Pillar of Yita

The cliff was extremely steep, but it was not a problem for the cooperative group. The members of the Shield of Lufu found a secure spot at the top of the cliff, tied a rope, and let Luo Yu, Luo Hao, and Gita down, who were not skilled climbers. Luo Hao, his armor, and shield were lowered in three separate phases due to the Iron Guard’s heavy equipment and his over-the-limit body weight.

But perhaps due to ’heroes’ cherishing ’heroes’, Little Fatty from the Shield of Lufu got along quite well with him, after all, both were from warrior series professions, one Iron Defender, one Guard Knight.

Gita was the last to descend.

Fang Hong received Miss Natural Historian from the swaying rope, wrapped one arm around her, and reached out to unlock the hook behind her, then handed her over to Elisa. He looked up to ensure there was no one left above before tugging the rope three times as a signal to those above to descend.

Miss Natural Historian left his embrace, still a bit dizzy and disoriented, while Elisa assumed she was scared and comforted her with a smile: ”Don’t be afraid, Gita, you’re down now.” Meanwhile, she untied the safety rope strapped to her body.

Gita lowered her head, her face flushed like crimson, her hands hugging her Magic Guided Book, momentarily unsure whether to loosen her grip or keep holding on.

She raised her head, her eyes slightly misty, looking at Fang Hong’s back.

Soon, a member responsible for guarding from the Shield of Lufu retrieved the rope, and using climbing tools, descended from above. Fang Hong watched the other person leap down agilely, landing on the ground, and reported to the group: ”There’s no one left above.”

Fang Hong took a glance at his pocket watch from within his coat, noting that it had taken approximately four Talia Ticks —equivalent to about half an hour— before raising his head to look at Wu Xiaopang.

”Boss, over here,” Wu Xiaopang immediately responded: ”There’s a passageway leading to the platform below, not far— Though reaching the smuggling anchorage down there might be a bit troublesome.”

The narrow crevice in the rock curved into an arc, surrounded by layers of wind-eroded markings, passing through the dark area ahead where even an open walkway formed, with rows of stone pillars standing outside the walkway.

Fang Hong observed the place with curiosity— Eteliria is always filled with strange and fascinating landscapes, even in such inconspicuous little spots. But he wasn’t a geologist, so he couldn’t deduce the origin of this place and could only speculate whether it related to the Wind Elements.

At least, there were no traces of man-made carvings.

After crossing through the open walkway, the group continued through the crevice, cutting into the mountain body, entering a dark area. The members of the Shield of Lufu at the back lit torches, a pungent pine resin smell spreading out, while Elisa discreetly drew a dagger and played with it in her hand.

Xiangzi pressed a hand onto the hilt of his sword, Fang Hong exchanged a glance with Luo Hao, who, understanding the message, stepped back while holding his shield and moved beside Gita and Luo Yu.

Even if the people from the Shield of Lufu might not harbor any hostility, caution in the dark was always wise.

The lit torches stretched forward, lighting up the uneven walls.

However, it was somewhat unnecessary for Fang Hong—in the aftermath of the Idus incident almost two months ago, the Dark Vision he obtained underground seemed to have gradually returned to him over time, quite unlike back then, when even in pitch-black darkness he could see as bright as day.

But at least under dim lighting conditions, he could see a general outline—

Sadly, the constitution and recovery bonuses he gained at that time still hadn’t returned to him.

And just as the Sorcerer-Ghoul had said, forcibly enduring the Dragon King Leifgard’s strength had indeed inflicted irreparable damage to his health.

Despite leaving Tansnier for just half a day, and merely relying on the Flying Claw’s power to scale a hundred or so feet of cliff, he vaguely began to feel his endurance waning, even somewhat breathless—it was not apparent while active within the port, mostly using transport means, but now he clearly felt the difference even more.

Of course, compared to warriors and knights, strength-system professions, alchemists weren’t known for their physical fitness, but as a Combat Artisan with the Supreme One branch, his physical level was at least equivalent to a Nightingale or Scout. After all, it’s not a traditional spellcaster convention; specifically, alchemists don’t possess spellcasting capabilities.

Though currently, his physical level was more aligned with Gita and Luo Yu.

Fang Hong pressed his hand against his chest, vaguely worried, yet he decided not to voice it to avoid concerning the others.

Not long after, a faint brightness emerged ahead, and the pathway seemed to reach its end.

In that direction appeared a platform, semi-circular, suspended over the cliff edge.

Approaching closer, the platform was actually a whole exposed spire with its edges worn smooth.

Standing on the platform makes it easy to see below—Tansnier’s convoluted coastline, appearing like it had been cleaved by a Giant Spirit’s knife, steep cliffs on both sides slanting in one direction—and due to the angle, only the curved arc of the land’s edge is visible from the cliff top—

But you can’t see these creations shaped by nature’s hands at all below.

A cracked fjord.