Divine Emperor of DeathDivine Emperor of Death
Davis directed the flying boat towards the west where the Ivory Moon Sanctuary Lower Realm. But not even quarter-way into the journey to the Ivory Moon Sanctuary Border Town, he decided to turn around and return to the Great Desolate Plains.
He was indeed planning to go to the Lunarisse Empire's Treasury and gain more resources, but not before checking the state of the First Void Dust Sanctuary. For some reason, he couldn't shake this vague feeling that the Heaven's Warriors were planning something cruel like it was every day's work.
Davis wasn't foolish. He thought of various scenarios where he could be cornered and granted a painful death. Other than the pure might of the Celestial Transcendent, he feared that the Heaven's Warriors might find both mini realms Stella created and storm them at the same time.
In that case, it would actually make sense for them to take this long and prepare for the twin siege.
He saw through this scenario and made certain preparations before leaving, with the foremost escape plan being to have Nyoran remain in the central area where everyone could escape instantly.
If something happened, they could escape to the Nether Dimension.
For the same reason, he made Stella remain in the First Void Dust Sanctuary.
No matter which realm they were sieged from, all they had to do was have Stella use her realm teleportation technique to go to the other, and if both were sieged, escape to the Nether Dimension. Therefore, Stella was of utmost importance.
Of course, Stella had to recover the energy she used first, which she would've done by now but the main point was that she had to be present in the mini realm in case she wanted to take everyone away with her shifting teleportation technique. She was in a state where she couldn't leave the mini realms, so he felt sorry for her, which also became a reason to go back.
He had to go cheer her up. Otherwise, she might adorably complain and while feeling cute, might drain him to death.
"What are you grinning at? Are you going to make this rabbit your magical beast mount or your woman?"
While Davis was navigating the boat and daydreaming about Stella, Mingzhi slapped his back and stood beside him. She asked a question in a loud voice, causing everyone's attention to turn to him, even grabbing Illumina Lunarisse's gaze.
She gazed at him, wondering what she was to him.
Just a tool as initially planned? She couldn't help but find herself curious even though she agreed to become a tool.
Davis reached out his hand and grabbed Mingzhi's head, swaying her around lightly.
"You-!" Mingzhi caught his hands and tried to stop him, but he was too strong, causing her to moan exasperatedly.
Davis chuckled and patted lightly before he let her go.
"Neither. I did not bring Illumina Lunarisse here because I needed her here. I wanted her because I want to see to what lengths my ability to evolve bloodlines can reach."
He turned to look back, "You also want to experience bloodline evolution, don't you, Illumina?"
"I do." Illumina Lunarisse stood up. She cast a look around, "It may seem like the Divine Emperor of Death is exploiting me, but the reality is I'm benefiting from his power. As for whether it is a curse or a blessing, time will tell since I do not sense malice behind his want for me.
"You do have a good head on you." Shirley smirked, "I heard the Lunar Blackclaw Rabbit are able to sense hostility from all kinds of beings when the moon is up. Can you feel the same?"
"Not quite right. That's a part of our racial trait although only seen by a King-Tier Lunar Blackclaw Rabbit. The lunar rays around the person who wishes us harm will distort. However, all Lunar Blackclaw Rabbits do have some sense for judging people. We rarely meet an ambush because of this racial trait."
Illumina Lunarisse's voice was proud as she talked about her race while looking at the moon with fondness. She then returned her gaze, "Because of this trait, we were also considered guardian beasts in the Lunarisse Empire. We kept the empire safe and without many internal vulnerabilities for a long time. Then— the empire finally fell to the Vacuous Beasts."
"Of course, if the current ruler of the Ivory Moon Sanctuary Lower Realm didn't fear us and execute our empire's finest cultivators for treason, we would've never fallen. It could be said that we were out of karmic luck since our Legacy Treasure was also destroyed."
"Did your Lunarisse Empire get ambitious and offend the ruling power or was the ruling power afraid that you'll grow too strong enough to challenge them?" Mingzhi asked, her brows raised.
"…"
Illumina Lunarisse stayed silent for a moment before she heaved a breath, "I'd like to think it was the latter since we were a Mid Autarch Grade Power, but I have no way to be aware if it was the former. Although I was an imperial guard, I was only second in command and not the head imperial guard, so I had no access to internal matters."
"Figures..." Mingzhi nodded before Illumina Lunarisse continued.
"After Glenda rose to the throne and I became the head imperial guard, we tried to find what happened but our empire quickly spiraled out of wealth in both economic and martial prowess, leading to many talents leaving and keeping us busy. Because of this glaring issue, many nobodies tried to harass us, threaten us, and plunder us."
"Then— the Vacuous Beast invasion took place, and we had to flee or die. As I fled with Glenda, she was targeted by nobody again. We separated, but I made sure to kill them all, and one of them turned out to be a Forgeheart Peak Realm's treasured disciple, so I was apprehended and taken away. But with Glenda having escaped, I was fine with it. My mission was to guard the Empress with my life, after all."
She paused, reminiscing about the past before she gazed at Davis, "This marks a new era of my life since this is the first time I made a decision that has nothing to do with the Lunarisse Empire."
"Indeed. Not many decide to sell their loyalty to an Anarchic Divergent." Mingzhi giggled, "But treasured disciple? Who exactly did you offend? Keep in mind that I'm not blaming you but as someone who also oversees the security, I have to be careful about showing mercy to the wrong people."
"After being taken to the Forgeheart Peak Upper Realm, I heard the person I killed was a Grand Elder's prodigal son. He was thoroughly trash and liked to torment the weak, so the Grand Elder temporarily banished him to the Lower Realms, where he thought he might change his mind, but he got together with the wrong companionship and targeted the Lunarisse Empire for fun. So…"
Illumina Lunarisse's voice suddenly became hesitant, "So… the fault may also lie within me since I went on a rampage. I really don't remember who and all I killed when I retaliated, and the Forgeheart Peak Upper Realm claimed that their disciple was an innocent bystander, so I was on the receiving end of the punishment through and through."
"Pfft…!"
Suddenly, Davis's suppressed laughter resounded. He unwittingly shot a charming smile at her as he shook his head, "No wonder you were so bloodthirsty when we met. You must've been blaming the heavens so much you decided to take the side of an Anarchic Divergent when the chance presented itself."
"…"
Illumina Lunarisse's ears turned red. She couldn't help but agree that was on point, but she didn't say anything other than lower her head.
Mingzhi and the others also smiled.
It was Davis who chose to bring in this rabbit and not them, so they wanted to know what kind of person she was. He also went far to save her and listen to her requests, so they wondered if something wasn't present between them, but it didn't seem like it.
"So…" Mingzhi redirected her curiosity to Davis, "If she isn't both, what kind of position are you giving her? Is she going to be part of the Reaper Soul Legion?"