Chapter 230: Eternal Paradise (1/2)
CHAPTER 230
ETERNAL PARADISE
Ruins that were vacant for millions of years prior were currently being rummaged through, the noise of footsteps and occasional shouts canceling out the eternal silence that the t.i.tan Realms had been enveloped in.
A ma.s.sive tower stood erect at the central square of a small-sized town, cracked nearly down to its foundations; roughly dozen people currently stood around it, some examining the surrounding ruins, some chatting, and a few mapping out their exploration so far.
”d.a.m.n, those few million of Qi Stones sure paid off,” a young man seemingly in his early twenties chortled, his black hair tied neatly into a tail. A pair of black eyes vivaciously stared at the ma.s.sive tower and the surrounding area, realizing that boundless riches soon awaited him. ”Dan, how far along with mapping are you?”
”We're over halfway through, Young Master,” Dan was among the older within the group, seemingly middle-aged with graying hair and beard covering his somewhat wrinkled features. ”We should be done within a few hours at most.”
”Good,” the young man nodded, smiling. ”You'll all be bountifully rewarded for coming here with me.”
”Young Master, I'm sensing something strange.” a girl standing next to the young man suddenly spoke out with a frown; she had rather delicate, youthful features, yet her eyes spoke an entirely different story. Her somewhat short, brown hair was tied up with colorful hairpins, a long, lavish dress the crown jewel of her appearance.
”What is it Melly?” the young man asked, his tone turning serious.
”... roughly fifty miles west, I'm sensing three sources of Vitality.”
”Aren't they our scouts I've sent ahead?”
”No,” the girl called Melisa shook her head quickly. ”They are very distinct. Although one is familiar, I can't quite pinpoint it.”
”Are they headed here?” the young man asked, frowning as well.
”Yes.”
”Well, let's go and welcome our guests,” he smirked viciously for a moment before relaying orders to a few who would remain on the ground while taking eight people with him to the sky. ”Did that b.a.s.t.a.r.d sell information to another Sect? Heh, thinking he can swindle the Eternal Paradise? He's dead meat once we get back.”
Meanwhile, approaching in a rather tranquil atmosphere were Lino, Hannah and Grim. The former two had also sensed the signs of life east of them which dumbfounded them for a moment which was why they decided to head over and investigate. They decided against wearing their masks as this wasn't exactly excursion ordered by the Great Descent but more of a personal endeavor for the two.
”Hmm?” Hannah exclaimed softly as she raised her head off of Lino's shoulders, fluttering her eyes open. ”They seem familiar...”
”They do?” Lino asked.
”Yeah,” Hannah nodded as her face suddenly lit up strangely. ”Oh, they're members of my own Sect.”
”Eh? The Holy Land?”
”Yup.”
”What the f.u.c.k are they doing here?”
”Eh, how am I supposed to know?” Hannah shrugged, stretching and standing up, followed shortly after by Lino. ”Looks like there are more entrances than just one for the dimension.”
”... ah, I'm gonna get bullied, won't I?” Lino exclaimed softly as he seemed to have realized something.
”Yeah, probably. Want me to step in?” she smiled sweetly -- on the surface at least.
”Nah, it's been a while since someone bullied me. It should be a good reminder that the rest of the world is just full of morons waiting for their a.s.ses to be kicked by none other but yours truly.”
”... yeah. Who are you telling these things to?” Hannah asked. ”It certainly isn't me. Are you just self-feeding your own ego?”
”If I won't, who will? Self-love is best kind of love, babe.”
”...”
”Self-love is second best kind of love, babe.”
”... so much for standing up for yourself.”