Chapter 461 - 461: Talent as a Dog, Huge Resources, and "Acknowledge "(2)
Ji Chen took a sharp breath, a pleasant surprise appearing on his face.
Thirty million gold coins, enough to equip several armies of the same scale as the councilors’ private forces. He couldn’t help but wonder why these councilors preferred to hoard their gold instead of using it to strengthen their military or develop their holdings.
“However, this is only a part of the Thirteen Council Families’ wealth. When they faced the Sea Beast Tide, they had a two-pronged plan.
One was to seek our help in defending against it, and the other was to transport most of their easily portable wealth, as well as their families and trusted aides, aboard their private fleets. They secretly left the Starshine Islands before the Sea Beast Tide arrived.
Except for Xhakas, Kieran, and Herman’s fleets, which are currently returning, the private fleets of the other councilors should have completely left the nearby waters. They probably heard the news that the Starshine Islands have changed hands and are unlikely to return. Finding them in such vast oceans is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Ji Chen nodded. He already learned about the last point from Xhakas. This was undeniably a massive loss.
The councilors, especially Hadman, had made detailed preparations. They moved most of their wealth and families on ships as a precaution in case the Crown of the Ocean couldn’t withstand the Sea Beast Tide. This way, they would have the resources to make a fresh start.
As for the residents of the Starshine Islands?
Xhakas reported that Hadman had included the residents in the evacuation plan, using them as bait to attract the attention of the Sea Beast Tide, allowing them enough time to escape.
Once the Sea Beast Tide passed through the Starshine Islands, they would return and regain control of the highest authority here.
They didn’t particularly care about the population; in this world, the population was the least valuable. As long as they had enough money, they could easily acquire a large labor force.
In this way, apart from losing a large number of buildings, they didn’t suffer too much. As long as they return, the Thirteen Council Families would still be the supreme rulers here!
However, for these private fleets loaded with a wealth of resources but lacking sufficient armed forces, they were like a juicy piece of meat in the middle of the ocean, quickly devoured by anyone who coveted it.
Therefore, he wasn’t too worried that these family members and trusted aides would come back for revenge. Even if they did, the Crown of the Ocean would only give them the same fate as those councilors – death and destruction.
Your father couldn’t defeat me, and you believe that you and your descendants can?
Putting aside these thoughts, Ji Chen signaled for Alice to continue.
It wasn’t until an hour later that all the various matters were reported.
Even for Alice, who was a Siren, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief at the end.
For her, dealing with these human affairs wasn’t particularly enjoyable. She preferred the simplicity of battling enemies.
Seeing her relieved expression, Ji Chen felt a twinge of sympathy but could only come over and pat her little head.
“You’ve been through a lot. Once Wilus sends someone over, you won’t have to do these things anymore.”
Alice gently shook her head and looked at Ji Chen earnestly, “My Lord, as long as you need it, I’m willing to do it for you.”
Ji Chen had no words in response and could only embrace her with comfort.
But in his heart, he began to contemplate whether it was right to involve someone like Alice, born into the boundless ocean with pure blood, in these disgusting and worldly matters of humans.
They were originally living in the vast ocean, singing freely with their voices, without having to pay attention to all this.
It could be said that Alice, who was originally a blank canvas, was gradually being colored by him with various shades.
After some thought, Ji Chen realized he might be overthinking things.
Even though Alice was bound to him through that potion, after so much time of interaction and communication, the relationship between Alice and him had evolved beyond just a bond of loyalty.
Her “approval” of him was why she was willing to do so much.
Similarly, many residents of the Crown of the Ocean, the different races, and even newcomers like Raymond were willing to follow him, recognizing the order and rules he established.
Because they believed Ji Chen could lead them towards a brighter and better life, perhaps even usher in a new era.
This, ultimately, was the reason why Alice and many others were willing to charge into battle for him.
Unbeknownst to him, his shoulders were gradually bearing the expectations of many.
For some reason, Ji Chen began to feel more attached to this world. He was slowly moving away from seeing it solely as a hyper-realistic game like the other players did.
The people and things here had long become inseparably connected to him.
Sensing the changes in Ji Chen, Alice, with her keen perception, merely glanced to the side and nestled herself once again in that warm chest.
No matter how this world was, she would always accompany the Lord.
The sea breeze was slightly cool.
Ji Chen stood by the harbor, gazing at the sea illuminated by the bright moonlight.
Xhakas and a few others stood respectfully nearby.
They were preparing to welcome the Coral Palace army from the New Moon Islands, located thousands of miles away.
As affiliated forces of the Crown of the Ocean and colleagues, coupled with the fact that this Coral Palace army was about to take over the defense of the Starshine Islands, they felt it was necessary to make contact.
However, when they saw the army that numbered as high as ten thousand, each one emitting a much stronger aura than the private armies of the councilors, their faces couldn’t help but show a hint of shock. They exchanged glances and saw the astonishment in each other’s eyes.
Even an affiliated force possessed such a powerful army. What was the true strength of the Crown of the Ocean?!
The Coral Palace army arrived near the shore, and a tall figure leaped onto the pier from the sea, swiftly approaching and kneeling down with a respectful expression.
“My Lord, Sonia has brought ten thousand Coral Palace soldiers to answer your call.”
This person was none other than the Coral Lord, Sonia.
A few days ago, when she received Ji Chen’s order to lead her army away from the Great Luminescent Sea and head to the Starshine Islands, she was overjoyed.
This meant that, after thousands of years, a Great Luminescent Sea sea clan had finally arrived in the main world. She could finally fulfill her long-cherished wish.
Filled with joy, she immediately organized her troops and rushed here overnight.
“Rise, I said a simple salute is enough.” Ji Chen smiled and extended his hand to help her up. “I hope you didn’t encounter any unexpected issues on your journey.”
Sonia stood up, still somewhat shocked, and shook her head. “We didn’t encounter any unexpected issues. We only encountered scattered sea beasts on the way, which we quickly dealt with.
But 1 must admit I’m a bit surprised. The main world doesn’t seem as…?”
“As dangerous as you thought?” Ji Chen finished her sentence and looked at the well-organized Coral Palace army on the sea. “The strength of the Coral Palace army is indeed an excellent force.
However, the Intercontinental Ocean is much wider than the Great Luminescent Sea, and there are some extremely secretive and terrifying existences within it. Don’t let your guard down.”
“I understand,” Sonia replied obediently.
Ji Chen clapped his hands. “Alright, let’s start patrolling as soon as possible. Many sea beasts are causing trouble on various islands.
But be careful not to approach the territories of other Glory Lords and avoid conflicts with them.”
“Yes!”
With the command given, the ten thousand Coral Palace soldiers divided into several teams and began patrolling with the Starshine City island as the center, clearing out scattered sea beasts.
The Coral Palace army quickly took over the defense of the entire Starshine Islands. When their presence appeared everywhere, it surprised many players.
When they learned that this was a subordinate army of the indigenous people who had occupied the Starshine Islands, they were left speechless.
Damn, although this army may not be as strong as the initial one, their sheer numbers are intimidating.
The masked indigenous leader must be a “High-level Indigenous” with so many troops.
Even today, they still considered Ji Chen as a full-fledged indigenous person..