Pillar of Yita

The rain had fallen for a day and a night.

The rain on the Floating Island had a unique flavor, resembling countless silver threads dropping from the gloomy sky, connecting with the ink-colored Forest. In the distance, a pale blue water mist arose, blending the edge of the Forest and the distant mountains into it.

The river water tumbled down into the sea, transforming into a silvery splendor, and the silver flowers formed into a mist, merging into the surging Cloud Sea. A vast expanse of gray, the storm’s eye in the sky moved southward, resembling a cloud wall that covered half the sky, thousands of meters high.

Inside, flashes of lightning continually passed through.

Near Cloud Bay, a lonely island floated in the distance, with a curved tree standing tall in the rain. This peculiar sight captivated Fang Hong for a while before he withdrew his gaze.

Fenris Isle had a very different geological landscape from Tarun, with pale gray limestone layers scattered along the cliffs near the Sky Sea. Vegetation grew from the collapsing rock layers in tiers, making the island resemble a crumbling specimen, a primitive forest floating above the Cloud Sea.

He turned his head back.

Mr. Greyrock’s platform had been fully assembled; Tianlan and Luo Yu were helping Elf Miss transport supplies onto the back of the Burden Beast. They accomplished this task using a crane, pulling the baskets up to a height exceeding that of the platform with pulleys, then transferring boxes filled with food, medical supplies, and repair materials onto the platform.

On land, they naturally could pack less drinking water.

The food mainly consisted of bread and dried meat, and fortunately, Colin Ishurian didn’t follow the British tradition—the dried meat on Berio was from the previous quarter, not older than they were and hard enough to be used as a shield.

There were many types of medicines, most of which were made by the priests from Milaila. Some could ward off illness, and others could heal injuries.

These were all supplies given to them by Princess, though not very costly, it saved them a lot of trouble. Otherwise, they would have to travel to a small town about twenty to thirty miles west of Golden Bay to acquire these items, the only populated area near Golden Bay Anchorage.

In the rain, the wounds on Atira’s body were no longer a concern; she had recovered well, her complexion was no longer pale but faintly flushed with healthy redness.

But Tianlan and Gita still would not let her get wet, Elf Miss stood under the rain shelter, coordinating the efforts.

Only then did Fang Hong walk over, his boots sinking unevenly into the mud, water already filling the tops of his shoes, but that was no longer anyone’s concern.

Parker was still complaining about the dreadful weather, clamoring to return to Giant Tree Hill, as if it never rained in Sanxiak.

When he inquired about this, Parker naturally responded, ”Papalarians don’t go out when it rains.”

”But you are not a Papalarian,” Tianlan pointed out.

”I am now,” Parker declared righteously, ”It’s a racial talent of the Papalarians. You understand, racial talents, right?”

”Your racial talents are a bit too plentiful.”

The Papalarian was very proud of this accusation.

Soon, Hilveld also returned. The light from mining lamps penetrated the curtain of rain. Fang Hong saw golden rain threads crossing the beams of light as she brought along Princess Briana.

Everything was ready, though naturally, this time they would not journey together.

Elf Princess merely smiled and waved at them, ”Take care on your way, and if all goes well, we’ll meet in Cloud Harbor.”

”Sister Princess, the same to you,” Tianlan leaned on the railing, vigorously waving towards the riverbank.

Princess Briana nodded cheerfully.

Hilveld grasped the rope ladder and climbed up. Fang Hong reached out to pull her onto the platform, and Lady Noble adjusted her drenched hair, nodded at him, and went inside with her maid to change clothes.

Mr. Greyrock, swaying with his enormous body, entered into the Forest. Fang Hong stood on the platform, looking across to the other side of the riverbank. Princess Briana was soon no more than a tiny shadow.

The journey to the interior of Fenris would take a week, but the route was planned well in advance; on the first day, they would pass through the Emerald Pass and then reach the vicinity of Andelita Waterfall.

The place was named after a female explorer who discovered the waterfall 220 years ago, a rare beauty in the north of Fenris Isle that Fang Hong naturally wouldn’t miss.

That was also the last step in the north of Fenris. From there up, they would enter deep into the Green Dragon Mountain Range, and it would take about three days to travel out of this mountain area. The remaining part of the journey would go through the alluvial plains to the south of Fenris.

If all went well, they should arrive at Cloud Harbor by no later than the 22nd of this month.

The terrain grew higher as they walked, and soon they could overlook the bay of the Cloud Sea below,. The huge shadow of Berio was moored in a hollow surrounded by mountains.

Fang Hong also saw that lonely Floating Island, on the other side of which was the twin-masted Wing Ship they had seen the day before. In the forest to the west of the ship, there was a faintly visible camp, though it was blurred under the rain and fog.

”Speaking of which, what exactly is the Trainee tour on Fenris Isle all about?”

Fang Hong suddenly put down the tools and mechanical parts in his hand and turned around to ask.

A flash of lightning tore through the leaden clouds.

The vast white light spilled into the window, illuminating his temporary table snow-bright. Miss Ta intently watched a segment of freshly sprouted wisteria, which was flowering this season, with small, pale pink buds.