Manifest Destiny?

"Good evening, everyone", a man and a woman on the QTV spoke, "I am Zhang Wei", "And I am Li Mei."

"Today, talks commenced between the ministry of Sun & Moon island and the envoys of Thalassor's Dominion and the Chelonian Kingdom", Zhang Wei reported.

"For our guests from far away, Thalassor's Dominion is the empire of Whales and Kuns while the Chelonian Kingdom is home of the turtle beastkin", Li Mei explained.

"A representative from the ministry told Sun & Moon news that they hoped talks would result in a treaty between the three sides", Zhang Wei continued, "They also mentioned that if everything went well, a new trade agreement would be reached in the future."

"In other news, the council of beastkin elders will arrive next week", Li Mei said, "The ministry will be showing the elders around to foster friendship with our neighbors to the north alongside with their younger generation."

"The seaon of sun is right around the corner, and everyone should recognize the transformation of both Sun and Moon cities as the wedding between Wei Huoran and Zeng Meirong will commence soon", Zhang Wei stated, "Sect leaders, Kings, Grand lord merchants, elders, and other notable figures will be in attendance, and the day has already been proclaimed as a holiday for the residents."

"Yesterday was the end of the qualifying round for 'The Pinnacle', the tournament to decide the strongest warriors of the three continents", Li Mei said, "The final tournament is to start in fourteen days, and the contestants are already preparing to travel to prove who is the best…"

"Greetings everyone, Daoist Han Yue respectfully thanks you all for coming to my stream…", the scene on the QTV changed.

Wu Jian did not usually watch the news, but today was different. He had qualified for the final round of 'The Pinnacle', and was determined to win. His event was 'Musuo', a game in which a cultivator or a team would enter a battlefield and accomplish objectives while defeating the enemy forces. He was a member of 'Stormbringers', and they had placed third in their local tournament barely making the cut.

Wu Jian was not nervous about competing, but he was nervous about doing his best because Sun & Moon island was the birthplace of the artifact they used to compete. He thought it would be embarrassing if the teams of Sun & Moon island lost against teams from the other continents.

"I'll only watch an hour of Han Yue before practice", he told himself before focusing on the screen.

Wu Jian liked this stream, Han Yue was one of the few residents of the island that would travel to other places. He would go to remote or unexplored locations with his special Qphone to stream his activities to his followers. He used many of the products from Sun & Moon city to protect himself, discover strange plants, battle beasts, and explore ruins. Han Yue was not stupid, but unexpected or silly things occasionally happened, and his fans were always ready for anything.

Wu Jian had to admit that ever since he was bought and freed on this island, he had been curious about the world but opposed the idea of leaving. He had gotten stronger as one of the first residents of the island, but his past had haunted him for years, no matter how many times he used the 'Synapsis' app. Like many of the first residents of the island, he had built a foundation, and was closed to distilling a golden core, but he also knew there was a hidden danger. He had learn in academy a 'mental demons' that could cause cultivators to fail during crucial moments, and his intuition told him if he could gain a reputation during this competition, he could erase these dangers.

Wu Jian started watching this stream in the beginning to change his perception of the outside world at first, but after some time, came to appreciate it for a different reason. He was an alchemist, and for some reason when he saw Han Yue discover old and new spiritual plants and herbs during his travel, his own knowledge increased and so did his alchemy.

After the hour went by, Wu Jian left the stream running on the QTV, but entered his personal QPod to meet the rest of his team.

[ DaoistFreedom entered that chat

LadyofIce: it's about time, you know we need to practice

DaoistFreedom: well hello to you too

Wargsstolemystones: great you're here, let's get started

Aspeartoreachtheheavens: Sure, the lot of good it does us

DaoistFreedom:?

Fatesmaster: There was an announcement for Musuo, a new mode will be used for the finals

LadyofIce: They said that instead of teams memorizing the most efficient way for each map, it was better to use a new map

Wargsstolemystones: Not only that but the enemy force will be different as well, able to react to our actions better

DaoistFreedom: How do we prepare for that?

Aspeartoreachtheheavens: We have to improve our teamwork, but also our comprehension. The notice also said that many of the newest artifacts, weapons, and talismans used by the Ministry of Law Enforcement will be available in this mode

LadyofIce: I thought that would be secret from other people

Fatesmaster: I think they will only show part of their hand, the real secrets will still be hidden and the ministry can use this to display its power to our neighbors

DaoistFreedom: anyways that enough of politics, let enter the game and work on our teamwork]

Wei Huoran was reading the reports while sitting in his favorite chair. Sometimes he really felt he was a genius for assigning the role of government to others, because the island was busy right now. After the last battle, he had gotten with the administration and infrastructure departments to plan and start building a new city on the western coast of the island. His idea was to create a beach resort style town, and call it Seabreeze Cove. Also, Huoran had decided that it was ok to show everyone their train system, so another construction project was in the works to connect Market Square, Misty Peaks, and now Seabreeze Cove. There were trains to Sun and Moon cities as well, but these were kept secret from guests as Huoran did not want the residents bothered by outsiders.

Huoran had wanted to build a stadium with the intention of introducing a sport to the residents, but it had never came to pass. Cultivators were notorious from focusing on gaining strength, and there were too many difficulties in designing a sport that would interest them. Everything else he had designed at this point because it promoted cultivation or knowledge, so he eventually gave up.

Huoran was reading when Quanliyuan spoke, 'I saw that you are building a second home close to Moon city, why is that?'

'Are you bored? You were there when I spoke with the construction company', Huoran asked.

'I just do not see the point', Quanliyuan remarked, 'Are the two of you going to live in separate houses?'

'No, but she is a mermaid', Huoran stated, 'Anyways, you should not worry about it, have you already prepared for your part in the ceremony?'

'Of course, memorizing something like that is easy', the artifact spirit said, 'How can something like that be difficult when I can monitor the entire island at any time?'

'Speaking of which', Huoran changed the topic, 'After the ceremony finishes, can you not monitor me for a bit?'

'Yeah, yeah, I guess I can find something to be busy with', Quanliyuan replied, 'It's not like I'm interested in what you do anyways.'

'Thank you, I'll spare you some more energy and materials to assist in your repair', Huoran promised.

'I accept, though I think I will not need too much of either', Quanliyuan responded.

'Are you nearly fully repaired?', Huoran inquired.

'That is difficult to answer', Quanliyuan answered, 'It would be better to say that some of the materials I need are very hard to obtain.'

'Should I get ready to make a trip somewhere?', Huoran asked.

'No, at this time I will be content', the artifact spirit said, 'When we are truly ready, I'll lead you to the place to find what I need.'

Huoran thought it was funny that the spirit was acting all mysterious, but did not ask anymore questions.

'Do you have anything to do with the tournament?', Quanliyuan asked.

'Yeah, it was my idea after all', Huoran replied, 'I have a short speech at the opening, and have to help award prizes at the end.'

'I'm surprised they did not ask you to do more', Quanliyuan commented.

'I do have a wedding happening soon after', Huoran retorted, 'Plus after that last battle, it's nice not having to constantly have to deal with things.'

'You still have been somewhat busy though', Quanliyuan asserted.

'That was different', Huoran replied, 'Those men and women died protecting the island. It would be irresponsible of me to miss their funeral.'

'You cannot save everyone', the spirit voiced its opinion.

'I know, I should have upgraded their suits', Huoran said, 'And that is being addressed now, I am just lamenting that I had to learn it this way.'

'I am more assured that it seems you are not wallowing in grief then', Quanliyuan expressed its relief.

'Old friend, you can relax', Huoran replied, 'They will be remembered by me, but will not cause me to deviant from my own path.'

'Speaking of which, the new continents seem interesting', Quanliyuan chuckled.

Huoran furrowed his brow, 'The images we get are very strange. The northern continent seems to consist entirely of beasts and monsters while the south has people living with beasts.'

'What do you think of it?', the spirit asked.

'I can only guess, but as I told the beastkin, I think this was one huge continent at one time. Something should have caused it fracture, and overtime all the continents shifted until they reached their current positions. The life on each continent changed with the circumstances, and this is why you have such varied divergent situations.'

'Such as?', Quanliyuan asked.

'If you look at Nanying, humans mainly practice a standard cultivation of spiritual power, and until recently, the spiritual beasts of the land were a problem to any city unable to defend itself. Shuo is odd because humans do not live there, but their influence is felt as the spiritual beasts have adopted human practices becoming beastkin. Wu is unique in that they lean more towards body or mind cultivation over spiritual, and the spiritual beasts there also do this as well. Compared to that, the northern continent being strictly beast should suggest that the most powerful beasts where located there before the event that split the land. With nothing to influence them to change, the spiritual beasts there continued as normal. The southern continent must have changed drastically since it seems that both humans and beasts found it necessary to cooperate to survive.'

'So why did you conceive of the 'Explorer' project', Quanliyuan sought understanding.

'You are right that we could probably just ignore those lands, and stay here after displaying our strength', Huoran remarked, 'But the best way to remedy the unknown is understanding. Also, the possibility of opportunity could be waiting for us. I'll just make sure our new vessels are equipped well enough that any dangers that arise can be handled swiftly.'

'I noticed that you equipped these vessels with the ability to teleport', Quanliyuan inquired, 'You've never tried to build teleportation arrays between here and the other continents, why did you this time?'

'The first reason should be obvious', Huoran addressed the question, "These other continents are much farther away, but other reasons exist. If I built a network of teleportation arrays on the other continents, we put ourselves at greater risk for one. Also, someone has to maintain the energy and array to ensure no accidents occur, and I'd rather not be in charge of that. Lastly, once such a convenient way of travel is established, unless you create a network of transportation for the whole continent, places that can't afford to build the array will be left behind. At least by working with companies like the Golden Peony, they can provide the connection with everyone.'

'So you hold things back?', the artifact spirit was curious.

'I have already introduced many things much faster than I probably should have out of necessity of survival', Huoran explained, 'I think it's better for everyone to grow with the changes, and introduce new things at a slower rate. Also, there is a whole world out and the possibilities are endless, I think it's time to explore and see what's out there.'

Quanliyuan had nothing to say in return, so instead he smiled slightly as Huoran left his mind space.

It had been a few days since the council of elders, but Elder Shenlong found himself in the same situation as before. All the leaders of the tribes were gathered together again, but this time they had brought many of their younglings along. Elder Shenlong was scanning the crowd when he noticed a discrepancy, certain tribes had brought many more younglings than others. He recognized the leaders who had done this:

Bloodclaw, Razortalon, Ironclaw, Fire fox, Shatterbrow, Ambermane, and a few others.

"My fellow leaders, can you tell me why you brought so many of your tribe?", Shenlong called out to those responsible.

Chief Bloodclaw immediately responded, "We did not set an upper limit on how many we could bring, and once you experience things there, you will wish you brought more too."

Everyone else familiar with Sun & Moon island laughed in response to this while the others could only sigh in confusion.

"I just received a message", Razortalon called out, "Grand Lord Merchant Kang of the Golden Peony company will be here in three minutes. The ship is rather large, but do not be frightened or attack when it lands."

The massive group of beastkin started to grow louder as they began discussing things with themselves, and a few minutes later the large spiritual flying ship was landing before them. Most of the tribes had not believed Razortalon when he warned them, and when the ship arrived it caused an uproar. Luckily, no one tried to attack and the ship had safely landed in the open field.

A ramp extended to the ground, and Kang with a group of his crew made their way towards the beastkin.

"Elder Shenlong, its has been many years", Kang said as he and his crew bowed.

"Grand Lord Merchant Kang, I welcome you to our lands", Shenlong replied, "This ship is beyond anything I could imagine, is it from the place we will visit today?"

"Of course", Kang affirmed, "We are ready for everyone to board, including your mounts. We can provide grooms if needed as well, so please follow me."

Elder Shenlong made a sign to the crowd before walking forward to the ramp. Kang walked next to him, and was already describing the many things he would find on the ship as the rest of the beastkin followed.

It took almost an hour, but soon everyone was boarded, had rooms, and were already exploring the ship when Kang announced, "I want to personally welcome all our guests today, our destination is Sun & Moon island with an estimated time of seventeen hours. I hope you all enjoy the trip, and use our service again in the future, Thank you for traveling with the Golden Peony."