Divine Emperor of Death

The translucent crimson domain expanded in an instant.

The domain was quickly identified to be an Impeccable Domain as its radius reached a kilometer long, covering a part of the battle stage in its crimson outline.

Almost everyone knew this Impeccable Domain's strongest point as they saw senior sister Shirley make a move, their heated breaths becoming agitated in expectations.

Shirley's palms surged with her tumultuous essence energy as it rested on the end of her ten fingers. Flames ignited on her body as two flaming wings spread out from her back.

The crowd became a bit flabbergasted, not understanding why senior sister Shirley adopted a defensive stance to summon the wings again to increase her speed, evade, and defend when they suddenly noticed the peculiarity.

"This is..." A Grand Elder suddenly stood up but stopped halfway, his expression becoming tinged with disbelief.

Shirley blinked her eyes as she felt almost twenty-five percent of her essence energy being consumed in this single move. She didn't bother to consider it a waste as her eyes flashed with a bit of killing intent while she waved her fingers as if she was playing a melodious tune and spoke.

"Everburning Dance of the Burning Phoenix!"

A low hum escaped from her voice as a Burning Phoenix suddenly manifested from her body while the wings behind Shirley seemed to belong to it as it flew towards Top Disciple Evald!

Top Disciple Evald became stunned at the attack that was flying at him. His scalp turned numb as he heard Shirley's low voice. However, he didn't lose his mind and instinctively raised the ability of his domain.

"Burning Phoenix Feather Scale Domain!"

He echoed the name of his self-named domain and drastically increased its defense as fiery crimson flames erupted within the side facing Shirley, appearing as if it were going to stop the incoming Burning Phoenix from intruding into his domain.

However, before it could even get near him, he could feel the intense pressure and the blazing temperature from the Burning Phoenix heading towards him that he almost got a delusion that it was a real Burning Phoenix.

"Die!!!"

He screamed and pushed his palms towards it to defend against it as a crazy smile appeared on his face. His domain being specialized in defense was why he was so cocky in indirectly taunting Shirley to defeat him in a single move so that he could counterattack her, but now that the single move had arrived right before his domain, he practically shat his pants as he did his best.

However...

*Crack!~*

The moment the beak of the Burning Phoenix hit the domain, it cracked when the Burning Phoenix pierced through, invoking an intense calamity as blazes began to swirl around. Within the raging flames, the Burning Phoenix began to rotate with its wings taking the form of a tornado as it crashed down on Top Disciple Evald, who was already retreating for his life as he spat a mouthful of blood!

'Shit...!'

The referee reacted, but it was already too late!

*Boom!!!~*

A loud booming cry of a Burning Phoenix echoed as the raging flames danced at the point of explosion. It was as if many Burning Phoenixes had gathered within the sea of flames and were dancing to their heart's content.

The middle-aged referee waved his hands as his Low-Level Law Rune Stage undulations flew towards the raging flames and erased them in an instant while a figure draped in burned crimson robes shot out from the mess, spraying a mouthful of blood all over the surface as it fell to the ground, raising a cloud of smoke from the remnant flames that got stepped on by his body.

Every disciple had their eyes wide as their hearts almost lept out their throats. Their dilated pupils stared at the twitching figure, their minds deeply aware that it was none other than Top Disciple Evald! However, to look at his completely burnt face and skin that was charred black, their expressions changed as they jerked in revulsion and pity.

The current state of his injuries was definitely critical! However, they also mused that there wasn't any danger to his life. Otherwise, his protective artifact might've automatically saved him from dying easily.

Top Disciple Evald tried to stand up despite his injuries. However, feeling a breeze pass by him, he raised his head and saw that a crimson sword radiance was hanging over his forehead, ready to pierce through his soul, the same as the time Top Disciple Rudolf Mair was defeated.

His crimson pupils began to tremble. He was undoubtedly defeated at this point.

But why... why was he defeated in a single move again like the previous battle!?

He could feel his face burning up even though the burnt face hurt like hell. He refused to admit, refused to give up. However, a melodious yet cold voice echoed.

"I won't show mercy if you refuse to admit defeat because of your past deeds. If you think I won't kill you, you can try me..."

His pupils dilated as he recalled what kind of an asshole he was in the mini-realm as he harassed Shirley and Esvele from letting them encounter danger so that he could benefit from their hard work later.

His body increasingly trembled as he recalled that Shirley might've truly killed Schneider in the mini-realm.

He no longer dared to think about anything and lowered his head.

"I... I accept... defeat..."

A low mutter escaped from his mouth, causing the tense referee to instantly drop his hand.

"Winner, Top Disciple Shirley!"

At the same time, Shirley's name moved up the rankings as she entered the ninth place.

However, the crowd didn't erupt into a boisterous roar of excitement. Instead, they were all silent as snails as they possessed a dumbfounded expression on their faces.

Top Disciple Evald was known to have the hardest and most challenging domain amongst the Law Dominion Stage Top Disciples. If his domain was broken so easily, did Top Disciple Vito Rein and Top Disciple Verona Stein even stand a chance to block Top Disciple Shirley's attacks?

Indeed, Top Disciple Vito Rein and Top Disciple Verona Stein both had varying, complex expressions on their faces. However, only the woman's was complicated while the man's expression was a bit twisted, looking angered as well as offended as he banged his arm on the armrest.

"How...!? How is she this powerful!? She isn't even a descendant of our Burning Phoenix Ridge's ten families, and yet, she is way overpowered for her young age that is below a hundred!"

"Hahaha! That's my woman for you, little brother. I take back my words. You wouldn't be able to harm her much at this point. She has already grown to be a worthy bride for me!"

Top Disciple Azzuren Rein laughed as he held his stomach, tears running down his eyes as if he couldn't suppress his happiness. Top Disciple Vito Rein was rather stuck between choosing Verona and Shirley before, but this battle's results told him that he should undoubtedly stick to Shirley as he could tell who the most powerful women in the Burning Phoenix Ridge were.

His eyes moved left and right before he calmed down and leaned back on his seat, looking poised.

In the meantime...

Seeing that she won, Shirley let go of Top Disciple Evald as she knew that this wasn't the place to kill. Even if she had to kill, it must be those two brothers or Grand Elder Valerian, or else she didn't feel like it was worth it.

Nevertheless, there were only two opponents left for her to defeat so that she could enter the first rank in the Law Dominion Stage category to gain the reward for her beloved Davis.

Top Disciple Evald was carried away by his followers while Shirley stayed, turning to look at Davis to garner his reaction to her victory once again.

In the third story of the northern side, a Grand Elder spoke.

"If I recall correctly, one should've at least comprehended Level Seven Intent to have learned Everburning Dance of the Burning Phoenix, but if it were that easy, many Elders might've already learned this Mid-Level Emperor Grade Technique of the Burning Phoenix's Scorching Sky World Manual."

"Yes... This female Top Disciple named Shirley is terrifying. Not even my cute little descendants would be able to learn this technique and unleash it when they are in the Seventh Stage. Very difficult, almost impossible..." A masked Grand Elder spoke.

Hearing their chat, some of the ignorant Elders quickly became aware of the glory of invoking this technique at a young age with a lower cultivation base, making them also nod their heads in regards to this female disciple named Shirley. It was said that she possessed the greatest potential, and now they could understand why.

Shirley once again became elated by Davis's gratified response to her victory. Feeling herself become satisfied, she cast her gaze to her next opponent as an icy look appeared in her eyes.

Top Disciple Vito Rein stood up, looking around as he enjoyed the attention before leaping out of the seating area. He looked calm and slowly made his way towards Shirley when he suddenly paused, looking confused.

He looked towards Shirley, who flew past him back towards the seating area before his calm expression faded, replaced with a frown on his face.

"Wait! Why are you going back!?"

Shirley landed before her seat, turning to look back as a mocking look appeared in her eyes.

"I never called you to the battle stage, idiot."

Her melodious voice echoed calmly, but that caused the silent crowd to erupt into a fit of laughter.

"Hahahahaha!!!"

The entire battle arena released a cacophony of laughter as Top Disciple Vito Rein's face went red in humiliation!