" A great victory!"

"Huyi Continent".

The Weird Emperor Jiu Wu was already fully dressed and, along with Xiangyang and his Subordinate, waited expectantly by the Teleportation Formation.

The next moment

A flash of White Light.

Chen Fan, along with Crippled Monkey and others, appeared on the Huyi Continent. Today was the day to test the "Mysterious Heaven Propeller".

"The Weird Emperor Jiu Wu greets the Domain Lord."

"The Weird Emperor Jiu Wu spoke in a loud and clear voice."

Behind him, Xiangyang also shouted "Domain Lord" as loudly as he could, but since his true form was a "Meatworm Wraith," it was difficult for him to produce a particularly loud voice, which sounded somewhat hoarse and grating.

"You are now the Wraith Venerable."

"Hehe, but I still feel that Weird Emperor Jiu Wu' sounds better."

"Let's begin."

At a command.

In places unseen by others.

Huyi Continent beneath the sea.

A massive "Mysterious Heaven Propeller," resembling the nozzle at the end of Sky-Piercing Pillar reaching to the heavens, with a diameter of a hundred meters, began to spew out Crimson Flame. These were not ordinary Flame; they dissolved in water, yet they unleashed tremendous thrust.

A total of 1,700 Xuan Mysterious Heaven Propeller were installed on the Huyi Continent.

At this point, 100 seats were activated.

One hundred Mysterious Heaven Propeller embedded in the continent began to spew Crimson Flame from the Seabed. The powerful thrust caused the "Huyi Continent" to slowly begin to move. At the same time, the sound of shattering could be heard.

That was the sound of the "Undersea Tunnel" shattering.

The Tunnel that originally connected the New Continent and the Huyi Continent slowly collapsed as the Huyi Continent moved. They cut off the Tunnel in advance to ensure that it could be reconnected after the continent was restored to its original position.

Ordinary Soil is unlikely to be able to block the pressure of seawater at the breach.

After the experiment.

They used a special Soil, the kind of extremely hard Soil from the deepest part of the former "Thunderstorm Sea," which perfectly blocked the Undersea Tunnel and prevented it from being washed away by the sea.

The Huyi Continent began to slowly move on the sea surface.

Chen Fan and his group stood on the beach, slowly watching this scene unfold.

Jiu Wu was completely stunned.

Before that.

None of the people present had ever experienced anything like this before: a continent was moving!

The speed is not very fast.

It's roughly equivalent to the speed of a regular "Flying Boat," much slower than the Flying Boat in the Mortal Domain that has been enhanced several times over.

"Continue!"

With Wang Kui giving the order, an additional 200 "Mysterious Heaven Propeller" on the same side were activated again, increasing the continent's forward speed once more. Today's main purpose was testing.

After multiple experiments.

Wang Kui approached Chen Fan and reported, "Domain Lord, the more Mysterious Heaven Propeller are installed, the faster the continent's speed will be, but it won't increase exponentially."

"Assuming 100 thrusters are installed on one side, the speed is 1."

"Only by installing 500 thrusters could we reach a speed of 2."

"The speed at which 1000 thrusters are installed is 2.1."

"It might take 3,000 seats to reach this point, 2.2."

In other words

"Speed 2 is the most cost-effective time. To increase speed further, the cost-benefit ratio will gradually increase."

Based on current data.

"The Eternal Night Continent requires a total of 8,000 Mysterious Heaven Propeller to achieve the optimal cost-effectiveness. Of course, if the Mysterious Heaven Propeller can break through the level cap, the speed will also increase."

"Um."

Chen Fan nodded slightly. The most cost-effective speed was the speed of the Mortal Domain Flying Boat, which had the Heavenly Dao's Blessing the Vehicle Workshop but no acceleration Formation. A level 20 Mysterious Heaven Propeller cost 1 million Eerie Stone.

8,000 seats.

That is to say...

8 billion Eerie Stone.

The cost wasn't cheap, but it was still manageable for the Mortal Domain.

Just then

A message was quickly transmitted from "Rugged Island," first reaching the Nameless Mountain in the Mortal Domain, then, after being relayed, it passed through the Signal Tower in the Undersea Tunnel at an extremely fast speed, finally reaching the Huyi Continent.

"Domain Lord!"

Upon receiving the news, the Crippled Monkey rushed over immediately. "He's alive! He's alive! Zhang Taiping is alive!"

Zhang Taiping.

Boat Captain of the 17th Group of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion.

The Boat Captain in the Mortal Domain to discover the Rugged Island.

On his way back to the Mortal Domain to celebrate and report his victory, he discovered that the Flying Boat from the Feng Qiya Continent had launched a sneak attack. He broke his leg and jumped into the sea to send back the message, allowing the Mortal Domain to take immediate action and greatly reduce losses.

He was buried on Rugged Island after his death.

He was posthumously awarded the title of martyr.

Chen Fan stood there, slightly stunned, and didn't react for a moment. Over the past year, he had been disappointed with the Rugged Island, and he even doubted whether the Rugged Island really had a resurrection effect.

At that moment, upon hearing that Zhang Taiping had been resurrected...

His reaction was one of bewilderment.

Until the Crippled Monkey spoke again.

Chen Fan's lips trembled slightly. "Send word back to the Mortal Domain, have them prepare a Victory Banquet, and bring Zhang Taiping's widow to Rugged Island. We... will go and take Zhang Taiping home."

After saying that.

He strode around and walked toward the Teleportation Formation to the side.

"I"

On the Rugged Island, a Middle-Aged Man crawled out of a grave, his body covered in earthy, smelly Soil, and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. He was the first to discover this Island.

At that time.

The Island has jungle only in the middle, surrounded by Pebble beaches.

But now it has become much more unfamiliar.

Vast expanses of cemeteries.

"I... survived?"

Memories from the past flashed through his mind. He looked down at the lines on his palms and even saw the black mole that had accompanied him throughout his life. However, he felt no elation.

Instead, there was a hint of despair.

He didn't know how much time had passed since he died.

He saw a tombstone on a nearby grave.

"The Tomb of Zhou Mo"

An unimaginable sense of despair and bewilderment welled up in his heart.

Pavilion Master Zhou is dead.

Perhaps a century has passed. His wife and children are no longer alive, and... even Domain Lord Chen, does anyone still remember him? Does anyone still know the name Zhang Taiping?

"Group Leader Zhang."

A voice, tinged with excitement, came from beside him. A member dressed in Mortal Domain attire stood there unnoticed. "King Fei, member of the Gravekeeper Team One's of the Mortal Domain's Logistics Pavilion, greets Group Leader Zhang!"

"The Domain Lord has received the message and is on his way."

"I'll be there soon."

"The Domain Lord is still alive?"

"Nature."

How long have I been dead?

"A little over a year."

"Only a year?"

Zhang Taiping appeared dazed, the helplessness in his heart dissipating slightly, but he quickly pointed to the grave beside him: "Pavilion Master Zhou was...?" "He died in battle, killed by the Night Awakeners."

Zhang Taiping remained silent. He didn't even know which faction the Night Awakeners belonged to. He didn't know how many crises the Mortal Domain had experienced this year, but he knew that this year must have been difficult for the Mortal Domain.

Even Pavilion Master Zhou has died in battle.

The next moment

The Teleportation Formation on the Rugged Island flashed with White Light, and Chen Fan and the others had arrived.

Peace!

Chen Fan stood at a distance and did not approach. The woman following behind them saw Zhang Taiping, her eyes instantly turned red, and she quickly ran into Zhang Taiping's arms. She looked down at Zhang Taiping's palm and burst into tears upon seeing the mole.

She nestled in Zhang Taiping's arms.

She didn't say a word, she just kept crying.

"Father. Father"

And behind the woman.

A chubby baby boy wearing open-crotch pants stumbled over, finally tugging at the Zhang Taiping pant leg, looking up at the weathered face, and managing to squeeze out two words.

"Father."

"She."

Zhang Taiping, who was preparing to comfort his wife, couldn't help but tear up when he heard the childish voice calling him "Daddy." He knelt down, hugged the woman and the baby boy together, and said in a hoarse voice with sobs.

"Don't cry, don't cry."

"Father is back."

When we parted last time.

The child was still in swaddling clothes, but after a year, he could already crawl and speak simple words.

Chen Fan and the Crippled Monkey did not approach, but stood silently at a distance watching this scene, leaving the time for the others.

The Crippled Monkey sniffed, his eyes stinging, and whispered.

"The Rugged Island is still quite windy and dusty."

Wang Kui glanced around at the Level-10 City Wall that surrounded the entire Island, said nothing, and continued to watch the scene unfold. They all shared a common goal.

That is the day when the Eternal Night is dispelled, and people live in peace and prosperity, free from the danger of Strange Entities.

But.

This is a long road.

On this road, people fall every moment, and no one knows who will make it to the end.

Perhaps.

Next year, they will be the gravediggers of Rugged Island.

"Didn't you remarry?"

Zhang Taiping looked down at his woman, his eyes red-rimmed.

Why should I remarry?

The woman looked at her husband, who had seemingly come back from the dead, and burst into tears again, sobbing, "Everyone says you're a hero, but even if I wanted to marry you, who would dare to marry me?"

"When I wasn't around, no one bullied you, right?"

"But someone has to dare to do it."

"The child can already call me 'Dad'."

"He would just shout out one word."

"Can't you call me 'Mom'?"

"I didn't teach him that; I taught him to call me 'Dad' first."

Why?

"I want him to call out to you more often, hoping to bring you back. They say you were buried on Rugged Island, and there's a possibility of resurrection, but they don't know exactly when. I want your lingering soul to know that you still have an orphan and a widow waiting for you."

"Are his usual playmates bullying him because he doesn't have a father?"

"Nobody's that bold."

"I have to go now; I can't keep the Domain Lord waiting."

The woman lowered her voice. "Okay, could you talk to the Domain Lord about transferring you to the Logistics Pavilion? I don't want you to go to the Commerce Pavilion anymore." Zhang Taiping nodded, then jogged over to Chen Fan, slammed his right fist into his left chest, took a deep breath, and roared.

"Zhang Taiping, Boat Captain of the Seventeenth Exploration Team of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion Exploration Group."

"A successful return."

"Greetings, Domain Lord!"

Chen Fan stood still, quietly gazing at Zhang Taiping. The face was somewhat unfamiliar to him; he had never met Zhang Taiping alone before. This was after he learned of Zhang Taiping's meritorious service.

Zhang Taiping is dead.

But.

He was extremely familiar with what the other person was doing.

This was a person who was almost a stranger to him, yet he was willing to die for his vision.

"I, Chen Fan, on behalf of Mortal Domain, welcome Zhang Taiping."

"Officially back home!"

He patted Zhang Taiping on the shoulder. "The victory Victory Banquet we missed last time must be made up for this time."

"Walk!"

"Let's go back and begin the feast!"

The words had barely left his mouth.

A burst of laughter immediately filled the air, and the atmosphere became quite harmonious. It had been a long time since the Mortal Domain had held Victory Banquet, and Zhang Taiping's original old Subordinate also came up at this time.

One of the burly men strode forward and hugged Zhang Taiping tightly, his eyes red-rimmed, saying, "Boss, welcome home."

The remaining two men stood still, their eyes stinging as they looked at Zhang Taiping.

On the same day.

Someone needs to die to send the message back to the Mortal Domain.

All three of them were orphans with no ties, so the choice should have been made from among them. But the eldest brother said that King Mazi told him that being a leader meant setting an example, otherwise what kind of leader was he?

When problems arise, you have to take responsibility; only then can you live up to the title of "boss" from your subordinates.

"Luckily it was me at the time."

Zhang Taiping looked at his three old friends, with whom he had once lived and eaten, and grinned, his eyes red-rimmed. "None of you three have wives. If you die, no one will call you back."

Standing at the very back of the crowd, the Weird Emperor Jiu Wu watched this scene with a silly grin on his face, feeling an itch all over his body and scratching it incessantly. Mortal Domain, Nameless Mountain.

This once Nameless mountain has now become the military, economic, and political Core Area of the Eternal Night Continent.

The long-awaited Victory Banquet has finally begun again.

The Mortal Domain Daily published this news almost immediately as its headline.

"Zhang Taiping, Boat Captain the 17th ship of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion, has risen from the dead and returned in triumph!"

Behind Nameless Mountain.

Hundreds of tables were set up.

There were plenty of good wine and dishes on the table, but in the very center, in the prime spot, was a plate of rather ordinary Dumplings.

"This is a tradition of the Mortal Domain."

At the most central table, Chen Fan Crippled Monkey sat together. Zhang Taiping sat next to Chen Fan, and Chen Fan picked up a Dumplings and placed it on the plate in front of Zhang Taiping.

"Back in the Rainy Season, when supplies were scarce and we couldn't afford anything fancy, we'd make Dumplings to celebrate our victories." "Delicious and easy."

"This Victory Banquet is a year late, but good things come to those who wait."

It had been a long time since anyone had drunk alcohol.

Happy today.

Jars of wine were brought out one by one.

Until late at night.

The banquet ended.

Chen Fan, already feeling the effects of alcohol, was the first to leave the table and return to his Stone House Cave One to sleep.

Wang Kui, however, had secretly left at some point and came alone to the Northbank Defense Line. In the thick darkness, he gently stroked the stone bricks beside him and murmured softly.

"Zhou Mo, Zhou Mo"

He didn't know if this would work.

Perhaps we could do what Zhang Taiping did and bring Zhou Mo back sooner.

He wasn't the only one on the defense line.

He saw Little Qiu standing on the City Wall in a daze not far ahead.

"The Domain Lord is drunk."

Little Qiu spoke softly only after Wang Kui approached.

"Um."

Wang Kui nodded, stood beside Little Qiu, rested his hands on the edge of the City Wall, and looked towards the dark ocean in the distance. "This is the first time I've ever seen the Domain Lord drunk."

"In the past, when drinking, the Domain Lord would usually only drink a little."

"Does the Domain Lord ever think that it would have been better if it had been Zhou Mo who was resurrected?" Little Qiu whispered.

"Possible."

"But don't make assumptions about the Domain Lord. Even if you think that way, it's only natural, but the fact that you said it makes the Domain Lord seem a bit too cold-hearted."

Little Qiu didn't reply; she just stood there blankly.

He was a little tired.

The Logistics Pavilion's functions are becoming increasingly important in the Mortal Domain, and he is becoming busier and busier. It has been a long time since he has been able to think of nothing and simply let his mind wander.

Many times, he wondered if he really could handle such a large undertaking Logistics Pavilion.

As I thought about it, so many years have passed, and I've finally taken on the responsibility.

Tired?

Wang Kui noticed Little Qiu's thoughts and couldn't help but laugh.

"Um."

Little Qiu didn't hide anything from Wang Kui, but whispered, "There was a problem with the Logistics Pavilion today. There was a project to build the Aerial Prison on the 'Despair Continent,' but we didn't have enough Copper Pipe. We need to add another 17 kilometers of Copper Pipe."

"But the people below made a mistake on the declaration form, writing 17,000 kilometers."

"This quantity of Copper Pipe required my final review, but I was probably out of my mind at the time and approved it directly."

"Then the Logistics Pavilion actually took 17,000 kilometers of Copper Pipe to the Despair Continent."

"The people in charge of the backup were completely dumbfounded."

"It's nothing."

Wang Kui put his arm around Little Qiu's shoulder and chuckled, "Who doesn't make mistakes at work? To be honest, our Heavenly Storehouse Pavilion was robbed last time, and someone is still in the 'Provocateur Continent's' Aerial Prison."

"It's no big deal."

"Life has a high margin for error."

"Besides, the Domain Lord didn't say anything to you about this."

"This is not a big deal."

Perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol, Little Qiu seemed somewhat downcast. "I was thinking that I'll make a mistake someday, and now the Logistics Pavilion's role in the Mortal Domain is becoming increasingly important. What if I make a big mistake in the future?"

"Am I really capable of being a good Logistics Pavilion Master?"

"Um"

Wang Kui patted Little Qiu on the shoulder. "Think about it this way, if you don't become the Pavilion Master, who will? Qi Chong?"

"That definitely won't work. He's in charge of the Hundred Grains Pavilion; he can't spare the time."

"Then, how about we find someone to be the Top Ranker in the upcoming 'Mortal Domain Second Spring Examination'?"

"That won't do either; this position can't be given to a newcomer."

"Crippled Monkey?"

He's not that perceptive.

"Look," Wang Kui shrugged, "There's no one else suitable besides you. Relax. If you're really tired, just talk to the Domain Lord and ask to rest for a few days."

"Let's go out and have some fun."

Little Qiu didn't speak again. He only talked to Wang Kui about these things. Although he and Wang Kui were of equal rank in the Mortal Domain, sometimes when he was under a lot of work pressure, he couldn't help but talk to Wang Kui about it.

Wang Kui comforted him as usual.

"By the way"

Wang Kui suddenly remembered something and laughed, "Let me tell you something interesting. Remember that Wang Family Head who made me the Station Master for 13 years?"

"Of course I remember."

Little Qiu asked with some surprise, "Didn't he later become a Station Master in the Mortal Domain? Is there any new development?"

"Have."

Wang Kui remarked with some emotion, "You'd never guess that the Wang Family has produced a genius, the top Top Ranker for 'Military Strategy' this year." He continued, "Last year, there was a very popular game called 'Great Voyage,' where two factions each led a power with equal military strength, and then they would wage war."

"That genius from the Wang Family is said to have never lost this game; he's invincible."

"Oh?"

Little Qiu frowned slightly: "I've met all the younger generation members of the Wang Family before, but I haven't felt that any of them have particularly potential." "It's none other than Qiuhe Wang Family, the Family Head, that Wang Family Head."

"Ha?"

Little Qiu stood there, stunned, and said in disbelief, "Him? The Wang Family Head is the top Top Ranker for this year's 'Military Strategy'? If he has that ability, how did he manage to stay in Northbank City back then?"

"It is said that after spending a year in Mortal Domain Private School, he suddenly attained enlightenment."

Little Qiu's lips twitched, and she suddenly felt a lot more relaxed.

If that old guy can become the Military Strategy Champion in the Mortal Domain this year...

He felt that the Logistics Pavilion Master was rightfully his.

He can do it too.

The next day.

Zhang Taiping.

Not many people knew about it, but King Mazi personally brought Zhang Taiping to the Commerce Pavilion headquarters. "Your rank has been adjusted. You've been moved from Boat Captain of the Seventeenth Group of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion to Deputy Group Leader of the Mortal Domain Exploration Group."

"The member's level has been adjusted from Level 4 to Level 6."

"But"

"The Domain Lord has specifically instructed that if you wish to work in departments like the 'Logistics Pavilion' or the 'Hundred Grains Pavilion,' your request will be fulfilled, and your position, rank, and benefits will be transferred accordingly."

Even if you go to the Logistics Pavilion, you won't need to start from scratch.

"As I see it."

"Go to the Logistics Pavilion; I'll arrange for someone to take care of you."

"Pavilion Master."

Zhang Taiping took a deep breath and straightened his posture. "I still want to stay in the Commerce Pavilion and work under your guidance, Pavilion Master. I enjoy the sense of adventure and the unknown. When I first piloted a Flying Boat alone across uninhabited Sea Domain, I found my purpose for being. Only in the Commerce Pavilion can I continue to realize my value."

I'm still young.

"I don't want to retire."

King Mazi stared at Zhang Taiping quietly for a long time before suddenly laughing, "Everyone below says you're a good boss. Your three former Subordinate are now Boat Captain."

"Your position and rank are the same as before."

"But one"

"Throughout this year, the Mortal Domain has essentially maintained absolute control over this Sea Domain."

"There aren't many exploration missions left."

Further exploration missions will likely have to wait until we leave this Sea Domain.

"As the deputy Group Leader of the 'Commerce Pavilion Exploration Group,' you should quickly familiarize yourself with the Sea Domain of the Mortal Domain. Currently, there are five Rare Island in the Mortal Domain." "Besides 'Rugged Island' and 'Plum Blossom Island,' there are three others. Go and take a look at them as soon as possible."

"There are already five Mortal Domain?"

Zhang Taiping was slightly taken aback. Before he died, he only had one island, and he was the one who discovered that Rugged Island.

"Yes."

King Mazi sighed deeply, "The Mortal Domain has developed rapidly this year, but... we've also gained many more enemies. After the protection period ends, a fierce battle is inevitable."

"Our development is still not fast enough."

"What about the Feng Qiya Continent? Is it still provoking the Mortal Domain?"

"It's already destroyed."

"The day after your death, the Domain Lord personally led an army to destroy the Feng Qiya Continent. You know how protective the Domain Lord is of his own." "That was the first time the Mortal Domain had ever waged war against another."

"A great victory."

Sahara Continent

Hao Mao and the Sahara Continent Lord were reclining in Rocking Chair, flipping through the Mortal Domain Daily.

Perhaps they were influenced.

During this period, their main form of entertainment was reading the Mortal Domain Daily.

Those reports of good news one after another.

This almost numbed them all.

For example, the latest copy of the Mortal Domain Daily he has in his hand.

"A great victory!"

"The Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion once again carried out Preventive Strike Eradication a Level 1 Nameless Strange Entity Clan located 37,000 kilometers West the Eternal Night Continent, a Third-Level Race."

"This is the 24th Level 1 Strange Entity Clan Eradication the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion."

"Take a look."

Hao Mao stared expressionlessly at the Mortal Domain Daily in his hand. "Mortal Domain's 'Preventive Strike' means that Mortal Domain thinks you'll attack them later, so they're attacking you first."

"That level 1 Strange Entity Clan is a full 37,000 kilometers away from the Mortal Domain; they will never have any contact with the Mortal Domain in this lifetime."

"We still traveled a great distance to the Mortal Domain."

"This battle is guaranteed to be a loss."

"We'll fight even if it means losing money."

"I really want to know the exact figure for the military expenditure of the Mortal Domain last year. I highly suspect that the Mortal Domain's military expenditure last year could have bought four or five Good Cat Continent."

"It's a good thing for us too, isn't it?" The Sahara Continent lay lazily on the beach, basking in the sun.

This past year.

The biggest change for him was that he was much more relaxed and no longer had to worry about the menacing Strange Entity Clan lurking in the surrounding Sea Domain. They had all been wiped out by the Mortal Domain.

It's quite clean.

"That's a good thing."

Hao Mao nodded; he naturally agreed, but he felt that Mortal Domain's approach was a bit too radical.

"Besides."

"What do you mean by 'a Level 1 Strange Entity Clan Third-Level Race, three steps away from being a Level 3 race'?"

"Three steps away"

"If that's the case, then those newly formed Strange Entities in the darkness also need to be dealt with; they're only four steps away from being cleared."

"Don't tell."

The Sahara Continent Lord removed a giant leaf from his face and said with deep agreement, "It's only because the resources in the Mortal Domain are insufficient; otherwise, those who are still four steps away from being eliminated would definitely have been cleared out as well."

After a long silence with a complicated expression, Hao Mao finally said in a hoarse voice, "Hey, don't you feel a little inferior? The development speed of the Mortal Domain last year exceeded everyone's expectations."

"And you and I are still standing still."

The Sahara Continent Lord covered his face with the giant leaf again, adjusted his position comfortably in the Rocking Chair, and continued to bask in the sun lazily, saying, "We can't have everything."

"But don't panic."

"Because we can't have nothing."