The Flowing Sand Lord decided to join in. Whatever the reason, at least it felt this was a practical solution. The Water Race would lose nothing.
"What should we do? Do you have a plan, young friend?"
Hou Niao had already thought it through. "Great Lord, you were discussing how to intercept me in the underground lake, weren't you?"
The Flowing Sand Lord did not hide it from him. "Our three sides were discussing how to join forces to break through the Water Spirit Pearl's defensive barrier. If you cannot hold out, we Flowing Sand Water Demons can shoulder some of the burden for you."
Hou Niao smiled. "No need. Fighting humans would do you no good and would only affect your dealings afterward. But I imagine that, given your position as the Water Race of the Flowing Sand River, you wouldn't exactly put your hearts into cooperating with them?"
The Flowing Sand Lord laughed. "Of course. How foolish would I have to be to use all my strength to help them, only for them to join forces against me afterward? I was planning to show up without putting in the work anyway..."
Hou Niao said, "Do whatever you ought to do. Act as your position requires, and it will look more natural."
The Flowing Sand Lord still had doubts. "Can you withstand it, young friend?"
Hou Niao was very confident. "The Water Spirit Pearl can withstand it, not me. Besides, this environment strengthens the water element. It wouldn't work on land, but here..."
The Flowing Sand Lord asked no further questions. During the initial stage, when the Water Race had attacked the defensive barrier, it had personally tested this treasure. In truth, it had found no particular way to deal with it. In theory, if the Water Spirit Pearl