Fang Yuan and Atlanna could both breathe underwater; the only one who had a bit of difficulty was Bruce.
But this was no problem for Iron Man.
That's right, Iron Man.
Because the black armor Bruce was currently wearing was identical to the Mark 50 suit Iron Man wore in Avengers 3, except for a bulkier build, two pointed horns on the helmet, and an added cape.
"Tony Stark is truly a genius; the nano-suit he invented is even more practical than Kryptonian technology," Bruce remarked.
Fang Yuan was also quite satisfied: "And with the addition of Uru metal, Vibranium, and eternium, the suit's performance has become even more powerful."
Originally, Tony's nano-materials only contained a small amount of Vibranium. Now, in the hands of Fang Yuan and Batman, who did not lack rare resources, the nano-materials had undergone several upgrades. This Iron-Bat suit was much more formidable than the prototype Mark 50, capable of doing anything in the sky or under the sea.
"This way!"
Unexpectedly, the one leading the way was actually Bruce.
Fang Yuan was used to being a hands-off manager, and Atlanna couldn't show her face on the seabed too early. So over the past year, Bruce had traveled back and forth to Atlantis several times to observe the situation below.
After all, the one who would truly govern the ocean in the future would have to be Batman.
Therefore, Bruce naturally needed to understand the situation here in advance; he had even prepared multiple sets of operational plans.
Bruce led Fang Yuan and Atlanna to an underwater cave. After disabling the camouflage at the entrance, they walked all the way inside, bypassing the border defense equipment and entering the interior of Atlantis.
The local, Atlanna, was stunned. She had lived in Atlantis for decades and never knew such a secret passage existed.
Fang Yuan, on the other hand, remained calm.
A bat, after all, is just a flying rat.
It's not surprising for a rat to know how to dig holes.
Of course, he didn't say those two sentences out loud.
Upon entering the interior of Atlantis, the three found a chilling atmosphere of impending war throughout the territory.
"As Orm grows older, the Council is finding it harder and harder to suppress him. So Karshon finally convinced the other members of the Council to stage an armed uprising and elect a new king to take the throne."
Bruce explained.
"On Orm's side, Vulko, as Orm's top strategist, has provided many ideas. However, Orm only holds the status of a prince, which allowed the Council to successfully seize half of the military power from them."
"Right now, they are in a standoff in the city, and a major war could break out at any moment."
"It seems we've arrived just in time." Fang Yuan nodded, very satisfied with the intelligence brought back by Scout Bruce.
Hearing that war could break out at any moment, Atlanna hurriedly said, "Let's get over there quickly and stop the war from starting."
Although Atlanna utterly loathed Okwas, she cared deeply for Orm, the son she had with Okwas.
If a war broke out, Orm would definitely be the Council's number one target, which was extremely dangerous.
Bruce also nodded: "We indeed need to hurry, otherwise, if war starts, Orm's side will be defeated very quickly."
"Is the Atlantean royalty that weak?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"No, if it were just the Council, it might be a stalemate, but the Council's Karshon has also sought outside help." Bruce revealed deeper inside information, "The Kingdom of Xebel!"
"Impossible!" Atlanna immediately shook her head upon hearing this. "King Nereus of Xebel has a very good relationship with Atlantis; it's impossible for him to help the Council!"
There were currently only four undersea kingdoms functioning normally.
Atlantis, Xebel, the Fisherman Kingdom, and the Brine Kingdom.
Because the Fisherman Kingdom consisted of merfolk and the Brine Kingdom mostly of crabs, only Atlantis and Xebel remained in human form, so the two nations were very close.
Nereus and Atlanna also had a decent relationship; his daughter, Mera, had been watched over by Atlanna as she grew up.
So Atlanna couldn't believe that Nereus would actually fail to help Orm and instead assist the Council.
Seeing her reaction, Fang Yuan and Bruce glanced at each other and then both shook their heads.
"No wonder you were driven off the throne; you have no political sense at all," Fang Yuan said with a curl of his lip.
Bruce explained to her: "In fact, although Nereus set out at Karshon's invitation, there's a high probability he won't help either side."
"He'll wait for the Atlantean royalty and the Council to fight until both are exhausted, and then Nereus will make his move!"
With things explained to this extent, Atlanna finally understood.
"He wants to occupy Atlantis?" she cried out in surprise, never expecting this old friend would do such a thing.
"The present is not like the past; the undersea kingdoms have long been independent of each other, and mutual annexation is quite normal." Fang Yuan wasn't surprised by Nereus's actions at all.
After all, in the movies, Nereus was a shrewd and calculating man.
Whether it was following Orm into war with the surface while knowing Orm staged the provocation himself, or decisively siding with Arthur later, he would always make the most advantageous choice.
The three reached the front lines where the Atlantean armies were in a standoff. The young Orm, wearing silver armor, and the equally fully-armed Vulko were trading insults with a projection of Karshon from the opposite side.
Karshon naturally wouldn't go to the battlefield in person; at this moment, she was inside a spaceship, staring at the opposing formation with victory in her grasp.
"Once the Xebel army arrives and we launch a pincer attack, Orm won't be able to hold out." Karshon spread her hands to the other Council members, "From now on, we will become the true Masters of Atlantis!"
Karshon's heart burned with excitement; she hadn't expected that amidst this turmoil, she would have the chance to turn misfortune into a blessing and reach for the pinnacle of Atlantean power.
"But Xebel might have other designs," someone reminded her.
Karshon didn't care at all: "It doesn't matter. At worst, we'll cede some territory to Xebel; we will still be the rulers of Atlantis."
"Now, everyone prepare..." Karshon was about to order the attack.
But just then—
"Stop!"
An even larger projection appeared between the two armies, and simultaneously, every screen in Atlantis switched to this image.
"That voice?" Orm hurriedly looked over after hearing the shout, and then immediately beamed with joy, "It's Mother!"
"It's Queen Atlanna!"
"The Queen isn't dead? She actually returned!"
The entirety of Atlantis instantly erupted in excitement.
Although Queen Atlanna was merely a puppet, that was only among the high-ranking officials; among the citizens of Atlantis, Atlanna still held considerable prestige.
After all, she was a direct descendant of King Atlan, and the upper class also needed the commoners to blindly worship the royal family so they could use the crown to control the country.
Of course, the commoners' worship didn't prevent Atlanna from being marginalized, as the commoners could not influence the overall situation.
At least, not in Atlantis.
Karshon was extremely surprised; she keenly sensed something was wrong and hurriedly ordered a full assault, but for some reason, her command simply couldn't be transmitted out of the ship.
"Yes, I have returned, having survived the territory of the Trench!"
Atlanna continued.
"Because I encountered the great Sea God Poseidon, and it was he who saved me!"
"Atlantis is currently in such chaos, so Lord Poseidon has decided to set things right and guide us once again!"
Just as her words fell, under the shocked gazes of countless Atlanteans, Fang Yuan slowly stepped out from within a swirling vortex of water.
In his hand, the golden trident shone brilliantly.
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