Palos saw Xiao Xun's composed expression and chuckled, "Lord Swain, please do not misunderstand! Though Seine and I are brothers, our views are vastly different. My second brother, provoked by others, refuses to submit to royal authority and insists on confronting the Holy Dove Dynasty. I have long advised him to no avail, so I have retreated to this place, preferring to keep my distance."
Xiao Xun nodded thoughtfully. Before he could inquire about the antidote, Palos said, "Lord Swain, you have come to obtain holy water to cure your poison, have you not?"
Xiao Xun nodded repeatedly, "To be frank, sir, my army entered this place, and my subordinates accidentally drank from the Mute Spring. Therefore, I have come to trouble you."
Palos quickly instructed a young attendant to guide the poisoned Saint Roman soldiers to the antidote. Tusen then led the poisoned Saint Roman soldiers to the thatched hut and followed the attendant to the Bugga River behind the hut to receive the antidote treatment.
It turned out that by simply drinking the spring water from the Bugga River, spitting out their saliva, and then bathing in the spring for a short while, they could be fully healed.
While the Saint Roman soldiers were being detoxified, Palos introduced Xiao Xun to the environment of the Poison Rust Dragon Legion.
The Poison Rust Dragon Legion was surrounded by snakes, ants, scorpions, and insects, with poisonous miasma rising all around. None of the water could be drunk; they had to dig wells to obtain potable water. He even proactively offered the Hundred Bird Saliva Incense in the hall, which could dispel the miasma.
Xiao Xun was greatly grateful for his actions and no longer harbored any doubts. "Sir, your actions are truly righteous! I will certainly petition His Majesty to establish you as king!"
Upon hearing this, Palos shook his head. "Lord Swain misunderstands! If I were greedy for fame, why would I be living here? I came seeking solitude, how could I covet wealth and status again?"
Xiao Xun suddenly understood. He had initially thought Palos had come to this place to avoid Seine due to their conflict. If that were the case, with Palos taking charge, there would be no need to be polite to Seine. But he never expected Palos to have no interest in fame or fortune; this was indeed a great surprise to Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun inquired, "Then, sir, your actions..."
Palos confessed, "Lord Swain, my brother has rebelled, troubling your noble person to venture into this desolate land. Palos deserves death. This action is to beg your forgiveness on behalf of my brother and hundreds of thousands of barbarian people."
Xiao Xun sighed in admiration, "Sir, your righteousness is as vast as the heavens. You are truly a blessing to the Saint Roman Empire and the barbarian tribes!"
With that, he bowed deeply.
Xiao Xun had intended to reward Palos generously for saving their lives, but Palos firmly refused. Xiao Xun had no choice but to desist, bid farewell to Palos, and return to the camp.
After Xiao Xun and his entourage left the temple, Palos's gaze became as sharp as a falcon's. The amiable and warm demeanor he displayed earlier had vanished, replaced by the ferocity of a wild wolf on the plains, crouched low and poised to strike.
He suddenly sensed something, tilting his head to look at an empty space beside him. A white-robed old man emerged from the earth, the same elder who had guided Xiao Xun in the Dukel Temple.
The elder, with a face full of smiles, said, "Palos, did this old man deceive you?"
Palos stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction Xiao Xun had departed and nodded. "You spoke correctly, this person is indeed extraordinary! With such a person leading the Saint Romans, how can we barbarians resist? Zuan has failed us barbarians!"
The elder stroked his beard and chuckled, "Brother Palos, I told you long ago that this person is a Chaos Mage from ancient legends, not someone ordinary mortals can contend with. You did not dare to attack just now, and I presume you have made a decision. Since you have decided, do not hesitate any longer. Your brother Seine has been captured by Swain multiple times. If he still refuses to surrender, I fear he will anger this mage!"
"His attainments are so profound that we cannot match him. Palos knows his limits. Having defeated my brother four times, and being a god of war, he is far beyond our reach... Palos concedes!"
After speaking, Palos looked up at the clear blue sky and said softly, "I thought this would be the day of our barbarian resurgence, but it turns out to be but a fleeting dream."
Palos withdrew his gaze and looked at the old Daoist on the ground. "I will do my best to advise my brother, but whether he listens or not is beyond my control."
"Brother Palos, this is a perilous juncture for the barbarian lands in centuries. You have subdued the barbarian territories and your prestige and status are transcendent. Moreover, you are the barbarian king's elder brother, so your words carry more weight than Zuan's. If the barbarian king remains headstrong, I hope Brother Palos will consider the well-being of tens of thousands of barbarian people!"
Upon hearing this, Palos's gaze deepened.
Two days later, Seine and others stood on the mountain and discovered that the Saint Roman army had not suffered widespread death from poisoning as expected. Instead, they were digging wells and drawing water with great ease. The barbarian leaders were all astonished.
The people of the Poison Rust Dragon Legion were extremely united. Moreover, after sealing the mountains, these barbarians had no contact with the outside world, making it impossible for outsiders to know the situation near the Poison Rust Dragon Legion. This made them suspect if the Saint Roman army were divine soldiers or heavenly generals, unafraid of poisoned springs and miasmas. They wondered what else could possibly be used against them.
Just as Seine and the others were in extreme despair, Rexton of the Desert Sun Legion arrived with thirty thousand elite troops to aid them. All the leaders' faces lit up with joy.
King Chachai, upon hearing that Rexton had come to assist, expressed surprise, "Is this person the elder who guards the temple?"
Seine declared with a loud laugh, "Indeed!"
He then sighed, "If we had received support from the temple earlier, what great achievements could our barbarian race not have achieved?"
King Chachai was even more delighted, "I will now summon the divine dragon to allow Lord Rexton into the legion!"
King Chachai personally went to the rear of the legion and used dragon-controlling methods to order the Poison Rust Dragons to clear a mountain path, allowing Rexton's troops to enter the legion. With the Poison Rust Dragons clearing the way and no obstruction from the legion soldiers, the path to the Poison Rust Dragon Legion was opened in a short time, and Rexton's great army marched deep into the Poison Rust Dragon Legion.
Rexton brought thirty thousand elite soldiers from Majis for this assistance. Rexton himself was ranked among the top five experts in the barbarian rankings, guarding the temple for generations and being the most loyal defender of the temple. His elite soldiers were all clad in iron armor and were extremely well-trained. In terms of overall strength, they were no less than the Seine tribe, which dominated the wilderness. Furthermore, the temple had two more such loyal tribes. They remained outside the tribal conflicts, but if anyone dared to harm the temple, these individuals would pay a bloody price. It was precisely because of these loyal elders surrounding the temple that, even without the aura of a spiritual leader, the temple's transcendent status among the barbarians was ensured.
As Rexton and his contingent entered the Poison Rust Dragon Legion, they attracted the enthusiastic attention of the legion populace. This was not only due to the resolute and殺氣 (shā qì - killing intent) emanating from Rexton and Majis's troops, but mainly because of Rexton's distinctive personal guards. Rexton's personal guards were all female soldiers, clad in animal skins and wielding swords and shields. They were not only beautiful but also had excellent figures, radiating youth and vitality from within. Barbarians were inherently open and bold; many young men and women from the Poison Rust Dragon Legion whistled their approval, creating a very enthusiastic and lively scene.
Seine, Sibotan, and King Chachai, along with many high-ranking leaders gathered at the Poison Rust Dragon Legion, personally welcomed Rexton. The grand banquet gathered nearly thirty to forty people. Besides Rexton and his five sons, Seine, Sibotan, and others, most of the attendees were prominent leaders of the Poison Rust Dragon Legion. Barbarians were enthusiastic and hospitable, especially fond of drinking. The banquet was extremely enjoyable, and the atmosphere was excellent.
As the drinking reached its peak, Rexton, after finishing a bowl, held up his empty bowl and said, "King Chachai, the wine from your Poison Rust Dragon Legion is excellent. Would you be willing to taste the wine brewed by my brother Palie?"
Before King Chachai could reply, Seine boomed, "Lord Rexton, you have brought Palie's Sweet Fragrant Brew with you?"
Rexton nodded and loudly announced, "Bring the wine!"
Several young women then carried ten jars of wine from outside the tent and filled the bowls of the leaders within. King Chachai and Sibotan exchanged glances. Sibotan looked at the wine in his bowl, stood up, and took a deep sniff, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Sibotan closed his eyes and tasted it. "Years ago, I had the opportunity to taste this wine. Its aroma is rich and sweet, and it is most intoxicating."
Having said this, he glanced sideways at King Chachai. King Chachai put away a silver needle in his palm and nodded. "Brother Sibotan speaks correctly! Come, let us all toast Lord Rexton with a bowl to thank him for his assistance and his gift of wine!"
With that, he drained the bowl in front of him in one gulp. Rexton gave a thumbs-up, "King Chachai is indeed hearty!"
With that, he also drank it in one gulp. The bold drinking styles of King Chachai and Rexton instantly made the atmosphere at the banquet even more enthusiastic. The leaders took their seats, and Rexton proposed again, "King Chachai, there is wine at the banquet, but without music to liven things up, wouldn't it be disappointing? My personal guards are skilled in sword and shield dance. They are willing to perform for all the leaders, what do you say?"
The leaders had already witnessed Rexton's personal guards. These barbarian girls were of attractive appearance, and according to custom, there would likely be an opportunity to get closer to them after the banquet.