GBP Chapter 63 Before Dawn
Chapter 63 Before Dawn
When the group arrived at Yongdong Ridge, it was as if they had entered a completely different world.
Here, time seems to lose its meaning, and everything in sight is covered by pure white ice and snow.
The surrounding trees had become fragile under the onslaught of the severe cold, and many branches had been broken by the heavy snow, lying haphazardly on the snow-covered ground.
The biting wind, carrying snowflakes, relentlessly swept across the land, turning the entire sky a hazy gray.
"Phew... It's so cold here."
March 7th's teeth chattered incessantly, and his breath instantly turned into puffs of white mist.
She hugged her arms tightly to her chest, trying to retain the last bit of body heat.
"Yes...yes, weren't we blessed by the power of 'expansion'?"
Lin Qiong's voice was also trembling. He tried to wrap his trench coat tighter around himself, as if only in this way could he resist the chill.
However, Xing remained remarkably calm amidst the bitter cold.
She strolled slowly through the snow-covered landscape, her gaze wandering around, her face full of curiosity as she observed everything in her surroundings.
"Do you feel cold?"
Xing suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lin Qiong and San Yueqi, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
In her opinion, it was only slightly colder here than other places, not as exaggerated as the two people were making it out to be.
Upon hearing Xing's question, Lin Qiong adjusted his breathing, trying to get his body used to the environment.
"Actually, it's not too bad, it's just that the temperature difference is too big and my body hasn't adapted yet."
As he spoke, Lin Qiong bounced around a couple of times, trying to warm up his body in this way.
Although this method seemed a bit clumsy, it was still effective, and he felt his body become slightly warmer.
"Speaking of which... what is that?"
Suddenly, Seele pointed to a huge object not far away and asked with a curious expression.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked in the direction Seele was pointing.
There stood a massive iron block, as tall as a mountain, resembling a giant peak forged from steel.
"This is..." Upon seeing this, Hilva suddenly exclaimed, "A creation engine?"
How did it get here?
Her voice was filled with disbelief; clearly, Silva had a deep understanding of this enormous block of iron.
"A creation engine?" Seeing Hilva's shocked expression, Seele couldn't help but feel puzzled. "What is that?"
Seeing Seele looking at her with an inquisitive gaze, Hilva rubbed her head somewhat awkwardly, "That's a long story."
"Simply put, it's an ancient robot created by the 'Builders,' which can be used as both a weapon of war and a tool for rebuilding homes."
Hearing this, March 7th raised an eyebrow slightly and asked with a worried look, "This big guy... won't suddenly move and attack us, will he?"
“Don’t worry.” Hilva understood March 7’s concerns and comforted her with a smile, “The Creation Engine is a product of the era of the first Great Guardian, which is over a hundred years ago.”
"After such a long time, its energy has long been exhausted."
After hearing Hiluva's explanation, March 7's slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. "Then I'm relieved."
Sigh, March 7th is using her amazing prophetic abilities again; her status as the train crew's number one prophet is now confirmed.
After listening quietly to the conversation between the three, Lin Qiong couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.
Just then, Dan Heng's voice suddenly came from behind, interrupting Lin Qiong's thoughts.
"Enough of this small talk, let's hurry up and get going."
Dan Heng slowly walked up from behind, passing by the crowd without pausing for a moment.
"Cocolia... the 'Star Core' is very likely here."
Upon hearing this, everyone remembered the purpose of their visit, and the originally relaxed atmosphere immediately became tense.
Then, the group quickly followed Dan Heng, heading deeper into the area along the rugged path that could barely be considered a road.
Lin Qiong and the others followed the path and soon arrived at the foot of a wide platform.
All around were many strangely shaped ice sculptures, all facing the same direction, as if drawn by some mysterious force.
Some ice sculptures are depicted kneeling, as if they are praying devoutly.
Some of the ice sculptures are reaching out in that direction, as if they are yearning to get something or trying to grab something.
Judging from the shapes of these ice sculptures, the train crew members immediately recognized them as phantoms of the antimatter legion.
They are like insects trapped in amber, retaining their posture and expression from when they were alive, forever frozen in this moment.
Not far away, in the direction that these illusory soldiers, now turned into ice sculptures, were facing, there was a faint light.
The light stood out starkly against the surrounding gray environment, like a beacon in the darkness.
"It seems... to be this place."
Upon seeing this scene, Xing, who was in the crowd, suddenly spoke up. Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, as if the view before her reminded her of something.
"I saw Cocolia communicating with the 'Star Core' in this very spot before."
She pointed to the light in the distance, "That... should be the 'Star Core'."
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, and the atmosphere in the group suddenly became tense.
"Star Core"—the source of all disasters on this planet, and also the goal of Lin Qiong and his team's journey.
Now that it's almost here, it means that this "pioneering" journey is nearing its end.
Lin Qiong took a deep breath and looked firmly at the "star core" above that was emitting a strange light.
"Let's go, it's time to end all this."
Then, Lin Qiong and the others quickened their pace and ran towards the wide platform above.
When Lin Qiong and the others arrived at the top of the platform, the scene that came into view made their eyes widen in surprise.
Bronya stood quietly directly beneath the star core that emitted a strange light.
At this moment, her delicate face appeared unusually pale, her features contorted in a grotesque grimace, as if she were experiencing unimaginable torment.
Cocolia, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but smile with satisfaction, her eyes filled with gratification as she looked at Bronya.
"Don't resist, Bronya, look at the future they've promised!"
Cocolia walked to Bronya's side, bent down slightly, and whispered in her ear.
"It was a perfect world without pain, cold, or famine!"
Cocolia's deep voice, like a devil's whisper, tempted Bronya, who was in a predicament.
She knew very well that Bronya had always had a kind heart and always liked to think of others.
"Untie the shackles that bind you, Bronya. Cast aside the folly and cowardice deep within your heart and accept the common will."
"No...this kind of world...is not what I want..."
Bronya held her head in her hands, struggling to squeeze out the words. She was unwilling to believe the promises made by such an ethereal thing as the "Star Core".
She firmly believes that only through continuous creation and hard work with her own hands can the world truly become a better place.
Any seemingly perfect promise is often fraught with danger and traps, and will ultimately only bring pain and disaster.
"Bronya, don't you understand?"
Cocolia opened her arms toward the "star core" above that was emitting a strange light.
She closed her eyes, her face filled with an almost obsessive rapture, as if she were basking in the light emanating from the "star core".
"Only the 'Star Core' can lead humanity towards evolution; it will make you the embodiment of a new world..."
Before Cocolia could finish speaking, a huge scythe flew toward her at high speed.
Cocolia suddenly opened her eyes, a cold light flashing within them, and instantly conjured a long spear made of solid ice in her hand.
Without hesitation, she threw her spear in the direction from which the scythe came.
The spear sliced through the air with a series of sharp whistling sounds, flying towards the scythe at an astonishing speed.
With a clang, the spear struck the rapidly spinning scythe with pinpoint accuracy.
The spear and scythe collided violently in mid-air, sending ice shards and sparks flying in all directions like fireworks.
Then, the frozen spear shattered, turning into crystal-clear fragments that slowly fell from the sky.
The scythe was sent flying by the immense force of the collision, tracing a long arc in the air.
At that moment, Seele leaped high into the air, like a nimble butterfly, and caught the scythe that had been knocked away.
Upon landing, Seele raised her scythe and pointed it directly at Cocolia, her eyes filled with rage.
"Enough with the brainwashing, witch!"