179 Deal (2/2)
”So, are we leaving China now?” Flair questioned.
”Not yet.” He shook his head. ”Let's head to the Fire Dragon Sect first. Though they're greatly weakened, this is also an opportunity. I might be able to recruit them to Harmony. It'll both strengthen my own forces and give them the opportunity to take back China in the future. It's a win-win.”
”I don't think they'll agree.” Flair shook her head. ”It'd be the same as throwing away their pride.”
”Maybe.” Ed shrugged as he took to the skies. ”But we won't know if we don't try.”
Flair picked up Tao and followed behind Ed, flying northeast towards the Fire Dragon Sect.
...
Ed and Flair soon arrived at the Longgang Volcanic Fields, where the Fire Dragon Sect was located. The city was still fairly lively, as the relatives of the cultivators all still lived there. However, it was clear that uneasiness and panic had taken over the city streets. Merchants loaded their best goods onto their steam wagons and were hurrying to escape. Poorer humans were struggling to take all they could carry.
”What a mess.” Ed shook his head. He could already tell how few cultivators were present just by the flows of mana. It was unlikely that the Fire Dragon Sect could even match up to Harmony on a battlefield anymore. He turned to Flair. ”You can wait at Tai's mansion for me. I'll meet you there after I'm done talking to Sect Master Long.”
”Mm.” Flair nodded. She hugged Tao tightly as she controlled her water-powered jetpack to carry her to the familiar mansion.
Ed disregarded the panicking citizens and made his way to the underground caverns where the Sect Master's headquarters was located. There wasn't even a secretary guarding the hole that lead there, which really showed how dire things had become.
Soon, Ed stood in front of the familiar obsidian doors. He pushed them open, revealing Sect Master Long sitting in meditation. Rubi and her sister, Azure, were sitting down nearby. Both appeared depressed and were unusually silent. Their puffy red eyes made it clear that they had been crying just recently.
”You came.” Huo said as he opened his eyes to look at Ed.
”Sect Master Long.” Ed respectfully replied.
”Just call me Huo.” He sighed while shaking his head. ”How can I be called a sect master anymore?” He snorted. ”There's practically nothing left to rule. Most of my remaining cultivators are weak, and some even fled upon receiving news of the war. At our current size, we can barely even be considered a gang.”
”I see. Huo it is then.” Ed nodded before continuing. ”I've come to you with a proposal.”
”I know why you're here, and I refuse.” Huo shook his head. ”I won't become subordinate to you and Harmony, nor am I willing to abandon my countrymen. It would render my son's sacrifice completely in vain.”
”Then what do you plan to do?” Ed frowned. ”To sit here and wait to die like a dog? You should at least flee so you can deliver revenge on another day.”
Suddenly, Huo stood up from his seated position and walked straight towards Ed. He had an intimidating body, and even with Ed's recent growths in height, Huo towered over him. Shockingly, this tall and intimidating man knelt down in front of Ed and placed his forehead to the ground. ”Please! Help me save China!” He shouted in a hoarse voice.
Ed's eyes widened in shock. He truly hadn't expected such a thing from the prideful Sect Master Long. It truly showed how desperate the man was. He wasn't willing to give up on his country nor run away from it, but he bowed down in hopes of saving it. Ed sighed while shaking his head. ”How could I possibly help? My own forces are scattered and weak. I'm not even a match for a sect leader, and my powers aren't even fully available to me anymore.”
Huo looked up, determination sparking in his eyes. ”Camazotz.” He said. ”I know all about the creature you and my son killed. You still have his fangs and tail, right?”
”Mm.” He nodded. ”But so what if I do? How can it possibly help?”
Huo gulped, refusing to give up. ”I'll take my few remaining forces to a hidden base. From there, I'll recruit loyal humans to join our cause. I'll work nonstop to capture mutants and enemy cultivators, and then all you have to do is transfer their powers to the humans!”
”That...” Ed hesitated as he rubbed his chin. ”It could work... but the resulting forces would be too weak. What would it really accomplish in the end?”
”I'll train them!” Huo clenched his teeth. ”It may take a decade or two, but I'll train an unstoppable army! I'll crush them all and show Nexus what I'm really all about! What the Fire Dragon Sect is all about! And what China is all about!”
Ed thought for a moment before shaking his head. ”I can't do it. My mana-core is in the process of disintegrating, and I need to heal my soul to recover my usual powers. It's the only way I might be able to heal my mana-core and prevent my own death.”
Huo's fist trembled. He knew he couldn't force Ed to do it if he didn't want to. His plan required complete trust and cooperation. Besides, he knew Ed was just as sly as his son, and it was unlikely he could trick or fool the man. ”One month!” He ground his teeth. ”I just need one month of your assistance!”
”It's too long.” Ed sighed while continuing to shake his head.
”Afterwards, I'll take you to India and personally deliver you to where golden faith energy cultivation is taught!” Huo continued. ”If anything is capable of healing your soul, it's that.”
”I can just go by myself.” Ed replied.
”It'll take you too long.” Huo snorted in reply. ”Do you think it's easy to learn golden faith energy cultivation? Every esper in the world wants to learn it. It's normal for the waiting time to be several years before an opportunity arises. Only powerful cultivators and espers can subvert these waiting times for their subordinates. And do you think Nexus will just sit back and allow you to gain such a power?” He stood up from the ground and looked Ed in the eyes. ”Agree to my deal and you'll save yourself years of time. And if I succeed, then you'll still have a strong ally in China for your future rebellion.”
”That...” Ed hesitated upon learning the new wealth of information. If what Huo said was true, then he'd be a fool not to take the deal. However, it would be a huge waste of time if it was a lie. He eyed Huo carefully before deciding it was most likely the truth. Besides, he knew that his mana-core could easily last up to a year at the current rate of disintegration, and that it was unlikely he could last several years. Of course, the rate of disintegration would speed up if he continued abusing his powers and absorbing more powers. However, transferring powers wouldn't affect his mana-core at all. ”I suppose I can spare a month.” He finally sighed in agreement.