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

Chapter 374 [The Bronze Dragon in its Eternal Sleep!]

After listening to Xiao Wan's words, Xia En fell into deep thought.

By this time, he also understood the Lord of Cinder's strategy towards the Snow People.

On the one hand, he does need to rely on the power of the [Ice and Snow People] to complete his research.

On the other hand, there are a large number of people among the [Ice and Snow People] who are hostile to the [Great Yan Kingdom].

It can be said that the entire [Ice and Snow People] family is an unstable factor for the [Great Yan Kingdom].

Again.

If the Lord of Cinder were a tyrant, the simplest and most brutal way to solve the problem would be—

kill!

However, perhaps because of his marriage to Dark Ice, or perhaps it was simply his nature, the Lord of Cinder did not do so.

But they are facing an imminent disaster.

He clearly did not have the time to gradually educate and change the views of the "Ice and Snow People".

So the King of Cinder adopted this less-than-honorable, somewhat crude, but undeniably effective method.

That is……

Capture the [Ice and Snow People] and bring them to this underground research institute!

For those of his people who identified with the Great Yan Kingdom, King Xin was completely open and honest, explaining the truth to them and hoping to gain their help.

As for those die-hards and stubborn ones...

The Lord of Cinder, however, is as merciless as the cold wind of the far north.

The so-called live experiments probably refer to those captured death row inmates.

This approach is actually quite wise.

That is to say,

Make more friends and fewer enemies.

This successfully promoted the research on the secret power of ice and cold.

This also eliminated the hidden dangers and threats posed by the [Ice and Snow People].

Of course, there was also criticism from the world and resentment from the "People of Ice and Snow".

Before carrying out the plan, Lord Cinder had already made up his mind.

Moreover, Shane had assumed that the King of Cinder would conceal or mislead captives like Xiao Wan.

For example, don't tell them the prisoner's identity.

For example, the part about the impending catastrophe being omens is hidden.

but.

The Lord of Cinder simply told the people of the Snow People the truth and gave them the power to make the decision.

possible……

Is this what they mean by "sincerity is the ultimate weapon"?

At this point, having gained a general understanding of the current situation of the underground research institute,

Xia En couldn't help but look at An Bing beside him with some worry.

It is true that the Lord of Cinder abducted the people of the Snow People.

However, he did not subject these people to inhumane experiments as Dark Ice had imagined.

In other words.

Dark Ice has always had a deep misunderstanding of Lord Cinder.

And at this moment, in the glimmer of this history, the truth was revealed.

Her feelings must have been the most complicated.

However, to Xia En's surprise,

After listening to Xiao Wan's words, An Bing's expression was unusually calm, and he murmured softly.

“Is that so…”

On the way here, she had a vague idea of ​​the truth.

Xiao Wan's words only proved this point.

"But if that's the case, why don't you just tell me the truth?"

Dark Ice's question was naturally directed at Lord Cinder.

Actually.

What Anbing found even more perplexing and aggrieved than the fact that her own people had been captured was...

When she asked Lord Cinder about the underground research facility, he chose to remain silent and distanced himself from her.

Obviously...

As long as he tells the truth, I will definitely believe him.

This is the real reason why Dark Ice was heartbroken back then.

"Maybe... my brother-in-law is just worried sick?"

At this moment, Xiao Wan whispered something to the side.

"Actually, when Lord Cin was in the research institute, he often asked me about Sister Dark Ice."

"For example, Sister Anbing's favorite color, her usual hobbies..."

"Maybe it's because I care too much that I don't know how to face you?"

When she said this, Xiao Wan's tone carried a hint of envy.

"Wang, you really are a good man."

Upon hearing this, Anbing immediately realized something and looked at him in surprise.

"Wait... Xiao Wan, could it be that you..."

Xiao Wan didn't hide anything and said it directly.

"Yes, during this time, I also fell in love with the king."

"But don't worry, sister."

Xiao Wan smiled and said, "It's just a one-sided crush. I won't compete with you for a man."

Seeing this, Xia En felt a little strange.

It's unbelievable that two sisters could fall in love with the same man.

But think about it.

With the King of Cinder's handsome appearance, coupled with his unique personal charm.

After several encounters, it's quite normal for Xiao Wan to develop feelings for him.

All I can say is that the Lord of Cinder was indeed a deeply sinful man.

However, Xiao Wan's direct confession to An Bing also indicates...

She would keep this feeling to herself and would never reveal it to the Lord of Cinder.

At this moment.

The truth has come to light.

But Shane still felt that there was something strange about the Lord of Cinder's attitude.

Just as Dark Ice said.

Since that's the truth, the King of Cinder could tell him the whole story.

There's no need to remain silent and banish Dark Ice to the sidelines.

Xiao Wan's explanation of "concern leads to confusion" has some merit, but it doesn't seem to fully explain the point.

Xia En suspected—

Before Dark Ice questioned Lord Cinder, something happened that changed Lord Cinder's attitude.

On the other side.

Dark Ice was still in a state of shock.

She stared wide-eyed, puzzled, and asked, "Xiao Wan, how...how could you..."

Xiao Wan, on the other hand, spoke frankly and openly.

"Oh well, I've fallen for you, what can I do?"

"However, I suspect that the King seems to have noticed this as well."

"Lately, he's been avoiding me a bit!"

"But you, sister... should cherish him more."

Xiao Wan earnestly advised, "Although I don't know how you discovered this underground research institute and got here."

"But I believe that the reason why the Lord of Cinder did not explain this to you is probably because he was concerned about your feelings."

"Now, you'd better go back to the palace and pretend nothing happened, and be a good princess."

Xiao Wan said confidently, "Leave things here to me!"

Upon hearing this, Anbing's expression turned somewhat sorrowful, and she murmured to herself.

"I want to go back, too."

"Unfortunately... I can't go back anymore."

The scene before her was so vivid that Dark Ice had almost forgotten it—

She didn't actually go back to the past.

Xiao Wan in front of him was nothing more than a phantom that should have perished long ago.

Xiao Wan didn't understand what he meant and asked blankly.

"Sister Anbing, what do you mean by this?"

The atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat melancholic.

Xia En changed the subject.

“Miss Wan, I heard that there are two different experimental projects in the research institute.” “One is the research on the icy secret power of the [Ice and Snow People].

"And what is the other one?"

Xiao Wan hesitated slightly.

After all, this is a secret within the research institute and shouldn't have been revealed to outsiders.

And this time.

Anbing looked at Xiaowan and said sincerely, "Xiaowan, please tell us."

"This is very important to us."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan could only say, "You should have heard a legend."

"Beneath the West Wind Plateau lies the corpse of an ancient dragon."

"Yes, this legend is true."

"And from what I know, it was the corpse of a... bronze dragon!"

Xiao Wan paused for a moment, then continued.

"Oh no, calling it a corpse might not be entirely accurate."

"Because it gives people the feeling of being in a long sleep, and the body even has a certain degree of activity."

“Some researchers suspect that the bronze dragon did not die at all, but was in a very special state, as if… somewhere between life and death.”

Upon hearing this, Xia En's expression changed drastically.

A bronze dragon in eternal slumber?!

The appearance of this familiar name startled him.

The first thing that came to his mind was the stringed instrument on his ship!

Xia En has not forgotten.

The Ancient Dragon Egg that failed to hatch into a String Song was obtained from an Ember Treasure Trove.

The Ember Treasure is a legacy left by the Lord of Cinder.

These clues seemed to connect, piecing together the truth about the origin of the String Song!
One day in the past.

The people of the Great Yan Kingdom discovered a sleeping ancient dragon beneath the West Wind Plateau and began to study it.

It's unclear what happened, but this ancient dragon eventually turned into a dragon egg, which was then preserved by the Lord of Cinder in the Ember Sanctuary.

Until that day later.

Xia En arrived at the [Ember Treasure] hidden deep in the sea, and finally brought it back to the light of day and helped it hatch.

History and reality have reached a strange cycle at this moment.

This gave Xia En a feeling that was hard to describe.

Although this is still just a guess at the moment.

But Xia En was already 80-90% confident.

However, another problem arises.

At this time of impending great flood, what is the purpose of Lord Cinder's research on the Bronze Dragons?

Seemingly noticing Xia En's confusion, Xiao Wan explained.

"As an ancient dragon favored by the world, the Bronze Dragon will naturally awaken the power of two laws upon reaching adulthood."

"One is fire, the other is... spacetime!"

"Time and space..."

Upon hearing this, Xia En immediately realized what was going on.

Whether it's the freezing power of the [Ice People] or this long-sleeping bronze dragon, both are related to the laws of spacetime.

Clearly, the extremely tight deadline put immense pressure on the King of Cinder.

This forced him to consider other methods besides freezing the floodwaters.

For example, freezing spacetime and slowing down the flow of time.

Or perhaps... changing the course of history?

It sounds absurd, but in the face of a cataclysmic disaster, even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, the Lord of Cinder will still give it a try.

You have heard a key message.

[The mystery of the Great Yan Kingdom's demise has been solved with an additional 5% increase in difficulty!]

Upon seeing the notification flashing on the panel, Shane's face lit up with joy.

This proves that the speculations about the bronze dragon and the laws of spacetime are indeed related to the destruction of the Great Yan Kingdom.

Just as Xia En's thoughts were in turmoil.

suddenly.

A piercing alarm sounded outside the room.

"Drip-drip-drip-"

Xia En and the other two immediately changed their expressions.

"What happened?"

Xiao Wan frowned deeply: "Could it be that we've been invaded by foreign enemies?"

The first people Shaen thought of were Carles and Jane, who were in Sector C.

He immediately asked the question in his mind.

"Jane, have you been discovered?"

Jane denied it, saying, "No, but an alarm suddenly went off here."

"It seems that someone forced their way into the research institute."

Another outsider?

Xia En's expression was solemn.

Could it be that, just like the situation in the royal palace, this is another invasion by the Truth Society?
And unlike last time, it seems they've run right into the Truth Society's invasion operation?

Thinking of this, Xia En immediately pushed open the door and went out.

At this moment, a flashing red light appeared inside the passageway.

Then, the institute's internal broadcast system came on.

"Warning warning!"

"Unidentified intruders have entered the research institute. Non-combat personnel are advised to return to their rooms for safety as soon as possible!"

"Repeat it again..."

"They really are intruders."

Xia En turned to Xiao Wan and said, "Miss Wan, please stay in the room. We have other things to do, so we'll take our leave now."

"No, I want to go too."

Xiao Wan shook her head, her attitude very firm.

“You’re not familiar with the terrain here, so having me lead the way will save you a lot of time.”

"and……"

Xiao Wan's face showed worry.

“I’m a little worried about the Snow People living in the research institute, and the prisoners who are being held in captivity.”

Xia En immediately understood what he meant.

With chaos within the research institute, the guarding force would undoubtedly be greatly dispersed.

Not to mention the death row inmates who were imprisoned.

Even those Snowborn who haven't yet decided to serve the Lord of Cinder might consider taking advantage of the chaos to escape this place.

This led to the situation becoming even more chaotic.

"Sister Anbing, I'd like to go to the living area to see the other tribespeople first. Can you come with me?"

"Afterwards, I will take you to the places you want to go."

Anbing was clearly unable to resist her sister's pleading eyes and could only glance at Xia En silently.

Xia En sighed softly, "Alright then, let's go."

They were in an area within the residential zone, and before they had taken two steps, they saw two guards wearing helmets walking towards them.

"Miss Wan, what exactly happened?"

"What happened?"

Xiao Wan shook her head: "I don't know either."

But then she suddenly raised an eyebrow.

"No, shouldn't you be staying where you are and guarding my people?"

How did we end up here?

Just as Xiao Wan realized something was wrong, one of the guards raised his hand and struck her on the back of the neck with a stick.

But at this moment.

A cold wind howled in.

The person's movements, along with their entire body, were frozen in place.

Another guard looked at the person who made the move and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Dark Ice, how could it be you?"

"I understand... You've come to rescue us, right?"

"Quickly subdue Miss Wan, let's go together to rescue our people."

These words immediately revealed the identities of the guards.

Clearly, they were the "Ice People" from the research institute, and after subduing the guards, they changed into their clothes.

This means that the guards inside the research institute have lost control over them.

(End of this chapter)