Chapter 2070: Occupation
The chaos surged from the destruction of the Vast Sky Emperor Palace, and the Emperor Sword Sect surprisingly died like a candle flame that had been doused with a bucket of water. There was no way for that flame to revive.
Everyone thought that the Emperor of Death would occupy those two defeated Territories. After all, who didn't like to have ownership of land, especially an absolute hegemon like him? Moreover, the mid-sized Territory occupied by the Emperor Sword Sect was around three hundred billion square kilometers, which was not even the combined size of the three small-sized Territories that the Emperor of Death officially occupied in the far western region of the Fifty-Two Territories.
If that mid-sized Territory was not enough, there was the large-sized Territory that was occupied by the Vast Sky Emperor Palace, stretching over seven hundred and fifty billion square kilometers, which was not even the combined dimensions of two mid-sized Territories. Occupying such huge lands with rich resources, a hegemonic power could just live off the tax collected from the people and businesses thriving in it and even make a surplus from it. Yet, the Emperor of Death didn't even show an ounce of interest.
Many wondered if it was because of the backlash that the Emperor of Death would receive from the righteous path, but the rumors were that the Four Great, no, the Three Great Righteous Sects, could not even afford to clash against the Emperor of Death, and so, haven't done anything to even rebuke him.
"So you're really not looking to establish your might in those Territories?"
"Didn't I already say? I have no interest in these lands. I could afford to conquer everything here, but my Alstreim Family could not maintain them. Moving to the central lands means being barraged from all sides when I leave, and the fear I imprinted in their minds fades. It would be more than they could chew, so it's a foolish move. On the other hand, if they stayed in the far western lands, it would be easier for them to defend themselves. Although the small land is a problem, it would be a small price to pay for prosperity and safety."
"This move is just like the Zlatan Family's move of yonder. Didn't they also settle for a small-sized Territory but keep the resources there in surplus? I would be doing the same, transporting resources from all over the Territories to allow the three small-sized Territories to flourish. It's just like bringing back the resources that were once stolen by you all, powerful people, in the name of righteousness."
Davis nonchalantly answered a white-robed person's question.
He was none other than the Mandate Emperor, seated in front of Davis. The Karmic Guardian Emperor and the Starnova Emperor were also here, seated beside the Mandate Emperor as they listened to them talk. The All-Seeing Emperor was also here and their objective today was to know more about the source of the Calamity Light, but as usual, the topic had slightly drifted to security and the state of affairs.
"The Emperor of Death is wise..." The Mandate Emperor couldn't help but blandly smile, "But-"
"It's not like I'm going reclaim what was stolen. There are no records of what was stolen, unlike the Infernal Lightning Palace's looting of the Hundred Devil Thunder Archipelago. So what's stolen is stolen. What I'm going to do is buy off resources in bulk. That shouldn't be a problem to you three, right?"
That bland smile became bright, "Oh! If that's the case, I'm glad. It's extremely reasonable and merciful for a person of someone of your stature."
The Mandate Emperor couldn't help but chuckle, causing the other two to laugh as well.
Recently, they learned from the Jade Lotus Valley that their Top Disciple Ivy Aries had reached a tremendous level of prowess, and apparently, the Emperor of Death was appraised to be more or less the same by their Guardian Lotus. If the Emperor of Death, who recently entered the Law Rune Stage and the Martial Overlord Stage, could have been said to have manifested this so-called Supreme Immortal Rune and Supreme Immortal Crest, then wouldn't he possess a similar uniqueness in his Soul Forging Cultivation?
It was no wonder his prowess was so blindingly strong that they were forced to understand the difference between them. However, learning this information didn't help them at all. In fact, it caused them to have more trepidation towards the Emperor of Death because they deeply understood that he could absolutely crush them with a flick of his finger.
"That said, my Alstreim Family has two winners. My little sister Clara won in the Seventh Stage Segment, and in the Eighth Stage Segment, I won. You better uphold your terms and hand over two small-sized Territories."
"Of course, we are also here to present you with the rewards promised to the winners."
The Mandate Emperor nodded as he handed over a few spatial rings. Davis unceremoniously accepted them before the Mandate Emperor asked.
"And, which of the two Territories would you like to rein hold of?"
"The ones near to the Alstreim Family, of course."
"That would be the Flowing Mist Sect Territory and the Towering Cloud Hall Territory. Am I right?"
"Indeed."
"Besides, I'll be cleaning the Poison Lord Villa Territory as well and taking it as my own. You three don't have a problem with it, right?"
"Of course not." The Mandate Emperor shook his head, "That's a wicked path Territory, and its air is mostly poisonous. We don't want anything to do with it. However, I suppose the Blood Pledge Villa might interfere since they would be isolated?"
"There's no need to worry about that." Davis couldn't help but recall Schleya.
She would obviously kill the Blood Pledge Villa's Villa Master, but it was unknown if she would take rein of the sect or destroy it. He felt that he could decide later about it.
"Right." The three of them felt that nothing could stop this man if he wanted to take hold of a Territory.
Even they were helpless.
Sometime later, they handed over the property deeds of the Flowing Mist Sect Territory and the Towering Cloud Hall Territory. After all, the Territory itself didn't belong to these small-sized hegemons but was provided and protected by the Four Great Righteous Sects. That's why the small-sized hegemons have to pay tribute. However, Davis became exempted from this rule, and now, over seven Territories officially belonged to him.
They were the Alstreim Family Territory, Tripartite Alliance Territory, Falling Snow Sect Territory, Flowing Mist Sect Territory, Towering Cloud Hall Territory, Soul Palace Territory, and the Golden Dragon Valley Territory. The latter two could be said to be his subordinate powers.
As for his allies, they were the Magical Beast Sanctuary and the Burning Phoenix Ridge.
Nonetheless, they got back onto the topic at hand.
"So, is there any news about the sou- Fairy Myria? I heard she was freely going back and forth from here to the Mystic Ice Sect?"
"Well…"
Davis explained to them what Myria said, but leaving out the topics that would touch upon karmic burden, but it still caused them to reel in despair.
"At least two stages higher than Immortal Foundation Stage…?"
The Karmic Guardian Emperor's lips severely twitched.
"Hmm. According to Myria, since she was already located, it wouldn't be long before the enemy finds the exact coordinates of this world even if she is killed, meaning that time is running out. What? Do you all feel like ascending and leaving this place to die?"
Davis's raised his brows, causing the three of them to feel some trepidation in their hearts.
"Of course not." The Mandate Emperor shook his head, "You also said that immortals would be suppressed here."
"It's a possibility." Davis shrugged.
"Still, as long as there is hope, I would not ascend. Otherwise, there would be no meaning in waiting too long to face the calamity. If I wanted to run, I would've done so already when you were
Davis couldn't help but smile as he raised a cup.
"I hope you stay true to your words." He drank, causing the others to drink the cup as well.
"What about you, Emperor of Death?"
"Me?" Davis couldn't help but grin, "You would know at the time when the calamity descends."
The Mandate Emperor and the two others smiled at each other, now knowing what to make of his statement. As a youth who had a bright future, the Emperor of Death possessed no obligations to stay behind and defend. He could leave without a problem.
Shortly after their doubts were cleared, they left.
Davis was also about to leave, but he looked at the two guests who were brought in.
"Ah, granny, you've come. Have you finally made your decision after consulting with your great-granddaughter?"
He looked at ancestor Aries and Ivy Aries, wondering what kind of decision they made.