Chapter 577

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Ji Chen waved his hand nonchalantly. “No worries. My plan is to first detour and reach my territory for a brief rest and resupply. Then, I’ll head to the Maple Principality.”

Looking at the map, this long and narrow sea region spanned hundreds of kilometers. In terms of marine geography, it directly separated the eastern coast of the Northern Continent, where the Maple Principality and the Elven Empire were located, from the northwestern coast, where Lienhardt, the Bass Kingdom, and four other countries were situated.

This forced numerous trade ships crossing the Central Ocean to take detours. Commercial ships traveling east-west in the northern part of the Western Central Ocean had to head southeast or southwest first, bypass the southernmost tip of the Death Sea Region, and then continue their normal routes. This created a highly prosperous trade route south of the Death Sea Region, often referred to as the lifeline of trade.

The Stormy Sea, where the Ocean Crown was located, served as a critical node on this route.

Both the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce and the Bass Kingdom had shown great interest and desire for this area, and that was precisely why.

Setting up a supply point here would lead to numerous merchant ships anchoring for rest and resupply, bringing in a considerable amount of gold coins.

After four days of sailing on the ocean, the fleet finally returned to the New Moon Islands.

When Ji Chen saw the appearance of the Ocean Crown, he looked somewhat astonished.

In just a month’s time, a prosperous town area, no less impressive than the native settlements, stood before him. Eight streets, wide enough for four carriages to pass side by side, radiated out from the Lord’s Castle in eight directions. On either side of the streets were either already completed buildings or building frames springing up like mushrooms after the rain.

Well-planned stone-paved roads connected other important areas. To the east was the harbor, to the west was the agricultural area, and the northern road directly passed through the jungle, linking the Kobold caves, several jungle plantations, and the vineyards on the hillside.

Such organized urban development clearly owed much to Wilus’s efforts.

Wilus came to report on the situation in the territory the moment Ji Chen returned.

The sea rice cultivation area had expanded several times, now capable of providing normal food for tens of thousands of human residents. Grape vines grew rapidly in the plantations, and they would soon yield the first batch of grapes for wine production, among other things.

Wilus reported truthfully, “Lord, during your absence, the territory exported a total of fifty-two ships of various specialty goods to the Maple Principality and the Elves, with total earnings of 350,000 units of rare resources.”

350,000 units of rare resources?

Ji Chen wasn’t particularly surprised. This figure was close to his previous estimate. Currently, the Ocean Crown’s main exports included deep-sea Merfabric, weapons and equipment collected from the Lizardfolk, premium coffee beans, and precious jungle wood, among others. As production capacity expanded and quality improved in the future, export benefits were expected to soar.

Moreover, the territory had yet to tap into its potential with grape wine and Dwarven weaponry, two highly profitable industries in the future.

The future looks promising.

“Lord, Sir Thotmudo mentioned that after your return, he’d like you to visit the underground Lizardfolk world. He mentioned that he has created the alchemical weapons from the third blueprint and has also manufactured alchemical vessels capable of operating underwater.”

Ji Chen nodded slightly, pleasantly surprised that Thotmudo had managed to create what he had described earlier. Thotmudo truly lived up to his legendary status as a Dwarven blacksmith.

“I understand. I will make time for the visit,” Ji Chen replied. He then took out the Hero Fountain blueprint from his hand and said, “Coordinate the resources and manpower to construct this. It’s crucial for the territory.”

Wilus respectfully received the blueprint and, after examining it, showed a pleased expression.

This was a valuable item that could increase the chances of hero units being born. If they could produce more administrative-type heroes, they could better manage the increasingly busy affairs of the territory. Moreover, he heard that the Lord had acquired land in the Lienhardt Grand Duchy mainland, which would also require administrative heroes to oversee.

“Yes, I will start construction as soon as possible.”

After hearing Wilus’s report and dealing with some matters that required his personal decisions, Ji Chen left the Lord’s Castle with Elisya.

The elves from Vale were staying in guest houses specially set up for them. These elves, who had lived in the icy wilderness, were pleasantly surprised and filled with delight when they saw the stunning surroundings of the New Moon Islands. With Ji Chen’s approval, they got together in groups to explore the island, bringing the cheerful laughter of elves to the area.

Elisya, the amnesic elven hero, followed Ji Chen closely, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked around at the place where she would be living in the future.

“Brother, are we going to live here from now on?”

“That’s right. This is my territory, Elisya. You can consider this place your home from now on.”

Elisya obediently nodded, “This will be my home from now on!”

Ji Chen thought for a moment and opened the Military Talent Tree, navigating to Elisya’s page.

[Elisya]

[This hero possesses ancient elven bloodline with immense potential but is currently sealed, with Tier remaining at the Red-Legacy Tier.]

[Requires a sufficient amount of resources to unlock the seal.]

[Resource requirements]: 5 million units of crystals, 5 million units of mithril, 5 million units of adamantite.

Unlocking Elisya’s seal required a whopping 15 million units of resources, a quantity even higher than what it took for Alice to advance to the Legendary Tier. This immense requirement showcased just how powerful this ancient elven bloodline truly was..