Chapter 1123

"I understand the underlying cause now. Is there anything we can do?" Dan Heng asked.

Bai E: "I trust the teacher's character, and I intend to plead with Aglaea for him, to secure more time. When that moment arrives, as long as you two are clear about what I'm fighting for, that will be the greatest help."

Dan Heng sighed lightly: "Things always pile up… Xing and Mimi still have to face Olorinis's trial. I also plan to go to the Tree Court to gather clues about the 'Realm Beyond the Heavens'."

Bai E felt a bit ashamed: "I'm always troubling you two, sorry about that. I hope Olorinis can be more merciful, more accommodating. I remember back at the Deep Abyss, it favored you quite a bit. Rest and recuperate; in a few days, we'll meet at the Vortex Heart."

After speaking, Bai E handed a booklet about the Citizens' Assembly to Dan Heng. Most of it described the Senate's operating mechanisms and main functions, but the section on honorary elders contained a particular name that caught his eye.

The most renowned elder in the Senate is named Lu Ku'ergos, an Antikythera descendant who was nearly extinct before the Golden War—he had multiple direct exchanges with KefaLe during the Golden Age, conveying the mundane voices of the world to KefaLe, truly a "Divine Gift Audience"—which is the main reason he has repeatedly been elected chair of the Citizens' Assembly.

Besides that, there is an elder named Kaines who has a massive following in Aohema. Many believe Kaines can, using the resources she has amassed, change the current situation where the Golden‑blooded hold real authority.

"Just as I suspected, the difficulties of the Fire Pursuit Journey aren't only external. Complex internal affairs and interpersonal relationships are also the fuse," Dan Heng said, slowly closing the booklet and massaging his temples. "It's not time to be at ease yet… we need to find our exact place within this vast net."

"I hope everything goes smoothly. We've all experienced the Star God's glance; you should be able to handle the local deity's trial as well."

——

Zero Zone.

"Kaines… oh! I remember her; she's that rude woman who talks back to Aglaea, always sharp‑tongued, right?" Ju Fu Fu recalled earnestly. "She also seemed to be an assassin, right? Her hands must be stained with a lot of Golden‑blooded blood."

"If I'm not mistaken, Kaines is very likely the leader of that opposition group, and the fact that she dares to speak so brazenly before Aglaea suggests she's already amassed plenty of leverage to bring her down…"

Yi Xuan gently blew the swirling steam above his tea and said with interest, "But I'm more curious about her true purpose. The Tree Court was just destroyed, and the casualties have already spread among the Aohema populace. If she also opposes the Fire Pursuit Journey, can she produce a second plan to address the imminent Heichi crisis?"

"If she can produce one, Aglaea and the others wouldn't need to waste effort on the Titan issue. Moreover, if she openly opposes it at the Citizens' Assembly, that's fine; it's the behind‑the‑scenes schemers that worry me," Ju Fu Fu suddenly realized, slapping his thigh. "…Wait! Since she's an assassin, if that Keshia sides with Aglaea, she wouldn't kill that Keshia, would she?"

"Fu Fu, you didn't even suspect Kaines would act against Aglaea; that's a very conservative thought," Yi Xuan smiled faintly.

Ju Fu Fu muttered quietly, "Master, that's a Demigod… and Aglaea also said that if she wanted, she could cut the throats of everyone in the Senate with a golden thread overnight. With such a power gap, no matter how many people Kaines sends, they'd be suicide missions, right?"

"Since Keshia and Aglaea are at odds, Kaines will definitely extend an olive branch to Keshia," Ye Shunguang guessed. "At least before the Citizens' Assembly, the Senate will ensure Keshia's safety."

"No, not necessarily… you've overlooked something."

"What?"

"It's true that Keshia can't get along with Aglaea, but who can guarantee that Keshia will get along with the Senate and Kaines's group?"

Yi Xuan's mouth twitched into a smile, "Someone as proud as him, who can even insult both Demigods and Titans without missing a beat… do you think he can restrain himself from berating Kaines and the Senate? A hedgehog will prick you wherever it is; the more people try to control him, the more they'll be riddled with spines. I've already started looking forward to him going full‑throttle, attacking Kaines."

——

A few days later, the Genesis Vortex Heart…

"Xing, Olorinis's totem seat is vacant. If you are ready to become the pillar of Wong Falos, step forward," Aglaea invited.

"Your Excellency Xing… I'm sorry, I don't know what to say to ease the tension," Xiadie thought for a moment. "…Right, for example… once this trial ends, there'll be nothing to fear about the Fire Pursuit Journey?"

After hearing that, Xing felt even more nervous, as if flags were being planted behind him.

Xiadie immediately shook her head: "No, that seems odd… Don't worry, it won't take too long, right? Hmm… Rest assured, you'll definitely come back alive?"

"Uh…"

Xiadie felt the atmosphere die instantly from her few words; not a single sound was heard.

Xiadie quickly bowed her head, her voice small: "Sorry, the atmosphere seems to have become heavier. In any case… I wish you all the best, Your Excellency."

Tingning: "Olorinis's divine seat has been vacant for many days… *we* can feel the trial's narrow passage closing. Its soul remnants are few; the ritual must be completed before it completely vanishes."

Xing confidently nodded at Tingning: "I've long been used to putting out fires."

"The eighth ember coveted by Miracle, once belonging to the great 'Eternal Night Veil, Olorinis.' The ones returning it now are the two heroes elected by us Golden‑blooded: a righteous, bold traveler, and a sacred beast that summons miracles."

Mimi, hands on hips, corrected: "It's a 'person', and they are also a 'person'!"

"Step forward, both of you. Together with *us*—" Tingning extended his hand forward, and together with Xing recited solemn prayers, "The solemn Twelve Titans, pillars that support the world—"

"Here we seek divinity, to fill the world's fissures—"

"Infusing mortal flesh with Golden blood, willingly letting the divine decree wither dry…"

Xing suddenly opened his eyes, realizing something was off.

"I don't think I have Golden blood?"