"There is something ahead." Kenley could discern clearly that a life light spot was distinctly visible on the miniature map.

  "You are neither a thief nor a ranger. How on earth do you know there is something ahead?" Daina had already donned her helmet once more and entered a state of combat preparedness.

  Kenley waved his hand to signal Daina to hold her tongue. He had no intention of explaining these matters for the time being. As he looked up, he noticed that directly in front of him, suspended above the dome of the Crystal Nest, there was a colossal iron cage.

  "Look up there," Kenley prompted.

  "Up there?" Daina lifted her head and also caught sight of the iron cage.

  Just then, the number of light spots on the miniature map increased. Kenley immediately pushed against Daina's chest with his arm, endeavoring to make the two of them move closer inward to avoid detection by those outside.

  Daina's delicate face flushed. She intended to remind Kenley not to push against her chest, yet upon seeing his cautious demeanor, which seemed genuine, she reluctantly endured it.

  At last, a group of figures emerged. They were swathed in bandages, with an array of colorful glass test tubes fastened to their waists and shoulders, and they were laden with large and small bags, presenting the unmistakable appearance of alchemists.

  The Church of the Desecrated Dragon?!! Kenley immediately spotted the emblems engraved on the backs of the heads of these alchemists. A dragon head symbol resembling a tongue of flame, which was the distinctive insignia of the Church of the Desecrated Dragon.

  "Who are they?" Daina inquired in a hushed tone.

  "Alchemists of the Church of the Desecrated Dragon," Kenley replied.

  These alchemists typically specialized in magic, and each of the alchemists present was at level 50, a total of six. Kenley suddenly recollected the mysterious figure he had seen atop the Silent Corridor previously, whose silhouette bore an uncanny resemblance to these alchemists.

  "The Church of the Desecrated Dragon? Is it the heretical cult that is rumored to venerate the Chaos Dragon? It is said that this church conducts its affairs in a mysterious manner, even more so than the Black Sheep Society," Daina seemed to recall something.

  "The Church of the Desecrated Dragon has been persistently dedicated to creating human-dragon hybrids. They strive to uncover the secret of enhancing human strength from dragons," Kenley elucidated.

  "How on earth do you know that?" Daina was momentarily intrigued. With her knowledge, she had merely heard snippets about the Church of the Desecrated Dragon and had never been privy to its true nature.

  "Because these fellows are truly abhorrent," Kenley furrowed his brow.

  "Truly abhorrent?"

  "I wonder if you have ever heard of dragonkin?" Kenley queried.

  "Dragonkin? I seem to have heard of them... The church once discovered a mysterious small village in the desolate northwest region. All the inhabitants had transformed into monsters, and they were all remarkably powerful. The Ruby Investigation Team of the church sacrificed two key members before they could eliminate those aberrations. It is rumored that those mutated humans appeared to have the form of half-dragon and half-human..." Daina recalled with care.

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  "Wait a moment... Are you suggesting that those were dragonkin?" Daina was taken aback.

  "Those were the failed products of the experiments carried out by the Church of the Desecrated Dragon."

  "Failed products?"

  "Precisely, failed products. The Church of the Desecrated Dragon worships the Chaos Dragon and has been ceaselessly committed to collecting all the dragon blood in the world, attempting to acquire formidable power by utilizing dragon blood. They loathe and envy the golden bloodline and seek to directly obtain power by replacing their own blood with dragon blood, thus giving rise to numerous deformed monstrosities."

  "These alchemists before us are likely the exclusive experimental team of the Church of the Desecrated Dragon. Their task is to conduct research on dragon blood, inject it into the experimental subjects, study and observe the process of the subjects' changes, and record the findings. I simply wonder who the unfortunate victim will be this time." Kenley lifted his gaze towards the birdcage-like prison above his head. Could the experimental subject be within?

  The corner of Kenley's mouth twitched. These alchemists were all at level 50. Based on past experience, it was highly probable that the alchemists had developed some deformed dragonkin bosses of level 60 or 70 or even higher here in the Crystal Nest.

  Kenley remembered that when he had engaged in the instance of the Dragon Blood Laboratory of the Church of the Desecrated Dragon previously, he had confronted an 80-level Purple Dragonkin boss. It had a humanoid form yet possessed the power of a dragon, and its strength was formidable.

  Could it be that the Crystal Nest is a hidden instance? Kenley speculated. Since, in his memory, no player had ever discovered the Crystal Nest, there was no way of knowing who the most powerful adversary here might be.

  Just then, a clear and melodious song emanated from within the birdcage. Upon hearing it, Kenley was startled. Wasn't this precisely the voice he had heard within the bell tower before? Could it be that the Crystal Nest was directly beneath the bell tower? Was this the reason why he had been unable to locate the mysteriously vanished person within the bell tower at that time?

  "Parker, it is your turn to retrieve the cage this time," one of the alchemists stated.

  "Why should I go? Brian. Have you forgotten that I made the greatest contribution to the success of this experiment! You should be the one to go!" Parker, the alchemist, was highly indignant.

  "But I was the one who injected the dragon blood last time. You have no right to bargain with me, Parker!"

  "Cease your bickering. You two, go together!" Just then, the leading alchemist commanded brusquely.

  The expressions of Parker and Brian changed. It was evident that they were in fear of the alchemist who had spoken.

  "Yes, leader." The two of them approached the birdcage resentfully, then raised their hands high, seemingly casting a spell.

  With a click, the birdcage at the top finally stirred. After unhooking, it descended slowly from the top. It seemed that the alchemists had employed a spell such as levitation, enabling the birdcage to be removed with ease.

  Kenley widened his eyes. He desired to discern clearly what sort of monster was within the birdcage that warranted such caution from these alchemists.

  As the enormous birdcage descended gradually, Kenley's eyes were filled with astonishment. This was...

  At the center of the birdcage, a woman with pink dragon wings was singing a sorrowful ballad. The massive dragon horns on her head attested to her special identity as a dragonkin, and her long pink hair was as captivating and resplendent as a butterfly.

  Although she was of great beauty, those alchemists were exceedingly cautious and dared not display the slightest disrespect towards her in their actions.

  Appraise!

  【Fei】

  【Race: Dragonkin】

  【Level: 60】

  【HP: 18425/18425】

  【MP: 9115/9115】

  【Profile: Beneath her beautiful exterior lies a potent murderous intent.】

  Merely by perusing this profile, Kenley had already surmised that this dragon woman was not to be trifled with.

  Her HP was even higher than that of Daina, who was equipped with high-grade gear. However, she had no title and no leader designation, so it appeared that she was not a boss.

  These alchemists of the Church of the Desecrated Dragon truly had a penchant for creating humanoid monsters...