Pillar of Yita

Mainly fungi, on the cliffs grows patches of glowing spores, along with a type of fern plant, which seems to have absorbed enough Wind Element. Among their splayed pinnate leaves, red tendrils actually float in the air, emitting fluorescence.

Fang Hong also observed the lower ecological layer here, where white worms move in and out of the rock soil, feeding on glowing moss lichens.

But after consuming too much, they themselves start to glow due to accumulated Ether, thereby becoming conspicuous targets for Predators in this fog-filled world.

The predators of the upper layer are mostly small creatures like lizards, and also fish living in the Mist Sea.

Fang Hong saw a fish floating in the mist, like a balloon covered with spiny fins, living by devouring these worms.

With lower-level fish, there surely are also predator fish, with the presence of large fish, it’s understandable why the Arrow-Tailed Kite nests here.

However, this also signifies danger, Fang Hong recorded what he saw while secretly raising his vigilance.

Everyone was somewhat silent; between the canyons only left the sound of rustling footsteps. The moisture-laden fog of the Sky Sea made the cliffs wet and slippery, requiring everyone to pay a bit of attention to prevent themselves or their companions from slipping.

Xiangzi seemed to be acting cool, Luo Yu naturally didn’t like to speak much, and Tang Xin also didn’t open up much in front of strangers. All the way, only Ai Xiaoxiao kept asking questions.

But this little girl seemed to have learned her lesson from the previous incident, speaking softly, like whispering secrets.

”Ade cousin, I’ve leveled up.”

”How do you distribute points for Archers?”

”No need for point distribution.”

”Huh? Then how do you play this game?”

”This isn’t a game.”

”Generally, Archers develop toward two main directions: Ranged, toward Rangers or Dragon Hunting Archers; and Melee, toward Forest Guards or War Dancers.”

”So complicated.”

”Actually, I’ve leveled up too,” Tang Xin said lightly. But she didn’t need Fang Hong’s advice on the route, since because of Fang Hong, her understanding of this world was only deeper than most.

”That Arrow-Tailed Kite’s experience is significantly higher than that of typical level twenty-seven creatures,” Luo Yu also mentioned at this moment.

”It might be an elite individual,” Fang Hong replied, ”most Arrow-Tailed Kite adults aren’t normally this large.”

”Are you saying it might have had some special experiences?”

Fang Hong nodded, this was exactly the reason he and Bakins were concerned.

If the Arrow-Tailed Kite recognizes firearms, then it must have encountered humans.

However, the chances of humans appearing here are too low. He needed to figure out whether this was just a coincidence or if there was another reason.

If humans have been nearby, there ought to be clues in the Arrow-Tailed Kite’s nest.

Fang Hong knew Sky Sea creatures very well; birds like the Arrow-Tailed Kite prefer nesting on cliffs, especially utilizing existing caves — in fact, they hadn’t walked north for long before they found that cave.

The cave was located at the other end of the canyon, faintly visible behind the mist. Fang Hong noticed the scratch marks left by the Arrow-Tailed Kite on the rocks, realizing that they had found the right place.

He estimated the distance, then raised his left hand, firing the Claw Hook, and flew across — though his right hand had recovered, using it normally would still take several months.

Fang Hong installed a pulley system into the top of the cave, threaded it with a group of ropes, attached them to the Flying Claw and shot back again, creating a temporary cable.

He rolled one end of the cable into a miniature winch in his glove, pulling up Ai Xiaoxiao, Tang Xin, Luo Yu, and Xiangzi from below one by one.

The cave used by the Arrow-Tailed Kite as a nest was deep and long, although such Raptors are nearly solitary outside of mating season, there’s no guarantee of surprises.

In the cramped space, he couldn’t summon the Orphen Twin Stars, so he placed a Sword Bearer at the front. After the Sand Sea battle, he was so destitute that he couldn’t even produce one Energy Angel.

This was also the reason he called up Luo Yu and the others; had his combat power been complete, he would have been confident enough to explore here alone.

At least sufficiently ensure a complete retreat.

A faint odor filled the cave, and occasionally animal bones could be seen on the ground, mostly belonging to fish based on their shape.

They even found an incomplete Rock Shark skeleton; unfortunately, its long horn was destroyed, but Luo Yu still cut it down with a knife.

Halfway through, Fang Hong suddenly heard a series of chirping sounds from inside, astonishing everyone.

These weren’t the dominant cries of the Arrow-Tailed Kite. But Fang Hong quickly reacted, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Within the nest were likely hatchlings of the Arrow-Tailed Kite.

He quickened his pace, turned around a rock wall, and the inside of the cave unfurled before him.

The cave floor was covered with a thick layer of moss for insulation, and in the center, three little Arrow-Tailed Kites with down not yet grown peered their necks, chirping noisily at these unfamiliar intruders.

Fang Hong took a glance at these hatchlings, feeling a bit regretful, ”They’ve already hatched a long time ago, seen the female bird, we can hardly keep them alive now.”

”Ah!?” Ai Xiaoxiao was startled, ”Ade cousin, you’re not thinking of killing them, are you?”

”Just leave them here,” Fang Hong shook his head, ”Without the female bird, they couldn’t grow big anyway.”

”Can’t we raise them?” Ai Xiaoxiao softened at the sight of these fist-sized, huddled chicks.

”They’re wary of strangers, and won’t eat unless it’s food provided by the female bird.” Fang Hong shook his head, meticulously familiar with Sky Sea creatures, partly due to community, partly learned from books.