Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim practically trembled as he looked at the unbelievable scene playing out in front of him.
Dead... These people whom he thought were dead were all alive in front of him, their aura human, their undulations as powerful as him, or even more that he couldn’t help but feel disbelief. His son-in-law, Nora’s father and mother, and there was even someone else who almost looked like the spitting image of Nora that he could instantly discern that she should be Nora’s little sister.
His cognitive abilities were working normally, but he was in a state of stupor as he held the baby. Laura was cradled in his arms, looking at the people with her curious eyes, but she was just silent, not making a sound as she took in the spectacle.
Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim looked at her before once again looking at them, feeling reality become ridiculous!
Just how could this be possible!? He couldn’t grasp or understand this kind of situation one bit, but his eyes abruptly fell on Davis, and he saw him kiss Nora’s little sister.
’It’s him...’
His mind could only perceive that it was because of this person whom he always looked down on. He brought them here and looked as if he had already made relations with them, making him feel even more ridiculous.
He couldn’t understand what exactly was going on here, but he sure as hell knew that excitement was arising from deep within his heart!
Looking at his son-in-law, who had returned alive, not only did he didn’t have to worry about Elise committing suicide, but he also did not have to worry about being at a disadvantage. His whole body couldn’t help but tremble from the realization of his son-in-law’s cultivation level!
At this moment, Nero Alstreim was explaining how they had come back alive. Everyone listened to his account, a few eyes occasionally falling on Davis in awe and reverence while a few also fell on Niera, who looked a bit shy as she held his hand in front of everyone.
Especially Nora. She looked at Davis with a gaze that she did not before. She was looking at him as if he was her real son. Before, it was all convincing herself that she had to look at Claire’s son as the same as her son because she had to be responsible, but it was no longer the case as she felt immense gratitude towards him.
Now, she could instantly understand why Claire always kept him on a pedestal. He had brought them back single-handedly with his magical beast mount!
Nevertheless, almost everyone not in the know was in disbelief when they heard the sealed space was with more Alstreims, stronger Alstreims who were at the Seventh and Eighth Stage, and when they heard about the fire-attributed underground cave, many of their eyes flashed in excitement.
The only thing they were not made aware of was that Davis had gained something from the vestige of an Immortal Inheritance.
"Welcome back, Ezekiel..." Ancestor Dian Alstreim suddenly spoke after the joyful atmosphere became stable, "Your presence in the Alstreim Family means that the family has a new powerhouse, so I guess I should’ve addressed you as Ancestor Ezekiel."
Ezekiel Alstreim came back to himself on hearing Ancestor Dian Alstreim’s words. He moved away from Patriarch Eldric Alstreim and Grand Elder Elise Alstreim and went on one knee, clasping his hand in respect.
"Ancestor, I deeply thank you for keeping the Alstreim Family safe."
Both mother and son became stunned at the father. Not because he had kneeled but because they had just processed the word ’powerhouse’ in their minds after coming out of the shock of Ezekiel Alstreim being still alive.
Their eyes were wide in disbelief again, and now that they looked at him, sensing his stable undulations that were calm like a dormant volcano, they couldn’t help but gulp as their bodies began to tremble once again.
A Ninth Stage, Low-Level Law Rune Stage Powerhouse!!!
"I also want to keep the family safe from any possible aggression. That intent didn’t change. In fact, it had only increased, especially when I heard that Ancestor did not pursue my wife for bringing in a calamity such as the Aqua Flood Dragon, which had been acting like an Emperor in our waters for many years."
Ancestor Dian Alstreim’s brows couldn’t help but twitch.
"I didn’t do anything. Your wife brought her own freedom out with the spoils she gained from the Aqua Flood Dragon, but even that was only possible thanks to the Dragon Queen Isabella. Without her, our family’s formation would eventually be destroyed while the Grand Alstreim City would’ve fallen to the ruins."
"Dragon Queen..."
Ezekiel Alstreim’s brows furrowed. This was a character that he was unsure of, but nevertheless, he stood up and thanked again.
"Spoils?"
Ancestor Tirea Snow uttered doubtfully. She fought the Aqua Flood Dragon and also wounded the dragon, but she didn’t know anything about spoils.
"You’ll come to know..."
Ancestor Dian Alstreim averted his gaze.
"Silly, everything from that battle is yours..." Ancestor Tirea Snow lightly giggled, her melodious laughter echoing like a piece of music to everyone’s ears.
However, Ancestor Dian Alstreim turned his head towards her, wanting to say that she misunderstood, but he somehow kept his mouth shut. The spoil, the Peak-Level Water-Attributed Spirit Stone Vein Source, was something he reserved for a special occasion!
It was his wedding gift to her!
Not the Falling Snow Sect but to her, his wife, Tirea Snow!
Initially, he had no idea what to do with it other than to secretly auction it off somehow for an exorbitant price, but after becoming one with her while she even abandoned most of her Falling Snow Sect’s Ancestor duties, like watching over it, he knew that he had to reciprocate her love in terms of equal value.
This gift perfectly embodied her value in his mind, extremely valuable!
However, in his heart, she was priceless!
"..."
Davis looked around, feeling like he had to make his move as he noticed that everyone had accepted that the dead ones were now alive.
At this moment, the Alstreim Family had gathered its forces, but the individuals who made up of that force still had not consolidated, neither had they revealed their intents. The apparent spoil was the least of his concerns, and he had no interest in plundering from a family member unless he really needed it to save someone.
He stepped forward as he let go of Niera’s hand while he had the Solitary Soul Avatar stay with his parents in case of unexpected outcomes.
"Everyone, now that we have gathered, I want to make some things clear."
His attractive voice echoed out, garnering everyone’s attention as they turned to look at him with narrowed eyes.
"The grudges we possessed are no longer valid, not in the sense because we have become cozy with each other because of this reunion but because of the fact that I said so. I tried to make things better, and at least I felt like I did, so I don’t care if you thank me or not. What I care about is that you forgot about the previous humiliations, and we’ll let bygones be bygones. If not, just say it, and we’ll meet on the life and death stage like cultivators."
"I’m not afraid to take on every single one of you in this place, but if you feel like you’re bullying me, you can also wait a decade or as long as you wish. It’s practically the same to me. However, this is not something I wish to happen since I love Niera, not to mention that my mother doesn’t wish to shed unnecessary blood. If she did, this situation today was not possible."
Davis shrugged lastly, causing Claire’s eyes to become deeply complex and affectionate.
Possible because of her? Who was he kidding when he single-handedly led them to this point in short four or five years? Even if he wasn’t the Young Master of the Alstreim Family, he already had the privileges of the Patriarch himself, or so Claire couldn’t help but feel proud as she mused!
"Now that I made my stance clear, I expect the same from you all." Davis abruptly narrowed his eyes, "I don’t want wishy-washy statements like ’I might forget if you give me some time’ because I’d rather eliminate uncertainties than keep them around me."
Ancestor Dian Alstreim almost face-palmed himself.
Davis’s arrogance was not anything knew as he had been a first-hand sufferer of it. However, he knew how Davis worked hard to create this situation and because he knew, he felt like he had messed up the final step.
Of course, wanting to make things clear was a brilliant move on his part as lying here was useless as they both possessed Heart Intent to see through their true feelings but does Davis not know that this would be like forcing them instead of persuading or coercing them?
Who would like to be forced?
Not a single Ninth Stage Powerhouse as far as he knew!
"Damned brat! You still think you’re relevant!?"
At this moment, an enraged voice echoed as everyone’s face turned to the source.
It was none other than Ezekiel Alstreim, the new Law Rune Stage Powerhouse.
"I have no time to deal with you as I got to make love with my Elise. This is the time that I need to spend with her for the time we lost. We got no time for you, but if you want an answer, whatever my wife says goes!"
"Wha-!?"
Grand Elder Elise Alstreim suddenly did not know what to do as she muttered. Her face went red from his public declaration of love, but that was not that the one that hindered her thought process. The only feelings that currently ran in her mind were now love and relief.
How could she possibly want conflict at this moment?
She didn’t want to lose him again!
Even if her husband had become a Ninth Stage Powerhouse, so what? There were still two Powerhouses on the other side, not to mention that they couldn’t take revenge because both sides had already established a unison through Nora and Logan’s relationship.
She had already forgiven what they did but was adamant about offending them because she was suicidal.
Taking a deep breath, her dried-up lips that had already become rosy from all the intense feelings opened up.
"This grudges we held... are all dissolved... I don’t wish to fight anymore..."
Her determined voice echoed in the Ancestral Hall, making almost everyone here heave a sigh of relief.
"Very well..." Ancestor Dian Alstreim spoke up, "The grudges between these two parties are hereby considered settled. No one can bring up this topic again unless they are intentionally trying to create discord, so instead, be wise with your words. This matter is henceforth considered over, and neither party shall speak of it anymore. My words are not absolute, but I wish you could all follow it willingly."
"I will..."
"So will I..."
Claire and Grand Elder Elise Alstreim echoed with equal intensity. They were like the queens of each family at this moment, having the final say in these peace talks.
"Father, you’re alright with it, right?"
"Whatever makes you not commit suicide is okay for me..."
Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim’s expression was cold that Grand Elder Elise Alstreim’s face fell with embarrassment. She lowered her head, the heat that stuck to her face making her realize how messed up her head was until this moment.
*Pat!~*
A strong hand fell above her head as she turned to look at her husband.
"I’m glad you didn’t do something stupid... Or else, my efforts to keep myself as yours would’ve all been in vain..."
Grand Elder Elise Alstreim’s eyes trembled, "You... don’t have a single woman on the other side...?"
Ezekiel Alstreim nodded, his eyes looking perfectly calm and gentle while Elise Alstreim covered her mouth as she shed tears like crazy, her mind going haywire with intense love. She threw herself to him as she sobbed in deep relief, feeling like a burden had left her soul.
Honestly, she had been prepared and even felt that it was okay if he had a few women after hearing the story from Nero Alstreim about how the Alstreim survivors lived together to fend themselves from the Infernal Lightning Palace.
Being the strongest person there while having no way out until death, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he fell to depravity and had many women to himself, creating a harem.
Yet, he held on to that thin, almost non-existent thread of hope which now came in the form of that youth whom she had never even bothered to take seriously until he had offended her with his antics and she had further misunderstood his intentions.
She abruptly separated from her husband and pointed her hands at a youth who looked satisfied.
"You... You brat! I won’t apologize, but I’ll thank you for bringing my husband back! Thank you!!!~"
She cried out with a red face, causing everyone to smile with a bit of delight!
Davis blinked, feeling like this matter had been finally brought to an end!
He never felt that this arrogant woman would be the first one to thank him, but considering that the others had already thanked him except Ezekiel Alstreim, he didn’t bother much.
Nevertheless, there was still the true enemy whom they should pursue accountability for this matter.
"The Yantras..."
Davis uttered, inevitably causing almost everyone in the hall to emit a burst of killing intent!