Chapter 2235: A Shift in Mindset

The sudden turn of events in the center of the ritual grounds shocked not only all the observers present and the other three ritual participants, but even Morning Light himself was somewhat taken aback.

It was not his first or second time presiding over a Transformation Ritual; every time, he would thoroughly understand the background information of the participants and ensure there were no hidden risks before summoning the observers.

This time was, of course, no exception. The fourth participant went by the alias "Taiya," whose true identity was the Patriarch of a trading family in the southern part of Yierlan, and there were already family members who had transformed into Demon Descendants.

Furthermore, this family had been in contact with the Midian for quite some time, and both sides had a long-standing and stable cooperation. This time, their Patriarch's purpose for undergoing the transformation was for Longevity, but also to deepen the cooperation between the two sides.

Morning Light suspected everyone, but it was impossible to suspect "Taiya"!

"Why? We have known each other for at least one hundred and twenty years, haven't we! Why do this?"

Facing Morning Light's questioning, Taiya dodged his gaze with a guilty conscience, "Sorry, I have reasons I must do this. That Dagger is forged from Plane Crystal with a positive energy inclination; it naturally resists Magic Energy and cancels out teleportation. You still have one minute. You can choose to kill me, or let your other companions leave. In one minute, the Demon-born Hunters of the Northland Alliance will find this place."

"You—"

As a Secret Hall Guardian, Morning Light understood Taiya and the Taiya family very well. Upon hearing the other party say it was a last resort, he almost immediately guessed a possibility. He could understand the other party's choice, but that did not mean he had to accept it.

"You will regret this. If one of me falls, thousands more will stand up again. The spark has already been ignited, and the light of Magic Energy will surely shine upon the Northland."

After speaking, Morning Light began to arrange the evacuation of this temporary stronghold. As for Taiya, he had already seen that the other party had tampered with the Magic Array materials within the stronghold; killing the other party now would only cause the stronghold to be exposed immediately.

Additionally, he also wanted the other party to see with their own eyes the end of the old order and the rise of the new. He himself might not live to see that day, but those who come after will surely settle the accounts for the sins the other party committed today one by one.

……

Soon, the Demon Descendants in the valley began to take action. First were the three other transformers besides Taiya. Since this incident with Taiya occurred, the three of them were also met with suspicion. Even though Morning Light tried to dissuade them, this did not change the determination of the other Demon Descendants.

But before everything was cleared up, they would not be killed; instead, they would be well taken care of. Even during the evacuation, they were arranged to be in the first batch to leave. Now, having just experienced the transformation, they were extremely weak and had no power to resist.

On the other side, Poson, who had been looking forward to what demon traits the fourth transformer would possess, had no psychological preparation at all for the scene unfolding before his eyes. He completely could not fathom how such a thing could happen to a promised Transformation Ritual.

"Yinsiluoda, what do we do now?"

"I am going to see Lord Morning Light. He saved my life. You wait for me here for a moment. I believe Lord Morning Light will definitely arrange everything properly."

"Mm." Poson's heart was filled with shock and anxiety, but at the same time, he knew that the only person he could rely on right now was Yinsiluoda. If not for Yinsiluoda, what would happen even if he escaped temporarily?

Without a safe house, without legal entry and exit status, it would be impossible for him to return to Terminos. He would most likely be treated as a potential Demon Descendant and dealt with by the incoming Northland Alliance Demon-born Hunters.

……

After Yinsiluoda left, Poson began to check his belongings one by one, while simultaneously simulating the possible escape process in his mind.

But before he could wait for Yinsiluoda to return, a ripple of spiritual light like water waves appeared in the sky. The next moment, the sky, which had been clear as a mirror, cracked open an illusory fissure.

Subsequently, the fissure expanded rapidly, and the illusion barrier cast over the valley instantly disintegrated. Immediately after, Poson saw two floating figures appear in the sky: one Moon Elf and one Gold Elf.

At the same time those two figures appeared, the Magic Net in this area began to show signs of rioting, but it was temporarily suppressed by another extremely powerful force.

Poson was not sure if it was the Secret Hall Guardian Morning Light, who had already been severely wounded, or the protection measures that this temporary stronghold already possessed, but for now, it seemed the enemies were temporarily blocked outside.

Yet this situation did not make him feel the slightest bit at ease; instead, because of the early arrival of the Northland Alliance Demon-born Hunters, a layer of unusually gloomy color was cast over the unknown fate to come.

Just then, Yinsiluoda returned to Poson's side after seeing Morning Light and whispered: "I have been granted Permission Level for this place by Lord Morning Light. When the outer Protection breaks later, I will find a way to send you away, but the road after that will have to depend on yourself."

"Send me away? We came together, shouldn't we leave together?"

"It's too late. The Northland Alliance Demon-born Hunters have locked onto the life, Magic Energy, and even the fate information of this place. We are destined to be unable to escape. Only you have not yet undergone the transformation. As long as you reach the safe house within three minutes, you can shake off their lock. You must give it your all; these three minutes are the maximum Lord Morning Light could fight for you."

"Is—is Lord Morning Light alright?"

Poson never imagined that he would have to leave in such a way. The ones who desperately saved him were Demon Descendants, while the ones who wanted to kill him were normal Elves just like him.

As for Morning Light, although his reason told him that the other party was likely unable to escape this calamity, he still held onto a one-in-ten-thousand hope, and he hoped to receive Yinsiluoda's approval.

But unfortunately, Yinsiluoda, who had always been calm, finally could not help but reveal a trace of sorrow, "Lord Morning Light was locked onto by that special Dagger. If it weren't for us, he would actually have had a chance to leave. Now that the Northland Alliance Demon-born Hunters have arrived early, not only can Lord Morning Light not leave, but many companions who have not yet evacuated will also meet their final fate."

Speaking to the end, Yinsiluoda's expression actually became unusually calm, "Falling into the hands of the Northland Alliance, even death is a luxury. They will use means you cannot imagine to torture you and interrogate you. I know I cannot withstand such means, so fortunately, I won't resist. I will simply fulfill you. I only hope you will always stand on the side of the people and not let down the expectations history has for you."

"You, I—"

Poson was suddenly choked with emotion. The frankness and expectations in Yinsiluoda's words made him unable to control himself. For a moment, he even had the thought of staying here to live or die with Yinsiluoda.

This thought was not a momentary impulse, but one filled with firmness. The outside world had already disappointed him to the extreme. Rather than returning to Terminos to continue living in a daze, it would be better to die clearly right here, together with a companion he knew well.

Seeming to see the determination in Poson's eyes, Yinsiluoda hurriedly advised: "Listen, sometimes living requires more Courage than dying. If you have a chance to leave, you must leave. Find more companions and spread the voice of change to more compatriots. The future needs you! The people need you!"

"I—"

Poson could not help but feel a bit ashamed, because he had wavered just now. However, he also admitted that what Yinsiluoda said made sense; living indeed requires more Courage than dying.