Chapter 656: Patheia, Another Natives

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Augustus noticed Ji Chen glancing to the side and, with a slight pause, he smiled and said, “I forgot to introduce her. This is my daughter, Patheia, also one of the most powerful warriors of the Featherfolk.”

Patheia gave a subtle nod in Ji Chen’s direction, her face showing a cool demeanor with a hidden air of pride and self-assuredness. It reminded him of his first meeting with Anina, both exuding a similar sense of arrogance, as if they had no rivals.

However, as they faced increasingly formidable opponents over time, Anina gradually tempered her pride, growing more composed and revealing the depth of this Deep Sea Dragon Whale Hero.

“Lord Ji Chen, please have a seat,” Augustus gestured.

Ji Chen nodded and sat down at the opposite side of the table, facing Augustus. The other heroes positioned themselves behind their respective leaders.

In terms of numbers, the Crown of the Ocean had three heroes, one legendary and two legacy-tier, while their counterparts had only one legacy-tier hero. Although unintentional, this moment marked the beginning of a certain rivalry between the two sides.

Patheia didn’t want to appear weaker in terms of presence. Her lovely face carried a stubbornness, and her eyes radiated an unyielding pride and confidence, much like that first encounter with Anina, where they both seemed to overlook any competition.

However, when faced with such a “provocation,” Alice, Anina, and Herald couldn’t help but feel anger and a desire for confrontation. They were the representatives and support of their lord and couldn’t tolerate such blatant disregard for their leader.

In an instant, a clash of auras ensued, with the Deep Sea, Melody, and Sharpness auras bursting forth.

The Featherfolk soldiers on both sides instinctively placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, a cold edge appearing in their eyes.

This tense atmosphere filled the entire hall.

However, all of this unfolded in a matter of seconds, almost too quickly for Augustus to respond. When he grasped the situation, his expression shifted slightly. “All Featherfolk stop what you’re doing!”

Upon hearing his command, the Featherfolk soldiers hesitated for a moment and then sheathed their blades.

Ji Chen raised his hand in a calming gesture, and Alice and the others gradually retracted their auras.

Patheia’s body swayed, her face pale. Her eyes no longer held the sharpness they did before, but there was still a trace of dissatisfaction on her face.

Seeing this, Augustus could only ask her to leave and rest.

After Patheia left, the Featherfoik chieftain wore a somewhat embarrassed expression and spoke apologetically, “Lord Ji Chen, I’m very sorry. I’ve always spoiled Patheia, and her exceptional talent combined with the lack of encounters with strong opponents has made her somewhat arrogant. Please don’t take offense.”

Ji Chen waved his hand dismissively and said with a smile, “It’s alright. Being young and powerful naturally comes with confidence. I understand.”

“I’m glad you’re not offended,” Augustus replied with a forced smile. However, in the brief clash between the two sides, he sensed that all three heroes under Ji Chen’s command were of high rank, with one even being a stronger legendary-tier hero.

According to the reports from his soldiers, it seemed there were more heroes left in the lower Floating Mountain, and some of them were nearly as powerful as Patheia…

Oh My Feathered God, where did this human come from?

The heroes under his command seemed to have been assembled in abundance, like a wholesale market. In that world, strength had always been the most esteemed currency, and even Augustus had unconsciously adopted a more courteous tone.

“Lord Ji Chen, let’s discuss the matter of those corrupted skeletal lizards. I heard from my soldiers… Do you know the source of these corrupted skeletal lizards?”

Seeing that the conversation had finally taken the right track, Ji Chen wasted no time and immediately inquired, “When did the anomalies in this ocean begin?”

“The anomalies?” Augustus’s expression darkened. “I believe it began around a hundred years ago. At that time, the ocean was still tranquil, and the sky was clear blue. But one day, the sea creatures suddenly went mad, engaging in mutual slaughter, and the population dwindled rapidly. In recent years, the corrupted skeletal lizards appeared. Aside from those corrupted creatures, there aren’t many normal beings left in this ocean.

But if we talk about the most noticeable change, it would be the Ocean Pixies living in the depths.”

Ji Chen’s interest was piqued. Ocean Pixies were distinct from Sea Pixies; the latter were ocean-elemental creatures, while the former were a branch of the Pixies race adapted to the marine environment.

Ocean Pixies came into existence after the great war hundreds of thousands of years ago, when they suffered heavy casualties, the land was desolate, and resources were scarce. To ensure their survival, Pixies tribes dispersed to various places on land.

Among them, one group set their sights on the resource-rich ocean, using magic and secret techniques to transform their bodies to thrive in the aquatic environment. Over time, they evolved into the unique branch known as the Ocean Pixies.

“That Ocean Pixies tribe is within this Mystic Realm, and apart from our Featherfolk, they are the only intelligent race. Over the centuries, we have had periodic exchanges, trading our specialties.”

Augustus sighed. “However, since the ocean underwent these changes, they seem to have fallen on hard times. The most recent contact we had was three years ago, and it seemed they discovered some clues about the anomalies. But since then, our communication with them has been severed by those corrupted skeletal lizards. We have no idea about their current situation..”