Avera looked at Fang Zhen and said after a moment, "Now I truly believe you aren't a pawn sent by one of the Thirteen Families to win my trust, nor are you one of the northern barbarians."

"To think you don't even know what Anlon Lie Feng left behind."

Fang Zhen said, "I told you I'm a traveler. Just tell me what you know."

Avera let out a soft breath, her guard lowering a little more. She said, "Anlon Lie Feng left many legends behind, but as for his treasures, the most famous are the King's Sword and the Beast Bone Legion."

"Oh?" Fang Zhen's interest was piqued. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Avera could see that Fang Zhen seemed to know nothing about these matters. "Legendary King Anlon was able to establish the Lansit Kingdom," she explained, "not only because he had the support of the ancestors of the Thirteen Families, but also because he commanded a powerful private army—the Beast Bone Legion."

"You've seen a Crystal Bone Beast. They're made by carving a statue from the crystal bone of a bone beast. A special method seals the beast's soul within the crystal bone statue, which can then be activated with energy to bring the beast back to life."

"Crystal Bone Beasts have no fatal weaknesses, only disparities in bone energy. Even upon death, as long as they receive a sufficient replenishment of bone energy, they can regenerate. In that sense, all Crystal Bone Beasts are undead."

"Legendary King Anlon had an army composed entirely of Crystal Bone Beasts—the Bone Beast Legion."

"While this Bone Beast Legion couldn't exactly sweep across the Kingdom and the surrounding tribes, it was a significant weight on the scales. Adding it to any faction's side would be enough to tip the balance of power."

Fang Zhen remained silent, but a glint appeared in his eyes.

'An Undead Legion?'

'If I could get my hands on something like that,' he thought, 'it would be incredibly useful in so many other worlds.'

"The main reason people come to the Isle of Rest is for the Ancient Beast Legion left behind by Legendary King Anlon," Avera said. "And the King's Sword is the key to commanding the Bone Beast Legion."

Fang Zhen asked, "Anlon Lie Feng died two hundred years ago. Can the Bone Beast Legion he left behind still be used?"

"That's where another legend comes in," Avera said. "Before entering the Isle of Rest, Anlon told a few of his closest confidants among the ancestors of the Thirteen Families that he had sealed the Bone Beast Legion away in a certain cave."

"Crystal bone is naturally incorruptible for two to three hundred years. But after Anlon sealed them, they became petrified. In this state, the crystal bones of the Bone Beast Legion can be preserved for at least five hundred years."

"The King's Sword is what controls the Bone Beast Legion. The other two secrets are the location of the seal and the cipher to break it. In total, these three secrets were hidden in three separate places."

"Oh?"

Fang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Avera.

'It seems she knows where these places are.'

"A moment ago, you asked why our Thirteen Families have ended up in this state," Avera said, changing the subject. "You don't seem to be well-versed in history. You probably don't know what the situation was for Crystal Bone Masters two hundred years ago, do you?"

"Tell me about it," Fang Zhen said.

"Two hundred years ago, the rulers weren't Crystal Bone Masters. It was a kingdom of mortals," Avera said. "From the King down to the nobles, they all despised those who possessed crystal bones and systematically persecuted Crystal Bone Masters."

"Even though Crystal Bone Masters possessed greater power, they were far too few in number compared to ordinary people. They were brutally oppressed, to the point where simple survival was an immense struggle."

"But Anlon Lie Feng changed everything. He recruited Crystal Bone Masters to his cause and established the Lansit Kingdom, a nation ruled by Crystal Bone Masters."

"The division among the Thirteen Families today is primarily due to a disagreement in their attitude toward mortals who lack crystal bones. They've split into four factions."

"The faction led by the Lei Ming Family believes that those without crystal bones are inferior commoners, that such commoners shouldn't have any rights, and that it is perfectly justified to exploit them however they see fit."

"The Sea Tide Family only cares about practical benefits."

"The Night Shadow Family appears neutral, but that's just a front. What they're truly thinking is anyone's guess."

"And your Fei Niao Family?" Fang Zhen asked.

Avera lifted her chin proudly. "The Fei Niao Family's stance is to carry on the ideals of Legendary King Anlon Lie Feng: to allow everyone, whether they are a Crystal Bone Master or a mortal, to live peacefully together in the Lansit Kingdom."

"A noble idea, but it seems the Fei Niao Family isn't in a good position," Fang Zhen observed.

At his words, Avera's expression fell, but she recovered in an instant.

"To achieve something great, sacrifices must be made. My family and I are prepared for that."

"The rest of the Thirteen Families generally fall into one of these four factions, and each is determined to see its own philosophy through," Avera said.

After a brief pause, Avera continued, "Of those who came to the island this time, the one leading the Lei Ming Family's contingent is Aiden Leimeng. You've seen his ability—his family line's crystal bones allow them to control lightning."

"For the Sea Tide Family, it's Connor Hai Chao. He can control the flow of energy within a certain range."

"From the Night Shadow Family, there is Mela Night Shadow. Her family is at its most powerful after nightfall."

Fang Zhen gave a slight nod.

'He had little interest in the ideological struggles of the Thirteen Families. It was just another story of the dragonslayer becoming the dragon.'

'If he had to pick a side, he leaned more toward the ideals of Anlon Lie Feng and the Fei Niao Family.'

'The Lei Ming Family's arrogant, high-and-mighty attitude was certainly grating.'

'Besides, he didn't agree with their philosophy either.'

'So what if someone's an ordinary person without crystal bones? Does that mean they don't deserve to live?'

'Of course, he wasn't from this world, so he wasn't that emotionally invested.'

'Anlon Lie Feng's King's Sword and the Beast Bone Legion—those were what truly interested him.'

'If he could obtain the Beast Bone Legion, his own power would skyrocket.'