Pillar of Yita

He raised his head, looking at the endless black horizon that resembled a whole piece of obsidian, ”Are you unhappy?”

”Why would I be unhappy?”

”If you want to head to the Second World, I can think of a way to persuade the upper management to let us continue as partners.”

”No need,” Liuli Yue said expressionlessly, ”I don’t necessarily have to go to the Second World. Why owe someone a favor for no reason? I’m fine staying here, walking my own path.”

Wu Di glanced at him, knowing his personality, and tactfully did not bring the topic up again.

He stood beside his old partner, listening to the buzzing noises from above, as the shadows of two airships slowly passed overhead.

In the distance, the scorched forest was not void of any presence. The two of them stood on the crystallized cliff, watching the shadows gathering below from afar, as the dusk approached, igniting the scattered torches that converged into a long dragon shape.

Wu Di looked down, tapping the ground with his boot, which was raised layer by layer like scales. This was evidence of crystallization after the soil cracked, stretching all the way to the depths of Traveler’s Swamp; the shadow of this land of death had already covered the entire Charter City.

Liuli Yue had seen similar places in the Southern Region, known as the Ash Woods.

Under the dark Dragon Flame, all was wiped out.

”The scent of elemental death,” Wu Di gazed into the distance and suddenly spoke, ”Things are not optimistic everywhere, but especially here. Have you seen that post?”

”The dumb post ’The Hidden Truths Behind the Fanric Incident’? Humph, cryptic nonsense, saying three things and hiding one, all sneaky behavior. I doubt the poster is any good stuff.” Liuli Yue responded offhandedly.

”You really have seen it—”

He was silent for a moment, ”Integration is happening faster and faster. Flor’s Descendants have played the villain this time, while we’ve been behind reaping the benefits. Yet, they’ve also gained more opportunities than us. You’re right; staying here isn’t without opportunities, but opportunities only come to the prepared.”

Liuli Yue picked up another stone and threw it down. The crystallized stone this time seemed to hit a rock, producing a crisp sound, which startled the people in the forest below, leading to a commotion and some curses:

”Who’s the idiot throwing things from above?”

”Don’t throw things from high places, got any manners?”

Liuli Yue stood up, took a deep breath, and replied with a phrase:

”NMSL!”

A chorus of curses erupted from below.

He then turned back, dusting off his hands, and said to his companion, ”I’m not here to listen to your riddles.”

Wu Di chuckled lightly, ”You know what I’m talking about; I just can’t be too clear about certain things. Hidden behind all this might be the influence of Dragon Worshippers, although we haven’t figured out who is backing them yet. A big era is coming, and everyone has different thoughts—the Invokers, it seems, cannot be entirely trusted either.”

”It looks like you suspect Flor’s Descendants?”

Liuli Yue glanced at him, ”You’re responsible for your words if they get out.”

”Would you spread it?”

”I’m not that idle.”

”Then that’s settled. Besides, I wasn’t just referring to Flor’s Descendants, honestly, I don’t know who it is.” Wu Di shook his head, appearing somewhat confused. ”We’ve tried everything with Charter City but couldn’t save it. The Rain Listening and Dragonfire Guild issues are still unresolved. About that rumor... Sometimes I can’t even fully trust my own people.”

He cautiously stopped talking, turning back to face his companion, ”Honestly, you’re more trustworthy, perhaps because I suspect they might not regard someone like you, lacking manners.”

”NMSL,” Liuli Yue replied in a bad mood.

”I stand by my offer, will you join me?” Wu Di asked with some sincerity in his tone.

But the latter still shook his head.

”As expected from you,” Wu Di sighed, ”Alright, staying here, I can only give you some advice: watch the military’s movements, the Stargate Port Zone C plan, and ’that.’ Moreover, I’ve already made it on the second list heading to the Second World; I actually came to say goodbye—”

This time, it was rare for Liuli Yue to remain silent.

He only raised his head, looking at the twinkling star in the night sky, wordless.

The star domain appeared like a black hole in the southern sky, devouring all surrounding starlight, leaving only one single star filling the space with its eerie glow. Centuries ago, the Numelin Elves gave it a name—

Star of Calamity, Verdant.

Yet now Verdant was no more.

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