Pillar of Yita

These past memories lingered in Su Changfeng’s mind for just a moment. However, when he looked in that direction again, Diket had already vanished without a trace. He was momentarily stunned before realizing the other person had already gone to the lower levels through the lift platform.

However, Su Changfeng was no longer the inexperienced young man he was thirty years ago.

Years of working at Stargate Port had already forged his calm and composed character, and that fleeting glance didn’t leave any deep impression on him. He merely thought to himself: ”He’s still Roban’s father, surprisingly still alive.”

Of course, an important figure reappearing after disappearing for many years naturally attracted attention, but Su Changfeng didn’t think much of it, only silently noting the matter in his mind.

Then he turned back.

After all, this wasn’t his primary concern at the moment. Su Changfeng was looking back at the team members coming out of the passage — they were a group of young people in black trench coats, followed by some teenagers in training uniforms, with various equipment.

At the front was a chubby boy.

And the staff of the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance were still asking for their names. The last person placed his heavy shield on the ground and cursed about how damn heavy the equipment was, not knowing who suggested he pick the Iron Guard.

Then he grumbled back to the staff: ”Luo Hao.”

The people behind also reported their names and IDs one by one.

”Yuwen Yu.”

”Yihan.”

”Mozhi.”

As for the girl at the end, she was a short, shy little girl, who blushed and answered softly: ”Ten, Shiye.”

...

April 7th, three days before the start of the main event of the Continental League.

Earlier that day, a unique Elf Sailboat arrived at the Lakeside Port of Fanric.

Not long after, Fang Hong dragged a suitcase onto the long pier at Fanric’s waterfront port. In fact, he paused and looked far at Aldofen’s High Tower—

As well as a few unnamed white water birds sweeping over his head, flying towards the forest on the other side of the shore.

Though waterways aren’t as convenient as airways, they are an essential part of cargo turnover in the Long Lake District. Compared to the airships and ferryboats, the cost of water transportation in Long Lake is almost negligible — hence, from the waterfront docks, all that can be seen are a forest of masts.

In fact, it’s the water traffic of Long Lake that supports the commercial prosperity in the South.

And this is Far South.

Although its history may not be as deep as the northern heartlands of the Kingdom, and its mythical legends are not comparable to the faraway Scepter Coast and Saint Hugon Corner, its warm and pleasant climate, abundant resources, and assorted rumors have long spread far and wide.

However, when Fang Hong finally set foot on this land and stood on this pier by Long Lake, it felt like he was experiencing the Southern spirit and customs for the first time.

The sailors and workers on the docks, with their different accents, and the local adventurers, all offered experiences completely distinct from the North. It was even a more stark contrast than Nevad, which was also by Long Lake, in expressing everything that belonged to the South.

This is still Colin Ishurian.

Yet it has an exotic charm — incompatible with the northern cold and grandeur, but with its own elegance.

Fang Hong stood there for a long time before moving forward. After bidding farewell to the Elf Ariel, who was returning by boat, he had already informed Sophie, Tianlan, and Odin—

So today, three groups should know he would arrive at this place.

First comes Sophie and Xi, then his own Adventure Group — Hilveld, Miss Atira, and Tianlan. However, the latter would arrive in Fanric a day later than him, so he couldn’t count on them today.

Fang Hong didn’t know if the Princess of Silver Weslan would come to meet him, but someone from Ragnarok should be there.

Because of the competition, he had informed Odin beforehand. Odin had received his message but seemed unable to make it, not asking much about what happened in the Hall of Thousand Doors, only giving him a brief response.

Odin told him that he had informed the people from Ragnarok, and they should be there to welcome him today.

And this is why Fang Hong was standing there, looking around.

But what Fang Hong didn’t know was that as he stood there with his suitcase, another group was on the adjacent pier also looking for the so-called ’new teammate.’

On Pier Number Three, Soul Fingerprint frowned while staring at the note in her hand.

She had looked at it several times to ensure she hadn’t misread the numbers — it clearly said Pier Number Three. It also mentioned that the person was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, dressed in an Alchemist’s coat, carrying a suitcase, with short hair and an ordinary appearance.

Moreover, he would be holding a Clockwork Fairy in his hand to identify himself.

But after looking around, she couldn’t find anyone fitting the description on this pier, indeed, there were hardly any people on this pier. In the distance, only a fishing boat that arrived earlier that day could be seen, and there was no sign of the rumored Elf single-masted ship.

Someone from the team glanced towards Pier Number Two, but the large hoisted mainsail of a Ketch sailboat just happened to block that direction tightly.

After twelve in the afternoon, someone finally complained: ”Wasn’t he supposed to arrive in the morning, why isn’t he here yet?”

Then someone turned back and asked: ”Mulan, did you find out which ships arrived earlier?”

The question was asked to one of the two girls, who raised her eyebrows and replied: ”Do you think this is an airport? Most of these water docks are occupied by fishing boats which come and go every day. The local nobles haven’t set up a dedicated Lakeside Port Authority, the best you can do is inquire through the dock workers if any boats have arrived.”

She said grumpily: ”You expect to know exactly which ships have arrived? Dream on!”

Her reply left the questioner speechless.

Only Soul Fingerprint chimed in: ”Stop arguing, being late on Long Lake is quite normal.”

But before she finished speaking, someone beside her suddenly said: ”Wait, look over there.”

”Where?”

”Over by Pier Number Two,” the person said hastily, ”someone over there looks a lot like the person we’re looking for!”

Soul Fingerprint was momentarily surprised before looking in that direction.

...