#90 · 90 of 321
Arrival at Private Island
Harvey’s Private Island lay forty-one nautical miles southeast of Starfall Harbor.
He also learned from Sonia that Starfall Harbor had earned its name because a meteor had once fallen on Xandar, bringing disaster in its wake.
Later, many people from Xandar had come to investigate, turning the harbor into a tourist attraction and boosting its economy.
Most of the harbor’s original residents had made their fortunes from this and moved into Xandar City or other cities across Xandar.
When ordinary people suddenly came into a windfall, most did not understand how to properly use the money in their hands to make even more money.
So most chose the more ordinary route: using their money to buy homes in larger cities, settle down there, and seek further development.
Although Starfall Harbor was only eighty kilometers from Xandar City, that distance was measured from the harbor to the vicinity of the city’s gates.
If measured to locations within Xandar City itself, it was at least two hundred kilometers away, and even farther from the city center.
As the original residents here had each made their fortunes and gone off to other cities,
more than a hundred and fifty years after the meteor-fall incident, the treasure-hunting value beneath these waters had already been exhausted.
There were now very few original residents left here, so the meteor fall had become nothing more than a legend passed down by word of mouth.
The islands they had bought were put up for auction, meant to squeeze the last remaining value from this land.
Harvey fell into thought after hearing this interesting tale. One hundred and fifty years was neither particularly long nor particularly short.
For a planet’s natural evolution, it was no more than the blink of an eye. But if intelligent life existed on that planet,
one hundred and fifty years was already enough to bring enormous changes to the world.
Half an hour later, the yacht docked beside a completed harbor on an island.
Harvey found that this harbor was not as large as Starfall Harbor, but it was spacious enough to accommodate large cargo ships.
Clearly, Sonia had already anticipated everything that might happen later.
"Miss Sonia, if you need a pickup, just send a communication request."
After Sonia disembarked, Mike called out to her.
"Alright. If I need anything, I’ll contact you."
Sonia waved as she answered.
"Mr. Kassadin, please follow me."
"Would you like to see the temple first, the villas first, or the training grounds?"
Sonia then led Kassadin onward as she asked.
"Let’s see the temple first."
Harvey spoke up at that.
The villas were not the main point. He only wanted a few villas so that when he stayed on this island, he could occasionally change his surroundings.
The island’s true purpose was to serve as the foundation of the Void Cult on Xandar. As long as that foundation was properly established, everything else would be easy to handle.
"The Void Cult’s temple lies at the center of the island, along this road."
"However, it’s a little far to walk there directly. How about I drive you over?"
Sonia understood Mr. Kassadin’s thoughts and spoke.
"This island will become the Void Cult’s foundation on Xandar in the future."
"No matter what, I need to inspect it carefully."
"I’ll see things more clearly by walking."
Hearing that Sonia had built the temple in the center of the island, Harvey assessed the completed road before casually replying.
"Alright."
Hearing the word carefully, Sonia felt a trace of nervousness despite being confident in her abilities.
Then, Sonia began showing Harvey around the uninhabited island.
The island had previously been undeveloped, so its trees were tall and dense. But beneath their canopy, a brand-new road had now been opened up.
A light rain had fallen that morning, and under the sunlight, the earth gave off a fresh scent of soil.
Harvey had not visited such a primitive island, largely untouched by industry, in a long time, so he looked around with great interest.
Money truly was powerful. The road was neat and level, and signs stood at regular intervals to indicate the direction ahead.
There was no need to worry about plunging into this island alone like a silent ripple in water, with no idea which way to go.
"This island has a total area of approximately three hundred and twenty-seven square kilometers."
"Walking from the harbor to the temple along the road takes over thirty kilometers."
"Two-thirds of the island remains undeveloped. Only the roads have been built."
"In the future, we can plan it properly and keep the island’s funds circulating smoothly."
"There will be no need to spend vast sums maintaining the island every year. Gradually, the development costs can be recouped and begin generating profits."
As Sonia led the way, she introduced the island’s situation to Mr. Kassadin.
Fortunately, she had joined the Void and evolved several times, improving her physical fitness. Otherwise, walking more than two hundred kilometers would have broken her feet.
"You will be managing this island for the most part in the future. Tell me whatever you want to plan."
"As long as I think it is feasible, you can apply for funding and begin construction."
Harvey had expected that many areas remained undeveloped, and he spoke after hearing her report.
"…Alright."
"However, once the Void Cult has more members, the costs of future development can be greatly reduced."
"Once everyone receives the Void blessing, their physical fitness will be extremely strong. They will all be excellent helpers for manual labor, and they will have long lifespans."
"As long as we buy the necessary materials and hire relevant professionals to provide guidance, that will be enough."
Hearing that she would manage the island most of the time in the future did not make Sonia particularly happy. After a brief pause, she spoke.
She had already understood that Mr. Kassadin’s future departures might not merely last a few days or half a month, but far longer.
To be honest, Sonia wanted to ask Mr. Kassadin where he intended to live if he spent so much money yet did not often reside on Xandar.
But she knew very well that it was obviously not a question someone of her status could ask, so she only thought it to herself.
"Saving money is a good thing, but it depends on whether they are willing."
"The Void Cult cannot force others to contribute. Otherwise, internal discord is only a matter of time."
"And discord will mark the beginning of chaos."
"So I understand your desire to save money, but when money needs to be spent, it must be spent."
"As long as one has ability, there are countless ways to make money in this universe."
Harvey understood Sonia’s desire to save money for him, but he still reminded her.
Sonia was highly capable, had broad vision, and had seen many things.
But she had only joined the Void recently. She had not yet gained sufficient power and then used that power to make money easily.
So Sonia still maintained the mindset that she should save wherever she could.
Of course, Harvey did not think that mindset was bad. Compared to those who became arrogant the moment they gained power, Sonia’s mindset was the best.
But the Void Cult’s purpose was to give other intelligent life forms a chance to change, not to use the Void to bind them for their entire lives.
Moreover, there was no need to make demands. Once the Void Cult was established, it would only be a matter of time before others gave back to it.
Rather than forcefully trying every possible way to exploit a person, it was better to let them remain unrestrained, feel gratitude, and voluntarily repay the Void Cult.
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