Davis blinked at her injury, unable to believe that he had let an attack escape his sight and senses before realization abruptly dawned on him!

Grand Elder Valerian narrowed his brows, looking confused for a moment before it faded.

"As everyone can see," Shirley spoke out in a loud melodious voice, "My eardrums were injured because of top disciple Lauren's Burning Phoenix. Its screech was secretively and specifically targeted at me, making my eardrums burst before my healing capabilities restored it. Nevertheless, the blood is still there as evidence, so I suppose I can prove that my protector acted in mercy to just teach top disciple Lauren a lesson."

"However, it is sorrowful to think that top disciple Lauren would give in to hatred and actually try to kill my protector using his hidden protector."

Shirley shook her head, wearing back her veil to the disappointment and astonishment of many people as her crimson lips moved.

"It's a pity..."

Grand Elder Valerian's face was calm before he cracked a relieved smile.

"I see. So, you were truly injured. Then I made the right call in killing that hidden protector. Otherwise, it was unknown if he would've come after you after getting past your protector. We can't let you face trouble or die no matter what! Top disciple Lauren will be promptly investigated for making a move on you, and it would be made sure by us, elders, that justice is delivered to you!"

Hearing his impassioned speech, many disciples were inwardly shaken!

How righteous!

They all knew that Schneider Rein, who was said to be killed by Shirley, was Grand Elder Valerian Rein's youngest son! The matter was then dropped as the verdict that Shirley did not kill Schneider was declared by the Sect Master and many of the Grand Elders. Nevertheless, there should be some animosity for Shirley within Grand Elder Valerian for that concerning matter, but looking at him protect Shirley for the sect regardless of personal issues he faced, they were moved!

Grand Elder Valerian appeared young and charming. His attractive traits and features, including his confident posture, instantly moved the crowd into having a favorable opinion of him as they looked at him protecting one of the prized gems of the Burning Phoenix Ridge.

The crowd looked at Grand Elder Valerian in awe as he left, heading towards the battle arena before he entered using another entrance that seemed to be open for elders and people with similar or more status.

Davis wasn't particularly bothered about Grand Elder Valerian as he had his gaze on Shirley.

He was inwardly shaken at Shirley's quick thinking. He didn't instruct her to injure herself, and he felt that it was unnecessary as he had other plans in mind, but the way she quickly took out her own eardrums without anyone noticing to fool everyone had him deeply impressed by her.

No wonder she could traverse and survive the harsh cultivation world. She really had it in her to act with her sharp and quick thinking. Even he himself was unable to notice that she was injured as he wasn't specifically surrounding her with his soul sense at that moment.

Shirley looked back at him. Even though the crimson veil blocked her expression, Davis could see that she was widely smiling at him as her eyes happily creased. He lightly shook his head while they got off Freya.

Freya turned back to her human form, looking angry as well as frustrated that her Master got injured. Esvele looked the same, looking even more mortified than Freya as if feeling that she was the one who should've used her own body to protect Shirley.

The crowd still remained, looking at Shirley and the others with interest when Davis beckoned them to enter his protective range.

It wasn't until Shirley explained with a soul transmission did Freya blink but still kept looking angry as her eyes shone with an intelligent light. Esvele blinked in incredulity as well, but she had to lower her head to hide a smile that sprouted on her face. She felt that it was absurd that Grand Elder Valerian was fooled and sent back just like that.

As they made their way towards the battle arena's entrance, Shirley sent a soul transmission to Davis.

"Davis, you were rather hasty... They sent the lowest of the low, the weakest top disciple to provoke you and test your prowess..."

"Right..." Davis acknowledged, "I know they would come to provoke me, trying to garner my non-existent Essence Gathering Cultivation and Body Tempering Cultivation, so it's all the same no matter who it was..."

Shirley's ruby-like eyes appeared hesitant, "Still-"

"However, no one gets to be rude to you like that, Shirley. There are certain things I won't just let happen even if I have to die for it. Call it my obsession or my weakness, but I would rather die than see you be humiliated in this manner."

Shirley's heart skipped a beat. She had her mouth opened, wanting to say something, but she didn't and lowered her head as if wanting to be pampered by him more. She found this feeling fresh as well as addicting.

"It is the same for my other wives." Davis continued.

"To that extent, I tried making that hidden protector my slave so that I can force a confession out of him to know more about hidden enemies. Although it was a bit difficult as that fey's soul was at the peak of the seventh stage, I still managed to break his defense and enslave him. However, that Grand Elder Valerian is truly powerful and cautious. He instantly killed that hidden protector to hide himself and the related parties concerned but don't worry, I have a lot of qualms about this matter."

Davis oddly smiled while Shirley blinked.

"Well, let's forget about this for a while as I don't think that Grand Elder Valerian will make a move again, at least for the time being. I want you to enjoy your time here for as long as you can, Davis. Especially, watch me make you proud as I battle those fools and defeat them..."

Davis's odd smile was replaced with a heartened one as he simply nodded to Shirley's wish. His black eyes flashed in a strange light as they all entered the battle arena when once again, a burst of illumination from the pure white battle arena momentarily blinded their eyes.

What came into their view was a battle arena that appeared like an amphitheater for a better view of the battles that would take place, while the long and wide battle stage was square-shaped. The image of a big Burning Phoenix was deeply carved on the surface of the battle stage. It was not real-like but appeared to be the grand symbol of the sect.

The battle stage had four tall pillars on the four ends of the battle stage. They looked towering as they stretched a kilometer tall while also seeming to act as a powerful defensive formation.

Davis appreciated the design of this battle arena as it was entirely different from the ones he had seen before. He panned his gaze around and saw the elders were seated at the northern end of the second story while the disciples occupied the other three directions, aptly according to their statuses.

As for the Grand Elders, they seem to have occupied the third story of the northern side, while there was also an extra compartment above that seemed even more luxurious than the ones the Grand Elders occupied, but it was rather small.

Davis could see who it belonged to when the person in question appeared like a fiery fairy before everyone above the battle arena, looking magnificent and poised.

The whole sect suddenly jerked into motion as they stood up from their seats and bowed deeply towards the northern end of the fourth story, clasping their hands as they screamed.

"Greetings, Sect Master!~~~"

Their voice reverberated heavily as a solemn atmosphere befell the battle arena.

At the same time, Davis and Shirley, who did not bend their backs, stuck out like a sore thumb in the battle arena.

There were a few elders who saw it and were about to berate them when suddenly they noticed that it was top disciple Shirley who was in Sect Master's care. The next second, they cast their gaze down and continued bowing until a melodious yet soothing voice echoed.

"At ease, my sect disciples and elders..."

Only then did they straighten their backs and raise their heads, looking at the Sect Master who occupied the most luxurious space on the northern side of the battle arena.

Sect Master Lea Weiss nodded to the entire crowd gathered and seated herself in a noble manner on the epic throne, adorned with the wings of the Burning Phoenix!

Yes, they were real, crimson-feathered wings of an Emperor Beast Stage Burning Phoenix, making the Sect Master give off a grand and majestic vibe that humbled the hearts of numerous disciples and elders. But at the same time, most of the men were in a daze as they saw their Sect Master's elegance and her beautiful crimson eyes.

Their blood boiled to obtain this high-above swan while their eyes flashed with a lustful glint before they hurriedly hid it as they lowered their heads.

Even Davis was a bit attracted as he saw Sect Master Lea Weiss sit there regally even when he understood that it was just the solemn atmosphere that made his mind muddled.

"...!"

Abruptly, his gaze connected with Sect Master Lea Weiss before she looked towards the side a bit, specifically at the person who seemed to have entered the battle arena in a hurry, currently flying towards her.

He seemed like a wizened old man, but he stopped at a respectful distance in mid-air before his ashen face made it obvious for everyone that the piece he was going to speak of heralded the arrival of grave news.

"Reporting to Sect Master! Top Disciple Lauren Zucker has committed suicide on the way back to his crimson palace, leaving a note that says that he was put up to kill top disciple Shirley's Protector by Grand Elder Valerian!"

"!!!"

Everyone's expression froze while Sect Master Lea Weiss blinked as she just saw that disciple on her way here!

Many heads turned as their gazes all fell on Grand Elder Valerian while Davis's lips curved into an imperceptible smirk.