Chapter 6: A New Beginning

The fierce battle between the Steel Ape and the Flame Beast held everyone spellbound. At that moment, aside from Mels, no one likely cared what Sol—standing motionless in the distance—was doing. The Summon Warrior controlling the Flame Beast, sensing victory within reach, dismissed Sol entirely, glancing over only occasionally to check whether he was preparing to flee.

Sol appeared utterly unconcerned about when the Steel Ape would fall. He stood with his eyes closed, as if concentrating intently on maintaining his bond with the Steel Ape. Yet a sharp-eyed observer would notice his hands, hidden behind his back, continuously weaving a series of intricate gestures. Had any Sub-Human warrior understood human magic, they would have been stunned to realize Sol was simultaneously gathering three immensely destructive spells.

“Heh heh—it’s time to end this! Flame Beast, unleash the full interference wave—blast it straight into the volcano!” the Summon Warrior suddenly bellowed.

“Hmph. It *is* time to end it.” Hearing those words, Sol didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled coldly, drew his hands from behind his back, crossed them over his chest in the Fire God’s Seal, and declared aloud: “Flame spirits drifting across the earth—in the name of the Flame Demon King Dacodos, I command you to gather at my side!” Then he shifted into the Thunder God’s Seal and intoned: “Raging thunder spirits—by the blood pact’s guidance, cloak my body in your power!” Finally, he formed the Dark Seal and chanted: “World-shattering dark spirits—under the Great Demon King Yaconi’s guidance, release your power through my body and extinguish the light of the world!”

“My left hand gathers the power of fire. My right hand gathers the power of thunder. My chest holds darkness. By the mighty names of the Three Gods of Destruction, I command you—release your power and annihilate all light, justice, goodness, and mercy in this world! Triple Destruction Curse!”

Under the crowd’s stunned gaze, flames danced and heat shimmered around Sol’s left side, while sinister winds howled and lightning crackled around his right. Above his head, an even denser mass of black mist coalesced.

Sensing imminent danger, the Summon Warrior urgently ordered the Flame Beast to attack Sol—but how could he succeed now?

The earlier ambush had worked because it was meticulously prepared, utterly unexpected, and executed at close range. This time, however, Sol stood far away; the Flame Beast hadn’t yet powered up; and the Steel Ape blocked the path. Under these conditions, attempting another surprise strike on Sol was pure folly—absolutely impossible!

With preparations complete, Sol knew victory was assured. He issued one final warning: “If you wish to see tomorrow’s sun, leave the arena—now. Otherwise…”

For a warrior, death was preferable to disgrace. Though the Summon Warrior sensed Sol’s power far exceeded his own capacity to resist, he still refused to retreat. With a furious roar, he launched himself into the air—as if intending to attack Sol directly.

Seeing this, Sol knew further hesitation meant certain death. Without pause, he raised both hands high and shouted: “Meteor Fire Dance Array!” Instantly, a blinding crimson light erupted—and from Sol’s upraised palms shot a clear hexagonal magic seal, enveloping the entire arena in less than half a second.

In the searing glare, a curtain-like barrier of light rose within the arena. Trapped inside, the Summon Warrior couldn’t move a muscle.

Then came true horror. When colossal fireballs materialized in the sky, the onlookers finally grasped what was about to unfold.

Giant flaming meteors descended like arrows aimed at a target, striking the magic array one after another.

To minimize damage to the arena—suspended precariously above the volcano’s mouth—Sol had first erected a luminous barrier before casting the spell, preventing the meteors from obliterating the structure entirely. Even so, their contained fury remained overwhelming—far beyond what any ordinary person could endure. Desperately dodging, the Summon Warrior was ultimately swallowed by an inferno, his screams piercing and blood-curdling.

After nearly five minutes, the meteor shower subsided. Sol collapsed weakly to the ground. At that moment, he was least concerned with the Summon Warrior’s fate—or even his own condition—but with the Steel Ape caught in the onslaught.

Earlier, to avoid alerting the enemy and buy time to cast his spell, Sol had never recalled the Steel Ape. Now, battered by the fiery barrage, its condition must be catastrophic.

He glanced bitterly at the dim yellow Summoning Gem on the back of his hand and murmured, “I’m sorry. It seems we won’t see each other for a month. If you want to blame someone—blame me.” Then, summoning his remaining strength, he staggered upright and limped toward Mels and the others.

Before them, the arena still roared with fierce flames—leaving no doubt who had won.

The Master of Five Clouds Cave stared, face livid with rage. After a long silence, he spat venomously: “Fool! Idiot! Why didn’t you finish him off the moment you stepped onto the arena? Serves you right if you’re dead—serves you right!”

“Sol, are you alright?” Mels rushed forward, supporting Sol as he approached the light barrier, his voice thick with emotion.

Mels knew Sol had paid an enormous price for this victory—and what Sol needed most now was care, and the steadfast friendship of his brothers.

“Heh heh, Boss… do you think I’m unworthy to be its master?” Sol gazed at the back of his hand with a wry, bitter smile.

“No—you did this not for yourself! I believe it will understand your intent—and won’t hold it against you!” Mels replied.

“That’s right! With a master like you, it should feel honored! If I’m not mistaken, even at the limit of your magic, you disregarded your own safety and still activated a magical defense to protect it. Otherwise, it certainly wouldn’t have survived this long!” Kaslo—the only one besides Sol who understood magic—spoke with added weight.

“Ah… but it’s still gravely injured,” Sol sighed, lowering his head. Then, forcing himself to rally, he offered Mels a faint smile: “Boss—the rest is up to you. If you can’t win, I’ll have to release it to bite you!”

“Don’t worry—I’ll never let down my brothers’ expectations!” Mels declared, brimming with confidence.

Sol’s self-sacrificial battle alongside the Steel Ape had profoundly strengthened Mels’ resolve for the final confrontation. Before Rolans could even announce the start of the third match, Mels strode out of the light barrier and declared: “No need to deliberate. For this match—I’ll step onto the arena first!”

Upon hearing Mels’ decision, Rolans nodded—just as Kaslo suddenly interjected: “Dr. Rolans—can you guarantee that if Brother Mels wins this match, you’ll formally acknowledge our victory?”

Rolans nodded firmly. “Of course! From the outset, we agreed that winning three out of five matches constitutes victory. You’ve already secured two. Win this third, and I’ll naturally recognize your triumph. I trust, in this matter… the Master of Five Clouds Cave will concur.” As he spoke, Rolans turned pointedly toward the Master.

“Hmph—human brats, you haven’t won yet! Fine—I swear it: if you win this match, the Five Clouds Cave will admit defeat!” the Master boomed toward Mels and the others.

Kaslo actually believed the Master’s vow. After all, they were prominent figures among the Sub-Humans—and unlikely to tarnish their reputation over such a trivial breach.

“Thank you, esteemed seniors,” Kaslo said, feigning sincerity before turning to Mels: “Brother—give it your all!”

Mels nodded, then strode resolutely onto the arena.

Just as he waited for the first challenger, the Master’s gaze shifted—and he spoke again: “Wait a moment. I have a proposal.”

Though Mels clearly sensed ill intent, he had no choice but to halt and listen.

The Master cleared his throat lightly and continued: “Your human Summoned Beasts are indeed superior in strength to ours. Though reluctant, I must admit it’s true! If I’m correct, you’re likely the strongest warrior among humans. So, if this match proceeds under the original format, the outcome would be obvious—even before combat begins! Therefore, to fairly showcase everyone’s abilities, I propose that for this match, both my side and Lord Rolans’ side each send one warrior to challenge you.”

Hearing this, Mels frowned deeply—and even Rolans wore an expression of disdain.

From the sidelines, Kaslo shouted: “That’s not fairness—it’s numerical bullying! Hmph! It was explicitly stated before the battles began that each participant would rely solely on their own strength. If you feel outmatched and wish to avoid unnecessary casualties, simply forfeit. Wouldn’t that benefit everyone more?”

Rolans, too, clearly wished to avoid a bloodbath. Just as he opened his mouth to reject the Master’s suggestion, the sinister old fox smiled again and said: “Of course—I only proposed it. I’m not forcing agreement. As you said, the contest was set at five matches. Per the rules, even if you win this one, we retain the right to continue. But I fear—once some of your people step onto the arena, they may never step off again!”

Mels instantly grasped the Master’s meaning. This cunning fox was unmistakably warning him: *If you refuse my terms, the battles will resume later—and your friends—Kaslo, who lacks combat ability, and Sha Luo, unsuited to fight in this scorching heat—will pay dearly.*

Though fury burned in his chest, Mels forced his mind to stay clear. He knew that reacting in anger—either challenging the Master outright or rashly accepting his terms—would only ensure his own downfall.

After suppressing his rage, Mels turned to Rolans: “Dr. Rolans—what do you advise?”

Clearly, Mels had made the wisest choice. Since Rolans had established the contest’s rules from the outset, he bore the responsibility to uphold them. Now, facing the Master’s unreasonable demand, only Rolans possessed the authority to arbitrate.

Yet Rolans’ response shocked Mels. After a brief silence, he looked up and said: “In real combat, one doesn’t merely face a single powerful foe—but may also be surrounded by many. I don’t consider the Master’s proposal excessive. Of course—if you deem it unfair, I can maintain the original rules.”

Though Rolans’ words sounded reasonable, Mels understood deep down that refusal might prompt the fickle Rolans to deny his victory—and impose some alternate trial instead.

In this contest, though Mels’ side had won two matches consecutively, each victory had been wrested through sheer desperation! Akafir, severely wounded, underwent a strange, inexplicable transformation—though not life-threatening, he remained unconscious. Sol, pushing his magic to its breaking point, not only inflicted immense strain upon his own body but also left his beloved Summoned Beast critically injured.

Now, one more victory would open the Federation’s gates. Weighing the stakes, Mels finally nodded firmly and declared loudly: “Alright—I accept the challenge!”

Hearing Mels agree to this so-called challenge, Kaslo and the others paled—while the sinister Master of Five Clouds Cave beamed, deliberately feigning admiration: “Indeed—a true young master of the human world! Excellent! Based purely on this courage, I—this humble one—shall regard you anew!”

Then the old fox turned to Rolans: “My Lord—since we’re fighting jointly in this match, please coordinate your Summoned Beast warrior with mine. If our combined assault still fails against a human, then the Sub-Humans truly have no face left!”

“Don’t worry. I only wish to witness their true strength—I never intended to make the trial easy. If they’re all show and no substance, I won’t hesitate to kill a few more humans!” Rolans replied, expressionless.

“Excellent! Then let’s begin! Moka Yev—this match is yours!” the Master exclaimed eagerly.

“Roanka—show no mercy. Force that human youth to reveal his true abilities!” Rolans commanded simultaneously.

With two crisp responses, two burly Lion-Tiger Clan Summon Warriors strode onto the central arena from the western and northern passages. Though they hadn’t moved yet, Mels could already sense their extraordinary martial prowess just from their gait.

So Rolans and the Master of Five Clouds Cave weren’t lacking elite warriors—they’d simply been biding their time, waiting to deliver their strongest blow against Mels!

Focusing his mind, Mels knew he couldn’t afford a single misstep. Facing a pincer attack from two Summon Warriors, his sole chance lay in defeating them one at a time—and he carefully assessed both opponents, searching for the weaker one.

But Mels quickly realized the effort was futile. Though hailing from different factions, the two warriors possessed near-identical power—so much so that they might as well have been twins, indistinguishable in every way.

Rolans seemed to have anticipated Mels’ thoughts. In a cold tone, he said: “It’s pointless. They were cultivated from the same embryo—one could say, apart from upbringing and martial arts training, they’re essentially identical. Their intelligence, comprehension, judgment, mobility, reflexes—all identical. If you intend to defeat them separately, just choose either one at random. Very well—the contest begins!”

The moment Rolans finished speaking, the two Sub-Human Summon Warriors simultaneously released their Summoned Beasts.

As Rolans had stated, being cultivated from the same embryo, their Summoned Beasts were also perfectly identical. Two majestic Flame Lions emerged before Mels’ eyes, wreathed in crimson light. Staring at the two Flame Lions, Mels drew a sharp breath. Roughly lion-sized, the Flame Lion’s scarlet fur shimmered with heat. Beyond wielding diverse fire-based spells, it ranked among the swiftest of Summoned Beasts—and its razor-sharp claws and fangs were devastating close-combat weapons, capable of shattering anything they struck.

Due to the Flame Lion's incredible speed, it often breaks through enemy defenses before they're fully set, earning it the nickname "Summon Warrior Killer," highlighting the threat it poses to summon warriors.

The Flame Lion is a rather rare Summoned Beast. In the human world, those who possess one are typically selected into their respective knight orders, tasked with eliminating enemy summon warriors in battle!

When facing a Summoned Beast like the Flame Lion, ordinary warriors usually send out several, or even a dozen, of their own summoned beasts simultaneously to form a secure defensive ring. Only after ensuring their own side is safe from the Flame Lion's attacks do they consider launching a counterattack depending on the situation. However, at this moment, Mels was alone with his beast, while his opponents were two exceptionally agile and deadly Flame Lions!

Before Mels could even strategize a way to defeat the Flame Lions, Rolans's summon warrior, Roanka, led the charge and sent his Flame Lion charging at Mels. As soon as the Flame Lion moved, Mels understood why it was called the Summon Warrior Killer!

Even with Mels's keen eyesight, the Flame Lion moved like a drifting fireball, making its movements a blur. In almost the blink of an eye, the Flame Lion had closed to within five meters of Mels.

A fierce roar rang out as the massive red lion leaped into the air, swooping down on Mels from above. Mels hastily dodged, not daring to hesitate for a moment, leaping to the side. However, the Flame Lion, unfazed by its miss, agilely turned and pressed its attack once more!

Seeing himself cornered by one Flame Lion, with another ferocious beast lying in wait on the other side, Mels dared not let his guard down. He urgently shouted, "Little One, come out!" calling forth his only ally.

Both Rolans and the Master of Five Clouds Cave were somewhat surprised that Mels could summon Little One without a summoning chant. But their attention quickly shifted to Little One's unusual form. Even Rolans, one of the lead engineers in creating summoned beasts, never dreamed a summoned beast could look like that!

Generally, dragon-type summoned beasts are enormous in size, but Little One was the opposite, only about a meter long. Ordinary summoned beasts with green skin indicate the wind element, primarily using wind magic, but Little One lacked the "wind horns" essential for wind-type summoned beasts. Just these two things were enough to astonish Rolans and strengthen his resolve to capture every movement of Little One.

On the arena, Little One's appearance immediately put the two summon warriors on edge. The summon warrior named Roanka turned to Mokayev, who hadn't yet acted, and said, "I'll take on the human summon warrior; you deal with his summoned beast. Agreed?" Hearing this, the latter shook his head slightly and then pointed at Little One circling in the air.

The Flame Lion, which had been waiting for orders without moving, now lunged like a tiger pouncing. Its eyes like bronze bells fixed on Little One in the air before suddenly letting out a mighty roar! This wasn't just a threat display; with the roar, it spewed a fireball from its mouth, speeding toward the unprepared Little One in the sky.

Meanwhile, Roanka maneuvered his Flame Lion to hound Mels once again. Judging from the current battle situation, Roanka's tactic was clear: he would keep Mels busy himself, preventing him from having time to command Little One, thereby giving his companion ample opportunity to deal with the uncommanded Little One. Once the summoned beast was defeated, even if Mels possessed incredible powers, he would have no choice but to surrender when facing two Flame Lions.

If Little One were an ordinary summoned beast, their tactic might have succeeded. Unfortunately, Little One had a mind of its own and could assess the battle situation without needing Mels's commands or mental guidance, allowing it to take the most advantageous actions. Therefore, when it saw the fireball shooting toward it, it immediately carved a graceful arc in the air, dodging the fireball while simultaneously shooting a dark orb from its dragon mouth in a counterattack against the Flame Lion.

Witnessing Little One fire the dark orb, Rolans and the Master of Five Clouds Cave almost cried out together, "Dark power!" Their shocked expressions clearly conveyed the astonishment in their hearts! A small, green-skinned dragon, barely a meter long, could unleash a dark attack without any preparation—this was utterly astonishing.

On the other side, Mokayev, who never expected Little One to counterattack so swiftly, panicked as the dark sphere approached his Flame Lion. If not for his quick reflexes and the Flame Lion's agility, that single strike might have decided the outcome.

Although Little One's attack this time yielded no tangible result besides scattering rubble everywhere, its power and speed of counterattack were burned into Mokayev's memory, making him hesitant to act recklessly again.

While Little One could easily face the Flame Lion in the air, Mels on the ground was not having an easy time. Knowing well that ordinary weapons were ineffective against summoned beasts, Mels didn't even bother drawing his sword. He focused solely on constantly shifting his stance to evade the persistent Flame Lion clinging to him like a bone-deep parasite. For a time, the figure of Mels in his blue clothes and the crimson afterimages of the Flame Lion intertwined, rising and falling as they dashed across the arena.

"Boss, can you hold on? If not, let me handle them!" Little One spoke up. Hearing Little One speak, the Master of Five Clouds Cave's face immediately changed dramatically; while Rolans was surprised, he also revealed a meaningful smile. He knew his guess was correct—only a few of the highest-level summoned beasts could comprehend human language!

"I'm managing for now. You go deal with the one over there! If they join forces, we're both finished!" In his flustered state, Mels blurted out his inner plan in response to Little One's inquiry.

"Alright, I'll stop them from joining up, but you be careful too." After saying this, Little One circled once in the air and then dove down at high speed, charging toward Mokayev's Flame Lion.

Although the Flame Lion's speed on the ground was unimaginable, it seemed somewhat inadequate when facing Little One flying in the air.

Little One's attacks didn't pose a substantial threat, but because it had been assaulted by the dark sphere earlier, Mokayev was constantly worried about when Little One might fire another one. If the Flame Lion got hit, it would be half-dead! With this mindset, his Flame Lion fought more and more passively, quickly beginning to retreat continuously.

Summoned beasts don't have a concept of fear, but they are influenced when their master harbors timidity. Like the Flame Lion now, it had lost all semblance of a land overlord, pitifully scurrying around like a kitten trying to hide.

Roanka on the other side was much more experienced than Mokayev. Seeing the situation, and realizing he indeed couldn't do much to Mels himself, he hardened his heart and said to Mokayev, "Let's join forces and take down the human from both sides simultaneously!"

Hearing Roanka's words, Mokayev suddenly snapped out of it, cursing himself for being scared out of his wits by Little One. Eliminating the human warrior would cause the summoned beast to disappear immediately—this was the Flame Lion's forte and the most successful tactic! He couldn't believe he had forgotten. The more Mokayev thought about it, the angrier he got. Without further consideration, he immediately commanded his summoned beast to pounce on Mels.

Watching the two summon warriors' current tactics on the battlefield, Rolans shook his head slightly. He knew the scales of victory were already tipping toward Mels. However, for some unknown reason, he didn't offer a reminder this time and instead quietly observed.

Seeing both Flame Lions charging at him, Mels felt a surge of excitement. In fact, his dialogue with Little One at the beginning was a ruse. Think about it: summoned beasts and their masters can communicate telepathically, so why would they need to voice their plans aloud? From the moment the two Flame Lions appeared, Mels knew that with his own strength, defeating both simultaneously was impossible. The only way to win was to defeat the two Sub-Humans.

However, at the start of the battle, one Sub-Human was entangling him while the other dealt with Little One. If this stalemate continued, Little One might not necessarily defeat the Flame Lion, but Mels would definitely be worn down by his rapidly depleting stamina! To avoid this scenario, Mels devised a plan, leading to the staged conversation between human and beast.

The plan was perfect, but the pressure from the Flame Lions was not something an ordinary person could withstand. As soon as he engaged them, Mels realized his room for movement was pushed to the limit. If he couldn't maintain even faster speed, the Flame Lions pouncing back and forth would soon pierce through his body. Mels couldn't loudly call for Little One's aid, nor could he ask it to speed up its actions. Left with no choice, he could only endure bitterly, hoping Little One would complete its task quickly.

Little One in the air, being telepathically connected to Mels, certainly knew his distress. Little One diligently maintained the appearance of still wanting to attack the Flame Lion while secretly urging the power within its body. Finally, after a slight tremor, Little One's body began to swell a bit. Several dark orbs also started to appear around it.

Roanka, who had been keeping an eye on Little One, realized Mels's true intention upon noticing the change. However, even if he called back his Flame Lion now, it was too late to stop Little One. Weighing the pros and cons, Roanka gritted his teeth and suddenly commanded his Flame Lion via telepathy to unleash a large-scale Crimson Lotus technique. Although the Flame Lion could proficiently wield fire magic, that would inevitably take considerable time. Demanding it cast a spell instantly was truly asking too much of the poor summoned beast.

Nevertheless, summoned beasts possess an absolute sense of obedience to their master's commands. Since Roanka gave the order, this summoned beast immediately withdrew from the fray and opened its maw wide.

The withdrawal of one Flame Lion gave Mels some relief, but when he saw the red glow forming in the Flame Lion's mouth, his heart clenched again. Amidst the chaos, he looked up at the sky, thinking to himself: Little One, it's up to you now. Whether we live to go to the Federation or die on this damned volcano depends on who's faster—you or it!

Fortunately, Little One didn't disappoint Mels. After about a minute, the six dark orbs surrounding Little One's body had fully formed. Without even taking time to adjust its power, Little One sent the dark orbs plummeting toward the ground. The six dark orbs were like six scythes of death: three flew toward Roanka, and three pounced on Mokayev.

"Gentlemen, this is just a contest. There's no need to risk your lives. If you leave the arena, I promise Little One won't harm you!" Although still entangled by the Flame Lion, Mels didn't truly want to kill these two Sub-Humans.

Due to the distance, the three dark orbs reached Mokayev first. Initially, he thought these dark orbs must be similar to the previous one, capable only of linear attacks. So when the dark orbs descended, he merely jumped casually, thinking he could avoid them.

Unfortunately, he guessed wrong again. After losing their target, the dark orbs, like agile hunting dogs, tumbled for a moment before flying toward Mokayev once more. This time, their speed was faster, and the threat greater!

"Mokayev, retreat, retreat!" The Master of Five Clouds Cave couldn't bear to lose another elite summon warrior. Seeing Mokayev unable to escape, he immediately cried out.

Mokayev was no fool either. Knowing well he couldn't win, he quickly raised his hand in surrender, shouting loudly while desperately rushing toward the edge of the arena.

Witnessing Mokayev's actions, Mels indeed kept his promise, having Little One guide the three dark orbs in other directions, ceasing pursuit of the combatant who had lost the will to fight. Originally, Mels thought that after Mokayev fled, Roanka wouldn't hold out much longer either, but he was wrong! Roanka not only didn't flee but, while dodging the dark orbs, also struggled to control his Flame Lion, which was still gathering power.

"Roanka, come back. You alone cannot win!" Rolans seemed to realize the severity of the situation and couldn't help calling out to Roanka. However, his call received no response; the stubborn warrior persisted in his conviction.

"Little One, take him down!" Seeing the red glow in the Flame Lion's mouth growing brighter and brighter, Mels immediately shouted to Little One.

Although Mels didn't understand magic usage, he could assess the situation. Judging by the Flame Lion's current state, it was undoubtedly preparing a large-scale spell!

Hearing Mels's command, Little One, which had relaxed somewhat, tensed up again, swiftly directing all six dark orbs to attack Roanka simultaneously and increasing their speed more than threefold.

Meanwhile, Mels was desperately evading the Flame Lion with its gaping maw, but the valiant summoned beast followed closely behind him no matter how he tried to escape.

"Roanka, do you even disobey my orders now?" After discovering Little One's existence, Rolans had already decided to let Mels and the others proceed to the Federation continent. Of course, to achieve this goal, Mels couldn't be injured.

"Master, you taught me since childhood that to be a useful Sub-Human, one must first understand taking responsibility! This defeat is entirely my fault. If I hadn't gathered both Flame Lions to attack the human, his summoned beast wouldn't have had the chance to launch a counterattack! So, to atone for my mistake, I must bear the consequences... Flame Lion, Crimson Lotus Blaze technique!" Roanka spoke as if delivering his last words, calmly uttering his final sentences.

As his command was issued, Little One's six dark orbs had already surrounded him from all directions. Just as his voice rang out, the six black magic orbs struck his body.

The Sub-Human warrior was blown to pieces, but the red energy sphere in the Flame Lion's mouth was also shot out in time. As if to display its power one last time, the Flame Lion raised its head and chest, roaring wildly at the sky for a moment before slowly vanishing amidst the blazing flames.

Although at the cost of his own life, the Sub-Human warrior's objective was indeed accomplished. Mels, trapped head-on by the Crimson Lotus technique, was engulfed in a sea of fire, not even having time to utter a cry for help.

"Boss!"

"Brother Mels!" Various cries came from Sol and the others. After Rolans, dumbfounded, opened the light barrier, Sol and the others swarmed toward the arena.

The loyal Little One had already plunged into the sea of fire to search for Mels's figure.

"Water spirits between heaven and earth, I, in the name of the Guide, command you to descend upon me. Gather the waters of the celestial river, drench the mountains and lands—Water Torrent technique!" Sol remained relatively composed, immediately casting a water-based spell to extinguish the great fire. However, this time Sol's efforts were in vain. Before his Water Torrent technique took shape, Little One had already burst out of the flames, carrying Mels on its back.

"Boss, are you alright?!" Seeing Mels sitting on Little One without any sign of pain, Sol hurriedly asked.

"I'm fine, just my butt almost got roasted! Luckily, I was smart and activated my Qi energy armor when the fire started, which saved me. Otherwise, I don't know how it would have ended!" Mels laughed as he jumped to the ground and spoke to Sol.

"Whew... you scared me to death! That guy was practically insane. There's no deep-seated hatred; why sacrifice his life to come after you?!" Seeing Mels was unharmed, Sol immediately recalled his earlier question.

"I don't know. Maybe, like some humans, he had an exceptionally strong sense of self-respect." Mels shook his head in response.

"You're quite right! Actually, I'm the one who harmed Roanka. I'm the one who instilled the belief in self-respect in him since childhood! By the way, how are your injuries?" Rolans suddenly approached the group silently and said.

Although everyone resented his fickleness, seeing his sorrowful expression now, no one had the heart to blame the elderly scholar further.

"Dr. Rolans, don't take it to heart. I'm not injured; it's Rolanka who..." Mels said gently. "Sigh, he brought this upon himself; no one else is to blame!" Rolans shook his head helplessly. Then, he looked up at Mels and said, "You have won the contest; you are the rightful victors, so I will fulfill my promise!"

"You mean you'll open the space gate for us to go to the Federation?" Mels excitedly grabbed Rolans. Seeing Mels' delight, Rolans smiled and nodded. With this final confirmation, Sol and the others couldn't help but cheer loudly.

At the same time, Kaslo suddenly shouted toward the distance, "Master of the Five Clouds Cave, it seems you've forgotten something!" It turned out the Master of the Five Clouds Cave was trying to sneak away. If Kaslo hadn't noticed, finding them again would have taken considerable effort.

Called out by Kaslo, even the shameless Master of the Five Clouds Cave couldn't ignore the call. The cunning old fox gave an awkward chuckle to cover his embarrassment and said, "Yes, yes, I did forget to congratulate you all on your victory!" "Hmph, save the congratulations. Don't forget you promised to stop oppressing the Sub-Human races from now on!" Mels said loudly.

Before the livid-faced Master of the Five Clouds Cave could respond, Rolans spoke first, "Don't worry. Since I agreed to be the guarantor, I absolutely won't allow anyone to go back on their word! The matter between Five Clouds Cave and the Sub-Human races is very complicated, so it can't be handled hastily. In a few days, I will summon the leaders of each race, along with the Master of the Five Clouds Cave, to discuss carefully before making a decision! Anyway, this time, I will give the Eagle Clan and the other races a satisfactory answer."

"Good, we trust you!" After saying this, Mels turned to Ying Feiyu and the others, saying, "Your Highness, this is all we can help with. The rest is up to you. We hope the Sub-Human races can live in peace and happiness forever!"

"Thank you, thank you, Brother Mels! We will always remember your kindness!" Ying Feiyu said, moved. "No need to be so polite. I said we are friends!" After saying this, Mels tightly grasped Ying Feiyu's hand, as if to warm his heart with the heat from his palm.

"Hehe, I don't think you need to say goodbye so quickly. First, some of you are injured, so it's better to rest for a couple of days. Also, opening the space gate requires a large amount of energy, and replenishing that energy will take about three more days. So, I hope you'll stay here for now!" Just as Mels and the others thought they could depart immediately, Rolans poured cold water on their plans.

However, after feeling disappointed, Mels reconsidered. Since they had already waited so long, another three days wouldn't matter much. So, he decided to follow Rolans' arrangement.

Ying Feiyu and the others were happiest about Mels and his group staying longer, as they could enjoy three more days together.

The Master of the Five Clouds Cave left the base that same day. Judging by his furious expression, this Cave Master surely had more schemes upon returning. However, Mels believed Rolans would help the Eagle Clan achieve their goal.

Three days passed quickly. Mels and the others spent these three days very comfortably. Rolans never showed up, busy with who knows what.

On the morning of the third day, accompanied by Ying Feiyu and the others, Mels and his four companions arrived at the space transmission field located hundreds of meters underground in the base. Rolans stood by the field's edge, holding a medium-sized leather suitcase, waiting for everyone. "Mels, the energy transfer for the space gate is complete. However, since it hasn't been used for so long, it might not open again after closing. So, if you want to return here, you'll have to find another way! I've prepared some things for you; instructions are included. I believe they'll be useful once you reach the Federation!" Rolans handed over the suitcase.

Taking the suitcase from Rolans, Mels didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he finally uttered a thank you.

"Alright, no need to say anything. Everything from now on depends on you! This space gate is over a thousand years old. I believe the Federation won't have guards near the exit, but you still need to be careful. After all, I don't know what the Federation is like now! Go on. The space gate will open in five minutes. The future is in your own hands! Take care!" Rolans said with a smile.

"Okay, we're off then! The matter of the Sub-Human races is entrusted to you. Take care!" Mels said gratefully. "Brother Mels, take care!" As Mels and the others set off, Ying Feiyu and his two brothers said with tears in their eyes.

"Everyone, take care. I believe we'll meet again!" Mels and the others waved goodbye.

On the path into the space gate, Sol suddenly said, "Boss, I feel like we forgot something..."

"What?" Mels asked puzzled. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Ah! We left Green Hair with the Eagle Clan!"

"That's right! Last time, we rushed to the ruins, and then... What do we do now? The space gate is about to activate!" Sha Luo said anxiously.

"Hmm..." After pondering for a moment, Mels said helplessly, "There's no choice. We can only leave Green Hair here!"

As soon as Mels finished speaking, he felt a pain on his head. Looking up abruptly, Mels found Green Hair panting heavily on top of his head.

"You brat, sneaking off here without a word, actually leaving this emperor behind with the Eagle Clan! If it weren't for this emperor being brave and peerless, unmatched in the world, supremely intelligent..." Green Hair angrily hit Mels while speaking. However, before he could finish, the metal on the ground began to rotate. Amidst a wave of dizziness, the surrounding scenery was replaced by countless flickering lights, and a feeling of soaring through clouds and mist arose in everyone's hearts.

When Mels opened his eyes again, dazzling sunlight shone directly into them. Barely sitting up, before he could even observe his surroundings, he suddenly felt something hard pressing against his head.

A gloomy voice from behind demanded, "Who exactly are you? Why have you appeared in the Federation's forbidden zone?"