Super Game System-Otherworld King: Rise to Power

"Here's your tea, Your Highness."

Ronald took the warm teacup, glancing at the somewhat aggrieved Emirel with a smile. "Princess, don't be upset. It's not that I want to keep you here. But given the ongoing war between the nobles and the Yaksha tribe, if I let you go now, you know the consequences."

"Hmph! You humans started the war, and now you're pinning the blame on the Yaksha tribe. Despicable!" Emirel retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.

Ronald laughed heartily. "Do you really think this war started because of you alone? The elves have lived in peace for millennia, enjoying prosperity. But the Yaksha tribe has worked tirelessly, rising from a lowly yellow-tier race to the formidable Xuan-tier. Do you really think such an ambitious tribe would let such an opportunity slip by?"

Emirel fell silent, realizing that, even without her involvement, the Yaksha tribe would have found some excuse to wage war.

Seeing her silent, Ronald patted Emirel's shoulder lightly, his smile turning sly. "You should count yourself lucky to have fallen into my hands. If some other tribe or bandits had caught you instead, well... the consequences would be far worse."

Emirel blinked in surprise, her face flushing crimson. "What are you implying? Pervert!"

"Pervert?!" Ronald laughed, unbothered by the insult. "Oh, I'm honored you think of me that way. But you'd better behave. If I'm in a good mood one day, maybe I'll let you go."

"Otherwise, you'll meet your end right here!"

"Y-you…!" Emirel's face turned even redder, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Lecher! I'll never forgive you!" she shot back.

Time flew by, and soon it was the season of blooming spring.

On the Yun Cang River, a massive ship was gliding downstream.

Unlike the typical ships seen around Yunzhou, this one was constructed entirely from iron, with no sails or paddles. A single iron pipe stood tall at the ship's center, releasing thick black smoke.

From a distance, the ship looked like an enormous steel beast, powerful and imposing.

At the ship's bow, Ronald stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the riverbanks, a faint smile playing on his lips. His mood was excellent.

The shipyard had finally completed its work two months ago, and by chance, Ronald had drawn a fuel-powered generator from an item card.

The energy core in the city was already sufficient, so Ronald had ordered A Qiang to retrofit the generator into the ironclad ship's engine.

Thanks to the shipbuilding technology he'd drawn, A Qiang had no trouble constructing any vessel from the Ringworld. The ironclad ship was a mere trifle.

After two months of hard work, the ironclad ship was finally ready. After a day of test sailing, Ronald, accompanied by a large supply of goods and his hunter squad, set sail southward, destination: the Chaos City.

The annual grand event in Yunzhou was not something he could afford to miss.

This time, he was traveling alone, as the generals had their own duties. With the hunter squad and the water army led by Jack providing protection, it would be enough.

On top of that, after three months of intense cultivation and with the help of numerous medicinal pills, Ronald had broken through to the Fourth Layer of the Body Refining Realm!

The Qingyun Xuantao technique truly lived up to its ancient pedigree. His cultivation speed was nothing short of terrifying.

Unknowingly, he had become the strongest person in Ming City.

Additionally, over these three months, he had entered the spatial realm multiple times, encountering several waves of attacks and capturing numerous prisoners.

Now, his hunter squad had grown to twenty-two members. After taking gene-enhancement serums and consuming a large number of medicinal pills, each of them had reached the Second Layer of Body Refining. The water army had also expanded to twenty-five members, all elites brought over from the Ringworld—far superior to ordinary soldiers.

The ironclad warship cruised steadily along the river, and Black Moon approached.

"Master, up ahead is the Yixian Gorge. Jack asks if you'd like to avoid it."

"The Yixian Gorge, huh…"