Divine Emperor of Death

Unknown Territory, unknown city, a grand palace that stretched towards the peak, overreaching the clouds, and even the visible mountains in the surrounding scenery became small in front of its majestic presence.

The top floor stretched to three sides like a triangle, and it gleamed, seemingly made of Peak-Level Spirit Stones and other High-Level Emperor Grade materials that supported its durability. The spirit stones were adorned on the outer surface for a few floors downwards before it was no longer used, but it still seemed overbearing enough as millions of spirit stones were seemed to be used on the few floors of this structure alone!

The people passing by stopped to witness its glory before giving a deep bow, some even kowtowing before moving on, giving the feeling that it was a sacred palace. However, the people passing by all possessed similar robes that displayed the same emblem. It was as if they were part of the same organization.

Given the nature of their robes that possessed different colors, it came to be known that there were three different factions within this particular organization.

There was the main hall in the sacred palace with numerous cultivation objects like censers that burned incense, vases, statues of grand men, and flags that carried three different emblems, and in each of these flags were characters that described its origin.

[Gilmore]

[Metaxas]

[Yantra]

In the middle of each of these flags were grand doors made of spirit stones. These three doors led to three separate halls, which seemed to be designated to these three names, three families.

That's right! This place was none other than the Ancestral Hall of the Flowing Mist Sect. The giant statues of these grand men were the previous Ancestors who led the Flowing Mist Sect.

In the door leading to the Gilmore Family's Ancestral Hall, there were two figures present inside. They sat in front of each other, and in the middle was a small square table that held a game board that appeared similar to Go. There were numerous black and white pieces on the board.

A man who wore elegant yet rich white robes and appeared old stretched out his hand before a white piece appeared on the tip of his index finger. He placed it in a particular place on the board before a wide smile appeared on his face.

"With this move of mine, I have conquered your territory, Ancestor Hiden."

A youth chuckled. He possessed gentle eyes, a medium-sized nose, and lips. His lush black hair stretched till his neck, and he wore a magnificent black robe. He had a candid expression on his face.

However, his lips curved into a devious smile.

The next moment, the pieces on the board changed places on the tiles before it seemed like he was the one who possessed the advantage. In a way, the game was over.

The old man rubbed his white goatee before he laughingly shook his head, "Are you kidding me? Did you stack another cryptic layer of illusion on top of those thousand varied layers of hidden illusions?"

The old man didn't wait for his answer but sighed, "You have once again improved your skill in illusions, Hiden. It's only a matter of time before you reach Level Three Abstruse Intent in Illusion Laws."

The youth called Hiden clasped his hands in respect and humility, "I still have a long way to go, master."

"Aiya! Could you stop calling me master already? We're both Ancestors but belong to different factions. If our people still see you calling me master, they would think that you're still my disciple or slave." The old man appeared to be distressed.

"Master, even after you pass away, I'll still call myself as your disciple."

"Don't be sentimental. I just didn't want the Flowing Mist Sect to decline at that time, so after your Gilmore Family's Ancestor was killed in the fight for Tripartite Alliance's resources, I took you in for your genius talent and groomed you to be the next Ancestor of the Gilmore Family."

"In fact, I owed your family's Ancestor, so don't call me master anymore. I merely returned the debt I incurred."

"Yes, master Ancestor Larzen Metaxas!" Ancestor Hiden Gilmore replied, making the old man ruefully sigh.

He didn't know how many times he had this conversation before, but to people who trained in illusions, a repeat of a scenario, experiencing deja vu was commonplace that they didn't feel bothered or annoyed by it most of the time.

"Then, so what is that brat who likes to act as an emperor doing again?" Ancestor Larzen Metaxas's voice suddenly became cold.

Ancestor Hiden Gilmore appeared annoyed as if sharing the same sentiment as Ancestor Larzen Metaxas, "He stupidly provoked the Alstreim Family again, so he had secluded himself in his room, not daring to come out after he seemed to have failed in the negotiations with Dian Alstreim."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas snorted, "Hmph! Not only did he instigate a rebellion within the Alstreim Family's Territory, he even planned an internal uprising only to fail and have their legacy artifact, one of our Flowing Mist Sect's legacy artifacts, taken in the end!"

"This is an utter disgrace for our Flowing Mist Sect!" he gritted his teeth.

Ancestor Hiden Gilmore added, "Rumors have it that he almost succeeded if it weren't for that youth known as Alchemist Davis, who is directly connected with that character known as Isabella, also known as the Conferred Queen of the Ethren Empire, and the Dragon Queen of the Alstreim Family."

"Dragon Queen..." Ancestor Larzen Metaxas wryly smiled, "What a grand title..."

"The Alstreim Family isn't even worthy of conferring such a title. Aren't they afraid of incurring the wrath of the true dragon families?" Ancestor Hiden Gilmore couldn't help but ask before he answered his own question.

"Well, I did hear that the Dragon Queen Isabella managed to drive the Aqua Flood Dragon away with just her bloodline, so I muse that she at least garnered their acceptance, not to mention their attention one way or another, but perhaps the distance is too long; they're reluctant to carry their legs to the Alstreim Family Territory to see the person with their own eyes?"

"Unlikely," Ancestor Larzen Metaxas replied, "Their speed is such that they would arrive within a week despite the long distance. They likely know who she is already and doesn't dare to touch her even though she is so far away."

"But... The All-Seeing Towers didn't have such a single piece of valid information with them about Dragon Queen Isabella..." Ancestor Hiden Gilmore couldn't help but disagree.

The All-Seeing Towers had never failed them in terms of gaining information, and yet, when it came to Isabella, her origin seemed to be a void that couldn't be filled in no matter how one investigated.

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas shook his head, "The All-Seeing Towers isn't omnipotent. They collect information by investigating various people, use other methods before they sell the collected information. They don't use might to collect information but use information collecting skills, wealth, and influence. So, unless their Ninth Stage Powerhouses move out, don't ever think that they would be able to figure out Dragon Queen Isabella's origin anytime soon."

Ancestor Hiden Gilmore couldn't help but feel that it makes sense. The dragon families were overbearing, prideful, and egotistic that they would act as their hearts willed, not caring about the consequences they would face as they have the confidence to squash any trouble that came their way. At least, it was true for the four great dragon families.

"But they did confirm that brat Alchemist Davis had played an unknown yet huge role in the discovery of Faragin Yantra."

"Isn't that why we put down such a request?" Ancestor Larzen Metaxas smiled, his wide lips appearing ugly.

Ancestor Hiden Gilmore solemnly nodded his head, "Alchemist Davis shouldn't survive after humiliating our Flowing Mist Sect like that, and even if he didn't, he deserves to die because if it weren't for the Dragon Queen's Protector, the plot of rebellion wouldn't have been revealed so soon. Because of him, we have failed to obtain anything of gain but had to negotiate with the Alstreim Family to release the Yantra Family's Elders."

"As for Ancestor Elizar Yantra, he went too far in provoking the Alstreim Family as well as the Dragon Queen. If things had progressed to this point without our consent, we could only have Alchemist Davis die and have Elizar take the blame for it."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas smilingly nodded, "This way, our Flowing Mist Sect would finally get rid of a nuisance with the Dragon Queen's unintentional help. I have held back all this while for the good of the Flowing Mist Sect, but since that brat seemed to have already pulled in a calamity, I'll help him pull it along until he gets tangled in it before sending him off to be beheaded."

Ancestor Hiden Gilmore also smiled, "The Yantra Family has always been overbearing and secretive in their way of doing things, even though they are the youngest family out of the three of us. It's time we showed them that the Metaxas and Gilmore Family are the ones in charge of the Flowing Mist Sect."

"That's right. What's done is done, and it can't be taken back anymore. Now, we just sit back and enjoy another round of-"

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas abruptly became silent before he glanced at the door, his gaze piercing through before he saw a specific undulation being transmitted to him by a particular person. He stood and up and disappeared from the place under Ancestor Hiden Gilmore's gaze. However, the latter didn't seem to be taken aback and patiently waited.

After a few seconds, Ancestor Larzen Metaxas reappeared, but there was a letter in his hand. On the letter was the emblem of the skull-like coiling dragon.

"As expected, we can leave it to the number one assassination organization of the Nine Western Territories to do their job..." Ancestor Hiden Gilmore coldly laughed.

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas reciprocated with a cryptic laugh before he saw down, opening the letter with a bit of excitement, "I can't believe this single piece of letter determines the fate of the Yantra Family. Let us see... Mhm!?"

His expression froze as he read the contents.

"Failed!?"

"What!?" Ancestor Hiden Gilmore stood up in shock.

"Two Law Sea Stage Experts... one dead, almost killed in an instant while the other was taken away alive but had his soul damaged, essentially making him retarded."

"How!???" Ancestor Hiden Gilmore echoed in disbelief.

There were two Law Sea Stage Experts attacking a Seventh Stage Expert at best! There was no way Alchemist Davis would be able to survive their ambush, much less if they self-destructed before they died. These assassins were known to be ruthless after all, never failing to kill their target once accepted!