Pillar of Yita

”There is a Wind Ether disturbance between zones A427554 and A427550.”

”Heading from south to north, excluding the Colin Navy’s Silver Egret and the East Commonwealth Alliance’s Istrael Ship, there are three unidentified targets left, and the possibility of beasts among the clouds cannot be ruled out—”

”The American side has issued a démarche to us; their fleet is expected to pass through the Flash Sea Area and enter the Elpaxin Sky Gorge within seventy-two hours. The transit includes two ships: the sixth-class patrol ship Old Ironclad and the supply ship Canden. The Americans have indicated they hope we will not interfere with their freedom of navigation.”

”To hell with their freedom of navigation, they’re playing this game again?”

Zhang Tianmiu listened to the noisy voices coming from the communication device. He turned his head and saw his deputy speak angrily, ”For nearly a century, they have dug up this old trick again from the files?”

”What about the French?” someone in the communication channel asked.

”Forget about the French,” the deputy asked, ”Where is our ship?”

”We have arrived, comrades of the Special Preparation Team. My ship is right above you, one thousand meters—”

A deep voice came through the communication channel.

Zhang Tianmiu raised his head upon hearing this, his right hand shading his brow, squinting slightly against the somewhat dazzling sunlight. High in the sky, where the air was clear and the sky a clean blue, a faint shadow was appearing in the azure firmament.

All he could hear was the deep voice continuing, ”The People’s Navy of China, Bijie Ship has reached the target area. We are very honored to execute this mission together with you all.”

Shortly after, another even steadier voice came from the communication channel, ”Captain Zhang, this is the Stargate Port Command Center, I’m Ambassador Liao Cheng. Please report the latest situation.”

Zhang Tianmiu then picked up his communication device and replied, ”Comrade Ambassador, the situation is still unclear. We can only confirm that the current targets are still within the Elpaxin Artisan Association,” Zhang Tianmiu answered grimly. ”We should be the closest mobile force in the Elpa region, requesting permission to carry out the mission—”

”Captain Zhang, Stargate Port will try its best to assist your actions, but Earl Shanduo, the highest Chief Praetor of Elpaxin, maintains a neutral stance. We can only try to exert influence through the Colin Commercial League as much as possible; the Silverwind Knights within the port might be a possible support.”

Ambassador Liao paused then said, ”So you are authorized to execute the mission, but you must reach Elpaxin within three hours.”

”Resolutely complete the mission.”

Zhang Tianmiu’s gaze passed over the shadow of the floating ship, his eyes distant as if they fell upon the faint clouds above.

In Elpaxin, on the arena—

The wandering horse also gazed at the unpredictable clouds, simply because four projection crystals cast a giant time indication across the sky—two and a half Talia Ticks.

Equivalent to eleven minutes on Earth.

Inside the competition room, the final work was nearing completion. The vast Star Sphere was now mostly filled.

In the darkness, the light liquid overflowed, bright as a blaze, setting off Fang Hong’s not-so-tall figure. He held his head high, scrutinizing the work of art he had crafted by hand. His eyes were actually closed, yet his face was solemn.

Like a Pilgrim—

In the world of the spirit, he gently raised his hands, as a conductor of an orchestra might, fingers lightly lifted, ready to complete the final step.

The entire arena was as if under a spell, deathly silent, while a breeze of late autumn passed through the clouds, bringing with it the rustling of falling leaves. Lady Aisha seemed to have just come to her senses and asked dryly:

”...What’s the pass rate?”

In the corridors of the courtyard, everyone was asking this question.

”87.3%...”

”88.1%...”

”It’s still rising, what’s going on? He seems to be getting more and more skilled... 89%, he’s surpassed the Iron Oak Duchy...”

”What about the time, the time?”

”The time should be slower than the Iron Oak Duchy, his efficiency in a single connection is relatively low, but overall it won’t be too far off—four Talia Ticks, no, it will exceed three and a half.”

People whispered to each other, especially the staff of the Elpaxin Artisan Association, who showed varied expressions. They had gone through stages of astonishment, bewilderment, disbelief, and joy.

The Kapuka Artisan Association’s result from the previous round hadn’t been low. If the time taken this round was within three and a half Ticks, they might even contend for the top spot in the group.

This was truly an unexpected joy.

”Haha, I knew it! Hahaha, I knew it!”

Of all the people, only one was most elated—that was Aquitez. The old Dwarf watched the projector while occasionally letting out unintelligible laughter, tears almost streaming down from his laughter.

Chairman Rosetta of the Elpaxin Artisan Association looked somewhat vexed at this old companion of his. He felt something was off; this old fellow must be hiding something from them, but refused to say a word.

He only watched the old fellow occasionally look at the delegates of the Knight Nation from the Ancient Tower with a sly look, a grin of success on his face.

And the Ancient Tower’s contestants had sullen expressions.

Vikki was the first to rush out, but two Dwarf guards immediately stopped her, the girl clenched her fists indignantly, her face reddened as she looked up at the scene in the projector.

Fang Hong gently lowered his right hand.

The last part of the Star Sphere’s structure amazingly matched the complex system, filled with intricate and mutable configurations, like a maze bristling with thorns.

There, he had failed many times before, but today, as he looked up at the complex system once again, a strange and indescribable feeling arose in his heart.