Disclaimer: I don't own DxD, Against The Gods, Martial God Asura, Martial World, or the story's image. They all belong to their respective owners.

Info:

Cultivation Realms – Elementary Profound Realm, Nascent Profound Realm, True Profound Realm, Spirit Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, Sky Profound Realm, Emperor Profound Realm, Tyrant Profound Realm, Sovereign Profound Realm, Divine Profound Realm and Saint Profound Realm.

World Spiritist Levels – White-Cloak, Gray-Cloak, Blue-Cloak, Purple-Cloak, Gold-Cloak.

Fleshly Body ranks - Strength Training Stage, Viscera Training Stage, Muscle Altering Stage, Bone Forging Stage, Pulse Condensation Period, Tempering Marrow, Eight Inner Hidden Gates and Nine Stars of the Dao Palace.

Beta-read by: KryoKon


Chapter 51 - Decisions


Beta-Note (BN): Hi guys. KryoKon here. I just wanted to wish farewell to a reviewer who decided to drop this story. Bye Fruitloops, and thanks for all the shoutouts.

After a while of talking, Issei was able to arrive at some conclusions. First of all, he quickly found out that the grotesque creatures from before were actually a type of beast, called Devil Beasts. Devil Beasts were divided in ranks, and the ones from before were the lowest of the lowest of their kind, considered to be foot-soldiers.

At first, Issei was surprised that these Devil Beasts had managed to infiltrate Phoenix City, but Fang Huan quickly explained that the lair of the Devil Beasts was actually quite close to Phoenix City, and once in awhile they would send out a small pack, which sometimes managed to pass through the breaches in the defenses and enter the city. Despite that, in all occasions, they were dealt with, and because of the undying properties of the Phoenix Soldiers, only few causalities would happen.

Issei also found out many things, such as the fact that Devil Beasts weren't created by the Three Fire Gods, and in fact were of mysterious origins, having appeared out of nowhere. Not only that, all of the factions, in some occasions, would group together in order to stop some bigger Devil Beasts Hordes.

According to Feng Huan, some Devil Beasts of the higher-ranks could be comparable to late class cultivators of the Sovereign Profound Realm, or even of the Divine Profound Realm! It was also rumored that the King of the Devil Beasts was actually in the fabled Saint Profound Realm.

After hearing of so many high cultivation realms, Issei was unsure of whether he should laugh or cry. How come he, who was only in the initial levels of the Nascent Profound Realm, actually got involved in this situation?! If it wasn't for the Fire Seed, just from being around Feng Huan, Issei would have already died one thousand times over!

Be that as it may, in the end, there were still some benefits. Since the spiritual power in the area was so dense, it could be said that Issei could cultivate with half the effort and twice the result. Added to the increase in the strength and durability of his fleshly body that he had gained in the second trial, it could be said that so far, he had benefited greatly from the trials.

Not only that, Issei figured that as long as he could observe more battles between fire-attributed martial artists, he could improve his comprehending regarding the Dao of Fire. In the end, the only problem of this entire situation was that… it was just too strange!

After Feng Huan had explained everything he wanted to, he excused himself politely, telling Issei that he would pass by the next day to show him to some places, and left the room. With Feng Huan's exit, Issei could finally relax, laying back on his bed with a strange expression on his face, contemplating over everything that Feng Huan had told him.

"Devil Beasts…," murmured Issei, recalling those strange and grotesque beasts.

"So many strange things… is this really only a trial?"

Once he thought that far, he could only sigh. If he couldn't see that something

strange was going on, then he wouldn't be worthy of calling himself a cultivator. The situation he was in was simply too elaborate and complex to be considered a trial… at the very least, there was something going on behind the scenes.

"Damn, is this even a trial?"

Issei then shook his head, a bitter expression on his face. What he was more worried about was if he couldn't get out. After all, Xiao Luocheng was waiting for him outside, while Xia Mei was back in the Xiao Sect, eagerly awaiting him. He knew better than anyone that he couldn't stay in this place for too long.

From his calculations, he had already been there for two or three days. At the very most, he could be spend more ten or twenty days, but that would be the maximum. If he stayed further than that, Xiao Luocheng would most likely think that he had been sent to an early grave.

"I can't stay here without doing anything… there's something I must try out," Issei suddenly got up from his bed, a determined expression on his face. He then took in a deep breath and said while looking at the ceiling, "I forfeit."

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

Nothing happened.

Suddenly, a bad premonition took over Issei. With a concerned expression, he repeated, "I forfeit."

Once more, nothing happened.

Faced with such a situation, Issei determined that his guess was correct. If this was still the same trial of before, according to the rules, the Phoenix Spirit would have brought Issei out of the trial. Since nothing had happened, it could only mean that there was definitely something wrong.

"Just as I thought, it seems that I'm stuck here," Issei sighed, and stared at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression. He wasn't the type to freak out in such situations, and instead, decided that it would be for the best to think of the options he had.

With those thoughts in mind, Issei entered a deep and thoughtful state, deeply thinking about every single information he had acquired. A few minutes later, he suddenly opened his eyes, a plan having formed in his mind.

"Apparently, the original Phoenix is resting here. If my guess is correct, it should probably be at that mountain above that palace… then, maybe, if I manage to wake it up, it could probably answer his questions! This was supposed to be the Phoenix Trials, after all!"

"Alright, so my next step is to infiltrate into the Phoenix's resting area!"

Now that he finally had a plan, Issei could worry about other matters. Such as how he should infiltrate into the Phoenix's resting area, and also the reason he had entered the Phoenix Trials in the first place… the Phoenix Bloodline!

"There should be an interrogation tomorrow. If I manage to pass it, then it shouldn't be hard to get my hands on the Phoenix bloodline…," murmured Issei, a thoughtful expression on his face. Suddenly, a small smile appeared on his face,

"Wait… since the Three-legged Golden Crow and the Vermillion Bird are also here, wouldn't it be a waste to not pay them a visit? Mn! That's it! I will get my hands on all three bloodlines!"

As someone ambitious by nature, how could Issei possibly let the chance of acquiring the bloodline of all three Fire Divine Beasts go? Even though he was currently in a strange predicament, this didn't mean that he would ignore the benefits!

The Bloodline of the three Divine Fire Gods… just thinking about it already made Issei excited. He was unsure of what would happen if he were to actually absorb so many bloodlines, of the Three Fire Gods at that, but he didn't really care. He had confidence that the Fire Seed of the Evil God could avoid any troubles from happening.

After some more minutes of thinking about his current situation, Issei finally let out sigh, laying his back on the bed. A few seconds later, he was already fast-asleep. There was much to do the next day, and he required a good-night's sleep to face his current predicament.


As he walked through the large streets of Phoenix City, Issei looked at the small vial on his hands, unable to conceal the expression of anticipation on his face. Not too long ago, he had went through the interrogation, which was more of a questionnaire, and after passing it, Feng Huan handed him the vial that was currently in his hands.

This vial contained the blood of the Phoenix.

"And to think that it would be that easy…," said Issei with bliss. "Right now, I must head home as fast as possible. There are five drops of the Phoenix's blood here. The sooner I absorb it, the better."

"Still…."

Issei suddenly frowned, his gaze changing from happiness to an uncertain expression.

"This seemed way too easy. I got over five drops of the Phoenix's blood just like that… This certainly seems strange… Hah… if only Jasmine were here, then she would be able to see whether or not this is the real stuff…."

It was in moments such as this that Issei actually desired for Jasmine's presence. However, she was a truly strange being. When you don't need her, she will be there, ready to torment you. On the other hand, when you actually need her, she happens to be unreachable. Issei could only ruefully smile at his luck.

"And to think that Jasmine chose such a moment to sleep… if she were here, never mind validating the Phoenix's blood, she could probably find out just what is happening around me!" Issei sighed, a complex expression on his face, "Even Eggy would be able to help me out, but she's in coma right now. I truly am alone in this situation…." [1]

After saying so, Issei shook his head, pushing those thoughts to the back of his head. He needed to get back to his quarters as soon as possible, so he prepared to increase his walking speed, but suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing.

"This..."

Not too far away from Issei, a young man wearing scarlet robes walked through the crowds. He was clearly handsome, with sharp and sword-like features, emanating deep killing-intent and even the air of nobility. Surrounding him was a flock of girls, who swarmed around him with ingratiating expressions, their eyes shining with adoration.

"Poor fellow," Issei sighed, an expression of pity on his face. "So many girls… I can only imagine how hard his life is. And they all seem to have hidden interests… truly, what a pitiful fellow."

It must be said that Issei was no normal male. If any other man were to see someone surrounded by girls, they would probably display envy or jealousy, but Issei… well, he was special.

He could only be described as such.

"Well… better not get involved…," though Issei, moving his body over to the corner of the street, trying to pass unnoticed by the handsome man who was flanked by the entourage of females in heat. He walked hurriedly, and it seemed that Issei would manage to pass by him without any hitch when…

"Oh! Who's that?"

One of the females that followed the handsome youth happened to glance at Issei's direction, and the moment she saw him, she revealed an astonished expression. Interest shone in her eyes, and she also analyzed Issei closely.

"Mn? What?" murmured the other girls, as they also turned around to look at Issei, wondering what their fellow follower had seen that had captured her attention. The moment they saw him, they immediately stopped, startled.

"Huh?"

The handsome man also stopped, surprised. His gaze fixated on Issei, and upon seeing, his eyes couldn't help but to narrow.

As someone who had considered himself to be handsome all his life, he had great confidence in his appearance, and was quite a narcissist. Despite that, when he caught sight of Issei's sharp and deep features, he couldn't help but to feel surprised. This youth who looked no older than sixteen was handsome… much more than him!

But, what had caught his attention the most were Issei's robes, along with the medallion that he wore near his chest area. The design of his clothes signalized that he was part of the Army's faction of the city, and most important of all, that medallion signalized that this seemingly young cultivator was actually a distinguished elder of Phoenix City!

The handsome man's status was quite high and he was also quite handsome, but no matter if it was in appearance or standing, it was obvious that he paled in comparison to this youth, who in his opinion, reeked of his mother's milk.

As for the females by the man's side, how could they fail to notice Issei's medallion? That summed with his handsome appearance ignite the fire of desire in the hearts of many of the women in the crowd. The handsome man clearly noticed that, his features darkening.

"….Mn?"

Issei suddenly halted his steps, noticing the intense look he was receiving from the crowd of female cultivators. They were like hungry wolves, eying a delicious, fat sheep. Immediately, his eyes widened, a bad feeling welling up inside him.

Not good.

Not good at all!

Before the crowd of females could even react, Issei's eyes narrowed, and he rushed forward, leaving the crowd of females in the dust. They stood there, baffled, as they watched the youth they had their eyes on desperately increasing the distance between them, as if his life depended on it.

The handsome man only looked at what had happened with surprise, and he couldn't help but to feel curious towards this strange distinguished elder, who had suddenly appeared. All of the bad feelings that he had towards him seemed to have dispersed the moment he saw him running away, and all that remained was amusement and curiosity.

"Interesting… interesting indeed! When I head home, I'll ask Royal Brother for whoever this unfamiliar face is!" thought the man with a small smile.

Little did he know that at that very moment, he had made a decision that would change his entire life. His life… and the life of the entire royal family.

This simple decision would actually set forth a chain of events, which could cause the destiny of the entire Phoenix City to change. Treachery would be unveiled, plots and scheming would take place, lives would be lost.

Because of this simple decision, the whole world would undergo catastrophic changes. This decision… would hasten the downfall of the Phoenix Nation, and all the others nations. Countries would fall, enemies would surface, and factions would meet their end.

This simple, seemingly harmless decision was something that… shouldn't have been made.

Or perhaps... it could actually save the lives of many?

It was unknown... whether this decision would cause the end of the realm, or actually save it from its imminent downfall.

No matter what the outcome, what was definite was that this decision would forever change the destiny of the entire realm. As for whether it would be for the best or for the worst… it was impossible to tell.

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Footnotes:

[1] - After Issei's fight with the Black Demon Bandits, he wakes up, and Jasmine tells him that she and Eggy used too much of their energy, and she needs to rest for about two weeks. After that, Issei checks on Eggy's situation and discovers that she is in coma. If you want, re-read chapter 40.