Chapter 713: Chapter 46: Ripples of Reality (Part 2)

There was no overwhelming dragon silhouette, no gigantic island like a paradise on earth...

And there was no trace of the luxury cruise ship.

......

...

The luxury cruise ship did not sink to the ocean floor.

Instead, it quietly docked on the shores of Penglai Island.

Even though the ship was in disarray, and many were injured. Most of the injuries were caused by bumps and collisions in the chaos, and were not serious. Moreover, despite being so close to the source, it didn’t perish in the calamity, which was a miracle.

It was indeed the result of a will and power akin to the gods... being consciously propelled...

"Ugh! Is it over..."

Clutching her swollen forehead, a woman in an elegant gown gritted her teeth and gasped. Struggling to climb up from the ground, she realized her clothes were soaked through, drenched by the storm and waves that crashed onto the deck, accentuating her curvaceous figure.

Holding her forehead, she sat up and surveyed her surroundings, finding the deck in disarray, likely caused by the earlier chaos.

Many people, like herself, were trying to sit up or shakily stand, gasping or groaning softly during the process... But at a glance, it seemed no one was seriously harmed.

So—is it over?

This thought instinctively floated into her mind, causing her to laugh bitterly and simultaneously clench her fists with lingering fear, recalling the previous sense of helplessness...

Unlike most people on this ship, the woman was not a wealthy heiress but knew the purpose of each voyage, due to her special identity.

After all, gaining permission to navigate the East Sea’s waters naturally involved a series of behind-the-scenes exchanges. She knew very well that there were at least a dozen agents like herself on the ship, from various countries. She could confirm four colleagues.

Over the years, she initially thought this was a dull and boring job, mostly requiring vigilance regarding the actions of other factions.

She was inherently skeptical of legends of immortals, extraordinary events, and mysterious powers, as there was no convincing evidence despite the swirling rumors back then, and nothing happened in these years.

Initially, she couldn’t help but fantasize about encountering such events again, pondering her response, information to extract, choices to make, and strategies to gain recognition.

Her superiors had provided detailed instructions on these scenarios and even dispatched an expert team for role-play training. But in reality, situations change rapidly, and those plans might only serve as references; ultimately, she must act according to her conscience.

As time passed, while her superiors did not cancel the operation, they began to harbor doubts and became more cautious in allocating resources. Her enthusiasm waned, and she began questioning if the whole affair was an elaborate scam akin to a Star Wars plan... until this unexpected voyage met with an unanticipated incident.

Shock, excitement, confusion, fear...

A mix of complex emotions surged within her as she reminisced about the recent events, causing a sudden dizziness accompanied by panic, unease, anxiety, disbelief, and a strong sense of unreality, as though in a dream...

The thrill was because it was all real, and she actually encountered it!

At the same time, she was unknowingly confused about what to do now, feeling that all past rehearsals and considerations lacked a plan for such a scenario.

The next moment, as she came to her senses like the others, she suddenly felt an incredibly terrifying aura—an immense majesty far beyond her existence, sacred, grand, and awe-inspiring.

"..."

"..."

In the midst of a profound silence, she, like everyone else around, trembled as she slowly looked up at the sky.

This time, it wasn’t the silhouette illuminated by the occasional giant lightning in a dark world, but a clearly visible colossal figure.

The long body resembled ancient wood, over ten meters wide, coiling around the island’s shores and mountains, with those golden majestic eyes watching over everything like gods. Everyone felt a coldness, as if their hearts were pierced by a pillar of ice.

At that moment, countless people nearly screamed, but inexplicably clenched their teeth, daring not to make a sound.

"..."

"..."

In the pin-drop silence, piercing enough to hurt eardrums, an old voice tremblingly spoke, hoarse and faltering: "Great being, please, please understand, we have no intention to offend... It was entirely a coincidence..."

While the voice trembled and distorted, it clearly harbored a trace of fervor, just like the old man’s eyes fervently gripping the railing, gazing intently at the divine figure above.

How, beautiful and strong—

This is it! This is it!

This is the faith he pursued relentlessly, the truly extraordinary and sublime life!

Compared to such great existence, what can mundane affairs amount to? His relentless pursuit was but for a glimpse of grace from such grandeur! His trembling voice carried undisguised fervor, and he nearly collapsed in tears to the ground.

"Ah, no need to emphasize this as a coincidence; I don’t intend to break my promise. As I initially told you, you are indeed fortunate this time."

No sound emitted, only a grand resonance reverberated within the spirit, striking the soul. The dragon calmly observed the cruise ship, fixing its gaze on the two it once met, emitting consciousness-shaking telepathy, echoing in their thoughts.

"But you certainly possess perseverance, and are quite persistent..."

"..."

"..."

"You... You’re the immortal from back then?"

The elder on the top deck clung desperately to the railing, speechless, suddenly reacting in disbelief, asking.

The immortal’s natural aura back then, although he repeatedly beautified in memory over the years, undeniably appeared just like an ordinary person. He couldn’t associate that image with the indiscernible, thought-halting, godlike imposing figure before him.

The middle-aged man behind the elder also widened his eyes.

Among the crowd on the cruise ship, barely daring to breathe, many listened instinctively.