147: Another expedition

dawn calendar Year 31616, Star Sea Calendar Year 15.

The halo of the Breath of Life Demi-plane rippled like water as Linn stepped out, standing amidst the dawn in the Star Sea City Main Square.

Now thirty-seven, his face held more resolve and composure than in his youth; time and power had left no traces of weariness, instead refining his lordly demeanor into something deeper and more reserved. Dressed in a well-tailored black noble robe with the Star Sea Griffin Crest embroidered in silver thread on the collar and cuffs, he wore no other adornments. Yet, standing on the high platform, his natural Sky-rank Aura and the majesty of years in power were enough to take anyone's breath away.

Upon the square, the military formations stood in solemn silence.

Thousands of the most elite forces from various legions were gathered here, while the main army was already on standby at the front lines! Armor glinted coldly in the rising sun, and battle flags snapped in the morning breeze. The thousands of soldiers remained silent, save for the occasional snort of a warhorse and the soft clinking of armor.

On either side of the platform stood core generals led by Admiral Clay and administrative officials led by Morton, all in formal attire or military uniform, standing solemnly. Further back were decorated warrior representatives selected from each legion and the personal guard, appearing like a silent forest of steel.

Linn's gaze slowly swept over this mighty army he had built from scratch. In fifteen years, the Star Sea Territory had grown from a corner of the Shattered Star Archipelago to possessing three Star Sea cities and expanding into the East Sea Prefecture, with over 150,000 armored soldiers under his command. The thousands of elites before him were blades tempered through a hundred battles.

"Soldiers."

His voice was not loud, yet it strangely penetrated the entire square, reaching everyone's ears clearly with a steady, mountain-like power of conviction.

"Fifteen years ago, the land beneath our feet was but a wild island. In these fifteen years, we have crossed the sea to build cities and expand our borders, forging the name of Star Sea with blood and fire."

"Today, I, Linn, command in the name of the Lord of Star Sea Territory!"

He paused. Tens of thousands of eyes in the square focused on him simultaneously, the air thick with tense anticipation.

"From this day forward, the Star Sea Territory shall launch a full-scale expansion into the eastern Great Wilderness Forest! This war is not for royal decree, nor for hollow fame, but to expand the living space for our people and lay a foundation for ten thousand generations!"

"Mighty Star Sea Territory! Mighty Lord!" The thunderous cheers erupted like a tsunami. Soldiers struck their chests with their fists, the clashing of metal merging into a Soul-stirring war drum.

Linn raised his hand, and the cheers gradually subsided.

He turned and walked to one side of the platform. Waiting there was the Dragon Scale Horse, "Xiao Qing," his companion of many years. Now promoted to a High Gold Rank Demonic Beast, its build was even more robust, its bluish-black scales shimmering with a metallic luster in the sunlight, its eyes full of intelligence.

Linn flipped onto the horse and gave the reins a light shake. Xiao Qing raised its head and let out a long neigh like a dragon's roar, carrying its master slowly down the platform to pass through the military formations.

Wherever he passed, the soldiers automatically parted to form a path, their eyes following their Lord's figure with even more fervor. Linn reviewed the troops on horseback, his gaze meeting those of familiar generals and squads of veterans he had fought alongside. He saw Clay's mountain-steady nod, saw Ocean's wide, excited grin, and saw Yilman's determined clenched fist... Finally, he reached the center of the formation and reined in his horse.

Xiao Qing reared its front hooves and stomped down heavily, causing the ground to vibrate slightly.

Linn looked toward the west! That was the direction of East Sea Prefecture, the endless fertile plains of the Great Wilderness Forest, and the future domain of the Star Sea Territory.

"Soldiers of Star Sea!" His voice suddenly rose, like a drawn sword cutting through the Sky.

"Mighty!"

The entire army responded loudly:

"Long live the Star Sea Territory! Long live the Lord!"

The tsunami-like response rang out again, the sound waves nearly blowing away the clouds above the square. Every soldier's eyes burned with fierce Battle Intent and glory, fighting for expansion, for their home, and for this Lord who had led them from nothing to being invincible!

Linn took a deep breath, raised his right hand high, and then swung it down sharply!

"All forces! Attack!"

With the command issued, the torrent of steel began to surge.

The army split into two groups. One was led personally by the naval commander, Vice Admiral Ocean, heading grandly toward Star Sea Port. There, over a hundred warships raised their sails, magic engines began to roar, and they were about to embark on a cross-sea expedition to launch an amphibious advance from the coastlines of East Sea Prefecture and Laixi Ao Province.

The other group turned toward the city's teleportation square. The permanent teleportation array between Star Sea City and East Sea City was already running at full power; they would arrive directly at the East Sea City front line and push westward by land.

Orderly and incredibly efficient, the main forces all left Star Sea City within a short while. Only Linn, Clay, and the Wind Wing griffins remained in the square.

"Clay, I didn't expect you to reach the Sky rank before Elise." Linn punched him in the chest!

Clay gave a bitter smile. "My Lord, I was forced into it. The three main commanders of sea, land, and air, along with Batu and the others, have all reached the Sky rank. As the only three-star admiral of the Star Sea Territory, I couldn't let the gap between us grow too wide."

Linn nodded, understanding his pressure. "I believe in you, Clay. You should head out too! This war will also be an important way for you to learn."

Clay saluted, mounted a Wind Wing, and bid farewell to Linn before flying toward Shattered Star City.

Linn remained on his horse, watching him leave, his face showing little worry.

Today's Star Sea Army was no longer the force of old that required him to be on the front lines, fighting bloody battles. After fifteen years of systematic construction, professional training, and equipment iterations, the average strength, tactical proficiency, and equipment levels of the Star Sea Territory soldiers far surpassed the continent's conventional armies. In equal numbers against Orcs tribal forces, it would be a complete slaughter.

Moreover, the Star Sea Territory possessed "Sky-rank" Magic Crystal Main Cannons and other such Sharp Weapons of war! Through the continuous improvements by Great Master Henry's team, the current main cannons were more powerful, had longer range, and lower energy consumption, and had begun to be deployed in miniaturized versions. An artillery position of ten "Ocean-class" main cannons could destroy half of a standard Orcs tribe's defensive fortifications in a single volley.

"Lord." Morton approached. Although this old butler had Advanced to the Gold rank, the traces of time were hard to hide at his temples, though his eyes remained as sharp as ever.

"The recruitment and training plans for the Reserve Force have been sent to each city. The first batch of 30,000 young men has been assembled and is undergoing basic training at the Star Moon City military base," Morton reported. "As per your requirements, the training syllabus focuses on discipline, physical fitness, basic combat techniques, and squad coordination. They can be added to the frontline units as auxiliary troops in three months, and those with excellent evaluations can transfer to the regular army after six months."

Linn nodded. "Very good. The Reserve Force is not just for replacing combat losses, but also for building a backbone for future military expansion. Tell the training camps that those who perform excellently, along with their families, can receive extra contribution points, with priority for exchanging Cultivation resources, land leasing rights, and school enrollment slots for their children."

"Yes."

"Additionally," Linn added, "notify Barton that the Star Sea Merchant Guild must fully guarantee the supply of frontline materials, especially magic crystals, potions, and engineering machinery. Ensure the trade routes with the Dwarf Kingdom remain clear. The batch of special steel and precision components promised to them must be delivered on time without fail."

"Understood."

Having finished his instructions, Linn did not linger. He handed Xiao Qing over to his guards and walked alone into the depths of the Lords Mansion. There, a stable spatial gate leading to the Breath of Life Demi-plane was permanently open.

Stepping through the light gate, a familiar and rich breath of life rushed toward him. Today's Demiplane, through Destiny's years of management and Linn's continuous investment of resources, had become an excellent Holy Land for Cultivation, especially in the central divine spring area where life energy was so dense it was almost liquid.

Just as Linn stepped into the outer area of the divine spring, he felt a strong surge of elemental fluctuations condensing.

By the divine spring, Elise was suspended in mid-air with her eyes closed, surrounded by brilliant magical radiance. Her silver-white long hair moved without wind, and on her moon-white mage robe, the star patterns originally embroidered there seemed to come alive, flashing in sync with her breathing. Her vast Mental Energy resonated with the elemental tide, forming a slowly rotating elemental vortex above her head! This was the critical moment of her Breakthrough to the Sky rank!

Linn stopped and did not disturb her. Aivi also emerged from her meditation spot on the other side and quietly came to his side. This Sea God Clan princess and Lord's wife, after years of dedicated Cultivation, had reached the Advanced Sky rank, her Aura becoming as deep as the sea. She took Linn's hand, and the two watched silently.

The Breakthrough process lasted about half an hour. When the elemental vortex shrunk to its limit and suddenly vanished into Elise's brow, her Aura surged abruptly. A pressure belonging to a Sky-rank powerhouse spread out, but was quickly suppressed by the Breath of Life Demi-plane.

Elise slowly opened her eyes, her deep blue pupils seemingly reflecting the entire starry Sky. She landed lightly, her long skirt trailing on the ground, her face full of the joy and excitement of the Breakthrough.

"Congratulations." Linn stepped forward with a smile.

"Linn!" Elise could hardly hide her excitement, feeling the Mental Energy within her that was several times more powerful and her more sensitive control over the elements. "I've finally... reached the Sky rank as well!"

"With your talent and accumulation, it was bound to happen eventually," Aivi also congratulated her with a smile. "From now on, with you overseeing the Mage Corps, we can be even more worry-free."

At the mention of the Mage Corps, Elise's expression turned serious. "Young Master, since I have broken through, I should immediately head to Shattered Star City to officially take full charge of the Mage Corps' affairs. Now that the Sea God Clan Mage Corps has been fully integrated into the Star Sea mage system, the total number of permanent mages in both places exceeds five thousand, and it requires a Sky-rank commander to oversee and unify the coordination long-term."

Linn nodded. "I had the same thought. The other armies have already set out; as a strategic support force, the Mage Corps needs to follow closely behind. Your primary task upon going there is to complete the pre-war integration and mobile deployment of the Mage Corps."

"Understood!" A look of eagerness flashed in Elise's eyes. "I'll go prepare right away."

Linn and Aivi saw her to the Demiplane's exit. Before parting, Linn instructed again, "For the front-line battles, focus on stability; there's no need to rush for success. The Mage Corps' core tasks are ensuring communications, battlefield reconnaissance, barrier support, and striking key targets. For specific tactical command, listen more to the opinions of the front-line generals."

"Yes, Young Master, don't worry." Elise saluted, turned, and stepped into the teleportation light gate, her figure disappearing.

After seeing off Elise, the Breath of Life Demi-plane returned to tranquility.

Linn and Aivi looked at each other, seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.

"We should continue as well." Linn took Aivi's hand and walked toward the core area of the divine spring. The life energy there was so dense it formed a faint golden mist; every breath felt like it was washing their Soul and Physical Body.

Their goal was clear and firm—Legendary!

For Linn, Intermediate Sky rank was still some distance from Legendary, but with the acceleration from the breath of life, the aid of level-seven potions, and his increasing comprehension of the Law, he was confident he could touch the Legendary barrier within ten years. That would be one year in the outside world!

As for Aivi, with her Sea God Clan Bloodline fully awakened, her Advanced Sky rank strength combined with her racial talent gave her an even greater hope of reaching the Legendary rank. Once she succeeded, the Star Sea Territory would have a second Legendary powerhouse, and its strategic deterrence would undergo a qualitative change.

The two sat facing each other by the divine spring, each entering deep meditation.

Outside the Demiplane, the Star Sea Territory's war machine was already running at full speed; inside the Demiplane, the Lord and his wife were accumulating strength for a more distant future.