Eight hours later, Lin Mei stirred from her slumber, the soft light of dawn filtering through the boat's windows. The Lin family slowly emerged from their dreams, Lin Haoran, Lin Jiaxue, and Lin Xinyi waking two hours after Lin Mei. Meanwhile, Ren Inoue had been lost in sleep for fifteen hours, his mind filled with thoughts of the monumental journey ahead.
When Ren finally awakened, he found that the Lin family had already enjoyed breakfast. Determined to contribute, he prepared Egg-in-a-Basket Toast paired with a refreshing Herb-Infused Citrus Brew, hoping to foster a sense of community among them.
After setting the table, Ren joined the Lin family on the deck. "What are you all discussing?" he inquired, glancing around.
Lin Mei was the only one to respond, her voice hesitant. "We were thinking about new products to sell from our mine."
Ren noticed Lin Haoran's expression darken at the mention of the mine, a shadow of anxiety crossing his face. "Xiao Mei," he admonished sharply, "keep quiet about our property. No one wants to hear about it, understand?"
"But father," Lin Mei whispered, "he can be trusted."
"Silence, Xiao Mei! Don't make me repeat myself!" Lin Haoran's voice was firm, and Lin Mei fell silent, her eyes downcast.
Ren felt the weight of the tension in the air. He glanced at Lin Mei, but she quickly turned away, her cheeks flushed. Unsure of what to say, he decided to lighten the mood. "How about we go fishing for fun?"
Lin Mei's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds great!"
They made their way to the fishing dock, a simple setup with two chairs perched at the edge. After paying for their spot, they settled in and cast their lines. Thirty minutes into the wait, Ren suddenly yelled, "I GOT ONE! I THINK IT'S BIG! IT'S PULLING HARD!"
Lin Mei, caught up in the excitement, leaned in closer to get a better look. Ren felt her presence against his back and blushed, stammering, "U-Uhm, Lin Mei..."
"Huh?" she replied, noticing his embarrassment. In a soft voice, she said, "I'm sorry," and darted away, leaving Ren feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion. The rest of the day passed in silence, the vibrant energy of earlier replaced by an awkward stillness.
Eventually, the Lin family spotted an island on the horizon. They rushed to Ren, who had been scanning the water. Lin Haoran was the first to speak, his voice laced with disbelief. "What the hell is that?"
Ren squinted, trying to make sense of it. "I'm not sure, but… what if I told you the world is going to go to 'pearl'?"
Lin Haoran's face darkened, clearly unimpressed. "Boy, don't joke with me. I will destroy you for joking about something like that. Bringing us out here is not a joke, kid!"
To protect Lin Mei, Ren replied firmly, "Stay here for at least a week. It will happen, I believe it from what I've seen."
After some heated back-and-forth, they finally reached the island. As they disembarked, Ren noticed the Aqualon warriors standing guard. They wore combat kimonos in deep ocean colors, with flowing sleeves and iridescent patterns. Reinforced panels provided protection, and lightweight sandals completed their striking appearance.
The warriors bore no visible weapons, but Ren could see a shimmering water elemental hovering behind them, its flowing hair and glowing eyes enhancing their strength. Each warrior wielded a magnificent water sword infused with elemental powers, allowing them to unleash tidal waves and other aquatic abilities, a testament to their profound connection to the ocean.
Ren bowed respectfully, and the Lin family followed suit. "We mean no harm. We wish to set up a base here, and we can contribute when necessary," Ren explained.
The warrior captain, Nerina Aquaflame, stepped forward. "Human, we must consult our chief."
Ren raised an eyebrow at the term "human," wondering if it stemmed from the presence of the elemental spirit. "Can you ask him now?" he pressed.
The chief, Kahuna, appeared suddenly, his presence commanding. "What can you do for this island?" he asked, scrutinizing Ren.
"I'm planning to build a base and expand from there. I want to do what I can to prepare for what's coming," Ren replied earnestly.
Kahuna's expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face. He contemplated whether Ren could be the chosen one the prophecy spoke of. "You are allowed in," he finally declared. "Nerina, secure them the largest land available."
"Yes, Chief," Nerina responded, leading them to a vast expanse of territory surrounded by towering gates and formidable defenses. Turrets, cameras, and automatic weaponry lined the perimeter, creating an impenetrable barrier.
Amid the fortified landscape stood a single house, its doors and windows crafted from an otherworldly material known as Quantumglass, virtually indestructible. The walls were reinforced with NanoArmor plates, and the entryways were equipped with Quantumslide Doors that opened only to the owner via advanced face recognition technology.
Ren gasped in awe. "This is incredible! I get this house? Whose was it before?"
Nerina's demeanor soured at the question. "It was mine, and yes, you get it," she replied tersely.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ren stammered, realizing his mistake.
"Alright, scan your face here," Nerina instructed, and Ren complied.
"Scanning... scanning... scanning... scanning complete. New ownership: Ren Inoue," an automated voice announced.
Suddenly, the earth shook violently, as if a cataclysmic event was about to unfold. Ren's book from the boat began to glow, radiating with an intense light. He rushed back to the vessel, where the Lin family awaited anxiously.
"What's going on?" they asked in unison.
Ren replied, "I think the apocalypse is happening."
The book transformed before their eyes, becoming a radiant tome composed of unknown materials that shimmered like the sun. When it finished its metamorphosis, it dropped to the ground. Ren picked it up, noting the title on the first page: The Infinity Book by Prime Architect. As he flipped through its pages, he discovered astonishing recipes for gene potions and innovative ore-growing methods.
Suddenly, a menu popped up before him, visible to everyone on Earth. "Hello, creators of all worlds! I am the system created by Prime Architect. I am here for one reason: to create something fun for my master to watch. You will see on the screen that there are chat, trading, and shop features for you to explore."
"Also, after I leave, you can find portals scattered around your world. Entering one will send you to a random location unless you join a party, in which case you will travel together. But be warned: you can die, so be careful. Goodbye!"