American Comics: Tales of Cultivator

Chapter 104: Antarctica, Underground Pyramid

Antarctica, the continent with the highest average altitude in the world.

The continent is almost entirely covered by glaciers, accounting for over 80% of the world's modern ice cover.

The continental glaciers extend to the sea, forming the massive Ross Ice Shelf, with icebergs floating in the surrounding waters.

Two Icebreakers and one Research Vessel carefully navigated between two icebergs.

There was no other way; even the most advanced Sonar Equipment couldn't guarantee 100% effectiveness against icebergs.

The most terrifying thing about an iceberg isn't the part visible above the water, but the colossal size of the part hidden beneath the Seawater that you can never know.

Tang Song leaned on his Cane, standing at the Bow of the Icebreaker, looking at the vast expanse of the Antarctic Snowfield.

Including this world, this was his third life, and he had never been to places like the North and South Poles, which were completely covered in Ice and Snow.

It was magnificent, with an artistic conception of "a thousand miles sealed in ice, ten thousand miles of snow drifting."

Behind Tang Song, several Bodyguard stood silently at various points on the Bow. Upon reaching Antarctica, they didn't need any concealment and directly changed into their Equipment.

They wore Black Demon Battle Armor paired with Full-Face Helmets, and in their hands were the latest Assault Rifles from Stark Industries.

Although they were in Antarctica at temperatures tens of degrees below zero, their Black Demon Battle Armor had built-in temperature regulation, so they didn't wear bulky coats over their armor.

As for Tang Song, he was still in his white Suit, and the biting Cold Wind seemed to have no Influence on him whatsoever.

Splash! A line of round Penguins on an iceberg tilted their heads, watching the passing Icebreaker, then lined up and jumped into the freezing Seawater.

The lead Penguin dived into the Seawater, searching for Krill and Small Fish to fill its belly. The next moment, this Penguin shot out of the water like a rocket, letting out a piercing Scream.

Immediately after, the entire group of Penguins seemed to explode in panic, scrambling out of the Seawater and tumbling back onto the Ice Surface.

Amidst the noisy chirping of the Penguins, a Black Python as thick as a bucket swam past beneath the Ice Surface.

"Hiss hiss!"

The Black Python, swallowing a huge Sturgeon, swam beneath the ice sheet. As it swam past the Ice Surface where the Penguins were, a hint of playful Dark Humor flashed in the Black Python's Snake Eyes.

A thick Snake Tail heavily slapped the Ice Surface. With a splash and the sound of the ice sheet cracking, the Penguins, amidst a chorus of chirping, fell into the Seawater in a panic.

Splash splash...

The Penguins' short little legs kicked furiously as they desperately swam towards the surrounding Ice Surface. By the time they finally managed to climb back onto the Ice Surface, the Seawater was calm. Occasionally, Floating Ice drifted by, but there was no trace of the Black Python.

"Chirp chirp..."

A plump Penguin stood angrily on the Ice Surface, chirping and spitting towards the direction the Icebreaker was sailing away.

Hiss! A blue light suddenly shot out from the Sea Surface in the distance, striking the plump Penguin directly.

The unlucky plump Penguin was instantly paralyzed by the electric shock. "Chirp chirp..." it shrieked, while a wisp of White Smoke rose from its mouth.

...

"Heh! Naughty!"

Tang Song "saw" Xiao Hei's mischievous act and chuckled.

"Ana told me that your Cobra Base is beneath the Arctic Ice Sheet!"

Storm Shadow, dressed in a white ninja suit, stood behind Tang Song, holding his Katana. Deep within his Pupil, faint Golden Light flickered.

That was the mark left after being subjected to the Heart Demon Great Curse and subsequently undergoing Conversion.

After "voluntarily" signing the Snake Belly Skin Scroll, under the Influence of the Heart Demon Great Curse, he had become Boss Tang's most loyal Guard.

Hearing Tang Song's question, Storm Shadow nodded.

"I followed Cobra Commander to the Arctic Base. It is indeed beneath the ice sheet and requires a Submarine to enter!"

"Is the Base large?" Tang Song "watched" Xiao Hei weaving through a school of Krill, Devouring them in large gulps.

As the Blood Food Xiao Hei had Devoured In the Sea increased over the past few days, his body grew larger. Even on his Snake Body, two Bulges were faintly appearing in the front; these were newly formed Claws, a sign of Flood Dragon Transformation.

Generally speaking, for Snakes and Pythons to transform into Flood Dragon Species, they need to be fortunate enough to consume Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or possess an Inheritance Method.

If they are not Naturally Born Rare Species, ordinary Wild Snakes and Pythons need to absorb Essence of Heaven and Earth and Sun and Moon Essence Qi for at least a hundred years to transform into Flood Dragons.

Although Xiao Hei Snake was a Product of Gene Harmonization by Boss Tang, during the time he had followed him, he had consumed many Blood Pills condensed from Vampire Vital Blood.

He also ate various Essence Nurturing Pills and Qi Benefiting Pills like Jelly Beans. Even the Spirit Liquid condensed in Tang Song's Cultivation Cave was drunk by this fellow like water.

How long had it been? This fellow was already on the verge of transforming from a Black Python into a Black Flood Dragon.

A Flood Dragon is a small Dragon without horns!

In the Jambudvīpa World, let alone Black Flood Dragons, even Flood Dragons were not uncommon. In some Deep Mountains and Ancient Pools and Great Marshes, Flood Dragon Species weren't everywhere, but it was certainly possible to find over a dozen mature Flood Dragons in any Great Marsh with some Spiritual Energy.

Not to mention the Outer Sea of Yan Fu, where some True Dragons extensively propagated, resulting in thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Dragon Species In the Sea.

But in the Marvel Universe, a Black Flood Dragon was absolutely unique.

Tang Song casually scattered a handful of blood-colored Pellets. As the Icebreaker sailed past, countless Fish beneath the ship's bottom frantically scrambled for these Blood Pills.

The Seawater instantly turned blood-red. Amidst the churning Blood Water, a thick Black Python swam and weaved, feasting heartily.

"The Base is roughly the size of four or five Football Fields, with six levels, each about three meters high, all built Underwater!"

"Oh?" Tang Song finished scattering the Blood Pills, clapped his hands, and turned back with some surprise.

"How long has the Cobra Organization been established? Ana told me it's no more than five years.

An Underwater Base of this scale is not something an Organization established for five years would have the capability to build!"

"I haven't been with Cobra for long, but this Base was indeed not built by Cobra itself," Storm Shadow shook his head.

"I heard Cobra Commander mention that it seems to be a Base abandoned by a Mysterious Organization during the WWII Period. The name Cobra comes from the symbol left by that Organization in the Base!"

"Hydra!"

This was the first name that came to Tang Song's mind after hearing Storm Shadow's description.

During the WWII Period, there weren't many Organizations capable of building such a large Base, and being abandoned during the WWII Period clearly indicated it had experienced a Major Upheaval.

Not many forces fit this standard, and Hydra was the most likely one.

But whether it was Hydra or not, this Arctic Base was about to change hands.

Not just this Undersea Base, but also the Nanoworm Medicinal Liquid researched by Cobra.

With Storm Shadow and Ana as moles, a small Cobra could be easily overthrown by Boss Tang.

...

The working principle of an Icebreaker is that when the powerful Power Machine on the Ship is running, it moves its Bow onto the Ice Surface.

When the Bow appears On the Water Surface, it regains its full Gravity, and this immense Gravity can crush the Ice.

The Underwater Part of its Bow has a large inclination to facilitate ice breaking. At the same time, to enhance the Effect, sometimes the water tanks in the Bow are filled with water—Liquid ballast.

When encountering Ice blocks thicker than half a meter, the Ship's Impact action is used to overcome it. At this point, the Icebreaker retreats and then crashes into the Ice block with its entire mass.

What is at work here is no longer Gravity, but the Kinetic Energy of the moving Ship; the Ship seems to have become an Artillery Shell with low Speed but immense mass, becoming a Battering Ram.

However, upon reaching the Antarctic Hinterland Waters, where icebergs are often tens of meters high, the Icebreaker needs to violently Impact them with its sturdy Bow several times, or even over a dozen times, to break them.

As they ventured deeper into the Antarctic Continent, the Floating Ice and icebergs On the Sea Surface became more numerous and larger. Eventually, the two Icebreakers, running at full Horsepower, could only travel less than thirty nautical miles a day.

The three Ships sailed on the Ice Surface for five days and five nights before reaching their Destination—Bouvet Island in Antarctic Zone 14.

"It's been a long time!"

Jacob pushed the Wheelchair, and Charles Bishop Weyland sat in the Wheelchair, looking out at the Ice and Snow-covered Uninhabited Island in the distance, sighing with emotion.

"You've been here?" Tang Song stood beside him, leaning on his Cane, watching the Mercenary unload Supplies from the Ship.

"Many years ago!"

Charles Bishop Weyland had an expression of painful memories.

"Tang, you should know that you're not the only one who needs to complete a trial to join the Sacred Shield Brotherhood!"

As if approaching his Destination, Charles Bishop Weyland spoke a little more than usual.

"These Xenomorphs?"

Tang Song tilted his head and asked.

"No, something more troublesome. They use Earth as a Trial Ground! Cough cough."

He seemed to be stimulated in the Lungs by the inhaled Cold Wind. After only speaking a few sentences, Charles Bishop Weyland nodded apologetically to Tang Song. Jacob quickly put an Oxygen Face Mask on him.

The Speed at which Charles's Subordinate transported the Supplies was very fast.

In less than an hour, more than half of the Supplies from the three Ships were unloaded.

Over a dozen Tracked Snow Vehicles, which looked like Snow Tanks. The thick ice layer of Antarctica was sufficient to support these Big Guys weighing several tons.

"Boss!"

In front of the Snow Vehicles, Fox and Ana simultaneously walked towards the one Tang Song was riding in.

Fortunately, a Snow Vehicle could accommodate a maximum of five people. Excluding the Driver, there was more than enough room for the three of them.

Inside the Snow Vehicle, the Driver focused on driving. It was dark Outside, with only the Lights of the dozen or so Snow Vehicles illuminating the Road Ahead.

"Hmm?"

Tang Song felt the Baroness's hand, which had developed a taste for him, becoming restless. He casually performed Drawing Talismans in the Void, creating a Soundproofing Talisman and an Obscuring Eye Talisman to conceal the Compartment and the Driver's Cab.

Unlike ordinary Cars, the Tracked Snow Vehicles did not slip on the Ice Surface. Even if there was some movement inside, it wouldn't shake or vibrate.

...

Half an hour later, over a dozen Snow Vehicles successively drove onto Bouvet Island.

"It's down there. The Abandoned Whaling Station below is our Destination for this trip!"

Tang Song pushed open the Car Door of the Snow Vehicle. His hands behind his back were playing with a White Jade Box. Two wisps of translucent Green Light swam within it, which he casually pressed into the Box.

"The Pyramid is beneath that Whaling Station, 2000 Feet below the Ice Surface!"

Tang Song stepped onto the thick Accumulated Snow and came to Charles Bishop Weyland's side, following his Gaze towards the Abandoned Building Complex in the Depression.

"Mr. Weyland said he had been here before? Now that we've arrived, it's better to clarify some things so the people below can be prepared!"

"Cough cough," Charles Bishop Weyland coughed a few times. "That was over a decade ago. At that time, a Satellite under my company monitored Thermal Reactions in this Sea Area.

Through Echo Detection, we discovered a Pyramid Ruin beneath this Glacier, suspected to be left by Extraterrestrial Life.

So I organized an Elite Scientific Research Team to investigate the situation here!"

Charles Bishop Weyland seemed to recall some painful memories, and his Complexion was somewhat grim.

"Unexpectedly, below was an Altar, and also a Hunting Ground. A group of Aliens used Humanity as Sacrificial Offerings to Nurture Xenomorphs, using them as a Coming-of-Age Trial!"

"After we entered the Pyramid, we activated the Altar, releasing a large number of Xenomorph Eggs. Most of the Elite Scientific Research Team I brought became Embryos for Xenomorph Incubation!"

"The large number of Xenomorphs that hatched triggered the Signal Transmission Device inside the Pyramid, attracting that group of Alien Creatures!"

"In the end, only three people from the entire Scientific Research Team survived!"

"What is the purpose of your visit this time? Revenge?" Tang Song's hands were clasped behind his back, the jade box spinning between his fingers.

He believed Charles Bishop Weyland's account of the events, but only half of it.

"No, of course not," Charles Bishop Weyland made no attempt to hide the coldness in his tone. "Although many people died back then, I compensated their families with sufficient Compensation! I don't owe them. I came here for the Thing at the Bottom of the Pyramid!"

Charles Bishop Weyland turned his Wheelchair and looked at Tang Song.

"Tang, you must have heard West say that my Time is running out. In the Pyramid, there is a Method that can help me Extend Life. I need your help!"

"As long as you can get me that Thing, I will help you enter the Sacred Shield Brotherhood. In addition, I will give you another five percent Shares of Weyland Industries!"

"What Thing?" Tang Song held the jade box, somewhat curious about what kind of Thing could make Charles Bishop Weyland offer such a high price.

"Data for a Gene Map, located at the bottom of the Pyramid!"

Charles Bishop Weyland pointed to the Whaling Station in the distance, gesturing to Tang Song.

...

Several Snowplows cleared the Accumulated Snow from the Ground, revealing a smooth ice layer. Looking through the ice layer, this area of Ice had a distinct color difference from other places.

"This is it. Open it up!"

The black Big man Jacob commanded the Mercenary to aim a large assembled Laser Equipment at the Ice Surface.

The high-power Thermal Laser targeted the Ice Surface. After more than ten minutes of cutting, a Circular Opening with a diameter of seven or eight meters was quickly cut into the Ground.

Several Snow Vehicles simultaneously exerted force, pulling a Cylindrical Ice Block, three to four meters thick, out of the Hole, revealing a bottomless Circular Tunnel.

Tang Song stood in front of the Tunnel, looking at the bottomless Tunnel, and touched the Black Jade Thumb Ring on his thumb. 2000 Feet below the Glacier, they could even penetrate such a long Ice Surface. Weyland Industries indeed had some capabilities.

"Storm Shadow, you and your men go down first. Tang, I'll trouble you to come with me!"

In front of the Tunnel, dozens of fully armed Soldier surrounded this Tunnel leading beneath the Ice Surface, making it impenetrable.

Three sets of Pulleys had been set up on the Ice Surface, assembled and extending to a Whaling Platform. On the Pulleys, which were several meters thick, were rolls of Special Rope.

Charles Bishop Weyland sat in his Wheelchair, covering his mouth with his Fist, coughing while assigning the Order for descending the Tunnel.

"Mr. Weyland, you're going down too? With your current physical condition, I'm afraid it's not very suitable! How about you stay up here and oversee things, and I'll retrieve the Gene Map and bring it back to you!"

Tang Song looked at Charles Bishop Weyland with a concerned expression.

Charles Bishop Weyland, while having his Subordinate change his Equipment, said to Tang Song with emotion, "Tang, I'm old. Life must take risks sometimes. Some Things, only by obtaining them personally can there be a sense of accomplishment!"

Tang Song smiled and echoed Charles Bishop Weyland's words, but in his heart, he already understood.

This Pyramid was definitely not as simple as just the so-called Gene Map. There must be something that he had to go down personally to get, or something that could be used immediately.

After thinking for a moment, Tang Song stroked the Black Jade Thumb Ring. When he raised his hand again, besides a string of White Jade Bone Beads, his hand was empty.

Meanwhile, on the outside of the Cold-Proof Protective Suit worn by Charles Bishop Weyland, who was wearing a Metal Prosthetic, an inconspicuous Black Thread had appeared under his armpit.

(End of chapter)