People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Greetings, Mr. Ernst."

He wore a thick coat made of animal hides from the icy plains, had a weathered and gaunt face, and even though he tried his best to smile, he still seemed to exude an aura of coldness that kept strangers at bay.

Ernst sized up the man before him, remained silent for a moment, and then tentatively asked:

"[Sami] the Great God?"

The man's expression changed slightly, and he performed a devout and respectful bow towards the air—a gesture Ernst couldn't understand:

"The Father of Ancestral Spirits is watching over me, and he is watching over you. May [Sami] protect you."

What do you mean?

Ernst paused, giving the man before him a suspicious look. After a moment's thought, he spoke with a hint of uncertainty:

"Aren't you the [Sami] master?"

“I am merely a devout servant and warrior beneath the great Father of the Ancestral Spirits. I carry out the duties bestowed upon me by the Father of the Ancestral Spirits, remain loyal to His will, and fight for His glory and mercy.”

"So you're not?"

The man was silent for a moment, then chose to shake his head bluntly:

“I am not, I am Ektilnir. A member of the Father of Ancestral Spirits, the leader of the Tree Scar tribe, a Snow Priest.”

Wow!

Ernst gasped in realization.

So you're Ektilniel! I almost didn't recognize you!

How come you look exactly like [Sami]? It's like you were made from the same mold!

Who copied whom? Oh wait, that question seems a bit unnecessary.

Could it be that Ektilnier copied "Sami"? He's a human being, he can't control his own genes, and he can't be sure what he looks like.

In other words, the great god Sami, who fights demons above and suppresses the monsters below, looks so dignified and serious on ordinary days, but secretly uses his own child's skin as a human skin?

What is this? A contrast?

Does His Majesty have such a peculiar hobby?

Does the Sami master secretly drink and smoke?

Whoops, just kidding.

Ernst couldn't really explain why the great god [Sami] was playing such a big game, running around with his own child's Piman Terra, fighting from Sami to Da Yan. Logically speaking, a super behemoth like him—Ernst could only use this word to describe [Sami's] power—had survived for a time comparable to the old Deng of the previous civilization. He should have seen a lot and be able to create a suit of armor.

Maybe it's just laziness, or maybe it's just more exciting.

Ernst was momentarily distracted until Ektilnier coughed softly and frowned slightly:

Why would Mr. Ernst consider me the great father of ancestral spirits?

He was indeed very puzzled by this.

In preparation for this trip to the World's Fair, he entrusted most of the affairs of his Tree Scar tribe to his subordinates, and also reached an agreement with the newly arrived carrion eaters—now they should be called spirit protectors—to help take over some less important passes in the Wintertooth Mountains. After arranging everything, he embarked on this journey.

On the way, he even made a special effort to learn about how outsiders communicate, so when he met Ernst, he said "Greetings" instead of "Mother Anma (Father of Ancestral Spirits) will protect you."

As a result, Ernst immediately mentioned the great god "Sami" in front of him. He thought that Ernst was reminding him that he didn't need to be so reserved, and that the Father of Ancestral Spirits had already given him a heads-up. So he immediately added a compliment to the Father of Ancestral Spirits and a blessing to Ernst.

He was also somewhat surprised that Ernst respected Sami traditional culture so much.

Unexpectedly, he mistook himself for the "Sami" god.

It wasn't that he was being modest; how could an ordinary Great Snow Priest like him be compared to the great god [Sami]? If this matter wasn't explained clearly, someone like Ektilnir wouldn't be able to accept it.

Ernst looked slightly embarrassed and replied:

"Uh, didn't you know that the great [Sami] has been using your appearance and looks outside?"

Visibly, Ektilnir's serious yet somewhat doubtful expression froze, and the next second, a strange, somewhat distorted expression appeared on his face.

Ernst felt he had seen that expression somewhere before.

He thought for a moment and quickly remembered.

Oh, it was at the International Music Festival in Letania, when the great god Jeragand sang on stage.

That feeling of wanting to laugh but not being able to, wanting to curse but not being able to say it, a feeling of being stuck in two directions.

Originally, someone dared to casually use the face of a highly respected Snow Priest in Sami. If this person were in Sami, they should be buried by the blizzard! Ektilnir should be furious!

But this person happens to be the very embodiment of the great god Sami, and the great god Sami is never wrong. He must have his reasons for doing this, but he doesn't need to explain it to Ektilnir. And Ektilnir, being dull-witted, hasn't yet grasped the profound meaning, so it's no wonder that the great god Sami is not to blame.

He should even thank the great [Sami] for doing this.

Torn between these two conflicting emotions, the seemingly cold and rigid Daiyuki suddenly appeared somewhat helpless.

After a long pause, he finally nodded, managing to squeeze out a single sentence:

"It's my pleasure."

We can't let our [Sami] God lose face in front of outsiders.

As for why the great master [Sami] did this, never mind. If I really don't understand, I'll go back and use the cipher to do some divination and ask him!

Surely the expert [Sami] will give him a satisfactory answer!

Thinking of this, Ektilniel swallowed hard and somewhat awkwardly changed the subject:

“Mr. Ernst, I’m here on another important matter.”

Ernst nodded, pointed to the sofa, and only after the two sat down did he say:

"You say it."

Ektilnier solemnly said:

"It's about the explorers you sent to the Endless Ice Plains."

"The first team of explorers you sent to the Endless Icefield lost contact with the outpost in the Winterja Mountains a week ago. The scientific equipment in Columbia has lost its signal, and our soldiers have ventured deep into the icefield but have not been able to find any trace of them."

"We invited the Cyclops and the Snow God of our tribe to perform divination, and they came to a conclusion."

Ektiernilton: Perch

"They must have ignored our warnings and rashly ventured into the [unknown land]."

Chapter 1020 The Explorer's Silver Edge

The profession of adventurer is very strange.

In principle, when they signed the ice field exploration agreement, they had already clearly agreed to the safety rules that "exploration should be carried out gradually and no one should approach the unknown areas deep in the ice field without permission."

But sometimes, they have their own principles.

The renowned adventurer and head of the Rhine Life Science Expedition, Mariam, once bluntly stated: Two

"An adventurer's duty is to explore the unknown world and open up the frontiers of civilization. If you're just wandering around known areas, then you should find a tour group and a guide."

Ernst cannot say that this statement is entirely wrong, but he also cannot say that it is entirely correct.

After all, if adventurers don't explore, then who will? The journey of exploration is inherently accompanied by various dangers, and the pioneering spirit is naturally inclined to rebel against rules and regulations. If one simply denies these, it's like confining oneself to a limit, and one will not be able to make progress.

But Ernst was also well aware that exploration depends on the circumstances.

Ernst did not forbid explorers from venturing into the depths of the ice fields, but he preferred that they come prepared, like Kristen.

The universe she explored was far more mysterious and dangerous than the Endless Icefield. The Terrans at least had some understanding of the Endless Icefield, and after Agor provided them with a map of the Endless Icefield, they also summarized a few relatively safe routes. But the universe was a realm that no one had ever set foot in!

But Ernst still encouraged her to take the risk. Why?

Because Ernst had arranged sufficient safeguards.

Actions like those of the ice field exploration team, which disregard the costs and arbitrarily decide to venture into the unknown, can be described, to put it nicely, as an explosion of adventurous spirit; to put it bluntly, it shows a disregard for Ernst's warnings and the local Sami people's admonitions.

Now that they've lost contact, Ektilniel still has to travel all this way to deliver the message, and Ernst and the others have to clean up the mess.

Ernst thought for a moment, then contacted the great god Yeragand and asked Him to inquire about the news from the Sami side.

Unlike the Black Stream Forest and the Scorching Wind Hot Land, the Endless Ice Plains is a buffer zone created by the power of [Sami], separating humans from demons. Humans who venture into the Endless Ice Plains are deterred by its harsh conditions and cannot venture too far. Demonic collapses hoping to migrate south from the Endless Ice Plains are also blocked by [Sami's Will] and prevented from reaching the borders of civilization. The lack of suitable conditions for life on the ice plains also reduces the possibility of animals and plants being contaminated and becoming sources of pollution.

Theoretically, Sami should have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ice field. If the expedition team is still somewhere deep within the ice field, directly asking Sami to confirm their location would be much more time-efficient and labor-saving than Ernst sending another small team in to search and rescue them like headless flies. The success rate of the rescue would also be much higher.

Unfortunately, although the great god Yeragand responded quickly, the result was somewhat unsatisfactory.

"[Sami] said he didn't know."

"The timing of those expeditions venturing into the unknown was quite coincidental, Ernst. You know, only at that time was [Sami] completely unable to focus on the trivial matters on the ice plains."

Ernst was speechless for a moment.

It's not that I'm speechless about the great [Sami], but rather about that group of adventurers.

They timed it really well!

Indeed, theoretically speaking, [Sami] has always kept an eye on the Endless Ice Plains. No matter where the explorers set foot, as long as they want to move towards the deepest "unknown territory", they will inevitably run into [Sami's Will] standing in their way!

That was the colossal object that the explorers elegantly named "Silver Pine Boundary," like a living, moving mountain that tirelessly appeared in front of every wave of expeditions.

He will not allow anyone to cross His body without proving their will to Him, without showing their strength before Him, and without His permission.

This is the most famous and unique phenomenon in the Endless Ice Plains, named the "Explorer's Silver Edge"!

However, only during those few days did the barrier of the Silver Pine End have a brief gap.

Because Sami was very busy at the time, He had to focus His energy on dealing with the Year Beast!

The Year Beast was, after all, a well-established level-three behemoth. Sami wasn't sure how powerful its opponent really was from the beginning, so it genuinely intended to go all out.

If it weren't for the fact that His main body couldn't move arbitrarily, as any movement could cause changes in the continental plates, He would truly have brought His main body to the Great Yan. Even without His main body, He did indeed gather all the will scattered throughout the ice plains into His clone, using it to compete with Sui.

As it turned out, he was somewhat overkill. But Ernst couldn't be blamed; after all, he was the one who asked for help, so how could he be picky?

Unexpectedly, the group of explorers took advantage of those few days to sneak in!

"I understand, thank you so much for your help."

Ernst thanked Jeragand and Sami, then looked at Ektilnir, who was waiting for a reply.

"Lord Ektilniel, if we were to send out Sami warriors to search for it, what do you think the chances of success would be?"

Ektilniel visibly frowned, revealing a hint of reluctance.

Ernst knew what that expression meant. He had repeatedly warned the explorers not to venture into the unknown, yet they had gone in anyway, and now he needed to send rescuers. Didn't they know how dangerous the ice fields were?

In modern terms, it's like saying, "If you don't court death, you won't die."

Ektilnir is no saint; he bears the responsibility of resisting evil and guarding the Wintertooth Mountains. His warriors are all battle-hardened Sami elites. If they were to suffer losses because of this, it would be a huge loss for them!

Putting aside the desire to help others and respecting their fate is what he truly wants to do.

But he can think that way; Ernst cannot do it.

The ice field exploration was a Terran cooperation project that he personally spearheaded after the incident at the Corner of Origin in Letania. Even now, given that the expedition team may have perished, Ernst still wants to see them alive or dead!

He knew Ektilnir was in a difficult position, and he also knew that in the eyes of someone like Ektilnir, mentioning money or other compensation was not compensation, but an insult to him and his warriors. Therefore, he could only compromise and say:

“I will organize a rescue team, we only need Sami to send a guide.”

"I believe that no one can surpass the Sami in their understanding of the Ice Plains. Lord Ektilniel, the expedition is a warrior fighting to expand the frontiers of civilization. I believe that if you were in their shoes, you wouldn't ignore your warriors who are in danger, would you?"

Ektilnir paused for a moment, then replied coldly:

“My warriors would not make such a basic mistake; they will all follow the teachings of the Father of the Ancestral Spirits regarding the rules of the Ice Plains.”

He paused, then said in a tone that was not sarcastic:

"But I never expected outsiders to understand the ice fields."

Ernst could tell that this was his way of subtly expressing agreement.

Still such a tsundere, Ektilniel!

After seeing Ektilnir off, Ernst took out paper and pen, wrote a letter, and contacted the Terra Exploration Association—the [Paradise Network] was not yet officially connected to the entire region.

This association was established by the World Summit, with funding from Letania, after the exploration of the Endless Ice Plains, the Foehn Basin, and the Black Stream Forest began.

As for why it was Letania that funded the event, rather than the Colombians who are more interested in exploration, you'd have to ask the Letania themselves. Who told them to put on such a big show at the International Music Festival?

The association's president was Mariam, a pioneer in Terra exploration and the director of the Rhine Life Science Expedition, but Ernst is now probably unable to contact Mariam.

Because he was the leader of that exploration team.

The highest-ranking officer went into space alone, and the head of the scientific research department led the way to explore the ice field. Our Rhine Life Sciences is truly full of talented people. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!