Chapter 1997: Choosing Sides
"This isn't a cowardly action."
The Mandate Emperor shook his head to Myria's question with his hands behind his back.
"The Mystic Ice Sect's sudden rise is obviously connected to you, so we can't deny the possibility of their betrayal. If you really think they're innocent, then obediently surrender. This way, no one would be harmed. You can't escape us, and we're only apprehending you all in order to investigate. Why would we want to harm the Mystic Ice Sect if they had no part in conspiring against the human race, no, this whole world?"
Myria almost rolled her eyes. Although the reply was reasonable and would make the common people nod in appreciation over the magnanimity and the wisdom of the Mandate Emperor, she remained unconvinced. Because of her mystery, they didn't dare face her head-on.
The fact that they instantly summoned their entire reserve of powerhouses denoted this fact.
She glanced at her Mystic Ice Sect, noticing they were all panicking.
In truth, the Mystic Ice Sect maidens were all scared, not knowing what was happening. The only one in the know was their Sect Master Bing Luli, Ancestor Bing Hua, Ancestor Wan Lanying, Ancestor Xia Yun, and top disciple Mu Bing. However, even they possessed some trace of trepidation in their hearts.
Faced with the entire power of the righteous path, how could they remain calm? What they were doing was undoubtedly betrayal to the righteous path.
However, they weren't going to surrender either.
The moment they chose to side with Myria, they knew that something like this was going to happen. However, being caught in this moment was something they didn't expect as, according to Myria, they wouldn't be able to find her, but somehow they did, which was explained by Myria.
It seemed that the Karmic Guardian Emperor used the karmic luck of everyone gathered here to find her, and the price appeared to be steep so much that they didn't use all the forces to force Myria to surrender, even trying to take them as hostages.
"Obediently surrender. Otherwise, we could only use forceful means."
The Mandate Emperor's voice resounded with a warning. At the same time, a soul transmission also fell on Davis's mind.
"Emperor of Death, we could also use your help."
Davis's expression was gloomy. He didn't expect these turn of events, much less this grand hidden formation that trapped everyone in this place. He could actually see that the Mandate Emperor was willing to sacrifice everyone here except the geniuses in order to capture Myria. Otherwise, did he think that he could capture Myria with just their forces?
Perhaps, the Mandate Emperor was relying on his help to capture her, and that's why he was contacted.
Davis glanced at Lea standing amidst the plethora of powerhouses. Since she was part of the hegemons of the human race, it was a given that she would stand along with them. However, the calm gaze in her crimson eyes told him that she would follow whatever decision he made.
Only his Alstreim Family didn't answer the call because they were waiting for his opinion.
Davis inwardly sighed and moved his lips.
"Alright, everyone should disperse."
"…"
For a moment, everyone couldn't believe their ears. Did the Emperor of Death say that they should just obediently die to the Calamity Light?
"What? I'm saying this for your own good. In a sense, she's scarier than me. After all, she stole something from me and still lives, so if you don't want to get killed, you better return to your seats."
Davis hurriedly waved his hand, looking like he was in a hurry and couldn't be bothered to explain.
"Unfortunately, we can't back out of this as it concerns the fate of our human race, Emperor of Death. The slightest clue we could get to counter the Calamity Light will lead to countless lives being saved. Even if were are to die here, we are prepared to sacrifice ourselves."
Once the Mandate Emperor finished, countless faces of the people changed, their expressions becoming pale. Those who were already at the exit found that they couldn't break the barrier. The entire place was sealed, disallowing them to exit.
Cries of help resounded in every corner of the New Era Battle Arena. However, a single command from their Sect Leaders silenced all chaos.
Davis's expression was exasperated.
Did they think that they could trap Myria along with them? He felt that they were trapped with her, fated to die a gruesome death.
'How foolish…'
He couldn't help but grit his teeth over their useless stubbornness.
He didn't care for Myria becoming a mass murderer as she probably killed more people in her lifetime than him, but how could he allow Ellia to be stained with that kind of sin?
Back then, he regretted that he was incapacitated, causing Evelynn to suffer so much while she took vengeance for him. He didn't want a similar story to occur again, no matter the reason. Even if there was bloodshed, it should be from his hands because he already came to terms with it when he killed millions of people while facing the invading army that attacked their Loret Empire.
The situation was similar, but it was solely directed at Ellia. Perhaps, if he chose to act with the righteous path, his chances to subdue her would rise. However, he refused to go along with such a path.
How could he allow Ellia to face such humiliation?
In an instant, countless thoughts ran in his mind when a wry voice echoed.
"If I said that interrogating me would have no use, would you believe me?"
Davis turned to see Myria, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking at the Mandate Emperor, whose indifferent expression didn't change one bit.
It was obvious that he couldn't believe her words. Would a thief accept that they were a thief?
"Well, it doesn't seem to be the case from your silence. Since it's that way, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Myria slightly giggled as though it was inevitable when her hand slightly raised.
"…!"
The expressions of countless people changed, all of them beginning to pour their energy into the formation cores possessed by the three Emperors.
Blinding light emerged on the center of the barrier's dome. It seemed to be concentrating into a ray of light that shone with the immensity of the heaven and earth, its undulations quickly reaching two levels above Peak-Level Ninth Stage, perhaps even nearing three levels above!
The Mandate Emperor had already done his calculations. Even if Myria could reach two levels above Peak-Level Ninth Stage, there's no way she could defend against this attack.
However, little did he know that Myria was actually suppressing her Soul Forging Cultivation.
"Myria," Davis's voice rose at this moment amidst the terrifying brewing of undulations, causing her to come to a stop before he continued, "I understand your anger but think twice before you make a move as there are millions of lives who are in the dark. Moreover, let me take care of this, and we'll have our battle. If you lose, obediently hand over what you stole from me."
His voice rang out with such confidence that it momentarily got Myria taken aback before a faint smile appeared on her face.
"You're a good man. However, your methods are lacking that I don't believe you will be able to protect what you claim I stole from you at this rate."
Davis was initially taken aback to be praised by Myria, but he later smirked.
He didn't care what she thought. Although his methods could be said to be lacking, they had a hint of humanitarianism in it. Unless his heaven and earth were going to be flipped, he wasn't willing to become a monster. He knew that Myria could get out of this if she revealed her full prowess, but she wanted to hide it for some reason.
Perhaps, her true reason for wanting to change locations was to hide from being discovered as the source of the Calamity Light, but he couldn't be too sure as it could be for something else as well.
Moreover, for an immortal like Myria, who probably died once before reincarnating in Ellia's body, her heaven and earth might've been already flipped, so he understood her ruthlessness.
The Mandate Emperor trembled while he collectively gathered the energy with two others and powered the formation. There was still a few seconds left before they could unleash their combined attack, so Myria could be faster than them. They already had their Legacy Artifacts in their other hands, ready to counterattack Myria if she attacked first. However, the Emperor of Death gave them timely help.
But now, the Emperor of Death was actually siding with her!?
His eyes trembled as he instantly opened his mouth to pull him back.