Chapter 1108: Hand Over

Davis looked at the defeated party in contemplation.

Without the Ancestor present, he knew they definitely wouldn't have conceded this easily. Even if they didn't make a counterattack, it was possible that they would have escaped or even opt for banishment, but then, there was the problem known as the Dragon Queen.

Once they had escaped or been exiled from the Alstreim Family, they would have no one rely on, and at that time, they would be nothing but vegetables on a chopping board.

Therefore, without both of these factors present, it was almost impossible to have them repent, much less make them kowtow like they were obedient grandchildren.

In the cultivation world, this was a huge loss of face, a matter that was enough to make them have suicidal thoughts if they were helpless or extreme hatred if they were taken advantage of.

However, looking at their slumped figures, Davis could somewhat tell that they took this as their fault.

'Ah... Being in a large family has its own advantages...' Davis realized.

They could've even said something about exposing Claire's return from the Forsaken Phoenix Realm to the entire world, but none of them said anything like that, not even a word about it. If they had, they could've at least stood on common ground instead of being disadvantaged.

He felt that they knew that the Ancestor wouldn't hesitate to silence them to keep this secret, or they didn't want to bring harm to the Alstreim Family. He could not determine which was their reason to stay silent about his mother's return, or it could just be both.

After all, exposing Claire meant that they would truly become the unforgivable sinners of the Alstreim Family.

Davis felt that it was most likely both the reasons as he didn't know much about their loyalty towards the Alstreim Family.

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim, Grand Elder Elise Alstreim, and Patriarch Eldric Alstreim stood up, their expressions complex as they had their heads inclined towards the skies. It was unknown what they were thinking, but their expressions were still gloomy as they would have to spend more than a thousand years in imprisonment while having their cultivation bases sealed.

"Remember this humiliation, and use that to your advantage and breakthrough to the Law Rune Stage in the future. You have been stagnant for too long, Valdrey..." Ancestor Dian Alstreim sighed and advised.

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's eyes shook before he took a deep breath and tried to take this in an optimistic light. Indeed, he had been stagnant for too long that his eyes flashed with a long lost determination. 

He had to step into the Law Rune Stage and become an Ancestor to be truly free and unbridled in the Alstreim Family!

At that time, who would dare to make him kneel again!?

But now, he understood that his side was the one who was at fault. However, if they had just imprisoned him, made them kneel to shorten their sentences, it was fine, but slapping his daughter when she had accepted her mistakes had crossed the limit in his opinion.

He was having a stomach full of fire that he wanted to release on them but considering it again; it was better for him to use this anger as a stepping stone to enter the Law Rune Stage as Ancestor advised.

He felt his blood boil after a long while of dormancy!

"I'll try my best, Ancestor!" He slightly bowed.

Breaking through to the Law Rune Stage wasn't a matter of will but comprehension and talent. If he was incapable, then he was bound to fail in his breakthrough, and that's why he didn't dare swear that he would succeed.

Even though he had comprehended the basic prerequisite, Level Nine Intent of Fire Laws, he still found it difficult to condense a rune.

"Now then," Ancestor Dian Alstreim calmly spoke, "Since this matter has been brought to an en-"

"I'm not finished." 

Ancestor Dian Alstreim looked at Claire, who interrupted him. He felt a bit stumped as he saw her cold expression that didn't even seem to fear him a bit. No wonder she birthed a son who would stand brave and defiant in front of him. He finally understood.

The others looked at her in confusion before Ancestor Dian Alstreim gestured for her to continue.

"What more do you want from us?" Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim grudgingly asked.

They had already suffered a lot, even with their grand statuses giving them some privileges. No, in this matter, it could be said that their positions effectively failed to give them any privileges. 

Not only had the Patriarch had kowtowed, but even the Grand Elders had disgraced themselves.

Fortunately, Ancestor Dian Alstreim's concealment had shielded them from possible observers, so they didn't feel much ashamed than they would if there were many people witnessing their humbleness.

But now, could it be that Claire Alstreim completely wanted to crush them in front of many people?

That was the only thing he could still think of at this point...

"Well, I understand the plight of you two since this was all caused by Weiss Alstreim and that illusion cultivator. However, since you fail to appreciate my kindness, never mind, I think I won't bother to shorten all your sentences anymore." Claire shook her head.

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's expression changed as he abruptly bellowed, "What!? You'll give us a chance to reduce our sentences again?"

'Is that even possible?' His mind screamed as he dumbfoundedly cast a look at Ancestor Dian Alstreim.

Their sentences were already reduced three times! So how could there be a fourth time?

Ancestor Dian Alstreim simply nodded his head, "As long as Claire Alstreim retracts her grievances, it is possible for you two to get out scot-free from this mess. After all, it isn't I who is meeting out the punishment as I have given my word to you. I'm just enforcing it." 

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's brows furrowed as he found this somewhat vexing. They had to gain amnesty from a junior again?

If allowed, he would rather beg for forgiveness from the Ancestor as he wouldn't feel much shame.

He turned to look back at Claire Alstreim.

It was unknown what kind of fortune Claire Alstreim obtained in the Forsaken Phoenix Realm for Ancestor Dian to be this concerned about her. He could understand that it might be the presence of Alchemist Davis, but surely, he felt that should be just one of the factors.

He was unable to comprehend since he didn't know the full extent of Alchemist Davis's prowess and instead felt that Claire Alstreim should've had a fortuitous encounter.

Nevertheless, it was just as Ancestor Dian Alstreim said...

[Do your best to obtain forgiveness...]

Those words echoed in Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's ears before he clenched his teeth and spat out the awaited words, "What should I do?"

"It's, 'What should we do?'" Claire corrected.

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim frowned, but Grand Elder Elise Alstreim continued, "What should we do?"

She felt that it was best if she could completely take her father's punishment away, but she didn't know what Claire Alstreim was about to propose.

"Simple," Claire closed her eyes and opened before her lips moved, "Just hand over half of all your wealth you two own, and I'll reduce a thousand years each!"

"What!?" Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's eyes widened in astonishment!

'What are you doing, mother...?' Davis blinked.

Even Grand Elder Elise's dull expression froze a bit before her eyes flashed with a hopeful light!

Thousand years for half of each of their wealth!

Handing over half of their wealth to Claire Alstreim is just them basically delivering their riches they should enjoy to a stranger. However, with their dignities already trampled upon, what did their wealth matter?

If this matter could be handled with money, she would have given that first!

Even Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim thought the same!

However...

"Isn't this despicable...? You want us to hand over half our wealth that could amount to millions of Peak-Level Spirit Stones? Are you even worthy of such an amount when you haven't even reached the Law Sea Stage yet?" He coldly snorted. 

"Whether I'm worthy or not is not for you to worry. If you sensibly give half of your wealth as compensation for the unfortunate experiences my father and I went through, then I can reduce your sentences."

"If you don't want to..." Claire snorted back, "Just say no, and you'll each spend a thousand years in prison, and by the time you two come out, most of your properties and business would've fallen into someone's hands before you would have a hectic time regaining it back!"

Ancestor Dian Alstreim inwardly nodded as he looked at this tigress. She really hit it where it hurts the most!

And as expected, Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim's expression did go awry. Their properties and businesses were huge such that the busy Patriarch wouldn't be able to look after them. Nora was missing, but with the Patriarch vouching for her safety, he felt that she should be safe.

Nevertheless, with the businesses running low on stock or suppressed without them, they would effectively gain some losses in these thousand hundred and fifty years, and when they come out, their businesses might be overwhelmed by their rivals, having to shut down.

Perhaps, by the time they come out of the prison, the other Grand Elders and Elders might've already schemed and succeeded in legally obtaining their businesses and wealth through using the loopholes within the rules of the family!

At that time, even if they wanted to retrieve their losses, it wouldn't be possible anymore!

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim stared at Claire Alstreim before he sighed.

Thousand years each combining to form a reduction of two thousand years had completely convinced him!

"Where should I acknowledge the exchange...?"