Chapter 147: Something Feels Off
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147: Something Feels Off
A moment later, Xie Bai followed Melos to the Central Port.
Although she had already prepared herself mentally, Xie Bai still froze for a second when she saw the scene with her own eyes.
It was vast.
The word "magnificent" felt somewhat inadequate to describe it.
Colossal rings were interlaced in a complex arrangement, connected by rows of orderly walkways. Floating around them were various cubes—specialized living quarters for the Void Insects that maintained the Central Port.
Even a Void Tunnel with a radius of several kilometers seemed small when surrounded by the sheer scale of the Central Port.
Xie Bai looked toward the only active Void Tunnel.
[Void Tunnel: White Peak Territory]
Thinking back, she had constructed this one right after inheriting the Godhead of Void and returning to reality. She hadn't built a new one since then.
However, it was time to establish another.
Melos stood beside her, bowing slightly with a respectful tone.
"My Lord, this is the Central Port expansion you requested. It now possesses twelve port sectors capable of housing tunnels."
He stepped aside, gesturing with his hand. "Please, have a look."
Xie Bai walked past Melos, approaching an empty port adjacent to the one for White Peak Territory.
The massive ring occupied her entire field of vision, with a vast platform at its center. The open area between the platform and the ring was reserved for ships to dock.
Xie Bai shifted her gaze to the giant vertical ring frame in the center. It was a pre-set framework Melos had prepared according to the dimensions of the White Peak Territory tunnel.
Xie Bai raised her hand, drawing out a trace of Void Power.
In the next instant, more Void Power responded to her call, spontaneously surging from outside the Void Insect Hive and into the massive framework.
[Comprehensive Channel: You can establish a permanent channel between a node in the living world and a Void node, and revoke it at any time. One additional channel is unlocked every ten levels. Current Channels: 2/14]
A massive Void Tunnel coalesced within the empty port.
[Void Tunnel: Heavenly Mountain]
Witnessing this grand spectacle, Melos was once again shaken, despite his mental preparation.
The Void Tunnel, with its radius of several kilometers, stood within the pre-set frame like a vortex, constantly churning the surrounding space.
When he considered that such a spectacular feat came from the hands of the petite, white-haired girl before him, Melos couldn't help but feel a sense of profound awe.
His Lord’s appearance was adorable, but the power she possessed was staggering. If an uninformed person were to stumble upon her, there was no telling what might happen.
Having finished her task, Xie Bai turned around and looked up at Melos.
"Melos, remember to look after the two little ones. I’m going back now to handle some matters."
With that, Xie Bai leaped into the magnificent Void Tunnel alone, her figure instantly swallowed by the vortex.
Left with these sudden instructions, Melos could only bow slightly toward the Void Tunnel.
"As you wish, My Lord."
*
Meanwhile, at Heavenly Mountain.
An equally massive Void Tunnel suddenly appeared in the air above the mountain peak.
When that giant vortex—looking as if space itself had been torn asunder—appeared in everyone's sight, all those busy cleaning up the battlefield froze in their tracks.
Seeing the appearance of the Void Tunnel, Thanatos frowned. After a moment of thought, he immediately issued an order to the Void Fleet.
"Do not panic. This is a creation of our Empire."
Following this command, the Northern Lords, who had just begun to feel a surge of panic, instantly calmed down.
While the Void Tunnel in the sky was indeed shocking to behold, once they associated it with their Empire, it somehow felt... reasonable.
To be honest, although they were titled lords within the Northern Empire’s official ranks, their actual understanding of their own Empire was pitifully small.
The Northern Empire was effectively governed by Brandon and his associates, who frequently pulled out never-before-seen novelties to bolster the nation's strength when they least expected it.
The recently formed Void Fleet was a prime example.
As for the Expedition Fleet, due to their military discipline, they did not show much alarm.
Currently stationed with the Expedition Fleet was Atoris.
This petite Sword of the Empire had arrived aboard the Sword of Expedition shortly after Xie Bai had left.
Ever since Brandon departed from the Aodu Empire, the position of Supreme Commander of the fleet and helmsman of the Sword of Expedition had been taken over by his personal disciple, whom he had trained himself.
Upon seeing Atoris arrive, the fleet commander had saluted and offered a solemn oath of loyalty.
But for some reason, a faint trace of dejection currently lingered on Atoris's face.
The commander didn't understand why, but his intuition told him not to ask. Brandon had once taught him that if he encountered someone who wore their gloom plainly on their face, it was best not to disturb them unless they shared a life-and-death bond. It was better to let them be alone.
After Atoris gave a few brief instructions, the commander saluted and left the command room.
Just as Atoris was left alone, unsure of what to do with herself, she felt the appearance of the Void Tunnel.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Void Power...
Is it her?
A spark of excitement rose in Atoris's heart, but it was immediately followed by a wave of trepidation.
She still wasn't ready to face Xie Bai.
She was fearless when facing enemies, so why did she become so timid at a time like this?
While Atoris was immersed in her complex thoughts, a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind her.
"Hmm? Atoris?"
Atoris spun around abruptly.
"My Lord?"
The newcomer was indeed Xie Bai, who had just emerged from the Void Tunnel.
After temporarily settling the two little ones, Xie Bai had thought to come back and handle a few things—including Atoris, whom she had seen briefly but hadn't had the chance to greet.
Seeing Atoris's flustered expression, a hint of confusion crossed Xie Bai's mind.
Strange. Isn't her loyalty to me quite high? Her favorability isn't low either... why is she so afraid of me?
But she didn't dwell on it for long.
Xie Bai scanned Atoris for a few moments before speaking in a half-joking tone.
"Well... it's been a while, but you're just as cute as ever."
Facing the blonde loli who was even shorter than herself, Xie Bai was not stingy with such praise.
Faced with Xie Bai's blunt compliment, Atoris lowered her gaze slightly.
"Um... thank you."
Her voice was soft. She paused for a moment before asking, "Did My Lord return here... to arrange something?"
Xie Bai thought for a moment.
"Nothing in particular. I just saw you were here and wanted to say hello. By the way, how are things at the Opera House? Those fans of yours are quite enthusiastic, aren't they?"
"Um... they're alright."
Atoris's hands gripped her skirt slightly.
Compared to her official title as the Sword of the Empire, the name "Sword Princess" was far more widely known among the Imperial populace. Even people outside the Aodu Empire knew the name. This was a testament to how explosive her idol image had been during her time at the Opera House.
Realizing she might have asked a pointless question, Xie Bai cleared her throat.
"Ahem... anyway, you're the one managing this fleet now, right? How about I introduce you to Thanatos? It would make planning for Heavenly Mountain easier if you two—"
"There is no need," Atoris said, shaking her head.
"I don't particularly want to interfere with the matters of Heavenly Mountain."
"In my view, it is enough for the Aodu Empire to manage the Eastern Continent well. As for Heavenly Mountain... and those larger plans, it is better to leave those to My Lord's discretion."
She paused, then added, "Of course, if My Lord needs me to do something... I will do my best to fulfill it."
Hearing this, Xie Bai's gaze lingered on Atoris's face for a moment.
She felt like something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.