We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 172 The Magic of Turning Land into Flower Fields
Upon noticing Augustine's gaze, Shane felt a chill run down his spine, a strong sense of crisis rising within him.

It's like the fear a person feels when they suddenly encounter a wild beast while completely unarmed.

But for some inexplicable reason, Shane did not avoid Augustine's gaze, but instead looked at him from afar as well.

These two people, who should not have met, saw each other from hundreds of meters apart.

This one glance felt like stepping into an era!
In that instant, Xia En was certain that the other person was watching him.

Those deep gray eyes held a hint of curiosity and surprise, but no hostility.

However, Augustine quickly looked away and returned to his ship, the Black Sail, lost in thought.

The still-young pirate king stroked the mast of the Black Sail like he was petting a cat, muttering to himself.

"Is that the person who was spying on you just now?"

"He's definitely no ordinary kid."

"Hmm? You mean his demeanor is somewhat similar to mine? I didn't see that coming from me..."

The mooring ropes along the mast of the Black Sail swayed again, like a big cat's tail swinging idly.

Regardless of how Augustine and the Black Sails reacted.

At the edge of the [Upper City] on the circular platform, Lyra's eyes widened slightly as she asked in surprise, "Just now, did that captain glance at us?"

Yan Yan nodded quickly: "Yes! I saw it too!"

"His eyes are so scary."

Shane didn't know why Augustine had noticed him, and casually said, "Maybe it's just a coincidence."

He then asked, "Speaking of which, Leila, why did you bring us to this city?"

"Oh right, I almost forgot!"

Upon hearing this, Leila suddenly remembered something important: "Today is the day of the exhibition! Come with me!"

Before she finished speaking, Leila rushed off toward the city center.

Seeing this, Xia En and the others had no choice but to follow.

Along the way, Shane also witnessed the different appearance of this "upper city" compared to the elven city below.

Although the buildings here are not particularly exquisite and elegant, they are clearly influenced by elven style and look quite beautiful.

However, from the perspective of Shane, a later arrival, the style of these houses is clearly somewhat "retro," even more primitive than that of Coral City.

This may mean that they are living in an era earlier than when the Kingdom of Shudon was founded.

The city's residents include humans, half-elves, and occasionally one or two pure-blooded elves.

To Shane's surprise, they mostly communicated in Elvish.

When Leila arrived, many people took the initiative to greet her.

"Good day, Miss Leila!"

"Little Laila, you're playing in [Upper City] again?"

"Be careful, don't fall!"

Leila responded with a wave and a warm smile.

"Uncle Knok, Sister Laura!"

"Oh? You're asking about those two? They're my friends; they came with me to the exhibition in Uptown!"

It can be seen that, unlike her situation of being ostracized among the elves, Lyra is quite popular in the Upper City.

So much so that the residents didn't ask where Xia En and Yan Yan, these two suspicious men in black robes, came from.

Overall, the city is very lively, with ordinary people living and working in peace and contentment, and one can see its vibrant energy and vitality at a glance.

because of this.

Xia En's feelings became increasingly complicated.

He couldn't help but think of the city buried under volcanic ash, and the human figures struggling in the ashes.

If the ultimate fate of this city is already predetermined, then is the beautiful scene before us just a fleeting dream?

Xia En wanted to do something.

But upon closer reflection, I realized there was nothing I could do.

Are we going to tell the people of this city that this place will be buried by volcanic ash in a few hundred years?

Talk is cheap; nobody will believe you anyway!
Moreover, the more crucial point is—

According to his predicted timeline, a great flood would arrive before the volcanic ash could bury them!

The demise of the Elven race might even occur before the Great Flood.

The first to suffer were not the elves of the Upper City, but the elves of the Lower City!

the last point.

It was also a guess hidden in Xia En's heart.

Although he seems to have entered the past, is it possible that everything he did was an inevitable historical event?
In other words, it's the convergence of the timeline.

In other words, his actions could only change some things on a small scale, but could not change the established history.

Or, due to the so-called "butterfly effect," could it cause even greater negative consequences?
However, this was ultimately just Xia En's guess, and he was destined to never get an answer.

Just as Shane's mind was racing, Lyra's voice rang in his ears.

"This is it, we've arrived!"

Xia En collected his thoughts, looked up, and found that they had arrived at a square.

This is already the core area of ​​the Upper City, and the thick, broad trunk of the Elven Mother Tree is not far from the plaza.

At this moment, the square paved with bluestone slabs is bustling with activity.

Pedestrians came and went in a constant stream, and many people gathered in front of each stall.

There are vendors selling snacks and drinks, vendors selling all kinds of magical items, as well as various weapons, equipment, and even some strange and unusual trinkets.

Seeing this, Xia En's lips twitched involuntarily.

Is this what you call an "exhibition"?
They're clearly here to go to the market, aren't they?

But on second thought, Shane could understand why such markets existed.

In the Seven Seas, the [Tianqi Chamber of Commerce] almost monopolizes 80% of the trade.

The captains can simply sell their cargo to the Chamber of Commerce.

Similarly, if they have any needs, they will buy directly from the Chamber of Commerce, so markets like this are rare.

However, even setting aside the shopping malls he had seen on Earth, Shane had witnessed such a bustling scene on Silvermoon Island.

My heart was completely unmoved.

But Yan Yan and Cui Qian, who had lived on Ice Island for countless years and had been trapped at the bottom of the sea for countless years, had never seen such a lively place before.
Both of them looked like country bumpkins who had just arrived in the city, showing surprise and staring intently at the novel things.

"Sister Laila, what's that? Can we eat it?"

"Sister, can I have one to try?"

Tracy is not young, but she still has the temperament of a child and keeps circling around Lyra.

"No problem, but I'll have to finish my business first."

Leila didn't stop and soon arrived at the booth of a special stall.

There were significantly fewer customers here, and most of them just glanced at the exhibits before leaving.

"Miss Leila, you've arrived."

The stall owner, a portly businessman, said with a smile, "This is the latest model of steam engine you requested, along with other accessories."

"Steam engine?"

Xia En was stunned.

He never expected that the "serious business" Leila was talking about would actually be this!

But when Shane saw the steam engine in the booth, his expression became somewhat strange.

This steam engine was vastly different from those of the Commonwealth era; it was bulky and enormous, and its valves and pipes appeared rather crude.

It was more like the first-generation steam engine from the Industrial Revolution era in Shane's memory. But Lyra seemed unusually excited about this outdated machine, smiling as she spoke.

"So beautiful! No wonder it's made by the Apocalypse Merchant Guild!"

"It's much better than my old, broken machine!"

At that moment, she quickly noticed Xia En's strange expression and hummed in dissatisfaction.

"So, you also look down on this thing called a 'steam engine'?"

"If you ask me, this thing may look insignificant, but it might just change the world!"

Shane's expression became even stranger.

Of course he knew that the steam engine could change the world!

The emergence of this new thing directly propelled the Industrial Revolution, didn't it?

Moreover, it completely changed the way ships are powered, which laid the foundation for the Age of Exploration.

However, judging from Leila's tone, it seems that some of her people looked down on the steam engine and even mocked her.

This is what caused Leila to misunderstand her.

Yan Yan, standing nearby, couldn't help but say something after glancing at the machines in the booth.

"Captain Shane would definitely look down on this machine, because the steam turbines on his ship are far more advanced!"

Upon hearing this, not only Lyra, but even the fat merchant standing nearby looked surprised.

"impossible!"

The portly merchant immediately retorted, "This is the latest steam engine that our guild purchased from Lun City."

"I can guarantee with the reputation of the Apocalypse Merchant Guild that even if you search the entire Southern Continent, you won't find a more advanced steam engine than this."

This merchant was none other than a member of the Apocalypse Merchant Guild!
Come to think of it, the Apocalypse Merchant Guild existed before the Great Flood, so it's not surprising to encounter it on Emerald Island.

Yan Yan completely ignored Xia En's warning look and said confidently.

“I’m not lying. Captain Shane’s steam system is many times more advanced than this.”

After spending half a day together, Leila had gotten to know the big guy a bit and knew he was an honest man who wouldn't lie, so she turned to look at Shane.

"Is what he said true?"

"If there were a more advanced steam engine, could I see it? I'm very curious..."

Leila stared intently at Shane with her big, watery eyes.

At this point, Xia En finally understood.

Perhaps fate brought him to this era by chance, intending for him to do something.

Instead of being constrained by the "butterfly effect" and "timeline convergence," why not follow your heart and do what you want to do!

In this way, my journey will not have been in vain!
With that in mind, Shane no longer hesitated and quickly took out a steam device from his spatial ring and handed it to Lyra.

Upon seeing the brass-colored steam device, Lyra and the fat merchant's eyes widened in surprise.

"This this……"

Both men had a considerable understanding of steam engines.

As we all know, at this stage, the steam engine cannot be widely adopted, and its efficiency is far lower than that of various spells, so it is normal for it to be looked down upon by the elves.

But what they saw before them, a steam device no bigger than the palm of their hand, completely overturned their understanding.

Those precise gears and extremely complex cylinders far exceeded the concept of a steam engine; they seemed like devices that could only have appeared in a fantasy.

Moreover, the device possesses a mysterious vitality, as if a consciousness is gestating within it.

This is the effect after equipping the [Steam Heart].

Xia En was not surprised by their reaction; even he was shocked when he saw this steam-powered black technology.

Not to mention those people from thousands of years ago.

"Can I touch it?"

Lyra asked cautiously, looking at the steam generator as if it were some rare treasure.

"of course."

Xia En smiled and said, "If you like it, you can just give it to me."

After looting the stockpiles of Duke Island and Silvermoon Island, he still had quite a few steam devices left in his spatial ring!
"Thank you, Shane!"

Overwhelmed with excitement, Leila hugged Shane tightly, kissed him on the cheek, and then picked up the steam device to examine it.

Xia En was taken aback, but seeing Leila's serious expression, he could only assume it was an unintentional act.

About half an hour later.

Leila looked up in a daze and sighed regretfully.

Tracy asked, puzzled, "Why is your sister sighing?"

"The level of this steam-powered device is simply ahead of its time."

Lyra said seriously, "Even if we figure out the principles, those intricate gears and pipes are beyond our ability to manufacture."

Upon hearing this, the fat merchant next to him breathed a sigh of relief.

After a brief moment of disappointment, Leila quickly cheered up and said with a smile.

"However, the emergence of this steam device is enough to show that there is still a lot of room for improvement in steam technology."

"Let's not talk about this anymore. You've come all this way to [Upper City], so why don't you take a good look around this exhibition?"

With that, Leila led Shane and the others for a stroll around the square.

have to say.

The items exhibited and sold in this square are quite unique.

— Emerald Isle was originally just an unnamed island with few native inhabitants, but after the elves began their migration, they would bring a group of merchants and civilians with them each time.

Other ships subsequently came to the island to trade and settle.

Over time, this led to a situation where humans and elves lived together.

Therefore, the goods here include both elven specialties and unique delicacies from various regions.

Among the things that impressed Shane most were the sweet pancakes made from the leaves of the Elf Mother Tree, and the honey pig intestines and spicy and sour sheep eye pie that no one knew who invented.

The former tasted quite good, while the latter was simply a culinary disaster.

However, what's strange is...

Surprisingly, there were no items related to magic runes in this square.

Perhaps the technology of magic runes hasn't been developed yet in this era?

As we strolled around, the sky gradually darkened, and the setting sun cast its rays down from high above, turning the square into a soft golden hue.

At this moment, Yan Yan and Cui Qian, tired from shopping, were resting on a chair not far away.

Shane and Lyra then came to a small stall displaying several tattered books.

The stall owner was a girl of about ten years old. She was a little dirty, thinly dressed, and very thin.

She looked at Xia En and whispered.

"Sir, would you like to buy a book?"

Xia En asked, "What kinds of books do you have?"

Upon hearing this, the little girl's eyes lit up, and she carefully picked up a book and spoke to Xia En.

"These are all ancient books that record some strange magic."

"This book, for example, records the magic that can turn land into flower fields."

Xia En suddenly froze.

He certainly remembered the spell; according to String Song, it was on the first page of that magic notebook.

Doesn't this mean that Lyra only started her journey of collecting magic after this?
So what role do I play in this process?

(End of this chapter)