The Witch Hunter System

Chapter 1226: Proud Ember Tribe’s Choice

Empyrean Oceanheart was quickly moved by Vaan’s claim.

Indeed, if Vaan could scan the memories of the Undying Fiends, he would be able to learn far more useful information than what the Proud Ember Tribe Survivors could provide.

After all, they had always either been on the run or hiding out in their shelters. They had hardly explored the outer region of the Dead Lands, let alone its depths. Thus, they knew almost nothing.

On the other hand, the Undying Fiend Patrols had been moving around to various places in the Dead Lands.

As long as a valuable Undying Fiend Patrol was caught, Vaan might be able to learn many secrets in the Dead Lands. Maybe he would even discover the one controlling all of the Undying Fiends.

"This is actually a very good idea, Sir Vaan," Empyrean Oceanheart agreed with Vaan’s decision to venture into the Dead Lands to capture some Undying Fiend Patrols.

After all, the danger from the Undying Fiends was negligible. They only had to worry about the other unknown dangers lurking within the outer region of the Dead Lands.

As long as the strength of the Undying Fiends in the outer region was similar to the group Vaan had annihilated, exploring the outer region shouldn’t be too dangerous. Even if the outer region’s Undying Fiends ended up being a couple of levels stronger, they could still manage.

Empyrean Oceanheart just didn’t know how much more powerful the Undying Fiends could become. If there were True Divinity-level Undying Fiends, then the situation could indeed become tricky.

However, she also felt it was unlikely for True Divinity-level Undying Fiends to be lurking in the outer region.

"There’s no need to venture in too deep. Just the periphery would do, until we learn more information about the Dead Lands. I’m just not sure if our young friend here is still insistent on following us there or not?"

Empyrean Oceanheart glanced at Divine Lord Vaelith meaningfully.

At the same time, Divine Lord Vaelith’s heart jumped with indecisiveness. He had ventured into the outer region of the Dead Lands before. Even if it was only the outer region, it was a horrible place.

In fact, memories of that experience still gave him nightmares. It was practically swarming with Undying Fiends.

Every being that failed to leave the Dead Lands would eventually become an Undying Fiend.

Considering the Umbral Edge had devoured countless star realms, the number of lives dragged into the Dead Lands and lost within its vast maze was truly staggering.

Even if those beings were mostly mortals and low-rank Divine Beings, once they became Undying Fiends, their threat level would soar exponentially. There was strength in numbers.

As a Divine Lord, even he would not dare to provoke a 1-million-strong army of Undying Fiends.

The very thought of it made his skin crawl with goosebumps.

Divine Lord Vaelith was deeply conflicted about which choice to make.

Vaan’s group was the only hope they had encountered in the past seven hundred years.

However, they wanted to enter the Dead Lands, a place of near-certain doom. It was uncertain how much of the Proud Ember Tribe’s population would survive if they followed them.

"This... Your Excellencies, may I ask for some time to consult my people before making a decision?"

"Make it quick. We won’t wait long."

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Divine Lord Vaelith hurriedly thanked Empyrean Oceanheart’s generosity before summoning a meeting with the other higher-rank Divine Beings in the Proud Ember Tribe. . ṛАℕ𝐨ᛒËŞ

Surprisingly, a decision was made within just ten minutes.

The Proud Ember Tribe’s upper echelon unanimously decided to follow Vaan’s group into the Dead Lands despite its perilous environment.

However, they did not force the rest of the tribe to follow them. Those who wished to stay behind would stay behind, and those who wished to follow them would follow them.

Under this loose choice, only a third of the Proud Ember Tribe chose to leave with Vaan’s group. Unsurprisingly, they were mostly Divine Beings, the strongest within the tribe. They had a higher chance of surviving than the mortals.

Besides the exception of a small minority, the rest of the mortals chose to stay behind with a few Divine Beings.

Divine Lord Vaelith felt regretful that he could not convince the entire tribe to follow him. He could foresee that those who chose to stay behind would not survive for long. With so few Divine Beings, they would not be able to sustain themselves.

Despite knowing this, they still chose to stay behind.

They weren’t afraid of death; they just didn’t want to be a burden to those who chose to leave with Vaan’s group.

"Have you made your choice?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. These are the people who had decided to follow me. The rest have chosen to stay behind and not become a burden..."

Although Divine Lord Vaelith felt heavy-hearted, he knew he couldn’t bring everyone. Even if they agreed, they didn’t have the means to carry everyone. If they used their power forcefully to achieve just that, they would not be able to keep up with Vaan’s group.

"Great-grandmother..."

Seraphina glanced at Empyrean Oceanheart hesitantly with a hopeful gaze before the latter frowned, sighed, and finally summoned the vast Azure Wanderer with a wave of her hand.

The sudden appearance of the enormous planetary-sized vessel stunned Divine Lord Vaelith and his people on the spot.

"There’s no need to make sacrifices. My ship has enough room to accommodate everyone and more," Empyrean Oceanheart nonchalantly stated before asking, "Now, are you sure you are only bringing this many people with us?"

Divine Lord Vaelith took a moment to recover before his eyes lit up with sheer excitement and joy.

"Thank you, Your Divinity! I will let everyone know immediately!"

Divine Lord Vaelith rushed back to the tribe with the good news, his face flushed, as if he were drunk.

Among those left behind were many of his descendants and loved ones. If they had better choices, he would naturally not choose to abandon them.

Seraphina turned to Empyrean Oceanheart with a gratifying look, and the burden on her heart was lifted.

"Thank you, Great-grandmother."

"No need for thanks. The Azure Wanderer has its own realm. Bringing one or a billion won’t make a difference."

"Mm!"