The inside of the Red Demon Tribe chief's dwelling was wide and filled with heat. Stone pillars carved with flame motifs held up the ceiling, and red braziers glowed warmly along the walls. Chief Zod sat at the central seat. He was tall, broad, and every bit a mountain of a man with lines of age carved into his red skin, with prominent bronze markings spread in tribal symbols across his skin. Across from him stood Feiyin, still in his dark robes, fresh from the molten caverns.
To Zod's right sat the tribe's shaman, an elderly man with wild white hair and eyes that burned with wisdom and suspicion in equal measure. His name was Turok. Wrapped in a robe embroidered with flames and faintly glowing threads, he leaned heavily on a staff. From the very beginning, he had said nothing to welcome Feiyin.
Zod gestured for Feiyin to begin.
"I have found the cause," Feiyin said calmly, "the reason why your alchemists fell ill. I believe it to be a natural chain of events."
Turok snorted. "Natural? Do not insult our land by speaking as if the earth turns against us. The Red Demon grounds have burned since before your people settled their first cities."
Feiyin didn't react. He had heard this kind of resistance before. He opened his pouch, took out the sealed glass container. Within it, the reactive gas shimmered faintly, with light bending around it in a way that made the air seem liquid.
"I collected this near the river, inside an underground lava cave," Feiyin explained. "It's what's causing their condition. It's invisible in the air unless you know what to look for, and it only affects those who work with fire essence. Which your alchemists do."
Zod leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You're certain?"
"I tested it. The gas interacts with fire-aligned essence. I believe that once it enters the lungs, it causes a small eruption that damages the veins and arteries, forming a clot that eventually reaches the brain and causes the symptoms we have seen. The more powerful the fire essence qi, the worse the damage. It's why the best alchemists fell first."
Turok's fingers tapped his staff. "And where, exactly, did this gas come from?"
Feiyin met his gaze. "From an underground collapse leading to a lava chamber connected to your fire vein. From what I could see, without the wolves to hunt them, the huge amount of deers grazing near the river are permanently staying there, constantly treading the muddy ground and eating the plant-life around it, which formed sediments in the river with no roots to stop them. This buildup of sediment water continued down the river current underground, which I followed, until I found a portion of a weakened wall around a bend, which it eroded and eventually burst through, leading to a clash with the lava inside. The result was a cocktail of gases; some inert, others volatile. This one, in particular, reacts explosively with fire essence."
Zod sat back, brows furrowed.
Feiyin continued, his tone even. "Which is why I'm saying that this is not a coincidence, but a chain of events that was triggered when you hunted down the wolves to extinction. The environment has been shifting. The local food chain is out of balance, there are too many deers eating at the river and the forest, and the wolves that used to keep them in check are gone. Cause and effect."
"You're telling us," Turok said slowly, "that the death of predators caused a landslide and poison?"
"I'm saying everything is connected," Feiyin replied. "Remove a predator, and prey grows unchecked. Prey damages the land. The land gives way. Lava meets water. Fire meets gas. And your alchemists suffer."
Zod rose. "Show us."
Feiyin nodded. "Follow me."
They moved quickly, deeper into the mountain. At the site, Feiyin guided them to the chamber's edge. The lava flowed calmly, but to the trained eye, distortions shimmered where the gas had leaked. With the earth essence shielding him, Feiyin guided Zod and Turok, who used talismans to shield themselves to the edge, showing them the inside.
"This is where it started," Feiyin said.
Zod's eyes narrowed. "It smells different."
Turok knelt and sniffed. Then scowled. "Sharp. Sour."
"There are many gases being released," Feiyin confirmed. "If you circulate your essence qi outside right now, especially with fire infused essence qi, you'll feel it."
Turok did so, and immediately staggered. His staff caught him, but his face had paled.
"You understand now?" Feiyin asked.
Zod turned to Turok. The older man hesitated. Then gave a sharp nod.
"I was wrong." He exhaled slowly. "The flame did not betray us. We disturbed the balance."
Feiyin glanced between them.
"This situation reminded me of something else," he said. "Of a much larger predator."
Zod raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Feiyin looked at the lava before them. "I'm part of a sect. The Saint Spirit Sect. We were forced in through circumstances. The sect master… is hungry. He intends to swallow this entire region as the sole predator to recover his strength and ascend, starting with its blood essence. That includes your tribe."
The air grew still.
Turok straightened. "That is not a light claim."
"I don't make it lightly," Feiyin said. "My companions and I plan to destroy the sect and end the threat of its master, especially now, while he is injured. But we can't do it alone. We need allies, just like your tribe."
Zod frowned deeply. "We've always remained neutral. Weapons and armor from our forges flow to many factions within the region. Taking sides now could threaten the tribe's survival."
"And you," Turok added, "are still an outsider. Even if your diagnosis was correct, you now ask us to risk everything?"
Feiyin remained calm. "And not taking sides will threaten your tribe, after all, the sect master, even if injured, is still a ninth phase powerhouse. I'm not asking you to risk everything, since our alliance should be kept under wraps for now, just as it is with our other allies. But I can understand your stance, which is why I ask only that you consider it seriously. And," he stepped forward, "I will use your ways to prove myself trustworthy."
Turok blinked. "In what way?"
"I wish to invoke the Fire Duel."
Both men stared.
Feiyin continued with a smile, voice level. "I heard of it during my investigation, from Baqir- your grandson, actually. An alchemical contest, tied to your traditions. Fire against fire. If I win, you'll listen to what I have to say- and at least consider the alliance. If I lose, I'll leave, and you can ignore my warning."
"You want to use our own rite to sway us?" Turok asked, voice rising. Then… he laughed. "Bold. Very bold."
Zod turned to him. "You're actually considering it?"
Turok smirked. "It's been years since anyone dared call for a Fire Duel. If this boy wants to let the flame judge him… let it."
Zod looked between them. Then nodded slowly. "So be it. Fire shall decide who is right."
Feiyin bowed slightly with a smile. "Then let's prepare. And let the flames bear witness."