Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

Instead, there is a familiar, unique texture between dreams and reality, with a faint pinkish-blue halo.

The Redemption appeared in a calm, dreamlike bay.

The seawater is a pinkish-blue hue sprinkled with dreamy dust, and the seabed is covered with soft white sand, dotted with corals that emit a faint glow.

The sky was a perpetual twilight, with soft, pinkish-blue specks of light floating slowly in the air.

We've arrived at Atlantis.

Su Zhisu stood at the bow of the ship and took a deep breath of the familiar air.

My tense nerves completely relaxed at that moment.

This is home, a haven, a place where I can temporarily let my guard down.

He maneuvered the Redemption, slowly bringing it closer to the shore.

The bay was quiet, with only the soft rustling of waves lapping against the beach.

As soon as he stepped off the boat onto the fine white sand, a jubilant figure came running from behind a cluster of glowing corals not far away.

"My lord!"

Lilia Nerga's face was beaming with genuine joy, and her eyes sparkled.

Today she was wearing a simple light blue dress with a light leather armor over it. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head. She was still holding the [Binding Staff] in her hand, and her aura was much more solid than when Su Zhisu left.

"Lilia".

A smile unconsciously crept onto Su Zhisu's lips.

"I'm back."

"Welcome home, Your Excellency!"

Lilia ran over and looked at Su Zhisu carefully, seemingly trying to make sure he wasn't injured.

"I'm so glad you're alright! Was the voyage smooth sailing?"

"Fortunately, there were some twists and turns, but we made it back safely in the end."

Su Zhisu didn't elaborate on the encounter at sea or the failure of the dungeon, but instead asked, "How about you? How have you been lately? Are your sister and everyone else alright?"

"We're all fine!"

Lilia nodded vigorously and began to chirp and chatter like a happy little bird as she reported.

"My father is still recovering from a deep hibernation. Aunt Hydra says his soul fire is stable and his recovery is better than expected."

"Aunt Hydra is much better now. She can get out of bed and has resumed her teaching work at the Institute of Life and Nesting."

"The energy circulation is running smoothly. The erosion level of the shallow layer of the 'Abyss' has remained relatively stable since you left. My patrol team and I clean it regularly, and there haven't been any major problems."

"It's... Sister Krasin..."

When Behemoth Krasin was mentioned, Lilia paused, her expression becoming somewhat subtle, a mixture of awe, closeness, and a hint of helplessness.

"What's wrong with my sister?" Su Zhisu asked.

"My sister...she sleeps most of the time, saying that maintaining such a big city is exhausting."

Lilia whispered.

"But occasionally when I wake up, it will... well... take care of me in all sorts of strange ways."

"For example, it might suddenly conjure up terrifying illusions in my dreams to scare me while I'm practicing, or it might turn my food into moving tentacles while I'm eating..."

"They even said this was to train my adaptability and courage..."

Lilia's tone was somewhat subtle, not exactly aggrieved, but her eyes didn't show any real complaint, but rather a complex emotion of being "specially noticed".

Su Zhisu chuckled; this was indeed something her sister would do.

"That's just how my sister is, you'll get used to it. She... meant no harm."

"I know."

Lilia nodded, then became excited again. "By the way, Your Excellency, is there something you need to do upon your return? Or are you just here for a visit?"

Two things.

Su Zhisu suppressed his smile and said seriously.

"First, my experience outside this time was a bit complicated, and I need to talk to my sister and hear her opinion."

"Secondly, I am preparing for a formal visit to Hydeland to meet with the Queen of Hydeland in my capacity as an Atlantean. I need to make some preparations upon my return."

"An official visit to Hedland?"

Lilia's eyes lit up, but then she became somewhat worried.

"My lord, is Hydeland... safe?"

"I heard that's the last human settlement; it must be very complicated there, right?"

"Safety is relative, but contact with Hydeland is necessary."

Su Zhisu explained.

"We need allies, we need information from the outside world, and we need to find a more stable future for Atlantis."

"Hydeland is currently the most suitable contact target."

"Besides, I also have some personal matters to attend to over there."

He paused, then looked at Lilia.

"I may need to stay in Hydeland for a while this time."

"I'll have to leave Atlantis in your care, sister."

"I see!"

Lilia straightened her slightly curvy chest, her expression serious.

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, go and carry out your mission. I will take good care of the home! I'm level 7 now, so I can be of much more help!"

"very good."

Su Zhisu nodded approvingly and ruffled her hair.

"Take me to see my sister. Is she awake right now?"

"At this time... my older sister is usually still 'sleeping'."

Lilia looked at the pinkish-blue sky and said uncertainly.

"However, we can try going to the Moon Well in the Temple; sometimes my sister's avatars are there."

The two left the bay and headed towards the magnificent and tranquil temple in the heart of Atlantis.

Along the way, the city scenery was not much different from when Su Zhisu left.

The streets are clean and tidy. The residents who used to have empty eyes and act only on instinct now seem to have a little more vitality. Although their movements are still a bit slow, at least they no longer wander aimlessly.

Occasionally, one can see squads of semi-transparent patrol figures made of dream dust slowly drifting through the city.

That was a "Dream Guardian" created by Lilia using her Lord's authority and Dream Dust talent with the help of Behemoth Krasin.

These "Dream Guardians" are able to maintain the most basic order in Atlantis.

A pale blue halo enveloped everything, immersing the entire city in a peaceful atmosphere.

"It seems you've managed the city quite well."

Su Zhisu said.

"It was all done according to the instructions of Sister Krasin and Aunt Hydra."

Lilia was a little embarrassed.

"The city's own energy circulation is the main factor at play; my authority is only to assist in adjustments."

Soon, they arrived at the bottom of the temple.

Beneath the enormous dome, the place remains largely unchanged since the time of the Moon and Sea Ceremony.

The platform lay quietly in the center, the water in the moon well below reflecting the pinkish-blue sky above the dome, rippling with a dreamlike quality.

Beside the well, a petite green figure sat on the edge of the platform with her back to them, her bare little feet gently dangling in the air.

She held a soft, green squid doll that was almost as big as herself in her arms, her long, emerald-green hair swaying slightly as if it were alive.

She seemed to hear footsteps and turned around.