Chapter 351: The Seal of Flame Demon Gross

Chapter 351: The Seal of Flame Demon Gross

The Mermaid Clan has fallen into internal strife, leading the situation into an unknown direction.

One of the key reasons Lu Heng was able to facilitate the reconciliation between the Black Iron Dwarves and the Mermaid Clan was that the High Priestess of the Mermaid Clan could see the bigger picture and understood that reconciliation was the best way to combat the Abyss.

Now, with Onatu in power, things are different.

Onatu has even gone so far as to send his Mermaid Warriors to attack the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom's peace envoys to prevent the two races from reconciling.

Such behavior has crossed the line of what is acceptable for civilized races.

Although Serian, representing the Mermaid Clan, signed the peace agreement with the Black Iron Dwarves, whether this agreement still holds any weight is now uncertain.

Given Onatu's style of governance, he could tear up the agreement at any moment.

After some thought, Lu Heng looked at Tide Caller Elder Serian and asked, "What do you plan to do now?"

Serian hadn't yet figured out her next move.

She only knew that Onatu had successfully seized power, obtaining the Sea God's Staff, and that High Priestess Sona was under house arrest in the temple.

If she returned now, she might end up like the High Priestess, confined in the temple.

She wanted to contact the High Priestess to discuss a plan, but Onatu had used magic to cut off all communication channels.

She had considered leading her Mermaid Warriors back to rescue the High Priestess.

However, the chances of success were low, as Onatu now possessed the Sea God's Staff and had the support of two other Mermaid Clans.

Engaging in open conflict would only lead to internal strife among the Mermaid Clans.

"I haven't decided yet. The current situation is very delicate. I need to see the High Priestess to know what to do next. But she is under house arrest in the temple, and Onatu will surely have it heavily guarded," Serian said, unsure of what to do in this unprecedented situation.

After some thought, Lu Heng said, "If it's just to see your High Priestess, I think I have a way."

Serian frowned and reminded him, "I don't mean to storm the temple. I don't want to see our clan fighting each other."

In fact, High Priestess Sona's decision to hand over the Sea God's Staff was also to prevent the various clans from fighting each other.

Otherwise, she might have had a chance to fight back against the Channel Merfolk and Shore Merfolk clans, who had surrounded her with their priests and warriors.

However, if it came to a life-or-death battle, even if she won, the Mermaid Clan would be severely weakened.

From a ruler's perspective, the High Priestess of the Mermaid Clan was indeed not ruthless enough.

Lu Heng smiled faintly and explained, "I didn't mean to storm the temple either, but to sneak in."

Serian's eyes immediately lit up, and she asked, "What's the plan?"

...

One day later.

Lu Heng and his group of thirteen, along with Serian's team, returned to the Mermaid Clan's territory.

Upon reaching the outskirts, Serian found a sea cave and said, "You can hide here temporarily. No Mermaids patrol this area."

S

After settling the others, Serian asked, "What do we do now?"

Lu Heng glanced at her Mermaid team and said, "Pick a group of Mermaid Warriors who won't be recognized by the guards at the temple entrance."

"That's easy. I'll paint face markings on them. In dim light, they won't be recognized unless someone gets very close," Serian selected a few Mermaid Warriors without distinctive features to follow.

Next, Lu Heng took out the Shape-Shifting Orb, transforming into Onatu's appearance, and began to mimic the swimming style of the Mermaid Clan.

.

Seeing this, Serian's eyes widened with surprise, "It's almost identical."

Lu Heng continued, "I can't speak underwater, so I'll need your help when necessary."

"Understood," Serian nodded.

A

S

The team successfully reached the front of the temple.

Seeing the Mermaid guards at the temple entrance, Serian whispered, "The guards have been changed. These are from the Channel Merfolk Clan."

Hearing this, Lu Heng felt even more relaxed.

I

,

to be recognized.

,".

.

.

.

.

.

Onatu.

no chance to recognize him.

.

Lu Heng swam over, signaled to the guards to open the door, open to gate.

door to open the gates.

The Merfolk guards at the entrance exchanged a glance, finding it odd that Lu Heng hadn't spoken.

Serian, who was behind them, immediately shouted, "What are you staring at? Didn't you hear the Elder's words? Open the door!"

Her reprimand carried the authority of a Merfolk leader, causing the guards to obey without question and open the gate.

Lu Heng led the way inside, followed by Serian, who then summoned a stream of water to close the gate behind them.

Inside the temple, Serian didn't stroll leisurely as before but instead rushed into the inner sanctum, where she found High Priestess Sona.

Just as she was about to rush in, she noticed a magical barrier sealing off the inner sanctum.

High Priestess Sona also noticed Serian's arrival, her face showing surprise as she stepped forward and asked, "Why are you back? Were you also locked in?"

As she approached, she saw another Merfolk Elder, Onatu, swimming behind Serian.

Serian quickly explained, "I wasn't caught; I sneaked in to see you."

"But..." High Priestess Sona frowned slightly, looking at Onatu behind Serian.

Lu Heng canceled the effect of the Shape-Shifting Orb, returning to his original form and asking the Merfolk to give him a water bubble so he could speak, "I had to deceive the guards at the entrance this way."

High Priestess Sona sighed upon seeing this, "So it was you; I also found it strange at first glance, but Onatu's aura isn't as mild as it seems."

Lu Heng raised an eyebrow and said, "So I didn't act convincingly enough?"

High Priestess Sona shook her head and replied, "You already acted very convincingly; it's just that auras are hard to disguise."

Lu Heng quickly got to the point, "Time is tight now; we don't know how long we can hide the fact that we sneaked into the temple, so we must arrange everything before we're discovered."

Serian chimed in, "Yes, let's get you out first."

Sona shook her head, looking at Serian and saying, "This is a seal cast by the Sea God's Staff; unless we retrieve the staff, it can't be unlocked."

Lu Heng pondered for a moment and asked, "What is Onatu doing now?"

Sona thought for a moment and replied, "He should be heading to the Frostbite Trench to unlock the seal and release Flame Demon Gross."

Lu Heng was a little surprised, "The Frostbite Trench has a seal? I didn't see it the last time I was there."

The last time he visited the Frostbite Trench, there was no sign of a seal.

Sona explained, "What you saw was just the tip of the iceberg; over the past period, a large amount of Flame Demon Gross' ashes have flowed into the Frostbite Trench.

"When I discovered the ashes in the Frostbite Trench, I also found the seal there.

"It's a magic array set up by the Black Iron Dwarves to seal the ashes, but as the ashes increased, the seal began to leak.

"When I discovered the seal, I reinforced it several times, and finally buried it underground.

"So what you saw was the Frostbite Trench after it had been buried, and there's still three hundred meters below."

"Onatu took the Sea God's Staff to unlock the seal and release Flame Demon Gross."

Lu Heng frowned and asked, "Why does he want to release Flame Demon Gross? It doesn't seem to benefit the Merfolk Clan."

Sona explained, "Not entirely; according to Onatu, Flame Demon Gross has promised that after his revival, he will immediately leave the Tidal Sea and return to the Crown of Magma.

"In other words, once Flame Demon Gross leaves, the Tidal Sea can restore its previous ecology."

Lu Heng raised an eyebrow, realizing that this method could effectively solve the problem of the deteriorating environment in the Tidal Sea.

At least, on the surface.

The deteriorating environment in the Tidal Sea was due to a temperature rise of one or two degrees, which significantly impacted the marine ecosystem.

More importantly, once Flame Demon Gross revives and returns to the Crown of Magma for revenge, the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom will undoubtedly decline.

The Merfolk Clan and the Black Iron Dwarves have been enemies for three years, and there's bound to be conflict between them.

Onatu's actions are equivalent to taking revenge on the Black Iron Dwarves.

In terms of motivation, it aligns with the short-term interests and emotional release of the Merfolk Clan.

Lu Heng understood this point and asked in a low voice, "So does High Priestess Sona agree with Onatu's plan?"

High Priestess Sona remained silent for a moment and replied, "From a long-term perspective, this plan doesn't greatly benefit the tribe's development, but it can improve the marine environment in the shortest time.

After listening to her, Lu Heng understood her intention.

She was aware of Onatu's actions, which, while not beneficial for long-term development, clearly brought short-term gains.

In other words, she opposed Onatu's approach, but her opposition wasn't as strong.

Lu Heng's expression turned serious, and he asked, "Has Onatu already gone to the Frostbite Trench?"

Sona shook her head and replied, "I'm not sure. I've been sealed here, and it's been several days since I received any news from the outside."

Serian spoke up, "Onatu has left the territory, according to my sea demon warriors' report, the direction he's headed is indeed the Frostbite Trench."

Lu Heng felt the situation becoming tricky.

Now, Onatu had control over the forces of three sea demon tribes and held the Sea God's Staff.

At this moment, going to stop him from releasing Flame Demon Gross was impossible.

The sea demon tribe was the ocean's overlord, and Lu Heng might not be able to suppress Onatu, who possessed the Sea God's Staff, let alone the other sea demon tribe's elders and priests.

Even if all the human summoners were mobilized, they might not be able to stop Onatu.

High Priestess Sona sighed, "Summoner, I've done my best. If Flame Demon Gross revives, then it's the consequence of the Black Iron Dwarves' actions. They must bear this fruit."

Lu Heng understood her attitude from her words.

After all, she was the high priestess of the sea demon tribe, and she would naturally view the issue from the sea demon tribe's perspective.

As for the fate of the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom, it had nothing to do with her, and she also had no responsibility for the rise and fall of the Black Iron Dwarves.

Moreover, just a few days ago, they were still enemies with the Black Iron Dwarves.

At this moment, not kicking them while they were down was already the most friendly treatment.

Lu Heng realized the current situation was very unfavorable for the Black Iron Dwarves.

This summoning was originally to help the sea demon tribe solve the deep abyss pollution, but according to the current situation, it seemed that the Black Iron Dwarves were the ones about to suffer instead.

If Flame Demon Gross truly revived and returned to the Crown of Lava, the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom would either face immediate destruction or a bitter struggle.

The original purpose of this summoning was to find a solution for the sea demon tribe, but according to the current situation, it seemed the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom was about to suffer.

Lu Heng furrowed his brows in thought for a moment, then lifted his head and looked at High Priestess Sona with sharp eyes, asking, "Give me a straightforward answer, are you willing to confront Flame Demon Gross?"

In this world, the sea demon tribe was the nemesis of Flame Demon Gross.

If there was any race capable of defeating Flame Demon Gross, it could only be the sea demon tribe.

So, Lu Heng needed the attitude of the sea demon tribe's high priestess.

High Priestess Sona paused in thought for a moment, then shook her head and replied, "I'm not sure..."

Lu Heng interrupted her, asking again, "I'm asking about your attitude, are you willing to confront Flame Demon Gross?"

Sona looked at Lu Heng, her eyes shining, "I'm willing to try, but I won't risk the sea demon tribe's future."

This answer made her attitude clear.

In fact, her attitude already exceeded Lu Heng's expectations.

After all, she was the high priestess of the sea demon tribe, and she had no obligation to help the Black Iron Dwarves.

She agreed to take action was already the greatest help.

She wouldn't sacrifice the sea demon tribe to confront Flame Demon Gross.

Lu Heng confirmed her attitude and asked, "What needs to be done to help you get out?"

High Priestess Sona was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Getting back the Sea God's Staff will allow me to leave."

Now, the Sea God's Staff, the Tide Heart, was in Onatu's possession, and retrieving it wouldn't be easy.

At this point, there were no other choices.

Within the entire sea demon tribe, the only high-ranking members willing to confront Flame Demon Gross were likely just Sona's group.

Now, Onatu had already gone to the Frostbite Trench to release Flame Demon Gross's seal, and once the demon emerged from the depths, the consequences would be unpredictable.

To turn the situation around, they must retrieve the Sea God's Staff and allow Sona to regain control, and only then would there be a possibility for the sea demon tribe to confront Flame Demon Gross.

Regardless of the final outcome, they must make a trip to the Frostbite Trench.

...

After meeting with Sona, Lu Heng used the Shape-Shifting Orb to transform into Onatu's appearance and left the temple through the main entrance.

The temple guards watched Lu Heng's team, the sea demons, leave the temple and muttered to themselves, "Didn't Elder Onatu go to the Frostbite Trench? How did he come back?"

Lu Heng returned to his team members hiding by the sea and discussed countermeasures together.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end