Divine Emperor of Death

"We don't know either. We couldn't identify what kind of calamity the Calamity Light would rain on us, but we could pinpoint that the formation of the Calamity Light was because of a source."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse continued.

"It could be a person, a treasure, or even a creature of another race. We don't know the exact identity of the source, but the divination done by our Sect Master told us that the source would appear in your competition. We figured that if we delay the competition, we can effectively capture that source while also trying to delay the inevitable calamity. Maybe, if we kill or destroy the source, we can avoid the calamity, is what our Sect Master pondered from his divination."

The nine Ancestors couldn't help but narrow their eyes.

"And what are we supposed to do by knowing all this? This old man would've preferred to stay in the dark if this were the case."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas wryly chuckled while the others also inwardly nodded their heads. This was something involving the fate of the Fifty-Two Territories, and they were told about it when only a select few in their powers knew about this?

They didn't want to be brought into this mess when they were all aware that they were inadequate to face this divined calamity!

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse sighed in response.

"Unfortunately, you're all the ones who are overseeing this competition. We fear that if we cancel or change the circumstances of the competition by too much, it might cause the source to be wary of us in case it's a human or a creature of another race who might blend in. That's why we're of the opinion that you all should be informed so that you are able to remain cooperative with us."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas stood up and righteously flicked his sleeves.

"We're willing to follow whatever Honorable Elders wish us to do! It's just that we will follow as long as it doesn't require us to endanger our powers!"

"Good! What about the other two powers?" Honorable Elder Julian Kruse raised his brows as he panned his gaze over them, "Are you two of the same opinion?"

"Yes..."

The others nodded, perhaps reluctantly, as they had no other choice than to do so. Honorable Elder Julian Kruse seemed like he couldn't care less about what they thought as he smiled in satisfaction.

"First, I want you three to stop this nonsense of going ahead with the competition. Delay it again, as long as you can within this decade but don't force it. You all don't need to worry about the eligibility of your candidates because I advise you all to include Law Dominion Stage Youths in the competition but with an age limit of hundred and ten. This essentially severs most Law Dominion Stage Cultivators from entering the fray, including the strong ones from the Mid-Sized Territories."

Everyone's brows flinched when they heard his words about including Law Dominion Stage Youths, but the last sentence made them frown.

"Mid-Sized Territories...?"

What did they have to do with this competition or the Calamity Light?

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse nodded his head to their doubts.

"Yes, the competition's overall prowess is too low. To better capture the source, we came up with the plan that it is better to invite the Mid-Sized Territories and their hegemons for backup as we the four righteous sects getting involved directly would invite suspicion from the hypothesized living source. So our Heaven Gazing Sect, which is from a Mid-Sized Territory, will oversee the competition along with the three of your powers."

"But, Honorable Elder." Sect Master Bing Luli stood up at this moment, "We, the Nine Western Territories, may have invited cultivators from other Territories as guests, but we have never invited them to take part in a battle. If we invite any Mid-Sized Territory powers, no matter who it may be, it would no longer be the Nine Western Territories Young Expert Competition."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse turned to look at her, and the first thing he noticed was her big assets. Nevertheless, it was only for a second before his lips moved.

"Indeed, it wouldn't but is this the time to be seeing fallacies in competition names? There's no need to change the name. Just make it so that with the involvement of the Heaven Gazing Sect willing to confer treasures upon the top five of the competition, the other Mid-Sized Territories scrambled to participate in the competition to gain the rewards."

"But, but..." Sect Master Bing Luli became shocked along with the others, "That would mean..."

"Yes, we, the Heaven Gazing Sect, are willing to take out treasures that you would never see in your life, all for the top five winners."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse smilingly spoke before he shook his head.

"We don't care who wins the top five because our concentration is on the source of the calamity, but if even any one of your disciples from your powers takes the top five, then it is your lucky century."

Half of the Ancestors, most of the men, had their mouths agape in shock. Their shock turned into desire as their expressions changed into a smile.

They felt like they must have their disciples obtain the positions of the top five no matter what!

Even with the inclusion of the Mid-Sized Territories, if the age limit is just below a hundred and ten, then they mused that they had plenty of chances to win! At least, the fourth and fifth positions should belong to the Nine Western Territories, and it was worth changing the format for the treasures the prosperous Heaven Gazing Sect would bestow them!

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse looked at their varying gazes and expressions before he inwardly smirked in disdain.

"Of course, it would all be meaningless if we fail to find the source, so I ask for your cooperation once again to make sure that we all would be able to stand tall amidst the era of the Calamity Light. The circumstances of the competition would change, but we calculated that it was well within the limit. Perhaps, if all goes well, we may even be able to stop it."

"Yes!"

The Ancestors collectively answered, looking all determined at this moment.

"Good! That's all I have to say. If there is any doubt, you can contact me through these messaging talismans."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse waved his hand and sent three messaging talismans towards the three powers. They landed on Ancestor Bing Hua, Ancestor Larzen Metaxas, and Ancestor Gong Hyun-Ki's palms, respectively. Obviously, Honorable Elder Julian Kruse concluded that these three powerful cultivators were the ones who were allowed to make the decisions regarding the competition from this moment onward.

The three of them nodded their heads, standing up and taking their leave.

"If there isn't anything else, we'll be on our way then..."

Ancestor Bing Hua's cold yet clear voice echoed. The four of them stood up as their robes danced when they left.

All the men's eyes were on the backs of the four beauties before Honorable Elder Julian Kruse extricated himself first.

"Enough staring. Put more effort to ensure we can make this world a just place."

"Yes..." Ancestor Gong Hyun-Ki wryly chuckled before he clasped his hands, "We hope to see you all again during the competition!"

"We will be there to offer advice and oversee. No need to worry."

They both nodded to each other before the Vital Tempering Sect left, leaving the Flowing Mist Sect alone with them.

"This old man has nothing to say. We'll also take our leave then..."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas lightly smiled, receiving Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's nod. The three Ancestors from the Flowing Mist Sect began walking out when a voice suddenly echoed out.

"Wait..."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas blinked before he turned around along with the other two Ancestors.

"Is there anything left to say, Honorable Elder Julian Kruse?"

"I heard that there was a rat in your Flowing Mist Sect that conspired with the Poison Lord Villa to battle against the Alstreim Family amidst many circumstances. I wonder if that's true..."

*Thump!~*

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas, Ancestor Hiden Gilmore, and most importantly, Ancestor Elizar Yantra's hearts simultaneously clenched.

"Mhm? Why have you all gone silent?" Honorable Elder Julian Kruse smiled confusingly, "Ancestor Elizar Yantra? You were silent all this time, and perhaps, you can enlighten me in regards to this matter?"

"Hehe..." Ancestor Elizar Yantra wryly chuckled, "I don't know what Honorable Elder Julian Kruse means, but I also did receive such reports. I already investigated the matter and found that it was done by some hateful cultivators to frame us, to frame me."

"Is that so...?" Honorable Elder Julian Kruse vaguely smiled, "In any case, it doesn't matter if that rat knows its limits. Perhaps, just in case, I urge you to sign this Blood Soul Contract. We'll be rest assured that the rat won't necessarily commit another blunder that might ruin the chances of the entire righteous path, right?"

Ancestor Elizar Yantra bit his lips, his pupils trembling as he gazed at the new Blood Soul Contract and its conditions. He gulped, his heart pounding faster by the second as he sensed a vague yet mighty undulation of the High-Level Law Rune Stage coming from the other Honorable Elder from the Heaven Mandate Temple. He had to calm his heart down by signing the Blood Soul Contract quickly once he found that it wouldn't do anything to him unless he was stupid enough to leak this information to anyone.

It was the same Blood Soul Contract, but its grade was at Peak-Level Emperor Grade, unlike the High-Level Emperor Grade Blood Soul Contract they had previously signed!

Once Ancestor Elizar Yantra signed, he forced a smile and clasped his hands.

"Then, we'll meet again during the competition."

"Of course. You can count on us to safeguard you all from evil attacks by the wicked path in the meantime."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse gladly smiled, looking as if he was really happy as they clasped hands once again.

"We appreciate that very much and are thankful for a power such as yours to be present, overseeing our prosperity."

Ancestor Larzen Metaxas spoke with a wide smile.

The Flowing Mist Sect left the next moment. However, in the distance, Ancestor Elizar Yantra seemed to be receiving stares of daggers from his fellow Ancestors.

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's gaze turned cold as he watched Ancestor Elizar Yantra's back, his lips moving with disdain.

"Filthy rat... If the Heaven Gazing Sect didn't have its hands full with the Calamity Light and other important matters, you would have been executed for colluding with the wicked path long ago, no matter how small the cooperation may have been..."

"Heh, they all signed the Blood Soul Contracts without fighting back one bit." The other Honorable Elder couldn't help but laugh, his face appearing to have a mocking expression, "I didn't even have to use my Mandate Laws to make them sign it. What a waste of time for me to tag along with you. Looks like they were nothing but fools..."

"Fools?" Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's cold expression faded, "They were smart to not offend us."

"Does that make them any different from cowards?"

"I don't know. Such a thing is relative when seen from different perspectives. Are we cowards for not being a tyrant in forcing them to sign instead of negotiating it in the beginning? Does that not show our weakness?"

"That is..." Honorable Elder Mihangel Evans frowned, "You're not making any sense. The strong can do whatever they want, and we're righteous for a reason. We don't punish without reason, but the wicked path, they'll attack you for no reason."

He then shook his head, no longer interested in their matter.

"Nevertheless, are you crazy people thinking of changing fate?"

"Changing fate?" Honorable Elder Julian Kruse looked a bit constipated as if he was about to laugh to death, "You're amusing, Honorable Elder Mihangel Evans. No one... I repeat, no one can change fate."

Honorable Elder Mihangel Evans gawked.

"Then what are we trying to do if we can't change the predicted calamity?"

"Hehe, changing fate is impossible."

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse abruptly shook his head.

"I mean, changing the result, the inevitable, is impossible, but riding along the waves of fate, we can try to obtain as many advantages as possible. The descent of the Calamity Light is impossible to stop, but we may gain a specific advantage if we could find its source. Perhaps, a pleasant surprise amidst the chaos. Imagine... if it's a type of spatial stone that grants us entry into another realm. Maybe we could hide it out like those aboriginals in the surviving mini realms scattered throughout the Fifty-Two Territories."

"Ha! You want me, us, the Heaven Mandate Temple to hide!?" Honorable Elder Mihangel Evans scowled.

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse made an ironic face in response.

"Or you can become slaves to the Immortals who might descend. The probability isn't zero, you know. The reason why Immortals are made to forcefully ascend is still unknown, and there's no guarantee that they would not return, so enjoy your sect's number one reputation as much as you can until the Calamity Light descends; on all of us, equally and fairly."

"Tch, crazy diviner..."

Honorable Elder Mihangel Evans clicked his tongue in annoyance. The Heaven Gazing Sect and the Heaven Mandate Temple were close alright, but the way they carried themselves, did things and saw the world was different, making them be at odds at certain times.

"Well, let's return."

"Sure..."

They both nodded before they left the palace, leaving it abandoned for who knows how many years to come.

======

The fairies of the Mystic Ice Sect had fairly gained distance, entering their Territory and making their way to the Mystic Ice Sect when they suddenly stopped, looking at each other in utter silence. They just stared at each other, not speaking much or anything for that matter. They weren't even using soul transmission.

It formed an eerie atmosphere until someone broke the silence.

"The source... could it be our Myria...?"

"...!"

Once Ancestor Wan Lanying's voice sounded in their heads about the matter they were all thinking about yet hiding from the Heaven Gazing Sect and the Heaven Mandate Temple, their hearts simultaneously fell.