Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1275 - 1269: The Path to Survival

Regarding such a response, Ronald could only helplessly sigh:

"Your plan is indeed both simple and direct."

Katherine, however, remained motionless and replied with an air of inevitability:

"Things can be simple, so why should we make them complicated?"

As they conversed, the Fire Elementals' team continued to advance.

Just before they reached the city walls of the Fire City, they noticed countless black specks migrating in all directions.

— They were victims from the Fire City.

These beings, who had been held captive, were constantly thinking about escaping this terrifying place. When the Fire Elementals guarding the city were defeated, they naturally couldn't remain indifferent.

In just a short span of ten minutes.

The news of being freed spread throughout the Fire City in various ways. Although most creatures had communication barriers among themselves, their actions and emotions of seeing hope didn't deceive anyone.

An unprecedented mass escape was taking place here.

"..."

Seeing this scene, Ronald instinctively looked down at the Fire Elementals' team on the ground.

Although their way of communication differed from ordinary creatures, these Fire Elementals were evidently aware of what was happening in the Fire City. However, they didn't react; in fact, they were pleased to see such a situation unfold.

After all, these fleeing lives, if kept in the Fire City, would essentially serve as fuel for the Fire Element Demigod.

If this fuel continued to remain in the city, when the Fire Element Demigod entered its weakened phase, it would undoubtedly aid the opponent's recovery.

As for handling it themselves...

Being able to join the first team to rush to the Fire City meant that their strength had already reached its peak, and dealing with each one individually would just be a waste of time and effort. Letting these guys escape was much easier.

Ronald breathed a sigh of relief.

He certainly wouldn't compromise the assault on the Demigod to help these innocents.

But seeing these victims scatter and flee, he felt somewhat relieved in his heart.

Just like that, Ronald and Katherine continued to follow the Fire Elementals' team forward.

Along the way, he spotted Mermaid Lulu, who blended seamlessly into the escaping crowd, just as she had mingled with the pirates back at Barrier Mountain effortlessly.

Only upon noticing Ronald and Katherine, who were following above the Fire Elementals by flying, did she cautiously wave a greeting towards them.

Ronald naturally responded with a smile.

Considering Lulu's current actions, he didn't take any further actions.

...

The refugee group scattered and fled in all directions, while the team to slay the god continued to arrive in an endless stream.

In the distant basin, the internal strife of the Fire Elementals was still ongoing, with batch after batch of highly skilled Fire Elementals gathering together, their efficiency surpassing any period in the past [Four Heavens].

And it was under such circumstances.

Following the Fire Elementals' team into the Fire City again, Ronald and Katherine overheard discussions within the team:

"How long until the great one revives?"

"About three cycles more, we still have plenty of time."

"Fool! How can you be so inflexible! How could we still have three cycles of time?"

"What do you mean?"

"Three cycles is the time if everything remains stable. Now that all the fuel in the Fire City has fled, with the loss of regular supplies, the great one's weakening period will only come sooner!"

"How much sooner will it revive?"

"How should I know!"

"..."

Upon hearing this conversation, Ronald and Katherine furrowed their brows in the air.

— This was an oversight on their part.

Everything around the Fire City was inherently the domain of the Fire Elementals, and these guys had a clearer understanding, which was understandable.

Ronald immediately suggested to Katherine:

"Katherine, let's head over to the Lava Lake first."

"If any issues arise, even if we can't rely on these Fire Elementals, we can handle it ourselves."

Given the importance of the situation, Katherine agreed with Ronald's decision without hesitation:

"Let's go, we'll go there first."

"..."

Due to the scorching sky above the Fire City, the two couldn't maintain a high altitude while flying, only barely hovering about ten meters above the city's tallest structures.

They raced towards the Lava Lake.

Fortunately— the crimson lake here remained as calm as when they had left it. The abyss of high temperatures in the city's center showed no changes, as if it was oblivious to the outside world.

However, looking outward, one would notice a stark difference from before.

In the Fire City, buildings usually symbolized safety, and the more central one went, the less they would be affected by the Flame River. This was meant to preserve fuel for when the Fire Element Demigod revived, theoretically, this wouldn't be broken.

But the truth was— this rule had become practically irrelevant.

Once the beings in the streets decided to escape the city, the fire tongues from the Flame River, failing to capture anything, could only target the ones hiding inside the buildings.

This trend intensified from the outside inwards.

Those who had initially hidden away, thinking they were safe, quickly realized the changing state and were forced to join the exodus out of the city.

The city's 'fuel' was rapidly diminishing.

As a result, the frequency of the fire tongues' hunts became entirely different, a change was taking place, though the Lava Lake itself remained calm.

Witnessing all this, Katherine appeared indifferent, her expression showed not the slightest wavering:

"Ronald, how long do we have until the time I initially mentioned?"

Ronald immediately provided a precise time:

"Now there are nine hours and sixteen minutes left. Disregarding the current changes, our actions were actually fast enough."

While dealing with the Fire Elementals, most actions were driven by Katherine. Facing such an unexpected turn of events, Ronald's words carried a hint of reassurance for Katherine.

However, Katherine cared little for Ronald's comfort. She earnestly continued to advance the issue:

"I want to hear your thoughts— how much time do you think we realistically have?"

Ronald grimaced, shrugging helplessly:

"I'm not a Fire Elemental; how could I guess that."

"But judging from the current situation, we'll at least have to wait until everyone in the city has fled, and there's no target left for the Flame River before any significant change occurs."

Katherine's gaze swept through the surroundings, directly locking onto a building she had scoped out earlier during her reconnaissance:

"Let's go, and wait there."

"This building is the highest point within a kilometer radius; from the east side balcony on the second floor, there's ample space to move around, and a broad view, allowing us to watch over the entire Lava Lake area."