From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword
Chapter 545 - 348: The Truth Behind

Tidal Sea West Coast, Moon Mud Beach.

Lu Heng and the twelve others with him arrived on the beach, locating the site of the battle.

The battle site was not completely preserved, as a portion had already been submerged by seawater.

In the area not yet submerged, the footprints from the battle between the two species could still be seen.

To be precise, the Black Iron Dwarf left footprints, while the Sea Demon left tail marks.

In addition to footprints, there were also patches of scattered blood and fragments of weapons and armor.

Su Muyu had the Chongming Bird scan the area, then approached a rock, crouched down to pick up a blood-stained scale, raised it and said:

"It seems the Black Iron Dwarves weren't lying; it truly was the Sea Demons who attacked them."

In a world where supernatural forces exist, what one sees is not necessarily the truth.

The Black Iron Dwarves claimed the Sea Demons attacked them, but it's possible another species disguised themselves as Sea Demons using illusion magic and then attacked them.

The fact that the Sea Demon's blood-stained scales lay at the battle site suggests it wasn't illusion magic.

The Black Iron Dwarves indeed fought with the Sea Demons.

Moreover, the battle traces left on the beach clearly indicated they were from the Sea Demons. It would be nearly impossible to create so many fake Sea Demon battle traces.

However, there are still doubts about this matter. According to the account of the Black Iron Tribe's Great Wizard, Hogrey, they arrived at Moon Mud Beach and encountered the Sea Demons, but before saying anything, the Sea Demons launched an attack.

Logically, this doesn't make much sense.

The Sea Demon Clan was coming for negotiation as per agreement. Even if the negotiation failed, the attack should happen after talks, not immediately upon meeting.

So far, the only account heard is from the Black Iron Dwarves; the Sea Demon Clan's explanation has yet to be heard.

Therefore, to uncover the truth, communication with the High Priestess of the Sea Demon Clan is necessary.

Lu Heng turned to look towards the sunset, then over the sea.

The sea had already begun to ebb.

The Sea Demon Clan possesses a magical seashell that can carry the sound of the Echo Seashell back to the sea when the tide recedes.

When Lu Heng left the Sea Demon Clan territory, he received an Echo Seashell from the Sea Demon Clan's High Priestess, Sona.

Thus, to communicate with the High Priestess, there's no need to return to the Sea Demon Clan temple; it can be done from the coast.

Lu Heng took out the Echo Seashell, walked a few steps into the seawater, bent down to scoop up a handful of seawater with the seashell, and then spoke into it.

After speaking, he poured the water back into the sea.

The poured water merged into the ebbing tide and disappeared into the sea.

After a moment, the Echo Seashell emitted a faint glow.

Lu Heng placed the Echo Seashell on the beach, allowing the seawater to soak half of it.

Moments later, the voice of the Sea Demon Clan's High Priestess Sona came from the Echo Seashell: "You haven't fulfilled what you promised."

Upon hearing this accusation, Lu Heng frowned: "Let me guess, you received news that the Black Iron Dwarves attacked the Sea Demon envoys you sent for negotiation?"

High Priestess Sona: "What else? How do you explain?"

Lu Heng: "What a coincidence, I was at the Molten Crown and saw the injured returning Black Iron Tribe's Great Wizard Hogrey and the envoy team he brought for negotiation. The news they brought back was that the Sea Demon Clan initiated a surprise attack."

High Priestess Sona's voice grew angrier: "Nonsense! Many of our warriors were wounded."

Lu Heng: "It seems to fit what I expected; you received reports that the Black Iron Dwarves launched an attack without saying a word, right?"

High Priestess Sona was silent for a moment, then replied: "Yes, there was no communication, and the Black Iron Dwarves initiated a surprise attack."

Lu Heng stood up, glanced around, and continued: "I'm standing at the site where the negotiation envoys from both species clashed, and it's certain that there was indeed a conflict. There are bloodstains and battle traces at the scene.

"Both sides have conflicting accounts, accusing each other of initiating a surprise attack without communication, meaning one side must be lying.

"I'm not blaming either side now; I just want to uncover the truth. Does the High Priestess agree?"

The Sea Demon Clan's High Priestess Sona was silent, thought it over, and after calming down, agreed: "Okay."

Lu Heng then asked: "On the Black Iron Dwarves' side, the person responsible for negotiations was the Black Iron Tribe's Great Wizard Hogrey. I personally inspected his wounds; he was indeed seriously injured.

"I want to ask, who was responsible for negotiations on the Sea Demon Clan's side? Who led the envoy team?"

High Priestess Sona: "Our elder, Onatu."

Lu Heng continued to ask: "Was Elder Onatu involved in the battle?"

High Priestess Sona: "Of course!"

Lu Heng: "Was he injured?"

High Priestess Sona: "Yes, he was severely burned by flames, and I personally performed magic healing."

Upon hearing this, Lu Heng turned and glanced at Su Muyu.

Su Muyu released the Chongming Bird, which flew back to the Molten Crown to visit the Black Iron Tribe's Great Wizard Hogrey and inquire about the battle details.

After inquiring, Su Muyu relayed the response he heard: "Hogrey said he didn't see the Sea Demon Clan's Elder Onatu in the battle."

Lu Heng continued: "High Priestess, you heard, the Black Iron Tribe's Great Wizard Hogrey did not see the Sea Demon Clan's Elder Onatu during the conflict.

"The time and place for the negotiations were decided after our communication. As long as both arrived on time at Moon Mud Beach, there should only be the negotiation teams of both parties, eliminating the possibility of a conflict with other disguised teams.

"Now, the Black Iron Tribe stated they didn't see the Sea Demon Clan's Elder Onatu in the conflict, yet Elder Onatu was injured.

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