Chapter 572, Section 571: Terrifying Favor
With both parties having a clear intention to cooperate, the talks proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
Although there were those among the dwarves who harbored resentment towards humans and sought to embarrass the mission, the leaders of the various clans displayed remarkable tacit understanding, suppressing this wave of opposition.
Even when Inanna tentatively asked to learn about methods for "sealing the elemental lords," the dwarves responded quite readily.
However, when this "method" was subsequently handed to Inanna, its contents were somewhat unexpected by Lin Jun.
Lin Jun originally thought she would receive some kind of complex sealing magic array diagram or an ancient incantation ritual.
But what the dwarf handed over was... a user manual.
Instructions on how to control the massive metal ring on the chest of the Fire Elemental Lord!
It turns out it's called the Ring of Imprisonment.
According to the description, this ring is likely a "collar" created by the original creators of this dungeon to bind powerful elemental lords to the core gate.
Its internal structure is complex, inscribed with multiple runes, and has many functions.
The dwarven ancestors were able to seal the fire elemental lord by deciphering and activating some of the binding runes.
The problem is that to activate the runes on the ring, the elemental lord itself needs not to put up a strong resistance!
Ronan once asked how the dwarven ancestors had managed to force the fire elemental lord to submit.
To this, the dwarf representative gave only a glorious but vague answer: "By virtue of supreme wisdom and unparalleled strength."
As for the specific nature of this wisdom and its power, no details were provided.
Inanna's trip to the Molten Core Dungeon this time was in the dwarves' own interests, so they acted very swiftly.
In just three days, all preparations were completed.
A force of over a thousand elite dwarven warriors will lead the way, including General Duvalin and the dwarven war hero Bardol.
It wasn't that the dwarves were unwilling to send more troops, but rather that the complex terrain inside the Molten Core dungeon limited the effective deployment of their forces, which was one of the key challenges preventing them from conquering it.
Regarding Bardol, although the delegation members had a poor impression of this arrogant dwarf, his bravery and formidable strength were beyond doubt.
In previous battles to attack the imperial border fortresses, whenever he was in action, he was always at the forefront.
He was often the first to rush up the city wall after the fortress's defensive magic showed a weakness, disrupting the defenders' formation and creating an opportunity for the subsequent siege to completely destroy the defenses. He was a man of great military achievements.
It's clear that the dwarves really don't want anything to happen to Inanna here.
However, Lin Jun could not entrust her safety entirely to the dwarves.
The knight and the swordsman can be sacrificed to hold off the enemy when necessary. As for number four, although it vowed to protect Pink Puji, Lin Jun still regarded it as a disposable firecracker.
The most troublesome aspect of an opponent of the elemental lord level, whether it's the Frost Elemental Lord or the Fire Elemental Lord this time, is that the opponent can make the most of their home-field advantage.
In an environment that suits their own attributes, their combat power can often more than double.
If the battle were to take place in the icy wilderness of the North, this team might have a chance to take down the fire elemental lord!
Upon entering the dungeon, Inanna immediately displayed a terrifying affinity for the elemental spirits.
Large numbers of fire and earth elementals approached and obediently surrounded Inanna.
Although he had expected it, General Duvalin still swallowed hard when he actually saw it.
He thought that if the elemental spirit didn't have a tail, it would probably be waving at that pink-haired human right now!
However, excessive popularity has also brought trouble.
The sheer number of elemental spirits gathered was so great that it severely hampered the group's progress. Even though they tried their best to suppress their own high temperatures, their density still caused the surrounding temperature to soar to an unbearable level, making it difficult to even breathe.
Inanna could only cast a light spell from afar and quickly leave while the elemental spirits were chasing the ball of light.
There were also dangers along the way, and the danger came from Lin Jun's old acquaintance - the earthworm!
These heat-resistant giant insects are also found in the Molten Dungeon.
Before it arrived, the familiar vibrations put everyone on high alert.
As the giant insect burst forth from the rock wall on the right side of the group, opening its ferocious mandibles, Bardo, who had been waiting for it, swung his giant hammer with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, and smashed it hard on the front of the giant insect's protruding head!
The rock armor shattered, flesh exploded, and the earthworm suffered a severe injury. In pain, it frantically twisted its massive body and hastily retreated into the hole it had drilled out, leaving behind only a mess and the still-vibrating rock walls.
Bardo spat, bent down and picked up a piece of worm tooth the size of a palm from the ground, casually rubbed it on his armor, and stuffed it into the leather pouch at his waist as a trophy.
In the Molten Dungeon, besides elemental spirits, there are indeed a few monsters that adapt to extreme heat, such as earthworms, but they are obviously powerless to pose a real threat to this team.
After two days of trekking, the group reached the deepest part of the area.
Last time, Knight Puji was only discovered outside the lava lake, but this time, even before reaching the churning lava lake, the roar of the fire elemental lord thundered from the end of the passage:
"It's you insects again! You're courting death!"
At the same time, the mental command to attack spread from deep within.
Wherever the command passed, the elemental spirits that had been docilely surrounding Inanna paused, and the flames on their bodies quickly rose again!
"Damn it! It really didn't work?!" General Duvalin's heart sank, and he immediately roared the order, "Shield formation! Tighten formation! Retreat slowly!"
The dwarven warriors reacted swiftly, slamming their heavy shields into the ground and extending their battle axes and spears from the gaps, forming a mobile steel barrier as they prepared to fight and retreat simultaneously.
Even under the best-case scenario, this elite force will likely suffer more than half its losses.
However, unexpectedly, when Inanna stood on a boulder and her hands lit up with the light of illumination,
The elemental spirits, which had been rampaging, miraculously fell silent once again.
"Kill them, burn them to ashes! Why are you all just standing there in a daze?" The Fire Elemental Lord's mental commands echoed over and over again.
However, those low-level elemental spirits that used to obey it blindly only reacted at first, and before they could even make a move, they became docile again.
General Duvalin's eyes blazed with unbelievable elation as he ordered his troops to maintain their formation and continue their slow advance.
As the group gradually approached the lava lake where the fire elemental lord was located, it seemed to sense something amiss.
"What is that? What the hell have you brought?!" For the first time, the Fire Elemental Lord's mental fluctuations were mixed with a trace of not pure anger, but rather with surprise, doubt, and fear.
Its roar was still loud, but it seemed less confident than before.
"Get out! Don't come any closer! Otherwise, I'll turn you all to ashes!"
When the group finally entered the lava lake area, the fire elemental lord's attention was almost uncontrollably focused on Inanna.
In the scorching environment, even the most battle-hardened dwarven elites could not help but tremble when facing an enemy as if facing a natural disaster.
Bardot remained at the front of the group, but he instinctively gripped his giant hammer tightly, staring intently at the enemy.
However, Inanna did not shrink back. Instead, she stepped past the tense Bardo and faced the mountain-like flames head-on. Her clear voice carried a strange penetrating power:
“Great Fire Elemental Lord, we have come through flames and barriers not to ignite new wars. I yearn to find a path between you and the dwarves, a path beyond war and destruction.”
As Inanna spoke, the flames raging on the fire elemental lord's body gradually subsided.
On that enormous face outlined by flames, violence and rage were gradually replaced by an indescribable look of intoxication.
“Oh, how…how enchanting this is…” It instinctively reached out a palm made of flames toward Inanna.
But soon, it came to its senses in terror.
"No!" The fire elemental lord let out a heart-wrenching scream, abruptly withdrawing its giant hand as if it were about to touch some kind of poison. "My will is free! Burning eternally, never yielding! You will not... you will not be able to control me with these despicable means!"
With a wave of its hand, a terrifying wave of energy, a mixture of viscous lava and destructive power, roared toward Inanna and the team behind her!
"Damn it! In the end, it all comes down to the hammer!" Bardo, who was closest to Inanna, cursed and reacted quickly.
He grabbed Inanna's clothes and flung her backwards without any mercy. Several tentacles of Number Four reached out in time and caught Pinky in mid-air.
[Bloodline Enhancement]
The bloodline of the Firebeard Clan's God of War was boiling within him!
His body grew taller and larger at a visible speed, becoming twice as big, and the hammer, which was originally a bit huge, now became easy to handle.
"Get the hell back here!"
Bardot roared and slammed down with all his might against the oncoming wave of destruction!
The giant wave of lava was actually cleaved in two by this attack, and was smashed back!
Although large amounts of lava splashed down, the dwarven mages held up magical shields to keep it out.
"Alright! Again!" Bardo used the momentum to land back on a protruding black rock, shaking off the lava remaining on his giant hammer. His chest heaved violently, and his eyes burned with fighting spirit, preparing to meet the fire elemental lord's even more ferocious attack.
However, the expected follow-up attack did not materialize.
After the lava wave parted, everyone witnessed an unbelievable scene.
The mountain-like fire elemental lord had now restrained all its flamboyant flames, and its massive body appeared much dimmer.
It... is slowly, extremely slowly, moving towards the shore where they are.
That cautious demeanor was exactly the same as that of the ordinary fire elementals who had been attracted and flocked over by Inanna before!
This scene not only shocked the dwarves present.
Even Lin Jun felt a sense of absurdity, and a hint of... fear.
(End of this chapter)
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