Natlan is a nation of war.
The object of battle is the monsters from the Abyss.
The specific process of the war is divided into three stages.
The first two stages are the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night, and the final stage is the Night Warden Wars.
In the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night, the people of Natlan will engage in a free-for-all in team format, that is, a team competition.
The teams that win in the team competition will advance to the second round's individual competition, but not everyone in the team will participate in the matches—only the captain, that is, the inheritor of the ancient name, can participate in the individual competition.
The individual competition will be divided into several groups, and the winners of each group will form a team to enter the third stage, which is the Night Warden Wars.
The Night Warden Wars involve truly battling the Abyss monsters, and after the people of Natlan defeat the Abyss monsters, the war is considered a victory.
During this time, if there is a situation where someone dies, the Ode of Resurrection can be activated to bring the deceased Natlan person back to the world of the living.
Rios has also participated in several Pilgrimages of the Returning Flame's Holy Night and knows the importance of these events in the hearts of the Natlan people.
First, this allows them to defeat the Abyss at a very small cost.
Second, it can satisfy the spiritual needs of the Natlan people.
The role of the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night is to select warriors to confront the Abyss, while also having the nature of a performance, bringing exciting spectacles to the Natlan people.
Especially the individual competition—if placed in the Dragon Ball world, it would be the Tenkaichi Budokai where weapons can be used; who wouldn't like to watch that?
Once Rios becomes the Pyro Archon and has power in his hands, the first thing he does is announce the suspension of the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night and the Night Warden Wars, and the Natlan people's moods will definitely explode.
These two events have lasted for several centuries, or possibly even longer.
To have them suspended just like that by a young whippersnapper, the Natlan people saying they have no objections would definitely be a lie.
At that time, the Shock Value will come rolling in. It will shoot up steadily.
"However, the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night has another role, which is to provide energy to the Sacred Flame through competitions between the Natlan people."
The Sacred Flame holds immense significance for the Natlan people and for the Natlan region as a whole—for example, it's equivalent to the Plasma Spark Tower for the Land of Light.
If the Sacred Flame extinguishes, the people and land of Natlan will lose their protection and be unable to cope with the invasion of the Abyss.
"System, can Shock Value sustain the burning of the Sacred Flame?"
Rios placed his hopes on the system.
If the system's Shock Value does not have this function, then Rios can only give up and abandon this plan.
[1000 Shock Value can sustain the Sacred Flame's burning for one year]
The system's answer made Rios's eyes light up.
"1000 Shock Value, is that easy to earn?"
Rios asked.
[This is something the host will have to try for themselves]
Hearing the system's words, Rios twitched the corner of his mouth.
That was exactly why he didn't dare to try and wanted to ask the system.
Next, Rios beat around the bush, inquiring in different ways, but the responses were without exception, all telling him to just do it first and see.
Perhaps, even the system itself couldn't determine the growth situation of the Shock Value.
After questioning the system yielded no results, Rios could only find a little guinea pig to test the situation.
"Mualani."
Rios said to the "little guinea pig" in the same pool: "After becoming the Pyro Archon, I want to issue a policy, but I don't know if it's feasible, and I want to hear your opinion."
"Huh, I already said we shouldn't think about things after becoming the Pyro Archon tonight."
Mualani first complained a bit, then said: "If you want to consult someone, don't come to me—wouldn't it be better to discuss it with Kinich?"
"I don't have a brain as smart as you two."
Mualani is very formidable in fights, but it's at the expense of her intelligence.
She knows this about herself, so matters requiring brainpower are usually left to others.
"Having Mualani's opinion is enough." Rios said.
"You... think so highly of me, huh."
Mualani scratched her hair, feeling a bit awkward.
"Alright, since you've put it that way, then I'll hear out your grand plan."
"I want to stop the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night and the Night Warden Wars."
"What did you say?!"
Mualani instantly cried out, her red eyes staring over in disbelief: "I didn't hear wrong, did I!"
[Shock Value from Mualani +10]
[Note: Mualani is a Vision holder, hence she can bring more Shock Value.]
[The same emotion from an ordinary person provides only one percent of the Shock Value from a Vision holder.]
The system's prompt rang out at just the right time.
"Vision holders bring 10 Shock Value..."
Rios roughly estimated and felt that obtaining 1000 Shock Value tomorrow wouldn't be a difficult thing at all.
After all, Natlan has at least over 100 people with Visions; just they alone could contribute 1000 Shock Value.
The remaining ordinary Natlan people, added together, would provide even more Shock Value.
"Rios, you're really going to suspend the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night?"
"Everyone will definitely be very angry!"
Mualani looked over with drooping brows: "And Kachina—she's always wanted to achieve good results in the competition and participate in the Night Warden Wars."
Kachina is from another tribe.
Although she's a little girl, she's also a very powerful warrior.
It's just that she lacks confidence in her own strength, so Kachina always fails to perform at her best, and her results aren't very ideal.
Even so, Kachina still hasn't given up, always thinking of earning a spot to participate in the Night Warden Wars and obtaining that honor.
But if the Pilgrimage of the Returning Flame's Holy Night, which serves as the qualifying round, is stopped, then how is she supposed to participate in the Night Warden Wars?
"Rios, you're joking, right?"
Mualani blinked her eyes, looking uneasily at her childhood friend's face, wanting to spot any traces of him lying.
"Mualani, I really like your reaction."
Rios smiled, then stood up from the hot spring.
If he stayed any longer, Mualani would definitely pester him.
He hadn't come up with a reason yet, so he could only temporarily retreat for now.
"Rios, wait!"
Mualani reached out to grab the boy, but in the end, she only touched a handful of air.
Rios had turned into flames and vanished ahead of time, leaving a scorching heat lingering in the air.
"That guy ran off again."
Mualani stomped in the hot spring in frustration.
Then, she crossed her arms, furrowed her brows, and began to think: "Rios said he really liked my reaction..."
"So that means he was really just joking?"
"If that's the case, then good."
Mualani wanted to convince herself, but Rios's earlier expression made her feel that something was off.
What Rios said was probably not a joke.
======
The next day.
Rios arrived at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
Amid the people's scorching gazes, he received the Pyro Gnosis, then walked before the Sacred Flame.
According to Natlan's customs, as long as one holds the Gnosis and steps into the Sacred Flame, the transformation from mortal to god can be completed.
At the same time, the new Pyro Archon can draw upon the knowledge of past Pyro Archons from the Sacred Flame, quickly turning from a total newbie into a seasoned veteran.
"Let us welcome the birth of the new god!"
Led by the emcee, the entire venue began to applaud, with an enthusiasm even greater than the applause during past Pilgrimages of the Returning Flame's Holy Night.
Before stepping into the Sacred Flame, Rios deliberately looked at the expressions of the people around him.
He saw that everyone's faces were filled with smiles, gazing over with expectant eyes, as if anticipating a bright future.
But soon, they wouldn't be able to smile anymore.