Before the dragon lords could recover from their shock and try to figure out Vaan's intentions for bringing them to the fourth stage, they were surprised by another discovery.
"Lord Fire Spirit's true body!" Tyvrin exclaimed.
The other dragon lords followed Tyvrin's line of sight before they, too, were surprised to see the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's true body resting on top of the black pyramid.
Nevertheless, Kemun's cry continued to resound in the background before Pedyssin, the closest to Kemun, grumbled with annoyance.
"Wake up already! You're fine!" Pedyssin nudged the seventh dragon lord.
After Kemun realized he was fine, like Pedyssin said, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed for showing such a shameful display.
"Err, please forget what you saw, Lord Pedyssin," Kemun requested awkwardly.
However, Pedyssin rolled her eyes at him before returning her attention to the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit in the distance like the others.
The Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit was the Fire Dragon God's closest companion and someone they also respected and worshipped.
After all, the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit possessed some aura of divinity and wasn't far from achieving godhood.
Furthermore, the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit was the strongest being in the Red Dragon Clan and its true guardian protector.
Considering it had been many years since the dragon lords had the chance to marvel at the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's majestic fire body, they couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Meanwhile, Flamewing sensed their gazes before it raised its head and glanced at Vaan with a questioning look.
"Why did you bring them here, Vahn?" Flamewing asked with his powerful and telepathic voice.
At the same time, Astarot and the other dragon lords also shifted their attention back to Vaan, wondering the same thing.
From what they could see, the fourth stage didn't possess many benefits like the previous three stages.
It was a desolate desert region with no thriving fire-attribute magical plants or blood lava pools in sight.
Only the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's wall of flames contained some benefits, albeit basic ones.
"I wanted to give them the opportunity to make a contract with the Fire Spirits," Vaan answered before asking, "Will that be a problem, Flamewing?"
"No, not at all." Flamewing shook his head and said, "You are the supreme leader of the Red Dragon Clan. Of course, I would respect the decisions you make."
"Furthermore, the Trial by Fire has been cleared. Therefore, it's just the right time to release the Fire Spirits," Flamewing calmly added with a nod.
Shortly after, the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit made a gesture before hundreds of Low-rank Fire Spirits flew out of the pyramid.
"Fire Spirits!"
Astarot and the rest of the dragon lords immediately revealed their excitement.
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This was to ensure the difficulty of the Trial by Fire in finding the successor with the best fire talent.
After all, contracting a Fire Spirit could easily raise one's fire talent.
Nevertheless, Vaan passed through the wall of flames and scaled the black pyramid before settling himself on the spot left of the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit and away from the dragon lords.
Considering his high-fire affinity, he figured his presence would affect the spirit selection process if he stayed close to the dragon lords.
However, he underestimated his attractiveness to the Fire Spirits.
"Go, see if there's any dragon you would like to enter a contract with," Flamewing instructed the Fire Spirits, but none of them moved towards the dragon lords.
Instead, they kept their eyes on Vaan.
After all, if the Fire Spirits wanted to pick a new home, they would naturally go for the best one. They wouldn't settle for inferior homes if better options were available.
When Flamewing and the dragon lords understood the situation, they all felt awkward, especially the latter.
"Ahem, it seems like you need to contract a Fire Spirit first before the rest of these children would even consider looking at the dragon lords," Flamewing said wryly.
"So it seems, indeed." Vaan also wryly scratched his head.
At the same time, the dragon lords immediately all felt embarrassed that they weren't worthy of the Fire Spirits' glances. Still, they could easily accept the situation.
After all, they were being compared to their new sky, someone with peerless talent and potential hardly seen in a whole lifetime.
"If you really wish it, I don't mind if we enter a contract, Vahn," Flamewing stated before suddenly adding, "However, I would rather we not."
"Why?" Vaan casually asked.
"Because you don't plan on staying in the Red Dragon Clan. If I follow you, I will not be able to protect the Red Dragon Clan or continue maintaining and managing the Trial by Fire," Flamewing stated. "That said, this is just a superficial reason. After all, guaranteeing your safety is more important."
"In truth, I just don't want my inadequacies to be the reason holding back your growth. I might be powerful now, but I am still a Fire Spirit of Chaos. My potential and talents are limited. Unless I encounter some fortuitous opportunities or return to Chaos, I am unlikely to become a true Divine Fire Spirit."
"On the other hand, these children are all born in this world. They may be young and weak now, but their talents and future potential cannot be estimated. Of course, investing in them won't be easy."
"Still, once the world merges with Chaos, you will definitely realize their true worth," Flamewing vouched.
That said, the decision was ultimately up to Vaan. Thus, Flamewing didn't try to persuade him after explaining its reason.
"I see," Vaan uttered before appearing to be in thought.
Becoming his spirit companion would have been in the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's best interest. However, it chose to put Vaan's interest before its own.
After considering the short and long-term benefits, Vaan was clear on his choice.
"Alright, I've made up my mind. I'll pick one of these little guys," Vaan decided to enter a contract with one of the Low-rank Fire Spirits.
"But who should I choose, I wonder?"
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