After consuming the Sky Predators cores, the three Phoenixes and the Fire Slime's breathing stabilized instantly.
The three little girls looked around everything in wonder.
"Oof, oof, So pretty! So beautiful!"
"Papa, is this our new home from now on?" Diva asked cutely.
Aegis nodded. "Yes."
He then turned to Naida.
"Naida, there are only half a day left. We have our manpower now. We just need to build our defenses. First, let me buy some blueprints for defensive items. Then we can implement them with the resources we gathered."
"No problem, Your Grace. The first wave is usually not that tough anyway. Besides, we have water all around us which can serve as a primary shield. We'll have enough time to strike once they even get adapted to this environment," she said, looking a little more confident.
"But will the Phoenixes be able to use their power in the water?" he asked.
"No. They can't, not until they are much stronger. But once they learn to Fly, they can easily intercept them in the Sky. We are in the Eternal Sky, remember?"
"Oh, I nearly forgot," he spoke in realization. "Then, we should also get started with their training. The descendants of Divine Phoenixes can't waste their potential."
Naida raised an eyebrow, looking very charming.
"But, Your Grace, don't you think letting them call you their father would bring problems for you in the future?"
"Huh? What kind of problem?" Aegis asked curiously, while simultaneously creating new Trade Listings in the Global Trade Platform.
Naida looked toward the luminous stream of water encasing them, then said, "I mean one day you will have your wife, won't you? What if she doesn't like that?"
Her nails dug into her palm as if she was extremely nervous to hear the answer.
"Wife?" Aegis had never thought of having such a person at all. Until now, his life was just about escaping reality.
But if he had to think seriously now, he had a strange anticipation in his heart. Maybe he deserved someone who would understand him and love him wholeheartedly.
But he knew this was just his wishful thinking. There could never be a woman who could truly understand his heart. For now.
He gave his answer precisely, though: "Then, I don't want that kind of woman at all. Such superficial women would only drag us down. Anyway, forget all that. We should start building the defenses. Don't think about these nonsenses anymore."
"Uh, yes, Your Grace."
Whether she was sad or happy, he couldn't tell.
Nevertheless, he focused on the Global Chatbox. The listing of Purified Water was going wild again.
[ Sky Lord Aegis has created a trade listing ]
[ Item: Purified Water ]
[ Quantity: 1,000 liters ]
[ Price: 5 BC per liter ]
The market quickly devoured the listing, triggering several grateful acknowledgements and one outburst of rage:
[Survival_Mother]: @Aegis Thank You. I really needed the water for my children.
[xX_GamerDad_Xx]: I have finally found my daughter. Thank you for the water, Aegis.
[EternalWarrior]: @Aegis Motherf*cker why did you block me from your listing? Are you looking to die?
[ThreeBeautifulPrincesses]: @EternalWarrior That's what you get for messing with our would-be husband.
[Firestarter]: Only 33 Hours remaining, guys. Please wish me good luck. We might not be able to see each other again.
[DesertFox]: I feel you, brother. We don't have the heaven-defying luck as Aegis. May the Sea God bless us.
Aegis ignored the 'would-be husband' comment and the death threats. His focus was entirely on defense. With the massive infusion of Bronze Coins (BC) from previous and current water sales, he filtered the Trade Platform specifically for high-tier defensive schematics that leveraged water.
He scrolled through the trade listing until something caught his eye.
[ Blueprint: Water Jet Crossbow ]
Tier: Rare
Description: A blueprint for constructing a heavy crossbow that fires bolts condensed from pure water. Requires a steady flow of water magic for rapid reloading. Highly effective against fire-elemental creatures and sensitive to elemental damage types.
Cost: 3000 BC
Required Materials (Per Unit): 10 units Reinforced Wood, 5 units Iron Ore.
Construction Time: 2 hours (per unit, standard laborer)
This was it. It was cheap, weaponizable, and perfectly suited to his and Naida's element.
Aegis bought the blueprint instantly.
[ System Notification: Sky Lord Aegis has acquired Rare Blueprint: Water Jet Crossbow. ]
The complex intricate construction method was engraved directly on Aegis' mind.
"Naida! I have the weapon blueprint. This uses our water to fire condensed bolts. We need to start building these immediately."
"Alright, your grace. I will get everything ready."
He then focused on acquiring a Shield Type Blue Print on the Global Chatbox. He didn't find anything like that in the Trade Listings. Most probably, all the Sky Lords wished to keep those rare Blueprints for themselves.
He typed the message directly into the Chatbox.
[Aegis]: Hello! I need Blueprints for Water Type magical Shields. I am willing to pay any reasonable price.
The response was immediate and overwhelming, momentarily sidelining the ongoing panic about the invasion countdown. The very idea that the wealthy Water Tycoon Aegis needed to buy something, rather than sell it, caused a ripple of excitement and suspicion.
[EternalWarrior] Ha! Look at the tycoon begging! You thought you could just buy your way to safety, Aegis?
[DesertFox]: Your Grace, I may have a partial blueprint for a Hydro-Aura Shield system. It uses condensed water vapor. What is your offer?
[ThreeBeautifulPrincesses]: Oh, he needs a shield! We will protect you, darling! Tell us where to send the shield blueprints!
[WaterWitch_29]: I have a Tidal Barrier blueprint. It's for creating solid water walls. It's Epic grade. I want 1,000 Liters of your Purified Water and 4,000 BC.
[IronCladMiner]: Water Witch, don't be greedy! Aegis, I have a blueprint for a Pressurized Water Cannon Turret. It's not a shield, but it's pure damage! 500 BC!
Aegis ignored the noise and immediately focused on the most promising offer:
WaterWitch_29's Tidal Barrier blueprint. It was an Epic-grade blueprint that creates solid water walls was exactly the kind of highly effective, elemental defense he needed.
He contacted [WaterWitch_29] directly via a private system message.
[Aegis]: @WaterWitch_29, I accept your terms for the Tidal Barrier blueprint. Send the blueprint now. The 1,000 Liters of Purified Water and 4,000 BC will be transferred immediately upon confirmation of the blueprint's validity."
[WaterWitch]: I trust you.
Within moments, the transfer was complete.
Aegis reviewed the design:
[ Epic Grade Blueprint Acquired: Tidal Barrier ]
Description: Allows the construction of a large rigid defensive wall formed entirely from highly pressurized magically condensed water. Requires significant elemental energy to maintain, but is impervious to most physical attacks.
Required Materials (Per Section): 20 units Reinforced Wood, 10 units Iron Ore, 1 unit Water Pearl (Uncommon).
Construction Time: 1 hour per Unit.
The requirements were still high, but the result would be a solid wall he could deploy with ease.
In the evening, the construction began.