Chapter 136: The Paite People of the New Continent

After a journey of one year and five months, the massive expedition fleet finally arrived at a large bay in the southeast of the Maztek Continent.

Grand General Kodel named it—Kodel Bay, and his intention to seize the bay that would later become a trade sanctuary for the east and west continents was self‑evident.

But it was well deserved; after all, he was the commander of the entire massive legion.

The warships neared the bay, set foot on land, and what met their eyes were vast expanses of jungle; the legion's prophetic Mage immediately employed the Scrying Demon Eye for detection, finding that the jungle's area was roughly comparable to the Supreme Forest on the Frelen Continent.

Beyond the forest lay extensive shrub‑filled savanna and cornfields, clearly bearing the marks of intelligent beings' cultivation.

General Kodel stood on the beach, his eyes filled with ambition as he gazed at the tropical jungle, and, with a hint of disdain, waved his hand and said, "We must now carve a road through the jungle wide enough for the army to pass; this will also become the trade caravans' route in the future."

"It seems this continent is full of primitives, even neglecting a place as important as this bay."

Beside him stood an elderly halfling clad in an extremely ornate silver Mage robe; even with General Kodel's authority, the elder still received respect as he said, "What do you think, Lord Baolis?"

The crane‑haired, blue‑eyed diminutive elder was a member of the Five-person Council of the Anmu Empire, the empire's ruler, the Legendary Spellcraft Mage "Flowing Gate" Baolis.

Baolis's gaze was indifferent; his small stature did not diminish his aura, but rather gave off a captivating energy that continuously radiated from his body, with fierce winds swirling his hair, light warping around him, making him seem as if he existed in a space beyond this world.

He raised his red scepter and pointed at the forest, "I think this is a good idea; the empire's army will dominate here, and neither beasts nor the jungle can hinder Anmu's advance."

Then Baolis glanced back, and the distinguished guests aboard the Royal Dragon Bone Ship were standing behind him.

"Friends, according to the agreement, you must help the Anmu Empire establish its first stable foothold here before you can move freely; however, I suggest you join the Golden Legion, for no one knows what dangers lurk deep within this continent."

Baolis's words carried a veiled threat, and many of the weaker individuals were stirred; after stepping onto the Maztek Continent, these forces would have two choices: join the Golden Legion, which would allocate rewards and wealth based on contribution—a safe and steady path.

As a new continent, Maztek Continent would surely possess enough resources for Anmu to generously reward those who join, provided their needs are met.

Of course, the second option was to explore on one's own, bearing risk and reward personally; however, before that, they must first help the Golden Legion establish a foothold, and when the Legion's base faces crisis, they must assist unconditionally.

The two options were not absolute; those who joined the Golden Legion could choose to leave, and those who explored could return after understanding the difficulties, but in any case, everyone understood a truth.

Here, they share honor and loss together; if the Golden Legion encounters trouble, they will not fare any better.

Under Baolis's call, many under‑powered guests chose to join the Golden Legion; most were representatives sent by great noble families or by guilds of professionals, generally possessing 8‑12 level strength.

Those stronger, such as Saifaer, a 17th‑level Archmage, naturally had confidence and wished to act alone.

In fact, he even invited Naimi Xisi, believing it would make it easier for him to watch over the other party on this continent.

But Naimi Xisi politely declined. With his mind‑teleportation ability, if danger arose he could not escape, rendering Saifaer essentially useless.

Moreover, teaming up with a 17th‑level Archmage, even if there were gains, he feared he would receive only a tiny share.

As for those who chose not to join, Baolis's expression showed no change; perhaps he had already anticipated that the continent's abundant resources lay before them, and who wouldn't want to become rich overnight?

Carving out one's own territory, plundering the natives' wealth, mining magical veins that have lain underground for ages—these tantalizing fantasies constantly tempt everyone.

The entire afternoon that followed, a full thirty‑thousand soldiers disembarked from the warships and set up camp on the near‑bay beach, while the remaining thirty‑thousand stayed aboard the ships on standby; the army's Mage corps dispatched twenty prophetic Mages capable of casting Spell Circle spells, using the Scrying Demon Eye to explore the whole jungle.

The Mages' detection quickly yielded results; the twenty prophetic Mages worked together to capture the entire jungle's situation in their eyes.

The jungle is inhabited by a short, muscular, humanoid species that live in clan‑tribes; they are the most numerous creatures in the jungle.

These beings clearly show signs of civilization; in the Scrying Demon Eye's view, their tribes contain many rocks engraved with murals and devices resembling telescopes.

Their language differed from the common tongue of the Frelen Continent; the Mages had to use a universal language before they could understand the conversation.

These beings call themselves the Paite People; they love art and observe the heavens, and most of them are natural archers. The Paite People can survive in the forest known as the Distant Forest with only a bow and wooden‑crafted arrows.

Baolis was extremely interested in these Paite People and immediately decided to send a team to capture a Paite alive and bring him back to inquire about the local situation.

The forest harbors many Monsters that do not exist on the Frelen Continent, and Baolis even specially dispatched an 11th‑level Mage to accompany the troops.

The prophetic Mages summoned a Demon Eye that constantly followed the squad sent into the jungle, broadcasting the scene live to everyone.

As dusk fell, most of the Paite People returned to their tribe to rest, leaving only two or three skilled bowmen hidden in the trees near the tribe, keeping watch.

The commotion caused by the 200‑person squad quickly awakened a nearby Paite tribe, and Naimi Xisi noticed a tiny figure flickering in a corner of the Demon Eye's feed.

"Hara (enemy attack)! Hara!" the Paite who spotted the squad shouted.

These towering, iron‑canned, unknown creatures clearly terrified them; soon the sleeping members of the Paite tribe were startled awake.

They emerged from the tribe, wielding wooden bows and stone‑polished hammers, eyeing the approaching army with predatory glares.

Yet the leading 11th‑level Mage paid them no mind, calmly riding his summoned phantom steed, looking at them with contempt.

(End of Chapter)