The Four Divine Beast Family's Response

Hell, Blood Peak Continent.

Azure Mansion, Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range. Towering peaks rose into the clouds, each one astonishingly high. From afar, they looked like sharp swords piercing the heavens.

Beyond the Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range stood enormous stone sculptures nearly as tall as the peaks themselves: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. The colossal statues of the Four Divine Beasts stood in the four directions around the Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range.

These four immense stone sculptures alone were not something an ordinary force could possess.

Metal Lifeforms in the shapes of the Four Divine Beasts continuously came and went. A little closer, and one could see many High-Gods patrolling the area.

Among them, the Azure Dragon Clan's territory lay in the eastern region of the Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range.

In a small valley beside Azure Dragon Hall stood several detached buildings. The place was exceptionally quiet; even patrolling guards never came here.

Not far from the buildings was a crystal-clear lake, with a pavilion built at its center.

Two people sat inside the pavilion.

One was a man with long azure hair, dressed in an azure robe covered in elaborate patterns.

This man was Gaisreisen, the patriarch of the Azure Dragon Clan and, at the same time, the patriarch of the entire Four Divine Beast Family.

Gaisreisen was speaking with the man before him, arranging certain clan affairs. Members of the Four Divine Beast Family were spread throughout the Divine Planes. Though there were many experts, there were occasionally matters that required him to understand and decide upon.

At that moment, a figure suddenly flew over from afar, drawing both men's attention.

"Alright, you may leave first. As for Cloudy Peak Mansion, I'll ask Kende to make a trip. The Reynars Family won't dare do anything."

Gaisreisen spoke to the man before him, his tone utterly unconcerned.

The Reynars Family was merely the family of a Sovereign's Emissary. It was nothing worth mentioning.

"Yes."

After answering, the man rose and left, flying away directly.

Ennio then landed there and immediately said upon seeing Gaisreisen, "Father."

"Ennio, what is it?"

Seeing his son, Gaisreisen revealed a faint smile.

Though the Four Divine Beast Family had many members, the purer the bloodline, the harder it was to produce descendants. He was one such case. Over countless years, he had only had two sons, and Ennio was his eldest.

"Father, something really has happened in the Netherworld."

Ennio's expression turned grave. Sitting opposite Gaisreisen, he spoke directly.

"Oh? What happened?"

Gaisreisen asked calmly.

The Four Divine Beast Family was spread across the Divine Planes, but aside from Hell, the Heavenly Realm, Life God Realm, and Netherworld were the places where the most clan members resided. Even the elemental Divine Planes created by his father and the others had fewer clan members than those three Supreme Planes.

And Ennio's most powerful Divine Clone had always remained in the Netherworld. Over countless years, nothing major had happened there, and it had made enormous contributions as well.

"Elder Bensgodo has fallen."

Ennio spoke directly, his tone carrying a trace of anger.

"Oh? Bensgodo has fallen?"

Hearing this news, Gaisreisen frowned, clearly surprised. He knew the identity of every elder in the clan, regardless of whether they were in the Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range.

Even the Six-star Demon clan members were known to him. After all, they were the pillars of the family, and the family's development to its present extent had much to do with them.

Over countless years, the Four Divine Beast Family had not been without casualties, but an elder? This was truly the first.

Especially Bensgodo, who had only one Divine Clone and one Main Body. If he had truly fallen, it would be the family's greatest loss in countless years!

"Yes."

Ennio nodded, then swiftly described all the information he had received.

"A family elder was lost over Blood Pattern Ice."

Though Gaisreisen's tone did not change, he was clearly displeased. Every elder was among the Four Divine Beast Family's most precious assets. The Four Divine Beast Family was especially united; even those separated by hundreds of millions of generations of bloodline were extremely close to one another.

"I didn't know Bensgodo was after Blood Pattern Ice before this. Only after he fell did the clan members who had followed him tell me everything."

Ennio was somewhat helpless. "He probably wanted to confirm it first before reporting it to the family."

Had he known about the Blood Pattern Ice earlier, he might have arranged for other elders to go with him. Even if they had encountered danger, Bensgodo might not have fallen. But now, it was too late for anything.

Of course, if he had been Bensgodo, he would most likely have gone personally as well. No one could have expected to encounter someone who dared to kill members of the Four Divine Beast Family.

"Father, this cannot be allowed to end like this. Bensgodo must be avenged!"

Ennio looked at Gaisreisen and said directly, "And that Blood Pattern Ice—since Bensgodo discovered it, it is the wealth of the Four Divine Beast Family. We cannot simply abandon it either! Otherwise, Bensgodo would have fallen for nothing."

Gaisreisen's expression remained unchanged as he nodded. "This matter truly cannot be left at that. However, since Ailin was able to kill Bensgodo, he is likely no unknown figure. We should first determine his exact identity before taking action."

They did not fear enemies, but neither were they reckless.

The Four Divine Beast Family had previously encountered individuals who changed their appearance and concealed their aura before fighting. If they could not determine the enemy's true identity, even taking revenge would be troublesome.

"Rest assured, Father. I've already arranged for people to investigate. There will be news soon."

Ennio said directly, "However, according to the clan members' descriptions, when Ailin killed Bensgodo, the Sovereign's Might Bensgodo had used had yet to dissipate. This man is very powerful. If we want revenge, ordinary elders will likely find it difficult."

He himself could not kill Bensgodo while Bensgodo was using Sovereign's Might. By his estimation, Ailin's strength was likely comparable to his father's. It was precisely because of this suspicion that he had not rashly arranged any retaliation.

Gaisreisen clearly understood this as well. He nodded. "I will personally arrange this matter. You only need to find out whether Ailin has concealed another identity."

If the opponent had been ordinary, even a Seven-star Demon, he would not have needed to be so cautious.

But this opponent was very likely no weaker than himself, so he could not afford not to take it seriously. Over the years, there had been quite a few Asuras or Asura families with grudges against the Four Divine Beast Family, but this was the first Asura Expert to personally make a move against them.

If this were not handled properly, would the Four Divine Beast Family not lose all face?

However, it would be difficult for clan members to deal with Ailin. They would likely need to ask his father's Envoy to act.

"Then, Father, the Blood Pattern Ice..."

Ennio looked at Gaisreisen, his tone questioning.

He had already explained that the Blood Pattern Ice was located at Blood Ghost Mountain, a city region built by an Overgod. If they wanted to obtain the Blood Pattern Ice, they naturally had to consider the thoughts of the Netherworld Overgod.

Gaisreisen let out a soft breath. After pondering for a moment, he said, "There's no need to mine it yet. Wait until I ask your grandfather before making a decision."

If the quantity were small, it would not be worth troubling his father over. But an entire mountain of Blood Pattern Ice was something he truly could not bear to abandon. The Four Divine Beast Family possessed inexhaustible wealth, but many materials could not be bought merely with Ink Stones.

It was something one could only encounter by chance.

With an entire mountain of Blood Pattern Ice, the family's elders, and even its Six-star Demon members, could obtain weapons forged from this material. By then, the strength of the clan members could almost rise by another level.

To the Four Divine Beast Family, such an increase would be extremely terrifying.

Hearing Gaisreisen's words, Ennio could only nod. Though he was the grandson of the Azure Dragon Sovereign, he could not meet the Azure Dragon Sovereign whenever he wished. Everything could only be handled through his father's contact.

"However, you can begin making preparations in advance. Once there is news, begin mining immediately."

Gaisreisen spoke directly. Clearly, he had no doubt that his father would be able to persuade the Netherworld Overgod.