Badge in Azure

Chapter 383: Rock Dragon (Part 1)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Noticing that Saleen did not respond, Aini got anxious. Then he said, "Saleen, we don't have to take this risk, this route wouldn't be revealed to any outsiders for the time being. You can control this route for at least five years, you don't have to spend so much effort securing it."

"I know. Aini, if those magic beasts have gone insane, there must be something extraordinary though. Let's wait at a different location first, and we will return once those magic beasts revert to their normal selves. It will be good even if we only get to collect some bone fragments."

Aini sighed, "There's no need to do this. This will be your territory for the time being, outsiders will not be able to interfere. There are materials all over this place which will cause others to go green with envy, there's no need to take any more risks." Aini was sparing a thought for Saleen. Jola and Sika could not move in deep waters, and if anything went wrong, those two people would be in grave danger after all.

Saleen simply smiled in response, then said to Irene, "Go and rest for a few hours. We will dock at an island up ahead."

"Mm." Irene nodded in agreement. Earlier on, she was physically exhausted. Now that Saleen allowed her to rest, it was a dream come true. Irene wanted to rush back to her room and remove that filthy handkerchief.

Making sure that Irene had left, Saleen then said to Aini, "Aini, I think that Irene will not be able to detach herself from the Williams family given her current capabilities. If she cannot accomplish it eventually…"

Aini's eyes flashed with a decisive gaze, and he simply nodded. Aini and Irene were not good friends, he had too few friends among the four families. Thinking of this, Aini replied, "If Irene cannot make it, I will help you search for another suitable candidate."

Aini was very clear about what Saleen required. Saleen wanted an example, an example who made it rich in their city. Only with such a temptation would infinite investments flow into his city.

In order to operate a city, the amount of money needed was by no means small. Even a small town would require hundreds of thousands of gold coins. The income tax received annually only amounted to a few thousand gold coins. Unless Saleen built a city like Alchemy City, he might as well not recruit anyone. He should just remain in the Frozen Sea to hunt.

Saleen's ambition did not just stop there. He wanted to expand the city to form a central zone in the north, so that many people would come forth to develop and make a living. Once this vision was achieved, the city would contain quality soldiers, thus attracting various experts. By then, even if the Holy See's army attacked, Saleen would be able to defend himself.

Saleen's city would be like Alchemy City. Besides housing a huge number of mages, various families across the Qin Empire also had investments inside the city. The moment war broke out, these families would render assistance, helping Alchemy City to resist the enemy.

Building atop this foundation, Alchemy City also developed its own farmland. That way it was a self-sufficient in food supply. Alchemy City was analogous to an independent kingdom already. With this foundation, Alchemy City then proceeded to develop its maritime territory, controlling thousands of miles of water. Even the indomitable Cloudflow navy rarely disturbed the peace.

Clearly, Saleen's goal was to establish a nuclear city which was not inferior to Alchemy City. In that case, absorbing funds would be a bread-and-butter affair. Alchemy City also used various scarce resources as a bait in order to obtain astronomical capital from the ubiquitous tycoons across the mainland.

Saleen was jubilant when he learned that Aini could introduce a better candidate to him. Saleen did not really prefer working with a person such as Irene. Even though she had ambitions, Saleen and she were two different characters.

"Is the person you are recommending also from one of the four big families?"

"Yes, from the Rolande family. She might not be a direct descendant, but her father is very influential. Her father has done much business in Loulan."

"Her?" In Qin language, there was a huge difference in the pronunciation of "her" and "him."

"Relax, she won't be a haggard old lady," Aini joked. Saleen was not very astonished, women in Qin had a considerable standing in society. In Cloudflow, women were simply regarded as a tool for childbearing. In Tanggulasi, women were not even considered to be a tool. Of course, the only country with absolute gender equality was Sikeqinya. Women in Sikeqinya still led a hard life. They had to work just like the men, they even had to grow crops and hunt.

"The Rolande family seems to be in the agriculture and livestock business right?"

"They are also involved in weapons and mining. They are small as they are oppressed by the other three families."

"It's alright. I am just about to open up a wasteland, I will need their talents." Immediately, Saleen had thought of a location for the Rolande family. Saleen would provide the castle and soldiers, while the Rolande family could supply the quality farmers and businessmen who ran food businesses. Saleen's soldiers would be responsible for protecting them, chasing away the magic beasts and bandits, and paving the way for the rest of the activities.

Even though the land in the north could only be utilized for one season, the soil was extremely fertile. The Rolande family could still make a profit. Saleen did not want a cut of the profits, he just wanted the Rolande family to sell the food back to him and supply the army with rations. Since Saleen was going to build six camps, the meals for sixty-thousand people were a pressing issue. He might have the confidence to establish a fleet, but purchasing food was a very troublesome affair. Various farmers were controlled by the nobles, and if one wanted to procure food, he would have to fork out a large sum of money.

"Aini, you know me best." Saleen patted Aini's shoulder, but Aini simply smiled coldly.

"Humph, there's something wrong with Irene's brain, she will never accomplish great things. I believe the people around you have realized it… the previous time." Aini was referring to the incident whereby Irene tried to instigate Saleen to kill the Pale Earth.

Saleen nodded, then Aini said, "She is a person without a bottom-line. For a selfish agenda, she is willing to anger the people around you. That is very unwise of her. She is poles apart from her mother."

Saleen replied innocently, "I didn't want to do anything with her, after all…"

"I know, but if you tried something, she wouldn't be angry."

Saleen blushed at the same time. He was never deft in the affairs of the heart. If Sika did not take the initiative, he would not have known any of this. Now that he understood, he would not go and mess around with Irene. From Saleen's perspective, trust was of utmost importance. He merely shared a working relationship with Irene. Without that contract, there would not even be any trust to begin with.

There were less and less magic beasts surrounding the alchemical boat. Almost all of the creatures nearby had been attracted by that anomaly on the seabed. The winged skeleton piloted the alchemical boat to a small island, then the ship was docked.

"Master, should we advance farther north? I have discovered volcanic activity underground. In at most five-hundred miles north, there will be a volcano. Perhaps there are other magic beasts there suitable for capture?" the winged skeleton suggested to Saleen.

"This location is good." In his heart, Saleen knew that the winged skeleton was reluctant to allow him to return. Even though it was dangerous up north, it was still safer than a brawl which involved hundreds of magic beasts.

"Saleen, shall we go up and take a look?" Jola was very eager. Onboard this ship, he was useless. Even those five low grade mages were more useful, at least they could help steer the ship. Jola might possess powerful offensive abilities, but he could not help Saleen at all.

"It seems that Banchajanna hasn't recovered," Aini reminded Saleen. Even though Aini was brave, he did not want to take unnecessary risks. Since this island was larger, magic beasts might be present. Without the company of Banchajanna, the offensive power of Saleen's team was greatly hampered.

After pondering for a while, Saleen said, "It's fine, those land magic beasts can't run faster than me. If we are losing, we will simply flee."

Aini did not bother persuading further as he felt that it was very stuffy being underwater. The Pan's Turtle alchemical boat had an intricate design. During a battle, the magic array would not expel the exhaled gas, such an action would release many air bubbles which would attract unwanted trouble.

Since the ship was not huge, the air would feel kind of polluted after being underwater for a long duration. Even though the magic array was producing fresh air continuously, people still felt very uncomfortable. The best solution was to allow the ship to float up to the surface to exchange gases.

Originally, the Pan's Turtle alchemical boat was at a depth of a few dozen meters, suctioned onto an undersea cliff. After the winged skeleton received the order from Saleen, he floated the ship to the surface. Then, he steered the ship along the island, in search of a location for going ashore.

"Master is going up?" Nailisi ran from the rear cabin.

"Where is Banchajanna?"

"Attaching his tail," Nailisi replied with a giggle. "Finally it's time to go up." Nailisi abhorred being underwater, even though she was safest among the rest underwater.

"How are your injuries?"

"It's fine, the muscle was pulled, but the bone wasn't broken," Nailisi answered.

Jola stuck out his tongue. In the face of such a powerful wave, Nailisi only pulled her muscle. "Her identity might be extraordinary, I must serve this lady properly".

Saleen had peace of mind upon hearing that. He then instructed the winged skeleton to be ready to receive him anytime. Thereafter, he led the people out of the Pan's Turtle alchemical boat through the teleportation portal. The alchemical boat began the process of gaseous exchange. The magic array also started operating, repairing the damage to the machine.

The five people stood atop the Pan's Turtle alchemical boat inhaling the fresh air, feeling refreshed in that instant. The Pan's Turtle alchemical boat docked at the northern face of this island. The island was not snowcapped. Since the beach was filled with gravel, it portrayed a grayish appearance. The center of the island was raised, but it could not be considered a mountain yet. What made Saleen and the rest astounded was the presence of sparse vegetation.

"Strange, doesn't this place get frozen?"

"There might be volcanoes." Saleen furrowed his brows. For things like a volcano, one would not be able to withstand the impact from an eruption no matter how strong they were. Even a grade-9 mage would be burned into ash if he got splashed with magma.

Saleen took a sniff, then said, "Don't worry, there are no volcanoes here. Let's go."

Speaking, Saleen already cast the Quickcloud Spell, gliding towards the beach with Sika and Nailisi. Aini summoned his flesh spirits, and got transported ashore. Jola judged the distance between the alchemical boat and the shore, and then he leaped, covering over ten meters with this leap. Just as his feet came into contact with the water, a huge ripple appeared on the surface of the sea, spreading outwards. By then, Jola had already transformed into a gray shadow and charged onto the shore.

"Jola, not bad at all. If you can advance to a golden grand swordmaster, I will give you the sword spirit." Seeing that Jola's actions were swift and clean, Saleen immediately made a wish.

"Really?" Jola was exhilarated, he was really tempted when he saw the sword spirit. He knew that the sword spirit was a natural adversary to the mages though. Now that Saleen made such a promise, Jola had a favorable impression of him. Even though this condition was slightly insurmountable, Jola knew that if he was diligent, it was not entirely impossible for him to become a golden grand swordmaster.