Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Laras's Residence - Laras's Room

Laras's room, usually neat and elegant, now looked like a small disaster zone. Dozens of clothes were scattered across the large bed covered with pristine white sheets. Satin evening gowns, lace blouses, jeans, and leather jackets were piled haphazardly. Shoes and sandals were strewn across the floor, with some nearly falling off the rack. The large mirror in the corner of the room reflected the same scene: utter chaos.

Laras appeared busy, pacing back and forth with several clothes in her hands. Her face was slightly tense, her eyebrows furrowed as if she was trying to make a very important decision. She wore a white shirt that wasn't fully buttoned, her hair still half-wet, indicating she had just finished bathing.

"What should I wear?" she muttered, holding up a long blue dress and scrutinizing it skeptically.

"Too formal." She tossed the dress onto the bed carelessly and grabbed a simple tunic hanging nearby.

Earlier, while overseeing the construction of a grand event venue for the next day, Lein had sent her a message asking her to accompany him to the Guandu Realm. He mentioned they would be inspecting the alliance's store, a seed shop.

As soon as she received the message, Laras instructed her subordinates to take over her supervisory duties and immediately headed home to find suitable attire.

"Couldn't he have told me earlier?" Laras grumbled as she hastily tried on different outfits, hoping to find something appropriate. She pulled out a pair of black trousers from the pile but shook her head instantly.

"This is too casual. Would this suit the style of cultivators in the Guandu Realm?" she asked herself, glancing at her reflection.

She turned to a long white robe with delicate embroidery along the collar and sleeve edges. The fabric was lightweight yet elegant, exuding a graceful but understated charm. After putting it on, she tied a pale gold belt around her waist to accentuate her silhouette. When she looked at herself in the mirror, Laras turned slowly, inspecting her appearance from various angles.

A faint smile appeared on her face. "Yes, I'll wear this," she said with a satisfied tone. The white robe provided an elegant yet simple look, perfectly fitting for the formal atmosphere she might encounter in the Guandu Realm.

Quickly, Laras picked up a pair of crescent moon-shaped earrings from the dressing table and put them on. She brushed her hair once more, ensuring everything was in place. Within minutes, her look was complete.

Laras stood in the middle of her room, gazing at the large mirror one last time. "I'm ready," she murmured confidently.

However, before she could step out, her eyes caught sight of a small wooden box that had slid out from one of the desk drawers onto the floor. The box was adorned with sakura flower carvings and had a silver clasp that glistened faintly. Laras walked over and opened it slowly. Inside lay a blue crystal pendant that seemed to emit a soft glow.

"Mother's pendant," she whispered softly. A warm memory surfaced in her mind. The pendant had been a gift from her mother on her seventeenth birthday. Without hesitation, Laras placed the pendant around her neck.

"I hope he hasn't been waiting long," Laras muttered lightly before quickly activating a teleportation portal. With a simple stride, she stepped into it.

***

Back at the inter-realm teleportation area, Lein stood calmly, gazing at the massive portal spinning slowly before him. Behind him, the staff waited in silence, while the atmosphere felt charged with a slight tension.

"Lord Lein, are we departing now?" asked Bagus, who stood beside him. His tone sounded bored, and his hands began fiddling with the edge of his shirt restlessly.

Lein turned slightly, his gaze as though piercing through space and time, delving into something invisible to others. "Be patient; she's ready," he replied with a small, enigmatic smile.

Lein chuckled softly, murmuring something barely audible, "Silly girl, you look like you're about to get married." There was a mix of amusement and warmth in his tone.

Moments later, a glowing portal appeared, radiating bluish energy that enveloped its surroundings. From within the portal emerged a young woman dressed in a simple white gown, her steps graceful yet hurried. Her eyes immediately locked onto Lein in the distance. Experience tales at empire

"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?" Laras asked, bowing slightly. Her tone conveyed genuine remorse.

"No, you're right on time," Lein replied casually, as if completely unbothered. A five-minute delay was no big deal to him. Besides, his request for her assistance had been rather sudden.

Bagus, who had looked bored earlier, now stood as rigid as a flagpole. His expression turned tense upon seeing who had arrived. "Miss Laras? Why does it have to be her?" he muttered nervously.

Among all the core members of the alliance, Laras and Hana were the two people Bagus avoided the most. In his mind, they were the kind of women who wouldn't hesitate to bury someone they deemed a nuisance. Laras, with her serious and cold demeanor, made Bagus feel as if he were teetering on the edge of a cliff.

"Bagus, you're coming too?" Laras asked, raising an eyebrow. Her sharp gaze landed on him before shifting to Lein with a questioning expression.

"Why?" Lein replied in an innocent tone, as if oblivious to Laras's thoughts. But behind his demeanor, Lein knew exactly what was going through her mind. He just wanted to see her express her feelings openly.

"It's nothing," Laras replied in a heavy tone. There was a hint of disappointment she couldn't hide, especially since she had thought this trip would be just the two of them. When she glanced around, she noticed Lady Fatmawati and the others already prepared near the portal, further mixing her emotions.

Although Lein understood Laras's disappointment, he chose to ignore it. He knew the girl was strong enough to handle such minor emotions.

"Hi, Miss Laras."

Bagus tried to greet her with a nervous smile, but his words were carried away by the wind. Laras didn't even glance at him, leaving Bagus to awkwardly swallow his discomfort.

"Well, is everything ready?" Lein asked, breaking the silence.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The other members nodded. After ensuring nothing was left behind, Lein walked toward the Multi-Space Portal, followed closely by the others.

As they approached, a clear system voice welcomed them:

[ Welcome to the Divine Sky Realm Multi-Space Portal ]

[ Please select your destination ]

- Guandu Realm

Lein was slightly surprised when a confirmation panel suddenly appeared before him. He turned around, looked at the others, and said, "Everyone, select the Guandu Realm."

After confirming that everyone had followed his instructions, Lein returned his gaze to the confirmation panel. With steady movements, he tapped the Guandu Realm destination option.

[ (Lein), destination (Guandu Realm) successfully selected. Please proceed. ]

Once the selection was confirmed, Lein stepped into the glowing circle that served as the portal's entrance. Calmly, he walked across the portal's surface. His body seemed to dissolve into the shimmering energy before vanishing completely into it.

"What?" Lein muttered to himself in surprise. He was already in the Guandu Realm. The rapid transition made him feel as though he had just passed through a thin curtain.

[ Welcome to the Guandu Realm ]

Lein stood amidst a bustling crowd. Surrounding him were buildings with a distinctive cultivator style. Most were made of wood with simple yet elegant architecture, reflecting ancient traditions. Several small shops appeared busy with customers chatting or engrossed in transactions.

In the distance, a watchtower loomed. A guard stood atop it, his sharp eyes like an eagle's, meticulously scanning every corner. No movement below escaped their notice.

"So fast," Lein murmured lightly, still impressed by the speed of travel through the portal. The trillions of kilometers from the Divine Sky Realm now felt incredibly close.

Not long after Lein appeared, the portal glowed again, releasing Laras, Bagus, and the other members one by one.

"Ahhh, finally, the Guandu Realm," Bagus said in a relieved tone, as if he had just completed a long journey.

On the other hand, Laras looked stunned. Her eyes swept across her surroundings, absorbing every detail in awe. "Such a powerful portal," she thought, silently admiring the technology behind the journey.

Fatmawati and the other members remained silent, their eyes filled with curiosity. This was their first time setting foot in another realm, and the new scenery deeply impressed them.

Lein's group still stood in front of the inter-dimensional portal, making their presence draw attention. Several people around the portal observed them with expressions that mixed surprise, admiration, and fear. None dared to approach, though curiosity was evident in their eyes.

In the distance, Lein noticed five people flying toward them. The group was led by an old, muscular man with a long white beard. Behind him, two men and two women followed with disciplined steps.

The group landed smoothly in front of Lein and his entourage, stopping right at the portal's entrance. The old man stepped forward, his face adorned with a respectful smile.

"Greetings to the senior, welcome to the Guandu Realm," he said, bowing deeply. His voice was firm yet filled with respect. "I am Fang Zheng, at your service."

The four youths behind him mimicked his movements, bowing with their hands clasped in front of their chests, showing the same respect to Lein and his group.