If there’s a high Challenge Level demon inside, barging in recklessly is just asking for trouble.
However, after carefully observing the cave entrance, Xia Nan noticed extensive traces of human activity nearby.
Among them, the most recent traces seem to have been left just yesterday, very close in ti.
Even on the soft ground, deep tire tracks can be seen, clearly indicating a large convoy has passed through.
This invariably sparked an idea in his mind.
"Could it be a shortcut?"
If the tunnel ahead indeed leads directly to the other side of the mountain range, it would undoubtedly save them a great deal of ti and effort.
After so contemplation, he used his spiritual power to carefully perceive and observe any potential dangers within the cave, confirming there was no suspicious sll of blood or demon presence.
Only then did Xia Nan light a torch and lead the young man into the tunnel.
"Mr. Xia Nan, have you seen the sea? I’ve heard from a Minstrel passing through the village before that it’s the sa color as the sky, wider by millions, countless tis more than the pond behind the hill, and any wave is taller than our highest mountain here."
Perhaps excited and thrilled about reaching their destination, Colin’s speech increased as he carefully followed Xia Nan, his tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty about the future.
"Mr. Xia Nan, I still think ’Sailor’ suits better after all."
"Though you’re right, my uncle does business there, and as an apprentice following him, I won’t starve."
"But whenever I think about the vast endless ocean... I can’t help imagining if I could ride a sailboat over the sea, how magnificent that would be."
"But a ship should be quite expensive, right? I’d better start as a sailor, save so money, and later..."
The youthful voice echoing in his ears abruptly ceased.
Xia Nan knew why his companion suddenly fell silent.
For ahead, beyond the torch’s fla, in the dark depths of the tunnel.
A glaring patch of sunlight, like a flickering lamp in the deep night, suddenly fell upon them at a corner.
The exit had arrived.
Unable to contain his inner excitent, Colin suddenly quickened his pace, running wildly towards the source of the sunlight.
And then... abruptly halted in awe.
Xia Nan could even see the young man’s arms subtly trembling due to excitent and the muscle contours tugging under his skin as he subconsciously opened his mouth.
Feeling a stir in his heart, he stepped forward.
Boom—
Suddenly enlightened!
The oppressively dark and damp tunnel environnt, filled only with the sound of footsteps and dripping water, instantaneously dispersed.
Bright and splendid midday sunlight poured down relentlessly.
The originally narrow and enclosed view suddenly expanded.
Standing at the cave entrance halfway up the mountain, with nothing blocking below.
Sawfish Bay, their destination.
Like a vast dynamic panoramic painting, it unfolded dramatically before their eyes, delivering a powerful visual impact.
What first t their gaze was naturally the nearly full view, filling every inch of sight, extending to the horizon’s edge, rging with the celestial edge into a single arc—a vast blue sea.
Like a phenonally large and splendidly blue gemstone, the shimring glints reflected in the up-and-down waves, breaking the sea surface’s sunlight into specks of dazzling golden light.
Then, set against the fragnted white surf, was a perfect circular arc embraced by lush green mountains.
Within the embrace, a forest of masts and sails swayed with the waves, countless ships of varying sizes and styles packed the entire bay, their faded brown, freshly dyed red, rcantile blue, ominous black, and even silver-gray rarely seen on exotic vessels—layers of flags connected, dyeing the sea into a myriad of colors.
Looking further down.
Sawfish Bay, an important port in the southern Sevia Kingdom, after nearly fifty days of travel, finally presented itself before Xia Nan.
Clinging closely to the water and port, and situated at the lowest land point, were countless densely packed dark wooden structures adhered to the coastline like barnacles.
Without any careful planning, the whole seed devoid of style.
Dark red, deep gray, and green rooftops densely stitched together, below lay labyrinthine narrow streets, where through shadows myriad silhouettes moved and traversed, akin to ants, transporting goods between port and city, even the air seed slightly distorted by the bustling heat waves.
Looking up, the architecture and road contours beca distinct, with the main building material shifting from wood to light stone and plaster, alignnts abruptly straightened, streets broad and clean, banners suspected to define banks, guilds, or shops adorned at the sides.
Even pedestrians walking along relaxed and leisurely compared to the world below at the port.
And further up, reaching the highest point...
Presented yet another scene altogether.
Virtually no architectural outlines visible, densely populated tropical plants isolated all prying eyes, leaving only sporadically exposed white marble columns and glazed tiles reflecting soft fluorescence under the sun.
Serene and distant, wealth and power.
Overlooking the bustling port at its feet.
For Xia Nan, besides the visual impact.
There was also the enormous tide of sound eting him after stepping out of the cold cave:
The dockworkers’ rhythmic chants, the crisp pattern of Blacksmith Shop hamring, the off-key tavern tunes, seagulls swirling above with their screeching calls, ships’ horns entering and leaving port, and waves crashing on the shore...
Transforming into an endless soundscape nad "Sawfish Bay."
His chest rose slightly, the slightly salty sea breeze flowing into his nostrils with each breath.
Quietly appreciating the majestic beauty before him, Xia Nan stood still, finally grasping the reality of his month-long arduous journey.
Having co from a modern society in his previous life, experiencing advanced technology and productivity, he naturally had seen countless scenes far grander than the bay, whether the concrete-crafted steel forests or untouched primitive landscapes spanning millennia, a re glance or mouse click could reveal it all.
He should not have felt moved by this scene.
Yet he couldn’t deny, after having experienced such a long journey, unprecedentedly in two lifetis combined, stepping from the dark tunnel and gazing at the view ahead.
So inexplicable emotion welled up from deep within him.
"Sawfish Bay... finally arrived."
For Xia Nan, it was so, and naive Colin, who had lived his life in an isolated village hemd in by forests, his vision limited to trees and the sky, found it even more overwhelming.
Utterly dazed, frozen in place.
Pupils trembling, mouth unconsciously ajar.
Seemingly wanting to articulate sothing, whether to express or release the awe and shock within.
Yet incapable of organizing coherent sentences, mumbled nonsensical fragnts:
"Mr. Xia Nan... sea... ocean..."
"So big... all houses... people, so many people..."
Xia Nan naturally understood the young man’s reaction, didn’t urge him, but stood silently beside him, admiring the majestic scenery below.
Until several minutes passed before Colin finally riding out the shock from Sawfish Bay.
Sowhat embarrassed, he wanted to lower his head but couldn’t bear to look away from the beauty below, appearing awkwardly stiff, apologizing to Xia Nan:
"Sorry, Mr. Xia Nan, I..."
Waving a hand, indicating he should not mind it.
Xia Nan’s gaze shifted to the mountain path alongside him, extending downwards and rging with nurous roads into the city.
"Let’s go, we should find your Uncle Paddy first."
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