We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 353 Dark Ice Awakens! A Duel Triggered by the Quota!

It didn't take long.

Xia En then gathered up his chaotic thoughts.

Compared to those more distant and terrifying disasters, what he should be more concerned about now is the immediate and imminent crisis—

The second major flood!

And that Great Flame undead in the Far North!
After all, if we can't even get over this hurdle now, how can we talk about the future?

at the same time.

The remaining secret power of the [Old Flame] has finally dissipated completely.

This tiny flame, having completed its mission, gradually died out before Shane's eyes.

Immediately, Xia En's consciousness rose rapidly, like someone who had dived into the sea and was quickly rising to the surface.

The surrounding stars and streams of light rushed backward, disappearing along with the deep, dark background of the [Secret Sea].

Shortly after Shane's consciousness left the Secret Sea.

Deep within the Secret Sea, amidst the endless starry sky, an eye faintly opened.

Its gaze lingered on the spot where Xia En had just disappeared, and remained fixed there for a long time...

……

……

As consciousness surfaced from the invisible "sea," Xia En suddenly opened his eyes and became fully awake.

"call--"

Looking at the room, which was exactly the same as before the [Old Flame] was used, Xia En let out a long breath, feeling refreshed both physically and mentally.

Even though the new job he was promoted to did not directly improve his combat power.

But in reality, this promotion process itself was a tremendous opportunity.

Which traveler of the Seven Seas World could traverse the Secret Seas and witness firsthand the rise and fall of civilizations in one Secret Realm after another?
All that he saw and heard became Xia En's precious treasure.

It not only broadened his horizons, but also transformed his character, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, making him completely different from before.

Now, Xia En seems to be able to see the operation of secret power and the essence of secret techniques from a higher dimension.

Contact with the Great Law further pointed the way for Shane's future path.

It can be said that it paved a "smooth road to heaven!"

Moreover, the improvement in combat power is relatively small, only compared to Xia En's previous promotions.

Xia En could sense that, under the influence of the [Old Flame], his secret power seemed to have become more refined.

It's as if it's been tempered by flames, and it has undergone a slight improvement.

To approach the level of so-called "divine power".

Ironically, the 5 points of overall competence were the least noticeable improvement in this promotion.

After assessing his own condition, Xia En couldn't help but show a look of joy: "I didn't expect this breakthrough to the sixth rank to be so smooth."

"In this way, we are one step closer to the legendary realm."

"Moreover, we will be more confident in resolving the crisis of the Great Yan."

However, it didn't take long for Shane to calm down.

"By the way, I don't know how long it took for me to get promoted this time."

"If the operation has already started, that would be terrible."

So, Xia En quickly found Sha Jingjing, who was stationed nearby.

"Your Holiness!"

Upon seeing Xia En approaching, Sha Jingjing instinctively wanted to pounce on him as usual.

For some inexplicable reason, after getting close to Xia En, Sha Jingjing shivered involuntarily, her body trembling uncontrollably.

The Moon Wanderer clan typically possesses instincts akin to those of wild beasts.

As the former saintess, Sha Jingjing's intuition is naturally more acute.

In her perception, something indescribable seemed to have happened to Xia En.

Something to say.

Xia En was like a starry sky or a deep sea, vast and boundless. If you try to explore it, you will only get lost in its endless depths.

There is even an aura of "greatness" about him.

Simply by perceiving it, one becomes aware of one's own insignificance and ignorance.

However, that "aura of greatness" did not seem to be Xia En's own aura, but rather seemed to be the residue left after he had come into contact with some kind of being.

What Sha Jingjing didn't know was...

Those were remnants of the Great Law left on Shane.

At the same time that Shane observed the Great Law, the Great Law also discovered his presence.

Of course, the Great Law did not take any initiative to do anything.

However, even just passively coming into contact with Shane caused his soul to transcend the realm of ordinary secret practitioners, leaving behind some insignificant traces.

Those with weaker senses who follow secret paths would probably be unable to detect the existence of such traces.

On the contrary, those beings who begin to come into contact with higher realms, such as legendary powerhouses and gods, will be terrified by such "traces" and develop an instinctive fear.

"Your Highness, has the breakthrough been successful?"

Sha Jingjing muttered to herself, "And what about this chilling aura...?"

Compared to when they first met, Shane's strength has undergone tremendous changes.

So much so that now, Sha Jingjing can only look up to her!
However, Sha Jingjing felt no jealousy towards this, and simply thought to herself.

"As expected of the Holy Son!"

"I will also try my best to help the Holy Son."

Xia En, unaware of Sha Jingjing's thoughts, simply asked directly.

"Sha Jingjing, how much time has passed since I entered the room?"

Sha Jingjing immediately reported, "Reporting to the Holy Son, you arrived at the [Rhine Secret Realm] yesterday morning. It's still morning now, less than 24 hours have passed."

Upon hearing this news, Xia En breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good."

However, considering that the operation against [Great Flame] could be launched at any time, he did not linger in [Rhine Secret Realm] for long.

After giving Sha Jingjing a few simple instructions, Xia En returned to the Seven Seas World.

……

……

in the room.

Joey was pacing anxiously back and forth, her little face filled with worry and unease.

"Captain, why haven't you returned yet?"

"If this continues..."

Just then, a silvery-white light shone in front of Joey, a portal opened, and Shane stepped out.

What will happen if this continues?

Xia En's gentle voice rang in Joey's ear: "What happened while I was away?"

Upon seeing Xia En, whose aura had noticeably strengthened, Joey's face lit up with joy.

She didn't even have time to congratulate Xia En on his promotion, and quickly said...

"Captain, you're finally back!"

"Dark Ice... Dark Ice is awake!"

"And right now, she's about to duel with that war maniac Benny!"

Upon hearing this, Xia En frowned slightly: "What?"

"How is this going?"

Joey checked the time and said, "The duel is about to begin, let's talk as we walk."

Afterwards, Joey led Shane toward the open space in the military camp.

Along the way, she quickly explained to Xia En what had happened that day. It turned out that not long after Xia En entered the [Rhine Secret Realm], Dark Ice woke up from her coma.

From Irina and Sergei, Dark Ice also learned about the operation against the undead [Great Flame].

—Due to the conscription operations within the [Far North Expeditionary Force] camp, this matter is not exactly a secret.

As the former Queen Consort of the Great Yan Kingdom and one of the few Great Yan people in the Seven Seas, An Bing naturally harbors special feelings for the Great Yan Kingdom.

Upon learning of the situation, Anbing wanted to volunteer to participate in the operation.

Irina and her companion tried to persuade them, but to little avail.

This princess of the Great Yan Kingdom is exceptionally stubborn.

Moreover, from another perspective, Irina and the others had no reason to stop Dark Ice from doing so.

Perhaps it is the people of Great Yan's wish that they should deal with this undead spirit named "Great Yan".

And that's when.

Benny, however, came knocking on their door, specifically challenging Shane by name.

This is both for the sake of a spot in the action and for proving oneself.

Benny interpreted Shaun's current seclusion as a sign of cowardice and deliberate avoidance of him, and his tone was extremely sarcastic.

Joey and the others were extremely angry about this.

However, it must be said that Benny does have the right to be arrogant, possessing the strength to defeat several sixth-tier powerhouses.

They were indeed far superior to any of the crew members except Jane.

Even Carles wasn't entirely confident of defeating him.

Just as Karlless was preparing to take on the challenge for Shane, Dark Ice stepped forward and easily accepted Benny's challenge.

According to Anbing herself.

This was partly to repay Xia En for awakening her, and partly for a spot in this operation!

That's how this duel came about.

"That's pretty much it."

After Joey explained the whole story, the two of them arrived at the open space in the center of the military camp.

At this time, a considerable number of secret cultivators had already gathered on this open space.

It included both regular federal troops and volunteer troops from various factions.

It was bustling and lively.

However, it is also clear that there is an invisible boundary between the federal regular army and the volunteer army.

While not exactly clearly distinct, they mostly maintain a certain distance from each other.

The reason behind this is not hard to understand.

Many of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers were pirates who ravaged the seas and were originally hostile to the Federal Navy.

Just like Benny's parents died at the hands of pirates.

The relationship between the navy and pirates is like that between officials and thieves; there is often a deep-seated grudge.

It's possible to temporarily ignore external pressures, but expecting to immediately become as close as true colleagues is undoubtedly wishful thinking.

"Just who is that woman? She actually has a Black Flame Walker following her closely!"

"I remember... the Blackflame Walkers only obey the orders of the Lord of Cinder, right?"

"Could she have some connection with the Lord of Cinder?"

Along the way, Xia En and his companion heard a lot of discussions, all of which were about An Bing's mysterious identity.

However, no one could have imagined that Dark Ice would be the Queen of the Lord of Cinder!

Someone said, "She's quite pretty, but I wonder how good she is?"

"Hmph, no matter what, she can't possibly be a match for Benny. The title of 'Battle Maniac' isn't just for show!"

The one who said this was a young military officer.

Judging from his standard military uniform and the rank insignia on his shoulders, it is not hard to tell that he should be the "younger generation" that Moritz mentioned.

This person has a strong sense of confidence in Benny, even a hint of fanaticism.

"I can say that Major Benny is the number one person below the legend!"

"Those lowly thugs of unknown origin who challenge him are only humiliating themselves."

In contrast, this officer's attitude towards the "irregular troops" in the Far North Expeditionary Force appeared somewhat contemptuous and arrogant.

You could even see a hint of disgust in his eyes.

See the big from the small.

This officer's attitude, to some extent, reflects the attitude of the "younger generation".

They have strong confidence in the federal regular army and believe that they can solve this disaster and save the world without the help of "volunteers".

at this time.

A voice rang in the officer's ear.

"Really? I don't think so."

"who?"

The officer turned around abruptly and saw Shane leading Joey to his side.

"You are……"

The officer vaguely felt that Xia En looked familiar, but he couldn't recognize him.

at the same time.

Xia En then turned to look at the arena.

From this distance, he could actually see the scene in the center of the open space.

Benny seemed to be making his final warm-up preparations, while Dark Ice was talking to Irina beside him.

Shane's original plan was to stop the duel from happening and personally defeat Benny, thus fulfilling his promise to General Moritz.

However, upon seeing this scene not far away, Xia En changed his mind.

Simply because he sensed a strong sense of self-confidence in An Bing.

That confidence is exactly like his; both of them rely on strong strength.

Xia En believed that since An Bing had accepted the challenge, she must have her own reasons for doing so.

On the other hand.

The former Great Yan has become a spirit of the dead. If anyone is most suitable to grant Him final liberation, it is clearly the people of Great Yan himself.

Xia En believed that Dark Ice should indeed be involved in this operation.

The spot she wanted could only be earned by herself.

For these reasons, Xia En temporarily changed his plans and prepared to witness the outcome of this battle firsthand.

The officer standing nearby was, of course, unaware of these hidden details.

He quickly realized that Shane was not a regular soldier.

However, just as the officer was about to use this to mock him, a chill inexplicably rose in his heart, as if an instinctive intuition was issuing a warning.

This means that the opponent's strength may be far superior to our own!
Xia En had just broken through to the sixth rank, and his aura had not yet been fully concealed, coupled with his experience in the [Secret Sea].

Even the weaker secret cultivators would feel terrified just by getting close to him.

Although this officer harbored prejudice against irregular troops, he was not truly stupid and still held basic respect for those in power.

He gritted his teeth, still stubbornly asking, "What makes you say that, sir?"

"That woman should just be an ordinary sixth-tier Pathfinder."

"And Major Benny has a record of defeating several sixth-tier powerhouses!"

Xia En was too lazy to argue with him and said indifferently.

"Results are not important."

"Who wins and who loses can only be known after the fight has actually taken place."

That's when.

On the field, Benny took a step forward...

(End of this chapter)