Above The Sky
Chapter 452 - 452 422

452: Chapter 422 452: Chapter 422 As June drew near, the temperature rose day by day.

Even though Indigo Mountain was by the sea and the heat could not possibly exceed forty degrees, the overly intense sunlight still caused large swathes of evaporating mist to rise among the trees.

The fog, created by the fermentation and decay of fallen leaves mixed with the heat from the sky, made the temperature in the woods no less scorching than where the sun shone directly, even resembling the heat of a sauna.

For the people of Abode Tribe living in the Southern Ridge Mountains, they had their own methods to avoid the heat.

The various caves and chambers throughout the mountain formed the main body of the mountain tribes, serving as places to cool off during the hot summer, while the numerous structures outside were merely fortresses built to withstand Magical Beast assaults that had been repurposed.

The lives of the mountain people had undergone tremendous changes compared to hundreds of years ago.

An increasing population was cultivating lands at the foot of the mountain, thriving orchards, and gradually developing livestock industries—all signs that the ancient culture was slowly yielding to the changes of the times.

But this was only true for a minority of tribes—most of the mountain people still followed a lifestyle where hunting and fishing were their main sources of food.

A hunter from the mountain tribe, who had just returned home yesterday, was now leaning against the wall of his house, puffing on a tobacco pipe.

He seemed quite leisurely, capable of blowing smoke rings into circles and squares, and even stripes resembling waves, which was a rare pleasure for him.

But suddenly, a gust of wind arose from halfway up the mountainside, scattering all the smoke rings and causing the birds nesting in the distant forest to take off in alarm, chirping as they fled into the distance.

The hunter shivered and quickly stowed his pipe, retreating back into his home.

Then, he looked curiously towards the Elder’s residence halfway up the mountain.

“Elder, stay calm,” he said.

Inside the Elder of the Abode Tribe’s dwelling, Ian smoothed out his alchemist’s robe that had been wrinkled by the wind and said somewhat helplessly, “The Dragon God’s Sacrificial Book?

No problem, I was already planning to go to the Imperial Capital.

If possible, I will certainly try to help find it.”

“I’m sorry for getting too excited just now,” replied the other.

Elder Mantle settled back into his chair and let out a heavy sigh.

This mountain elder, having become overly emotional when speaking of the Dragon God’s Sacrificial Book, caused a Source Quality Fluctuation and a strong wind…

This proved that Elder Mantle’s true strength was probably of the Second Level High Order, possessing a Bloodline True Form linked to the element of wind.

Despite Ian’s Fairy Bloodline also being of the Second Energy Level, out of the three stages within this level, he had only reached the second stage, termed ‘Source Quality Spiritualization.’ Simply put, he was at the Second Energy Level’s middle stage, taking steps toward the high order ‘Soul and Body Unity.’

As for Elder Mantle, it was highly likely that he had already achieved ‘Soul and Body Unity,’ and was preparing for the Third Energy Level ‘Heart Light.’

Only a Sublimator of this caliber could, through their emotional fluctuations, trigger changes in the surrounding natural phenomena.

“That sacrificial book is called ‘The Book of Silver Radiance.’ It was once a Sacred Object worshipped by the Abode Tribe, containing many secrets about the Dragon God…

Two hundred years ago, we mountain people negotiated with The Empire, which was essentially the same as admitting defeat.

We were able to keep our existing territory as autonomous regions, but as a price, many treasures were taken away by The Empire,” Elder Mantle explained, lifting his head to gaze at the dim yellow light in the hall, his tone filled with a hint of desolation.

“That was my ancestor’s mistake—ever since the loss of The Book of Silver Radiance, no Sublimator of Third Energy Level has appeared among the mountain people, and many powerful rituals have been lost.”

“Of course, two hundred years later, I’ve completely given up on resistance.

It’s unnecessary, anyway; being part of The Empire isn’t bad for us now…

but still, we need strength to maintain our dignity and to make further progress.”

Ian nodded slightly, completely understanding the Elder’s agitation.

The mountain people had a considerable status in the Southern Ridge because they truly defeated The Empire’s legions several times in the past, yet after the negotiations, they never again had a Sublimator strong enough to stand against The Empire’s legions.

This was a form of restriction and wariness, just as Viscount Grant, after defeating the Redwood Natives, made it a priority to completely obliterate the lineage of the Swamp Crocodragon without leaving a trace.

It wasn’t a matter of waste; ensuring the complete eradication of this strength was crucial, as the resources wasted in the future, the deaths, and the destruction that might result, would far exceed the immediate ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.’

Only in this way could the mountain people be fully integrated into The Empire, just like now, essentially becoming a part of the Southern Ridge, with many mountain people holding high positions in Nauman City.

Elder Mantle was currently at the threshold between the Second Energy Level and advancing to the Third Energy Level.

If successful, he would undoubtedly become the supreme leader of the Mountain People.

The reason he joined the Dragon Worship Cult was probably also in search of a method to advance, and now seeing Ian, a young and promising Imperial Knight, he naturally felt he was seeing another hope.

“But is there any more detailed information?”

Ian calmly gestured for the old man to elaborate, “For instance, where is it stored?

What does it look like?

What exactly do I need to do to find it?”

“Hmm.”

Elder Mantle stroked his beard, and after calming down, he went on to elaborate to Ian: “Over the years, I have also gathered quite a bit of information.”

“Rumor has it that the Book of Silver Radiance is located in the ‘Precious Solitary Tome Collection Room’ of the Royal Library of The Empire, or maybe in Count Phoenix’s private library, of course, it could also be the war trophy collection room of General Andis from those years, most likely one of these three.”

“Whether it’s the library or that count’s private library, their guards are not strict, and as for General Andis, who was from two hundred years ago, his personal belongings are most likely in some museum by now, with just so-so security.”

“But whether it’s the library or Count Phoenix’s collection room, one needs at least the permissions of a royal professor to enter, or to be invited…

our Mountain People’s cultural standard…

um…”

Elder Mantle hesitated for a moment, and Ian tactfully took over the conversation: “No problem, I know an Alchemy Master, and if it’s just a matter of confirming its whereabouts, it’s not a big deal.”

“That’s about it.” The old man touched his bone staff and continued, “My people have been in the Imperial Capital all this time, trying to replace the real with the fake…

but so far, they haven’t even been able to confirm where the Book of Silver Radiance is.”

“I thought of you as an alchemist who also has the approval of Master Gossay, you might have a way in this regard, so I can only ask for your help.”

At this point in the conversation, the old man solemnly nodded to Ian: “The Magical Beast Materials you want, take them as a deposit for now.

If successful, I am willing to pay handsomely, and surely there will be a generous reward.”

“No problem.”

Ian nodded in understanding.

This matter wasn’t a big deal for him; it was fine to agree for now, and figuring out how to actually handle it wasn’t urgent.

In any case, it’s best to head to the Imperial Capital first, which was already his destination for this journey.

Not to mention, he had to meet up with Yisen Gard there in the Imperial Capital.

If it really came to it, just copy the Book of Silver Radiance with the Silver Chip and then give the rubbings to the elder, which should be sufficient.

After all, with the ability of the Silver Chip, scanning a book in an instant was no challenge whatsoever.

Elder Mantle clearly wasn’t planning on succeeding in one fell swoop; his instructions were merely for Ian to inquire in the Imperial Capital about the whereabouts of the book.

He wasn’t asking Ian to steal or rob it—if that had been the task, then the deposit would have to be materials from a Second Energy Level Magical Beast, and multiple ones at that.

After all, with Ian’s relationship with the Ellen Family, as well as the approval of Master Gossay, he at least had a chance to come into contact with the Book of Silver Radiance.

As Ian said, for a studious and curious alchemist who is backed by a royal Alchemy Master, accomplishing this task wouldn’t be hard.

“Don’t be reckless.”

He even reminded Ian, “You are more important than the Book of Silver Radiance.

After all, without the Book of Silver Radiance, I have other plans…”

“But don’t get yourself suspected over this trivial matter.

My commission is just to have you help ‘take a look’ to see if the Book of Silver Radiance is still there.”

“If it is, you just notify my assistants in the Imperial Capital, and they will figure out a way.”

“As for now…”

The old man slowly rose to his feet, signaling Ian to follow: “I’ll take you to see the Magical Beast Materials you need.”