Pillar of Yita

Soft light.

Golden dowels.

Fang Hong raised his left hand, facing the sunlight outside the window. He squinted his eyes and gently pushed with his right hand, a light clicking sound followed. Then he turned his hand over, and a sliver of cold light flickered from the cold iron shell. He lowered his hand, examined it carefully for a moment, and compared it with the gauntlet on his right hand before nodding in satisfaction.

He then turned to take down the magic guided reactor from the shelf, rustling as he donned it. After securing the clasps and checking everything from both sides, there was a forceful knocking at the door. Xiangzi asked from outside, ”Are you ready?”

”Just about.”

Fang Hong answered.

He turned around, picked up a string of clockwork fairies from the table, hanging them on a strap on one side, followed by another string, which he hung next to the first one in the same way. After completing these tasks, he paused to think carefully if he had forgotten anything, then he pushed the door open and stepped out.

Outside was the dazzling scenery of the Saint Peru Valley.

Or rather, the expanse of the Saint Peru Valley—

The easily weathered sandstone landscape created unique features here, with russet red rock columns baring the surface, juxtaposed against the ink-green forest below the ridge line. When sunlight slipped through the gaps in the clouds, a magnificent spectacle of radiant light formed in the Great Canyon.

Like the mingled colors on a palette, the cliff walls also revealed a hint of lavender.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but squint his eyes and deeply inhale the mountain forest air.

Xiangzi, still dressed in his usual attire, reminded him, ”Prince Tainaric came early and has been waiting down there with ’Blood Fang’ for a long time.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong nodded to show he understood. Today was the start of the trial, and regardless of whether the Rain Listeners and the Blood Oath Alliance had reached an agreement, their group had to set off. Still, just to be safe, he had completed some last-minute improvements to his equipment overnight.

Most importantly, he had finished the ’Rocket Fist’ for his left hand, enhancing both his offensive capabilities and self-preservation skills, allowing him to move up a level. Also, with the constructs for both hands ready, he could now attempt some of the trickier maneuvers that were previously not possible.

Then there was a revolver handgun to cover mid to close-range attacks. Though not the perfect choice, it was better than nothing. Besides, it was a gift from the lovely Miss Ship’s Officer, so it held a special significance. He stowed it under the magic guided reactor as a backup.

As for the handgun, Fang Hong mainly crafted some additional chambers, linking them with copper strips and hanging them on a strap on the other side, facing the clockwork fairies—incidentally, this old handgun, like all the old-fashioned revolvers, required chamber replacement for reloading.

Having donned a new set of equipment, Fang Hong looked no less prepared than Xiangzi, almost fully armed to the teeth. On his overcoat was a tightly-fastened leather vest, mainly for securing the walker’s storage device, with the crystal locked in place on the left chest, giving the appearance of a mechanical style chest protector.

Then there were the copper ring tracks and metal gears for transmitting magic power and heat through the tubes. Had he been wearing a top hat with wind goggles, he might have looked like a professional alchemist straight from the Colin Ishurian Artisan Association.

However, Fang Hong had no top hat, only a wind cap, which he purposefully pulled up to cover the somewhat conspicuous mithril mask.

As Xiangzi watched him do so, he remarked, ”If you find the mask too obtrusive, we could swap it out, Captain.”

”Wishful thinking.”

Fang Hong was well aware of the other’s secret envy for his somewhat dull, yet incredibly valuable mask.

The youth just tilted his head nonchalantly at the comment.

The two descended from the platform, with the rest already waiting for them below.

Within the group, only he and Parker were to participate in the trial, along with, perhaps, the temporary member Xiangzi. Though Tainaric was temporarily a part of the group, his nature was merely cooperative with the adventure group, and he would choose to leave after the trial.

Even so, Atira, Reed, and the others still insisted on rising early to see them off. Partings are always unpleasant, especially for Gita and Tianlan, the two young ladies who kept their mouths shut and just watched him silently.

Seeing Tianlan’s reddened eyes, Fang Hong was taken aback for a moment. They would only be apart for a few days, so it seemed an excessive reaction; the girl was perhaps being too sentimental.

But when he noticed Luo Yu’s similar silence as she brought them a pack filled with food and water and turned away without a word, he suddenly began to understand.

The brief parting might carry more weight.

The three of them were trainees—

They ultimately could not stay with this team forever. One day, this scenario would replay, and perhaps soon they would have to say goodbye to everyone and return to where they truly belong.

After that farewell, whether there was a chance for them to fight side by side again would become even more uncertain.

Reflecting on this, Fang Hong fell silent too.

Considering they had only known each other for a month or so, so much had happened; it seemed longer than a year upon reflection.

From the initial encounter at the Traveler’s Rest, to the fortuitous meeting with Elpaxin and the Lady Noble, the formation of the adventure group, the arduous escape and dangers faced, to the experiences during their journey to Dolifen, everyone had grown mature.

And after traversing the Cloud Sea and the mountains, they had finally arrived here.