Aslan sighs in relief, finally getting the answer to how Fengqi died.
She wasn't killed by anyone.
Fengqi killed herself to become stronger.
In this world, two races are born immortal: the Innate Demons and the four elemental races.
The four elemental races aren't truly immortal.
They must pass the tests of the world.
First is the Nine Reincarnation Trial.
Every 500 years, for nine consecutive times, they must reincarnate as mortal beings and return to the Upper Plane as divine spirits.
Completing all nine trials makes them True Divine.
True Divines do not need to take any more reincarnation trials.
But three Disaster Trials wait for them next — Wind, Fire, and Thunder.
Passing these every 10,000 years grants them the title Divine Lord, becoming truly immortal.
Innate Demons, however, are born True Divine and truly immortal.
But to become Divine Lords, one way is to take the nine reincarnations and the three Disaster Trials.
The other way is to completely control their Innate Authority and add other Authorities to it.
Aslan senses he can call upon the Fire Disaster to land on him anytime he wishes.
He started sensing this power when connecting the Authority of Spores with his Innate Authority.
Why hasn't he summoned the Fire Disaster?
Because he's afraid.
He wants to fully master a second Authority before attempting the Fire Disaster Trial.
He is in no hurry.
No Divine Lord has been born in the world for a long time.
Seeing Fengqi taking such a monstrous risk, he feels he must start preparing to be employed in the Black Magician profession.
He stands up and says, "It's time to meet the world."
He rises into the air.
As he flies out, he suddenly stops.
He pauses at the edge of the forest.
He recalls the males he has seen in this world—all with long hair and flowing robes.
His tight robes change instantly into an eye-catching red-black robe.
His hair grows long, flowing down to his waist.
It is adorned with delicate headgear.
A mirror appears before him.
He admires himself.
He thinks, "I look like a hero of an Eastern costume drama."
But then he remembers.
He is introverted.
This outfit will attract too much attention.
A black cloak forms around him, hiding his figure.
He knows it's best not to draw attention.
No one can stop him from accomplishing his goal.
But he does not want the eyes of self-righteous forces watching him.
He turns north.
He flies toward the capital of the most powerful human empire on this continent.
Aslan knows Fengqi's reincarnation trial not only raises urgency within him.
Other Innate Demons also begin to plan.
The three elemental races in the Lower Plane.
They open their eyes and look upon the Middle Plane once more.
And the main place of the Fire Elementals is shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.
Inside the main hall, two Fire Elementals stand.
One sits on the grand throne.
The other paces nervously on the floor below.
The pacing man asks, "Brother, what do we do now?"
The man on the throne replies, "What else but find Fengqi's reincarnation?"
At that moment, fire gathers into a rotating pillar.
From it, a beautiful woman emerges.
"Looks like the Lord's plan has failed," she says.
Five more fire pillars appear.
From them step out three women and two men.
One of the men is Ignis.
One woman says, "I admire Lady Fengqi. She is brave for an Innate Demon."
Innate Demons and the elemental races look down on each other.
The elemental races envy the immortality of Innate Demons — born immortal without trials or disasters.
Yet they hide this envy behind mockery.
For over thirteen thousand years, no Innate Demon has taken the trials.
The woman continues, "Lady Fengqi may accept the Lord's invitation if he makes her Queen of the Divine Realm."
Another man shakes his head.
"Innate Demons are proud. How can they become someone's concubine?"
Beside the Fire Element Lord's throne sits a slightly smaller throne.
Flames roar, and another beautiful woman appears.
"You two forget the Divine Realm already has a Queen — and that is me," she says.
The previous woman replies, "I know, Queen. But sometimes sacrifice is necessary for the good of our race. Isn't that what you taught me?"
The Queen starts to respond —
But suddenly Ignis coughs loudly.
His body sways.
He falls to the floor, drawing everyone's attention to him.
The Queen appears beside Ignis and helps him stand. "My son, what happens to you?"
Ignis hesitates, but then the Lord of Fire Elementals, his father and king of the Divine Plane, demands, "Answer! What happened? I feel the breath of an Innate Demon on you."
Without hesitation, Ignis recounts everything.
The Lord commands, "Isil, bring the Divine Mirror. Let's see who dares to hurt my people."
Isil, one of the men, vanishes into fire and reappears moments later holding a mirror.
The Lord waves his right hand, and the mirror flies into the air.
Golden energy flows from his hand into the mirror, making it shine.
With his left hand, he points toward Ignis and gestures a grabbing motion.
Ignis groans, and a dark green wisp of energy escapes his body.
The dark green energy enters the mirror, and images start appearing.
Aslan, flying nearby, suddenly senses someone calculating him.
He lands on a tree branch, reverses their calculation, and locates them before they can find him.
Through this connection, he casts his power.
The mirror buzzes, and dark green fog emerges, filling the room.
Coughs echo from within the fog.
The Lord burns away the fog with blazing fire.
His brother says, "Another Innate Demon as powerful as us."
The Lord nods in agreement.
Another woman asks, "How can this Innate Demon become so powerful without crossing even one disaster?"
The Fire Lord and his brother passed the Wind Disaster, achieving great power.
Yet some Innate Demons become as powerful without trials.
Mortals think the world favours the four elemental races.
But truly, the world favours the Innate Demon race.