Water Mage in the Flame Realm

"...Yes." Susan nodded slowly, giving a definitive answer.

Normally, Susan maintained an indifferent, even cold demeanor, but now she looked uncharacteristically grave. "According to information provided by the intelligence agents, when the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique reaches its pinnacle, one can automatically acquire the Fire of Extinguishing.

This is similar to how an Earth Fire Mage, upon reaching their peak, can obtain the Molten Rock Fire and automatically become an Earth Fire Scholar."

An Earth Fire Mage, once they reach beyond Tier Nine, can automatically acquire the Molten Rock Fire and become the highest-ranking Earth Fire Scholar within the Magic Guild. Andrew had long been aware of this.

Back then, the old mage Humboldt, in his attempt to become an Earth Fire Scholar, failed to break through and suffered backlash.

Andrew had roughly understood this information when he defeated Senior Pete in Wildfire Town back then.

An Earth Fire Mage could obtain the Molten Rock Fire, one of the Eight Strange Fires, through post-natal cultivation.

This has always been a significant advantage the Magic Guild had over the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

Now Susan says: Not only Earth Fire Mages, but Flame Warriors also now have a path to obtain an Eight Strange Fire through post-natal cultivation!

"Are you sure? Is this intelligence sufficiently accurate?" Barbara couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that the other party, previously in the dual-fire war, was so passive that they deliberately released this smoke screen to scare us?"

It is not surprising that Barbara would think this way.

You must know that if this intelligence is true, the Magic Guild not only pacified the Flame Warrior group but also potentially made the Flame Warrior group stronger in the near future with the promotion of the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique. It's actually a blessing in disguise!

At this moment, Sabye and Havier also couldn't help but look at Susan. They were both Crimson Knights, combat class members directly opposed to the Flame Warrior group on behalf of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, and naturally more concerned about possible enhancements or even evolutions in the Flame Warrior group.

Yes, evolution.

If the information is true, then the Flame Warrior group is not just "enhanced" but has a hint of "evolution"!

But Susan shook her head, a hint of a wry smile appearing on her chubby face: "When we first received this intelligence, we thought the same as the young lady, believing that the opposition was bluffing.

In fact, until Andrew shared the intelligence he had explored regarding that Capella, we couldn't be sure.

But... after hearing that Capella possesses the Fire of Extinguishing, we can basically confirm: the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique can indeed allow a Flame Warrior to hope to obtain an Eight Strange Fire!

This intelligence must be true because there is no other reason to explain why Capella could possess the Fire of Extinguishing."

After Susan finished speaking, the airship fell silent for a moment.

Everyone digested the information, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

No one expected that while analyzing the intelligence about Capella, they would unexpectedly uncover information about the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, helping to confirm its authenticity.

Undoubtedly, this is very bad news for the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

You should know that currently, the Crimson Knights of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, when confronting Flame Warriors, are generally on equal footing, with each side having strengths and weaknesses. In the same tier, it depends on which side can better capitalize on their strengths while circumventing their weaknesses. Both have the possibility of winning.

But in the future, if the Flame Warrior group is further enhanced or even evolved due to the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, the Warm Fire Commerce Association will have to reassess the overall strength of the Magic Guild.

Not to mention the upcoming Royal Court negotiations, which may be significantly affected.

Susan frowned deeply.

The impact she felt internally was actually the greatest among the present individuals.

Susan had participated in a negotiation competition years ago.

Having negotiation competition experience and having won—that's the main reason she, as Lady Yi Lian's personal guard, was an exception in participating in this expedition to the Royal Court.

During that negotiation competition years ago, Susan faced a young Flame Warrior from the Magic Guild. She resorted to a secret technique, forcibly elevating herself from Tier Three to Tier Four in a short time, and ultimately won that battle.

The price for this was that her weight and body shape went completely out of control after using the secret technique to force a breakthrough, never to be restored.

That experience has always made Susan view the Flame Warrior group as a kind of "nemesis."

Now, with Andrew's intelligence nearly confirming the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, it essentially means: that the opponent she barely managed to slightly outperform with great cost back then is becoming stronger now.

This was the reason why the usually indifferent Susan momentarily lost composure while sharing the intelligence earlier.

The principal beside Susan, Charlie, should have already transmitted the intelligence back to Warm Fire City through the "Heart Net." He seemed to be communicating with someone in Warm Fire City via the "Heart Net" at the moment.

Barbara sat silently next to Andrew.

Sabye's face appeared somewhat gloomy. He had been thinking not long ago: could he break through to Tier Four soon, and perform well in the Royal Court negotiations? But now he realizes: even if he breaks through, it may not be enough!

As fellow combat class members, why do Flame Warriors have the privilege of acquiring such overpowering new Dragon Transformation Combat Techniques?

Isn't this tantamount to playing unfairly?!

In a moment of silence and heaviness, Havier suddenly spoke, casually saying, "This new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique surely still has some defects, right? Otherwise, if it were really that powerful and perfect, there's no reason why it would only be introduced after the Flame Warriors caused a commotion, is there?"

Kids will be kids, utterly reckless.

While discussing the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, he was completely nonchalant, with his nose in the air, fully disregarding the matter.

It was as if it wasn't a top-tier combat technique, but some worthless trash!

Susan snorted, "What do you know? This combat technique..."

She couldn't continue.

Because after Havier made his "remark," Andrew suddenly agreed, "I concur! Havier's comment makes sense; I too feel that even though this new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique might really allow Flame Warriors a chance to obtain the Fire of Extinguishing, it surely still has unresolved defects or issues."

Susan and Barbara, among others: "?"

Even Havier himself: "???"

Subconsciously, he glanced out the window; the blazing sun was still rising in the east and setting in the west.

With a strange expression, Havier turned back to Andrew, seemingly unable to believe: This guy actually agreed with my opinion?!

But Andrew looked completely natural, with a bit of innocence, thinking that it's about matters, not people. Havier might still be a naive brat, but at least his comment on this issue wasn't wrong. When it comes to the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, there's no need to be so pessimistic.

Simply put, if this new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique were truly powerful enough to overturn the original balance of power between the Warm Fire Commerce Association and the Magic Guild, our group wouldn't even be on this magic airship heading to the Royal Court—because there simply wouldn't be any negotiations at the Royal Court! If the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique were really that extreme.

"Yes, hopefully." Susan sighed and nodded.

After all, she was a determined Tier Eight peak, comparable to Tier Nine combat power—a strong figure who, despite the residual effects of the Secret Forbidden Technique used years ago, still grew to her current level of strength—a momentary lapse of negative emotions quickly turned around.

Coupled with the unprecedented consensus between Andrew and Havier, Susan felt perhaps her mind was a bit unsettled just now.

Havier had a scowl, seemingly unsure how to react to Andrew's agreement; he chose to remain silent.

Having been digesting the information quietly, Barbara now asked, "Earth Fire Mage wants to acquire Molten Rock Fire, but it'll require surpassing Tier Nine. But Capella is only Tier Four. So, can one obtain the Fire of Extinguishing without being above Tier Nine?"

This was also the question Andrew wanted to ask.

Though Flame Warriors now, like Earth Fire Mages, possess certain postnatal paths to acquire the Eight Strange Fires, there still seem to be significant differences between them.

"Oh, that's it..."

Susan explained, "Based on what we know so far: Earth Fire Mage needs 'Tier,' which is breaking through above Tier Nine. Flame Warriors, however, to obtain the Fire of Extinguishing, aren't restricted by tier, but must gain 'recognition' from the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique."

"Recognition?" Barbara frowned, "So it means even a Tier One could potentially have the Fire of Extinguishing as long as there's recognition?"

Andrew pondered: Recognition from combat techniques? How can a combat technique, which is dead, grant recognition?

Or does it mean, through practicing the combat technique, gaining recognition from some entity possessing life and will?

Thinking about this brought to mind the shadow behind Capella!

He wondered if obtaining the Fire of Extinguishing was due to recognition from the entity represented by that shadow, and the mark of recognition was obtaining the Fire of Extinguishing, and the existence of that shadow behind?

With rapid thoughts, Andrew quickly digested and analyzed the information Susan provided.

From the beginning, Andrew never thought much about how the "Flame Warrior group would behave because of the new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique."

Just considering Capella's strength and capabilities.

The information he previously gathered at Warm Fire Temple was "fragmented" and "superficial."

Now, combining Susan's provided intelligence with what he investigated, Andrew felt like he could piece it all together—

Simply put, all the unimaginable manifestations on Capella stem from this new Dragon Transformation Combat Technique.

Through practicing the new combat technique, acquiring Dragon Transformation Weapons, thus enhancing strength, and attaining the Fire of Extinguishing, gaining the unique power of lock and mark.

—That's likely how it is?

It feels like it can now be easily and clearly connected!

With the intelligence considered, upon reflecting on the feelings during previous encounters with Capella's force, Andrew now somewhat understood: why he felt there was an essential difference in aura, even when both used an Axe Spear—Capella's Axe Spear versus the female assassin's Axe Spear.

"The Axe Spear forged by Capella's power is most likely what they call 'Dragon Transformation Weapon'!"

Andrew's mind progressively clarifies Capella's strength and image, "Compared to the female assassin's Axe Spear, Capella's Axe Spear aura was heavier and more violent! From her Axe Spear, I could perceive a similar aura to Fleur during her dragon transformation state, even sensing the aura akin to a Desolate Beast!

But the same aura from the female assassin's Axe Spear, I couldn't perceive."