Huhu!
The wind howled furiously, and the rain poured heavily.
In the lightning and thunder, the previously calm ocean seemed to transform into a monster opening its huge mouth, forming a massive whirlpool that devoured everything in the storm.
The promotion of the Sier universe and the integration of the only continent into this higher-dimensional world naturally required a period of adjustment.
Therefore, near the Sier continent, tornadoes, storms, tsunamis—every terrifying disaster kept occurring, forming natural barriers.
Not to mention, Wu Ming maliciously intensified this process to prevent outside prying eyes as much as possible.
However, under the temptation of a substantial reward, there has never been a shortage of people willing to risk their lives for it, whether from the East or the West.
After all, in this era, sailors have already entrusted their lives to the god of fate. As long as the temptation is sufficient, they would dare to venture into the devil’s hell.
At this moment, amidst the wind and waves, a sailing ship was slowly moving forward.
The ship was entirely black, constructed from a special ironwood unique to the Western continent. Its glossy black sheen indicated an age of at least five hundred years, impervious even to small-caliber cannons. The masts and sails had been blessed by priests, ensuring they would remain unaffected for decades.
Such a grand vessel would be a treasured heirloom in any maritime family.
But now, under the raging storm, the sails had already been torn down, and the ship helplessly drifted with the waves. Although the sailors were desperately trying to maintain control, the ironwood ship still seemed as if it would disintegrate or capsize from the next oncoming wave at any moment.
Before the mighty forces of nature, even an ironwood ship, a national treasure, could only bow in submission!
“Quick! Reinforce the compartments!”
“Keep the rudder steady, watch the course!”
“Compartment number three is leaking; go to patch it immediately!”
…
On the ship, the sailors’ shouts echoed continuously. They were all tied around the waist with thick ropes, the other ends firmly fastened to the main mast of the ship.
Under the torrential rain, their clothes were soaked, revealing lean, muscular bodies. Now, looking at the endless storm, their faces were filled with fear.
Just as all the sailors were fighting desperately for their lives and future, the cabin inside remained calm. Numerous objects hovered motionless due to magical forces, a completely different world compared to the stormy outside.
“Lord!”
A man with curly white hair wearing a long purple robe with golden trim respectfully bowed to the gray-robed figure seated: “Won’t you intervene? With a storm of this magnitude, without your power, we might be doomed to perish in the sea…”
“I have already intervened. The storm along this route is already the weakest in the nearby waters…”
The gray-robed figure sighed, though his tone lacked much emotion: “Moreover, this is the rule!”
A slight smile curled his lips beneath the gray robe: “The newly integrated continent, no matter what it was before, must be given twenty years to transform. This is a joint decision of the East and West at the divine council, one that no one can defy! And the legendary domain ruler of Sier Island has clearly expressed his wish not to be disturbed too much… This means we cannot go there openly, do you understand?”
The gray-robed figure continued to explain: “Every rule has loopholes. Large-scale organized explorations are not allowed, but what if it’s a ‘chance’ discovery?”
“So, you didn’t tell these sailors everything and just said you were going to find a treasure?”
The old man with curly hair’s eyes lit up.
“Exactly!”
The gray-robed figure nodded: “On this ship, we are the only two who know the truth. So remember, this must absolutely not be leaked! Precisely because of this, we have many concerns! First, supernatural forces—if my master were to bestow divine power, the storm could certainly be dispelled, but what would be the point?”
The cost of breaking the agreement was something even the true god behind him was unwilling to bear.
“I understand… but…”
The old man with curly hair looked at the massive rain outside, which seemed like a waterfall washing against the windows, and his face still showed obvious concern.
Seeing this, the gray-robed figure finally said helplessly: “Don’t worry. Did you forget the ‘Solidification Scroll’ the captain received before departure?”
“That was also your special arrangement?”
The old man’s eyes lit up.
“Exactly!”
The gray-robed figure admitted directly: “That scroll was blessed by several scroll masters together. The magic power within is sufficient to transform this ship into an invincible fortress at sea. Although it only lasts for a short time, if used properly, it is enough to survive this storm!”
Crash!
At that moment, a giant wave dozens of meters high struck, nearly submerging the entire ship.
The violent vibration could even be felt inside the cabin.
“The keel is cracked…”
A voice filled with despair cried out from outside.
The keel of a ship is like a person’s spine, the most critical supporting structure.
Once the keel cracked, the ship would soon break apart.
“Don’t panic!”
The captain took the helm himself. Although he somewhat regretted accepting this task without thorough investigation for the sake of a generous reward, if the ship were destroyed and everyone perished, he certainly wouldn’t survive either. He gritted his teeth, took out a golden scroll: “High-level Solidification!”
Bang!
The scroll was covered with intricate runes, each magical array exquisitely crafted, like a piece of art.
Once opened, a powerful spell immediately manifested, enhancing the entire ship.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the ship’s surface was coated with a golden glow, strangely stabilizing itself amidst the storm.
Especially on the keel, the previously fine cracks were now magically healed and smoothed by an invisible force, as if brand new.
“Is the effect of the Solidification really this good?”
After releasing the spell, the captain himself was the most surprised.
However, seeing the sailors cheering, he pursed his lips and did not voice his doubts, instead shouting: “You brats, what are you standing around for? Get to work, or do you want to become sea monster food?”
Shortly after, the storm gradually weakened, and the ship passed through a foggy area, arriving at an unfamiliar sea region.
Warm and gentle sunlight poured down, a complete contrast to the previous hellish storm—one a hell, the other a paradise!
At the horizon where sea met sky, a black line slowly emerged—it was a huge deserted island.
Around the Sier continent, there were still scattered island chains, with Emerald Harbor being the most renowned among them.
“We’ve finally arrived at the New Continent!”
The sailors aboard, even the captain, were merely relieved to have survived the brink of destruction.
But as the gray-robed figure and the old man with curly hair stepped onto the deck and exchanged glances, they both felt an unusual sensation.
Regardless, this newly appeared landmass was quite sizable. Although it couldn’t compare to a kingdom, it was definitely a large territory among duchies.
Such a vast domain naturally attracted the covetous eyes of many great nobles.
Moreover, the integration of a new world meant what?
Infinite wealth in gold and silver! Raw material sources! Markets for goods! And fertile ground for divine faith!
As long as the opportunity was seized, opportunities were everywhere!
Compared to such returns, the life and death of a mere shipload of people hardly mattered.
At least Gray Robe Roger was well aware that this was already the fifth expedition his faction had launched, with the only outcome of the previous four being shipwrecks and deaths, not even reaching the edge of the New Continent.
In fact, it wasn’t just their faction alone.
All the great nobles near the East and along the coast had already taken action.
“Lord Roger!”
The captain, with a coral pipe in his mouth, approached the gray-robed figure: “There’s a big island ahead. My crew wants to go ashore to rest and also need to replenish some supplies…”
“You’re the captain; you decide!”
In this regard, Gray Robe Roger appeared quite open-minded.
“Then what should we do next?”
Watching the sailors cheerfully launching small boats or even swimming to shore hugging pieces of wood, stepping onto the longed-for land, the white-haired old man quietly asked Roger.
“Next…”
Roger smiled slightly: “Let them act freely. We just need to guide secretly… no, not even guide. The captain will naturally understand the value of a new continent!”
Upon hearing this, the old man shuddered inwardly.
These sailors were completely unaware, and now they were like bait willingly walking into danger.
Whatever they did, if successful, there would certainly be benefits for their side.
But if the legendary domain ruler became enraged and wiped them all out, it would cause no loss to their own side.
In fact, they could even use this as grounds to demand compensation from the other party, for they were “innocent” after all!
Indeed, within the rules set by the gods, there were too many loopholes to exploit.
In fact, this might even be a backdoor left intentionally by the gods themselves.
Rules set by the strong are naturally advantageous to themselves.
Though seemingly fair and just on the surface, when the other side is weak, they have little means to protect their own interests.
That is the tragedy of the weak!
In fact, sending so many people to their deaths was already sufficient as a veil of propriety in the eyes of the great powers.
As for how many of these mortals perish, what does it matter?
In the eyes of true gods, even legendary domain rulers are merely larger ants.
To make them wary, such power is far from sufficient.
Several days later, after replenishing and resting, the ship set sail again.
Soon, the captain made a discovery: “Ships ahead! Signal them! Damn… I can’t understand their flag signals at all. Do these people even know how to navigate?”
Across from this ship, Galenbu puzzled, lowered his telescope: “Strange ship, strange flag signals—who exactly are they?”
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