Champion Of Lust: Gods Conquer's Harem Paradise!

Chapter 161 Portal Stations.

The helicopter lifted smoothly from the helipad, its white exterior gleaming under the soft light of the Dragon Empire's twilight sky. Pyris leaned back into his seat, his hand resting gently on Alexa, who was curled up against his chest.

The golden strands of her hair shimmered in the fading light, and her Divine presence seemed to wrap them both in a protective cocoon.

The mission to the Sunstone Empire demanded his full attention, and the stakes were higher than ever.

Alexa shifted slightly, her head resting more comfortably against Pyris's shoulder, her eyes half-closed. Though her presence was calm, Pyris knew she harbored her own burdens—family troubles she had yet to fully confide in him.

Whatever they were planning, she kept them at bay, not wanting to involve him until absolutely necessary. Pyris stroked her hair gently, his fingers moving with a blend of grace, affection, and understanding.

But his thoughts wandered back to the task ahead.

The helicopter's blades cut through the clouds, Mira guiding the craft with her usual precision. Pyris glanced out the window as they soared above the quiet expanse of the Dragon Empire, its sprawling cities and lush landscapes soon disappearing beneath the thick layer of clouds.

Their destination loomed ahead—the Spatial Station. These stations were marvels of modern technology, each one a gateway to distant lands. Built by space-awakened mages, these powerful constructs allowed for near-instantaneous travel across vast distances.

The portals housed within them were a testament to the cutting-edge combination of arcane mastery and engineering brilliance.

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A Spatial Station was no ordinary place.

It represented the apex of the realm's technological advancements, capable of reducing what would normally be months of travel into mere moments. Given the size of the empires, it would even take weeks or a month by car to cross the dragon empire to another one.

Constructed by those with the ability to bend and manipulate space itself—space-awakened and witches with technology—these stations housed portals that could bridge the gaps between empires and continents in an instant.

Each portal was an intricate web of arcane energy, woven with spatial magic that bent reality and distance.

These stations were a lifeline for empires, facilitating trade, diplomacy, and the swift movement of military forces when necessary. Without the portals, long journeys would be treacherous, requiring travel by air, sea, or through dangerous wilderness.

The ability to travel great distances at the blink of an eye gave the ruling families and their empires an insurmountable advantage over those who could not afford access.

The Obsidian family, Pyris's own, was deeply tied to these advancements.

Obsidian Tech, his family's sprawling corporation, had long been at the forefront of portal innovation. Their expertise in portal construction had cemented their dominance in the Dragon Empire and beyond. In fact, his family owned several of these Spatial Stations, ensuring their control over critical travel routes and access points.

As the helicopter began its descent, the Spatial Station came into view.

It was a colossal structure, shimmering under the moonlight, its intricate design reminiscent of ancient temples but pulsing with futuristic energy. The crowd below, unaware of the VVIP arrival, bustled about the station, preparing for their journeys across realms. Merchants, adventurers, nobles, and commoners alike gathered at the public portals, awaiting their turns.

However, Pyris and his companions had no need to wait. A private escort awaited them, and they were swiftly led through a discreet entrance, avoiding the throngs of travelers.

Pyris's departure was to remain under the radar. Though he could travel openly, announcing his movements was never wise—especially given the number of enemies House Obsidian had lurking in the shadows.

Once inside, the scale of the station became even more apparent.

Halls of gleaming marble and glowing crystal stretched as far as the eye could see, with portals arranged in levels. While commoners had to endure lower-tier portals with their rough, turbulent rides, the wealthy and powerful enjoyed smoother, more sophisticated travel experiences.

Not all portals were created equal. The lower-level portals, available to the masses, were prone to turbulence—small tears in the fabric of space that caused brief moments of discomfort, disorientation, or even minor injuries.

These lower-tier portals, while functional, often left travelers exhausted and disoriented, with the occasional glitch sending them off course.

By contrast, the elite portals, such as the one Pyris was about to use, were entirely different.

Designed with cutting-edge technology and refined spatial magic, these high-level portals offered seamless transitions between realms. The shimmering arcane energy that fueled them was stabilized by powerful mana cores, ensuring a smooth and effortless journey.

Those who passed through elite portals would barely feel the shift between space, stepping from one empire to the next as if walking through a mere doorway.

These portals were reserved for the ruling elite—the powerful families who controlled entire sectors of the economy and military.

For Pyris, his family, and his corporation, such luxuries were a given.

As they approached the portal, Pyris glanced at his companions—Alexa, still by his side, Aurelia, calm and calculating as always, and Mira, her face expressionless but her eyes sharp. Each of them gave him a silent nod, their readiness evident.

They arrived at the station's private portal, a grand construct that shimmered with a blue and silver glow. The air around it hummed with barely-contained power, the arcane runes inscribed around its edges flickering as they adjusted to the ambient energy.

A robotic operator awaited their arrival.

The robot was an elegant creation, a masterpiece of both mechanical engineering and magical enhancement.

Its sleek, humanoid form moved with grace, each joint and limb covered in a smooth, silver-plated exterior.

Its head, crowned with glowing optical sensors, scanned the arriving party with precise intelligence, capable of processing complex instructions in the blink of an eye. Designed with an intelligence on par with the average human, these robots could perform a variety of tasks—from portal management to security—without hesitation or error.

The robot bowed slightly upon recognizing Pyris, its movements fluid and almost human-like. In its hand, it held an elementless mana core, a rare and powerful energy source capable of activating the most advanced portals.

The core itself pulsed faintly, its neutral energy capable of being shaped into any arcane purpose.

"Portal activation in progress," the robot stated, its voice smooth and devoid of emotion. It moved to the portal's core, carefully inserting the mana core into the control console.

The portal shimmered to life, its surface glowing brightly as the spatial energy stabilized. The hum of the portal grew louder for a moment before settling into a steady, rhythmic pulse.

With the portal now active, Pyris turned to his companions one last time. "Ready?" he asked.

Each of them gave a nod. They had faced danger before, and they were prepared to do so again. Pyris gestured at the operator, signaling the go-ahead.

With a final bow, the robot stepped aside, leaving the shimmering portal open for them to enter.

Without hesitation, the four of them stepped into the portal. The world around them blurred for a brief second, the sensation of shifting between realms smooth and seamless.

A rush of cool air met them on the other side, signaling their arrival in the Sunstone Empire, where danger and opportunity awaited.

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We might go deeper into this: portal stations and other advancements if need be!