Because when she approached, she saw another Sea Demon Elder swimming behind Sarian, it was "Onatu".
Sarian hurriedly explained: "I wasn't caught, I sneaked in to see you."
"But..." High Priestess Sona frowned slightly, looking at "Onatu" behind Sarian.
Lu Heng canceled the effect of the [Illusion Pearl], returning to his original appearance, letting the Sea Demon create a bubble for him so he could speak: "Only this way can I fool the guards at the entrance."
High Priestess Sona saw this, sighed: "So it was you, I found it strange at first glance, Onatu doesn't have such little malice."
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow and said: "So I'm not acting well enough."
High Priestess Sona shook her head and replied: "It's already very good; the aura is indeed difficult to counterfeit."
Lu Heng quickly shifted to the general situation: "Time is tight now, we don't know how long we can keep our infiltration into the temple a secret; we must arrange everything before we're discovered."
Sarian echoed: "That's right, let's get you out first."
Sona shook her head, looked at the sealed barrier in front of her, and said: "This is a seal cast by the Sea God's Scepter; unless we retrieve the Sea God's Scepter, it can't be undone."
Lu Heng pondered briefly and asked: "What's Onatu doing right now?"
Sona thought and answered: "He should be heading to the Deep Freeze Sea Trench; he wants to break the seal there and release the Flame Demon Gros."
Lu Heng was a bit surprised to hear this: "There's a seal in the Deep Freeze Sea Trench? I didn't see it last time."
The last time Lu Heng went to see the Deep Freeze Sea Trench, he didn't see any seal.
Sona explained: "What you saw was the tip of the iceberg, over the last ten years, a lot of Gros Embers have been dumped into the Deep Freeze Sea Trench.
"Three years ago, when I discovered the Gros Embers in the Deep Freeze Sea Trench, I also found the seal there.
"It was an array placed by the Black Iron Dwarves to seal away Gros Embers, but as the embers increased, the seal leaked.
"When I discovered it, I reinforced the seal several times and eventually buried it underground.
"So, the Deep Freeze Sea Trench you saw has actually been buried, with a burial zone three hundred meters deep beneath it.
"Onatu took away the Sea God's Scepter to break the seal and release the Flame Demon Gros."
Lu Heng frowned and asked: "Why does he want to release the Flame Demon Gros? It's not beneficial for the Sea Demon Clan, is it?"
Sona explained: "Not entirely. According to Onatu, the Flame Demon Gros has promised him that once resurrected, he will immediately leave the Tidal Sea and return to the Molten Crown.
"Meaning, after the Flame Demon Gros leaves, the Tidal Sea can revert to its former ecological state."
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow, realizing this method could effectively solve the problem of environmental degradation in the Tidal Sea.
At least on the surface, it seemed so.
One cause of the environmental degradation in the Tidal Sea is the rising seawater temperature, which is caused by the Gros Embers.
Don't underestimate a rise of one or two degrees in the surrounding sea area; it has a significant impact on ocean ecology.
More importantly, once the Flame Demon Gros revives and returns to the Molten Crown for vengeance, the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom will inevitably decline.
The Sea Demon Clan and the Black Iron Dwarves have been adversaries for three years, and there is bound to be enmity between them.
In doing this, Onatu is essentially getting revenge on the Black Iron Dwarves.
From a motivational standpoint, it aligns with the Sea Demon Clan's short-term interests and emotional release.
Lu Heng comprehended this and asked in a serious tone: "Does the High Priestess agree with Onatu's approach?"
High Priestess Sona was silent for a moment before answering: "Looking at the big picture, this approach doesn't benefit the tribe's long-term development much, but it does improve the ocean environment in the shortest time."
Lu Heng understood her meaning upon hearing this.
She knows Onatu's approach doesn't benefit long-term development much, but the short-term benefits are apparent.
This means she opposes Onatu's method, but her opposition isn't very strong.
Lu Heng's expression turned solemn as he continued to ask: "Has Onatu already gone to the Deep Freeze Sea Trench?"
Sona shook her head and replied: "I'm not sure; I've been sealed here and haven't received any outside information for several days."
Sarian added: "Onatu has already left the territory; according to my Sea Demon warriors' reports, he's indeed heading towards the Deep Freeze Sea Trench."
Lu Heng felt the situation turning challenging.
Now Onatu controls the strength of three Sea Demon tribes and has the Sea God's Scepter in hand.
It's impossible to stop him from releasing the Flame Demon Gros at this time.
The Sea Demon Clan is the ocean's ruler; Lu Heng may not be able to constrain Onatu with the Sea God's Scepter in the sea, not to mention the Elders and Priests of other Sea Demon tribes.
Even if all the human recruiters were to be dispatched, they likely couldn't prevent Onatu.
High Priestess Sona sighed: "Summoner, I've done my best. If the Flame Demon Gros resurrects, that's the seed sown by the Black Iron Dwarves—they must bear this result."
Lu Heng heard her words, gleaning her stance.
She is, after all, the High Priestess of the Sea Demon Clan and must view matters from their perspective.
As for the fate of the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom, it doesn't concern her, nor is she responsible for their rise and fall.
Moreover, just a few days ago, they were adversaries with the Black Iron Dwarves.
Being able to not kick them while they're down is already the utmost friendliness.
Lu Heng observed the current situation isn't favorable for the Black Iron Dwarves.
This recruitment was meant to help the Sea Demon Clan resolve the Abyss Pollution, but given the current developments, it's the Black Iron Dwarves who seem to be facing disaster.
If the Flame Demon Gros indeed revives and returns to the Molten Crown, even if the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom doesn't face complete annihilation immediately, it will fall into a fierce battle.
The recruitment's original purpose was to find the Abyss Pollution Source within the Sea Demon Clan, but it nearly resulted in the extinction of the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom.
Lu Heng furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, then looked up with sharp eyes at High Priestess Sona and asked: "Give me a straight answer: Are you willing to fight the Flame Demon Gros?"
In this world, the Sea Demon Clan is the nemesis of the Flame Demon Gros.
If any species is capable of defeating the Flame Demon Gros, it can only be the Sea Demon Clan.
Therefore, Lu Heng needed a stance from the Sea Demon Clan's High Priestess before him.
High Priestess Sona pondered silently for a moment, then shook her head and replied: "I'm afraid I'm powerless..."
Lu Heng interrupted her, asking again: "I'm asking about your stance; are you willing to fight the Flame Demon Gros?"
Sona looked at the light flashing in Lu Heng's eyes and answered after a moment: "If I have the ability, I'm willing to try, but I won't risk the Sea Demon Clan's future."
This answer already expressed her attitude.
In truth, her stance exceeded Lu Heng's expectations.
As the High Priestess of the Sea Demon Clan, she is under no obligation to help the Black Iron Dwarves fight the Flame Demon; agreeing to take action is already the greatest help.
She couldn't sacrifice the Sea Demon Clan to fight the Flame Demon Gros.
Lu Heng confirmed her stance and asked: "What needs to be done to help you get out?"
High Priestess Sona was briefly stunned before answering: "Just retrieve the Sea God's Scepter."
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