In a grand building that seemed like a blend between a palace and a tower, two men were gathered, seated between a table with two cups and a wine pot. The pieces of furniture like incense, cauldrons, and other things made the place look auspicious for a body tempering cultivator.
One of them wore tight brown-black robes that accentuated his built body, making his muscles appear fleshed out. He had neck-length black hair, and his expression was confident and amused as he reached out his hand to the cup and cheered with the other person seated opposite to him and drank a gulp.
"For what reason I have been graced by this unexpected guest today?"
He gasped, tasting the fine with utter relish before he asked.
"Unexpected?"
The other party also drank the cup of wine before he couldn’t help but chuckle. He appeared to be youthful and wore a luxurious red robe and a crown that made him look like a young emperor.
"Haven’t you heard the news? Don’t play dumb, Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky."
"Truly, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ancestor Elizar Yantra."
Ancestor Elizar Yantra inwardly frowned over his cheap acting. He lightly smiled and placed the expensive cup that was made of peak-level spirit stones on the table.
"Well then, I’ll be happy to share the unfortunate news. I heard that Ancestor Tirea Snow has fallen for Ancestor Dian Alstreim and is secretly visiting him."
"What!?" Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky stood up, looking angered as his expression almost fumed.
"What’s the credibility of the source!?"
’Wah, so fake...’
Ancestor Elizar Yantra inwardly mocked before he displayed a solemn outlook.
"It was personally confirmed by Grand Elder Roma Silvermoon of the Falling Snow Sect. Apparently, she turned traitor and eloped with Weapon Refining Villa’s Villa Master Klein Swordhand. Everyone knew that he had pursued her long ago, but I didn’t think he would succeed after so many years. Not only did he manage to make her his, but he also had her act as a spy. Quite devious and capable, I must say..."
"Indeed," Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky agreed as his eyes narrowed, "That Klein Swordhand recently broke through into the Law Rune Stage three hundred years ago. That must’ve been the time when he had probably successfully yet discreetly managed to court Beauty Roma Silvermoon."
"Still, while escaping, she managed to topple her scandal by revealing Beauty Tirea Snow’s secret rendezvous with Dian Alstreim. What do you think?" Ancestor Elizar Yantra raised his brows as he asked.
"Sigh, what could I do?" Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky appeared sorrowful, "I could only watch and let that toad eat heavenly swan meat."
Ancestor Elizar Yantra inwardly frowned, realizing that this Ancestor was not a brute-force fool. He had the smarts to think, making him want to say everything, knowing his weakness.
’Fine, so be it...!’
His eyes narrowed, "I’ll be straightforward then. That crass Dian Alstreim would not be able to keep Beauty Snow because I heard the news that powerhouses from the Weapon Refining Villa, Vital Tempering Sect, and few other powers from the Mid-Sized Territories who had an eye on her would be visiting her soon to demand her hand in marriage by defeating and humiliating Dian Alstreim. Would there be any face left for him to marry her, or would he still have his life after being rounded up by those powerhouses?"
"True, something like that might happen, but he hasn’t announced his marriage with her, or did he? If not, they would have no valid reason to strike a hegemon like that..." Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky frowned.
"Yes," Ancestor Elizar Yantra didn’t deny, "But to the suitors, he would become public enemy number one as soon as he gives the slightest hint of marriage between him and Beauty Tirea Snow. It’s just a matter of time before he dies while his power ends up being shredded into pieces once the Dragon Queen left, and apparently, it’s been told that she would come out of seclusion in three months."
"I see..." Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky merely smiled before he clasped his hands.
"I appreciate the information. Would Ancestor Elizar Yantra like another cup of wine?"
"Sure..."
They shared a toast again before
"So, I heard that you were fairly smitten with Beauty Snow, but let’s be honest. Who wasn’t?"
Ancestor Elizar Yantra’s expression became nostalgic.
"Do you remember back in the days where she was fascinating and icy as we warred for resources in the Desolate Territory? Oh, how we wished we could’ve courted that proud swan, but fate would have it that the meat ends up with the undeserved. I have little to no intentions anymore, but does Ancestor Xanbas want to hold that frail yet powerful beauty in your arms?"
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky appeared hooked and solemn.
"What does Ancestor Elizar Yantra want to suggest?"
Ancestor Elizar Yantra flicked his sleeves as he placed the cup on the table.
"If Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky helps me get me back my Illusory Yantra King Bell from the Alstreim Family, I can help you attain Beauty Tirea Snow. A fair deal, right? If you want, we can even flatten the Alstrei-"
"Ancestor Elizar Yantra, do you think I don’t know what kind of actions you took in dealing with the Alstreim Family?"
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky faintly sneered, causing the other party to discreetly clench his teeth before he grinned.
"And don’t you think I wouldn’t know that you would be the one who is the most disadvantaged if at all the Alstreim Family and the Falling Snow Sect forms an alliance, which is set in stone because if a Falling Snow Sect’s woman fell in love, she will go crazy to be with her man due to the values they’re being taught that later backfires on them. Being stuck in the middle between them, wouldn’t it be constricting?"
’Heh... devious bastard...’ Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky grinned.
"Let’s not argue as we’re both at a disadvantage."
Ancestor Elizar Yantra raised his brows, raising a white flag, while Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky thought for a moment before he nodded.
"However, how do we know that Beauty Snow is still pure?"
Ancestor Elizar Yantra looked as if he had heard a funny matter.
"Ancestor Tirea Snow is a virtuous woman, so even if she loves Dian Alstreim, it is clear that she would maintain her purity until the marriage night."
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky frowned.
"I agree for the most part, but-"
"That toad doesn’t have what it takes to make Beauty Snow fall for him like that." Ancestor Elizar Yantra interrupted, "Look at him. He still hasn’t come to attack me but used his woman to attack me. What kind of idiot does that? Do you think Beauty Snow would go crazy for him?"
"So the rumors were true. Beauty Snow did attack try to assassinate you but was stopped by a powerhouse who used poison laws."
"I don’t know what you mean by that, Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky." Ancestor Elizar Yantra widely smiled.
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky knew that his question was smoothly dodged. He knew why since Ancestor Elizar Yantra couldn’t be associated with the wicked path, so he didn’t bicker and continued.
"Still, that doesn’t explain why she would try to assassinate you. If she went as far as that, then that would mean she wholeheartedly loves that toad."
"True, even that toad might not have believed that she wholeheartedly loves him and might’ve dared her to critically injure me, which she did try and proved instead of sacrificing her purity. Otherwise, I don’t understand why she would go out of her way to put her Falling Snow Sect in jeopardy."
"Makes sense..."
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky nodded, feeling that Ancestor Elizar Yantra had a valid point. Sincerity was shown through action instead of purity. It was just like the image he had of that desirable beauty, icy yet passionate for love, making him imagine all sorts of things in bed with her.
"But still, that doesn’t mean she will love you or anyone for that matter if her man gets beaten or ends up dead. Instead, she would be enraged and kill whoever who attacked him as her love would mostly be pure and not materialistic or ambitious."
Ancestor Elizar Yantra poured a bucked of cold water Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky, causing him to be annoyed.
"Then how can you help me obtain her? Don’t be so redundant. If you have no thoughts, why are we even talking about this matter?"
Ancestor Elizar Yantra chuckled, "Come on, Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky. Don’t be so hasty. Good things await those who are patient, and this is the same for attaining Beauty Snow."
"How exactly?" Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky looked intrigued, finally appearing to be pulled in.
Ancestor Elizar Yantra smiled in satisfaction as he reached out his hand for the cup while Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky understood and smilingly poured a bottle of wine for the two of them before they toasted again.
"If you want that woman who had fallen in love, then you can only kill her love and conquer her. However, you should not be the one to kill Dian Alstreim. You will try to aid those two using the rules of the Tripartite Alliance, gain their trust, no, gain Tirea Snow’s trust."
"That’s-"
"Impossible?" Ancestor Elizar Yantra faintly smiled, "I know.
"You don’t need to gain that much trust. Trust that is enough to make her think that you’re not an enemy is enough. They would already be cautious of you, so tread carefully as you make yourself harmless. Then, when the time comes, you protect her while that stupid Dian would die from the scheme I devised using the other powers that are going to challenge him. At the same time, I would bring the powers of the Nine Western Territories to prevent the outsiders from taking Beauty Snow."
"Consequently, when Dian dies, Beauty Snow might change her mind, although I muse that the chances of her resorting to relying on or falling for another man are close to zero. Nevertheless, a beauty’s heart is confusing and can be remolded later in the bed. You’re a highly capable man yourself, and it is of little doubt that you would be able to garner her love if you treat her with utmost care."
"Even if we fail in any part of our plan, I can help you cast an illusion on her with the Illusory Yantra King Bell, make her spend the night or perhaps, countless nights with you, unaware that her love was someone else and not you. Eventually, she has to fall for you, no?"
"What do you say, Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky? Is my plan of any liking to you?"
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky had his mouth a bit agape before his smile widened, almost as if he was going to drool out his sick desires.
"Ancestor Elizar Yantra, you’re a genius! I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side any day!"
"You’re praising me too much..."
Ancestor Elizar Yantra humbly shook his head, but there was a trace of superiority over the corner of his eyes.
They began to exchange pleasantries over the wine for a while before Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky calmed down and asked.
"What about the Nine Western Territories Young Expert Competition? Are we even allowed to create a change in the current status quo like this?"
"Sigh, we met some difficulties for the competition. Let’s not talk about it as it’s confidential but look at what I did to the Alstreim Family. Did they do anything to me? The answer is nothing. There is nothing to worry about, especially when it would be the outsiders attacking Dian Alstreim. We are merely going to protect Beauty Snow. Does Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky understand?"
Ancestor Elizar Yantra deviously smiled, but inwardly, he sweated bucket full of perspiration as he recalled the encounter he had with Heaven Gazing Sect’s Honorable Elder Julian Kruse.
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky also cruelly smiled, feeling that he had a point while being unaware of the undercurrents.
They talked and toasted for a short while before Ancestor Elizar Yantra concluded and established their secret alliance, clasping his hands in elation.
"I look forward to the day where I would be able to get my bell back while you get the beauty, Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky."
"I’m also waiting for that same day. Let’s have some High-Level Emperor Grade Wine by then as we toast to our victory. What do you say?"
"Sure, I’ll take my leave then."
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky nodded before he watched Ancestor Elizar Yantra leave. His smiling expression became solemn, wondering what this devious Elizar Yantra had in store for him. Surely, it wasn’t all roses but also filled with thorns that he would have to watch out for.
While he was thinking in deep contemplation, he suddenly noticed two figures from the corner of his eyes in this room!
"Who!?"
He turned his head and bellowed in trepidation, looking at a man and a woman, looking nonchalant as the woman sat in a seiza while the man rested his head on her lap, looking bored and sleeping while holding a stone in his hand, pointed towards him.
"You! That... That’s an Imagery Stone!?"
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky’s pupils dilated.
"You two old farts had the most disgusting and crappiest conversation I have ever listened to in my life that I think that it was better for me to have treated my woman to a delicious meal of this Territory instead."
A young man’s charming voice echoed as he sat up, turning to look towards the woman as he gently reached out her hand to her fair white cheek.
"Isn’t that right, you both?"
Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky increasingly trembled, his fists clenched in both rage and terror as his mighty Martial Overlord Stage aura began to undulate with intensity. He momentarily couldn’t understand how this brat and this blindingly beautiful woman, no, magical beast, would appear in this place.
Just when he took a step forward after hearing that nonsensical speech, intending to crush them to death at a blinding speed, his body came to a stiff stop as the gleam in his eyes suddenly went dull. His body stopped trembling before he relaxed, his lips moving.
"Yes, Master..."
Two voices echoed, casting the room into utter silence as Davis slowly reached to steal Nadia’s juicy lips. A moment later, they separated, looking at each other’s eyes with love as they smiled before they turned to look at the enslaved Ancestor Xanbas Goldsky, where Nadia’s eyes were glowing in fervor and awe to her love’s ability to make battles meaningless.