Chapter 657: Patheia, Another Natives (2)
Ji Chen nodded in agreement. This clue held great value. If they could locate these Ocean Pixies, it might lead them to more evidence.
Augustus paused for a moment, a puzzled expression on his face as he asked, “Lord Ji Chen, how did those corrupted skeletal lizards come about? Have you discovered anything in the ocean?”
Ji Chen looked at him solemnly and replied with a serious tone, “We have found that demons are attempting to invade once again.”
“What!?” Augustus was shocked by this news and quickly stood up in surprise. He quickly connected the dots with the ocean anomalies. “Are you saying that these anomalies are all caused by demons?”
“It’s very likely,” Ji Chen briefly explained about Anina absorbing the bloodline memories of an epic-tier Deep Sea Dragon Whale.
He tapped his index finger on the table and continued in a heavy tone, “Those corrupted skeletal lizards are probably creations of the demons, acting as their vanguard, perhaps trying to establish a hidden foothold in this secluded Mystic realm, using it as a forward base for their invasion into the main world.
If we just stand by and do nothing, the demons will soon launch a massive invasion. I need to find concrete evidence to make other races aware and prepared.”
“This is… truly astonishing,” Augustus muttered in disbelief, still showing the surprise in his eyes, and then he sat back down.
He hadn’t previously considered this possibility. Who could have imagined that the demon race, suppressed by the orderly gods, would attempt to invade the main world again?
As a native of this realm, when prompted by Ji Chen, he quickly recalled the various events and anomalies that had occurred in this realm over the past century. The appearance of corrupted creatures, infighting among marine creatures, ocean pollution… all seemed closely related to the malevolent demon race, and he found Ji Chen’s account highly credible.
“Lord Ji Chen, is this truly the case?”
“It is indeed, I witnessed and heard it firsthand. An epic-tier Deep Sea Dragon Whale willingly sacrificed its life to delay the demon invasion by a hundred years. This information comes directly from its bloodline memories, and there is no falsehood in it.”
Augustus was filled with respect upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected that this realm, which should have been on the verge of collapse a hundred years ago, had been stabilized by an epic-tier Deep Sea Dragon Whale.
This fact alone earned his trust to a great extent.
With a deep sense of responsibility, Ji Chen continued, “Lord Augustus, I need you to guide me in finding the Ocean Pixies. For the safety of the main world, it is essential that we thoroughly investigate this matter.”
Upon hearing this, Augustus became solemn and replied with a serious tone, “Of course, considering the gravity of the situation with the demons attempting to invade again, I cannot simply stand by.
In the ancient divine war hundreds of thousands of years ago, our Featherfolk were also members of the anti-evil faction. This matter is a duty we cannot evade.”
Following that, Augustus sternly addressed the nearby Featherfolk soldiers, saying, “Issue my command, assemble the first thousand troops!”
The Featherfolk soldiers promptly nodded and saluted, saying, “Yes!”
Watching the Featherfolk soldiers hastily leave the hall, Ji Chen asked, “Your Excellency, since this realm is on the verge of collapse, and the living conditions are deteriorating, why don’t you consider relocating to the vast main world?”
Augustus sighed, “While the main world is vast, it seems there is no place for us to settle. This realm, harsh as it may be, can still provide us with a meager existence, preventing our tribe from being annihilated.”
Ji Chen quickly understood the reason behind this.
Featherfolk were highly sought after in the slave market, even more so than Elves. They possessed exceptional beauty, graceful bodies, and a pair of pristine white wings, making them almost as attractive as Elves in appearance. However, their influence was not as powerful as the Elves, and they often faced various threats.
Featherfolk in the main world cither lived in seclusion or were under the protection of stronger powers, as they dared not roam freely, fearing capture by slave-hunting squads.
The Featherfolk tribe here clearly understood the dangers that the outside world posed to their kind and chose to stay despite the harsh environment, which was perfectly reasonable.
“Your Excellency Augustus, I have a suggestion.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“You may consider joining the Crown of the Ocean.”
Augustus paused for a moment, immediately grasping Ji Chen’s intention. He fell silent for a while and then said, “Your Excellency, your domain is undoubtedly powerful, but the Featherfolk tribe currently has no intention of seeking allegiance to any power, so…”
Facing the polite refusal, Ji Chen did not dwell on it and simply smiled. He was merely trying to explore the possibility.
“Lord Augustus, the first thousand troops have assembled!”
Soon, the Featherfolk soldier who had left returned and reported.
Augustus stood up, slightly bent over, and extended his hand, saying, “Lord Ji Chen, let us go.” His demeanor clearly regarded Ji Chen with the utmost respect, placing himself in a subordinate position.
Leaving aside other matters, this Featherfolk tribal leader was indeed both sensible and considerate.
Ji Chen did not hesitate and led the way. Respect for strength was a common practice, and his actions were perfectly normal.
In the square outside, a thousand-strong Featherfolk unit had already assembled, standing in formation on both sides. At the forefront was the Featherfolk hero of the legacy tier, Patheia.
Upon seeing Ji Chen and the three heroes of the Crown of the Ocean, her expression became somewhat unnatural, and her hand restlessly gripped the hilt of the sword hanging at her waist..