Chapter 989 - 97: Fiery Flame Land, Capable of Anything, Truly Unimaginable Beasts (5800)_3

Chapter 989: Chapter 97: Fiery Flame Land, Capable of Anything, Truly Unimaginable Beasts (5800)_3

But Viscount Grant still hadn’t been found.

It wasn’t until his child was about to be born that this man finally understood — he just wanted a foundation that could bring him peace, a family and people he could devote himself to.

(Perhaps this is also why Viscount Grant was able to advance to the Third Energy Level so quickly after his child was born. Whether it’s the Swarm or Spirit Disaster... Humans can truly unleash their potential only when they’re focused and determined to strive for one single goal.)

Foreseeing the future validated by reality, combined with the powerful momentum Viscount showed when piloting ’Conquest Ripple’ earlier, Ian could faintly sense that at this very moment, Viscount Grant was truly just one step away from the Third Energy Level — the former Viscount might have been wary because Ian was uncontrollable, yet now he could offer blessings sincerely from his heart.

This wasn’t weakness; it was a testament to inner strength.

Elder Mantle’s obsession was ’the prosperity of the Mountain People,’ Viscount Grant’s obsession was ’his own family,’ and the Imperial Capital’s Count Phoenix was undoubtedly ’the preservation and legacy of knowledge.’

The obsessions of these powerful figures were simple and easy to understand, just like Ian’s own desire to ’know everything he wished to explore.’

As long as they walked down this path, they could grow at the fastest pace.

And if Viscount Grant truly advanced to the Third Energy Level, becoming South Ridge’s second Marquis-level noble, it would be an enormously good thing for Ian.

In such a scenario, both of South Ridge’s leaders would support him — they were even collaborators. Ian would then be free to pursue whatever he wanted without constraints.

"What about the captives?"

This time, Viscount Grant was in excellent spirits.

No matter how the higher-ups might respond to his and Ian’s letter boasting of their achievements, the credit for capturing enemy Sublimators was sure to be acknowledged.

It was effortless gains — he couldn’t lose.

However, the Viscount also understood that all this, in essence, were Ian’s spoils of war. Whatever he claimed was a gift from Ian, while the ultimate disposition would depend on Ian’s decisions.

"Hold them at Harrison Port for now. Once we have time to interrogate them and squeeze out more value, then we’ll discuss further handling."

Ian looked down — beneath his feet was the underground chamber where the captives were being held. Three cadre-level members of the Dragon Worship Cult had been force-fed Alchemical Potions that forced the closure of their senses, rendering them paralyzed.

If the potions had been crafted by local South Ridge Alchemists, with the resistance afforded by these Dragon Blood holders, they might have eventually found opportunities to resist or even escape.

But facing Ian, a master-level Alchemist with extensive experience honed through countless human experiments? Their slim hope for escape was entirely an illusion.

"Then I’ll take them back to Harrison Port first."

Viscount Grant nodded slightly; he couldn’t afford to travel leisurely with Ian’s convoy. Ian casually said, "See you later, Viscount."

"Once we’re back at the port, we’ll finalize the next phase of our collaboration."

"I’m looking forward to it. Everyone is looking forward to it."

And with that, Viscount Grant departed.

At that moment, Green Tide happened to return as well. Watching the Viscount pilot ’Conquest Ripple,’ carrying an iron cage with the three Dragon Worship Cult cadres swiftly toward Harrison Port, he couldn’t help but admire, "The Viscount has grown even stronger. His control over Origin Quality is practically effortless... Earlier, during the cloud-sea tsunami, I thought it might sweep me away, but unexpectedly, the waves bypassed me entirely."

"City-wide large-scale attacks, yet he can navigate them, even with reliance on Aether Armament... I’m still far from his level."

As fellow Water Series Sublimators, Green Tide held deep respect for Viscount Grant’s power. Ian patted him on the shoulder indifferently, saying, "What’s the worry? Viscount Grant’s Bloodline at its peak is the Fourth Energy Level Abyssal Whale, while your Tide Messenger can ascend to the Fifth Energy Level."

"While he’s indeed stronger now, your potential is immense!"

"Thanks for the encouragement, boss."

Green Tide shrugged, setting aside his thoughts. He turned to another question, "But seriously, are we just letting the Viscount take those Dragon Worship Cult assassins? Boss, you suspected they’d definitely have associates near Harrison Port... If those allies learn that their assassination squad failed, and all key members were captured, wouldn’t they attempt a rescue?"

Ian tilted his head, glancing briefly at Green Tide.

Without saying a word, Green Tide suddenly realized, "Viscount Grant knows this too? You deliberately let this happen to draw out the remaining allies?!"

Ian nodded. Such straightforward tactics didn’t need explicit communication with Viscount Grant; it would’ve been a waste of time. Instead, exchanging casual pleasantries solidified their camaraderie.

Green Tide grasping this point a bit slower was still enough to leave Ian reasonably satisfied.

"Let’s go. Get ready to move."

With that, Ian stepped out of the room.

He raised his head toward the skies outside, now bright and cloudless thanks to Viscount Grant’s earlier attack. "Returning home and immediately being granted free credit? What an auspicious start."

Fixing his gaze upon the sun overhead, the young man smiled, "I can hardly wait to return to my homeland."

Thus, the convoy embarked amidst the spring sunlight and warm breeze.

The coastal wind picked up, and before anyone noticed, three days had passed.

Moist, warm spring air rippled through densely wooded paths, as a caravan loaded with goods and equipment progressed.

The Camel Beasts’ wide feet splashed through small puddles on the road, sending droplets flying with each step. Bells hung about their necks rang with each movement. A gentle breeze scattered the White Mist around the lakeshore forest, revealing the road’s end, where the familiar sights of Far South Port came into view.

Harrison Port was now close at hand, and the convoy from Xiawei Territory quickened their pace along the official road toward the city gates. There, large groups of white-haired townsfolk awaited expectantly.

These were Harrison Port’s White Folks... eagerly awaiting the head of the household who had heralded their family’s revival.

Of course, not only the White Folks were present — those Ian had helped in the past were also gathered here.

Seeing this, the young Lord steered his mount to the front of the convoy.

Ian smiled, raising his hand high, signaling to the crowd greeting him.

Suddenly, what had been a tranquil scene at the city gates erupted into raucous cheers.

"Ian! Ian!"

"Our pride has returned!"

"Patriarch, we adore you!"

— I have returned. The starting point.

At the city gates, the people raised their hands as well, their joyous shouts echoing to all corners.

Amid this wave of warm and heartfelt welcomes, Ian dismounted, stepping onto the path that led back home.

He saw, amidst the crowd, Elder Pude and Elan, who were also waving and smiling brightly to welcome him back.

A rare, gentle warmth emerged from the young man’s heart.

For a moment, he seemed to glimpse an illusion from the past... A towering figure stood there, also welcoming his return.

"Teacher..."

The sensation lasted only for an instant, as he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

Leading the convoy on foot, Ian entered the city with composure in his heart: "In any case, I’ve accomplished the first step."

"Starting from Harrison Port, I’ve become the Lord of this place, secured a foundation — I now have supporters, followers, and investors, a base and starting point, as well as a direction for future development."

"And now, I’ve returned to the beginning. Not to dwell on the past, but to take the next step forward."

"To expand trade routes into other nations, Harrison Port’s merchant fleet will prove indispensable."

"Not to mention the base deep within the Southern Sea..."

Fixing his gaze on Harrison Port’s city gates, and surveying the cheering White Folks on both sides.

Ian’s eyes didn’t stop there, his green pupils scanning further ahead, overlooking the Viscount’s Mansion and beyond — the Southern Sea Great Labyrinth.

That was where his true mission lay.

Meanwhile.

Southern Sea Great Labyrinth, Crystal Lake.

"Oh?"

The giant Iron Armor Shark seemed to sense something, turning its gaze toward Harrison Port with a sudden surge of vigor: "Oh! (Boss is back!)"

Sensing this, Shasha grew excited, swimming fast circles around Crystal Lake before propelling itself into the air. It landed at the center of Crystal Island, where the Dragon Egg rested: "Oh oh! (You shouldn’t just sit here all the time either; Boss is coming home!)"

The Crystal Dragon Egg offered no reply.

It merely rocked gently.

It, too, was waiting.

Waiting for the one who would guide it toward its true future.