154: Prepare

Inside the conference room, after the Radiant City delegation departed, the atmosphere became quiet for a moment.

Dragon Battle was the first to break the silence, grinning, "Brother Su, quickly put that thing away. It's too tempting."

His straightforward words immediately eased the somewhat stagnant atmosphere.

"General Long is joking."

Su Jin smiled. He could feel the admiration and goodwill in Dragon Battle's words, without any hint of jealousy.

"This is no joke," Zhou Yong interjected.

"However, Radiant City has really gone all out. This favor is priceless."

Su Jin smiled and said nothing more.

He carefully closed the lid of the box, and the life energy that was almost overflowing was instantly sealed away.

After discussing the preliminary cooperation framework for their return to the Realm Sea for a moment longer, Dragon Battle and the others stood up to take their leave.

"Brother Su, we'll meet again in the Realm Sea! When the time comes, we'll fight side by side again!"

Dragon Battle laughed heartily, shaking Su Jin's hand firmly.

"Absolutely."

After seeing everyone off, Su Jin was left alone in the large conference room.

He walked to the box and opened it again.

The flower, as if condensed from light, bloomed quietly, with a faint glow pulsing in its pistil, like a newborn heart.

His fingertips gently brushed the cool wall of the box, his gaze piercing through space.

He seemed to see his distant homeland, and the figure lying in the hospital, asleep for too long.

"Soon..." he murmured softly to himself, his voice gentle.

Carefully putting away the Flower of Eternal Life, Su Jin walked to the observation deck and stood with his hands behind his back.

His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where, in another dimension, the countdown to Adlan World's advancement was ticking away, minute by minute.

And by his reckoning, there was not much time left until the one-year mark of the War for Hegemony.

News of the war in Tianyu Realm had already been disseminated to every corner of Infinite City through Li Yi's administrative system.

However, the anticipated tension and unease did not appear.

Instead, the entire Infinite City, along with the Adlan World under its wing, erupted with an unprecedented sense of vigor and confidence.

...

Infinite City, East District, Infantry Camp.

Tens of thousands of Zhenyue Halberd Guards were undergoing their daily drills, their shouts converging into torrents that soared to the sky.

At the edge of the training ground, the familiar Halberd Guard named Old Hu was spouting exaggerated tales to a group of new recruits, his spittle flying.

"See that? This 'Mountain Suppressor Style' is all about stability! Sink your Qi to your Dantian, draw power from the ground, imagine yourselves as mountains!"

Old Hu's every move was powerful and dynamic.

"Back on the Red Soil Plateau, what did we rely on when facing those overwhelming monsters? It was this mountain-like spirit! Of course, the most important thing was that Lord Su Jin was awesome!"

A new recruit asked curiously,

"Chief Hu, I heard that Lord Su Jin won the war, and Eternal City of Woma World sent a lot of treasures? Is that true?"

Old Hu's eyes widened, and his voice rose by eight octaves.

"What do you mean 'a lot'? It was an incredible amount! I'm telling you, I was on guard duty that day, close by, and I just glimpsed it."

"The Radiant City delegation's procession was incredibly long! The boxes they carried were all shining with golden light!"

"But compared to our Lord Su Jin directly taking out an entire world, that's just a small scene!"

He puffed out his chest, his face full of pride.

"You lads have come at a good time."

"When we return to the Realm Sea, with Lord Su Jin here, no matter what Dark Star Empire or Three-Eyed Race comes, if one comes, we'll chop one; if two come, we'll chop two!"

"Chop two!"

The new recruits were fired up by his words, roaring in unison, and trained with even greater vigor.

...

Infinite City, Middle Ring, Commercial District.

It was more prosperous here than ever before.

The widened streets were spacious and clean, lined with shops.

In addition to the original inhabitants of Infinite City, many high-nosed, deep-eyed Woma World natives could be seen, and even a few Elves who appeared reserved but whose eyes were full of curiosity.

A stocky merchant from "Forged Steel Fortress" was shouting loudly, hawking his wares.

"Come and see! 'Fire Crystal Copper,' a specialty of Adlan World. Mix a little into weapons, and it comes with armor-piercing effects. Bulk discounts available, Infinite City contribution points accepted!"

Across from his stall, a human farmer from "Raozhou City" appeared much more refined.

His stall displayed numerous fresh, fist-sized green fruits.

"Try it, 'Clear Spirit Fruit,' a new variety that only began to bear fruit after Adlan World started its advancement."

He smiled at a passing Spirit Healing Physician.

"Although the spiritual energy it contains isn't much, it's pure and gentle, and can calm the mind and refresh the brain. Even Lord Li Yi said it was good!"

The Spirit Healing Physician picked one up and indeed felt a fresh aura wash over him, then smiled and bought a small bag.

The taverns on the street were even more boisterous.

"Have you heard? Another group of Spirit Pivot Sword Envoys recently successfully achieved 'Mind Unleashed'! It's said that the abilities they comprehended are diverse and incredibly powerful!"

"What's that? My second uncle's nephew, in the Engineering Corps, they're currently researching a new arrow tower blueprint, said to combine the characteristics of Grand Void Azurewood Palace's 'Yimu Divine Lightning.' One arrow shot out can create a lightning net!"

"Hahaha, anyway, with our Lord Su Jin, good days are still ahead! Come, for Infinite City, for Lord Su Jin, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Amidst the crisp clinking of cups, everyone's faces were beaming with genuine smiles.

And endless anticipation for the future.

...

Adlan World, Zhaowang City.

This city, as the core city of Adlan World, was now a truly magnificent metropolis.

Centered around it, six satellite cities echoed each other, forming a stable network of governance.

Li Yi stood on the city wall of Zhaowang City, watching teams of newly recruited Adlan human soldiers below, undergoing formation training led by Infinite City veterans.

Although these new recruits were still poorly equipped, their eyes shone with hope and admiration.

They felt the benefits of the world's advancement most deeply.

The concentration of spiritual energy in the air was increasing daily, the land was becoming more fertile, and newborn infants had far superior physiques than in the past.

They chanted the legends of 'God-Lord from Beyond' Su Jin, regarding him as the savior who rescued them from the enslavement of Goblins and old gods.

"Lord Li Yi."

It was Liora who spoke. Now, she was the administrator of the Elf race in Adlan World.

Dressed in a sleek, fitted outfit that highlighted the Elves' characteristic tall stature and flexible waist, her golden hair danced in the wind, adding a touch of heroism.

She walked to Li Yi's side and handed him a report.

"This is our Elf race's monthly 'Moonlight Grass' production report. It has increased by 30% compared to last month. The life energy tide brought by the world's advancement has also greatly enhanced our nature magic."

Li Yi took the report and nodded with satisfaction.

"You all have worked hard, Liora. Tell your people that Infinite City will not forget anyone's contributions."

Liora looked at the training human recruits, and in her emerald eyes, the arrogance she once held had long been replaced by admiration and a sense of belonging.

She said softly, "We are very fortunate to have made the right choice back then."

...

Lords Manor, on the observation deck.

Su Jin's gaze returned from the prosperous city below to the "∞" mark on his palm.

He could feel that the entire Infinite City, along with Adlan World,

The will and belief of tens of millions of living beings were continuously flowing into his Lord's Core through an invisible link.

This power was warm and vast, making him feel stronger than ever before.

This was his confidence.

He gazed into the distance, as if he could already see the boundless waves of the Realm Sea.

The one-year mark was approaching, and a new journey was about to begin.

But this time, he was not fighting alone.

Behind him was a great city on the rise, a new world undergoing advancement, and countless subjects and warriors who placed absolute trust in him.

A confident smile curved Su Jin's lips.

"Then, let the storms of the Realm Sea rage even more fiercely."