"Having witnessed all the suffering in the world, to suddenly arrive in this bustling, prosperous place feels like a lifetime apart."
Wan Lei lifted his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.
"Isn't that the truth? It truly feels like one is in heaven and the other in hell.
Actually, before the war began, none of the main estates of the three major powers were inferior to this capital city. After all, they had been established for three hundred years, right?
But as soon as the great war between the three factions broke out, ten out of every ten households in the war zones were rendered empty. Even places without war suffered from widespread poverty. Even the cities of the three main estates had overdrawn their national strength and become desolate.
This capital city, which was originally inferior to all others, actually became the wealthiest and most peaceful place.
It's truly not scary to live poorly, as long as you're not worse off than others. This comparison really highlights how good it is here."
The old man drank three cups of wine; he loved this particular indulgence, and now that he had arrived in the capital, he could finally enjoy good wine.
The donkey was also very happy; it no longer had to gnaw on dry hay and drink ice water.
"This is how the capital should look. As the seat of a nation, it should inherently be the most prosperous place."
"What a pity, what a pity."
The old man shook his head and hummed, lamenting without cause.
"The peace here won't last much longer. The armies of the three factions are already on their way. While they might not directly engage in large-scale battles, the fierce competition between the three factions is certainly bound to occur.
Last year, the three factions forced the Jin imperial family to agree to reveal the Sacred Fire.
The Jin imperial family also made concessions, stating that no one could successfully cultivate the Sacred Fire while it was with the Jin imperial family. Therefore, they called upon heroes from all over the land to gather in the capital. Anyone could participate in the Martial Arts Competition, and the strongest would be allowed to attempt the inheritance of the Sacred Fire.
These words sound pleasant, but in reality, anyone with discerning eyes knows that the strongest in this land are none other than the people of these three major powers.
The Xi Ren Liu, the Bu Zhi Huo Feng Qin, and the Rong Yan Ju Feng will ultimately fall into the hands of the three factions."
After hearing the old man's words, Fang Xiaoyu shook his head.
"Old man, your perspective is too shallow.
The Jin imperial family has played a stratagem of 'borrowing a knife to kill.'
Originally, how the Sacred Fire inheritance would be divided was decided by the three factions. It was also possible that the heads of the three factions would jointly attempt the inheritance, and each of them would obtain a portion.
But the Jin imperial family's move has stirred up everyone in the land. The three major powers, on the other hand, cannot defy public opinion and forcefully prevent others from participating.
In the end, this led to the great war between the three factions, with each side wanting to obtain more of the most powerful flames to strengthen themselves and ensure their invincibility.
The Jin imperial family's scheme has succeeded, and the great war between the three factions has begun.
And the outcome? Heh heh.
The Xi Ren Liu is dead.
The Bu Zhi Huo Feng Qin is dead.
The Rong Yan Ju Feng was heavily wounded and fled. It's unlikely that this mere half a year has been enough for it to recover.
In the end, the only remaining powerhouse, Li Mei Xian, was ultimately benefited.
I now suspect that this Li Mei Xian was either already part of the Jin imperial family.
This... is impossible. If that were the case, why wouldn't he have directly gone for the inheritance? Why play this trick?
It should be that the Jin imperial family and Li Mei Xian had a secret understanding, but ultimately no agreement was reached. Perhaps Li Mei Xian was too proud, unwilling to accept charity, unwilling to be bound, and thus did not agree.
The Jin imperial family could not bear to see the Sacred Fire inheritance fall into the hands of the three factions, because once any one of them obtained it, they would immediately overthrow the Jin imperial family, establish their own empire, and change the dynasty.
Therefore, rather than letting it fall into the hands of the three factions, it was better to give it to Li Mei Xian.
Given Li Mei Xian's free-spirited and unrestrained nature as a lone cultivator, he might not force the Jin imperial family to abdicate. After all, he doesn't even have any subordinates.
It's possible that Li Mei Xian might even remember past favors and offer some assistance to the Jin imperial family.
Heh heh, none of the imperial family members are cowards."
Wan Lei clapped repeatedly upon hearing Fang Xiaoyu's analysis, showering her with praise.
The old man, however, looked at Fang Xiaoyu with astonishment.
"Young girl, how can you deduce so much? You've analyzed these political strategies as if you've laid bare the very heart of the Jin imperial family before us. How do you understand the minds of supreme rulers so well?"
"Because I... am a princess."
Little Sister Xiaoyu smiled proudly. Although the Fang family was not a nation, it ruled over many countries. These countries were like minor vassal states, and the Fang family represented the supreme imperial authority in the northern central region.
As the youngest princess of the Fang family, she naturally learned some techniques of imperial rule in addition to her diligent cultivation from childhood.
In terms of strategy, wisdom, and governance, the little Wan Lei, who aspired to become the second generation Thunder Emperor and unify the Lei Feng Realm, was far outshone by his wife.
"But..."
Wan Lei leaned back, toying with his wine cup.
"These things, we can think of them, but the three factions, having ruled for three hundred years, have become as shrewd as foxes. They must have thought of them too.
Before the great war between the three factions, perhaps they only thought of obtaining one or two more supreme flames for themselves. But after the great war, the situation remained stagnant, and they were even weaker than before.
So, Niehuo Qingwu and Xiren Yuanjun, who inherited the positions of family head and inheritance, along with the Molten Giant Phoenix, who is destined not to be absent, how could they hand over the final fruits of victory to Li Mei Xian after making such great sacrifices and battling until their brains were scrambled?"
"Therefore, the three factions might ultimately unite to attack Li Mei Xian, who is currently the strongest and undamaged.
Even if the Molten Giant Phoenix is heavily wounded, and even if Niehuo Qingwu and Xiren Yuanjun are weaker than their predecessors, I don't believe Li Mei Xian can face the combined attacks of the three without defeat.
So, Li Mei Xian is likely doomed to lose."
"He is doomed to die, that's more like it."
The old man chuckled,
"If I were Li Mei Xian, I would surely see through these calculations too. Perhaps I would directly flee and not dare to come."
"Hmph, if that Li Mei Xian dares not to come, I'll kill you old man first, then kill those three powerful individuals, then burn this capital city, and then..."
As Wan Lei spoke, he seemed to realize his own cruelty and chuckled, scratching his head.
"In short, this Li Mei Xian must be found. Even if he dares not compete, we must forcefully push him to accept the Sacred Fire inheritance."
"Why must Li Mei Xian be the one to obtain the Sacred Fire inheritance? Can't someone else? You could help anyone you fancy, like Xiren Yuanjun."
The old man suggested with a smile.
"This is our mission. Otherwise, why would I have spent a year searching for you with him? Couldn't I just defect to a major power and enjoy myself? With my strength, where would I not be treated as an honored guest?"
"Then, what will happen if you fail to complete your mission?"
"According to the precedents of the previous secret realms, if the mission is not completed, there is only one outcome.
That is...
Erasure."
Upon hearing this, the old man's heart tightened, and his gaze gradually deepened.
"He will come. He will definitely come."