"Boss, don't get all sentimental. You've still got me, haven't you? Don't worry, with my lifespan, I'll definitely outlive you!"
As Jarius sighed, a lazy, boyish voice chimed in beside him.
Jarius' lips twitched, and he turned his head.
There, perched on a rock, was a small turtle mimicking his pose, standing with its claws behind its back.
The little turtle struck a dramatic stance, its eyes scanning the mountains below as if surveying its kingdom.
Amused by its lively antics, Jarius chuckled and teased.
"Little Eight, if you can't comfort someone, just keep quiet. Outlive me, huh…"
He trailed off abruptly.
This little turtle did survive all the way to the Fifth Chapter, didn't it?
Now at the third tier of transcendence, the Heroic Rank.
Jarius had come a long way in the past twenty years.
His corresponding profession had evolved from the second-tier Thunderwing to the third-tier "Sacred Wingstrider."
After being baptized by the blood of the Radiant Titaness, his potential in the Power of Light had surpassed his Thunder Power.
Over two decades, he had masterfully wielded both transcendent forces, weaving them into his professional system.
The third tier of transcendence was the pinnacle beneath the Legendary Rank.
Those who reached this stage were often hailed as heroes by the world, hence the name Heroic Rank, with their lifespans extended to five hundred years!
Of course, this applied to ordinary intelligent races like them. Some extraordinarily gifted transcendent creatures defied such norms—like the little turtle before Jarius.
This was an ancient relic that lived to the Fifth Chapter, likely carrying some remarkable bloodline in its veins.
Perhaps Jarius's gaze lingered too long, because the little turtle shivered.
"Boss, why're you staring at me like that? It's creepy!"
Snapping back to reality, Jarius patted its head with a warm smile.
"You're right, Little Eight. Thanks to you, I'm never alone."
Through the long years, it was this companionship that kept loneliness at bay.
The sun rose steadily, sea breezes sweeping up the mountain peak.
As Jarius bantered with the turtle, a winged figure radiating the Power of Light descended from the sky, landing before him.
"Chief, a troll tribe is heading this way from ten thousand miles west."
"A troll tribe?"
Jarius blinked, caught off guard.
"Why would a troll tribe come here?"
This was a coastal region. Had the legends of the sea clans faded from the mainland?
After a moment's thought, he instructed.
"Roel, gather the Skywing Squad and come with me to check it out!"
The Skywing Squad consisted of the dozen or so tribesmen who had awakened transcendent powers over the past twenty years.
Influenced by the Titan's blood, nearly all of them were wielders of the Power of Light.
Their transcendent achievements had also driven their physical evolution far beyond their kin.
Aside from hands and feet that hadn't fully transformed, their faces had shed all feathers, making them the closest in form to Jarius.
After addressing Roel, Jarius turned to the little turtle.
"Little Eight, stay in the tribe to guard against surprises."
Don't let its cute appearance fool you—this turtle was a genuine Master-tier powerhouse.
"Boss, I wanna go with you!"
The turtle protested, its tiny green eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Haha, Little Eight, I'm not against it, but you don't have wings!"
The turtle's enthusiasm deflated instantly.
No wings. In this era, without mages, only Legendaries could fly.
"Alright, Roel, hurry and gather the squad. We're moving out!"
"Yes, sir!"
An hour later.
Roel returned with a dozen transcendent eaglefolk.
"Move out!"
With Jarius's command, he grabbed his bronze longsword and led the group westward.
Several hours later.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, dusk blanketed the land.
Jarius finally arrived above the troll tribe.
Peering down, he saw a massive tribe of ten thousand trolls.
Yet they looked ragged, as if they'd been driven from their home.
As he observed, a deep, booming voice rose from the troll tribe below.
"Friend from the Eaglefolk Court above, we are the 'Giantwood' Clan under the Nature Titan. Please, come down for a meeting!"