Edward opened the [Island Trading Platform]. At first glance, the offerings were sparse—just a few basic items like spring water, firewood, iron ore, and stone.
None of the more specialized items like Spirit Grain seeds, demon plant seeds, or magic potion seeds that Edward needed were available. Blueprints and equipment were even scarcer.
This indicated one thing: there were no veteran professionals on the island. They were all newcomers. Otherwise, even if seeds for demon plants and magic potions were unavailable, seeds for common crops would surely be on sale.
"Those professionals summoned a year ago must be on other Worlds' Floating Isles," Edward thought. "That's actually good news."
It meant that the newcomers wouldn't be oppressed by the established professionals.
After all, those who had been growing their skills for a full year would be much more advanced in both level and strength.
How could a newbie just arriving on the Worlds' Floating Isles stand a chance against them?
Moreover, if there were veteran Lord professionals on the island, future battles for control of the island would be much tougher, which wouldn't be fair to the new Lords.
Now, the playing field was even. All the professionals on the island were newbies, starting from the same line. That seemed fair to Edward. Eager to become the lord of his own island, he certainly didn't want to face the seasoned Lords' armies while still in his growth phase. He needed a grace period to grow.
After closing the [Island Trading Platform], Edward opened the nearby [Chat Channel].
The channel was buzzing with activity. Countless messages from professionals were flying in—hundreds in the blink of an eye.
It was clear that the new professionals on the island were excited, especially those who had landed the Lord profession, who were ecstatic as if they had won the lottery.
[Hahaha, guys, I randomly got the Lord profession, come congratulate me.]
[Dang, another Lord.]
[Jealous. My profession is Knight, destined to be just a sidekick to a Lord professional.]
[At least Knight is a combat role. I got Cleric profession, good for nothing but healing.]
[Everyone should chill. No matter what profession you got, it's all the same; everyone has a chance to become a god.]
[What's your profession, bro? You've got a great attitude.]
[Just a so-so Lord. Also, my troop type is Skeleton Swordsman, a mid-level unit.]
[Roll out, dude...]
[...]
[Speaking of which, it seems like a ton of people randomly got the Lord profession this time around—feels like there's at least 800 if not a thousand.]
[That's because the number of people summoned to the Worlds' Floating Isles has increased. I estimate that this time at least several tens of millions have been summoned.]
[That many people? Last year it seemed like only a million or so were summoned.]
[Dude above, how did you come up with that estimate? What's your source, or do you have some other info channel?]
[I'm just going with my gut.]
[So basically, you're just guessing.]
[Hey, any noble Lords wanna show off their exclusive troops? Give us combat profession folks something to gawk at.]
[No need to show off, they're mostly low to mid-level troops.]
[That's not entirely true, my troop type is a Burrowing Dragon, definitely a high-level troop.]
[Caught a big fish here.]
[Sorry to brag, but my troop type is the top-tier Golden Behemoth, unbeatable on land. Also, I just set up a professionals' alliance 'Hall of Kings.' Ambitious professionals with dreams can join my alliance, and together we'll dominate the Worlds' Floating Isles.]
[Holy smokes. Top-tier troop...]
[To randomly get a top-tier troop like the Golden Behemoth, what kind of insane luck is that?]
[This is a true big shot.]
The chat channel exploded with activity.
This was the first time on record that someone had randomly gotten a top-tier troop as a Lord.
Once this news got back to Earth, it would definitely shake the world. Not to mention business conglomerates swarming in, even 'national-level weapons' wouldn't be able to sit still.
Because the Worlds' Floating Isles had become the future of Earth's development.
A Lord on the Worlds' Floating Isles with a top-tier troop would likely become the ruler of an island, or even a regional overlord.
Such a talent, who wouldn't want them?
Anyone able to connect with this top-tier Lord, offering money, women, resources, would be trivial.
No one doubted the growth potential of this top-tier Lord.
[Big shot is a big shot, not only did he randomly get a top-tier troop, but he also immediately set up a professionals' alliance, he's got luck, skills, and foresight, he's bound to make it big.]
[No doubt, you're probably going to be the lord of this Worlds' Floating Isles island in the future.]
[Big shot, I'm also a Lord professional, and I've applied to join your 'Hall of Kings' alliance, please approve.]
[I joined too.]
[Count me in, following a top-tier Lord, the future's bright.]
Soon, a large number of professionals joined the alliance 'Hall of Kings.'
At the same time, many new alliances were established.
The number of joiners was also significant, but no alliance could compare to the 'Hall of Kings.'
The number of professionals in the 'Hall of Kings' was almost equal to the sum of all other alliances combined, such is the pull of a top-tier Lord.
[…]
"Did the number really just blow past a hundred thousand?"
"Totally awesome."
"With the top-tier troop, the Golden Behemoth, and the biggest alliance on the island in my hands... In the upcoming battle for the island, I'm definitely going to be the last man standing."
On the Worlds' Floating Isles, a vast, endless grassland stretched before him.
A young man with an ordinary appearance stood in his village-level territory, laughing excitedly.
"The title of island ruler is mine for the taking."
His expression was one of sheer arrogance.
As a 'one-of-a-kind' top-tier Lord, he had every right to be cocky.
"Confidence is one thing, but I can't slack off when it comes to developing my territory."
"Only when I become the fastest-growing, most powerful Lord on the island will the other professionals in the alliance truly respect me."
"If I don't develop my territory..."
"Forget respect, I could even be devoured by some ambitious professionals."
With that thought, the young man became even more diligent.
He immediately ordered the two Golden Behemoths, who were resting nearby, to continue hunting.
These two Golden Behemoths, each towering over forty feet tall and covered in golden fur, their muscles bulging, exuded an overwhelming sense of power.
Upon receiving the order, the two Golden Behemoths didn't hesitate and quickly left the territory to hunt.
"In just another two or three hours, I'll be able to level up to tier one and become a true professional."
"Such a rate of leveling up is unprecedented."
"It just goes to show, the Golden Behemoth truly is a top-tier troop."
Watching the backs of the two Golden Behemoths as they departed, the young man couldn't help but grin broadly.