Divine Emperor of Death

Chapter 4753  Ascending The Mountain

Davis unceremoniously made his way up with the jade container in his hands. It leaked the aura of a True Deity Grade resource, so he further wrapped it around with the big banana leaf that could conceal them. It belonged to Fairy Thunderblaze.

Regardless, with most of its aura kept in check and its essence sealed with only a minute amount of leak, he would at least be able to hide it from Empyreans and a few Early Stage Exalts.

Carrying it in his hands like a transporter, Davis climbed the Myriad Coiling Spirit Peak.

Looking up, Davis saw the first coiling path, the first level.

Here, the forests of ancient trees rose higher than the towers sprawling in cities. Their jade leaves glimmered with dew drops filled with the essence of life. Although very minute in amounts, it would certainly be helpful in alchemical concoctions and even nourishing one's ailing health.

Abruptly, a cacophony of laughter echoed.

Davis had entered through the second barrier and gazed at the source of the sound.

Three spirit children were playing around the bushes, their innocent and melodious laughter pleasing to hear. They were of three different races and elements, making Davis momentarily surprised, but he wasn't shocked since he knew this mountain held a peaceful rule.

Those who were violent here would be met with a bad end. Cantor Darkdew, who had committed suicide to let him know that Rioxys Plume was taken up to the clouds.

The laughter suddenly died down as they noticed him. They looked at him with both caution and curiosity, making Davis smile.

"Little ones, can I know how to get around the mountain?" Davis gently asked.

"You…" A little fire spirit with a chubby face pouted, "I heard from father that you can follow the coiling path, but don't go up. Follow the flat and winding path across the mountain until you reach the other side, where you can descend."

"Ohh, thanks." Davis brought out a flame candy that Calypsea both liked and disliked because it didn't have apocalyptic flames, but was of sumptuous, essenceful delicacy, "You can have it."

The little flame spirit looked excited but was afraid as he looked at his friends.

The two shook their heads, indicating it was suspicious.

The little flame spirit looked like he was going to cry, his flaming hair dimming, "It's fine. I don't… want…"

He squeezed the words out from his throat, nearly making Davis laugh.

"Good kids." Davis kept the fire candy back inside, not forcing them to accept.

But he asked, "Then how should I get to the top of the mountain?"

"Ah, just follow the coiling path that leads upwards. You should eventually make it~" The little female wind spirit from the side echoed with a sweet voice.

"Thank you, little ones."

Davis didn't disturb them any longer and followed the coiling path. He could sense numerous spirits eying him from the shadows of the forest, likely in concern for the children.

Regardless, he didn't know if he should make his way up or head around to the other side of the mountain. He wanted to escape this place, sure, but if he left, he wasn't sure he could leave without handing over this True Deity Grade treasure first.

Then again, he also wanted to see Rioxys Plume and take her back, but he knew for a fact that the latter wasn't possible. He could just hope that her powerful grandfather would treat her well.

'Bylai is going to be saddened…' Davis inwardly sighed.

He didn't dally and made his way fast amidst the coiling road.

He met numerous spirits along the way. They provided him with directions, but not a single one of them attacked; all possessed a natural peaceful disposition. It was good to see, making him feel like it was a good vacation spot. At first, he wondered if they were puppets, but his Heart Intent didn't pick up any anomalies, so he knew they weren't being controlled.

They knew to be peaceful, but he supposed it wouldn't be the same in the higher levels of the mountain, as the competition to stay would be heavy. After all, Cantor Darkdew's tribe was thrown out because they couldn't pay the tributes. They wouldn't resort to violence, but they fought through tributes to acquire land and nurture resources, drawing on the rich elemental heaven and earth energy here.

To back up his assumption, there were trade posts every few hundred kilometers, making Davis speechless, but this made it clear to him that they were rearing spirit herbs and resources to gain their place in this mountain. Offering tributes, strengthening themselves, and going out to hunt Calamities was the only way for them to survive.

'A good system, I must say… keeps most people from getting decadent and also arrogant… but like all systems, comes with its own set of problems… this one being ruthless enough to send out tribes to the mercy of Calamities, not to mention culling humans with Calamities to aid the growth of resources gained from Calamities…'

Davis inwardly sighed, thinking about his family's own system. As Fairy Thunderblaze mentioned, his system wasn't foolproof either. It would become ruthless for the generations after the third, because by then there would be too many wanting resources, while the Treasury would have only a few left after the first and second generations consumed everything, not enough to go around.

Naturally, they would start looking outside, conquest and subjugation remaining the only way. Some bad apples might even go further, using the family's name to act as tyrants. He believed the Law Enforcement Hall could tackle this problem, but he wouldn't know until it happened.

Davis looked outside the mountain, noticing a certain landmark. This meant he was halfway around the mountain. He couldn't help but sigh since traveling here was way faster than traversing below, where there were many wild spirit tribes and Calamities. He was unimpeded here, causing him to cover half the distance in a mere three hours when he had taken days to go around the mountain below.

*Fshh~*

Abruptly, a shadow covered him from above, causing him to dart to the side and hit the mountain wall.

"Mas- Davis!"

Davis was stunned as he saw he turned around to look, seeing Rioxys Plume. For a moment, he didn't dare believe she was here.

First, he wanted to go to the other side of the mountain.

If Rioxys Plume wasn't there, as told by her grandfather, he wanted to make his way up. But now, she was here!

Rioxys Plume's tentacles returned within her body as she awkwardly smiled at him, knowing she could get him killed if she were to call him master again. Also, it seemed like her plan to scare him failed.

"I kept waiting for you for a few hours every day, but you didn't show up. I almost thought you were dead or still trapped… but… I'm not allowed to go outside…" she pouted.

"Are you fine? If something happened to you, I don't know what I should say to- senior sister Bylai."

Rioxys Plume closed the distance, causing Davis to keenly stare at her before he sighed in relief, confirming that she was Rioxys Plume to the best of his ability. Her talkative nature was a bit concerning since she was the silent type, but having reunited with her family, he guessed some changes were not surprising.

She was more like an introvert who wouldn't speak much until she knew the person well.

"I'm fine, Rioxys." Davis walked to her with the jade container in his hand, "The question is- are you fine? Why are you not allowed to go out? As a powerful Exalt Spirit, you could survive better than anyone, especially with your grandfather, who dares to offend you?"

"This…." Rioxys Plume raised her hand to touch her cheeks behind her veil, "The situation above the clouds is quite complex. My grandfather is ailing, and there are three others vying for his position, the Guardian of the Myriad Coiling Spirit Peak. I heard that the one who attacked you was Cloud Elder Zaratu. He's under the wing of Grand Elder Catalyx, who is also vying for that position. So if I go out, I might be captured, and they would force my grandfather to step down."

"So it's like that…" Davis felt like his vision, filled with obscurity, was cleared, but at the same time, it brought more questions.

"What were you doing all these days?"

"Oh, I was confined to my chamber above the clouds, but every few hours, I am allowed to descend. I looked for you daily during that time, but you didn't come, probably fighting with that scary sister all the time…"

Davis cast an apologetic look.

He couldn't tell that he was charmed by Fairy Thunderblaze or even bring her up since he was still frustrated over her betrayal.

Rioxys Plume pouted, but she smiled the next second, "Still, I was treated well by my grandfather. His only wish for me is not to leave the mountain where I could be protected. Otherwise, he provided me with a lot of study materials and resources. I was able to gain more knowledge. Someday, I'll be useful and repay you all~"

She giggled and then her white, ghost-like eyes darted around expectantly, "Did you leave the bird outside?"