Floating Island - Triple S Talent

The novices in the Hunter team appeared panicked. They were startled by the captain's sharp warning but tried to follow the instructions given. Hastily, they sought cover behind the defensive formation that had been set up. Their faces reflected fear, but their hands gripped their weapons tightly, trying to suppress the trembling.

Far from the clamor of battle, Lein sped through the air toward the Tree of Life's Source. He rode a futuristic hover bike with two large wheels gleaming as if coated in pure silver.

The bike's engine emitted a soft hum, a testament to the advanced technology powering it. Its sleek body, with elegant curves, reflected the perfection of both design and power.

Lein sat casually, his posture upright, while his long black hair fluttered in the gentle wind. His gaze was sharp, yet his expression remained calm, exuding natural dominance. As the strongest and wealthiest figure in the alliance, everything he used was of the highest quality.

"Still there, but quite rare," he murmured while observing something in the distance. His voice was flat but filled with contemplation.

During the journey, Lein's focus wasn't solely on his destination. His awareness expanded, encompassing the entirety of the Divine Sky. He could monitor the actions of Hunter teams scattered across various regions, searching for the elusive monster islands. In his observations, he noted the varied outcomes faced by these seekers.

Most teams returned empty-handed, lamenting the rarity of the monster islands' appearance. Yet a few lucky teams managed to find such islands, bringing back valuable loot. Lein stored all this information in his memory, analyzing patterns and opportunities.

"There's still much to be done," he murmured softly, recalling his agenda for the day.

As humanity's Guardian, Lein's responsibilities extended far beyond leadership. He had to ensure that the human race continued to thrive and had a fighting chance in the Divine Sky. Today, one of his critical tasks was to revisit the Tree of Life.

Lein had discovered the portal leading to the tree's trunk some time ago. His current journey was the next step in exploring the source of its power. He accelerated his bike, speeding past the City of Life, his primary city, as well as other cities under his protection.

Before long, Lein reached the edge of the main island, where massive construction was underway. From the sky, he observed the bustling scene below: heavy machinery in motion, trolleys transporting construction materials, carrier vehicles, and thousands of workers laboring tirelessly.

Giant cranes rose into the sky, lifting massive beams that would become part of a floating bridge. Lein watched the activity intently. He had issued the order just a day prior to build a passage connecting the main island to the Tree of Life.

The floating bridge under construction was designed to be extraordinarily strong and vast, capable of supporting the weight of thousands of people simultaneously. Lein wanted to ensure that access to the Tree of Life would no longer be the privilege of a select few wealthy individuals or Hunter families. With this bridge, everyone, including ordinary citizens, would be able to visit and benefit from the tree's power.

"Everyone deserves a chance to grow," Lein thought to himself, a small smile forming on his lips.

The distance between the Main Island and the Tree of Life's Source was estimated at 5,000 kilometers, making the bridge under construction a monumental project.

Currently, the progress had reached 10%—an extraordinary feat given the scale of the endeavor. This rapid progress was due to the use of advanced machinery and the involvement of experienced professors specializing in architecture and construction technology.

From the skies, Lein hovered on his hover bike, observing the scene below. The bridge under construction stretched far into the horizon, resembling a long line slowly connecting two worlds.

Heavy machines worked incessantly, and the teams of workers appeared as tiny dots from the height at which Lein floated.

"Excellent..." Lein thought. Though satisfied with the progress, he didn't intend to linger too long. He raised his hand forward, and the air around him began to ripple.

The air before him fractured, creating a dimensional rift that gradually widened. A soft light emanated from the opening, signaling the activation of a pathway to another location. Calmly, Lein steered his bike into the rift. The bike's hum blended with the sound of magical energy, creating an atmosphere of mystery.

On the other side, a similar dimensional rift appeared near the roots of the Tree of Life's Source. From the opening, Lein emerged on his hover bike. The air in this place felt different—fresher and rich with energy.

"Welcome, Master Lein!"

"Thank you for coming, Master Lein!"

Voices from the crowd echoed. Around the roots of the Tree of Life's Source, many people had already gathered. Some were busy managing small stalls selling snacks and simple drinks, taking advantage of the crowd to do business. Children ran around laughing, while workers leaned against smaller trees, enjoying their break.

Lein responded with a slight smile, enough to show that he appreciated their attention. Without slowing his bike, he glided through the crowd and headed toward the towering trunk of the Tree of Life's Source in the distance.

Before long, Lein arrived beside the Tree of Life's Source. The tree was so massive that its trunk seemed to pierce the clouds, with roots spreading across the land for tens of kilometers. Despite its grandeur, however, the tree was still in a weakened state.

Lein placed his hand on the tree's trunk, and a description appeared before him, displayed through a magical system accessible only to him:

(Tree of Life's Source)

- Guardian: Lein

- Life Energy: 1,000 years

- Energy Quality: Low

- Tree Tier: Low

- Resources: Low

- Nature's Protection: Low

- Luck Value: 11,500

"All low," Lein murmured flatly, though his expression revealed a hint of surprise. It had been a long time since he had seen the word "low" in any description related to him. Yet here it was, displayed right before his eyes.

"If I'm not mistaken, the portal should be over there," Lein said, shifting his gaze to the right side of the tree.

A few days ago, he had discovered an entry portal in this area, but at the time, it wasn't active. The tree's system had mentioned that the portal required time for activation.

Lein revved his bike, the wind tousling his hair as he sped toward the portal's location. Every second felt crucial, given the importance of accessing this portal for the future of the Tree of Life's Source.

"Hopefully, it's ready this time," he muttered quietly, hoping he wouldn't have to wait any longer.

It didn't take long before Lein arrived at the eastern area of the tree. This part of the area was relatively quiet, as it was far from where the bridge was being constructed. It was a fair distance away.

Lein examined the massive tree trunk, which at first glance appeared as usual. However, upon closer inspection, a portal in the form of a door became visible.