Above The Sky
Chapter 1177: 176: Ian and Others Lacking Common Sense (5800, Happy New Year's Eve!)

Chapter 1177: Chapter 176: Ian and Others Lacking Common Sense (5800, Happy New Year’s Eve!)

Once there was a traveler from Yanjiang who wanted to find the ‘end of the world’, known as the ‘other side of the continent’, so he journeyed south.

In an era when kingdoms were not fully developed and magical beasts roamed the earth, this traveler braved through brambles, crossing Yanjiang’s mountains and snow, the vast grasslands of the Azure Sky Royal Court, and the endless jungles of the Thirteen Rivers Basin, never halting no matter how many obstacles and dangers he faced.

Along the way, he fought against magical beasts, overcame bandits, and even received assistance from kind demihumans who provided horses, and kind elves who gifted him new gear.

Eventually, he arrived at a boundless body of water. This traveler from the distant lands shed tears of emotion, believing this to be the ocean on the other side of the world, thinking his journey had finally reached its end.

Though not entirely correct, he wasn’t far off.

Half Moon Lake is such a misleadingly vast inland lake that it’s almost impossible to exist. In the traveler’s story, this was his final ‘setback’. Mistaking it for the ocean, he set off again, embarrassed, and soon reached the Yongji Ocean. When he returned to the shores of Half Moon Lake, the local elves held a grand celebration for him, which became known as the ‘Sailing Festival’.

And this traveler was none other than Xi Yanshan, the founder of the Third Dynasty of Yanjiang. This traveler, who roamed half the continent, returned home, leading his homeland out of the ancient mountainous realm to the grand stage of Terra.

Inspired by this, most elves around Half Moon Lake became enthusiastic about exploration and travel. Most wandering elven tribes on the continent originated from the vicinity of Half Moon Lake, and in the elven gathering places of the Azure Sky Royal Court, even 95% of the elven bloodline originated from here.

The Sailing Festival ended more than half a month ago, yet around Half Moon Lake, traces of that grand celebration still linger, with the faint scent of fireworks in the air shifting from merriment to an involuntary wariness.

Whether it’s celebration props or children’s toys, the smell of gunpowder always makes one a bit alert.

More so, on the eastern shore of the lake, the atmosphere in the Relic Exploration Camp carries a slight chill. A tense and serious mood tinged with a hint of a martial atmosphere, mingled with a faint scent of blood, drifts on the wind, unsettled in the streets.

Disembarking from the skyship, Ian and the others were guided by the staff from Canaan Moore to the camp built for them. The young man curiously observed the entire camp’s streets, eyes shimmering with a watery light.

“Hmm… most people are quite safe.”

He murmured, not hiding his use of the Seer’s Ability to foresee dangers: “These workers mostly won’t venture deep into the ruins, right? They are almost excessively safe, apart from a few with slight danger signs, most likely little accidents like slipping and breaking a leg while working.”

“Breaking a leg isn’t a little accident.” Sio retorted. Now, even the King of the Mountain knows (or rather had already guessed) that Ian is a Prophet. Their conversation, masked by the True Dragon’s power, wouldn’t be overheard, allowing them to speak freely: “The ruins have many layers. The first layer already has an exploration camp built, and there are a few exploration bases on the second layer where most of the workers and guard knights operate.”

“The real key is below the third layer—there, ordinary guards would only be a hindrance or serve as bait to die. But with drones available in various nations, even bait doesn’t require living humans, so most members of the Exploration Team are elites.”

“I see. Then whether they’re in danger can’t testify to the success of this exploration action.”

Ian nodded slightly. Even so, relying on these ordinary workers’ safety, he could at least infer that there shouldn’t be ‘major upheavals’ at the Exotic Species Research Institute.

Such so-called major upheavals naturally refer to that soaring Dark Gold Colossus Dragon along the Spirit Disaster Path—if such a scene occurred five years earlier, every one of the workers would be shrouded in black mist, certainly facing death… but now, they look quite safe, proving at least that this exploration won’t encounter a dangerous situation like the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon running amok.

Besides, Ian also observed those eight Fourth Energy Level powerhouses just now…

At the center of the camp, the strongest present Fourth Energy Level, also this exploration’s overseer, Chairman of Canaan Moore, [The Free One] Yafada Silvergate.

A silver radiance envelops the entire camp.

Grand Prince of the Setar Empire, [Glorious Light] Carlos Sertar.

An azure glow descends from eighty thousand meters high.

Emissary from the Setar Empire Dragon Worship Cult, of Dragon Island, [King of the Mountain] Amoknosedir.

A wind of steel accompanies their stride.

Dragon Worship Elder of Canaan Moore, Elder of the Fertile Soil Tribe, [Golden Cage] Mafa Wotu.

A massive fortress stands firm to the west of the camp.

Yanjiang Exploration Team, Disciple of the Abyss Star, [Bell of Suppression] Duo Tieyu.

An elusive ripple seems omnipresent within the Domain of Void.

Azure Sky Royal Court Exploration Team, Stern Moon Grand General, [Sky Hammer] Gonta Ximor.

A visible aura of blood erupts eastwards, reaching the sky.

City of Knowledge, Master of the Pure Moon Spire, [Master of Transformation] Sasis Qingyue.

A faint light and shadow to the north of the camp evolves a changing lunar phase.