Starting from the low-lying lands in the east, riding through the fluctuating hilly terrain upon the swamp ant’s flight, they ascended to a high-altitude plateau. At the end of the plateau, there was an almost vertical cliff.
This was the ‘Cloud Gazing Cliff’ leading out of the Moon Pincer Peninsula.
Located at the westernmost side, the Cloud Gazing Cliff served as a natural barrier for the Moon Pincer Peninsula but also blocked lower strength creatures from leaving the peninsula.
“It’s truly spectacular,” said Ivan, as he looked out at the endless cliff that merged with the stretching clouds, unable to restrain his sense of wonder.
“Yes, yes, I wonder what’s down there; it feels dangerous,” agreed the Silkworm Queen, peering down the cliff. It was so deep that the bottom was invisible, yet she sensed it was no benevolent place.
“I have heard that the Cloud Gazing Cliff didn’t originally exist. Two powerful beings battled here, causing the surrounding mountains to split and the earth to turn upside down, and thus the cliff was formed.
There are traces of the battle below, and the murderous intent from that time hasn’t completely dissipated; you can naturally feel the danger, and moreover, the further down you go, the denser the marks of battle become, and the greater the lurking murderous aura.”
Ivan also glanced down, feeling his hair stand on end in the same way.
The higher the strength level, the stronger a being’s power and aura. When powerful creatures battle, their strong will and dense aura can leave traces that last for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Hearing his explanation, the Silkworm Queen felt enlightened yet yearned for the day she might achieve such prowess.
“Swamp ant, keep going,” she commanded.
The swamp ant silently carried on, leaving dry land and sailing above the thick clouds.
Outside Cloud Gazing Cliff, the terrain was like land made of clouds, slowly drifting with the wind. Scattered and thin clouds floated above this landmass.
Whether they were individual clouds or vast cloud layers, collisions occurred occasionally. When they collided, electric sparks were born, emitting a ‘zzzz’ sound, quite conspicuous and caution-inducing in this ocean of clouds.
The two creatures and one human weren’t afraid, however.
“Look quick, there’s a little creature over there,” halfway through their journey, the Silkworm Queen spotted a creature roaming within the sea of clouds—a young element creature.
This element creature was entirely formed from white clouds, with a pair of deep blue eyes flashing with lightning. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire
“Who are you to call others ‘little thing’ when you’re such a tiny bug yourself? I think you’re the real little bug here,” the element creature retorted upon hearing her words, clearly displeased.
“Hey, I didn’t curse you, yet you’re taking it so seriously, little thing.” The Silkworm Queen laughed, thinking if she revealed her true form, she might frighten this little fellow.
“Well, you can’t call me ‘little thing,’ or I won’t play with you,” the small element creature’s eyes blazed with even more lightning, seeming ready to strike in anger.
“I—won’t call you that then, my little friend. See you next time,”
The Silkworm Queen wanted to say more, but Ivan subtly interrupted and said something that made her change her words.
Seeing the Silkworm Queen suddenly back down, the little element creature stayed perplexed. The clouds around it began to transform, revealing other element creatures, like giants, each the size of a small mountain, and there were several of them.
After flying some distance, the Silkworm Queen looked back with an inexplicable expression and couldn’t help but pout.
“These element creatures really know how to hide; I didn’t notice them at all.”
“They are born from the clouds and can merge into the sea of clouds. Of course, it’s hard to spot them if you aren’t paying attention. They seem to be a clan that doesn’t bear much ill will toward humans. We shouldn’t provoke unnecessary trouble.” Ivanexplained.
“Hehe, I know that.”
The Silkworm Queen secretly reflected on herself. After passing Cloud Gazing Cliff, things were not the same as on the Moon Pincer Peninsula. In the future, she mustn’t be so unguarded.
After this small episode, they did not encounter any other creatures along the way.
However, as the swamp ants kept moving forward, the bolts of electricity below and above the clouds grew more numerous, and from time to time, it was possible to see lightning swimming among the clouds, resembling a species of electric eel.
These bolts of lightning were all moving in one direction, which was exactly where they were headed.
“Ahead lies Lightning Cliff, composed of many peaks that are covered with special stones that spontaneously attract lightning from the surroundings. It’s a treacherous place we must cross,” Ivan explained.
Accompanied by Ivan’s voice, peak after peak quickly came into view, poking their heads out of the clouds with only their pointed tips blocking the way.
These tips formed a line and continuously attracted lightning from the sky and around them, a situation not unlike a downpour.
Persistent peals of thunder reached their ears.
Sometimes, you have to admire the masterful wonders crafted by various accidents; although many peaks have transformed into an impassable wall of lightning, there was one spot not covered by the strikes—a pathway in the center of one of the peaks.
It looked like a slit cleaved by human hands called ‘Slit of Sky’.
Apart from this Slit of Sky, based on past experiences, taking any other route was likely to result in powerful lightning strikes, leaving one constantly on guard.
“Such a dangerous place is perfect for ambushing travelers. Will there be any robberies?” the Silkworm Queen blurted out, a hint of excitement in her voice.
“We don’t have anything of value; I doubt anyone would be interested in us. Relax,” Ivan joked.
“True,” the Silkworm Queen said, a bit disappointed.
A minute or two later, Ivan’s expression became strange, as the Silkworm Queen’s words came true—someone was indeed robbing an airship at the Slit of Sky on Lightning Cliff.
The airship’s emblem looked somewhat familiar, but he had no intention of meddling, only instructing the swamp ants to stop at a distance.
…
In the Slit of Sky formed by two half-cliffs, an unusually shaped airship was hooked by chains extended from both sides, caught in a dilemma that forced the people on the airship to come up on deck to confront their attackers.
“Damn you! How dare you rob a ship from the Ancient Tree Spine,” a sorcerer on the deck glared at the surrounding bandits, who had undergone some sort of blood experiments, making their appearance and aura disgustingly repulsive.
However, their strength was not to be underestimated, and there, they caught them off guard.
“What nonsense tree and spine, never heard of it; right, everyone?”
“Right, right,”
“Just a bunch of nobodies.”
The leader of the bandits laughed heartily, his words immediately echoed by his followers, hurling various mocking comments.
“Even the mighty Berserk Lightning Python you face does not pay respect. If you don’t hand over half of your goods, an excruciating lesson is inevitable,” declared the leader, revealing his notorious alias ‘Berserk Lightning Python,’ threatening to teach the ship’s crew a lesson.
The bandits’ arrogance infuriated the sorcerer on the deck, forcing him to fend off the attacks coming from all sides. Fortunately, the airship was equipped with a defensive array, which meant the bandits could not harm them for the time being.
“Boss, there’s someone over there watching us; should we rob him first?” one subordinate was the first to notice a figure in the distance, his face excited yet fierce as he suggested.
Like the others, this subordinate had a pair of wings slightly disproportionate to his body, allowing him to fly in midair.
“That’s a lone traveler, probably not weak. He knows better than to provoke us; we don’t need to mess with him for now,”
Having glanced over, the Berserk Lightning Python noted the onlooker’s demeanor of someone enjoying the show. Although annoyed, he was not ready to make a rash move. From his experience, these fearless lone travelers were the most troublesome to deal with.