Chapter 1196

As these words were spoken, a gasp rose from the stands.

"Impudent! How dare you in the holy ground—"

"Exactly!" Bai E spread his arms and shouted, "Aglaea can no longer hold out alone—because, while the vermin spin baseless rumors and hatch conspiracies in broad daylight, she is pouring her heart and blood into weaving the holy city's defense net to oppose the world's ubiquitous wickedness!"

"She has never failed Aohema's expectations, yet just because of the vermin's besieging and biting, should she suffer such great humiliation? Apart from that later 'divinity'… is her true heart not always with 'humanity'?"

"They want to deceive you, reducing this assembly crudely to a opposition of 'human' versus 'god'. Do you remember our plea? Citizens of Aohema, open your eyes, examine closely the people standing beside you! Look more closely! See whether what those splendid robes conceal are human warm hearts or the poison glands of harmful insects."

"After you have made your judgment in your hearts, then turn your gaze toward them—see whether that Demigod you thought cold still glimmers with the light of humanity; and see whether that one, cloaked in human skin and spewing vicious slander, has not fallen prey to the demon of greed for power."

Bai E's gaze firm: "But no matter what answer you reach, and whoever you ultimately cast your sherds for… you need have no worries. For I, Aglaea, and Ti Li Xi Bi E Si, we will still be your loyal bulwark, swearing to defend unto death everyone's choice—"

"Such a promise will continue until the end of our lives, and be passed on to future fire pursuers—"

"Eternal and unceasing, forever unwavering!"

——

Uneven World

"Well said——!!"

Jin clapped excitedly, unable to help cheering loudly for Bai E.

"No wonder you're the champion of the tenth debate tournament—your eloquence is superb." Kaili praised softly, "But the issue still lies with the Heichi crisis; it's estimated that some born in Aohema who have never experienced the Heichi crisis still side with Kaines, while those whose homes were destroyed by Heichi and who have personally felt its impact will choose the Fire Pursuit Journey."

"But there is still a problem." Zi Tang Huan gazed at the dense crowd on the Demigod council's stands, furrowed his brow, and mused, "Whether it's Kaines's promise of 'return to the Golden Age' or Bai E's insistence on the Fire Pursuit Journey, neither now seems able to truly resolve the Heichi crisis; 'Recreation of the World' merely postpones the issue to the next cycle of rebirth."

"You're viewing this from a bystander's perspective." Ge Rui reminded calmly, "Someone in the midst of a tsunami won't know where they are in the huge waves."

"I know, but… I still feel Bai E should now consider alternatives besides the Fire Pursuit Journey. Since the star and Dan Heng from beyond the heavens have brought such great change to the Fire Pursuit Journey, we ought to seek more help from beyond the heavens. If the natives of Wengfal Luo Si cannot solve the problem, could it not also be unsolvable before other galactic powers?"

"You're right, but this is also a problem to consider only after defeating Ai Ge Le." Kaili, chin resting on one hand, looked down at Zi Tang Huan, "If they can kill Ai Ge Le, many of Wengfal Luo Si's existing problems could be solved—except for that indestructible fire‑stealer—but then, are indestructible monsters rare in the universe? The Immortal Vessel should be able to devise a solution for that monster."

——

Amid an uproar, representatives of Aohema's various city‑states threw their sherds into the urn……

Laigushi, having finished counting the votes, announced loudly: "As of now, the 'Continue Fire Pursuit Journey' and 'Pause Fire Pursuit Journey' sides have equal public opinion on Talandon's scales…… the votes are equal, forming an excellent balance."

Na Ke Xia said calmly: "As expected, this is the moment when the Fire Pursuit Journey is closest to being halted."

"Now it's your turn, Your Excellency A Na Ke Sa Ge La Si."

"Is anyone else yet to vote?"

"You are the last one; think carefully—your solemn vote will break this perfect deadlock."

Na Ke Xia smiled confidently: "I've long had it in hand."

Laigushi nodded: "Excellent. I sincerely wish you bring genuine change to this world that defies common sense."

As Na Ke Xia stepped out of the crowd and was about to enter the hall's center, only Kaines's voice from behind whispered lowly: "Don't forget the vision we plotted together, Your Excellency."

He did not respond, but walked straight to the urn and let out a long breath.

"You've done well, Bai E. In such a situation, using fiery rhetoric to stir emotions is a clever move." Na Ke Xia turned and addressed the crowd loudly: "Thank you all for your patience. I, A Na Ke Sa Ge La Si, on behalf of the Seven Sages of the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court and all scholars, cast my solemn vote. However, for fairness' sake, Miss Goldweave, I will pose a question to you before everyone—"

"Please tell me: Are you indeed, as Bai E said, going to uphold this assembly's solemn resolution regardless of the outcome?"

Aglaea, who had remained silent on the stands, finally spoke: "For fairness' sake… I will make you no promise, lest I interfere with your judgment."

"Heh, that's good. Thank you for your candid words."

——

Full Psychic Power

"Master, he should support Aglaea……right?"

Seeing Na Ke Xia's attitude toward Aglaea, Long Tao instead felt a lack of confidence.

"You still don't get Na Ke Xia? He never supports any particular person or faction, only the path he himself has determined. He won't utterly deny another just because of personal grudges, nor will he be swayed to use by close personal ties……" Ling Huan, holding an insulated cup, sat in a recliner and said lightly, "…If he votes against the Fire Pursuit Journey this time, there's only one possibility—that the Fire Pursuit Journey cannot give him the answer he seeks."

"Then I won't worry." The little dimple floating in the sky pouted, "Kaines's promised Golden Age is even less able to give him the answer he wants. Moreover, Xia Die has become a Death Demigod; the vision she hoped for—eradicating death—has come to naught."

"Yeah…… but I still feel it's a pity." Ling Huan let out a soft sigh.

"A pity?"

Ling Huan gazed at Na Ke Xia's back as he stood before the urn, his tone tinged with regret: "Fifteen days are already upon us. Na Ke Xia is about to die; if there were ample time, he'd surely have many more questions he'd want to research—such as why Wengfal Luo Si has a cycle of rebirth, and…… the truth about more beyond the heavens."