Chapter 605 - Jade And Fiona (Patreon)

The one who had just spoken was Newton. Using his methods, he had determined that the remaining four Protectors would arrive soon.

He couldn't help but sigh. How long had it been since they had all gathered together like this? It had certainly been a long time.

They still met each other occasionally, but it was usually only in passing or for matters that required the attention of one or two Protectors. A formal group meeting with nearly everyone present was a rare occasion these days.

During the first hundred years after the Cloud Continent Protectors were established, they had met frequently to discuss and plan the right course of action for the continent. Back then, there were still countless problems that needed to be solved, and they had to work together to establish a proper foundation for the continent's future.

After everything was gradually put on the right path and obvious positive changes began spreading throughout the entire continent, most of the Protectors simply went on with their own lives while carrying out their duties remotely. The meetings at the headquarters were then left to their trusted subordinates, commonly referred to as Envoys.

"They're almost here? That's great. By the way, Newton, you've been in charge of our Research and Development for so long already. When will we have a better way to communicate with each other? I have to send and receive countless long-distance messages all the time. All these delays are annoying me and my subordinates, especially recently."

A beautiful middle-aged woman with her hair tied up spoke in a complaining tone.

"Haha. Please be patient, Sister Jade. I know it may seem like I'm not working on it, but I really am. I'm aware of how desperate you are for better communication methods as the Director of General Affairs. You have to contact people all over the continent all the time, after all."

Newton smiled helplessly before continuing.

"But you know it's not that easy. There are too many interferences and obstructions for a reliable long-distance communication system. That said, I do have some good news. Just give me about a hundred years. The next communication system we're developing has a high chance of succeeding. I'm sure we can pull it off this time."

This had been Jade's request for the longest time, but even after all these years, they still hadn't managed to fulfill it. The better communication methods they had developed either required limited rare materials or came with enormous operating costs, making them impractical to implement on a large scale.

"A hundred years? Why do you still need a hundred years? Why can't it be now?" Jade asked, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

Newton couldn't help but chuckle at her impatience.

"Because it's closely tied to the portal project we're currently researching." He replied.

The other Protectors also listened closely to the conversation. They had been waiting for a better communication method for a long time as well, so naturally, Newton's words caught their attention.

Meanwhile, Alexandra's eyebrow twitched slightly when she heard the word "portal."

She had a rather unpleasant history with it after all.

In the end, she still hadn't been able to find the culprit who destroyed the portal, even with the help of the highest level of the Bureau of Investigation. The entire incident remained a complete mystery to this day.

"The project you're currently collaborating on with the other continents? How are they connected?" Jade asked again, her curiosity growing.

Newton smiled before replying.

"Sister Jade, just think about it. The purpose of this portal project is to allow people to travel from one extremely distant place to another almost instantly. By the end of this project, we'll have incredibly stable void tunnels that are safe for travel."

He paused briefly, allowing everyone to follow his reasoning.

"If people can safely travel through these void tunnels, then what about messages and information? Obviously, that's much easier, right? We can establish void tunnels specifically for data transfer. The stabilized void tunnels won't have the usual signal interference, allowing data to reach linked coordinates almost instantly. It will be revolutionary."

The other Protectors nodded as they listened.

It certainly sounded promising. If the project succeeded, it could completely change the way the continent communicated.

Only Alexandra remained skeptical. Her previous experience with portals had left her with a certain prejudice toward the entire project, and she wasn't particularly eager to put her faith in it again.

"Well, I'll trust your words and wait for the good news." Jade replied.

She had nothing more to add and didn't want to press Newton too much either. He already had countless things on his plate, after all.

With the conversation coming to an end, the hall gradually became quiet again as everyone waited for the remaining Protectors to arrive.

...

"That is where your headquarters is, Senior Gandolf?" Leyvi asked as he looked at the humongous city ahead of them as they approached.

"Hohoho. Correct. Our headquarters is located in the biggest city in the Cloud Continent, Ultima City. Big, isn't it?" Gandolf replied as he slowed down his flying speed, allowing everyone to properly appreciate the enormous city below.

"Kekeke. Bara City is only about one-fifth the size of this city." Lapin estimated.

He had spent so much time living in the clouds above Bara City that he was quite familiar with its size.

"Hoho. Bara City is indeed one of the smallest. For a clearer comparison, even the second-largest city is only about half this size." Gandolf added, stroking his beard.

"Only half? Why is there such a huge difference between this city and the others?" Anda asked.

"For a cultivator city, the maximum size is determined by how large the grand formation can encompass. And that depends heavily on the skill of the Formation Master who creates it." Gandolf explained.

"Are you saying the reason no other cities come close to this one in size is because there aren't any other Formation Masters capable of creating such a large formation? Did the person who created this grand formation pass away?" Anda caught the implication.

"Well, one of them passed away during the chaotic times. He was the husband of Protector Fiona. Back then, they were considered the ultimate couple of the formation world, two prodigies who stood at the pinnacle of their craft."

Gandolf's expression became slightly solemn as he recalled the past.

"When they became Formation King and Formation Queen, they worked together to design and erect this grand formation, allowing the biggest city in the history of the Cloud Continent to exist. It was an incredible feat that has remained unchallenged for nearly two thousand years."

There was clear respect in Gandolf's voice as he spoke of the two legendary Formation Masters.

"I see. How is she now?" Anda asked.

"Unfortunately, without her husband, Protector Fiona seems to have lost her drive to reach a new level with her formation skills. She has mostly focused on nurturing the next generation of Formation Masters instead."

Gandolf paused as he sensed a familiar aura approaching.

"Oh? Speaking of the queen, she's here."

He came to a complete stop in midair.

"She's here?" Leyvi and Anda turned toward the direction Gandolf was looking.

Not long after, they saw another Qi Vessel similar to the one Gandolf had created to carry everyone through the sky approaching them.

A few moments later, the other group arrived and stopped beside them.

Controlling the Qi Vessel was a beautiful middle-aged woman dressed entirely in black. A black, slightly translucent veil covered her head, allowing people to see her face while still obscuring it somewhat. Her attire gave her the distinct appearance of someone still in mourning.

Like Gandolf, she was also accompanied by several people.

Leyvi and Anda were surprised to see her appearance. Was she still mourning her husband after a thousand years? She must have truly loved him.

"Gandolf, are you talking behind my back? Don't you know that I hate people speaking about me?" The woman in black asked.

Leyvi and Anda were dumbfounded. How did she know that they had just been talking about her?

"Hohoho. Hello, old friend. It's been a while since we last met, Fiona. Don't get angry with me already. Besides, I wasn't talking behind your back. I'm showing the people I've brought with me the legacy that you and your husband left behind. I was praising both of you. Isn't that right, Brother Lapin?" Gandolf said.

"Kekeke. What Human Gandolf said is true. I'm willing to be his witness. He referred to you and your late husband as the Ultimate Couple." Lapin immediately supported Gandolf.

Fiona’s expression softened immediately when she heard the words “Ultimate Couple.” It was a term her husband used to announce to others all the time, so she still held a particular soft spot for it.

Then she finally noticed something strange. The one who had just spoken…

“Gandolf! Who is this? Why is a King Level Demonic Beast with you? Is he the potential threat to our continent?”

Fiona’s aura erupted at once.

“Calm down, Fiona. Calm down. He’s my friend. He’s harmless. Are you trying to leave a bad impression or something?” Gandolf immediately blocked her aura from reaching the others and suppressed it.

Fiona realized there were children present with Gandolf and quickly restrained herself. “Your friend? Where did he come from? Also, why are there children with you?”

She was clearly confused by the unusual group Gandolf had brought along.

Gandolf let out a quiet sigh of relief. This woman’s temper was still as unpredictable as ever.

“We’re already here. Just wait a little longer. I’m going to introduce him to everyone anyway. In any case, I can personally vouch that he is an ally,” he replied.

“As for the children, they belong to him, our important helper this time. I’ll explain that as well later.” Gandolf pointed toward Leyvi.

“Hmm. Alright.” Fiona did not say much more, though she continued to wonder about the situation.

“Brother Leyvi, is that you?” Someone from Fiona’s group suddenly stepped forward.

Leyvi, whose attention had been focused solely on Fiona until that moment, immediately turned toward the familiar voice behind her.

“Brother Bellion? You’re here too?” he blurted out the moment he recognized the face.