Watatsumi Island
Stepping onto this land again, Luo Li couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
Unlike Narukami Island, which carried a somewhat oppressive purple tone, this island possessed a completely different kind of ethereal beauty.
Clear streams flowed everywhere. Bubbles floated gently through the air, mixed with light-blue translucent jellyfish.
What was astonishing was that these jellyfish didn't live in water—they floated and bounced lightly through the air.
Massive rock formations stood everywhere, along with giant shells growing along cliff edges.
From above, the island appeared hollow.
A ring of towering cliffs surrounded the center, protecting the magnificent Sangonomiya Palace.
Wooden suspension bridges connected the cliffs, allowing people to travel between them.
Every cliffside had small waterfalls flowing downward until they gathered into a lake below.
The water was crystal clear, and the air was fresh and humid.
A gentle breeze blew across the island, and the scenery was so beautiful that it made one feel completely refreshed.
Standing among the Resistance soldiers, Luo Li showed no sign of being threatened.
Instead, he looked like a tourist who had been invited here for sightseeing.
Ironically, Gorou, who walked behind him, looked more like a follower than a captor.
Ever since bringing Luo Li back from Seirai Island, the group had already entered the territory of Watatsumi Island.
Near the suspension bridge stood lamp posts meant to guide travelers so they wouldn't lose their way.
Across the bridge, several soldiers of the Sangonomiya army guarded the entrance.
There were three such defensive checkpoints.
The purpose was twofold:
First, to inspect anyone entering the island. Since the war with the Shogunate army had intensified, security had become especially strict to prevent spies from infiltrating.
Second, if a large enemy force attacked, the bridges could be cut immediately, preventing invaders from entering the island.
"General Gorou! You're back!"
The guards greeted him respectfully.
Gorou was deeply loved by his soldiers because he was sincere, determined, and often lived and ate alongside his troops.
"Yes, Matsuda," Gorou replied.
"Did anything happen while I was gone?"
"Everything is normal. By the way, Lady Sangonomiya summoned you. She ordered you to see her immediately after returning."
"I understand," Gorou nodded.
"I'll escort this… guest to a safe place first, then I'll report to Lady Sangonomiya."
After verification, they crossed the three suspension bridges.
Along the way, Luo Li noticed several scattered villages on Watatsumi Island.
The village closest to the outer edge was called Bourou Village.
As they passed by, villagers warmly greeted the Resistance soldiers and even gave them supplies.
Because of the war with the Shogunate, most trade and transportation routes had been cut off.
Although Watatsumi Island had abundant resources, they were mostly enough only for daily needs.
War required far greater consumption of materials.
Soon the group arrived at the area surrounding the magnificent Sangonomiya Shrine, decorated with enormous coral and giant shells.
At this point, besides Luo Li, only two soldiers remained beside Gorou.
Looking again at the beautiful palace complex, Luo Li realized that almost nothing had changed since five hundred years ago.
"Unfortunately… the old friends from that time are gone," he sighed quietly.
At that moment, Gorou spoke.
"Please don't wander too far from the Sangonomiya area. It could cause trouble."
His tone didn't sound like he was guarding a prisoner.
Instead, it sounded almost like a polite request.
"I understand. Don't worry," Luo Li replied calmly.
After reminding him several times, Gorou finally left with a worried expression to meet the current Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island.
Meanwhile, Luo Li began walking around the palace grounds accompanied by the two soldiers.
Rather than guards, they felt more like bodyguards.
Standing at the edge of the coral cliffs, Luo Li looked down.
The lake water flowed into a massive underground cavern.
Over countless years, unimaginable amounts of water had gathered there.
A giant vortex churned below, creating a terrifying sight.
"Enkanomiya…"
Looking at the entrance leading to the underground world, Luo Li thought quietly.
That place held ancient records from before the Archon War.
Unfortunately, most of those records had already been destroyed.
Even if he went there, he probably wouldn't find much.
Compared to that, Luo Li had another question he wanted to confirm.
He turned to the two soldiers behind him.
"Do you know if any new high-ranking figure has appeared in the Sangonomiya leadership recently?"
The soldiers were momentarily confused.
Only after Luo Li turned around and looked at them did they realize he was speaking to them.
One soldier shook his head.
"I'm not sure."
The other hesitated before answering.
"As for high-ranking figures… besides General Gorou, there are only Lady Sangonomiya and a few others."
"A few others?" Luo Li asked.
"The Divine Envoy, the Attendants…"
The soldier suddenly stopped speaking, realizing he might be revealing information about Watatsumi's leadership.
Luo Li didn't mind.
He glanced at them and stopped asking further questions, instead continuing to admire the scenery of Sangonomiya.
Back then, he had been too busy dealing with various matters, especially with the fall of Khaenri'ah approaching.
He had never had the time to truly appreciate the scenery.
Now he could finally make up for it.
The two soldiers quietly sighed in relief.
If Luo Li had continued questioning them, they would have been in a difficult position.
It felt like they had brought back a very important guest.
As for Luo Li, the reason he stopped asking was simple.
He could already sense the connection.
The Honkai energy he had once given long ago was still linked to him through an invisible thread.
From within Sangonomiya Palace, he could feel a strong longing.
It felt like a child yearning to reunite with its father.
"So the infant within that pearl… has finally been born."
Luo Li glanced toward the main palace.
The scattered fragments of Honkai energy were clearly reacting.
But he didn't yet know which person it belonged to.
Anyone among the high-ranking members of the Sangonomiya leadership could be the one—except Gorou.
According to legend, the Divine Envoy of Watatsumi Island was born from a pearl.
Such a being was considered heaven-born and would naturally become the highest-ranking Divine Envoy, holding immense authority.
If Luo Li could establish a connection with that person, he might be able to completely resolve the conflict between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island.
Thinking about this, he decided to give fate a small push later.
It would also serve as the first gift he prepared for Raiden Ei.