"...Login restriction, huh?"
Ian was taken aback for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh: "Oh no, I’ve been reincarnated for so long that I forgot such things happened back on Earth too—how could important work areas allow casual entry for visitors? Access rights are definitely needed."
"As for my access rights..."
Raising his head, Ian looked up at the massive dragon bone that appeared close yet was actually far away on the horizon.
The ’Exotic Species Research Institute’ in the Subspace Labyrinth was unimaginably vast. The colossal dragon bone, standing at least a kilometer high, was astonishing enough, and the twelve towering spires surrounding the dragon bone formed a dodecahedral space, looming like mountains themselves.
If any other Terra People came here, they would probably think this is some kind of effort by the ancient civilization to create their own True Dragon, or perhaps they had dismantled a True Dragon’s corpse, leaving only the skeleton for research.
But in fact, both assumptions are wrong.
This is modification.
Ian could see that the True Dragon, reduced to mere bones, was absolutely not ’dead.’ It merely fell into a slumber, or rather, its remaining bony ’body’ hadn’t died yet. The incredible vitality pulsed throughout the Subspace Labyrinth like a heartbeat, resonating with the ’Ancient Dragon Heart Core’ within Ian, making the heartless Ian feel a fierce and ’palpitating’ sensation!
This phantom heartache was indeed quite strange, making him laugh: "It seems the goal of those at the Fifth Energy Level was truly the highest level of life-extending treasures, the ’Source of Dragon Blood’, which is right here... Such abundant and overwhelming breath of life, no wonder it could extend the lifespan of a Fifth Energy Level being."
"Moreover, with such a vast target, no matter from which direction one enters this Subspace Labyrinth, one would definitely see it at first sight."
As for what exactly the ancient civilization was modifying on the dragon bone that contained the ’Source of Dragon Blood’...
Ian vaguely saw something,
It seemed to be... a spaceship?
Upon the body of the True Dragon remains were faint glimmers of metal, things added later. It was far from complete, or rather just beginning. Evidently, the ancient civilization intended to metalize this dragon bone, perhaps creating the prototype of what would become the ’Mechanical Dragon’ in future generations?
But whatever the case, the encasing modification reminded Ian of a spaceship.
Using the bones of a True Dragon as the keel, to build a living metallic space spaceship!
It seems the ancient civilization had not relinquished the study of space spacecraft technology, even if there might be a covenant with the ’Star God’. They had still poured resources into this field.
But there wasn’t enough time, and all these resources were left behind here.
"Looks like no one has come here for a long time."
Withdrawing his gaze from the distant dragon bone, Ian surveyed the surrounding factories. He nodded slightly: "I also understand why the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon would lure these young Terra generations with dragon blood here."
The power of the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon, a solid Fifth Energy Level six years later, was such that numerous Fifth Energy Level strong individuals of Terra couldn’t intercept it... But is it truly unstoppable?
Even disregarding The Empire’s Sunbird Inheritance, considering The Empire might not want to deal with this troublesome matter, wouldn’t the teleportation ability of Canaan Moore’s Silver Gate House Inheritance and Chairman Yafada’s ability be enough to transport their Maintenance Department’s Fifth Energy Level powerhouse, the Eternal Wind of the Green Leaf Family, to the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon before it started accelerating?
Once Ian knew about Yafada’s abilities, a seed of suspicion was sown in his mind. Later on, through various indications, Ian surmised that the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon had allies among the Elves, and that ally was precisely Chairman Yafada.
During the Spirit Disaster Path, his prophetic insight was quickly heeded by Canaan Moore, likely because the Elves—through the Anfa - Ashlight Family - Silvergate Family - Chairman Yafada’s line—played along. Since the departure of the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon was unstoppable, they took the opportunity to evacuate some people to reasonably reduce losses.
The purpose of the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon was clear; it aimed to gain power and leave Terra, venturing outside the Star Prison Tianyu.
So, what was Chairman Yafada’s purpose?
It’s quite simple actually.
During the time at World Tree City, through Anfa’s channels, Ian learned of the recent years of struggles between the Blood of the Ten Kings and the Silver Gate family’s situation... He had a bold assumption in mind.
That is, Chairman Yafada and the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon set a trap, intending to hunt and possibly eliminate the Fifth Energy Level entering the Exotic Species Research Institute, specifically targeting the Fifth Energy Level powerhouse from the National Domain Department.
It was both a vendetta for a brother and a political party struggle... Behind Chairman Yafada could be the entire Sustenance Party.
As the ruling party, the Sustenance Party’s Five Divisions were tired of the upcoming strife and bickering with the Pillar Party’s Five Divisions. They wanted to set an irrefutable open scheme at this rare opportunity, to seize the ’Top Seat’s Blood’ held by the Pillar Department.
The aged Fifth Energy Level expert, who had already chosen an heir and was expected to die in about six years, would never let go of the Source of Dragon Blood. However, if he personally went to snatch it, whether he could succeed or not was uncertain. After the battle, he would surely lose his life, possibly unable to retain a lifespan that could nurture an heir.
Therefore, this head of the National Domain Department would definitely resort to trickery.
The signal Yafada gave Ian was probably set as a countermeasure to this underhanded tactic... Perhaps he saw through Ian’s identity as the Prophet, recognized some of his real strength, and believed Ian could reach the third level quickly with Anfa’s assistance. Hence, he asked Ian to do him a favor and activate a device that might be hidden in the ruins.