Extra update in progress—seeking subscriptions, recommendations, monthly tickets, and other support!
Hearing Gu Xi's question, Thorin fell silent for a moment.
Only then did he explain to Gu Xi, "All seven towns of the Winter Mirror Kingdom are inhabited by dwarves, divided into seven major dwarf clans.
The nine villages are where the humans live.
Both the villages and towns possess corresponding treasures that sustain their vitality.
It is only by relying on these treasures that we can survive amid this wind and snow.
But as the blizzards grow fiercer, these treasures have become less and less effective.
From time to time, we have no choice but to take the treasures out and replenish their energy before returning to our hiding places and trying to hold on for another few decades.
We have lived like this for who knows how long."
After hearing Thorin's explanation, Gu Xi understood what was going on.
But he quickly picked up on something in Thorin's words.
It seemed Thorin had his eye on Gu Xi's strength as well.
Thinking of a detail, Gu Xi asked, "When I entered this place, I sensed seven locations sealing something. Were those seals created by your treasures?"
Thorin immediately shook his head. "How could that be? Those are the places where the Madwoman is sealed. We would never go near them.
Besides, a saying has been passed down among us: even if every last dwarf dies and the treasures have to be smashed, we must never take those treasures near the Sealed Land.
So those seals have nothing to do with us."
Thorin's reaction made Gu Xi understand the dwarves' attitude.
Fortunately, Gu Xi had not come here to recruit troops.
He had only come to gather information and determine what else was hidden beneath this world.