CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 348: THE TRUTH BEHIND_2

"Among them, one side must be lying.

"I know the High Priestess will surely choose to trust her own people, which is reasonable, but I can also clearly tell you that my prestige among the Black Iron Dwarves is not inferior to that of their Great Wizard.

"So, I suggest you ask Elder Onatu if he saw the Great Wizard Hogrey of the Black Iron Tribe during the conflict."

The High Priestess Sona of the Sea Demon Clan fell silent.

Standing from the position of the Sea Demon Clan, she would undoubtedly choose to believe her people.

Thus, she naturally doubted Lu Heng’s words.

Lu Heng continued: "You can also choose not to heed my advice, it’s okay. But this negotiation was something I fought to achieve, and Dwarf King Sorreville Copper Furnace has already promised not to dump Gros Embers into the Tidal Sea any longer.

"I can’t understand why a conflict would occur when both sides’ demands are satisfied.

"Regarding the crisis of Flame Demon Gross, the Dwarf King has agreed to my proposal to find a solution in the next three years.

"As a Summoner from the Otherworld, the king of the Black Iron Dwarves has no reason to perfunctorily treat me on this matter, and as a tribal ruler yourself, you should understand the reason."

As a tribal ruler, there are many matters to attend to, and if it weren’t for resolving a crisis, they would not waste time meeting a Summoner.

The High Priestess Sona of the Sea Demon Clan fell silent again because she understood the logic here.

This conflict during the negotiation did not make sense from the start to the end.

She initially suspected that the negotiation was a trap set by the Black Iron Dwarves.

However, if the negotiation were a trap by the Black Iron Dwarves, then the Sea Demon Clan’s envoys should have faced an ambush, and a large one at that, not just a simple conflict between negotiating parties.

After considering all the information, she concluded that someone aims to prevent the reconciliation of the two tribes.

Thinking for a long time, she asked, "Are you sure it’s not the Black Iron Dwarves who want to sabotage the negotiation?"

With the relationship of Quenching Castle, Lu Heng’s prestige in the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom is unparalleled, and after personally examining the wounds of the Black Iron Dwarf envoys, he can be fairly certain of it.

"I just don’t want to be too blunt and want the High Priestess to find the answer herself. If according to my thoughts, I could even directly say that there’s an issue with your tribe’s Elder Onatu."

Upon hearing this, the High Priestess Sona became very angry, as Elder Onatu is her right-hand man.

The fact that Onatu is her right-hand man itself demonstrates her deep trust in this elder.

Therefore, Lu Heng’s words made her feel very resistant.

Seeing her not replying, Lu Heng continued: "I know you’re definitely very angry, which is why I didn’t jump to conclusions at first.

"As for the truth, you can find the answer yourself; surely one of the sides is lying.

"No matter whom you choose to believe, after you question Elder Onatu, you will have an answer in your heart.

"Regarding the reconciliation of your two tribes, I’ve done my utmost, and if a reconciliation fails in the end, it means I also have no capacity to change the world’s course.

"This summoning’s Main Quest has been completed by me, and the rest are Challenge Tasks.

"If the High Priestess finally decides not to consider reconciliation, then this matter herewith ends.

"I lastly remind the High Priestess that in my Challenge Task, there is a line to find the Abyss Pollution Source.

"And most of the Superpower Users summoned this time are Ocean System Warriors.

"Which means, the Abyss Pollution Source is not on land but in the Tidal Sea."

Saying this, Lu Heng put away the Echo Seashell, ending this conversation.

...

This summoning, although it involves the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom, the main event of the summoning actually occurs in the sea.

According to summoning logic, since the main event of the summoning occurs in the sea, then the Abyss Pollution Source has a high probability of being in the sea.

That means, it’s the Sea Demon Clan who truly faces the Abyss crisis, while the Black Iron Dwarf’s Flame Demon crisis will not erupt until at least three years later, not being the core event of this summoning.

This implies that something else is to happen within the Sea Demon Clan.

Yet, now the negotiation between the two tribes has failed.

The internal situation of the Sea Demon Clan is quite complex, and it may not welcome the Summoner anymore.

Lu Heng needs to wait for the attitude of the Sea Demon Clan; if they want to cooperate, then he will return to the sea to help them find the Abyss Pollution Source.

If the Sea Demon Clan doesn’t cooperate, then this summoning task is considered finished.

The remaining time can be used to hunt Abyss Demons and Abyss Summoners.

...

After hearing Lu Heng’s reminder, High Priestess Sona of the Sea Demon Clan also felt something was amiss.

Although her instinctive choice was to trust her people, it didn’t mean she didn’t want to know the truth.

Moreover, Lu Heng’s final reminder alerted her.

Regarding the challenge task of the Summoner, she has various ways to verify it, so this piece of information cannot be deceitful.

Which means, the Abyss Pollution Source indeed exists in the Tidal Sea.

This is a massive hidden threat for the Sea Demon Clan.

Whether or not reconciliation with the Black Iron Dwarves is achieved, they must find the Abyss Pollution Source in the sea.

She pondered for a moment and left the Sea Demon Clan’s temple to visit Elder Onatu.

After being injured, Onatu has been staying at his residence to heal.

At this moment, a layer of air shield was deployed in Onatu’s residence, creating an air environment in the room.

Indeed, the Sea Demon Clan is a race that dwells in the sea and can live freely in the seawater most of the time.

However, when injured, an air environment is more beneficial for wound healing.

Therefore, Onatu is now staying in the air environment to accelerate the healing of his wound.

Upon hearing the guard’s report, Onatu came to the door to welcome the High Priestess, showing great respect.

The High Priestess Sona approached, releasing a stream of water to help clean the burn wound on his left arm.

Onatu bowed to express his gratitude and then inquired about the purpose of the High Priestess’s visit.

Sona swayed her tail as she entered the residence, walking around casually, seeming to ask unintentionally: "When you came ashore this time, you were attacked by the Black Iron Dwarves. Who led the Black Iron Dwarves?"

Onatu paused for half a second before answering: "It was the Great Wizard Hogrey of the Black Iron Dwarves."

Sona continued to ask: "Did you injure him?"

Onatu frowned and shook his head before answering: "I was unable to severely wound those despicable Black Iron Dwarves."

"Is that so? But the Sea Demon Warriors you took with you, those are the elite warriors personally trained by you, said to be the most powerful warriors of our Sea Demon Clan." The High Priestess Sona raised a suspicion.

Initially, she didn’t think there was any issue with Onatu taking elite warriors.

After all, when negotiating with an opposing race, bringing warriors with strong combat power ensures safety.

However, choosing a strong combat team may have another possibility...

Onatu hastily explained: "I didn’t manage to hurt Hogrey, but the warriors I trained defeated him. Hogrey’s chest was pierced by a harpoon, almost through. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to kill him."

High Priestess Sona turned around, staring into his eyes, and asked: "Did you participate in the battle?"

Onatu fell silent upon hearing this question.

Sona raised her voice and questioned again: "Answer me, did you participate in the battle?"

Onatu’s expression turned dark, and he answered: "No."

Sona stared at the burn wound on his left arm and continued to question: "If you didn’t participate in the battle, then who caused your wound?"

Onatu snorted coldly, answering: "Why does the High Priestess delve into such trivial matters? We’ve been enemies with the Black Iron Dwarves for so many years; why reconcile with them?

"Yes, my injury wasn’t caused by the Black Iron Dwarves, but does it matter?

"In the Tidal Sea, we Sea Demon Clan are the rulers of the sea, and there’s no need to reconcile with any land species.

"If the Black Iron Dwarves dare to step into the Tidal Sea, I will let them die in the sea!"

The High Priestess Sona understood the situation upon hearing this response.

Onatu no longer concealed anything and laid all things bare.

He voluntarily took the task to negotiate with the Black Iron Dwarves and then took his most elite Sea Demon Warriors and attacked the Black Iron Dwarf’s negotiation envoys.

His objective was simple, to prevent reconciliation with the Black Iron Dwarves.

After hearing everything, the High Priestess Sona sighed and asked: "Why violate my orders?"

Onatu bowed and explained: "I am loyal to you, High Priestess, but you have been too merciful on some matters. Our Sea Demon Clan is the lord of the ocean, so we do not need to reconcile with any land race."