Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's expression contorted, looking as if he was going to commit a murder. He didn't even seem to be exasperated by looking at the impudence of Lea Weiss. Sect Master or not, she was someone from his family who should be under him as long as he possessed the higher prowess, and yet she dared to be this brazen against him, leading him to feel enraged.

She was from his family, under his wing and protection. However, she dared to offend him, rebelling against his way of doing things!

He could even close an eye if it were a personal grudge between them, but Lea Weiss actually deigned to offend him for a mere top disciple who is unrelated and has yet to even grow, which further infuriated him. He agreed that this little girl Shirley had potential with her one in billion talent, but that potential was merely potential. It didn't amount to anything if Shirley died halfway.

Only after realizing that potential would a person truly gain status and authority. Otherwise, all were illusions, or such were his thoughts and belief ingrained deep into his mind and soul.

To receive an insult like that from her, from two juniors, how long has it been since he had been mocked like that? Thousands of years?

He was truly infuriated!

"Insolent fool, do you think you can defeat me? If you think just because we're on the same level that you would be able to win, then you're dead wrong."

*Ssss!~*

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss waved his hand, and the burning phoenix flames blocking his path were instantly snuffed out. The intense heat that radiated around this hall disappeared, replaced with stillness once again as if space was twisting ever so lightly.

Sect Master Lea Weiss's brows furrowed, her hands clenching in nervousness. Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's crimson eyes instilled a kind of dread in her. It was something developed from an early age, making her feel little in front of him. On the other hand, Shirley pursed her lips, still not looking afraid but possessed the same nervousness as Sect Master Lea Weiss.

However, both Esvele and Freya were trembling, looking as if they would faint from the pressure they're enduring.

"Obediently listen as you are supposed to... I'm willing to give you a final chance, Lea. Kowtow and ask for forgiveness, and then I'll take it as if this never happened."

Looking at Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss place his ultimatum in between, Sect Master Lea Weiss grimaced slightly. Her mind repeatedly advised her to retreat, telling her that she was getting into deep trouble, but her heart was demanding her to stay her ground and follow her ideals.

"What? It isn't is as if you've never kowtowed to me before, your ancestor, so why the hesitation?" Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss coldly stared, "Did your pride grow unbridled after becoming the Sect Master?"

"Ancestor tried to bully a disciple, and I merely stopped it..."

"We are here to investigate Chu Feng, not find fault with each other or bully someone. You have merely saved a lying brat from telling the truth..." Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss snorted, "You even have the gall to say that you promised that crazy man to protect this impudent little girl. Do you think that's worth enough to offend me, your ancestor?"

Sect Master Lea Weiss frowned, "I don't know, but a word given is a word that can't be taken back until the other party hasn't fulfilled their part. Did you forget the Weiss Family's teaching from our first ancestor, Ancestor?"

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss looked infuriated again, not knowing how to counter that statement since she brought up someone even more respectable than him.

"Hmph! Your brazenness has grown and ran unchecked while I was cultivating in seclusion, but you're still a little girl in front of me. I may find it difficult to defeat you, but don't you dare think that you can suppress me with the Grand Burning Phoenix Crown. In case if you forgot, I was the Sect Master twenty-three thousand years ago, and my blood was also refined within the Grand Burning Phoenix Crown. Although I cannot take it back, I am confident that I can stop you from using it to suppress me, which makes it so that only your prowess is ultimately reduced when Magnus Rein's Burning Phoenix Bonewood Sword is taken into account."

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's fingers twitched, and a crimson wooden sword that looked like it could easily be broken with a punch emerged in front of him.

However, its aura suddenly yet intensely blazed with the burning phoenix blood that possessed a bit of suppression effect on her, almost negligible. The Burning Phoenix Bonewood Sword seemed to have accepted Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss as its master.

Nevertheless, Sect Master Lea Weiss knew that even the slightest difference amounted to a bigger difference in a battle between two Ninth Stage Powerhouse. One would not even see their end coming if the battle ended up prolonging.

Nevertheless, the pressure it emitted was stifling, but she couldn't do anything about it as that was a Peak-Level Emperor Grade Legacy Artifact, immensely powerful than just a Peak-Level Emperor Grade Armament.

She, who only possessed a Peak-Level Emperor Grade Armament as an offensive weapon in that category, could not hope to counter a Legacy Artifact of the same stage. They were both armaments, but the Burning Phoenix Bonewood Sword was called a Legacy Artifact because of the special attribute that tied itself to the karmic luck of the sect.

The blood of so many Ancestors, Sect Masters, and Grand Elders helped strengthen these Armaments or Artifacts to a level that they could be called powerful Artifacts, but only when the destiny of its karmic ties is also connected to a sect or an individual would it be called a Legacy Artifact!

Sect Master Lea Weiss's pupils trembled because moreover, she knew that Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss still possessed another Legacy Artifact, the Burning Phoenix Bonewing Crystal Shield, a unique treasure that was tempered with a Peak-Level Emperor Grade Fire Ore; to provide the ultimate defense, especially against another fire-attribute powerhouse liker herself!

In terms of artifacts and treasures, Sect Master Lea Weiss knew that she was severely outstripped and would be subdued within a few minutes even though they were at the same High-Level Law Rune Stage, except she had just entered it while Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss already lived with it for thousands of years, deeply perfecting his techniques and honing his skills.

Furthermore, the fact that Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss obtained Ancestor Magnus Rein's spatial ring just made it worse as it was unknown what kind of treasures would pop up to counter her struggle. She practically stood no chance against this monster, and this face made her bite her lips in reluctance.

Because... the only path to victory she could see now was to use the diluted blood essence of the Fire Phoenix, which she obtained from Shirley to turn the tides against him. However, once her peculiarity was known, she knew her Ancestor wouldn't treat her like a child or a rebellious teenager anymore but see her as a woman to be conquered!

If she failed, it would mean that she would be forced to become Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's woman! However, she had the confidence to defend herself, but what about Shirley?

Shirley would practically be suspected, and a small analysis from Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss would make it clear that Shirley also possessed immense Fire Phoenix blood within her, far more than herself. At that time, would she be able to protect Shirley?

Unless she escaped the sect with Shirley, she believed that it was practically impossible.

"I see you have made your choice..."

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's cold voice resounded out, chilling their hearts into one of a frozen nightmare despite the sudden spike in the surrounding temperature.

Sect Master Lea Weiss's brows twitched. She had thought for two long seconds, and it caused Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss to become impatient. Her lips swiftly moved, wanting to stop something untoward from happening.

"You cannot defeat me that easily while you will only cause damage to sect while our overall prowess has already diminished. Ancestor, this is unbecoming of you..."

"Heh..." Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss chortled, "Unbecoming? Forgetting whether if you can even hold against me, do you think that you can protect the three behind you while having to use your full concentration against me to endure?"

"You dare...!?"

Sect Master Lea Weiss' eyes widened as her expression became angered.

"That's my line, you little woman..."

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's gaze became sharper than a sword as he looked as if he had run out of patience. He grasped the hovering Burning Phoenix Bonewood Sword and slashed. Crimson flames abruptly emerged from the strike, heading straight towards Sect Master Lea Weiss.

Sect Master Lea Weiss didn't delay. She waved her hands as her crimson sleeves danced. Essence energy flooded her entire surroundings in an instant as it transformed into a beautiful crimson wing that curved back to protect the three behind the intense heat directed in their direction, capable of instantly melting them.

At the same time, she took a step forward as the Legacy Artifact, the Grand Burning Phoenix Crown, appeared on her head suddenly, making her look majestic for an instant!

*Boom!~~~*

A frightening explosion echoed as it rocked the entire Ancestral Palace. However, the beautiful tiles on the surface didn't even seem to crack! Despite that, the crimson burning phoenix flames raged, bringing with it an apocalyptic might that twisted the space inside this hall.

The pieces of furniture and statues burst apart, making the entire place a mess from the intensity of the burning phoenix flames, but still, it didn't seem to do anything against Sect Master Lea Weiss as the flames covered her entire being were absolutely kept hindered by a crimson barrier that suddenly sprang out from nowhere.

"The Grand Burning Phoenix Crown..."

Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss smirked, a mocking smile hanging on his lips. It fervently glowed as it defended against his attack, but he knew that Lea Weiss was unworthy of fully utilizing its potential.

"You can only endure until the Legacy Artifact's energy depletes, and when you supply it with your essence energy again, there's a slight window of opportunity that is created for me to use against you. You cannot protect them at that moment, nor can you endure my attack too long if you protect them. If you want to surrender, this may very well be your last chance, Lea..."

A teasing voice that mocked her plight while almost swaying her heart echoed, causing Sect Master Lea Weiss's expression to grimace.

She really couldn't battle someone powerful than her when having to protect someone, much less three people!

"Little Reinhardt... Do you think that it's fun to bully your descendant?"

An ancient voice of an aged woman resounded, causing both Sect Master Lea Weiss and Ancestor Reinhardt Weiss's bodies to become stiff. Their heads slightly turned in the direction of a hundred-meter tall and wide gate that was rumored to be both empty and occupied amongst the Grand Elders.

It opened as it creaked with a grating sound before the huge head of a Burning Phoenix, searing with crimson flames from its agape beak, appeared in front of their gazes!