LOL: Let me touch your steel

The meeting ended in such a hasty manner.

In the end, the only sounds left in the entire conference hall were the quarrels among the elemental masters, and the quarrels were showing signs of intensifying.

And Zhang Xu's goal of this trip was only half accomplished.

Although the records about the ascenders were obtained, Zhang Xu failed to obtain any useful information.

Because the conflict between the two energies obtained from stacking steel on Zerath last time and the void energy made Zhang Xu discover something, or in other words, it made him find a way to completely control the void energy.

Just like my father-in-law said, strength comes from balance.

As long as he can obtain the energy of the ascenders continuously, he can maintain his body's balance and continue to master the energy of nothingness until he completely masters the void.

Zhang Xu hopes to find clues about the ascenders through Xuoken's records.

It's a bit difficult to receive the ascension ceremony from the Tsar. Nasus is not an easy character to deal with. It is very likely that Xerath has been beaten to death by Azir. Then the only one left is the once fallen Darkin who can provide him with the energy for ascension.

The only known Darkin currently are Aatrox, Nayafili, Rhaast, and Varus.

This is far from enough.

Zhang Xu tried to find traces of other Darkin from the records of Ixtal, but unfortunately, Ixtal had been isolated from the world long before the Darkin War, so there were no records of Darkin in Ixoken.

Not only did he fail to achieve his goal, but he was actually helping the Tsar to regain his homeland.

What is this thing called...

Ugh!

......

After unlocking a new entrance posture with Kassa and completing the achievement of "The door is now open for you", Zhang Xu covered Kassa, who had fallen asleep, with a blanket and walked out of the room alone.

What Zhang Xu didn't expect was that before he had taken a few steps, he saw Jax.

Although I know that what is coming will come sooner or later, Master Jax... should you show your urgency a little more obviously?

Zhang Xu pursed his lips and was about to speak when he heard Jax muffled:

"Mr. Zhang Xu, although I know this request is presumptuous, please come with me. Skarner... wants to see you."

Zhang Xu: “???”

Memories from a few chapters ago flooded back into Zhang Xu's mind, and he thought again of the 'friend' that Skarner had mentioned.

At that time he thought that this person might be Jax, and it turned out to be true?

Zhang Xu glanced at Jax's tense expression and inexplicably felt that it was not a good thing.

------

It was hard for Zhang Xu to imagine that there was such a huge secret room in the underground world at the center of Xuoken.

Yes, it is huge.

A huge secret room that can accommodate Skarner's huge body and still have space left.

"Human, Zhang Xu, we meet again."

Skarner's dull groan echoed throughout the space, and there seemed to be a hint of... resentment hidden in his voice?

Zhang Xu was increasingly confused about Skarner’s train of thought. His strange temper was even more unpredictable than that of his girlfriend who was having her period in his previous life.

Skarner's attitude was apparently quite kind when we parted last time. How come he became different after not seeing him for a few days?

"Human, I shouldn't have let you step into Ixokon last time."

Skarner's tone was filled with deep regret: "You have shaken my trust in Yuntar. Ixtar retreated from this world, used magic and lies to protect this fertile land, and stayed away from disputes from now on!"

“And you! Your appearance has given them the terrible thought of reconnecting with the outside world! This thought will destroy Ixtal and this rare pure land!”

Zhang Xu understood.

So Skarner had heard the quarrel among the elemental masters, and thought that their quarrel was caused by his 'bewitching'?

Zhang Xu actually didn't understand Skarner's way of thinking. Even if Xutar was forever isolated from the world and lived forever under his protection, leading a seemingly stable life.

But how long can this kind of life last?

Can such stability really exist for a long time?

Not to mention that there is an ancient empire that is about to reappear around Ixtal, let’s say that in the future, if the Void completely invades Rune Continent, can Ixtal really stay out of it?

How is this idea different from closing the country to the outside world?

Zhang Xu opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to argue.

But Skarner did not give Zhang Xu such an opportunity. His trust in Yuntar had been in crisis long ago. The darkness underground made his suspicions and delusions gradually ferment. Over time, he went from being vigilant and alert to being closed and xenophobic. He completely stayed in his secret room and rarely went out.

Zhang Xu's arrival and the quarrel in the palace meeting hall further aroused his suspicion and paranoia.

So much so that the seeds of destruction have already grown in Skarner's heart.

The only person Skarner believes in is himself. In order to protect Ixtal and its people, he is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means destroying the civilization he has nurtured.

Under this extreme idea, Skarner's emotions gradually became manic, and a restless elemental force gradually surged from his huge body.

Even in the darkness, Zhang Xu could clearly see the bright yellow color rising from Skarner's body.

That is the power of the rock element, a terrifying power that is dozens of times stronger than Taliyah!

There is no doubt that Ixtal's guardian beast, Skarner, also possesses the strength of a demigod.

Jax, who had dealt with Skarner more, knew what kind of power he possessed. Seeing the changes in Skarner, Jax's expression suddenly changed:

"Calm down, Skarner!"

Jax and Zhang Xu agree on this issue.

He also thought that Skarner's idea was wrong.

Only by isolating ourselves from the world can we destroy this land!

“Master Saijax, I thought you would understand me. In you, I see the last rays of light of Icathia, so I don’t want to see the last rays of light of Ixtal one day in the future!”

"Only by maintaining the status quo can we maintain peace in Ixtal!"

Skarner's huge body moved, but the entire chamber did not shake at all. This chamber, built by Skarner himself, was strong enough to withstand Skarner's movements and ensure that Ixuokun above would not be endangered.

"Then, when the Void arrives, how can Ixtal maintain its current peace? If the outside world is ultimately unable to resist the invasion of the Void, do you think you can protect Ixtal's peace by yourself?"

"Or has your narrow mind never thought of this at all?"

Chapter 122 Alone

The expression on Jax's face froze instantly.

What did he just hear?

This emissary from Shurima...actually said that Skarner is narrow-minded?

Are the people of Shurima so bold now? They mocked Ixalkon's sacred beast Skarner in the holy land of Ixtal?

Zhang Xu's expression remained unchanged. He did not notice Jax's expression, nor did he pay attention to Skarner's reaction. He continued to speak:

"You think you can protect the land of Ixtal, so I want to ask you, what will you do if the Void invades Runeterra?"

"Guard this land and watch others help you repel the invasion of the void?"

"Or will you wait until all those who oppose the Void are dead, and the Void has reached Ixtal's doorstep, before you choose to resist? I guess you haven't learned a lesson from the Void War thousands of years ago."

"I don't believe you don't know the power of Queen Setaka, but she still died in battle. This means that a demigod like you will also die in the void."

Skarner fell silent, and the rock magic surging in his body also subsided.

He seemed to be speechless and couldn't find a suitable reason to refute.

"You are the guardian god of this place. You once helped the people of Ixtal build this city and taught them how to use the power of elements. The entire Ixokon is developing in the direction you wanted to see."

"But what if you are wrong?"

Zhang Xu did not stop and continued to question sharply.

The series of questions confused Skarner, but in fact, Zhang Xu's questioning had no basis.

He did not belong to Ixtal, nor was he an envoy of Shurima. He simply wanted to avoid a conflict.

Although Zhang Xu had some confidence in his own strength and did not think that Skarner could do anything to him, this was Ishoken after all, a bottomless underground world.

Skarner, who possesses the power of rock elements, has absolute control over this place. Once a conflict breaks out, it will definitely not be good news for Zhang Xu and his group.

Skarner was silent for a long time, his whole body returned to the crawling posture, and his eyes revealed a thoughtful look.

His idea was not wrong. Establishing a connection with the outside world would inevitably have an impact on the existing structure of Ixtal, and the outside world would also bring about unknown changes to Ixtal.

But if Ixtal is kept closed, with his protection, it can indeed become a rare pure land in Runeland.

But the premise is that there is no threat of the void.

Skarner had existed since time immemorial, so he was no stranger to the terrifying and powerful enemy of the Void. He had witnessed and known about two invasions alone.

The Void has disappeared temporarily, but they will return sooner or later.

The momentum may be even stronger than before.

Seeing that Skarner had finally calmed down, Zhang Xu took a deep breath and his tense body gradually relaxed.

Zhang Xu did not expect that he could change Skarner's long-held idea with just a few words, but these words were enough to make Skarner seriously consider the future of Ixtal.

The whole space fell eerily silent. Zhang Xu, Skarner, Jax, the two men and the beast just stared at each other awkwardly, each with his own thoughts.

It was Jax who broke the silence first. Seeing that the conversation between Zhang Xu and Skarner had reached a deadlock, Jax finally asked the biggest question in his heart:

"You... seem to know a lot about the void. Also, what is the eternal flame on your body?"

Zhang Xu turned his head and looked at Jax. There was obvious confusion and desire in the eyes of this weapons master from Icathia.

Facing Jax, who was committed to fighting the Void, Zhang Xu's attitude was obviously much more polite:

“Technically, I am not from Shurima. I am… from the Void.”

“Like my beloved Kai’Sa, we are all mortals who were drawn into the void. There, we spent nearly ten years, living with void creatures all day long, struggling to survive.”

"In the void, Kai'Sa and I encountered a tower erased from time. I think Master Jax, you should know the owner of that tower, Kieran."

"Kieran..."