Chapter 308: Exploration of new land
Since Lein was appointed as Guardian, his status had risen to that of a deity. He was not only the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm but also the owner of the islands where humanity resided. His figure had become a symbol of power and stability amidst the ongoing monumental changes.
In one of the luxurious residences allocated to officials of the World Market Trade Alliance, the morning felt calm. A small family sat at the dining table. The wife patiently fed their child, who eagerly enjoyed their breakfast.
"Dear, will you be joining the exploration of that land?" the wife asked, glancing at her husband as he prepared for work.
The man, dressed in the Alliance's standard military uniform, smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. That's Guardian's work. Everything is under control."
"Really? So, the Guardian is behind this?" she responded in surprise, her hands pausing momentarily. Her eyes widened, reflecting her growing admiration for Lein.
Her husband nodded. "That's right. Because of that, only a small number of personnel were sent for the expedition, and I'm not part of the team."
She smiled with relief, though her respect and awe for Lein grew even stronger. To her, the man who ruled this realm was truly an extraordinary figure. "Alright, take care, okay?"
The husband smiled, kissing her forehead before leaving the house. Their current life was comfortable, far from hardship. It was all thanks to his bold decision to join the Alliance at the start of humanity's migration to the Divine Sky Realm.
Similar scenes unfolded in many other households. People from all walks of life, from officials to schoolchildren, couldn't hide their curiosity about the emergence of the new land.
Many awaited official information from the Alliance, though rumors and wild speculation continued to spread. This uncertainty created a mix of anticipation and anxiety among the populace.
—
At the City of Life's harbor, activity surged. Ships prepared to descend to the new landmass, carrying expedition teams of soldiers and hunters. Faces filled with excitement and curiosity were everywhere.
A young hunter, wielding a weapon that looked worn but battle-ready, joked with his friend. "I hope there are plenty of monsters down there. It's been a while since I've seen some good loot from them," he said with a small laugh, though his eyes gleamed with ambition.
"You're right. If there aren't, we'll be wasting our time," his friend replied while checking his gear. "Our income has been down lately, and the floating islands we've been finding are fewer and fewer."
This complaint was met with nods of agreement from the rest of the team. They knew this opportunity could either bring new wealth or serve as a stepping stone to fame among hunters.
"Regardless, we need to be the first ones to get down there," the team leader declared, his voice firm and full of determination. The team nodded in unison, their energy and hunger for adventure palpable.
***
At an altitude of hundreds of kilometers above the new land, a fleet of ships hovered with mesmerizing elegance. From a distance, they looked like a swarm of bees clustering in the air, moving in orderly formation. Among the ships, several large vessels belonging to the alliance stood out, particularly the flagship of the World Market Trade, gleaming majestically.
At the front of the ship, a lounge area had been set up. A few core members of the organization sat comfortably on luxurious sofas, enjoying the view of the new land slowly coming into clearer view.
"Master Lein is truly extraordinary. Where did he get land this massive?" exclaimed Gusti, as enthusiastic as ever. His eyes sparkled with admiration, unable to hide his awe.
Hana, seated not far from him, folded her arms and responded in a serious tone. "If Brother Lein possesses items capable of elevating us to the Grandmaster level with just a single breath, it's no surprise that he can create a landmass this vast."
Gusti turned, raising an eyebrow. "Create?" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
Nearby, Haikal Emanuel chuckled softly. "Gusti, you seem to underestimate young master Lein. He's far stronger than you can imagine."
Arya, with his striking green hair, joined in with an amused smile. "That's right. Lein is more than just strong; he's a phenomenon."
Gusti raised his hands as if surrendering. "Alright, alright. I'm not underestimating him. It's just… all of this is too incredible."
Laras, seated elegantly beside Nita, interrupted their conversation. "Whatever it is, this will further strengthen our realm. So, there's no need to debate it." Her calm words were quickly agreed upon by everyone.
"We're getting close," said Haikal Emanuel, his voice soft yet clear.
All the core members could feel it too. With their abilities as Guardians, their senses extended far beyond human limits.
"Alright, let's move," ordered Hana.
Without much discussion, they all stood and moved to the side of the ship. One by one, they leapt down using their respective transportation abilities, vanishing toward the new land below.
Far from the core members' ship, other alliance ships followed suit, eager to explore the newly emerged land.
Onboard a Chinese alliance ship, in the main room, a woman in a long, elegant gown sat with her legs crossed on a sofa.
In front of her stood several high-ranking officials of the Chinese alliance—trusted individuals of Bai Qi.
"Princess Bai, has the World Market Trade alliance provided any information?" asked an old man standing among the group.
Bai Qi did not respond to the foolish question. She simply sat still with an expressionless face, occasionally pursing her lips as if imagining something absurd.
"They have the privilege to be arrogant," Bai Qi remarked with a faint smirk. She wanted to act but found herself unable to.
"Do not worry, Princess. So far, they haven't caused us any trouble," said a young man from the group.
The position of the Chinese alliance, and even other alliances, had dimmed since Lein became the Guardian. His strength had revealed itself more and more with each passing day.