Cloud Capital Nation

On the edge of Sky City, Ning Xiaochuan, carrying the unconscious Su Linger on his back, walked with difficulty along a path paved with clouds. The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew wearily ahead, guiding the way, occasionally looking back with concern at its mistress. The red markings on Su Linger's body had already spread to her chin, and her breathing grew weaker.

"Hold on... we're almost at the city gates," Ning Xiaochuan said, panting, even though he himself was in pain from the tearing of spatial turbulence.

The clouds felt soft as cotton underfoot, yet they didn't collapse. Each step was like treading on a thick wool carpet. In the distance, the white city walls of Sky City became clearer, with two large characters carved above the gate: "Cloud Capital."

"Is anyone there?" Ning Xiaochuan called out as he approached the city gate, his voice echoing in the vast sea of clouds.

No one answered. The gate was ajar, and through the gap, he could see empty streets inside. Ning Xiaochuan pushed the door open, and the sight before him stunned him—

The entire city floated above the sea of clouds, its architectural style vastly different from the ground: domed white towers, suspended bridges, and floating gardens. But what was eerie was the complete absence of any people, as if the entire city had been abandoned.

"Strange..." Ning Xiaochuan cautiously stepped into the city gate. "Could Sky City be an empty city?"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly let out a warning "Goo-choo!" Ning Xiaochuan instinctively dodged to the side as a silver light grazed his cheek and embedded itself deeply into the door panel behind him—it was a feather-shaped arrow!

"Those who trespass in Cloud Capital die!" a crisp female voice echoed from above.

Ning Xiaochuan looked up and saw a girl standing on top of a tower. She was about sixteen or seventeen, with silver hair tied in a high ponytail, holding a uniquely shaped longbow. Most striking were the pair of pure white wings on her back—not a phantom image of a Source Soul, but real wings!

"Wait! We're not enemies!" Ning Xiaochuan hurriedly explained. "My friend is seriously injured and needs medical attention!"

The girl narrowed her eyes, flapped her wings, and landed lightly on a nearby lamppost. "Ground dweller? How did you get up here?"

"Spatial turbulence," Ning Xiaochuan replied briefly. "We were being chased by the Black Tide."

Upon hearing the words "Black Tide," the girl's expression clearly changed. "People from the Dark Current?" She put away her bow and arrow and flew closer to examine Su Linger's injuries. "This is... the corrosive mark of the Eye of the Deep Sea!"

"Can you heal her?" Ning Xiaochuan asked urgently.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then suddenly whistled. Soon, several young people with similar wings flew over from different directions, both male and female, all staring at Ning Xiaochuan vigilantly.

"Take them to see the Elder," the girl commanded. "This girl is close to death."

Two winged men took Su Linger, carefully lifting her. Ning Xiaochuan wanted to follow but was stopped.

"You, stay here," the girl's bow and arrow were aimed at him again. "Strangers are not allowed in the inner city."

"No! I have to go with her!" Ning Xiaochuan grew anxious, Sacred Source Power surging within him.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also bristled its scales in anger, its body expanding to the size of a hound. The winged people immediately tensed, drawing their weapons.

"Stop!" an aged voice rang out. "Let them come in together."

A white-haired elder descended from the sky, his wings somewhat dim. He held a crystal staff, his eyes fixed on the Dragon Soul Jade on Ning Xiaochuan's chest.

"Sacred Source Bloodline?" the elder asked in surprise. "Are you Lady Bai Li's..."

"I am her son," Ning Xiaochuan admitted directly. "Do you know my mother?"

The elder did not answer, merely gesturing for everyone to follow. "Save your companion first, we'll discuss other matters later."

The winged people carried Su Linger towards the tallest white building in the inner city, with Ning Xiaochuan and the Sacred Spirit Dragon following closely. As they passed through a few streets, Ning Xiaochuan finally realized the city was not entirely deserted—many buildings had winged people inside, but they all hid behind windows, observing secretly, not daring to show themselves.

"What happened in Cloud Capital?" Ning Xiaochuan couldn't help but ask.

The girl—who called herself Yun Yi—snorted. "It's all your fault, ground dwellers. The Black Tide's influence has infiltrated, and many of our people have been controlled."

The elder—Elder Yun Xiao of Cloud Capital—sighed. "A month ago, spies from the Dark Current infiltrated Cloud Capital and corrupted many of our people using the power of the Eye of the Deep Sea. Now, no one can trust anyone."

In the infirmary, Su Linger was placed on a cloud bed. After examination by several winged physicians, their expressions were grim.

"The corrosion has already reached the heart meridian; conventional methods cannot cure it," the chief physician said. "Unless..."

"Unless we use the power of the Primal Star Core," the Elder finished, looking at Ning Xiaochuan. "You have it with you, don't you?"

Ning Xiaochuan was startled. "How do you know?"

The Elder did not answer directly, merely extending his hand. "May I see it?"

Out of caution, Ning Xiaochuan only took out the Dragon Soul Jade. Upon seeing the star-shaped patterns on the jade pendant, the Elder's eyes flashed with surprise and... greed?

"It really is the Primal Star Core!" he exclaimed, stroking the patterns. "Child, do you know what this is?"

"One of the fragments left by the Sacred Origin Tribe," Ning Xiaochuan replied warily. "Used to reinforce the seal of the Primal Gate."

The Elder suddenly laughed. "Naive. The Primal Fragment is the key to unlocking Sky City. We, the Yun Yi tribe, have guarded it for a thousand years, waiting for someone with the Sacred Source Bloodline to retrieve it."

He gestured for Ning Xiaochuan to follow and led him to a circular room adjacent to the infirmary. In the center floated a blue crystal, identical to the Primal Star Core, but several times larger!

"This is the Primal Sky Core, the energy core of Cloud Capital," the Elder said proudly. "Combined with the Star Core in your hand, it can activate the full power of Sky City."

Ning Xiaochuan felt confused. "But how does this relate to healing Su Linger?"

"It's very simple," the Elder said, pointing to the Sky Core. "Integrate your Star Core into it, and the Sky Core's power will purify the corrosion from the Eye of the Deep Sea."

Ning Xiaochuan hesitated. His mother had said the fragment was used to reinforce the seal, but the Elder's explanation was the complete opposite. And something felt wrong...

"I need to think about it," he said cautiously.

The Elder's expression darkened. "Your friend's life is in your hands. Every moment you delay, she moves closer to death."

Returning to the infirmary, Su Linger's condition had indeed worsened. The red markings had spread to her cheeks, and her breathing was almost imperceptible. The Sacred Spirit Dragon circled her anxiously, but was powerless.

"Ning Xiaochuan..." Yun Yi suddenly appeared at the doorway. "I have something to tell you."

She pulled Ning Xiaochuan to a corner of the corridor, glanced around warily, then lowered her voice. "Don't trust the Elder! He's been corrupted!"

"What?" Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted.

"Three nights ago, on the night of the full moon, I saw the red eye mark on his chest," Yun Yi said urgently. "He wants to use the Primal Fragment to summon the true body of the Eye of the Deep Sea!"

Ning Xiaochuan gasped. "Then Su Linger..."

"I can take you to see the real elder," Yun Yi said. "But you must first pretend to agree to the Great Elder's request and expose his true face."

With the plan settled, Ning Xiaochuan returned to the infirmary and told the Great Elder that he agreed to fuse with the Star Core. The Great Elder was overjoyed and immediately ordered the ceremony to be prepared.

"It will be tonight, at moonrise," the Great Elder said, patting Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder. "Your friend will be saved, I guarantee it."

After the Great Elder left, Yun Yi quietly led Ning Xiaochuan out through a side door and flew to a hidden cave at the lowest level of the city. Inside the cave sat an older Winged Person, whose wings were almost entirely white, but whose eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

"Yun Yi, is this the Son of Sacred Source you spoke of?" the old Winged Person scrutinized Ning Xiaochuan.

"Yes, Grandpa Yun Xiao," Yun Yi replied respectfully. "The Great Elder has betrayed us."

The old Winged Person—the true Elder Yun Xiao—sighed. "My useless brother... he couldn't resist the temptation after all."

He motioned for Ning Xiaochuan to sit and told him the truth: the Winged People were originally the Sky Guards of the Sacred Origin Tribe, guarding the Primal Sky Core for generations. But the forces of the Eye of the Deep Sea had infiltrated and corrupted many high-ranking officials, including the Great Elder.

"The Primal Fragment is indeed part of the seal," Elder Yun Xiao said. "But the Eye of the Deep Sea has twisted its purpose, attempting to gather all five fragments to break the seal."

"What about Su Linger?" Ning Xiaochuan asked anxiously.

Elder Yun Xiao took out a small bottle containing a silver-blue liquid. "Cloud Marrow, it can temporarily suppress the corrosion. But a complete cure requires the power of the true Primal Sky Core—not the replica you have."

"A replica?" Ning Xiaochuan was stunned.

"The Great Elder showed you a fake," Yun Xiao explained. "The real Primal Sky Core is hidden in the core of Cloud Capital, and only those with the Sacred Source Bloodline can find it."

He handed Ning Xiaochuan a feather. "This is the Guiding Feather, it will lead you to the true Sky Core. But be careful, my brother must have set traps."

As night fell, Ning Xiaochuan arrived at the central plaza as planned. The Great Elder had already set up the ritual array, with dozens of Winged People standing around, their expressions blank—faint red lights could be seen on their chests.

"Let's begin," the Great Elder said with a smile, but his eyes glinted with fanaticism.

Ning Xiaochuan pretended to obey and walked to the center of the array, holding the Primal Star Core in his hand. Once in position, he suddenly raised the Star Core. "Sacred Spirit Dragon!"

The little guy rushed out from the shadows, his body swelling, and a breath of dragon fire sprayed towards the Great Elder! At the same time, Ning Xiaochuan activated the Guiding Feather, which transformed into a silver light and shot towards the west of the city!

"Traitor!" the Great Elder roared, his clothes tearing on his chest to reveal a blood-red eye! "Seize him!"

The Winged People swarmed forward, but the purifying dragon breath from the Sacred Spirit Dragon slowed their movements. Ning Xiaochuan took the opportunity to flee in the direction of the Guiding Feather, passing through several alleys before arriving at an inconspicuous small temple.

The temple door was locked, but the Guiding Feather passed straight through it. Ning Xiaochuan couldn't open the door, so in desperation, he used his Sacred Source Power to blast open the lock. The temple was empty, with only a circular stone slab on the floor that was different from the rest.

Lifting the stone slab, a staircase leading down was revealed! Ning Xiaochuan jumped down without hesitation, the Sacred Spirit Dragon following closely behind.

At the end of the stairs was a circular secret chamber, in the center of which floated the true Primal Sky Core—it was even more crystal clear than the one the Great Elder had shown, with galaxy-like streams of light swirling within.

"Found it!" Ning Xiaochuan was ecstatic. Just as he was about to step forward to take it, a dark shadow lunged from a corner!

It was Dark Current! The eyeball on his chest spun menacingly. "I knew you'd find this place!"

The two fought in the narrow secret chamber. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was entangled by the black mist released by Dark Current and couldn't help. Ning Xiaochuan fought and retreated, gradually being forced into a corner.

"Hand over the Star Core!" Dark Current sneered. "Or your little girlfriend is dead!"

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly smiled. "You fell for it."

Dark Current was stunned, and then he realized that the eyeball on his chest was turning uncontrollably towards the Sky Core—which was emitting a pure blue light, the opposite of the evil power of the Eye of the Deep Sea!

"No... impossible!" Dark Current discovered in horror that the eyeball was being purified. "How could the Divine Eye..."

Taking advantage of his distraction, Ning Xiaochuan suddenly lunged forward and shoved Dark Current towards the Sky Core! The moment they touched, Dark Current let out a piercing scream, the eyeball on his chest was forcibly ripped out, and turned to ashes in the light of the Sky Core!

Dark Current collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Ning Xiaochuan ignored him and immediately took the Sky Core, placing it with the Primal Star Core. The two crystals automatically merged, forming an even more brilliant sapphire.

"Now, let's go save Su Linger!"

When Ning Xiaochuan returned to the surface, the battle was over. Elder Yun Xiao and Yun Yi had led the loyal Winged People to subdue the corrupted tribesmen. The red eye on the Great Elder's chest had also been purified, and he was kneeling on the ground, weeping.

In the infirmary, Ning Xiaochuan placed the fused Sky Core on Su Linger's chest. Blue light flowed like water, and the red patterns receded at a visible speed. When the last trace of red disappeared, Su Linger slowly opened her eyes.

"Where... where am I?" she asked weakly.

Ning Xiaochuan held her hand. "Sky City. We found the sixth Primal Fragment."

Elder Yun Xiao stepped forward. "Young man, you have accomplished the impossible. Cloud Capital will always welcome the Sacred Source Bloodline."

Outside the window, the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds, gilding the white city. Ning Xiaochuan let out a long sigh, but he knew in his heart—the last fragment was still waiting for them in the Molten Mountain Range, and the threat of the Eye of the Deep Sea was far from over