Chapter 166 - 128: Struggling to Move Forward? (Part 2)

This was the only thing she could do as a mentor.

Molly looked dazed, her lips pressed tightly together. It was only now that she and Daisy realized how naive and laughable their original plans were in the face of the cold, harsh reality.

The dreams of a young girl? Proving oneself with misplaced confidence? Marrying Lord Lin Lan to win favor and solve problems?

Placed in front of millions of lives and deaths, such intentions appeared so pale, so shallow...

Everyone was waiting for Lin Lan’s decision.

Among those present, only Eleanor and Lucia appeared calm.

From the beginning, they were in tune with Lin Lan’s thoughts, naturally understanding his determination.

Indeed, the Ark Kingdom had no choice from the start.

Their stances will only ever be absolute mortal enemies!

Lin Lan’s gaze gradually turned cold.

Earlier, through snippets of conversation, he had more or less guessed that the end had infiltrated all corners of the Alliance, and the world hadn’t immediately collapsed due to something stopping the Ouroboros.

Now, there was no need to guess—Nightingale had laid the cards out directly!

The secret presence behind the Commercial Federation was the Ouroboros, once involved in polluting the Sun Country.

——[Beauty God]

If the Alliance navigators, including Nightingale, were to take control of Ark Island and the Sun Mine, the golden Sun Divine Kingdom would only bloom ’perfect’ flowers!

"Everyone, my thoughts are that the Ark Kingdom will never accept the Alliance’s demands!"

Lin Lan looked around at everyone’s eyes and assertively declared, "The arrogant behavior of the envoy sent by the navigator Nightingale in damaging the dock is undoubtedly a provocation against us!"

Even Nightingale might not realize her outfit had already been thoroughly seen through by Lin Lan.

The three Fes people were frozen, seemingly unable to believe their ears.

"Whether it is the Sun Mine or the new sailing route pioneered by the two young Fes individuals, I do not intend to give them up to the White Oak Main Island."

Lin Lan didn’t bring up the concept of the end, only mentioning the urgent problem: "I have a solution for the food issues, you don’t need to worry about that."

This world has never been a sole dominion of the Alliance.

Ed and others’ furrowed brows relaxed.

Clearly, the Ark Leader made a seemingly ’foolish’ choice, yet everyone seemed relieved.

For some reason, they just had inexplicable faith in Lord Lin Lan’s decisions.

Because Lin Lan always managed to lead people out of quagmires, both past and present.

"Charles, what exactly is that Nightingale about?"

Lin Lan turned to the Ark’s finance minister.

"Umm... How should I explain this to you... You might not quite grasp what ’Star Songstress’ means."

Charles tried to convey the new trend concepts of the new era to the old monster before him.

"On the White Oak Main Island where entertainment culture is highly developed, the guilds annually spend a lot to promote female artists with performing talents for people to admire and worship."

He explained, "Nightingale stands at the pinnacle of the art field as a songstress. Her every tour can bring tens of thousands of Bright Gold Coins in revenue to the Alliance."

Lin Lan: ...

He was already used to being regarded as an old man from the past who knew nothing.

"In fact, Miss Nightingale’s influence is not to be underestimated. She has countless fanatical fans on the three main islands of the Alliance, even on the small islands surrounding the Alliance."

Old Dean took over the conversation, his expression somewhat serious: "Many Kings of the small islands dream of marrying Miss Nightingale, even willing to offer her their entire Kingdom."

"On specific sailing routes, Miss Nightingale embodies absolute ’Justice’."

The corpulent merchant smiled wryly: "If you compete with her over the pioneering rights of the routes, the Ark Kingdom’s positive image will surely become unbearable..."

Listening to the two of them made Lin Lan’s head hurt somewhat.

After finally driving away the Endless Abyss that harmed the land and grain, he turned to find another Ouroboros blocking his doorstep, and this snake had fans all over the streets...

Lin Lan inexplicably felt an ’awakening to discover himself at odds with the world’ sensation.

The pressure was intense.

"To hell with Nightingale!"

In the next moment, Eleanor slammed the table, cocking the treasured revolver in her hand with a clack, sneering: "Do a few brain-messed fans dare bully us?"

"If you ask me, we should sail the Shattered Star to the edge of the land."

The Pirate Leader bared sharp teeth, his tone filled with violence: "If that oblivious fool dares bring trash near our port again, we’ll just feed it a cannonball!"

Beside him, Ed nodded in agreement.

Image?

The Ark Kingdom needs no respectable image.

They were originally rugged individuals emerging from blood and fire, for whom strong fist was the real principle; warriors only need to instill fear in enemies!

Whoever doesn’t comply will have their teeth shattered!

The atmosphere in the conference room finally ceased to be oppressive; everyone expressed their opinions freely.

"Having decided on the direction, from another perspective, we’ve encountered a rare opportunity!"

Charles glanced at the Fes girl sitting in the corner, his tone filled with admiration: "Honestly, the chance to pioneer a sailing route isn’t easy to come by..."

Countless sailors drifted across the vast sea, some never obtaining the qualification to pioneer, destined to follow in the steps of predecessors all their lives.

The focus of the crowd once again gathered on the two Fes girls.

"So we need to take the initiative to explore the routes?"

Old Dean’s eyes brightened, for this old idealist who had drifted at sea half his life, he dreamed of personally participating in the adventure of pioneering the seas!

Charles solemnly nodded.

"Though Lord Lin Lan can use miraculous powers to directly retrieve treasures from the deep sea, for a kingdom to grow strong, relying solely on ’ready-made’ resources is far from enough."

He shared his thoughts: "Indeed, the Deep Sea Treasures of the Ancient Century are very precious, but for today’s Ark, these products are like building an exquisite castle in the air, attracting everyone’s attention yet lacking the foundation to support them."

"Selling the treasures is ultimately unrealistic; just like Lord Lin Lan’s view on the deep sea relics, we need to consider ordinary Ark citizens."

Charles added: "As long as we can develop a stable route, the benefits will extend to countless ordinary people."

The Ark’s finance minister’s eyes burned: "Once the Ark Kingdom possesses a safe and reliable sea route, by adhering to the rules, even unarmed ordinary people can cross the sea safely."

"Even simple fishing can support tens of thousands of families."

He continued: "In other words, the route is the lifeline of a maritime nation; without our own route, we’ll be controlled everywhere, completely becoming a vassal of major powers."

"Only by pioneering our own path can we break free from the shackles set by the Alliance and spread the Ark Kingdom’s influence!"

"Furthermore, we needn’t worry about the White Oak Main Island taking advantage of this, as the actual partner we established relations with is indeed the Fortress Main Island among the Alliance’s three main islands."

He raised a brow, his tone mysterious: "And I happen to have some connections over there..."

Lin Lan listened to the group’s discussion, a faint smile gradually curling his lips.

Having set the direction in the meeting, everyone finally unraveled the tangled threads.

The two little Cat Girls perked up their ears.

"Yi Feng, Teacher..."

Daisy’s ears twitched, she asked timidly: "Molly and I won’t be kicked out of Ark Island, right?"

"Definitely not."

Yi Feng gently stroked the furry ears of the two little beauties: "You might even realize your dreams here."