Chapter 614: Checks and Balances
After some pleasantries, Elder Mang Tianci looked at the group of Dou Saints behind Xiao Ze and was somewhat astonished. "The Pill Alliance you spearheaded is really thriving. The number of Dou Saints you've gathered is almost catching up to the ancient races."
Xiao Ze chuckled at Mang Tianci's comment, "Well, we might catch up in number, but matching their quality is extremely difficult."
Mang Tianci glanced over the crowd, nodding thoughtfully. "Indeed, the ancient races are, after all, families with Emperor level bloodlines and have long standing, deep foundations. It's still very challenging for the Pill Alliance to grow to a point where it can truly compete with the ancient races, especially just by capitalizing on short term advantages."
It was clear to Mang Tianci that the Pill Alliance's rapid development was heavily reliant on its ongoing battles with the Soul Hall. Unlike the ancient races, which already possessed vast resources, war was a practical way for a rising power to quickly establish itself.
Xiao Ze glanced at the few people from the Thunder Clan who followed Mang Tianci, noting that the least powerful among them was at the semi saint level. The ancient races had extensive records about the Demonic Fire Space, knowing well that it was a domain managed by the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire for thousands of years. For anyone below the level of a Saint, entering it was akin to courting death.
Thus, compared to other forces unaware of the specifics, the ancient races sent fewer but significantly more powerful representatives, all of whom were Saints. Xiao Ze nodded in acknowledgment to them, and the members of the Thunder Clan responded with a salute, a sign of respect for Xiao Ze's status as a grandmaster alchemist.
"Speaking of which, are you absolutely determined to obtain the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire this time?" Mang Tianci suddenly asked Xiao Ze.
"It's alright. It's mainly the members of the alliance who are really keen. If we are truly destined to obtain the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, it would indeed boost the strength of the alliance," Xiao Ze replied casually, observing the forces gradually gathering around them.
In addition to the Thunder Clan and the Soul Clan, the Flame Clan and the Stone Clan had also arrived. However, Xiao Ze's relationship with them was not particularly close; they were merely acquaintances. He had not interacted much with the Flame Clan in the Heavenly Tomb previously, so their relationship was rather formal, limited to slight nods of acknowledgment.
Hearing Xiao Ze's response, Mang Tianci's face showed a hint of hesitation. "If the Pill Alliance really intends to contend for the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, you must be wary not only of the Soul Clan's team but also of the other ancient races."
Mang Tianci's comment drew the attention of Xiao Ze's fellow Dou Saints. "Elder, where does this notion come from?" Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before respectfully asking Mang Tianci.
Mang Tianci waved his hand, flashed beside Xiao Yan, and clapped him on the shoulder. "You don't need to be so formal. You're also a student of Canaan Academy, and I'm the dean."
Seeing Mang Tianci's warm approach, Xiao Yan relaxed, but he was still curious about the previous topic. Mang Tianci then explained to Xiao Yan, "Do you know the strength of the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire within the Demonic Fire Space?"
Xiao Yan looked puzzled, unsure why Mang Tianci suddenly brought up the strength of the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire. "According to records from a thousand years ago, the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire had already reached the level of a five star Dou Saint. Plus, the Demonic Fire Space has been its domain for thousands of years, and it has numerous fire slaves."
"Entering such a dragon's lair, even a six star Dou Saint would hesitate to claim it confidently. Yet despite this, there's an agreement among the ancient races that forces stronger than five star Dou Saints should not act lightly on the Dou Qi Continent."
Realizing Mang Tianci's implication, everyone present had an epiphany. Xiao Yan's eyes widened as he looked at Mang Tianci. "Are you suggesting that the ancient races are not incapable of subduing the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, but rather are keeping each other in check?"
"Exactly. If one were to possess the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, it would be bad news for the other ancient races. It's actually more favorable for them if the fire remains sealed within the Demonic Fire Space than if it falls into the hands of another force."
Xiao Yan spoke faster as he understood the calculations of the ancient races. After all, considering Xiao Ze's apprehensions about the ancient races, it was likely that there were high level Dou Saints among them. Under such circumstances, subduing a mere five star Dou Saint like the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire would be well within their capabilities. Yet the fire has remained in the Demonic Fire Space for thousands of years, likely due to a balance of power among the ancient races.
Other Dou Saints of the Pill Alliance, hearing this, also looked solemn. The pressure was not just doubling; they were facing not only the Soul Clan but potentially other ancient races as well.
Mang Tianci nodded approvingly, "Exactly. The seal on the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire is peculiar, set by the Pure Lotus Demonic Saint himself. Even if the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire could use this celestial tide to break it, the seal would absorb the energy from its surroundings to repair itself and re seal the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire."
Everyone was somewhat enlightened; it turned out the seal could repair itself. They had thought that once broken, it could only be reestablished by re sealing the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, which would otherwise escape.
"Ha ha, Dean, you don't need to scare them anymore. Once we enter the Demonic Fire Space, even the ancient races might be too busy saving themselves to stop the Pill Alliance," Xiao Ze said with a laugh, to which Mang Tianci responded with a hearty laugh, not contradicting Xiao Ze's words. After all, as he himself had said, the Demonic Fire Space was a dangerous place, even for the ancient races.
As Xiao Ze and the others chatted, another ancient race arrived in haste. As this ancient race approached, a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air. Feeling this familiar scent, Elder Yao's body trembled involuntarily as he looked towards the distance.
Sure enough, the figure etched deep in his memory was streaking across space, arriving swiftly. The elder, dressed in an alchemist's robe with his hands tucked into his sleeves, had a calm expression, though his eyes occasionally flashed sharply. Perhaps Elder Yao's intense gaze caught his attention, prompting him to look towards Xiao Ze and his group, eventually noticing Elder Yao.
Seeing Elder Yao staring intently at him, the elder sneered, "So it's the outcast of the Yao clan."
(End of Chapter)
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