Death, you are an Anarchic Divergent. You have no Laws protecting you- only a few words from the Supreme Ruler have granted you amnesty. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to survive until this minute, so what rights are you talking about?"

"That’s right!" The Gale Burial Pavilion Master spoke solemnly, also revealing his cultivation as a Peak Primarch, "It hasn’t been confirmed you were the reason for the Golden Era to appear, but the Supreme Ruler was magnanimous, granting you brief amnesty. If Divergents brought blessings instead of calamity, wouldn’t we worship them?"

"Yeah!" The Grayscale Poison Hound Clan’s Patriarch roared along with many others in unison. He then said, "What right is there for you to speak of when you’re just an evil that needs to be eradicated? The Supreme One has already told you to scram, so what are you doing here shamelessly!?"

’Haha, they started provoking and even my spies are playing along...’

Davis inwardly laughed before his body began radiating a deathly glow, "In that case, no need to wait for the treasure to mature. I’ll send you all off safe and sound to your homes."

He rose into the skies, the distant white stone replica in the main body’s soul humming with resonation, directly imparting a terrifying source of energy from a long distance through karmic transference connected through their souls.

Ghostly Yang!

Even as an avatar, his prowess rose above Level Nine Exalt Stage instantly and kept climbing!

He then unceremoniously brought Yama out, and the Low-Level Exalt Grade black-white blade began to shine with a black-yellow hue at the edge, displaying the profundities of Level One Obscure Intent of Phyletic Laws of Scythe without him even having to use it.

"...!"

Seeing the Divine Emperor of Death truly make a move, their scalps turned numb, but their expressions turned fierce.

"Everyone, he’s just posing!"

"Don’t be afraid! As long as he dares to attack us, the Supreme One and the Venerable Knights will descend and finish him off!"