Chapter 983 - 834: Fire Sect
The Rising Sun District is a collective term for a region, serving as the primary activity zone for the Four Gods Sect, also boasting the largest population and the most believers.
Even a city like Azure Vault City can only be considered a small locale, with a relatively small population; the Rising Sun District is, after all, a vast plain.
The headquarters of the Fire Sect is situated in the heart of the Rising Sun District at Furnace Castle, a magnificent fortress constructed with dark red volcanic rock.
From the tower at the highest point of the fortress, one can look around and see that within a hundred miles radius is territory directly controlled by the Fire Sect.
Scattered across the expansive volcanic ash plain are several active volcanoes still billowing smoke, while the mines and farmlands at the edges of the plain provide sustenance to tens of thousands of believers and thousands of priests in the district.
Among the Four Gods Sect, the Fire Sect is renowned for its strongest offensive capabilities and toughest demeanor, a reflection of the fiery divine status they worship.
Fire never retreats, never compromises, it only burns until turning everything to ashes.
At this moment, in the top-floor conference hall of the Central Tower of Furnace Castle, a meeting that will determine the fate of the Light Sect is in progress.
The conference hall is round, with its walls inlaid with dark red volcanic glaze, the glaze polished smooth as a mirror, reflecting countless overlapping shadows of the flames flickering from the fireplace.
The long table is carved from a single piece of Obsidian, its surface polished smooth as a mirror, reflecting the dark red light from the chandelier powered by molten fire crystal stone hanging overhead.
Seated on either side of the long table are a dozen people, all core high-level members of the Fire Sect.
Among them is the Grand Treasurer who manages the district’s finances, a general who leads the Defender Legion, the Foreign Affairs Elder responsible for coordinating with the other three sects of the Rising Sun District, and several Archbishops who have rushed here from various sub-districts.
In front of each person is a parchment document, the cover of which bears a dark red wax seal shaped like a flame. It is a copy of the invitation from the Light Sect sent from Stone Hammer City.
At the head of the long table sits an elderly man, completely white-haired and white-bearded.
He wears a dark red robe devoid of any superfluous decoration, except for a circle of extremely fine flame embroidery around the cuffs sewn with golden thread.
The old man’s face is as aged as a rock weathered for a thousand years, his skin withered and slack, his eye sockets deeply set, cheekbones towering.
Yet the sharp light burning in those deep brown eyes, slightly squinted under loose eyelids, still refuses to allow anyone to gaze directly.
Augustus, the only remaining Great Mage of the Fire Sect, Level 3 Life.
His name is legendary throughout the Rising Sun District and indeed the entire Oracle Plane, but legends inevitably age.
Augustus knows his time is running short; to ordinary people, the word ’life span ending’ is merely a vague concept, but to him, it’s a countdown that can be precisely calculated in days.
He must make his final contribution to the Fire Sect before the countdown reaches zero.
At the other end of the long table, a tall, robust middle-aged man stood up.
A scar extended from his brow to his jaw on his left cheek, a remnant from a duel outside Stone Hammer City years ago.
Not a weapon injury, but a mark scorched by the brush of a stream of energy.
His name is Alberto, Level 2 Mage, the battle commander of the Fire Sect, responsible for the management of everyday affairs in the district and all external armed actions.
Within the Fire Sect, his authority is second only to Augustus.
"Everyone has seen the letter sent today from Stone Hammer City." Alberto’s voice was coarse and low, tinged with unmistakable anger, "That fellow who calls himself the Child of Light from the Light Sect, disappeared for several years and suddenly returns, only to invite our Great Mage to Stone Hammer City for a conference in the name of the sect’s future—are these four words something he is fit to mention?"
He snatched the copy of the invitation before him, shook it in his hand, then slammed it heavily onto the table.
A dull thud echoed from the Obsidian table surface, causing several nearby Archbishops to involuntarily shrink back.
"Years ago, outside Stone Hammer City, I clashed with him. At that time, it was to decide the ownership of Stone Hammer City; the Four Gods Sect and the Light Sect engaged in a traditional one-on-one duel. He dueled with us four Level 2 Mages, the outcome doesn’t need repeating—this incident is a lifelong shame for me, Alberto." His fingers unconsciously traced the old scar on his face, "I’ve been investigating his background for years, but his whereabouts are so elusive, never revealing himself for years that even members inside the Light Sect can’t say where he’s been. Just when we finally see him, he sends such an arrogant invitation. Everyone, this is not an invitation, it’s a provocation."
The meeting hall was filled with the sound of whispered discussions. Several Archbishops wore looks of indignation, clearly still bearing grudges over the result of that duel years ago.
But there were also several prudent and mature Bishops frowning, occasionally stealing glances at the silent Augustus seated at the head spot, seemingly trying to discern some signal from the Great Mage’s expression.
Seeing the moment was ripe, Alberto leaned his body slightly forward, hands pressed against the Obsidian table surface, his voice lowered yet more powerful: "The Light Sect has been operating in Stone Hammer City for years, gathering vagrants, expanding its influence, now surrounding villages have all become their missionary bases.
If we let them continue to develop, it won’t be long before they threaten our roots in the Rising Sun District. Rather than sitting and waiting for them to grow big, why not strike proactively, delivering a fatal blow before their foundation stabilizes. I propose we launch a holy war to completely eradicate the Light Sect."