Chapter 674 - Behind the Scene Discussion

In the middle of the Freedom Sect stood tall yet another temple. However, unlike the red colored temples, this one was dominated white roses to the point that the red color was hardly seen. 

Aileen entered the building and headed toward the highest floor. On her left were the elders of Fire Temple, Lightning Temple, and Earth Temple. On her right were the elders from Water Temple, Wind Temple, and Ice Temple. However, there were only two people sitting in front of her. They were the elders from Darkness Temple and Light Temple because the empty seat was her.

"Fufu… It's been a hundred years since our last discussion. It's really intriguing to see all of you once again." Aileen smiled as she walked toward the middle before jumping toward her own seat and crossing her arms. "So, what do you want for me? I don't think we need pleasantries, right? So, let's cut to the chase."

Viola looked at the current people and sighed. After concealing themselves for a few thousand years, they had built their strength, and this would be the perfect time to…

Responding to her statement, the man from Light Temple rose. He was a bald old man with a long white robe like a priest. "I think you already know what we want to talk about."

"As expected, it's him, huh…" Aileen sighed while looking at all of them with a bored look. "Before we are talking about him, you already know about his identity, right?"

"Of course. The disciples have informed us… and with the information provided by Great Elder Viola, Alexander Sirius is bonafide Great Elder Maxwell's disciple and the leader of Spirit Nest." The old man nodded. 

"Since we are talking about him, then make sure to have his identity in your mind. Since you have, then let's talk." Aileen nodded.

"Firstly, I want you to tell me anything you know about him." 

Aileen thought for a moment and nodded before starting her storytelling. Of course, she told them everything, including Alex's needs and his disciple. Everyone listened attentively to the very details to see whether he would bring salvation or doom for them. After around thirty minutes, she finished her story and ended it with a single question.

"What is your ultimate goal?" Aileen furrowed her eyebrows.

"I only have one goal… No, it should be everyone's goal." 

"Return to the surface?" Aileen narrowed her eyes as her eyebrows twitched. Surprised and annoyance filled her heart at the same time, making her unable to express these two feelings clearly. 

"And how can we do that?"

"It's simple. If Spirit Nest helps us to eradicate two influences, we should be able to establish ourselves on the surface." He nodded. 

"Only two? We were attacked by all people on that Continent, you know!" 

"Not all people." He shook his head and smiled. "We still had allies in the past. Although we have nothing currently, have you thought there is a deal between Spirit Nest and Blackwade Clan? With our three influences, we can simply wipe the Fire God Clan and Ancient Blue Family. This way, even if the other three influences attacked us, we will be able to fend for ourselves since it will be three versus three battles.

"And you forget something. We have been waiting for this whole time, honing our skills and cultivations. Right now, we have two 10-Star Martial Saints, four 9-Star Martial Saints, and two 8-Star Martial Saints in this room. With this number alone, it's clear that we can be two influences, so it will be four versus three fight.

"If there is a suspicious movement, we can destroy Blackwade Clan swiftly and establish our place firmly… Especially since the boy wants to ascend. If it's only three influences versus us, then we are not afraid. Although it's a bit hard, we should be able to manage." The elder nodded with a smile.

"!!!" Aileen widened her eyes, never expecting that he had planned to this step. "Still, don't you think it's dangerous? Besides, how can we even convince him to take part?"

"It's simple. We can just give him a reward… What do you think the appropriate gift to him, Great Elder Aileen?"

Aileen thought for a moment before looking up as if she realized the answer. "You mean Space Element. It's true that he is searching for a Space Element for his disciple, but he might not take it. He is a man of principle from what I can see."

The old man thought and smiled. "It's simple. We can entice him step by step. Learning that his heart won't be swayed by some random women, then we will entice them with Space Element. Firstly, we can use the Potential Tower to make a small competition for all disciples. Of course, he can join as well. The reward will be a lesser Space Element.

"He is a responsible teacher, so he must want the best for his disciple. In that case, he will seek for the best Space Element. We will give him the chance to acquire it by helping us eliminating two influences. The first will be Fire God Clan, but they are currently his enemy, so we won't need to request it, allowing us to lessen the request to him. 

"The second influence will be up to him. If we are able to do this, we can give him the Space Element and teach his disciple Space Element for free until she can master this element. After all, we can't bring the Element inheritance with us if we are going to the surface. It will be useless, so I rather use it as a bargaining chip. We can even protect her until she reaches God Stage like him.

"After that, we can say goodbye to this place." The elder smirked as he had longed to return the surface for long.

"Still… Why do you want him to enter the Potential Tower?"

"You already know that there are ten floors of Potential, right? It can measure his talent and allow us to promote him. Besides, he won't take the deal unless it's something like this."

Aileen looked up and sighed. "Ten floors of potential… Each floor will test him by using the power of different elements. Fire, Water, Ice, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Light, Darkness, Space, and Mental Element. On each floor, your strength will be limited, and you should use your wisdom to prove that you have an affinity with elements and have profound wisdom. Only Great Elder Maxwell has passed ten floors and become a God.

"Maybe… It's only by conquering the Potential Tower that one has the qualification to challenge Heaven and become a God. Both of our 10-Star Martial Saints have tested and failed at the ninth floor while I only reached the eighth floor."

"That's right. We need to do this right now before it's too late. Great Elder Maxwell won't choose someone useless, and you have experienced it yourself." The elder nodded.

"Even so, what if he is angry and rejects you right away?" Aileen narrowed her eyes. She might fight this elder if he said he would kill him.

Fortunately, the elder smiled and shook his head. "I won't do anything. I will simply ask his disciple then and let her decide. Of course, I will say it to him directly, and I am sure he will leave the choice to his own disciple. It might be easier to entice her than her master."

Aileen slammed and stood up, glaring at this old man. "Are you serious? I won't do this."

"I haven't told you everything, Great Elder Aileen." He shook his head. "We are different than those people from the surface. We have our own consciences. We won't force someone to do against their will, including threatening them. This is simply give and take. Hence, I am going to request all of you to vote whether we go with this plan or not? Now!" 

The Great Elders contemplated for a few minutes before the Great Elders from Ice and Water temples raised their hands. The Great Elder from Lightning Temple also raised his hand.

"I want to ask one last question." Viola suddenly opened her mouth as he glared at Licht.

"Go ahead."

"It's not a question, but more to a statement. You already know my morals and principles, especially toward my mentor's disciple. I am going to tell you this first, I will back him up if you do anything underhanded even if it means creating a huge conflict in this place." Viola said while releasing her killing intent, telling him he was serious. 

"Of course. I have considered everything. If you think I am excessive, you can simply warn me. If I don't stop, you can beat me hard or even kill me." Licht said with a solemn expression. He dared to bet his life for the hope to live on the surface again. "Besides, we can simply retreat to this place if we fail… Sure, it will come costly, but we can build up our strength once more and try again later… Albeit, I won't be alive by that time."

Viola looked at his eyes for a minute before raising her hands. Surprisingly, the Darkness Elder beside Licht also raised her hand. "I will support you this time, Old Licht. But I don't think his reward is worth the efforts, it's too little. I will also add his reward from my own coffers. You have no problem with that, right?" 

"Of course. You all free to do anything you want. I will take the role of convincing him, so inform me everything you want to do." Licht nodded. 

The rest of the elders finally nodded their heads. Aileen still had given her confirmation, not because it had been decided. She simply wanted to state another thing. "Firstly, Our Great Elder two generations back had become a friend of Great Elder Maxwell… There was a record only a Great Elder knew, and it only passed to him by the late Great Elder. She said to me to only tell all of you when we want to resurface."

Aileen paused for a moment as the others listened to her with confused expressions. She continued, "This place has been longing to make its appearance again, but we also feel tired of relentless war. That's why I won't liberate this place from its curse despite capable of doing so. I only have one reason. The current Freedom Sect doesn't have a united will to go to the surface. When they live in the real world, they will know how harsh the world is and might be scared. Hence, if you ever want to go to the surface, it's better to take those who want and who doesn't.

"This way, the disciples that have grown tired of fighting on the surface could go back to this place. And those who have grown tired of this place can try experiencing the surface. Everyone has their own belief, so don't force it on them… As it will become the biggest weakness that will be exploited by the enemies. 

"The second thing will be to create another entrance somewhere far away so the disciples won't give the enemies the correct way to go to this place. After all, killing and torture are normal on the surface. Make sure you consider these two points before coming to the surface and if you still go after these two warnings, then make sure you see it to the end… Thus the end of the message." 

Suddenly, all Great Elders rose from their seats, cupped their hands, and bowed. "We have received the words of Senior!" 

At first, they were confused, but they realized they had yet to think this far after hearing the profound message. As expected of the only person who became a God. They only had respect in their hearts. 

Aileen let out a long sigh. "Great Elder Licht… Do you still have the same resolve?"

Licht's body was shaken, losing his confidence. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His expression turned solemn as he answered Aileen with determination. "Yes!"

The other Great Elders also turned solemn as they nodded their heads.