From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword-Chapter 547 - 349 Black Scale Demon

Discovering Onatu’s deception, High Priestess Sona raised her hand and released a stream of water to imprison him, trapping him in mid-air.

Onatu endured the restraint of the water, letting out a muffled groan of pain.

"Tell me, have you come into contact with the Abyss Pollution Source?" High Priestess Sona showed a stern expression, releasing the pressure of the most powerful Tide Summoning Priest of the Sea Demon Clan, making the Sea Demon Warriors outside her residence bow and pay their respects.

Onatu struggled under the water’s binding, answering with difficulty: "Is it possible that the High Priestess cannot discern whether the Abyss pollution aura is upon me?"

Sona had indeed checked and found no trace of the Abyss Pollution Source aura on him.

However, she was unsure if Onatu had come into contact with the Abyss Pollution Source by other means, so she opted to release pressure to question him.

After questioning, she waved to unlock the restraints, releasing him back to the ground: "In my clan, you are the person I trust the most. You should not deceive me!"

Onatu bowed down and paid respect: "Onatu is absolutely loyal to the High Priestess; everything was done for the future of the clan."

Sona pondered for a moment, then waved her hand and said: "I am willing to believe you, but from now on, no one is allowed to defy my orders. The Sea Demon Clan and the Black Iron Dwarves must reconcile and establish a pact to jointly resist the Abyss. Is that clear?"

"Yes, it is clear." Onatu agreed, bowing his head, though there was some reluctance in his heart because he indeed considered the clan’s future, albeit with differing views.

Sona swayed her tail as she walked outside, issuing an order to the Sea Demon Clan guards at the door: "Elder Onatu’s injuries require quiet repose in his residence. Do not disturb him unless necessary."

"Understood." The Sea Demon Clan guard respectfully accepted the order.

This order was equivalent to soft imprisonment, but it wasn’t highly coercive.

If Onatu wanted to leave, the guards at the door couldn’t stop him.

Sona also didn’t think the guards could stop Onatu; the command was actually directed at Onatu, as his defiance would signify a further decline in the remaining trust.

This was a kind of test, a test of Onatu’s loyalty.

...

The negotiation with the Black Iron Dwarves was sabotaged, and the one who disrupted the negotiations was the Elder of the Sea Demon Clan.

Sona was quite helpless; something initially simple had spawned many new complications due to this incident.

She returned to Vasqi Temple and took out the Echo Seashell, hoping to communicate with Lu Heng once again.

After she had injected magic energy into the Echo Seashell, she waited for a moment, and Lu Heng’s voice came through the shell.

"Did the High Priestess find the answer?"

Although she didn’t want to admit it, this was indeed the case.

She could only confess: "The problem lies with my side."

She didn’t mention Onatu’s name because she wanted to protect this trusted aide.

Normally, when two species negotiate, one party sabotaging the negotiation and attacking the other’s envoy requires someone to take responsibility for it.

If she wished to reconcile with the Black Iron Dwarves, she would have to push Onatu forward, but she wanted to protect Onatu, hence she didn’t disclose the details of this incident.

Lu Heng: "So, what does the High Priestess plan to do now?"

Sona: "I hope we can negotiate once more to resolve the hostility between the two clans."

Lu Heng: "Since there was no accountability from the last negotiation, it might be difficult to initiate another round of talks, isn’t it?"

Sona: "I understand. I’m willing to make concessions on reconciliation terms to let this matter pass."

Lu Heng, hearing her words, understood her intentions: "It seems the High Priestess wants to safeguard her elder."

Sona did not deny and reiterated: "I have already made concessions."

Lu Heng: "You must understand, even if I don’t pursue it, do you think the Black Iron Dwarves can swallow this affront?"

Sona: "That’s why I hope you can help with this."

Lu Heng pondered for a while before replying: "I may actually be able to accomplish that, but you should be aware that other summoners definitely wouldn’t have the capability to persuade the Dwarf King."

Sona: "Of course, as gratitude, I will agree to any request you have, whether you desire a treasure or need the Sea Demon Clan to do something; as long as it doesn’t harm the Sea Demon Clan’s interests, I will agree."

Lu Heng remained silent for a long time before agreeing: "I’ll give it a try."

If he could achieve this, and have the Sea Demon Clan’s High Priestess owe him a favor, it would indeed be worthwhile.

...

After speaking with the Sea Demon Clan’s High Priestess, Lu Heng returned to the Molten Crown to discuss with Dwarf King Sorreville Copper Furnace.

Initially, Sorreville Copper Furnace was very indignant, unwilling to continue the negotiations no matter what.

Lu Heng promised him that in the future he would find a way to bring Quenching Castle back to the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom. Only then was he able to persuade the Dwarf King to set aside previous prejudices and continue negotiating with the Sea Demon Clan.

After persuading Sorreville Copper Furnace, Lu Heng sent the message to the Sea Demon Clan’s High Priestess Sona.

Both sides agreed on a time to negotiate again.

This time, Lu Heng personally served as the envoy for the Black Iron Dwarves.

Of course, the real negotiations were still handled by the elder of the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom.

...

On the other side.

After receiving the reply, Sea Demon Clan’s High Priestess Sona summoned another elder under her command, Wavecaller Sarian.

After a brief discussion, Wavecaller Sarian was appointed to handle this negotiation.

The next day, at the agreed time.

The two parties met at Moon Mud Beach to conduct the negotiations.

To prevent any accidents from happening again, this time Lu Heng brought a team of thirteen and personally guarded next to the negotiating envoy.

Just as the two parties were negotiating.

Su Muyu walked over to Lu Heng’s ear and reminded: "There’s something in the sea."

Lu Heng looked toward the sea and indeed noticed something unusual about the waves, but he couldn’t see what was beneath the water.