The ice-blue seawater reflected specks of light beneath the sun's caress.
As far as the eye could see, there was still an endless ocean. Beneath the seemingly tranquil surface lay a war without end.
Mercury 42, or, in the more popular term of this era—Water Hell.
"Really didn't expect us to be back so soon."
Quite a few people from the Courtyard had struggled here for ten years, and many had even started families here. Considering that the official language and culture here now followed Eastern Kingdom standards, calling it their second home would not be an exaggeration.
"To be honest, I don't miss this place at all."
Xue En gnawed on bamboo, his face full of disgust as he looked at the salty ocean.
Lu Mouren had thought he truly intended to retire to the second line and spend his old age in the Ancient City, yet he had still submitted an application to come along.
"Is it really that important over there? With us leaving, the Ancient City is at least half empty."
"Sixty-four percent of the building clusters left, along with seventy-three percent of the population. Calling it half is already conservative."
Honestly, when Lu PingAn saw those figures, even he felt they were a bit excessive.
He somewhat understood why others were wary of his group. The greatest threat posed by Lu Mouren's group—or rather, by his expansion—did not involve any coercion. He merely managed his own affairs well, and people around him would willingly come to join him.
This was not some kingly aura, but the benefits he continuously produced. Perhaps in some people's assessments, Lu PingAn truly could "steal a country."
The reality was that, without Lu PingAn even noticing, he had effectively swallowed the entire Ancient City.
After Courtyard Continent rose into the