Noticing Kael's puzzled expression, Zorath the Silent snapped out of his astonishment and whispered, "The Earthfire Cavern is one of Thousand Moon Lake's best-kept secrets—a place where one can rapidly enhance their strength. For someone at your level, it's nothing short of perfection!"
Kael's interest was immediately piqued. So this Earthfire Cavern is something extraordinary...
He glanced back at the Grand Speaker.
Though the Grand Speaker's thoughts remained inscrutable, his face betrayed nothing as he said calmly, "Einar has inherited the true teachings of the Holy Temple's Pontiff. Though his rank matches yours, defeating him won't be easy. The Earthfire Cavern is your opportunity. Seize it well."
With that, the Grand Speaker closed his eyes, reclining on his golden chair—a clear signal that the audience was over.
"Understood, Grand Speaker! I'll take Kael to the Earthfire Cavern at once!"
Zorath the Silent hastily ushered Kael out of the pavilion. Only once they were outside did he clap Kael on the shoulder, his voice thick with envy. "Brother, the Grand Speaker truly holds you in unparalleled esteem. Even the Earthfire Cavern is open to you!"
"Zorath, what exactly is this Earthfire Cavern?"
Zorath smirked. "Kael, do you think the Sacred Council, the Holy Temple, and other major factions would randomly choose just any location for negotiations?"
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Exactly," Zorath continued. "As the continent's heart, Thousand Moon Lake is anything but ordinary. Its secret lies beneath the lake—an immense, chaotic concentration of fire elements, denser than anywhere else across the three landmasses! Countless fire essences crystallize there, treasures that would make any powerhouse drool. And the epicenter of this elemental convergence? The Earthfire Cavern."
Kael was stunned. So Thousand Moon Lake hides such a secret. No wonder so many factions had gathered here—the benefits were unimaginable.
Zorath chuckled darkly. "Damn it, every notable faction on the continent knows about this. But with such a coveted prize, rules had to be set for sharing—especially since the fire essences there are finite."
"Our Sacred Council and the Holy Temple, as the two dominant powers, each get five entry slots. Runner-ups like the Crystal Tower, Emerald Spire, and Crimson Moon City get three. As for lesser factions? Just one or two at most..."
Finally, Kael understood.
So, he was one of the Sacred Council's five allotted slots. Even for a behemoth like the Council, only five entries were granted—proof of its staggering value. No wonder Zorath the Silent couldn't hide his envy.
"Brother Kael," Zorath said with a grin, "the Earthfire Cavern contains pure fire essences. Legend says several legendary mages fused their fire elements there. Since you've just begun elemental fusion, this might be your chance to leap forward!"
Kael's eyes gleamed as he nodded.
Exactly. He was at a critical juncture in fire-element fusion. Mastering it completely would skyrocket his strength—and his odds against Einar.
With Zorath leading, the two dove into the lake. At their level, underwater travel was trivial. After descending 500-600 meters, Kael noticed the water growing hotter, even bubbling with scalding heat.
Further ahead, they entered a surreal vacuum—a space utterly devoid of water, repelled by some invisible force.
The three continents truly abound with wonders, Kael marveled. The lake water hung above them as if suspended, unable to breach this domain.
Most strikingly, even from a distance, Kael sensed it: a searing, restless surge of fire elements.
His own fire affinity stirred uncontrollably, as if summoned. The density here was terrifying.
"Compared to this place, my fire elements are like a drop in an ocean…" Kael was awed.
A colossal stone peak loomed at the vacuum's heart, its summit pierced by a cavern entrance—the Earthfire Cavern.
"Lucky timing, brother," Zorath chuckled. "This month marks the cavern's peak elemental activity. Rumor has it Einar visited days ago and left… profoundly enhanced."
Kael frowned. "Zorath, how strong is Einar, exactly?" He'd never met the man, yet Einar's name haunted him. Without firsthand knowledge, gauging his power was impossible.
Zorath's expression sobered. "Einar was raised by the Holy Temple, his genius evident since childhood. Add the Pontiff's personal tutelage, and you get a prodigy without equal."
"Were you there when he fought our people?"
Zorath sighed. "Don't remind me. Three of our best—all tenth-rank—fell to him in single strikes. Humiliating."
"What?!" Kael's breath hitched. So Einar really is… monstrous.
Zorath the Silent tugged at his thick beard in frustration. "Three battles, three losses—each ending in seconds. Our fighters couldn't even withstand a single strike from Einar. And these were tenth-rank experts! It's not that they were weak… just that Einar is a damn freak of nature!"
"That brat masters holy magic and specializes in mental illusions to disrupt his opponents' focus. All three of our men fell to his psychic traps—crushed without a chance to fight back. An utter disgrace!" Zorath spat, his face dark with resentment. "Even the Grand Speaker never expected such a humiliation. Our younger generation isn't weak by any measure… but they had the misfortune of facing that monster Einar!"
Kael rubbed his nose. If the Sacred Council hadn't suffered such devastating losses, they wouldn't have been backed into this corner—and Zorath wouldn't have come looking for me.
Even then, Zorath likely hadn't held much hope initially. Yet Kael's strength had proven terrifying enough to rival Einar's.
"Don't pressure yourself, brother," Zorath added, clapping Kael's shoulder. "Just holding your own against Einar would be enough!" He didn't truly believe Kael could win—but a draw would still salvage the Council's pride.
Kael nodded with a faint smile, though his resolve burned fiercer. A tie? That's not my goal. I will win.
"The Earthfire Cavern lies just ahead. Several of our Sacred Council's elites are inside, including fellow High Councilors I'm acquainted with. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them!" Zorath the Silent pointed toward the cavern entrance as he spoke. Despite his status as one of the Twelve High Councilors, he had never entered the Earthfire Cavern himself and could only offer this basic guidance.
"Then I'll proceed." Kael gave a firm nod.
In a flash, his figure streaked forward like a meteor, vanishing into the cavern's depths.
The moment Kael crossed the threshold, chaotic waves of fire elements surged toward him with overwhelming force.
The sheer density of elemental energy was suffocating—Kael felt like a drowning man tossed into a raging sea of flames, struggling just to keep his bearings.
Damn it. Even with my affinity for fire, this is... He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to adapt.
Gradually, after what felt like an eternity, Kael managed to stabilize his movements. The cavern resembled a miniature valley, its interior vast and blisteringly hot.
"So it's you?" A woman's voice suddenly rang out beside him.
Kael looked up to see a stunning beauty in her early thirties, clad in a light-blue mage robe that accentuated her curves. Her poised demeanor carried an irresistible charm as she studied him with keen interest.
Recognition flickered in Kael's mind. The sole female among the Twelve High Councilors—I saw her at the Grand Speaker's pavilion earlier!