The morning sun rose over a calm ocean.
For the first time since the Monster Tide ended, the waves carried no blood or monster corpses.
Instead, countless survivors sailed toward the newly appeared continents.
The world had entered a new era.
Standing at the bow of the Sea Fortress, Lin Chen looked at the massive landmass rising from the horizon.
Azure Continent.
According to the World Map, it was the closest continent to his current location.
Its towering mountains pierced the clouds, while dense forests stretched as far as the eye could see.
A Team Chat notification appeared.
[Su Yao] : Almost there.
[Lin Chen] : I can already see it.
[Su Yao] : My Talent has been reacting since sunrise.
[Lin Chen] : Treasure?
Several seconds passed.
[Su Yao] : More than treasure.
[Lin Chen] : Inheritance?
[Su Yao] : Ancient ruins.
Lin Chen smiled.
Every time Su Yao's Talent reacted, valuable opportunities followed.
The Sea Fortress continued forward.
Soon, another ship appeared beside it.
Su Yao stood quietly at the bow, her long black hair moving gently with the sea breeze.
Unlike before, there was no need for chat messages.
They could finally speak face-to-face.
"Looks even bigger than I imagined," Lin Chen said while looking at the continent.
Su Yao nodded.
"The world is only beginning to reveal itself."
For a moment, both remained silent.
Months of cooperation through the Team Chat had built complete trust between them.
Neither found the silence awkward.
An hour later, both ships reached the coastline.
The moment Lin Chen stepped onto solid ground, a notification appeared.
First Landing Reward
Experience +1000
Reputation +100
Another notification followed immediately.
Azure Continent Regional Map Unlocked
The previously blank map was now partially revealed.
Only the coastal area was visible.
Everything deeper inland remained hidden.
"The ruins are northeast," Su Yao said while pointing toward a distant mountain range.
"My Talent keeps pulling me in that direction."
Lin Chen nodded.
"Let's go."
They left both ships anchored near the shore and entered the forest.
Unlike the islands they had visited before, the Azure Continent was filled with life.
Ancient trees hundreds of meters tall blocked the sunlight.
Colorful birds flew through the sky.
Crystal-clear rivers flowed between giant rocks.
Spirit herbs grew almost everywhere.
Even the surrounding energy felt richer.
Half an hour later, Lin Chen suddenly stopped.
"Something's watching us."
Su Yao nodded.
"I felt it too."
The bushes shook violently.
A giant wolf slowly emerged.
Silver fur covered its body, while blue lightning flickered around its claws.
Its eyes never left the two humans.
A notification appeared.
Azure Thunder Wolf
Level: 72
Elite Monster
Lin Chen smiled.
"So this is a continent monster."
Without hesitation, the wolf attacked.
It moved like lightning.
Unfortunately for it, Lin Chen was faster.
The Ocean Emperor's Trident flashed.
A single strike released a crescent wave of water.
Boom!
The wolf crashed into several trees before collapsing.
Experience +450
Thunder Crystal Obtained
Su Yao crouched beside the monster.
"This crystal isn't ordinary."
Lin Chen examined it.
Thunder Crystal
A rare material used to forge Lightning equipment.
He stored it inside his inventory.
"If common monsters already drop materials like this..."
"The continent is far richer than the ocean."
Su Yao agreed.
"No wonder everyone is rushing here."
The journey continued.
Along the way, they encountered several more monsters.
Each one was stronger than sea monsters.
Each one dropped valuable resources.
Neither of them struggled.
Working together felt natural.
When Lin Chen attacked, Su Yao accurately pointed out enemy weaknesses using her Talent.
When danger approached, Lin Chen always stood in front.
Hours later, they reached the top of a hill.
Both stopped simultaneously.
Below them lay an enormous ruined city.
Broken walls surrounded ancient streets.
Collapsed towers reached toward the sky.
Countless stone statues lined the roads.
Although abandoned for thousands of years, the city still radiated majesty.
Su Yao whispered softly.
"This wasn't built by humans."
Lin Chen nodded.
"The architecture is completely different."
A notification appeared.
Ancient Azure City Discovered
Experience +3000
Hidden Region Unlocked.
As they entered the city gates, Abyss Sight activated automatically.
Blue streams of energy flowed beneath the streets.
One golden light stood out among them.
"That way."
Lin Chen pointed toward the center of the city.
Both hurried forward.
Along the way, they discovered broken weapons, abandoned houses, and enormous murals depicting ancient beings.
One mural caught Lin Chen's attention.
It showed a giant turtle carrying mountains upon its back.
The Ancient Abyss Beast.
Below it stood countless races bowing respectfully.
"So even ancient civilizations knew about it..." Lin Chen muttered.
Su Yao remained unusually quiet.
"My Talent says this city fell in a single day."
Before Lin Chen could ask why, the ground suddenly shook.
A heavy roar echoed across the city.
Dust fell from nearby buildings.
A notification appeared.
City Guardian Awakened
Lin Chen immediately summoned the Ocean Emperor's Trident.
A gigantic stone warrior slowly stood from the central plaza.
Its body exceeded thirty meters in height.
Ancient blue armor covered its entire body.
A massive stone sword rested in its hands.
Its empty eyes suddenly ignited with blue flames.
Azure Guardian
Level: 80
King-Class Monster
The guardian slowly pointed its sword toward Lin Chen and Su Yao.
The battle for the Ancient Azure City...
Had begun.
To Be Continued...