Divine Emperor of DeathDivine Emperor of Death
Davis remained silent, waiting for the old witch to break the silence as though he was standing his ground.
Inwardly, he was thinking about many things.
From the information he received about the Voidshade Chasm, he knew that it formed over six million years ago. Therefore, this old witch was hunting anyone who dared to make it to the lower floors for over six million years. She probably killed all of them as she devoured their souls if they made it past the Whispering Rift to enter another dimension, which made the people go missing.
Not even their life and death could be confirmed.
She probably even absorbed their blood and soul, especially the Three-Headed Hydra Bloodline, which should have been beneficial for her. However, no matter how much she absorbed, the level of blood and soul she obtained didn't exceed the Empyrean Stage. It was not enough to push those divine weapons out of her system.
Then Vereina— a suitable vessel finally appeared after an excruciating wait.
Davis could only imagine how joyous she felt when Vereina started absorbing her remnants and became one with her. The perfect infusion must've seemed like a dream, so just as she was barely away from the precipice of obtaining what would allow her to finally break the seal, he interrupted her.
The hatred and wrath she must have for him should've blotted out the skies, yet Davis could see a sane mind through her wide eyes despite the craziness she portrayed.
'If I play my cards right, I should be able to get out more information before finally…'
Davis cast a look at Vereina, who practically held him for her life. He had never seen her this scared, making him wonder if that was how terrifying the control the old witch had on her. He guessed Vereina still didn't have full control over her soul or her body.
"…"
He couldn't help but feel double the guilt.
After all, he was the one who suggested that she absorb the remnants. If it wasn't for him, he could see that Vereina would've stayed in this realm, slowly built up her cultivation, entered the Empyrean Stage, and then entered the fifth level, where she would've found the dark wraiths.
Feeling the attraction, she would've absorbed them, but then, as an Empyrean, she would've possessed more resistance against this old witch. She would not have been easily controlled like now and could've even broken free by herself.
Although it would've taken a long time, it was better than being possessed and made to do all sorts of things she wouldn't do.
It could be said that he botched her chances of surviving. He had to always know that strengthening people with his abilities wasn't just going to make them live a better life. Sometimes, it would just send them to the pit of death hastily.
People would dare to do something dangerous when they think they have enough power or backing, and this was one of those cases. Although it was her choice, he was the root cause. Because of that, she endangered herself.
"You can question anything other than that technique. I will answer you to the best of my ability, but I will ask the same as I want to know about the state of affairs outside."
Finally, the old witch said in a slow yet stern voice, causing Davis to return his gaze to her.
'She's trying to get a hold of my weakness…'
He narrowed his eyes. Didn't she know who and all were there in the fifth level?
Davis suddenly realized that this old witch really didn't know what they were doing there. He guessed she could only see the world through the remnants or, even worse, only able to see, sense, or influence when someone actually tried to absorb or accidentally inhaled the remnants of the dark wraiths.
It was such an important piece of information that unlocked a few options for him— one being that he could still carry out his plan.
He only needed to know one thing.
"Do you know the person who placed the talisman over there to the entrance to the sixth level?"
Lillian Rayton paused to think before she answered.
"If I'm not wrong, it should be someone called Sirius. He was a Level Seven Autarch who was extremely powerful. He came here over three million years ago when my presence was found for the first time, and after investigating, he cleverly retreated and placed a talisman there, hampering my progress. I lost count of the number of times I cursed him to death…"
"I see…" Davis nodded, but the skies rumbled in his soul, thundering with joy.
He remembered Venerable Elder Sirius, who was currently his death puppet!
'He really did die… in my hands…' He almost wanted to reveal.
However, Davis didn't know if the talisman activating would be known by Venerable Elder Sirius or the organization behind him, the Sacred Crusade League.
He had the other party's spatial ring, but he couldn't sense if anything activated, and even if it did, he didn't notice under the pressure. Otherwise, it could only be something that Venerable Elder Sirius would feel through his soul through some kind of karmic connection.
Davis couldn't tell. Either way, he felt like his plan could still be set in motion.
All he had to do was get this old witch to back down, but that seemed like a task that was even greater than convincing the Celestial Transcendent at the moment.
It didn't seem like the old witch would let them go without Vereina in her grasp.
"My turn." The old witch's gaze flashed, "What are you? How are you not shaken yet when every single person who has entered had shivered in my presence? Even if you're an Anarchic Divergent, your Will shouldn't be this powerful to withstand my aura. A mere Immortal Emperor like you should've broken like glass under the incredible pressure my aura commands, yet-"
"Let's just say I'm an existence that is bound to surpass the likes of you sooner or later."
"Oh? Such confidence." The old witch flailed lightly, shaking the chains, "I don't dislike courage, especially from a man. I can't wait to make you mine, Davis."
"…" Davis's brows squinted.
It seemed that she read or heard Vereina already to know a bit about him. That's one of the reasons he didn't talk to Vereina at that moment because the old witch was plaguing her soul. Anything he said to Vereina, she might come to know.
"What's your name?" He asked the old witch in return.
"Name?" She blinked, seemingly thinking for a moment.
Perhaps it had been so long that she momentarily forgot or was genuinely surprised someone wanted to know her name. She paused for a few seconds before moving her lips.
"Lilliana Rayton…"