Meanwhile, in Pompey, northwest of Galan City.
Long Mei Er, Canon, and many other core members of the Truth Society appeared at the edge of an active volcano's crater.
The crater was spewing scorching black smoke outward. The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur, and the nearby ground was unbearably hot. If not for the extraordinary power protecting them, the group would have been badly burned.
Everyone wore serious expressions, as though waiting for something.
After waiting several seconds, Long Mei Er looked at Canon beside him and said, "It should be about time. Begin."
"Yes, Supervisor." Canon nodded, then turned to the people nearby and gave the order. "Begin."
The crowd first stirred, then split apart to either side. At the rear, quite a few people carried enormous metal crates toward the crater.
The metal crates were roughly one meter square. Once brought to the crater, they were opened to reveal their contents: pitch-black sand mixed with faint blue pebbles.
"Pour!"
Canon spoke.
The people holding the crates immediately tipped the Black Sand inside into the crater.
Once a crate had been emptied, its carrier retreated to replace it with a new one. Then the next person stepped forward and continued pouring Black Sand into the crater.
This continued for more than ten minutes, with over a hundred crates of Black Sand emptied into the crater.
Violent changes began within the volcano, as if it had been provoked. More scorching black smoke surged from the crater, while beastlike howls came from deep within its belly.
The ground around them trembled slightly. The volcano looked ready to erupt at any moment.
At that moment, Long Mei Er stepped forward. With a flip of his hand, a fist-sized red gemstone appeared in his palm. The ruby had been