Above The Sky
Chapter 1064: 140: Preparation, then Departure! (4000)_2

Chapter 1064: Chapter 140: Preparation, then Departure! (4000)_2

“Even if there truly are descendants of the Chromium Steel Dragon, we don’t need them anymore… In fact, now that you’re the Dragon God’s Emissary, we need them even less. A ‘Child of the Dragon’ who might threaten your authority is unnecessary.”

Elder Mantle spoke with a touch of sentimentality, for who could have imagined that just one year ago, the person most eager to find the descendants of the Chromium Steel Dragon was him?

But time has changed things. With Ian present—a nearly perfect Dragon God’s Emissary—unless the Chromium Steel Dragon itself resurrects, no one could possibly surpass him.

Especially for the Mountain People, Ian’s actions over the past year have genuinely helped foster their development… Just to highlight one example, the expansion zone in the northwestern swampland is flourishing. Its new settlements have adopted many advanced technologies. A significant number of Mountain Tribes are interested in incorporating innovations such as agricultural skyscrapers and modern fertilizers.

To be honest, Elder Mantle had even considered abandoning plans to explore the Exotic Species Research Institute.

Now that the attention of the Terra Nations is focused on Canaan Moore, it’s the perfect opportunity for the Mountain People to grow and recuperate. However, the King of the Mountain is highly intrigued by the Exotic Species Research Institute and plans to go as one of Dragon Island’s representatives. He will also meet up with the Dragon Worship Cult from South Ridge during the journey.

“We definitely have to go; such a massive relic is just too tempting to ignore.”

Ian, on his part, couldn’t exactly tell Elder Mantle, “I have the authority of the Institute’s director.” Simply opting out of such an expedition would be far too cautious.

The main reason Ian wanted to attend under the guise of the Dragon Worship Cult was to avoid the scrutiny of The Empire’s officials. During his last visit to the Avak Domain, being watched the entire time by the Second Prince was an unbearable experience—Ian still preferred operating solo.

“Moreover.”

Ian raised his left hand, where a glowing azure current flickered. With a smile, the young man said, “In the territory, there’s no real need for me to personally oversee affairs.”

Thanks to the widespread adaptation of Artificial Souls, Ian and Adalbert had been monitoring for over a month and confirmed that their improved version was incredibly stable, even surpassing the model once used by the Duke of Sorin. This good news led the Deceased Monarch Researcher to break into celebratory song. Quite frankly, his singing wasn’t bad! Ian hadn’t expected Adalbert to have a flair for the arts.

As for Ian himself, there were few surprises; he had foreseen the outcome many times. If problems had occurred despite this, it would have only proven that Ian’s precognitive abilities were flawed.

Even if issues do arise, Adalbert is perfectly capable of handling them.

Meanwhile, at the training camp, Green Tide was overseeing operations. For now, the Meditation Technique posed little difficulty—the real challenge was learning to “calm one’s mind.” As long as someone can quiet their thoughts and focus solely on constructing their Soul Structure, even the dimmest individual could master the Meditation Technique.

The only difference is that intelligent people might achieve success within a few months, while less capable individuals could require ten years. Still, being able to cultivate at all is better than not being able to. As for mitigating the gap between geniuses and the slow learners… Ian didn’t have the bandwidth to address that.

At the very least, reconstructing the soul allows individuals to optimize their talents, even enabling those with minimal aptitude to become “valuable assets.” The only drawback is that they’d start their journey ten years later than others.

In other developments, Scott had received the second round of funding from the Firestone Group—thanks to Ian. He had submitted pre-prepared research papers and prototype experiments to them, which were met with great satisfaction by the company.

The Western Province’s battlefield is ablaze, and they need such “secret weapons” to deliver a surprise to Fiery Flame Land!

With plans proceeding steadily, finances stabilizing, and spring planting completed, the agricultural skyscrapers in Xiawei Territory are now producing their third batch of crops. The growth of Radiance Grass is also promising; the first harvest is anticipated for July or August.

By then, even without financial support from the Firestone Group, Xiawei Territory should achieve self-sufficiency!

“If that’s your decision, then naturally, I agree.”

Elder Mantle slowly rose to his feet, his brows furrowing slightly. “However, the Mountain People cannot have both leaders absent from South Ridge. Since you’ll be participating as a member of the Dragon Worship Cult, I won’t leave… On that note, the King of the Mountain is also heading to Canaan Moore—perhaps you can ask Sio if they’re willing to join you.”

“If they agree, having a Third Energy Level individual accompany you would provide additional safety.”

—Sio protecting me? I might as well be protecting them.

Ian sighed inwardly. Although Elder Mantle knew Ian possessed a Conscious Lightbody and wasn’t a typical individual at the Second Energy Level, he couldn’t fathom Ian’s true strength, which had already surpassed the power of a Third Energy Level True Dragon. Then again, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

If even Elder Mantle couldn’t figure it out, it was guaranteed that no one else could either.

And besides… there’s Sio’s prosthetic body.

Thinking about Sio’s artificial appearance stirred something within Ian, sparking an idea. He nodded, saying, “Indeed, if they’re with us, many tasks could become easier.”

“I’ll go ask Sio.”

“A relic? Awesome! Count me in!”

This was Sio’s immediate reaction. Upon hearing Ian’s invitation to explore the Exotic Species Research Institute, the True Dragon cheered enthusiastically. “Finally, I get to leave South Ridge! And we’re heading to Canaan Moore!”

“Last time, Anfa visited South Ridge and we had to accommodate her—this time, I’ll make sure to indulge myself properly and force her to host us!”

Sio swallowed hard, muttering to themselves, “Anfa kept boasting about elf pastries and gourmet delicacies, always sending pictures to torment me… If she doesn’t prepare a feast that satisfies me this time—I swear I’ll invade her dreams and savor all those tastes myself!”

As a Dragon of the Illusionary Realm, Sio indeed had such capabilities—they could enter the dreams of others and consume sensations and memories associated with flavors. If Anfa were truly subjected to this, she might experience a week of tasteless meals.

“Calm down already.”

Ian raised a brow. In the Terra language, the terms for “he” and “she” differ slightly in writing and pronunciation—a subtlety that Sio overlooked, inadvertently revealing an important clue.

Still, it wasn’t a big deal; Ian had already suspected the truth.

Watching Sio’s excitement, Ian couldn’t resist teasing them: “Should we consult the King of the Mountain on this? After all, while it’s just a relic exploration with theoretically minimal risk—and plenty of Fourth Energy Level experts from various nations present—it’s still worth confirming with your mom, right?”

“…I’m already grown and independent! I’m living on my own, and I don’t need to ask about such things!”

Sio froze momentarily before fervently shaking their head in refusal. “Even if I have to report back, it’d only be after arriving in Canaan Moore—regardless of what she says, I’m definitely going to visit the elves!”

“Alright.”

Ian couldn’t help but chuckle. He genuinely understood Sio’s enthusiasm and longing—anyone who had been confined to South Ridge due to physical disabilities would naturally crave adventure after recovery. The King of the Mountain surely understood their child’s desires as well.

It was likely that Elder Mantle’s suggestion to involve Sio was an intentional arrangement by the King of the Mountain.

Now that the decision had been made, all that remained was preparation.

Ian summoned his leadership team within the territory, informing them of his impending departure for Canaan Moore to explore ancient ruins and outlining key tasks for the coming months.

This wasn’t any groundbreaking news; in Terra, no one realistically expects Nobles to remain tethered to their domains indefinitely. Lords traveling across the continent while their lands develop independently is simply par for the course—as long as they remember to return eventually.

On May 25th, Terra Year 774, in the morning, Ian finalized adjustments to the power supply in his “Earth Pulse Core Furnace Heart,” bringing the completion rate of the Iron Pioneer project to over 60%.

At this point, Ian could be considered an official “Third Energy Level” individual, possessing both Third Energy Level strength and mental capabilities, alongside an exceptionally stable Conscious Lightbody.

That same afternoon, having completed all preparations, Ian departed Xiawei Territory, heading toward Nauman City.

Awaiting him there lay a grand vessel from Canaan Moore, ready to carry him forward.