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Chapter 325 Ethan, where have you been?
Chapter 325 Ethan, where have you been?
After the Cedar County campaign, while Cloudview County was still embroiled in conflict, the Azure Cloud army returned to their borders, gradually reclaiming the territory that Clark had seized.
Jon, true to his word, had embraced a life of leisure, and the Psychics of Starlight County followed suit.
Some even began joining the Azure Cloud army, inspired by their display of might.
After all, not all Psychics were solely focused on honing their powers; some yearned for the camaraderie and purpose of military service.
Meanwhile, Phillips continued their war against the Druids in what was now the Western Territory of Azure Cloud.
Atop the same mountain where Blackwood's surprise attack had taken place, Phillips erected a grand palace, a symbol of their authority and a strategic command center.
Despite Phillips' ambition, Bryce proved to be a capable leader.
He organized their forces, minimized losses, and even sent envoys to learn from Jessica, establishing a formidable "Phillips Legion."
Five years passed, and under Phillips' rule, Azure Cloud flourished.
One day, in the grand hall of the Phillips palace, Bryce sat upon his jade throne, clad in black armor adorned with a black python, a symbol adopted from Daniel.
"Daniel, my friend," Bryce boomed, "I owe you a debt of gratitude. Your timely arrival with one hundred thousand Psychics was instrumental in crushing the Eight-Leaf Druids and driving them from our Western Territory!"
Daniel smiled modestly.
"You give me too much credit, Bryce. Your leadership was the deciding factor. Speaking of which, we've had numerous delegations from the Sunshine Mansion these past few years. They've caught wind of the spirit herbs and ores we've acquired from the Druids and are eager to trade.
They've approached various factions within Azure Cloud, offering Energy Stones but refusing to part with any other resources. How should we proceed?"
Bryce's face hardened.
The hall was filled with representatives from various factions, and none had escaped the Sunshine Mansion's attempts to exploit their recent gains.
The mere mention of the Sunshine Mansion elicited scowls and murmurs of discontent.
"They can dream on!" Bryce declared, slamming his fist on the armrest.
"They offered no aid during the war, content to isolate us and restrict our access to resources. Now they want a share of our hard-won spoils? I'd rather see our storehouses overflow than give them a single scrap!"
"Well said!" The hall erupted in cheers.
Once the crowd dispersed, Bryce wiped the sweat from his brow.
Those five years had been the most challenging of his life.
Since assuming control of Azure Cloud, the Druids' attacks had intensified, focusing solely on his Western Territory.
He'd spent every waking moment coordinating defenses, appeasing allies, and consolidating his authority.
He'd finally managed to secure his position as the leader of Azure Cloud, but now Jon and Chuck were pressuring him to liberate the Eastern Territory.
And then there were the citizens of Cloudview County, struggling to rebuild their lives and their cities, their needs a constant drain on their resources.
But the most formidable threat remained the Sunshine Mansion, their covetous gaze fixed upon Azure Cloud, like predators circling their prey.
"Thank goodness I'm here," Bryce muttered to himself.
"If Blackwood were in charge, Azure Cloud would be ripe for the taking. Still, they've been surprisingly cooperative. I'll give them that."
He took a deep breath and gazed towards the Sunshine Mansion, a steely glint in his eyes.
"This is my Phillips family's opportunity. We have the land, the resources, and the people. Once I've dealt with the Druids, the Sunshine Mansion will rue the day they ever crossed Azure Cloud!"
Meanwhile, Ethan, enjoying a rare moment of respite, emerged from his meditation in Bill the Daoist's cultivation chamber.
[Your family, under Bryce's leadership, continues to thrive and grow stronger.]
[Your descendant, Nathan, has entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the fifth level of the Death Coffin technique.]
[Your descendant, Julian, having acquired a large quantity of seventh-grade and a small amount of sixth-grade crafting materials, including a branch from the Primordial Blood Tree, is preparing to attempt a breakthrough to sixth-grade Spirit Artifact Master.]
[Your descendant, Amelia, has successfully refined two doses of the sixth-grade Spirit Medicine, "Body Restoration and Qi Gathering Powder."]
[Your descendants have gathered the necessary resources for Marcus to attempt his ninety-nine thunder tribulation...]
Ethan smiled, nodding in satisfaction.
He glanced towards Bryce's palace atop the mountain, raising a thumbs-up.
"Blackwood chose wisely. You're doing an excellent job."
...
With Bryce at the helm, the three territories of Azure Cloud prospered.
As the next Grand Rite approached, Ethan logged out of the game.
Returning to reality after so long, he felt a strange sense of disorientation.
He pulled out his phone.
While years had passed in the game, only a few days had gone by in the real world.
His phone was flooded with notifications.
[Major victory! The magical civilization invasion has been repelled in just one day! They have retreated to near Mars!]
[Rumors abound of an unknown powerhouse wreaking havoc within the magical civilization's stronghold. Several reclusive Psychics have joined the national army, seeking retribution!]
[Exciting news from the National Psychic Exploration Team! The underwater ruins they discovered may hold the key to Earth's lost history!]
[...]
"What? They were defeated so quickly?" Ethan was stunned.
He knew the magical civilization was outmatched, especially with Earth's Psychics returning from their interstellar missions, but he hadn't expected such a swift resolution.
He'd been worried about them attacking his neighborhood.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good riddance. By the time I master my skills in the game, they'll be no match for me." Your next chapter is on M V L
He scrolled through the news as he stepped outside.
Lisa, his AI assistant, was waiting for him, her expression unreadable.
"Master, this is the longest you've stayed indoors."
Ethan couldn't exactly tell her he'd been busy building a family and fighting for survival in a virtual world.
He mumbled a vague excuse and instructed Lisa to prepare his meal.
"The bicentennial Grand Rite is fast approaching. I have more than enough Energy Stones and spirit herbs. My family is well-stocked too. Sixth and seventh-grade spirit medicines are impossible to find on Earth. Ancient cultivation techniques or advanced weaponry are the only things that would be of value to them now."
Even outside the game, his thoughts remained fixated on his virtual family.
"They're still at war with the Druids. Who knows when it will end."
"The Sunshine Mansion is another threat. They haven't retaliated for Danny's death, but everyone knows Blackwood was responsible."
"Our family is still young. We won't have a Basic Mastery Psychic anytime soon. Our priority is to find ways to counter a Basic Mastery expert."
Lost in thought, he barely noticed Lisa setting his meal before him.
She seemed accustomed to his distracted demeanor.
He searched his contacts, hoping to reconnect with Orion.
They'd been cut off during their last call due to the magical civilization invasion.
However, he was met with the disheartening message: "The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
"Right, she must be busy excavating that new ruin."
Ethan chuckled.
"I was hoping she might have unearthed some ancient cultivation techniques, artifacts, or high-level spirit equipment. I would have paid her handsomely in Energy Stones."
Years of living in the game world had subtly shifted his perspective.
He spoke of illegal activities and ancient artifacts as casually as discussing the weather.
He dialed his teacher, Joshua.
"Ethan, where have you been? Your phone's been off, and your family's too! I thought those mages had abducted you and turned you into their plaything!"