Above The Sky
Chapter 699 - 699 623 Atop Solitary Mountain Second update 5400_3

699: Chapter 623 Atop Solitary Mountain (Second update, 5400)_3 699: Chapter 623 Atop Solitary Mountain (Second update, 5400)_3 Apart from that, Michael Setar, the second prince of the Empire, knew an even more secret message.

That all the high-energy advancers in the Imperial Capital, at critical moments, are the batteries for the Imperial Capital’s force field generator…

and also some of the pilots of its structure.

Contrary to what everyone imagines, the Imperial Capital is not an inanimate object; it is not merely a giant structure from a pre-Era civilization but rather a huge living fortress that was created after a pre-Era civilization absorbed the spark of an extraterrestrial civilization and modeled it after their supreme technology “biological planet shield generator”.

Or to put it another way…

a living refuge.

The Imperial Capital is alive.

It is an elder that survived the Calamity of Heavenly Fall, enduring millennia of trials and still existing, possessing power that is considered extremely formidable even at the Fifth Energy Level, having witnessed the many trials and wars of this land.

The only thing that might be comparable to it is the World Tree of the Canaan Moore Federation.

Interestingly, the World Tree of those elves is not a living being…

but that doesn’t mean it isn’t alive.

On the contrary, the Imperial Capital is a living being, though it lacks its own will.

Therefore, in times of crisis, if one wants the Imperial Capital to exert its maximum power, someone must control it and unleash its true potential.

The many nobles and sublimators living in the Imperial Capital, once they have proven their loyalty, will then be granted a certain level of control over parts of the Imperial Capital’s structure, ready to respond to attacks from enemies or to withstand the devastation of natural disasters.

But aside from those on the Fifth Energy Level, who has the ability to control a physical body of the Fifth Power Level?

Even among those on the Fifth Energy Level, without a sufficiently strong body, a resolute will, and an extraordinary capacity for handling Essence, who could perfectly control the Imperial Capital, control the towering Solitary Mountain City, and wield its incredible might?

Thus…

there was that legacy.

[The Unyielding Fortress]

A Highest Level True Form crafted with the collective resources of the Empire, designed and calculated…

a legacy named after the Imperial Capital itself.

However, before it could be fully perfected, most of the data was lost during the Dark Moon turmoil.

Without a sublimator with the potential of the Fifth Energy Level to cooperate with the experiments, it is nearly impossible to resurrect The Unyielding Fortress.

As a child, Michael was fortunate enough to have seen that First Knight.

That steadfast and reliable knight’s mere presence brought immense comfort, as if all the perils and obstacles of the world were no longer hindrances.

When he stood beside his grandfather, the pressure exerted by the two Fifth Energy Level powerhouses was like the sky and the earth, occupying the entire world.

Perhaps, only a man like that could fully complete a legacy like The Unyielding Fortress and be capable of harnessing the grandeur of the Imperial Capital.

“I always end up thinking about the past.”

With a wry smile, walking through the streets of the Upper City District alongside buildings newly repaired after the Dark Moon upheaval and numerous imposing palaces and mansions, Michael shook his head slightly: “The Imperial Capital today can’t provide the unassailable sense of security it used to.”

“Otherwise, Ian, that young fellow, wouldn’t be so eager to leave.”

Since learning two days ago that Ian was preparing to leave the Imperial Capital and return to South Ridge, the recently spirited second prince couldn’t help but feel somewhat nostalgic.

As the reviver of the Chehalorvo Family and one of the inheritors of his grandfather’s legacy, Ian had always been under his scrutiny, and the other party never once disappointed him, always providing immense surprises.

Whether it was the initial reuse of alchemy techniques or the later Efficacy Potions, these were all pioneering skills worthy of a master title if pursued further… He was undoubtedly a future Alchemy Master, or even a Grandmaster.

And Michael, who had always believed Ian was concealing his abilities, swore that this seemingly humble, polite, gentle, and smiling White Folks youth was actually a person with deep schemes and profound stratagems.

He definitely had more than one trick up his sleeve, and he would never reveal them until the crucial moment.

Take this time, for instance—affected by the aftereffects of the Heavenly Flood King, he was forced to advance to the Second Energy Level to save his life… What a joke, did they really think he couldn’t see that this kid had reached the First Energy Level four or five years ago?

That reaction speed and proficiency in Essence Manipulation couldn’t simply be explained by talent.

With Ian’s aptitude, he could attempt to break through to the Second Energy Level whenever he was prepared.

But to avoid drawing attention, he would only do so when absolutely necessary.

His talent in armor suit design was the same.

After seeing the Cyclops Giant design blueprint submitted by Yisen Gard yesterday, Michael realized that Ian had concealed quite a bit.

Even though the main core technology was still the cheap Light Element Elixir and the alchemy that integrated some of the Ellen Family’s armor suit designs, how could Michael, with his aptitude, not see Ian’s almost innate familiarity with mechanics?

Not just anyone could assemble a new machine body, capable of stable walking and flight without any weapon system malfunctions, from a few old armor suits.

That’s why he was unwilling to stay in the Imperial Capital.

In a place where it was too easy to catch others’ attention.

“If it wasn’t necessary, I wouldn’t want to be standing here… standing at the summit,” he thought to himself.

With that thought, Michael walked briskly towards the largest cluster of buildings in the Upper City District.

The Setar Imperial Family’s palace.

The rebuilt palace wasn’t much different from before the Dark Moon turmoil; it was still majestic and imposing, with the Solitary Mountain Tower on one side standing tall, reaching for the boundless skies as if it were a hand attempting to capture the sun and the moon in its grasp.

Upon entering the palace, Michael saw his old friend, Earl Visna from the Eastern Province, following behind the young Duke East, Asuka Aishad, with a stack of documents in hand, speaking seriously about something to the quite young duke, who was not even twenty years old.

Probably advising the young duke on how to behave in front of His Majesty the Emperor shortly.

They used a Silence Spell Formation, which was meaningless to Michael, but choosing not to know certain things was also a virtue of self-discipline.

Moreover, etiquette was insignificant.

The strong in the Terra continent didn’t care for rigid formalities, concerns only for mortals who couldn’t see through people’s hearts—Would anyone care about such trivial matters when the Emperor of the Empire could easily discern whether his subjects were loyal to him, or even use his mighty power to listen to insects chirping thousands of miles away?

As long as one showed genuine respect and bare minimum courtesy, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Considering Duke East’s solemn and cautious demeanor, Michael felt that there shouldn’t be any issues.

Earl Visna brightened up when he saw Michael, and Duke East also turned around.

They nodded to each other, and then the duke and his entourage entered the adjacent side hall.

Michael watched them; the grand meeting would still take some time, they must still be preparing.

However, his case was different… regardless of their relationship, he was a Prince, and the palace was his home.

Therefore, he directly headed to the deepest part of the palace, to see his father.

His Majesty the Emperor.