High Above

January 16, 775 Terra.

The New Year holiday has passed. It would be better to say that this era has not yet adapted to the so-called seven-day holiday. People do not have to work but are busy with leisure. People in the city may still gather to chat and play games, while people in the mountains can only continue on their own. task.

A team of mountaineers is moving forward on a vast ice and snow plain in the core area of ​​the Baisen Mountains with an altitude of more than 4,000 meters.

The Big Snow Summit of Beisen was once—at least during the pre-epochal civilization—a plateau.

When 'Terra' was not the only continent on the planet, it was far away from a giant island on another plate. The Baisen Mountains were the result of the collision of plates.

Because of the disaster, the plateau collapsed, the mountains collapsed, the continent sank under the roaring waves, and the Baisen Mountains rose again under such impact.

Together with the past plateau, it turned into a mountain peak.

Even the mountains around the equator have snow. The higher the altitude, there will be frost everywhere, but the big snow top is different. The snow here may be the result of thousands of years of accumulation, but more of it is a person. The remains of the fifth level true dragon.

Even mountain people would not think of coming to a place like this. The occasional search for resources is dangerous enough.

But because of the order of the 'Dragon God', they had been trekking in this vast snowfield for more than three months.

If not each of them is driving an exoskeleton armor and has enough element crystals to power the alchemy furnace, it would be amazing to think that this kind of exploration operation could last for three days - but even if they are equipped with such professional equipment, they will have to wait for every five days. I have to go back and recharge in six days.

This kind of exploration process can be called boring. There are no enemies and no accidents. There are just the ever-present and endless ice wind, and the process of fixing the 'detection device' and waiting for the silver-white progress bar to recharge bit by bit. .

This detection device originated from the city hall. It is said that as long as you put it down and charge it, it can detect all the dragon's blood in the surrounding area - as long as the detection device is placed bit by bit according to the block, they can be like a minesweeper. Sweep out the remnants of the true dragon.

But no one expected that this thing would last for two days once charged.

For two days, there were no Warcraft - most of them would rather have Warcraft attack, which would be more exciting - and no enemies. I could only sit next to the device, 'wait' and 'recover data', and there was no one around. The scenery is only a vast sea of ​​white snow.

Fortunately, there is also Plants vs. Warcraft.

Yes, Plants vs. Warcraft.

Plants vs. World of Warcraft is a chess strategy game developed by Xiahui City Hall. The game takes place in a territory that has been attacked by flying flame creatures. Here, many dragon blood plants grow, and the survivors cultivate dragons. Blood plants, fight against the endless stream of corrupted monsters, and search for brand-new dragon blood plant seeds in the constant battle. The survivors will find other companions and protect their homes - at the same time, they will gradually discover the source of the corrupted monsters' lair...

It sounds cool, but in fact it's just a tower defense game with one blurry pixel color block and another pixel color block. The current Canaan Moore terminal's performance can only support this point.

But for the Terran people, this was already very cool, even to the point of being incredible.

While waiting for the detection equipment to be recharged, the exploring mountain people relied on Plants vs. Warcraft to pass the time. They used this game to test the length of the level and the minimum cost to pass it. They tried a variety of completely different combinations and learned to find a solution. A way to last the longest time in infinite mode.

Although the game is fun, playing it continuously for three or four months will obviously have an indelible impact on the human psyche.

"Ah, I understand!"

Amidst the sky full of ice and snow, a mountain man suddenly had an epiphany when the sun rose for the hundredth time: "Look, isn't this nut the protective wall of our city?"

"These cherry and potato mines are traps, fortifications or other defense measures for our cities!"

"Those sunflowers and luminous mushrooms are our logistics...corn cannons and other pea shooters, aren't they our alchemy artillery and soldiers!"

"I see, the lord used such a simple game to tell us the basic principles of war... Feiyan Land is powerful and has the power to take the initiative to attack. We can only passively defend and deal with their wave after wave of offensives, or It’s to counter their sneak attack that penetrates our hinterland!”

"Isn't this what we are doing now? Originally, I didn't quite understand that the adults have not expanded the city area recently, but have continued to strengthen the old city area, all in order to cope with the upcoming Feiyan Land raid!"

"Uh." His companion, another mountain man, tactfully reminded this friend who seemed to have gained enlightenment in the snow: "It is written in these newspapers. The second weekly issue of Xia Hui in December 1974, "War is close at hand" Article."

"I have seen it." The enlightened mountain man was glowing with glory, and he laughed loudly: "But didn't I understand it before? Now I understand it!"

"Sure enough, you still have to experience it yourself to understand it!"

Games are something like this, which can simulate some "false things" and make people think of some real principles and logic.

But there are actually some truths, and by the time you realize them, it may be a bit late.

For example, don't make loud noises on the snowy mountains.

Not even if you have enlightenment.

Boom...boom boom boom!

As everyone looked back in horror, loud noises like continuous thunder echoed in the air, and large clumps of ice and snow mixed with solid ice poured down the hillside, and tsunami-like snow currents rushed to the mountain people. The team and detection equipment were engulfed, and then...

The keel cliff vaguely showing the shape of a curled up dragon was revealed behind it.

After receiving the news, Ian led the team to the rescue as soon as possible. He first rescued a few lucky and unlucky people who were buried in the snow.

Luckily they were wearing exoskeleton armor, otherwise they would have died.

After being rescued, Ian looked with burning eyes towards where the ice dragon's keel was.

"finally found you."

What is regrettable and natural is that before his death, Bingmenglong had already released all his power between heaven and earth, turning it into the endless wind and frost between heaven and earth.

Therefore, there is nothing left in its remains except the indestructible and stable ice bones.

But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

The entire top of the snow is the graveyard of the Ice Mongolian Dragon, and its body is the natural center of this land. In other words, the Ice Mongolian Dragon has used its own life to create an extremely rare 'high spirit zone' , and under the thick ice, there are countless ores and unmelted ice that have been alienated by the power of the dragon.

What's more, Ian didn't intend to dismantle the remains of the Ice Mongolian Dragon. He was now an ally of Dragon Island, so he directly called Dragon Island and asked them to send dragons to recover it.

As a price, Long Island will also provide Ian with some things he wants, some more precious materials.

Some materials that can be used to break through the fourth energy level and even perfect the fourth level of the arcane path.

"It's really nice here."

Ian said to Scott and Roland, who were climbing with him and were now suffering from altitude sickness, and Xio, who was spreading his arms and feeling the cold wind: "This can be used as a new 'holy land'!"

It's not that Qianganglong's original Holy Mountain of Qiangang is not good, but Ian has to make a distinction. He can't openly let all the mountain people believe in him and the 'dragon' behind him, but the smart mountain people have realized that Really, even if Ian is the true messenger of the Dragon God, what he wants is definitely not just the Dragon God’s belief.

Therefore, the smartest mountain people have begun to obey the propaganda of Chongling Sect. Of course, some people choose to rebel against Ian. The previous chiefs and priests who intended to reshape the faith of Dragon God were all smart people.

They are very clear about the significance of culture and tradition, and know that if all of this is rewritten by Ian, the mountain people will lose their own specialness and gradually become an accessory of the Xiahui Territory from an independent civilized nation.

Become a ‘Silver Peak Man’.

Ian didn't think they were wrong, but who made the mountain people too weak to choose him as their leader? This is the price. Ian will lead them out of poverty and into abundance, at the cost of losing himself.

Even losing the ‘holy place’.

"Write it down in the memo. The future sect headquarters of Chongling Sect can be built here. The natural psychic field here is so abundant...it can even allow goblins to live here!"

Ian has not forgotten the hot water goblins in his hometown. Although they have almost become sewer cleaners at Sequoia Base (they call themselves the kings of underground water areas), Sequoia Base does not have a very stable spirit except for the crystal lake. A gathering place for energy fields.

The Crystal Lake is the territory of the Crystal Dragon. Although Frost Butterfly has consecrated Qingtong as the General of Crystal Lake, it might be okay to leave some goblins in Nanling. If they are really all hiding in the Sequoia Base, Ian is not good either. take care of.

"I just don't know if the fairies are willing to change from hot water fairies to ice fairies again... Whatever, let's ask first."

Ian shook his head slightly. Anyway, he had chosen the place, and there should be fairies willing to come to Daxueding to play.

Thinking of this, he turned back and looked at the keel of the Ice Mist Dragon, and thought of the lonely true dragon who could chat with Echo for hundreds of years in the Alien Research Institute.

"It can make this lonely place lively. If Bingmenglong knew about it, he would also be very happy."

Scott on the side heard Ian's soliloquy and couldn't help but look at his lord with disbelief - and when Ian realized that he had spoken out his true inner thoughts because of the Fairy Heart, he couldn't help but He raised his eyebrows and said, "Why, do you think this kind of thing doesn't sound like me?"

"That's not the case. I can always feel what you are thinking, sir."

The manager of the Iron People touched his chin and thought of a metaphor: "But this time you are willing to speak out. This means that you are more confident, and it also means... you were too cautious in the past, and even some of the Everything you say must be carefully considered before you say it.”

"And now, as our territory develops better and better, and your strength, sir, becomes stronger and stronger, the less you need to disguise yourself."

"Caution...disguise." Ian chewed on this sentence, and then smiled: "Indeed."

Now is no longer the day when he needs to hide everything. Now, his prophet has been revealed, and the identity of the disciples of Fudo City has also been revealed. What is hidden is nothing more than the existence of the Star God's Gift.

But even with this status, as long as 'Mahdi' is still on Dragon Island, the countries of Terra will not turn their attention to 'Ian'.

"So this is freedom?"

With some emotion, Ian had to admit that he was indeed not very good at pretending. His wisdom, strength and character are not good at caring about those aspects that he doesn't even bother to hide. He is just forced to survive and must do so.

But now... everything is back on track.

"really not bad."

For some reason, Ian suddenly became in a good mood. Soon, as the temporary camp was established on the top of the heavy snow, he began to discuss the construction of the 'Chongling Cult Holy Land' with Roland and Xio.

The so-called holy land in Terra is not just a "holy place". It must be the core of a psychic field. There are a large number of inscriptions inside, forming a huge "psychic fortress".

This fortress must have the ability to protect believers, train successors to ascend, resist enemies, and reserve key resources.

In addition, it must also have some extraordinary holy relics - such as the whole-body Qiangang Stone of the Qiangang Holy Mountain and the Dragon God's sacrificial fire.

In this way, a holy place is a holy place.

Fortunately, Big Snow Top Keel Peak (named by Ian) fully meets the requirements.

With Xiahui's current productivity, there is no way to build a holy land while replenishing agricultural buildings, helping mountain people rebuild gathering places and clearing wasteland - not to mention that Ian is currently expanding the alchemy park and opening it by the way. Found four mountain mines.

If it weren't for the central control of the Heart of Terra, which was responsible for most of the simple and repetitive resource allocation and related calculation problems, everyone would probably still be writing drafts now.

But Ian didn't expect to be able to accomplish this entirely relying on his own territory.

"Do you think the King of the Mountain will agree?"

Ian asked Xio, and Xio, who had been harvesting from his trip to the Digestive Xenogeneic Research Institute recently, thought about it and replied confidently: "I don't know!"

"But, if you really return the bones of the Ice Mongolian Dragon to Dragon Island, then it will definitely not be a problem for Mom to help you dig a hole in the mountain that can fit a super building. Anyway, it is nothing more than building a dragon's nest. It’s just a hole, it’ll only last a few months at most.”

Saying this, Xiou hugged Ian's shoulders like a brother, and laughed loudly: "At worst, you can ask me to help! It's absolutely free and no wages will be charged!"

"I'm afraid you'll collapse the mountain." Ian spoke righteously.

In fact, it is an exaggeration that Xiou will dig up the mountain, and it is also an exaggeration in a few months. With the power of the fourth level of the Mountain King to build infrastructure, it can be completed in a week at most.

However, considering that Ian's requirements are very detailed, a few months is indeed possible... But the most important thing is that Ian wants to use this matter to vaguely tie the King of the Mountain.

When the Mountain King refuses, it won't be too late to entrust Xiou. Anyway, just like Xiou said, she doesn't want wages.

That was when Ian was discussing the specific architectural drawings and construction details with Roland and Xiou.

Perhaps it was also an explosion of luck related to the Chongling Sect.

Another unexpected good thing is happening in Xiahui's territory.

It's about Loren.

Loren has spent a long time here since he received Ian's permission to enter the Xiafui Ascended Training Camp last summer.

At first, Loren felt a little inferior to his identity.

He did awaken his spiritual power because of his respect for Lord Ian, but this spiritual power has not shown any special power so far, although the Lord has always told him that his spiritual power is necessary for the new era in the future. 'Element', but Loren was still quite uneasy.

He really hoped that he could show his power to help adults immediately, but it backfired.

Fortunately, everyone in the training camp is very nice.

So far, Loren has overcome the restraint and shyness he felt when he first entered the training camp, as well as the vague inferiority complex in his heart. Whether they are familiar classmates, mentors or strangers, he can communicate smoothly with them, confident and modest. Introduce yourself and face the despair and sadness of your past.

He would even show off his skills by knitting some flower crowns and giving them to familiar friends, laughing and chatting with them about his recent life.

It was only after this that Loren was a little surprised to find that not all of the people in the training camp for Ascendants in Xia Hui were the descendants of nobles or knights. There were many children of ordinary people, descendants of traders, and even There were even refugees from the Westerland - a far cry from the Ascendant training camp he'd imagined.

He thought he was just a child from a poor family.

Because Loren's academic performance was excellent, he even became the representative of the cultural class and the outstanding student of that semester. Since then, even some old classmates who were a little complacent because of their early training began to respect Loren. Woke up.

During the past six months, they marched together in the mountains, rowed against the river together, meditated together, gritted their teeth together and performed strength training that pushed the human body to the limit, ate delicious school meals together, and formed a team to deal with dangerous monsters...

At the Xiahui training camp, Loren can eat eggs every day. More than one, more than two, and he could eat as many as he wanted if it wasn't to avoid high cholesterol.

At first Loren was just happy about it.

But on the day when he really integrated into this training camp and completely integrated into the order of Xiahui, he suddenly cried bitterly at the egg in his hand in his place.

No one laughed at him. Too many people in the training camp have felt this inexplicable sadness, a sadness that reflects the endless hardships of the past because of joy and happiness. That day, Loren received several hugs and a friend who was willing to listen to him talk about his past hardships.

That friend's name was Miles, a tall Westlander. He is usually silent but reliable. He is a martial arts representative in the training camp and has good swordsmanship.

He also had psychic powers and something he wanted to talk about. After Loren told him about his past, he slowly told his story to Loren.

About spiritual energy, about laboratories, about the Grand Duke and the Empire, about the Flying Fire Land and disasters...death, pain, the death of all relatives, loved ones, those who care about and want to embrace, and finally... leave.

Listening to this friend's story, Loren went from being shocked at the beginning, to feeling ashamed in the middle, to a vague realization at the end.

The shock was because Miles had never told anyone about his past before. Everyone thought he was just an ordinary refugee from the West who fled all the way to Xiahui Territory, nothing more.

Who would have thought that he walked out of the Azure City, where no one survived, and the Avak Territory, which turned into a dead zone?

He feels ashamed because his pain and despair are so "insignificant" compared to Miles. Miles walked out of hell carrying the despair and resentment of his hometown, but he...

No.

Thinking of this, Loren somewhat understood.

His own pain and Miles' pain were the same pain. It cannot be distinguished just because one party only involves family members, and the other party involves a city or an entire territory.

Could it be said that the indignation of feeling helpless when a loved one is about to die is inferior to the despair of the destruction of one's hometown? Delicious food and fun games may be able to distinguish between high and low, but the despair in everyone's heart cannot be compared.

Their pain stems from the mistakes of this world, from the Firelands, the Empire, the Ascended, the Psykers, all the people who should have been able to make a difference but failed to do so.

"We are all the same." At that time, Miles said softly: "We all awakened our psychic powers out of helpless despair, but after gaining power, we recalled the pain again, imagining, 'What if I had what I have now? What power and knowledge would be’.”

"This is inevitable regret. Imagine... how much I want to go back to the past with this power and save my mother and Aunt Lydia's family."

"But I can't do it. None of us can."

"Loren...you're as old as my sister."

The purple-haired swordsman whispered: "If I were you, I would definitely feel more uncomfortable than you, so if you want to cry, just cry."

"No, thank you, Brother Miles."

After understanding why he wanted to cry, Loren didn't want to cry anymore.

He is just lonely and unwilling.

I just feel that I have begun to feel happy, but my grandma can no longer enjoy it.

She has obviously begun to grow and become an excellent child, which can earn points for her, allowing her to live in peace of mind and enjoy the fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus... But she is still in the laboratory ward, waiting for death. 's coming.

This unwillingness, this helplessness, this pain left him at a loss what to do.

Fortunately, he is not alone.

Loren finally understood - after first choosing to follow the adults, he finally understood the meaning of his faith in this world.

I will never face suffering alone again. Sir Ian, Miles, his friends, all teachers and classmates have gradually become a whole with him.

He is no longer alone, and he understands why everyone gathers together and becomes classmates and friends.

Because he was a Xiahui leader, they fell in love with this land from the bottom of their hearts.

They all chose to gather under the command of Ian Silver Peak...

Become the prophet’s people.