Steel torrents pioneering a different world

Chapter 207 The Elf's Deeper Sinking! The Evil Dragon Empire? (Please Subscribe)

"Give me a chance, and I can easily tame even the fiercest beast! I will never slide tackle and become food for a hungry tiger!"
-

Gong Pengfei's gaze swept over the exquisite yet humiliated faces.

His thoughts drifted far away, back to the ambition he had once set out to conquer all the unknown.

Looking at these once high and mighty alien races, these long-eared creatures depicted as mythical in Western fantasy novels, they almost caused the pioneering team to pay a heavy price not long ago.

Now, these prisoners of war aren't all sitting here obediently.

In some scenarios, would they even work hard to cultivate the land in exchange for a plate of fruit to earn food?

He even felt a little like laughing inside.

In other words, it ended up in our hands.

If these were troops of some ancient feudal warlords, these beautiful women, more stunning than top celebrities, would have fared worse than livestock.

It's likely that every last drop of value was squeezed out of it long ago, with the skull being made into handicrafts and the useless parts thrown into some corner like rags.

In more ancient times, such as the Qing Dynasty's army, these people would definitely be thrown into brothels to listen to music, or kept in captivity.

Yes, there are also those like General Yuwen who would eat even the last grain of rice.

As for the frogs, they might take them to the disaster area to stage a photoshoot, train them to polish their own shoes, record a video, and post it online to show off their martial arts skills.

Of course, it's also possible that they'll be dragged over to film a series like "The Wife's Secret," "The Hopeless XX," or "The Trainee's Daily Life."

However, elves have long lifespans, so they might be able to pull off the bizarre feat of "the elf lives on for three generations, and even after the person is gone, the elf remains," and be kept as a family heirloom.

Gong Pengfei's lips unconsciously twitched slightly.

"You should thank the laws and core values ​​of this land; they saved you."

He thought to himself silently, then took the megaphone that Tang Huanzhu handed him and weighed it in his hand.

The loudspeaker emitted a buzzing sound, instantly drowning out all the whispers in the cafeteria.

The entire cafeteria was deathly silent.

Seeing that Tang Huanzhu next to him had indicated that the intelligent translation software was open, Gong Pengfei cleared his throat before speaking.

The sound, amplified by loudspeakers, resounded throughout every corner, carrying an undeniable authority.

"Everyone, please stand up!"

AI translation quickly translated Gong Pengfei's voice into majestic Elvish.

stab-

The sound of chairs scraping against the floor rose and fell, carrying a sense of reluctant dawdling.

The elves stood up one by one, some with their heads bowed, while others stared at him with icy gazes.

Annies was among them, her hands quietly clenched at her sides.

Gong Pengfei was very satisfied with the scene before him.

What a group of wise and shrewd people!

Civilized imprisonment combined with rule-based methods yields outstanding results.

At first, these proud elves were very hostile and needed to be kept in one place and not allowed to go out. Later, queuing up for food was like taking their lives.

There are even frequent instances of elven captives attacking humans en masse.

Of course, the magic-blocking collars around their necks not only interfere with magic, but also function as motors.

Then, they were all dealt with!

Repeatedly uncooperative?

They didn't do anything particularly outrageous; they just provided enough single-person confinement.

Spending a few days in such a cramped, pitch-black space would wear down even the most stubborn temper.

The elves also had the guidance of some experienced old men with hats, and anyway, experienced humans had many ways to deal with them.

These prisoners, who have tasted freedom again, absolutely do not want to go back to their closed single cells.

Even if the so-called freedom is merely to farm and eat within this designated area.

The psychological torment of gaining something and then losing it is the best rule for discipline and management.

Gong Pengfei held the megaphone to his mouth, looking at the tense, wary, yet obedient faces below the stage, and a feeling of control welled up inside him.

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness.

"We are holding this meeting ahead of schedule today because there is something that concerns all of you that we need to announce."

“Five days ago, we released another member of your tribe who had returned after your joint vote.”

His voice, calm and measured, echoed through the deathly silent cafeteria after being amplified by the loudspeaker and translator.

"We hope she can bring back news from your kingdom, whether it's war or peace, we want to hear your side's perspective."

Gong Pengfei paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces below, some astonished, some numb.

"But unfortunately, five days have passed! Our goodwill has been completely ignored. We have not received any peace envoys from your tribe, nor have we received any indication of intent to negotiate."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more playful.

"To be honest, we are a little disappointed. Does this mean that your elven kingdom has completely abandoned you?"

These words were like a sharp thorn, piercing precisely into the hearts of all the elves present.

An uncontrollable commotion immediately arose in the crowd.

"nonsense!"

"Shut up, human!"

"This is a psychological tactic employed by evil humans! Ignore them!"

Several hot-tempered elves couldn't help but mutter curses under their breath, but their voices were quickly silenced by the tense gazes of their companions.

They didn't want to be locked back in that maddening solitary confinement cell because of a momentary impulse.

Annie's nails dug deeply into her palms, a slight sting keeping her conscious.

give up?

No, perhaps it's even crueler than giving up?
She once held the elven kingdom, the prophets and priests, the governors and her superiors in the highest esteem!

But as time went on, she saw more and thought more, and she came to understand the way the elf leaders operated.

To prevent any elf from becoming a corrupted elf, any elf who has been captured by a foreign race must undergo the most rigorous mental examination upon their return.

That kind of scrutiny is like peeling an onion, dissecting your thoughts, your memories, your soul, layer by layer, searching for any trace of corruption.

Having been in contact with these cunning yet trustworthy humans for so long, who can guarantee that their heart remains as pure as ever?
Going back would mean a trial of the soul, the outcome of which might not be as bad as death, but the psychological torment would be extremely unbearable.

Annies even believed that the parliament would never come to redeem them.

In the eyes of the prophet and the governor, from the moment they were captured... no, it should be the moment they unleashed the forbidden magic, Nightmare of Return, that these warriors had already perished.

Gong Pengfei looked at the faces below the stage, a mixture of anger, humiliation, and despair, and felt extremely satisfied.

The best strategy is to win hearts and minds; these long-eared women's psychological defenses are far weaker than their individual fighting abilities.

They are really easily overwhelmed when faced with people who have a high level of linguistic artistry.

“Of course, we humans always have the greatest goodwill.” He softened his tone, as if soothing a group of frightened animals. “If once doesn’t work, we’ll try again. If twice doesn’t work, we’ll continue to extend goodwill!”

He grinned, revealing his white teeth.

"Therefore, we have decided to give you another chance, and also give your kingdom another chance. In three days, you can choose another person to return to the Elf Kingdom with our unchanging goodwill and peace."

Upon hearing this, the entire cafeteria fell into an eerie silence once again.

The despair that had just risen was pierced by a glimmer of what seemed like hope.

But this time, no one easily showed their emotions.

They simply looked at some of their companions with complicated expressions.

Suspicion, vigilance, and a barely perceptible longing were secretly brewing.

Gong Pengfei was very satisfied with this effect. What he wanted was for them to split up internally and for them to compete for the opportunity themselves.

"The main reason for holding this prisoner opinion exchange meeting ahead of schedule today is this matter."

He took the speaker away from his mouth, letting the static ring out one last time, then slammed it down on the table with a dull thud.

Gong Pengfei continued, "Besides this, the new round of prisoner opinion exchange meeting had to be brought forward for some reasons!"

The standing elves all looked at Gong Pengfei.

“You can bring up any issues you’re unhappy about in the POW prisons again! There are some things we can improve! If it’s inconvenient to say them publicly, we will have a two-day closed-door meeting later, where you can tell us privately what needs to be changed! We will make adjustments as long as they are appropriate.”

"Forget about overly generous conditions or going outside for fresh air. You are all prisoners of war, so you need to recognize yourselves."

After the translator finished speaking, Gong Pengfei looked at the elf captives, waiting for them to speak.

Dead silence, a long, long dead silence.

The elves below the stage exchanged glances, their emotions complex and difficult to discern—there was probing, fear, and a flicker of resentment.

Nobody wants to be the first one to stick their neck out.

Finally, in the suffocating silence, a slightly hesitant voice rang out from a corner.

“That…human.”

The one who spoke was a water elf; her voice was clear, but trembled slightly with trepidation.

She was not a qualified soldier; she didn't even dare to look up at Gong Pengfei, her gaze fixed only on her toes.

“During lunch and rest time, we’ve been watching your insignificant human affairs through magical devices! It’s been a bit monotonous, and we’d like to see something different.”

Upon hearing this, many elves quietly raised their heads, their eyes revealing a hint of agreement and anticipation.

In order to investigate clues about the elven race, the first batch of elven captives had watched a variety of human works of art, from cartoons to movies.

The product is good; at least it can bring a smile to one's face.

But as they learned more about the elves and the interrogation drew to a close, their entertainment was replaced with the most tedious agricultural news and policy interpretations, which were played every day. They were all things useless to humans, which was practically mental torture.

Gong Pengfei's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he nodded, appearing very understanding.

“Sure. Those news stories are meant for our people. If you don’t like them, you can switch to something else.” He said casually. “Since you don’t like them, you can switch to entertainment news from now on, something light and relaxing.”

For entertainment?
The elves were taken aback for a moment, then realized that these humans were actually quite easy to talk to.

Gong Pengfei was secretly overjoyed.

Look, let me show you human celebrity gossip, family ethics, and feuds among the wealthy.

It's better to numb your senses with a different kind of relaxing entertainment than to let you overthink and plot how to escape.

As soon as he finished speaking, another elf stood up immediately, this time with a noticeably harsher tone.

"Humans! Your punishments are too harsh! And the points are too difficult to obtain; we can't redeem any benefits at all!"

Gong Pengfei's gaze swept over, and there was a fiery-tempered fire clan elf with a look of resentment on his face.

He smiled, then shook his head; the smile was devoid of warmth.

“This prisoner of war, please understand one thing. You are prisoners, not guests on vacation. According to regulations, all we need to do is ensure that you are alive, have food to eat, and have a place to sleep, and that is enough.”

His voice suddenly turned cold, like shards of ice striking the hearts of every elf.

"You think it's hard to get points? Have you ever thought about why you're losing points? Who repeatedly violated the camp rules? Who tried to coordinate an attack on other members of your race in Elvish after lights out? And who deliberately damaged tools while working?"

"Of course we must punish elves who repeatedly break the rules! Otherwise, how can we show the preferential treatment given to those law-abiding prisoners of war? Are we going to let honest people suffer?"

These words left the fire elf's face flushed red and then pale, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

The surrounding elves fell silent, and many of them instinctively avoided looking at their companions.

Indeed, there are always some people who are unwilling to accept defeat and always want to do something sneaky, but in the end, they implicate everyone.

"Any more questions?" Gong Pengfei looked around the room.

From the back of the crowd, a faint voice rang out, trembling with a hint of despair.

"When...can we go back?"

This question, like a boulder thrown into a lake, instantly froze the atmosphere that had just eased.

All the elves' eyes were fixed on Gong Pengfei, their gazes filled with their deepest desires.

Gong Pengfei did not answer immediately.

He lowered the megaphone from his mouth and watched them quietly, letting the heavy weight of hope and despair ferment in the air.

After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice calm, but cold to the elf.

"You shouldn't be asking me this question. You should be asking your elven kingdom, asking your high and mighty queen. It is they who decide when you can go home."

Do we have a queen?
Do these humans really know so little about us?
As expected, none of my fellow countrymen leaked any information about our elves!

Some of the elves were thinking to themselves.

"My fellow elves, we have extended goodwill time and time again. But what have we received in return? Silence. Ignoring us!"

"We yearn for peace; we are a peace-loving race. We only want to live a peaceful life farming. But if your kingdom insists on war, then in order to protect our land and people, we have no choice but to fight to the end."

"At that time, you gentlemen, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here... forever."

In one sentence, the last glimmer of hope in the hearts of many elves was shattered.

Their faces were no longer full of expectation, and the light in their eyes dimmed.

Yes, they are pawns that have been abandoned.

Looking at the lifeless eyes below the stage, Gong Pengfei knew that the time was right.

He looked at the time.

"Alright, that concludes the Q&A session! This afternoon is for individual interviews."

"Same old rules! If you are not satisfied with your cell, want to change your cellmate, or... if there are things here that are inconvenient to say in public, you can come to us privately in the afternoon to talk."

His gaze swept meaningfully across the crowd, his voice carrying a strange allure.

"We must ensure that no one dares to use their past status to bully others in prison! We must confirm that no one is hiding anything or intimidating others!"

"On behalf of humanity, I want to make it clear to you that here, there are no nobles or commoners. All people are equal."

"We don't care about your class-based tricks in the Elf Kingdom. But here, you must abide by our rules!"

"If anyone is bullied or discovers someone breaking the rules, please let us know. We will reward those who help us maintain order in the camp."

Gong Pengfei's voice echoed in the cafeteria, each word like a hook, tugging at the minds of the elves.

In fact, humans had told the elves about this kind of thing many times.

At first, the elves were hostile and highly aggressive towards humans. It was very difficult for humans to get things done!

However, intelligent races, especially elves, have many conflicts similar to those of humans.

Some of the elven captives blamed the defeat on the Cloud Clan and other weaker clans, and they bullied the elves. The tormented elves, on a whim, requested a change of cells. And they were indeed moved to different rooms.

The elves who bullied others were punished by being locked in solitary confinement or going hungry.

They always followed the rules when the humans imprisoned them, and over time, the elves' trust in the humans increased considerably.

Seeing the changes in the eyes of the many elves, Gong Pengfei continued, "Everyone, please remember this again! Here, only those who follow the rules and know how to cooperate can live better."

After saying that, he put down the loudspeaker, turned around, and left.

The remaining elven captives in the canteen looked at each other, their eyes flickering with something.

"Everyone, lunch is served! Line up and eat!"

After the elven captives finished eating, they had an hour to rest and relax before going to work.

Besides cultivating land and planting various crops, working in the prison also involves learning to use sewing machines, making umbrellas, and small handicrafts. There are also shift work tasks.

The point is to keep these prisoners from being completely idle!

Before they started working, the elves were also reassigned numbers.

Humans will use these number tags to call them to communicate.

"Annise!"

A shout made the elf, who was working, freeze.

"exist!"

"You will be spoken to privately in half an hour. Please bring your badge and come with us!"

Annie gripped the plastic number tag tightly in her hand, the corner of the tag digging painfully into her palm.

She glanced instinctively at a fire elf not far away, who was facing her, slowly running his thumb across his neck with a cold look in his eyes.

Annie's heart sank, and a chill crept up her spine to the back of her head.

She didn't dare look again, and silently followed behind the human soldiers toward the white line that determined the fate of many of her compatriots.

The waiting time felt incredibly long; every second felt like walking on scorching sand.

Finally, it was her turn.

She was taken to a closed room again.

The door closed behind him, shutting out all outside sounds.

It was the same familiar room, with its blindingly white walls, bright overhead lights, and that cold inquiry desk.

Today is a little different.

In the center of the table was an exquisite fruit platter, with plump red strawberries, golden mangoes cut into small pieces, and several bunches of purple grapes.

These are all her favorite foods.

This sudden preferential treatment was like an invisible needle, gently pricking her.

If I hadn't been so greedy back then, perhaps I wouldn't have gotten so deeply involved!

"Annis, please have a seat."

Annies sat down as instructed, her movements somewhat stiff.

She skillfully placed her ankle in the shackles.

With a few soft clicks, the magnetic shackles automatically snapped shut, trapping her heels and waist.

This is a routine procedure to guard against the elves' explosive power, which far surpasses that of humans.

After she sat down, she didn't look at the person opposite her; her gaze was fixed on the plate of fruit.

After hesitating for a moment, she reached out, skillfully picked up a strawberry, and popped it into her mouth.

The sweet and sour juice burst in her mouth, the taste so wonderful that she was almost in a daze.

She started eating them one after another, as if trying to cover up her inner tension and fear with the sweetness.

After a while, Gong Pengfei, who had just returned from relieving himself of the water, walked in carrying a data board.

He pulled out a chair and sat down, not speaking immediately, but simply watching Annie wolf down her food.

After she stopped, Gong Pengfei spoke, and the translator on the table emitted a smooth, electronic voice.

"Hello, Annies."

Annie didn't say anything, picked up another piece of mango, and focused on eating it.

"Have you been bullied in prison lately?" Gong Pengfei's voice came through the translator, devoid of any emotion.

"No."

Annie answered vaguely, her mouth full of fruit.

"To reiterate, if you can provide us with some important clues, we can offer you appropriate preferential treatment."

"No clue!"

She swallowed the fruit in her mouth, and this time her answer was much clearer.

Upon hearing this, Gong Pengfei laughed and shook his head, as if he had heard something interesting.

"Okay. But I still want to thank you for your help. The clues you provided earlier have been a great help to us recently."

Annie's hand suddenly stopped, and a piece of mango she was about to put in her mouth fell back onto the plate.

"I didn't offer you any help!"

Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of panic that she herself was unaware of.

How could she not remember the help she had inadvertently provided to them?

During those days when she was overwhelmed by fear and despair, her psychological defenses collapsed due to the silent tactics humans used.

She easily recounted the forbidden magic that all elves considered taboo—the Nightmare of Return to Nothingness.

That was one of the supply trump cards used by the elves.

If she had kept quiet back then, humanity might still be completely unaware of that terrifying power.

It’s a pity that there is no if!

Regret gripped her heart like a poisonous vine, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Seeing the color drain from Annie's face and her conflicted and pained expression, Gong Pengfei's smile deepened.

He knew the fish was hooked.

“Don’t be nervous,” he said slowly. “In any case, you are the first prisoner of war we have ever held. We have always treated prisoners of war well, especially well-behaved prisoners like you.”

These words sounded like a reassurance, but every word seemed to remind her of her contribution.

Annie lowered her head, suddenly losing her desire to eat the plate of fruit in front of her.

Her mind replayed the events of that time.

She also remembered that these despicable humans, after obtaining the crucial clues, actually wanted to ask her more questions about the elven race.

Especially that line—"Lady Elf, you don't want the news of your betrayal of your people to be leaked, do you?"

Gong Pengfei looked at Annies's face, which had instantly lost all color, and knew that the time was right, so he stopped provoking her!

He didn't bring up the painful memory again, but instead gently tapped the table to draw her attention back.

"Ms. Annis, let's change the subject. I have some questions to ask! Don't worry, this has absolutely nothing to do with the elves. It's about another race!"

The translator emitted a steady electronic voice, but Annie detected a hint of undeniable authority in it.

She looked up, her eyes full of wariness.

"Those half-humans whose heads are stuffed with steel and muscle?" she asked sarcastically, trying to salvage a shred of pitiful dignity.

Gong Pengfei shook his head, a hint of interest even appearing on his face: "It's not them. It's some magical race... or maybe magical creatures."

“Magical creatures?” Annie frowned. “What rare things did you catch? Flying snakes? Unicorns? Cyclops, tundra wolves?”

“Neither.” Gong Pengfei’s fingertips lightly traced across the data panel. “We are just very interested in the dragon and its eggs.”

Devil dragon.

Dragon eggs.

These two words struck Annie's heart like two heavy hammers.

Her breath hitched, and the slight resistance that had just begun to rise was instantly extinguished.

Has humanity begun to covet that evil and violent power?
Those forces are so terrifying, aren't humans afraid of crippling themselves? Aren't they afraid of collapsing?
Thinking of the terrifying power of the dragon and the countless tragedies that occurred during the struggle to control it, she remained silent for a long time before raising her eyes and looking directly at Gong Pengfei: "What are you giving me?"

"Candy, fruit, and more rest time," Gong Pengfei offered the same terms as last time.

“It’s not enough.” Annie’s voice was soft, but unusually firm. “All my compatriots need the same treatment.”

"Sure," Gong Pengfei agreed readily, "but there are only twenty spots available."

Annie's nails dug deep into her palms. Twenty... better than nothing. This was perhaps the only thing she could do for her people.

"Okay." She nodded, as if she had used all her strength.

“Great, let’s talk about the dragon and its egg! We’re very curious about everything about it.”

Annie closed her eyes, as if recalling a dark and painful period of her history.

"Dragons are creations of blood and dark magic."

Her very first sentence defined the nature of this creature.

"Legend has it that in order to spread chaos, the ancient evil god gathered the lives of countless races, fused the bones and flesh of long-winged dragons, fire-breathing insects, blood bats, and giant snakes into one furnace, and used the most filthy blood magic to create the first demonic dragon."

"Some greedy human clans made a pact with an evil god in order to gain power. Their descendants have a curse flowing in their blood, enabling them to control demonic dragons and use their dragon breath to incinerate all enemies who defy them!"

When she spoke of humans, her tone was filled with undisguised hatred.

"Evil god? Which one specifically? Which human clan? Which human clans?" Gong Pengfei pressed.

Annies shook her head: "An evil god is an evil god, without a name, only a code name. Humans are humans, the humans of this world!"

"What about blood magic?"

“A forbidden magic condemned by the laws of the world,” Annis’s voice lowered, “exchanging life for life, forging power with blood, obtaining power from evil gods, supreme beings, or mysterious entities. This is forbidden power! Power with extremely severe side effects!”

Gong Pengfei suddenly laughed. He leaned forward slightly and asked, word by word, through the translator, "But I remember that your elven race used this forbidden magic on us not long ago."

Annie's body stiffened abruptly.

How could she forget?

That blood sacrifice magic, that magma dragon roaring out of the magma underground, those countless forest animals that sacrificed their lives to summon it, and even that highly respected high priest...

And she, Anise, was supposed to be one of the most important sacrifices in that ritual.

Unfortunately, due to a series of accidents, she became the sole survivor.

A shameful survivor who only survived by the death of his compatriots.

Gong Pengfei looked at her pale face, and the corners of his mouth curved even more: "I really don't understand. You say that a certain kind of magic is evil, but you use it with a clear conscience. Isn't the magic you use evil too?"

The cold words, transmitted through the translator, were devoid of any emotion, yet like a knife, precisely pierced through her facade, revealing her bloody, hypocritical heart.

Annie's lips moved, but no sound came out.

After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a few words.

"Everything is for...the survival of the tribe."

The voice was so weak that even she herself found it laughable.

Gong Pengfei nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. He lightly tapped the data panel with his finger, bringing up new information.

"To survive, a very good reason."

He raised his head, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"So, what's the difference between a magma dragon summoned for survival and those dragons controlled by humans?"

the difference?

What's the difference?
Both are powers gained through lives and bloodshed, both are taboos despised by the world, so what difference is there?
They're simply people who manipulate magic and people who use magic to attack their targets!
She couldn't utter a single word; that righteous hatred now felt like a slap in her own face, burning with pain.

Gong Pengfei didn't press her any further; he simply watched her quietly.

A moment later, he looked away, his fingers tracing random lines on the data panel, as if the sharp question from before had never existed.

“Okay, it seems this question is too complicated and too agonizing for you,” he said in an almost casual tone. “Let’s try an easier one.”

"Um, can dragons be tamed? What are their personalities like? How much do they eat? How big are the biggest ones? Do they poop?"

Upon hearing that she would no longer inquire about forbidden magic, Anise's shoulders slumped, and her will to resist completely dissipated.

"Dragons are intelligent, but their intelligence is evil. They are greedy and gluttonous. Except for those who have undergone blood fusion with evil gods, everyone else is their food! Apart from dragon knights, no one can establish a mental connection with a dragon, let alone control it."

"As for how big the demonic dragon is, it is extremely big, as big as the sky and the sun!"

"Really? That's a real shame." Gong Pengfei's tone revealed obvious disappointment, even a touch of childlike regret. "I thought I could get a dragon knight to play with."

Dragon Knight...

The word caused Annie's pupils to contract slightly, as if she had recalled something extremely terrifying, and her voice changed.

"Let alone communicating with the dragon, even if you become dragon knights, you will attract the attack of the evil dragon empire!" she said urgently. "Any new dragon riders will either join them or be wiped out along with their dragons!"

"All the dragons that have wandered off will be forcibly brought back to Dragon Island! No matter how far away they are! Only the dragon eggs will be allowed to remain."

"The Evil Dragon Empire?" Gong Pengfei raised an eyebrow, seemingly wanting to laugh at the simple and blunt name. "This name is really... not at all subtle. Can you tell me about the Evil Dragon Empire? I don't think this is what the empire is called, is it?"

"An evil human empire that rules the continent through bloodshed and violence! We are called the Dragon Empire!" Annies's voice was filled with deep-seated hatred. "They have destroyed countless civilizations and races, enslaving demons, elves, half-humans, orcs, and terrifying ogres... They are the nightmare of all living beings!"

"Oh? That's interesting." Gong Pengfei's fingertip stopped on the data panel. "Could you tell me more about this empire? The more detailed the better."

Annies frowned deeply, a look of confusion and pain flashing across her face.

“I…I don’t know,” she murmured. “Before the mission, many of my key memories were sealed! Only…only by returning to the protection of the Sacred Tree and passing the Sacred Tree’s memory magic test can I regain knowledge about everything in the Evil Dragon Empire.”

"Memory lock?" Gong Pengfei repeated the term, then nodded thoughtfully.

"I see. Is it similar to a biological network? It needs to be connected to the network to access advanced data. If a member is offline for a long time or is kicked out, it will be unable to establish a connection with the Sacred Tree Network? Hmm, I understand."

Annie stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond for a moment.

Gong Pengfei didn't give her time to think, but continued to ask calmly, "Miss Anise, can we move on to the next question?"

"So, if we want to deal with the Dragon Empire, what should we do?"

"You want to fight against the Evil Dragon Empire?"

"Didn't you just say that the Dragon Empire is evil? We might go to war with the Dragon Empire!"

Gong Pengfei was just saying something to try and get everyone closer.

They didn't know what the dragon empire the elves were talking about really was, and they guessed it was probably just a one-sided story told by the elves with malice and misleading information, just like the stories told by the dwarves.

(End of this chapter)