Following behind Kael, the citizens held their heads high. Though most of them were gaunt and malnourished, their eyes burned with hope.
The rain continued to pour relentlessly along the way, turning the world into a watery expanse. The river had swollen violently, flooding the fields and roads along its banks. The ditches were brimming with rainwater, while mudslides and fallen trees from the mountains littered the path. The ground was so muddy that some areas had knee-deep sludge, making every step a struggle.
Such conditions were no challenge for Kael, but they left the people of Laifei City helpless.
Kael's eyes flickered as his feet seemed to glide effortlessly. At the same time, his Sacred Flame Staff radiated a brilliant glow. With a light sweep of the staff, he transformed the mud into solid ice—thick and sturdy enough for the people to walk across safely.
With simple magic, Kael cleared the obstacles along the way. However, this was only the beginning.
When they finally arrived at the embankment of the Laifei River, Kael truly felt the overwhelming force of the flood. The raging waters surged forward like a stampede of ten thousand horses, a spectacle both magnificent and terrifying. Even Kael couldn't help but frown.
Amelia, standing beside him, murmured softly, "Kael, the power of this flood is comparable to a tenth-tier spell..." There was a trace of worry in her eyes. The torrent roared like an unstoppable force, and they were but a small boat in a storm, teetering on the edge of annihilation.
Kael nodded. Despite the embankment's resistance, the flood's fury was indeed equivalent to a tenth-tier spell—a level of magic reserved for Saint-level casters, ranking among the most powerful in the entire continent.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Kael watched as the floodwaters transformed into a relentless cavalry charge, evoking the image of shattered cliffs and crashing waves. Even as an eighth-tier mid-level mage, he felt a sense of powerlessness against such a cataclysmic force. Of course, if the flood truly struck, Kael still had the means to escape unharmed.
With Levitation alone, he could ensure his own survival.
"Everyone, head to the opposite mountain to dig up soil! Fill the sacks and bring them back to reinforce the embankment!" Jett, knowing Kael was less familiar with such matters, quickly whispered instructions into his ear. Kael's eyes flashed in understanding before he raised his voice and relayed the command.
"Yes!" The crowd responded in unison, their faces solemn and resolute. Thousands of citizens immediately threw themselves into the task of reinforcing the embankment.
Groups of people rushed into formation, united in purpose. In this moment, all distinctions of status and rank were forgotten—only the disaster before them mattered. They poured their hearts into the desperate struggle against the flood, fighting with every ounce of their strength.
"Not good—there's a breach in the embankment ahead!" Jett reacted swiftly, his voice sharp with alarm.
A torrent of water surged forward with unstoppable force, bursting from an unseen source. The flood roared like a wild beast, churning with sand, gravel, and debris as it erupted violently through the gap.
Kael's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he cast "Guardian of the Earth Goddess," a defensive spell. Instantly, earth elements condensed, forming a solid barrier of rock over the breach.
The flood crashed against the gap with terrifying force, but Kael's magic held firm. No matter how violently the waters raged, the stone barrier remained unshaken. A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, their gazes burning with even greater admiration for Kael.
Kael allowed himself a faint smile, though inwardly, he knew it had been a close call. That surge had only been a minor offshoot of the main flood—had the full force struck, even he would have had no choice but to flee.
Still, as fierce as the flood was, the embankment was their strongest defense. If they could hold the line here, the waters would pose no real threat.
At that thought, Kael suddenly remembered the Snowbear Beasts—creatures adept at digging and tunneling, with an innate understanding of soil composition. They might just be able to help.
Without delay, he summoned one.
The leader of the Snowbear Beasts poked its head out from the contract space, its round, furry face immediately paling at the sight before it.
"Whoa! Kael, what in the world is this?! Is this what the outside is like?!" The Snowbear Beast's large, dark eyes widened in shock as it took in the floodwaters raging like a monstrous beast. It stumbled back several steps, its fur standing on end as it hopped nervously in place.
Jett and the others nearby stared in surprise at the summoned creature. Kael simply explained, "This is my contracted beast." Only then did they relax in understanding.
"Snowbear, I called you here for something urgent!" Kael's expression turned grave. "This is my territory, and it's currently under threat from flooding. I need your expertise—you know soil better than anyone. Tell me what kind of rock or earth could effectively block this disaster!"
The Snowbear Beast blinked, then glanced down at the ground beneath its paws. Almost immediately, it shook its head vigorously.
"No way, Kael! Don't even think about it! The soil here is way too loose—it'll never hold back a flood like this. Maybe you can stop it this time, but the next one? Same problem all over again..."
The Snowbear Beast's words made Kael frown even deeper. He nodded in grim agreement.
"Regardless, we must hold back this flood first. Later, I can transport rocks from elsewhere to reinforce the embankment..." Kael said calmly.
"Won't work. The root problem won't be solved," the Snowbear Beast shook its head emphatically. "Unless you can plant trees across this territory."
As an expert digger, the beast had hit the nail on the head. The current disaster was largely due to the fact that not a single tree stood across the entire three-thousand-mile Laifei Plains.
Precisely because of soil erosion and relentless rainfall had such a catastrophic flood occurred.
"I know that, but there's no feasible solution," Kael sighed. The barrenness of the Laifei Plains aside, the incessant rain made it nearly impossible for most trees to survive.
"Actually, Boss Kael, you do have a way," the Snowbear Beast suddenly chuckled, its tone sly.
"I do? What way?" Kael was baffled. The flood before them raged with the force of a tenth-tier spell—without the embankment, they'd have been swallowed long ago. What could he possibly do?
"Heh, don't tell me you've forgotten, Boss… the treasure you got during your first dungeon crawl…"The beast's grin widened mischievously.
"My first dungeon expedition… You mean—the Seeds of Sinflower?!" Kael's eyes flashed with realization. Something long forgotten, tucked away in a corner of his spatial ring, came to mind.
"Exactly! The Seeds of Sinflower!" The Snowbear Beast cackled. It had been the one to guide Kael during that adventure—so of course, it was the only one who remembered he even had such a thing. Even Kael himself had nearly forgotten.
"Boss Kael, the Sinflower seeds are extremely hardy—they were specially cultivated by the High Elves back in the day. You know how those pointy-eared folks loved planting trees, heh. Just give 'em some rainwater, and in a few dozen days, this whole place'll be a forest!" The Snowbear Beast grinned.
"That useful?" Kael couldn't help but brighten.
The beast nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! The High Elves bred these Sinflowers specifically for rapid growth. These things defy all natural laws—and they're fiercely aggressive too. Each tree's about as strong as a fourth-tier cultivator..."
As the Snowbear Beast explained, Kael realized he'd stumbled upon a real treasure.
Turns out, the greatest reward from his first dungeon expedition wasn't the gemstones—it was these Seeds of Sinflower all along!
Kael's heart swelled with excitement. The trees' aggression wasn't a flaw—it was a feature. They'd make perfect natural defenses for Laifei City. Two birds with one stone.
He opened his spatial ring and glanced at the Sinflower seeds quietly nestled in a corner. They were clearly still viable, faint pulses of life energy shimmering across their surfaces.
But now wasn't the time to plant them. The flood remained an imminent threat.
Alongside nearly ten thousand citizens, Kael fought tirelessly. United, they finally held back the deluge.
Even the gods seemed moved—the rains eased, and the floodwaters gradually receded.
On every face, smiles bloomed. Cheers of triumph filled the air.