After terrorizing the entirety of the geniuses, merchants, and other cultivators who wanted to make a profit out of this secret realm, the town quietened a lot. They were huddled in the center of the town square like innocent mortals surrounded by bandits.
The bandits seemed to be in discussion.
Finally, they turned to look at them.
A powerful woman strode forward, one that made the most damage out of the town.
Her figure was slender yet bountiful, with curves that made her robe cling just right- especially at her bosoms, where her generous peaks gave her a naturally regal bearing.
Her long hair was a cascade of radiant fire, a rich crimson that shimmered. But here and there, subtle streaks of sapphire blue wove through her locks like threads of cool lightning. Her eyes, a piercing shade of crimson, struck fear in their hearts, making them wonder what she was going to do to them.
Regardless, they couldn't help but be mesmerized by her flawless white skin that almost seemed moonlit under the aurora light, smooth, and unblemished. Draped over her form was a majestic crimson-sapphire robe, its silken fabric flowing like liquid fire and water. It reminded them of the icefire she threw at them, making them feel chilled to the core.
She took a look around, panning her piercing gaze at them.
"Uhm… We do not need to explain ourselves why we decided to decimate and plunder the town but I'll do it anyway. We're merely collecting the due since we have collectively suffered under Divergent Hunts and will continue to suffer since it is a given you will be out for our blood regardless of our inclinations and opinions. But don't fret anymore, for there will be no longer any attacks on this town for the purpose of plundering because we already collected the due. However, don't think it is the end… we encourage you to attack us given a chance, but please do so with more treasures, or you will lose your lives. We welcome you anytime. That's all, and have a nice day~"
Shirley smiled sweetly, nodding left and right before she stood back. Then, she slowly controlled her energy in the surroundings, allowing the ones she had frozen to thaw out of the icefire.
"Arghhh!!!!!"
The moment they were thawed enough, they screamed in immense pain.
Shirley could only offer her condolences in her heart. She knew what kind of pain icefire was like since she had also been struck by her own powers when she was previously unable to control it to this degree. It even disfigured her figure that she didn't want to show it to Davis, but fortunately, Myria healed her.
Regardless, she knew the pain. It was like having frostbite while being burned from the inside out. It would feel as though the flesh was going to explode, but it wouldn't, staying at the edge of swelling pain that could make one go crazy.
"…"
The geniuses at the center of the town square shuddered under those screams. While they trembled, they saw another woman step forward.
She was the celestial goddess who walked through the street like the battle didn't concern her yet defeated every single on of them who dared to bar her path without putting much effort. The way she walked- it was as though her gaze and bearing carried the quiet wisdom of someone far older, like a timeless beauty wrapped in the skin of a young woman.
Her figure was slender and graceful, sculpted like a divine masterpiece. With curves that spoke of abundance, she made their throats dry at merely the sight of them. Flowing down her back was a cascade of rich purple hair, long and silky. It framed her flawless, fair skin and a mesmerizing pair of black eyes that carried a dreamlike charm.
Her exquisite figure was wrapped in a regal golden robe, befitting of an empress. The garment hugged her waist with an ornate jade belt and black gold accentuating her hourglass figure. Despite her using fists to fight, she was adorned with hair ornaments and earrings that swayed like chimes in a temple breeze.
"As my fourth sister said, we will not attack you anymore unless you attack us or want revenge, so feel free to continue trading and all other activities. The next time we come here, it will be for the exchange of goods and information. We will pay you well if you were to hand us information on resourceful areas and exotic treasures. We will also pay you to tell us information on the members of the Hexadra Clan from the Six-Headed Hydra Upper Realm. If you want to contact us, feel free to use these messaging talismans."
Isabella threw hundreds of messaging talismans at them. They scattered around them all. The geniuses didn't move, but they could tell as they looked at these women.
They had come- extremely prepared.
"Hey- you. Yes, you. What are you hiding there?"
Abruptly, Shirley spotted a man trying to hide some kind of item in his robe.
Shirley's brows squinted, a dangerous look appearing on her face as she saw that black-robed man.
"Give it to me. Until we leave, the plundering still isn't over yet. You understand?"
"This…"
That man awkwardly looked at his fellow cultivator to the side before shaking his head at Shirley vehemently.
Shirley's eyes narrowed, "If you can't give, then say goodbye to your life."
"…"
That man instantly threw what he had in the hem of his robes and raised his hands in surrender, "Please spare me."
Shirley reached out her hand and a scroll appeared in her hand.
"Oh, it's a map…" Shirley's expression became curious.
She instantly searched one of the spatial rings she obtained and got another map to compare. She saw that this man's map had a place that wasn't recorded on the other map. She checked a few other maps and saw that they were similar to the other maps, but they certainly didn't have the area designated on this man's map.
She felt as though she had hit a lottery.
"This place has a powerful treasure, doesn't it?" Shirley asked him.
"…" That man looked quite speechless, his expression twitching.
"Hehe~ Good." Shirley giggled before she turned around, "Big sister Isabella, I've decided. Let's go to this place first."
She walked towards Isabella and displayed the map to her.
Isabella frowned.
They hadn't even left the town yet and hadn't explored the surroundings, but this little sister of hers already wanted to go treasure hunting quickly. She could only sigh in acceptance.
"But don't go rushing. Stay with the group, or I'll complain to big sister Evelynn that you didn't respect my words."
"Ah… I will follow you~" Shirley grabbed Isabella's arm and pouted.
Niera and the others giggled as they saw Shirley was already going to be in trouble. But little did they know that these two were putting on a show.
Isabella was the leader of this group, so she needed to have control over this group. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to assure their safety. Still, although they were putting on a show, Isabella really didn't think Shirley was the type to listen. She was worried about her the most in this expedition.
Quickly, they left. The dome that sealed them here also came down. They quickly tried to steal that formation disc, but it was nowhere to be seen.
"Phew… they left…"
"What the fuck…? Isn't that bastard an Anarchic Divergent…? How can he have celestial fairies left and right…? That fucker-!!! I hope he gets his thing crushed under a rock…!"
"This is crazy… how can each and every one of them exude a prowess that outclasses an Empyreal Sovereign…? In that case, wouldn't those supreme geniuses who are currently leading the expeditions also fail to subdue them… this is insane…"
The geniuses were filled with disbelief. Some were extremely jealous of the Divine Emperor of Death for having beauties of this caliber. How can they all be terrifying yet stick to the same man? Their minds were unable to comprehend.
Some were also prideful. They felt their egos were shattered when they were quickly defeated by women. After all, there weren't many female supreme geniuses who were Empyreal Sovereigns. How could they be outclassed by any one of those eight women?
Even after Isabella and the others left, some sat, contemplating their life choices.
But as for the man and his friend who lost their treasure map, they were snickering secretly.
"Holy heavens… I can't believe that stupid crimson-haired woman took the map we prepared for eliminating Young Master Ragoon. They're walking straight into a danger zone, thinking that it's a treasure zone…"
"You did well keeping your mouth shut. Once they die there, we'll go collect their corpses using that small window. The wealth they plundered now will also belong to us…!"
They were actually merchants competing with a top-tier merchant from an Upper Realm, but with Shirley having taken away their 'treasure map', they set their signs on the wealth they carried. They even seemed to be confident that they would die there without fail, even after seeing their prowess.