Cailiope nodded, biting her lip. "That's a good idea. How did I forget about him!"
However, her tone was far from joyous.
Xiao Xun, seeing Cailiope's expression, sighed softly. "Your Majesty, why the long face?"
Cailiope raised her head, looking at Xiao Xun's handsome face. "Can I not go?"
Xiao Xun's smile gradually faded, his tenderness only deepening. "Your Majesty, is this not for the long-term peace and stability of Saint Roman?"
"But if you truly find that fire, it is indiscriminate in its attack. It will bring devastation, and you will shorten your lifespan."
"Your Majesty, why do you also believe in feudal superstition? A person's fate is decided by heaven. If heaven wanted me dead, I should have died a year ago. I wouldn't have met you, nor would I have come to this foreign land. Everything I have today was given to me by you, and I am content."
Xiao Xun spoke with a carefree air, yet it did not dispel Cailiope's concerns. She remained disheartened.
Knowing Xiao Xun's extremely proud nature, Cailiope could only take out a spatial ring. "This ring is a spatial artifact, capable of holding all things. It should be useful when you go to retrieve the fire."
With that, she placed it on Xiao Xun's left middle finger.
Xiao Xun raised his hand, looking at the ancient ring, and nodded. He then kissed Cailiope gently on the cheek. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Xun encountered Xuan Jia Shen Bing blocking his path to find a way to break the formation. Meanwhile, the Winter Army had arrived at the front lines of the Plains Alliance for many days. The Beast race's front lines were in turmoil. The two armies faced each other across the Fuliejiu River, preparing for an offensive.
Regarding the impending major battle between the Beast race and the Winter, Cailiope had already received a plea for help from Gai Gai. Although she still held great animosity towards the Beast race, being a politician, she thought it over and quietly returned to the capital of Saint Roman to handle the matter.
At this time, Xiao Xun, under the moonlight, led his adjutant Aaron and Kent to a hundred miles away.
Midnight arrived, and a chilling wind blew.
Xiao Xun secretly calculated the blacksmith's location. After walking for an unknown distance, he suddenly saw faint fires in the distance, stretching for eight hundred miles.
Xiao Xun moved closer to the mountain. The heat became increasingly unbearable, clearly indicating it was no ordinary fire.
Upon approaching, Xiao Xun became even more certain that he had found the right place.
However, as soon as he stepped onto the ground, his feet burned painfully, causing him to frown slightly.
He was a Chaos mage and felt this much. How much more would an ordinary person feel? This explained why there were no living creatures in the vicinity.
Xiao Xun had taken less than two steps when a sudden danger signal arose. To his surprise, someone emerged from underground.
Although it resembled a person, it had a pair of enormous goat horns on its head. Its entire body was crimson, and a large goat beard covered half its face. Its face was filled with a malevolent aura, giving it a somewhat sinister appearance. "Who are these brats, daring to trespass into the Furnace Land?"
Xiao Xun was momentarily stunned, then smiled and bowed. "Junior greets you!"
The bearded figure's face was full of anger. "Scram! This is not a place for you to be. Go back where you came from, and don't cause trouble!"
Xiao Xun was even more astonished. He had never seen such an overbearing beastman before.
The adjutant stepped forward. "A mere beastman dares to be so arrogant. Do you know who this is?"
The bearded figure glanced at Xiao Xun and snorted. "I don't care who he is! Leave quickly, or you'll regret it!"
Xiao Xun was more surprised. After the adjutant had spoken, this mere bearded figure was still so arrogant. If he was arrogant, this figure seemed even more so.
Xiao Xun couldn't help but burst into laughter. After laughing, he said coldly, "Then don't blame me for being impolite!"
Before Xiao Xun could make a move, the bearded figure brandished the iron hammer in his hand, striking a stance, radiating power.
Behind him, flames roared as if they were malevolent spirits devouring everything. Over a hundred fire elementals surged from the lava. In the glow of the flames, they appeared ferocious and terrifying, like Asuras from the underworld, tightly surrounding Xiao Xun and his companions.
Xiao Xun had not expected this beastman to summon so many fire elementals at once. Being attacked by this group would be troublesome. He felt helpless but laughed in anger. "Well done, bearded one!"
The bearded figure's face showed fierce glints, and he said with pride, "Let's see how arrogant you can be now!"
With that, he beckoned, and the fire elementals slowly advanced towards Xiao Xun, brandishing their weapons.
The Furnace Land seemed to boil. Vast flames surged from the ground towards the sky, as if countless fire spirits were circling. The air around them was unbearably hot.
The fire elementals, carrying spears and sabers, closed in on Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun sneered, and pure white light erupted from his hands.
Xiao Xun's body pulsed with an unusual glow, reflecting the fierce flames, making him appear imposing. His energy gathered, his robes billowed, as if an Emperor of Gods had descended.
The fire elementals were startled by Xiao Xun's aura. They looked at each other, emboldened, and were about to advance when they suddenly heard the bearded figure exclaim, "Chaos magic?"
He then looked Xiao Xun up and down and exclaimed, "Are you Sween of Saint Roman?"
Xiao Xun was surprised that his reputation reached such a place. This piqued Xiao Xun's interest. "You know me?"
The bearded figure lowered his iron hammer, and the surrounding heat immediately subsided, as if sinking into the earth.
The bearded figure nodded, his attitude changing drastically. "A misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"
He then gave a dry laugh, waved his hand, and dismissed the fire elementals.
Xiao Xun dispelled his magic. The bearded figure, carrying his iron hammer, walked towards Xiao Xun with a friendly expression, his previous ferocity gone.
Xiao Xun stood with his hands behind his back, examining the bearded figure.
In fact, Xiao Xun was extremely curious about the bearded figure's identity.
This bearded figure was not only hot-tempered but also possessed so many fire elementals at his command. How could he be a mere beastman?
He was clearly a powerful overlord.
As the bearded figure approached Xiao Xun, he said, "Lord Sween, please forgive me. I was arranged by the Great God of Magic to guard this place and prevent others from disturbing his rest. There are simply too many people who want to ascend the mountain to request the Great God to forge weapons and equipment. Not only are they bothersome, but I am also bothered. Therefore, out of suppressed frustration, I offended you. Please do not blame me!"
With that, he quickly bowed again to apologize.
Hearing the bearded figure's explanation, Xiao Xun understood much more. Many of his previous doubts were suddenly clarified.
This bearded figure was a close attendant of the Great God of Magic and usually looked down upon others. It was no wonder he was so overbearing.
Seeing Xiao Xun's expression soften, the bearded figure said, "May I ask why you have come, my lord?"
Reminded by the bearded figure, Xiao Xun stated his purpose.
The bearded figure was extremely enthusiastic and personally retrieved the divine fire for Xiao Xun, showing great attentiveness.
Having received the divine fire, Xiao Xun naturally could not linger in the Furnace Land. He glanced at the vast Furnace Land and then bid farewell to the bearded figure.
Xiao Xun had been busy all night. When he returned to the main camp, the sky was just beginning to dawn.
He lifted the military tent, but Cailiope was no longer there. Only a hand-drawn blueprint was left on the table.
The blueprint depicted a peculiar device, unlike anything he had ever seen or heard of.
Augustus was a highly skilled general. When attacking, he was like a fierce leopard, and when pursuing, he was like a cunning fox.
He had led his troops in several encounters with Xiao Xun's division, suffering no defeats. However, he never pursued after each victory.
He was extremely cautious, not only in treacherous mountain passes and dense forests but even when encountering a small mound, he would retreat his troops.