"What exactly could the source of such 'unlogical' Elemental Crystals be?"

Normally, if one were to ask about the source of 'Elemental Crystals', he would be regarded as someone with limited knowledge. However, it made complete sense to ask such a question now. After all, while the Corrupted Crystals could still be said to be 'Elemental Crystal' in the strictest sense, it couldn't possibly be something that can be found in Crystal Mines.

Moreover, if such Crystal Mines appeared within the domain then the Dragon Clan would have naturally caught sight of it, not to mention that the amount that the Shadow Alliance promised to anyone who joined wasn't something one or two hidden Crystal Mines could provide.

"I don't know what it's called as in the Fire Domain at this moment, but I assume you know of the Dark Cave-like spatial entrances that contain mindless monsters?"

As the unofficial top Clan within the domain, it made sense for the Corruption Gates to be under the control of the Dragon Clan, but for some reason that didn't seem to be the case, otherwise, the spread of the corruption wouldn't have reached its current stage.

The Corruption Crystals allowed one to double his strength at the very least although they wouldn't last long before losing their minds, and while it made sense for the other clans to fall for the Shadow Alliance's trick due to the situation created by the Dragon Clan, the half-dragons themselves shouldn't have gone past these crystals without realizing their threat, so the only possibility was that the Corruption Gates was out of their jurisdiction.

"You mean the Dark Hollows? The neutral 'battle loving' trials occupied them all years ago, we didn't mind such allocation since it made them point their weapon and claws away from the other tribes, both maintaining peace as well as eliminating a potential threat… you couldn't possibly mean…"

The Clan Leader fell into deep thought after he briefly explained the Corruption Gates' situation, but I immediately thought of the scenario that had the highest possibility of having taken place.

'It's confirmed that demons have planted their seeds all over the Shadow Alliance…'

At first, the possibility that some members of the Shadow Alliance managed to obtain the Corruption Crystals in some Corruption Gates that they occupied and used them for their own means without the demons' intervention stood an equal chance within other possibilities, but considering the situation of the Corruption Gates, it could be eliminated from the list.

After all, The Shadow Alliance's number one enemy was obviously the Dragon Clan and its subordinate clans, they would only be stupid if they attempted to provoke the neutral clans for no reason.

"No, it shouldn't be that way, the neutral tribes could be considered to somewhat lean towards our side as they don't desire in-fighting as much, they wouldn't give this resource to the Shadow Alliance so they can start a war…"

After thinking for a few seconds, the Clan Leader denied his original assumption as he looked at me as if to ask if I had a quick answer to his question.

"I agree as well."

Both the timing of the Corruption Crystals' emergence as well as quick spread further denied the possibility that this could be orchestrated by normal people of this domain!

It was obviously the doing of those from the Shadow Alliance that was eluded by a demon who crawled from one hidden Corruption Gate or a demon seed that was laying-low for the right timing, this not only explained the Shadow Alliance's ability to pinpoint the locations of the Corruption Gates that served as 'reserves', but also explained the Shadow Alliance's boldness.

"To be even more specific, I also believe that the one who started this from the very beginning isn't from the Shadow Alliance either. It would be more appropriate to say that they were only used as puppets by the true mastermind behind this."

As for how the demon seeds that were planted in the Shadow Alliance managed to obtain control of the 'reserve' Corruption Gates without being noticed, it wasn't too hard considering the material they were seeking.

The Corruption Crystals were simply perfect to tempt the neutral clans that overseed the 'reserve' Corruption gates and even if they didn't agree, simply wiping out the whole clan to make it only discoverable when it was too late was another option. The demon schemers naturally wouldn't have a problem finding the appropriate plans for their cause.

"Not even the Shadow Alliance was the one who started this…?"

"Yes, the one behind this is the one legend that seems to have been forgotten by all, hidden within some sort of a shroud that simply doesn't even allow one to consider them before they are mentioned, Demons!"

No matter the domain, demons were simply never suspected to have returned, either the hate was completely targeted on the 'Dark' element users and the Dark Domain, or the demon seeds hidden within major organizations simply overwrote the events caused by the demons, it was like some sort of never-ending loop.

The eyes of the Great Elder were opened once more, this time with a sharp glint as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"So you say that demons have actually found their way to the Fire Domain? Shouldn't they have been completely sealed out?"

'As expected, he isn't simple at all…'

For the very first time since I came to know of the Demons' existence and started to expose them, someone who seemed to have direct knowledge of the demons actually responded!

Unlike how the Faction heads needed to be presented with a demon's head to believe it, the Great Elder seemed to know much more, perhaps even more than I did in a specific department.

"I'm not completely sure how they started their advent either, but they managed to do so. Once we start investigating the right targets, I'm sure you will be convinced…"

Light flashed in the Great Elder's eye as he opened his mouth once more.