Haitin’s expression remained neutral, but there was a glint of something—approval, perhaps—in his eyes.
He gave a slight nod. “Very well, brother. I’ll leave Lini in your hands. But remember, if you fail… well, the consequences will be yours to bear.”
Aksai nodded back. “I understand completely.”
Finally, Haitin led Aksai towards the last captured member of his team– Siya Solaris.
If Lini had been a ticking time bomb because of her connection to the Green Glory Lord, then Siya Solaris was nothing short of a nuclear warhead that he couldn’t turn off because there was no panel to stop the counter. Her presence represented a far more dangerous threat, one tied directly to her father, the Sun Ocean Lord.
Aksai glanced at Siya, who sat bound by Essence Equation runes, her mouth sealed and her cultivation locked. Despite her current state, her aura still radiated with a fierce energy, reminding him of who her father was.
It seemed that she too had some defensive trump cards set on her by her father. It was just that the demonic faction was careful enough in capturing her, preventing her from making use of them. Unlike Lini, Siya’s capture was well-planned by Haitin. There was no room for mistakes.
The Sun Ocean Lord wasn’t just any Core Formation Lord. He was desperate, calculating, and, most dangerously, well-informed. Aksai could see the exhaustion on Haitin’s face as they approached her.
Haitin’s voice broke the silence. “The Sun Ocean Lord,” he began, voice low, “isn’t like the others. He’s not just fishing in troubled waters like the Green Glory Lord. He knows things. Things about Haan Di Lord’s injuries. Things he shouldn’t know.”
Aksai nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what Haitin was saying.
The Isla Kingdom, which Sun Ocean Lord ruled, had always been closely tied to Haan Di. Their alliance made it natural that the Sun Ocean Lord would make bold moves now that Haan Di was weakened, sending his own daughter to seize the opportunity that Haan Di Lord himself couldn’t.
But for Haitin, this placed him in an impossible situation.
“I get it,” Aksai said, his tone light but cautious.
“Lini’s one thing. You deal with her, delay the Green Glory Lord, maybe buy yourself a little time. But Siya? Killing her, silencing her… that doesn’t stop the Sun Ocean Lord from acting. If anything, it speeds things up.
Even if you don’t do anything, he’ll still barge into the Wild Devil Lands. That’s why he wasn’t afraid when Haan Di decided to kill her and frame the demonic faction. Haan Di wanted to make use of the borrowed knife to deal with the demonic faction. But it doesn’t know that the so-called knife itself is itching for blood.
It’s not Haan Di Lord’s disciples manipulating Sun Ocean Lord. It’s the Sun Ocean Lord manipulating Haan Di Lord’s disciples who are in charge of Haan Di’s actions in absence of Haan Di Lord.”
Haitin sighed, frustration clear. “Exactly. Even if I put an end to her right here, Sun Ocean Lord will move. He also has many techniques he has planted on this girl as insurance. He’s already set his pieces in motion. And without Haan Di to stop him…” He trailed off, shaking his head slightly.
The two stood in front of Siya, her defiant gaze fixed on them despite her sealed condition. Aksai could sense that Haitin, for all his cunning and calculation, was at a loss.
It wasn’t fear that held Haitin back from acting against Siya—it was pragmatism. There was simply nothing to gain from provoking the Sun Ocean Lord without a sure payoff.
“You’ve rescued her from the Haan Di faction,” Aksai noted, glancing at the runes binding Siya. “But beyond that, you haven’t touched her. Because you know there’s no winning move here.”
Haitin pursed his lips and nodded.
“That’s why I’m asking you. Brother Aksai, what would you do? If you can offer me a solution to this problem—something that stops the Sun Ocean Lord from acting, or at least delays him—I’ll offer you an unprecedented opportunity. Something you’d never be able to obtain under normal circumstances.”
Aksai raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “Unprecedented opportunity, huh?” he mused, trying to figure out what Haitin might offer. *Is it the same opportunity the three Core Formation Lords are fighting over?* he wondered silently.
Haitin hadn’t mentioned exactly what kind of treasure or opportunity awaited in the Wild Devil Lands, but whatever it was, it was important enough to draw the attention of Core Formation Lords. One had been seriously injured, while the other two had sent their core members into enemy territory to seize it. Though Aksai didn’t know the specifics, he could guess that it was something monumental.
In the past, Aksai had never been tempted by such high-stakes opportunities. He always avoided exploring mysterious realms due to the dangers and uncertainties they presented. Even though those places were known to offer great fortune to wandering cultivators like him, Aksai never pursued something he couldn’t securely grasp.
Yet, this time, something was different. There was a pull, almost instinctual, urging Aksai to reconsider. It wasn’t rational or logical, but a deep feeling from his druidic Spirit bloodline told him that this opportunity could lead to tremendous benefits for him. It was as though his very essence could sense that whatever lay ahead would be crucial to his growth.
However, Aksai knew better than to let Haitin see his thoughts. If Haitin sensed Aksai’s true interest, he would surely use it to manipulate him. On the other hand, appearing completely disinterested might cause Haitin to withdraw the offer altogether.
So, Aksai decided to play it cool. Instead of taking the lead, he would let Haitin make the decision. Someone as calculating as Haitin would be more likely to trust Aksai if he believed he was arriving at decisions on his own, without any overt influence.
Turning his attention back to Siya, Aksai continued, speaking slowly. “Killing her or keeping her locked up doesn’t change anything.”
“We can make Lini disappear from the Dadangar Subcontinent and delay the Green Glory Lord for now. But we can’t use the same approach with the Sun Ocean Lord.
Even if Siya disappears, he’ll still come looking for her. For all we know, he might already be in the Wild Devil Lands, lying low and waiting for the right moment.”
Aksai paused, then offered a new angle. “But what if we actively use her?”
He subtly shifted his language, using *we* instead of *you and I*, implying that he and Haitin were allies working together. Though it was a small psychological trick, it was effective.
After all, there was power in simplicity, and Aksai knew how to wield it. In many ways, he and Haitin shared similar traits—both were calculating, pragmatic, and willing to take risks. However, Aksai believed he had a slight advantage over the demonic young master in front of him, owing to the experiences from his previous life in another world.
Not to mention, Aksai had explored two additional minor worlds using the Myriad Worlds Painting. This gave him a broader, more pragmatic outlook on things—something only high-level cultivators usually possessed.
Naturally, Haitin was intrigued by what Aksai had to say. He could sense that Aksai, more than anyone else in this situation, could understand the complexities of the situation and offer valuable insight. Though Haitin didn’t fully trust him, he was willing to listen.
Haitin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Please explain, brother Aksai.”
Aksai’s smile widened as he glanced between Siya and Haitin. Siya’s confusion was evident, her brows furrowed as if trying to make sense of the conversation. Haitin, on the other hand, kept a composed facade, though his curiosity remained piqued.
“Brother Haitin,” Aksai began, his tone casual, “we might not like to admit it, but there are some games we are bound to lose, no matter how skilled we are. In such cases, it’s better to accept the loss and start a new game.
You want me to stop the Sun Ocean Lord from entering the Wild Devil Lands and seizing that unprecedented opportunity. But let me be honest— even with the entire demonic faction backing you, that’s not something you can achieve. So how could I?
But… we don’t have to stop the inevitable. What if we turn that curse into a blessing?”
Aksai looked at Haitin as he said those words, clearly implying that he wanted Haitin’s assurance of a reward if his solution proved satisfactory.
Specifically, he sought access to the heaven-defying opportunity that had brought all the factions to the Wild Devil Lands.
Haitin, perceptive as ever, understood the implication. “Brother Aksai, as long as you provide me with a logical solution to this dilemma, I assure you, I’ll tell you all about the opportunity in the Wild Devil Lands. I’ll also allow you to try your luck there. You have my word. Now, please state what you intended to say.”
Aksai was satisfied with Haitin’s assurance. Even though Haitin wasn’t someone who always acted in others’ best interests, Aksai knew he was a man of his word. With confidence, he continued.
“Brother Haitin, it’s clear the Sun Ocean Lord won’t be deterred. By hook or by crook, he’ll come to claim what Haan Di couldn’t. So instead of trying to stop him, why not turn the situation to our advantage?
Let’s offer the Sun Ocean Lord a just cause ourselves.”
Haitin’s frown deepened, his interest clearly piqued. “Make use of it? Offering a just cause? What do you mean?” he asked, still unsure where Aksai was heading.
Aksai’s eyes gleamed with a knowing look.
“Brother Haitin, you’re a powerful and respected young master of the demonic sects. You have both the talent and prestige to back your position.
And then, we have Siya Solaris, the daughter of the Sun Ocean Lord. She’s equally talented, with a cultivation base to match, and an influential background that’s hard to ignore.”
Siya’s eyes widened in shock, quickly realizing where this conversation was going. She shook her head slightly, though the runes sealing her lips kept her silent.
Aksai continued, “So… why not marry her?”
Haitin blinked, taken aback. “Marry… Siya?”
He glanced over at her, noticing her barely contained fury despite her restraints.