When the plot-skips players into the game world

Faced with Aiwass's questioning, Adil showed no sign of fear or guilt.

"Ah, speaking of it, yes. Dawn City is established on Rock Cellar City. You probably know what I did there, don't you? Perhaps the liberation from petrification of Rock Cellar City was thanks to you."

Adil spoke while patting the container holding the Amber Egg: "The ritual that instantly solidified a city relied on its power. Or rather, it was a sacrifice meant to feed it."

"Amber Power, huh."

Aiwass said softly, "You want to sell weapons? To grant Amber Power to outsiders?"

At that time, he indeed sensed the power related to Pillar God Amber... So that's how it came about.

Not stealing power from Amber while it sleeps, but "bleeding" from Amber's dead fetus?

"Not exactly—or rather, not entirely. Because it's not a weapon; it's a tool of punishment. I plan to sell this power externally, but it's actually to release the accumulated power within and let it solidify enough life to cultivate it.

"As for selling it to others... that's just incidental. Giving people immense benefits without charge would only arouse suspicion, jealousy, and greed; but if they pay dearly for it, they find it reasonable and acknowledgeable—such is the nature of human beings."

Adil nodded, speaking frankly without a hint of mystery.

Such efficient communication made Aiwass quite comfortable.

The white-robed Benevolent Lord continued, "However, I first killed Avxin because of another matter. That guy didn't even realize the danger he was involved in. His sins can only be repaid with death. All residents of his city shall pay because of Avxin's negligence."

"...Dangerous? You mean the underground conduit?"

Aiwass asked bluntly, "Is it because he could use technology to draw water externally? If so, you wouldn't be able to control people with water."

"It's part of the reason too," Adil acknowledged, "If people realize water is not only obtainable from Benevolent Lords, then all chaos and evil from outside will flood here—don't look at me like that, it's a tradition we've adhered to since ancient times, a belief and pursuit of our nation.

"After the collapse of the Tower of Heaven, only Parthia and Primordial remain from the first nations established. Those nations were founded by the descendants of Winged Ones and scale bearers.

"Primordial was established after the Balance Curtain by the people of Lord of Scalefeather, a 'Supervision Country' built on the ground by scale bearers, who were the first residents; Horus is related to those who still worship the Second Sun, though their correct legacy has long ceased; whereas Parthia was constructed by the remaining scholars and mages from the Tower of Heaven... and they aimed to guard the Tomb of Sin Thorn, to guard and bury this ancient forbidden knowledge.

"Every Benevolent Lord is not only a contractor of Abyssal Celestial Envoy but also a taboo mage with ancient heritage. Since before the Second Sun fell, all 'Taboo Techniques' in the world are stored in Parthian Ancient Country, passed down separately by different Benevolent Lords. The rulers of Parthia were originally Winged Ones; later several generations of monarchs were scale bearers; afterwards, reverted avianfolk, serpentfolk, lizardfolk, demon beasts, dragons, dwarves, and humans served... No matter the race, it doesn't matter.

"After all, you must know, my brother... esteemed Mr. Aiwass. When our two countries were founded, even the Holy Nation didn't exist—Parthia's history is far longer than human history, and will continue to be so in the future.

"The world ten thousand years ago is not much different from now; likewise, it won't be much different ten thousand years from now."

Adil spoke calmly with pride: "Once you understand the mission we embrace, you will certainly recognize this sacred ideology."

It is a determination never to follow the trends of the times, willing to be scattered into ashes over time.

Like a homeowner unwilling to relocate amidst road planning—either to raise the price, or simply unwilling to sell, no matter the benefits offered. He'd rather let the road pass by his little shabby house and find joy in that.

When he said this, he took a deep breath: "As for the other reason I killed him, it's because of the Sin Thorn buried beneath the desert."

"Sin Thorn..."

Aiwass realized something, his expression becoming dire: "Even with slabs blocking, it's still not okay?"

If this truly is an unforgivable taboo, he must notify—not to continue building!

"Yes, not okay. That would only make Sin Thorn aware of water here and grow upwards. If Sin Thorn reaches shallow surfaces, everyone's doomed."

Adil unrelentingly said: "According to forbidden knowledge inherited by Parthia since ancient times, Sin Thorn possesses a clear affinity for water, growing towards lush waters and seizing their vitality.

"These Sin Thorn existed before the Absolute Heaven and Earth, they were the ones once blocking the Source River in the Dream Realm. Through these Sin Thorn, going further down, you can reach the origin of Source River. In this regard, it can also be called the world's umbilical cord.

"Candle Master burned and consumed most Sin Thorn back then, yet preserved a portion. They are buried under this desert, sealing these Sin Thorn is Serpent Celestial Marshal.

"It's said in the ancient past, before Infinite Eternal Damnation's Reincarnation, it was Amber that accomplished this feat in the Original World. Whereas Amber has now become 'Amber', the duty of sealing Sin Thorn falls to Serpent Celestial Marshal."

"...Can't these Sin Thorn be thoroughly destroyed?"

Aiwass frowned, speaking frankly again: "I am also Son of Si Zhu, possessing the ability to devour Sin Thorn..."

...Though doing so might lead him to fully become a Sin Beast. Precisely because of this, Aiwass suddenly halted midway through his words.

Yet upon hearing this, Adil showed no joy, ecstasy, or disbelief.

Instead, he bizarrely glanced at Aiwass and slowly shook his head: "Candle Master wouldn't allow you to destroy these Sin Thorn. These are the last Sin Thorn in this world."

...Why?

This remark is too strange—why does Candle Master have the power to eliminate Sin Thorn, yet not destroy all of them?

Why are they watching over these Sin Thorn in the desert?

Aiwass recalled that Sin Thorn should be related to the power of Void.

Could it be that the founders of Parthian Ancient Country forced the creation of a water source in this waterless desert through Taboo Magic, living here... with some intention?

Is it to seal Void? Or something else?

"—Sin Thorn are our elder brothers, after all."

Adil stated earnestly: "How could Candle Master possibly bear to utterly annihilate them?"

"Elder brothers?"

Aiwass murmured.

He suddenly remembered something.

Zhu Tang had once interpreted the markings of his Sin Beast form, one phrase meaning "Sin Thorn is the earth's old scar, it is the sibling of all beings."

Perhaps...

But no more time to inquire.

Just then—

A sudden exclamation was heard from outside.

Aiwass raised his head abruptly, seeing through the temple's stained windows that the sky had turned deep red.

At the center of the sky appeared a huge fire whirlpool, so red it was nearly black. Like a whirlpool in the ocean... only it was upside down, reaching out into the heavens.

The air visibly heated, scorching hot winds descended from the sky, making people's clothes and hair wildly fly, making even walking down the street difficult.

As if a strong airflow pressed everyone down to the ground—

In the next moment, seated in the Holy Temple, Aiwass felt a strong sense of crisis from above.

Adil's expression changed as well.

He and Aiwass simultaneously sensed something wrong.

Due to the arrival of Flame Celestial Marshal, now 'fire' type abilities are much easier to perform than before.

A massive fireball, like a second sun, emerged on the horizon!