Davis looked at Shirley's Essence Gathering Cultivation that became considerably apparent to him. While Shirley was in the High-Level Law Dominion Stage, Esvele seemed to be at the Peak-Level Law Dominion Stage.
This kind of growth was rather rapid for their ages which were probably below a hundred, and he could see that Esvele received many benefits from Shirley to enter the Peak-Level of Law Dominion Stage. He could see that her cultivation was a bit unstable. Moreover, inside her, there was a flame essence that he could sense at the Peak-Level King Grade, probably the Burning Phoenix Flame that all of the core disciples possessed.
He didn't know what kind of improvement Esvele made in all these years, but he could see that she was putting in a lot of effort to keep up with Shirley. Surely, with her cultivation and the beast flame essence, she could match top disciples with Peak-Level Law Dominion Stage Cultivation.
Perhaps, she was going to prove herself in the upcoming competition to become a genuine top disciple!
"Esvele, if you don't mind me asking, what's your age?"
Shirley narrowed her eyes while Esvele blinked in confusion before she answered.
"Eighty-seven..."
"Oh, eighty-seven? That's rather great for reaching this level of cultivation base..."
Davis nodded, but he could understand that only with Shirley's help was Esvele able to reach this cultivation base. As long as there are resources and they were not absolute trash or reached their potential limit, which requires further resources to break the bottleneck, cultivators would undoubtedly improve.
"Right, she came from a rather desolate place in this territory known as the Yelan Town. She diligently cultivated and made it here, becoming a core disciple before I snatched her for myself." Shirley giggled.
Davis blinked.
With that devilish body, how did Esvele manage to make it here? He felt that it was a miracle until he asked Shirley with a soul transmission that Esvele was the Yelan Town Lord's daughter while the Yelan Town Lord was a Low-Level Law Dominion Stage Cultivator. This made him understand that Esvele was like a princess in that Yelan Town and managed to stay clear of miscreants until her journey to this place.
Now that her background was clear, his cautiousness towards the dangers she could unwittingly bring had also finally dropped.
"Esvele, have your family abandon the Yelan Town and-"
"I already told her to do that..." Shirley interjected.
"Oh..." Davis smiled in satisfaction, "That's good... With this, the coast is clear for me to make a move. All I request of you two is to believe me in what I do."
Both Shirley and Esvele nodded their heads, but the former's lips moved.
"I will, but I have a better plan, Davis."
"Sure, let me hear it then..." Davis's eyes flashed in interest.
Shirley began sharing her plan as Davis interjected with his opinions while Esvele simply heard, blinking and fidgeting around as she felt a bit funny.
"..."
"...."
"..."
Davis blinked, "Are you sure? Your plan is even more passive than mine..."
Shirley smiled oddly, "Of course. This is the best, most efficient way to kill them as we use the Burning Phoenix Ridge's rules to our advantage. I can claim self-defense while you can escape unscathed."
Davis smiled as he shook his head, his lips slightly moving to mutter, "We'll see..."
"I'll follow your plan as I don't want to disturb your cultivation here, but I also want you to give the reins to me in case the situation goes south. Is that agreeable?" Davis asked.
Shirley heavily nodded her head, "Just do what you want, but don't forget to inform me so that I can adjust and play along."
She took out a messaging talisman from her spatial ring, handing it over to Davis.
"Here, this Low-Level Emperor Grade Messaging Talisman can help us communicate even from six small-sized Territories away if needed."
Davis happily took it before he handed a spatial ring to Shirley.
"Here, there are a hundred thousand Peak-Level Spirit Stones in here."
"What!? This amount is even more valuable than what I gave! I can't take it..."
Shirley shook her head while Davis frowned.
"Are you trying to be the provider here? You must take it just as I took those resources from you. Otherwise, I'll re-"
"Fine!" Shirley raised her hand as she stopped him, "I'll take it."
She snatched the spatial ring from him and stored it in her spatial ring without checking, a silly smile appearing on her face.
"Thanks~ You have enough for yourself, right?"
"Yes, I have..."
Davis smiled as he imagined Grand Elder Valdrey crying in his stead. He was wealthy, but the wealth was all free, not really useful to him as he had the resources he needed, especially when Shirley had given him some already,
A few years later, she might already be at the Eighth Stage, returning to the Grand Sea Continent to clear the Immortal Grade Trial and be bestowed with numerous resources from the Immortal Treasury! It would be the same for Clara and Isabella!
Honestly, it was rather clear that at least the three of them will enter the Immortal Stage even if he doesn't, while the resources they would gain and be in possession of would make countless heads turn in envy, also guaranteeing him that it would be enough for all others in his family to enter the Ninth Stage without a problem.
Peak-Level Spirit Stones?
They weren't useful for him to procure resources that were earth or fire attributed in nature. He could still use these Peak-Level Spirit Stones to buy lightning-attribute resources, but with the Blazing Thunderlight Kirin's lightning that he had comprehended and wanted to improve, the lightning-attributed resources he could use were rather limited.
"...!"
"Well, time's up. I gotta go..."
Davis realized that Elder Karlheinz Strom visited him for a talk with his soul body double.
"Wait!"
Shirley abruptly jumped on him and hugged him, afraid that he would suddenly disappear like he appeared before. She closed her eyes and tightly held him as if energizing herself for three short yet long seconds before she separated from him.
"I would like to come with you, but probably, it wouldn't be allowed, and I'll get imprisoned here instead. I can successfully make the escape, but due to my importance, I will be searched for far and wide by the sect while they would not hesitate to use those mysterious Mystic Diviners and other trackers. I can't allow you to prematurely come into danger when that happens. We are still growing!"
"Moreover, I can't go back to the Grand Sea Continent right now as I'm still weak. Staying here and cultivating is far easier due to the environment designed for the Burning Phoenix, which is also useful for my Fire Phoenix Blood. Since the Sect Master is protecting me, the benefits outnumber the dangers."
"I understand, Shirley. You don't have to explain..." Davis shook his head as he smiled.
Shirley bit her lips as her eyes moistened.
"I'll make my escape when I reach the Eighth Stage. At that time, these people, regardless if they are Ninth Stage Powerhouses or not, would be suppressed by the intensity of my fire phoenix blood. They won't be able to stop me!"
Shirley solemnly spoke, her ruby-like red eyes gleaming with determination.
Davis gently smiled as he reached out his hand and patted her head, "Don't worry. I'll be back soon before you know it. No matter what problems you may face, just leave it to me. I'll take care of it for both of us."
Shirley smiled as she wiped her tears that were about to fall, nodding her head, "Mhm!"
She leaped into his embrace again for one last time before she let him go.
"See you soon, Shirley."
"Mhm..."
With a few parting words, Davis disappeared from their gaze, causing them to freeze at his concealment skill that appeared otherworldly.
A few seconds passed in silence when suddenly a sound echoed.
"Did that senior brother leave...?"
Esvele's teeth shuddered in anxiety as she didn't know if Davis was still here or not. She felt humbled and graced, but she also felt scared in front of a Soul King. That person could make her faint in an instant, meaning that he could also enslave her regardless of her will within a mere few seconds.
Although she was sure that her senior sister's man would not do something like that, that little bit of killing intent he lightly displayed when she said that she betrayed Shirley was almost enough for her to pee her pants.
"Mhm... He left..."
Shirley sadly spoke as she looked at the door that didn't open and close. A light smile hung on her face as she knew that he phased through with his soul body, that avatar.
She took a deep breath, retrieving her emotions to a state of calm before she looked at Esvele, a joyful yet teasing smile appearing on her face.
"You heard a lot that you weren't supposed to hear. I guess I have no choice but to make you my slave and tease you till you cry..."
Shirley's fingers teasingly danced while Esvele blushed a bit hard.
"Please don't call Freya..."
"Hoho, I won't."
"Really...?"
Esvele seemed hopeful, but her expression changed.
"I'm gonna punish these naughty mounds of yours for attracting his gaze from me so many times!~"
Shirley pounced on Esvele as she grabbed on to Esvele's big bosoms, her phoenix claws sinking into those soft mounds.
"Ahh!~"
Esvele moaned as she squealed helplessly.
"No!!!~ Not you too, senior sister!~"
Cries of being defiled could be heard inside the room that had its undulations and sound still sealed. However, it only lasted a few seconds before Shirley showed mercy upon being implored by Esvele many times.