Chapter 515: Clarity of Thought
If it were an upper-tier Flame Spirit, that might make sense, but this was merely a cluster of fire on the Totem—there was no trace of life within it.
Then, as the flames flickered, a power seemed to slowly gather, churning and surging, sending a shiver through him.
"Terrifying..."
Instantly, Leon’s face went pale, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead. The pressure from that fire was crushing. Here in the Turin Mountains, he had fused three Meditation Codices as his core, breaking through to the Fifth-tier Archmage level—his strength now rivaled even high-ranking Title Archmages.
But facing that bizarre fire, he still felt a chill in his heart. Clearly, the power within those flames was utterly terrifying. He even had the illusion that if the fire’s power erupted, disaster would follow.
Wait...
Yet just as he was inwardly alarmed, staring at the dancing flames, a sudden clarity struck him—he’d grasped a faint thread of insight.
This was connected to the Dragon Revival Array...
Just over ten days ago, when the coalition took full control of Specter Valley, he secretly led a team to excavate the Dragon Revival Array. But a formidable protective force shielded the array. Through his analysis, he discovered that a terrifying burst of flame could shatter that protection in an instant.
Next, he sought out the young Blazeforge orc, Ash, to inquire about Specter Valley. At that time, Ash only recounted a legend passed down through the Forgefire Clan for centuries: a powerful demon was sealed at the bottom of Specter Valley, and only a particular item could release it—an item hidden within the Sacred Mountain of the Forgefire Clan.
Back then, he had a vague feeling that this legendary item might be connected to the Dragon Revival Array. Only then did he agree to Councilor Weiss’s proposal to ascend the Sacred Mountain with the Black Tower’s delegation.
The answer was already within reach...
The Black Tower had been searching desperately for this Prime Soul Relic, a Totem of peak True Spirit level left by the ancestors of the Forgefire Clan. It was the key to breaking through the protective force.
To be precise, it required the power of the flame atop the Totem.
Yet the answer left him both amused and helpless. From the start of his cooperation with the Black Tower, he had already known of the Totem’s existence, but he never cared much for it. During negotiations with Heron, he had openly offered the Totem to the Black Tower, though Heron still had no idea about the real story behind it...
Coming from thirty thousand years in the future, he understood better than anyone that the peak True Spirit Totem would be useless in human hands. Back then, the Black Tower had suffered a silent loss—over a dozen Title Archmages perished, gaining nothing, while the legendary Sky Rank Shaman Russell rose to fame in history...
He truly hadn’t expected that the key to activating the Dragon Revival Array would turn out to be the Totem.
Aside from Leon Merlin, Councilor Weiss and Councilor Suville of the Black Tower also knew some of the secrets. Upon seeing the Totem on the altar, they became visibly excited, their hearts pounding wildly. After the incident in the Turan Mountains, Weiss had become a bit more reserved, now frowning and cautiously observing the surroundings and the chieftain, refraining from acting rashly.
"Are you the chieftain of the Forgefire Clan?"
Yet at that moment, Councilor Suville stepped forward, breaking the stalemate. He gazed across at the middle-aged Blazeforge orc, his brows furrowed as he spoke coldly, "The Forgefire Clan has been wiped out. Now there's only you left—how pitiful. If you surrender the Totem willingly, you might still have a chance to survive..."
Suville's voice carried a thick sense of superiority, his gaze toward the chieftain filled with undisguised contempt.
From the moment he first spotted the chieftain, he had already judged, by the energy fluctuations emanating from him, that the chieftain's strength was equivalent to a Level Six Title Archmage among humans—a power considered top-tier across the entire Blazeforge Plane...
But so what?
His own team of more than ten was made up entirely of Title Archmage-level experts. His own power had reached Level Seven Title Archmage—perhaps he wouldn’t even need help to easily kill the chieftain.
If the chieftain could truly wield the power of the Totem, things might get tricky—but only slightly. He would never be a match for Suville’s side.
That’s why Suville stepped out with such confidence.
In his eyes, the outcome was already decided. No matter what the chieftain chose, the Totem would inevitably fall into the Black Tower’s hands...
"I don’t have much time to waste here with you. I hope you make your decision soon, and think carefully—it concerns your future fate..." Seeing the chieftain on the altar hesitate, Suville’s expression grew colder, a hint of impatience in his voice. "I’ve given you your chance. Whether you seize it is up to you..."
"Humans, though you’ve destroyed the Forgefire Clan, our great ancestors will punish you damned invaders, making you die in despair..."
The chieftain stood atop the altar, maintaining an air of superiority as he looked down on the crowd a hundred meters away, seemingly oblivious to his predicament. His middle-aged face contorted with hatred, brimming with endless fury.
"Too bad—you missed your only chance..." Suville’s smile faded, his eyes coldly fixed on the chieftain as he shook his head and let out a quiet, mocking laugh.
"If your damned ancestors really existed, would they just watch as the Forgefire Clan was destroyed by us? Honestly, you Blazeforge orcs are far too naïve..."
"Forget it. I’ll take the Totem myself—and send you to meet your ancestors while I’m at it..." Suville sneered, murderous intent radiating from him as he stared at the chieftain like a dead man. His words were a death sentence, and he began to move toward the altar.
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In truth, he had never considered the chieftain a threat. His confidence stemmed from his own overwhelming power. Though his rank was only one level higher, the gap between them was like heaven and earth—especially past the fifth rank, each step on the path of a Title Archmage was arduous beyond compare...
He was certain this battle would last no more than ten minutes.
"Wait a moment..."
But just as Suville took two steps, a voice rang out behind him. Though soft, it was clear to everyone present. Suville froze mid-stride, turned with a cold smile, and said, "What is it, Leon Merlin? Regretting your decision?"
After leaving the Black Tower Sanctuary, Suville had earned a councilor’s seat, gaining access to the Black Tower’s core secrets—especially those involving the Merlin Family’s cooperation in attacking the Forgefire Clan. A century ago, the Black Tower had obtained top-secret information: a powerful magical artifact existed in the Forgefire Clan, at the peak of True Spirit level.
The Black Tower had tried more than once to obtain the artifact, but lacked the manpower to execute their plans. So the scheme was shelved indefinitely—until Leon Merlin approached, proposing an alliance...
He knew well that, in this partnership, the Black Tower had the right to take one item from the Forgefire Clan first. On the surface, the Black Tower seemed to be at a disadvantage, putting in the most effort; but in truth, after destroying the Forgefire Clan and obtaining the peak True Spirit Totem, the Black Tower would profit immensely...
Thinking of this, Suville glanced at the young mage with a mocking look. It seemed Leon Merlin, kept in the dark all this time, had finally figured everything out...
Regret it—regret it as much as you want. Even if you regret it to your bones, it won’t change a thing!
Did you really think the Black Tower cooperated with the Merlin Family just for Specter Valley?
Specter Valley is nothing...
What the Black Tower truly wanted was that peak True Spirit Totem. If used properly, it wouldn’t be long before the Black Tower gained another top Title Archmage!
Unfortunately, the young mage’s expression remained calm, showing none of the regret Suville had anticipated.
Pretending...
He must be pretending. That’s a peak True Spirit artifact—any appearance of such an item in Northend would spark a bloody scramble among the top powers, drawing countless experts into the fray.
Unless Leon Merlin was a fool, how could he not care?
That "wait a moment" was the best proof—clearly meant to stop Suville from taking the Totem. But what was the point? Suville shook his head inwardly. Still too young...
"Leon Merlin, if I’m not mistaken, you have an agreement with Chairman Heron, don’t you? After we destroy the Forgefire Clan, the Black Tower has the right to take one item first. Now, let me be honest: what we want is the Totem on the altar..." As he spoke, Suville felt secretly pleased to finally reveal this secret openly.
Leon Merlin, so full of himself, probably thought he was the one profiting from this alliance. But reality was cruel—this secret was a slap in the face.
Couldn’t be more satisfying...
The Black Tower never truly wanted to cooperate with the Merlin Family—they were just using them!
"Sorry, but I have to say: if you try to claim the Totem, you’ll be breaking our agreement and will face the Black Tower’s endless wrath. Of course, I don’t mind if you do—it would only hasten the Merlin Family’s destruction. Hahaha..." Suville, feeling he’d said enough, stopped provoking the young mage, turned, gripped his staff, and slowly walked toward the altar.