Above The Sky
Chapter 1063: 140: Preparation, then Departure! (4000)

Chapter 1063: Chapter 140: Preparation, then Departure! (4000)

Over a month had passed, and the long-negotiated multinational cooperation exploration initiative was about to formally commence.

The Setar Empire, the Canaan Moore Federation, and the Azure Sky Royal Court were neighboring nations and historical rivals with frequent minor clashes. Thus, when the other powers on the Terra Continent learned that these three nations were willing to join forces over a Pre-Era Civilization ruin, they immediately understood one thing: this matter was unquestionably monumental.

It was certain that they had discovered something not only immensely dangerous but also extraordinarily valuable within.

Indeed, this was the case.

A Pre-Era Civilization Central Tier Biological Laboratory—such a target, four hundred years ago, would have been enough to ignite a world war. Even now, the value of the Heterogeneous Civilization Research Institute it contained was sufficient to spark multiple wars.

The only reason actual conflicts didn’t break out was precisely due to the tri-nation alliance.

Setting aside the combined strength of the three nations, their geographical position spanned the center of the Terra Continent, and the location of the ruins happened to lie centrally within their territories. So long as the three nations avoided internal strife or civil war, no other force could seize the ruins by military force.

More importantly, even with such an advantageous position, the tri-nation alliance had no intention of keeping the discovery entirely to themselves.

All interested major powers of Terra were invited to send their exploration teams to join efforts in uncovering the ruins of the Pre-Era Civilization. Under the conventions of the Four Great Orthodox Churches, they promised the safety of all explorers, temporarily wiping away any past enmities.

[The ruins of the Pre-Era Civilization are the shared heritage of all Terra Nations and cannot be exclusively claimed by any one entity.]

During the official speech, Count Chongming, the spokesperson for the Empire and one of royal lineage, declared righteously, [To prevent the destruction of the ruins, to avoid missing critical facilities and technologies, and to better confront the dangers within the ruins, we believe that a cooperative multinational effort is the most rational approach to their development.]

While everyone understood perfectly well that in this exploration, the tri-nation alliance would undoubtedly take the majority share, leaving the scraps for the others.

But with an opportunity to enter the ruins, who knew what the final outcome might be?

Moreover, the tri-nation alliance itself was far from monolithic… setting aside the fact that Canaan Moore had only ceased hostilities with the Azure Sky Royal Court a few years prior, the Empire and the Azure Sky Royal Court were historic enemies with deeply rooted grudges. It was unlikely they’d set aside their animosities solely for a ruin; they were bound to trip each other up.

And therein lay the opportunities for the invited powers.

In addition to the Terra Nations, various independent forces such as Dragon Island, the Four Great Orthodox Churches, Far Sword Port, and the Fae of Falling Star City had also sent emissaries. The Dragon Worship Cult, being the first discoverers of the ruins, naturally participated as well.

“Ian, you can choose whichever identity you’d like to go with.”

In the study at the Lord’s Mansion within Xia Hui Territory, Elder Mantle took a sip of flower tea and said calmly, “Whether as the Host of the Southern Ridge Dragon Worship Sect or as a specially invited researcher from the Alchemy Association—it makes no difference. After all, your presence in itself represents the Dragon Worship Cult.”

“Lord Baron, I am merely here to deliver the notification and cannot make any decisions.”

An elite mentor from the Imperial Royal Alchemical Association, seated nearby with a teacup in hand, smiled wryly but refrained from drinking: “We are already aware of your identity, but Master Gossay has reserved a slot for you. Whichever identity you decide to use, we will register accordingly.”

Faced with both the Third Energy Level Elder Mantle and Ian, whose status and research capabilities far surpassed his own, this elite alchemist—respected in every corner of Terra—could only adopt a humble demeanor, using honorifics in every sentence: “Master Gossay asked me to relay a message to you—this is a rare opportunity, and under no circumstances should you miss it. While the territory can be developed later, the chance to explore a Pre-Era Civilization ruin may never come again.”

After delivering his message, he sat upright without saying another word.

“I see…”

Ian nodded slightly, now fully grasping the situation.

At this point, with Ian’s stature, there was no question of both sides pressuring him to join one or the other. Both the Empire and the Dragon Worship Cult were willing to let him decide freely. His wishes alone determined everything—such was the privilege of being a coveted prodigy.

Nonetheless, the reason they hoped for a definitive response from Ian was simple: quotas.

The number of personnel each nation or major force could dispatch to the exploration team was limited. If Ian went as a representative of the Dragon Worship Cult, the Empire would gain one additional slot, and vice versa.

With just one more participant, the likelihood of securing significant findings within the ruins increased. Moreover, internal factions within the Empire were undoubtedly competing fiercely for every available position.

Still, it was not entirely accurate to say that both sides preferred Ian to represent the opposing party—with his talent and demonstrated abilities, Ian alone was worth ten standard elite researchers.

“I’ll go under the identity of the Dragon Worship Cult.”

After a brief consideration, Ian addressed the Alchemy Association emissary: “But make sure to prepare a communication device from the Association for me as well… after all, even as a Dragon Worship Cult member, I’m still an Imperial, aren’t I?”

“Understood. I will convey your decision to Master Gossay.”

The emissary breathed a sigh of relief. He was utterly indifferent to Ian’s choice of sides but felt restless sitting alongside Elder Mantle: “With that, I’ll take my leave.”

“I didn’t expect you to choose the Dragon Worship Cult.”

Watching the emissary depart, Elder Mantle turned to Ian, mildly surprised: “The Empire’s exploration teams are far more organized and have higher chances of major discoveries. On our side, having already obtained the Dragon God’s inheritance, the ruins aren’t particularly crucial to us.”