Chapter 83: Ice Dragon Nest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: Ice Dragon Nest
[Time Doll * 2]
[A special item woven from history, carrying fragments of the past. Upon selecting a specific figure from history, the doll will automatically transform into their likeness.]
[Following the advice of Fate, Time used history to weave these special dolls as gifts for Space-Time. However, at that time, Time did not yet know that Space-Time was more than one person.]
"A gift for Space-Time... so these belong to Gamie and her sister?"
After reading the description, Xie Bai understood why the dolls possessed space-time-related abilities. As for why they had been lost here and picked up by the God of Silence, he had no way of knowing.
"I can bring these back next time I return. Since I have two, I can give one to each of them."
Setting the dolls aside, Xie Bai began to review his other spoils. First was the new talent engraved by the Uncrowned King.
[Space-Time Adaptability: Increases the level cap of Space-Time type skills to Lv.14. When activating any skill, there is a 5% chance to refresh its cooldown and refund its cost. Slightly reduces the impact of space-time paradoxes. (Source: Silent Ruins - Ruins Guardian)]
Including this new talent, the Uncrowned King now had nine engraved talents, leaving only one empty slot. If he planned to engrave another talent in the future, Xie Bai would have to carefully consider his trade-offs.
"Breaking the original level limit... Come to think of it, the skills used by that 'lightbulb' earlier were level five hundred. I should see if I can copy a few of those next time..."
After reviewing the talent, Xie Bai turned his attention to the other two items in his inventory.
[Space-Time Fragment * 2]
[Carries the power of space-time. Upon use, grants a random Space-Time type skill or increases the level of a designated Space-Time skill by one.]
[Core of Silence * 2]
[Carries the power of the God of Silence. Upon use, it can transform a Godhead into one of the Silence series. The user will also gain the status of 'Chosen of Silence.']
A quick glance told him none of these were simple. Especially the Core of Silence—Xie Bai could tell at a glance that this was a method used by the God of Silence to win over challengers.
"Chosen of Silence... If I let someone loyal to me use the Core of Silence, would this 'Chosen' still obey me?"
At that moment, Xie Bai suddenly thought of the Lord of White Peak.
"It’s worth a try. I might even learn more about this God of Silence."
Having finished his review, Xie Bai stowed his rewards and chose to exit the dungeon. A second later, he reappeared outside the stone gates.
Seeing Xie Bai emerge only seconds after entering, the White Robe was stunned.
"Your Excellency, this is...?"
In the White Robe's perception, the chilling aura within the ruins had vanished without a trace. The sense of a world-ending crisis was completely gone.
Facing the White Robe's inquiry, Xie Bai spoke nonchalantly.
"I've dealt with the frost here. It’s no longer of any use to the Chaos Church. You should find a way to rid yourself of that Chaos power; I might have a use for you in the future."
With that, Xie Bai opened his map interface. The map, which had previously only been partially unlocked, was now fully revealed to him. Even the newly established Northern Unified Empire appeared on the map.
According to the display, the Unified Army was sweeping across the entire Northern Territory with terrifying speed. Only half a day had passed since Xie Bai killed those three lords, yet the Unified Army had already occupied half of the North. The remaining regions were only holding out because the Northern Lords were leading a desperate resistance.
"If it's just those small fry, Thanatos and the others should be able to handle it easily. Although they’ve only just regained their Demigod status, the Divine Authority they wield is at the level of a True God."
Thinking of this, Xie Bai turned to the White Robe.
"By the way, do you plan to support those Northern Lords now, or will you try to win back your little Witch? Since you have the ability to monitor every snowflake, you should already know the situation."
The White Robe hesitated. "Elise... I have actually never monitored her. However, I am aware of the Unified Army's offensive. To be honest, the ferocity of their attack far exceeded my expectations..."
The White Robe looked up at Xie Bai. "I simply wish to know what Your Excellency's intentions are?"
"Mine?" Xie Bai gave a faint smile. "Are you sure you aren't asking a question you already know the answer to?"
Xie Bai glanced at the map interface. "But I can tell you this: that young lady hasn't given up on you. She is currently searching for traces of the Chaos Church. If you don't step in soon, she might actually run into troub—"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, a massive sonic boom echoed in Xie Bai's ears. He turned to see that the White Robe had already streaked away from the snowy field. He was so fast that even Xie Bai didn't react immediately.
"Such a hurry... Did he really not check on her before?"
Looking at the departing figure, Xie Bai couldn't help but think of young couples from his past life. They clearly cared deeply for each other, yet were too afraid to check the other's messages, terrified of finding the worst-case scenario they had imagined.
"Whatever. Next, let's head to the Ice Dragon Territory."
Xie Bai clicked on the landmark on his map.
[Ice Dragon Nest]
[Where breath weaves the aurora and wingspan measures the eternal night. The sole sovereign of the boundless permafrost and the glacial rivers.
The sacred palace hand-forged by the true King of Eternal Frost and Winter, the Great Ice Dragon Aisarakus.
A place of pilgrimage built upon the Ice Abyss, condensing tens of millions of years of the Northern Continent's history.]
[Would you like to teleport to this landmark?]
"Tsk... I almost don't want to go see what's happening now..."
Xie Bai felt he could already guess the Ice Dragon's personality.
"Well, I should take a look. These descriptions make him sound quite arrogant. The Chaos Cultists probably won't be able to recruit him; they'll likely just try to kill him."
After a moment's hesitation, Xie Bai selected the map teleport.
Hum—!
As his perspective shifted, Xie Bai was instantly transported to the Ice Dragon Nest marked on the map. In a sense, the map's description hadn't been too hyperbolic. At first glance, the place was exceptionally grand. Xie Bai had to use a sliver of Void power to assist his vision just to see the whole thing.
Countless massive ice pillars towered over the Ice Abyss, encircled by layers of giant ice rings. Within each pillar, the carcass of a strange behemoth was preserved, and every ring was inscribed with dense, silver-white characters. In the very center, a magnificent ice palace floated, exuding an aura that suppressed the entire area.
The whole place truly possessed a heavy sense of history.
"But where is the Ice Dragon?"
Realizing something was wrong, Xie Bai leaped onto the highest ice pillar. Looking out, he saw that while the pillars were mostly arranged in an orderly fashion, one corner was filled with shattered ruins.
A moment later, another ice pillar nearby snapped. Along with its encircling rings, it plummeted into the bottomless depths of the Ice Abyss.