Chapter 435 - 435: The Direction of the Sea Beast Tide, Security Plan, and Courage after Knowing Shame (2)
Not only the indigenous people, but also the player community was a vast market waiting to be tapped. Ji Chen believed that some cute players who were unwilling to give up their territories would be willing to pay a high price for security.
Such good “leeks” shouldn’t go unharvested!
After figuring it out, Ji Chen’s mood instantly became smoother, as if he was already seeing countless rare resources beckoning to him.
Of course, this time he couldn’t appear as the Islander, Zhao Gongzi, or even as Ji Chen himself. It would be better to present himself in a completely new guise.
With the existence of the Illusory Mask, these were not problems!
And the even better choice was not to appear as a player at all but as an indigenous lord with a powerful army. This seemed more convincing to customers and could better conceal his true identity.
The principle of getting rich quietly was something he understood as well.
Ji Chen lightly tapped his fingers on the table, producing a rhythmic tapping sound. His train of thought became smoother, and the framework of his plan gradually took shape.
Alice stood by with a lowered brow, her gaze secretly fixed on the Lord, although she didn’t know what was on his mind. Seeing a faint smile on the Lord’s face, she knew he had probably thought of a good idea to develop the territory.
Seeing the Lord in such a good mood, her own mood improved as well.
If possible, Alice hoped that the Lord would always be this happy, and for this, she was willing to give everything, even her life.
Ji Chen looked at the map. The Starshine Islands were located to the northwest of the Stormy Sea, roughly in the middle of the coastal regions between the Kingdom of Bass and the Grand Duchy of Lienhardt, among other northwestern coastal nations. It would take about five days’ journey to reach them.
With the Sea Beast Tide surging like this and seemingly heading in that direction, perhaps the friction between the two nations would ease for the time being, at least until the Sea Beast turmoil subsided.
Otherwise, the warships of both countries might be surrounded by numerous sea beasts.
After all, for coastal nations like them, warships determined maritime supremacy, a critical factor in deciding wars.
This was another impact brought by the Sea Beast Tide, and Ji Chen believed that Monica would make good use of this time to prepare and improve the odds of winning the war.
As the next week approached, the available resources were not even sufficient to recruit a wave of troops. Ji Chen decided to deal with the aftermath of the Sea Beast Tide attack as soon as possible and then lead his troops to the Starshine Islands before the Sea Beast Tide moved north.
Otherwise, if everyone fled, there would be no business left to do.
“Alice, let’s go. We’re going to the Great Luminescent Sea.”
Alice was awakened by Ji Chen’s words, her expression concealing the affection in her eyes. She nodded and followed him.
Ji Chen entered the Great Luminescent Sea’s secret realm with the Coral Palace Legion.
As soon as he stepped out of the archway, a thousand-man team stationed here immediately saluted upon seeing Ji Chen, their faces filled with awe.
They knew that this Lord had single-handedly dispersed the Dragon King City army attacking the Coral Palace, led a powerful army to conquer Dragon King City, captured the Sea Dragon King, and even made the Lord of the Coral Palace submit, unifying the Great Luminescent Sea.
With such terrifying achievements, no sea tribe would underestimate them.
Moreover, this Lord came from the main world, and all the sea tribes of the Great Luminescent Sea were extremely curious about the outside world.
They heard that behind the portal, there were not only sea tribes and humans but also various strange races such as elves, dwarves, orcs, and others vastly different from sea tribes. It would be great if they could have a look…
Ji Chen naturally noticed the soldiers from the Coral Palace who were eager and curious about the world outside the mystic realm. He smiled at them and patted the shoulder of the leader of this thousand-man team. “Guard this place well. I’ll take you out to see the world in the future.”
The leader of the thousand-man team looked flattered. “I will definitely guard this place and not let a single fish pass!”
As they watched Ji Chen and Alice’s figures disappear into the fluorescent forest, the soldiers began to discuss.
“Is that the Lord who wiped out the Dragon King City’s hidden army and conquered the Dragon King City? He looks so young!”
“Isn’t that obvious? The stronger they are, the younger they look. Haven’t you seen the Lord of the Coral Palace? She’s already several thousand years old, but she still looks so young!”
“Are you crazy!? How dare you mention the age of the Lord of the Coral Palace! But she does look very young… Hey, who do you think is more beautiful, the Lord of the Coral Palace or the woman from the sea tribe with those long fin-like ears by the Lord’s side?”
“Oh, that’s an interesting question. I think the Lord of the Coral Palace is more beautiful, elegant, and dignified, with grace and grandeur.”
“I think it’s the one by the Lord’s side who looks better. She’s like a sea fairy who has come out of the endless deep sea, exuding a coldness that keeps people at a distance…”
“Shut up and focus on patrolling!” The leader of the thousand-man team scolded, and the soldiers closed their mouths and continued their patrols. But the leader couldn’t help but think, which one of those two honorable ladies was more beautiful…
It turned out that no matter the race, everyone enjoyed gossiping behind their backs.
Leaving the Luminescent forest, Ji Chen went directly to the Coral Palace. The thousand-man team stationed here also saluted with deep reverence. Whether it was the Coral Palace or Dragon King City, they all knew that the owner of the Great Luminescent Sea was this remarkably handsome human.
Ji Chen gestured for them to stand up and asked, “Where is Sonia? I need to see her.”
“Reporting to the Lord, Lady Sonia has led her troops out to clean up the remnants of Dragon King City and has not yet returned.”
“Where did she go for the cleanup?”
“She went to the Fishmouth Canyon on the north side of Dragon King City.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Chen didn’t waste any time. He nodded and signaled Tyrant Azure Dragon to turn around and leave, taking Alice with him as they immediately headed there.
Fishmouth Canyon was a naturally formed peculiar terrain. Its entrance resembled a fish’s mouth, hence the name “canyon,” but the interior was as spacious as a fish’s belly.
One day ago, a reconnaissance team reported traces of remnants from Dragon King City here, with an unknown number of them hiding in the canyon. Therefore, Sonia personally led three thousand-man teams to come here to eliminate them.
Upon arriving here, they discovered that a thousand-man team from Dragon King City had concealed themselves with thousands of residents inside the canyon.
Sonia had originally thought that leading her army personally would quickly eliminate these remnants from Dragon King City. However, she didn’t expect them to have such strong resistance, using the terrain of Fishmouth Canyon to repel wave after wave of attacks, even inflicting casualties on many Coral Palace soldiers.
Seeing the remnants from Dragon King City once again repelling the Coral Palace army’s assault, cheers and taunts echoed, and Sonia’s expression soured.
“Lady Sonia, it’s our incompetence in battle. I’m willing to accept punishment!”
A leader of a thousand-man team half-knelt and said with a look of shame. Three thousand-man teams against one thousand-man team, not only did they fail to swiftly capture them, but they also suffered hundreds of casualties. Such a performance was not only embarrassing to show to that Lord, but even he himself felt ashamed.
Seeing his appearance, Sonia’s expression eased slightly. She straightened herself and said sternly, “1’11 give you another half-day. If you still can’t capture them, then resign on your own, and I will personally take action.”
“Yes!”
Just as this leader of the thousand-man team, filled with frustration, was about to lead the troops for another assault, a somewhat familiar voice suddenly sounded.
“Sonia, what’s happening here?”
The leader of the thousand-man team turned his head upon hearing the voice and saw the Lord approaching on a massive Tryant Azure Dragon.
“Lord Ji Chen, why are you here? Why didn’t you inform me in advance?”
Sonia’s expression turned to one of great surprise, and she hurriedly went to greet him, performing a formal salute.
Seeing this, the leader of the thousand-man team and the Coral Palace soldiers also knelt down and lowered their heads, unable to look directly at Ji Chen.
This Lord here is the new ruler of the Great Luminescent Sea, the true sovereign.
Ji Chen gestured for them to rise, saying, “There’s no need for such formalities every time. A simple fist to the chest will suffice.”
“Yes, as you wish.”
Sonia nodded, and with her officers and soldiers, they stood up.
“How are these remnants from Dragon King City that you were clearing out?”
As soon as this question was asked, Sonia looked somewhat embarrassed. She couldn’t directly say that the Coral Palace army of three thousand had faced off against a mere one thousand and suffered hundreds of casualties.
As the leader, she felt quite awkward about it.
Seeing Sonia’s demeanor and noticing the strange expressions on several thousand-man team leaders, Ji Chen understood the situation.
There was no blame, just a mild comment.
“To know shame and still be brave is the mark of a true hero..”