Wings of the Sky

At dawn, the three bid farewell to the Fire Tribe and set out for Sky City. King Yan Jin personally saw them off and provided three fire lizards as mounts—creatures that could traverse lava fields as if walking on level ground and were three times faster than ordinary horses.

"Follow the Molten Mountain Range east, and you'll reach the Thousand Islands Alliance in seven days." Yan Jin pointed at the map. "From Coral Harbor, you can find a way to Sky City."

Ning Xiaochuan solemnly thanked him and accepted the Fire Tribe's specially made water-repelling pearls and several jars of ointment for treating burns. The Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed very interested in the fire lizards, constantly circling over their heads and frightening the reptiles into trembling.

"Stop fooling around." Ning Xiaochuan flicked Little One's dragon horn. "We're in a hurry."

After leaving Flame Capital, the terrain gradually changed from barren volcanic rock to lush forest. Though the temperature fell, the humidity increased drastically, making them feel as though they had entered a steamer. Su Linger's Profound Ice Power became the trio's natural air conditioner, while the Sacred Spirit Dragon occasionally breathed out icy mist to cool them down.

On the evening of the third day, they arrived at an outer sentry post of the Thousand Islands Alliance—a treehouse village built among enormous trees. The guards nearly attacked at the sight of the fire lizards, but Yun Yi promptly displayed the Tianyuan Sect token.

"Sky City?" The captain of the guards was a burly, dark-skinned man. He frowned upon hearing the name. "That's only a legend."

Ning Xiaochuan revealed the Sacred Source Markings on his arm. "Not to us."

The captain's expression changed, and he immediately became respectful. "Envoy of Sacred Source! Please forgive my rudeness." He turned and shouted at his subordinates, "Quick, prepare the Flying Fish Boat!"

It turned out that the Thousand Islands Alliance had always maintained secret contact with Sky City. The so-called Flying Fish Boat was a peculiar airship with a gondola made of fish bones suspended beneath it, capable of sailing through the sea of clouds.

"Ride the monsoon upward, and you'll reach the realm above the clouds in one day," the captain explained. "But only those acknowledged by Sky City can find the entrance."

Ning Xiaochuan thanked him for his help and left the fire lizards at the sentry post. The Flying Fish Boat was even more cramped than expected. The three of them and one dragon squeezed into the small gondola as the airship rose into the clouds.

"I hope I don't get airsick." Yun Yi's face turned pale as she clutched the railing tightly.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon, on the other hand, was exceptionally excited. It flew in and out through the porthole, sometimes diving into the sea of clouds and sometimes shooting high into the sky. Ning Xiaochuan noticed that as their altitude increased, Little One's scales gradually turned pale blue, blending into the sky.

"It's adapting to the environment." Su Linger noticed it too. "Just like how it turned red when we were with the Fire Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The resonance between the Inverse Scales is growing stronger."

The Flying Fish Boat passed through layer after layer of clouds, and the temperature plummeted. Outside the porthole was nothing but endless white, making it difficult even to tell direction. Just as Yun Yi was about to lose her endurance, the boat suddenly shuddered and stopped.

"We're here?" Ning Xiaochuan looked outside, but there was still only fog and cloud.

The fisherman steering the boat shook his head. "No. We've been intercepted."

The moment he finished speaking, the Flying Fish Boat began rocking violently, as though something had seized it. The clouds outside the porthole suddenly parted, revealing a massive dark figure—a bird-like creature even larger than the Flying Fish Boat, with silver-white feathers and eyes as sharp as blades!

"A patrol beast of the Cloud Wing Tribe!" the fisherman cried. "Don't resist. They'll take us to the checkpoint."

The giant bird seized the Flying Fish Boat in its claws and dragged it toward higher clouds. After passing through the final layer of mist, the sight before them was breathtaking—

Sky City! The entire city stood atop an enormous floating stone, its white buildings arranged in elegant tiers, while a central High Tower pierced straight into the heavens. Most eye-catching of all was the "Cloud Port" along the city's edge, where dozens of differently shaped aircraft were moored—some shaped like fish, some like birds, and even some like dragons.

"It's this magnificent every time I see it," the fisherman sighed.

The Flying Fish Boat was brought to a platform at Cloud Port. Several guards wearing silver-white light armor and bearing wings on their backs approached. Leading them was a female winged person with golden hair and blue eyes, valiant and striking.

"Outsiders, state your purpose." Her voice was crisp as a bell.

Ning Xiaochuan stepped forward. "We're searching for the fourth Inverse Scales to fight the Void Master."

The female winged person's expression changed sharply upon hearing the words "Void Master." She immediately signaled the guards to be on alert. "How do you know that name?"

"Because we've already collected three Inverse Scales." Ning Xiaochuan took out the Dragon Soul Jade, where three-colored light flowed. "From the Well of Origin, the Ice Soul Sect, and the Molten Mountain Range."

The female winged person carefully inspected the Dragon Soul Jade, and her expression gradually eased. "I am Feng Yu, captain of the Cloud Wing Guard. Come with me. The council of elders wishes to see you."

After passing through winding aerial corridors, the group arrived at the central High Tower. Unlike the solemn Sacred Source Tower, this tower was crystalline and translucent from top to bottom, as though carved from crystal. There was no floating crystal at the top of the tower, only an enormous platform where more than a dozen elderly winged people stood.

"Son of Sacred Source." The white-haired elder at the front gave a slight nod. "I am Yun Xiao, guardian of Sky City."

Ning Xiaochuan bowed. "Elder, did you know we were coming?"

Yun Xiao pointed at the Crystal Ball atop the tower, which showed the sight of Three Moons Shining Together. "The prophecy is coming true. When the three moons completely overlap, the Void Master will break through the seal."

He spread his wings and motioned for them to follow. "Sky City's Inverse Scales is called the Wings of the Firmament. It is hidden within the Eye of the Storm. But recently, abnormalities have appeared there."

On the platform atop the tower, the Crystal Ball changed its image, revealing a spinning vortex of clouds with an enormous eye-shaped form at its center.

"The Eye of the Storm has been contaminated." Yun Xiao looked deeply troubled. "None of the Scouts we sent there have returned."

Ning Xiaochuan studied the image carefully. "It's the Void Master's power. It's trying to stop us from collecting the Inverse Scales."

"We leave at first light tomorrow." Yun Xiao made his decision. "Rest tonight and recover your strength."

That night, the three were arranged to stay in a guest room. The room floated at the city's edge, and through its curved floor-to-ceiling windows, they could overlook the sea of clouds below and the occasional glimpses of land beneath it.

"Look over there." Su Linger suddenly pointed into the distance. "The northern part of the Open Source Continent."

Ning Xiaochuan followed her gesture and vaguely saw a Black Rift stretching across the sky—the very fissure north of the Sacred Source Land. It had now grown so large that it was visible even from here.

"There isn't much time left." He gently stroked the Dragon Soul Jade. "We must obtain the fourth Inverse Scales tomorrow."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon lay on the windowsill, curiously observing the world below the clouds. Suddenly, its scales stood on end, and it let out a warning "goo roo."

"What is it?" Ning Xiaochuan became alert.

Little One pointed somewhere beyond the window. Ning Xiaochuan narrowed his eyes and saw an unnatural mass of black mist spreading through the clouds, heading straight for Sky City!

"Enemy attack!" He immediately pressed the alarm button in the room.

Piercing alarm bells instantly rang throughout the city. Yun Xiao and Feng Yu soon arrived, and their faces changed drastically when they saw the black mist. "Corrosive clouds from the World Devourers! How did they find this place?"

The guards swiftly activated the Defense System. A blue beam shot from the top of the High Tower, forming a hemispherical shield over the entire city. The black mist struck the barrier with a sizzling, corrosive sound.

"This is no coincidence," Yun Xiao said grimly. "They know you're here."

Ning Xiaochuan looked toward the Eye of the Storm. "We must leave immediately while their main force is tied down here."

"That's too dangerous!" Feng Yu objected. "The Eye of the Storm is ten times more violent at night than during the day!"

"That's exactly why the enemy won't expect us to go now." Ning Xiaochuan had already made up his mind. "Please show us the way."

Yun Xiao pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "Feng Yu, take them to the wing vault. I'll remain here and command the defense."

The wing vault displayed all kinds of flying equipment, from simple gliders to complicated mechanical airships. Feng Yu selected three sets of Thundercloud Wings for them—light, agile, and capable of withstanding the impact of storms.

"Follow me." She demonstrated how to put them on. "Keep your center of gravity at your waist, and steer with your wrists."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon did not need any of that. It had already excitedly spread its four wings, eager to take flight.

Once they were equipped, four people and one dragon quietly departed through an emergency exit. Beyond the defensive barrier, black mist had already covered more than half the sky, and lightning-like red light occasionally flashed through it—the attacks of the World Devourers.

"Hold tight!" Feng Yu dove sharply into the clouds.

Ning Xiaochuan followed close behind. The Thundercloud Wings were even more responsive than he had expected, allowing him to turn almost at will. Su Linger and Yun Yi quickly mastered the technique as well, and the three flew in an arrow formation.

The Eye of the Storm was about a hundred li from Sky City. In the darkness, it looked like a spinning mass of black cotton candy, its eye-shaped center emitting an eerie red light.

"That is the contaminated Eye of the Storm," Feng Yu said through a voice-transmitting stone. "Under normal circumstances, it should be blue."

As they drew closer, the air currents became extremely unstable, and the Thundercloud Wings began to jolt violently. The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly accelerated and flew in front of Ning Xiaochuan, blocking the fiercest turbulent currents for him.

"Watch out!" Feng Yu suddenly warned. "Something's coming out of the storm!"

Several pitch-black flying creatures burst from the storm and charged straight at them. They resembled winged people, but their bodies were covered in scales rather than feathers, and their eyes were pure blood red.

"Scouts of the World Devourers!" Feng Yu drew her bow and loosed an arrow, piercing the leader's throat.

Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger launched attacks of their own, but they could not unleash their full strength while flying. The Sacred Spirit Dragon, however, moved through the storm as easily as a fish in water, weaving flexibly through it as its Dragon Breath struck the enemies with precision.

After breaking through the interception, the Eye of the Storm was close at hand. The spinning Cloud Wall seemed solid, and they had to find a passage to enter it.

"Follow me!" Feng Yu made a sharp turn and rushed toward one point on the Cloud Wall.

Just before they struck it, the Cloud Wall suddenly parted, revealing a narrow passage! Four people and one dragon filed inside, only to be swept up by violent air currents and spun like falling leaves toward the center of the storm!

"Control your posture!" Feng Yu's voice was almost inaudible amid the howling wind.

Ning Xiaochuan desperately adjusted his Thundercloud Wings and finally managed to stabilize himself. Su Linger and Yun Yi were not so fortunate, as they were flung in different directions. The Sacred Spirit Dragon hurried to rescue Su Linger, while Ning Xiaochuan chased after Yun Yi.

The inside of the storm's eye was even stranger than expected—relatively calm, yet filled with black lightning. A crystal platform floated at the center, bearing a nest-shaped container that should have held the Wings of the Firmament.

"Look above!" Yun Yi suddenly cried.

Ning Xiaochuan looked up and saw an enormous dark figure perched at the top of the storm. It resembled a bat, but it had three heads and six wings. Its claws pressed against the crystal platform as though it were drawing energy from it.

"A high-ranking general of the World Devourers!" Feng Yu's face went pale. "We're no match for it!"

But Ning Xiaochuan noticed that most of the monster's attention was focused on the platform. It had only sent a few lesser creatures to deal with the intruders. This was an opportunity.

"Distract it." He sent a message to Su Linger through the Primal Covenant. "I'll take the Inverse Scales."

Su Linger immediately understood and attacked alongside the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Mystic Ice Sword Qi intertwined with Dragon Breath and blasted toward the monster's eyes. The creature roared in pain and temporarily loosened its claws.

Ning Xiaochuan seized the chance and rushed toward the platform with all his strength. Just as he was about to touch the nest, a black light shot in from the side and struck his shoulder directly!

"Ah!" Intense pain caused Ning Xiaochuan to lose his balance, and he fell from the air.

Feng Yu hurriedly dove to catch him, but her Thundercloud Wings had already been damaged, and the two fell together toward the edge of the platform. At the critical moment, Yun Yi threw out a rope and wrapped it around a crystal pillar, stopping their fall.

"Your shoulder!" Feng Yu sucked in a sharp breath.

A bloody hole had been corroded into Ning Xiaochuan's right shoulder by the black light, and its edges had already begun to blacken. He gritted his teeth, tore off his sleeve, and used Sacred Source Power to temporarily seal the wound.

Above them, Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon had fallen into a bitter fight. The monster had recognized where the true threat lay. Its six wings beat at once, creating black tornadoes. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was struck by a black light and let out a pained cry as it fell.

"Little One!" Su Linger tried to save it, but another of the monster's claws blocked her.

Ning Xiaochuan knew he could not wait any longer. Enduring the intense pain, he climbed along the crystal pillar and approached the platform again. The monster was busy dealing with Su Linger and had not noticed this target it believed was already seriously wounded.

The nest was within reach. Ning Xiaochuan stretched out his hand, only to be blocked by an Invisible Barrier—another field that repelled Sacred Source Power!

"Su Linger!" he shouted. "I need your Profound Ice Power!"

Su Linger understood at once. She feinted past the monster and dove down. The two pressed their hands against the barrier at the same time. Sacred Source Power merged with Profound Ice Power, and the barrier shattered in response!

The Inverse Scales inside the nest revealed its true form—a transparent, feather-shaped scale, so light it seemed weightless, yet containing terrifying power.

"Wings of the Firmament..." Ning Xiaochuan carefully took it out.

The Inverse Scales flew automatically toward the Dragon Soul Jade and fitted perfectly into place. Four streams of energy converged, erupting into dazzling four-colored light that shot straight into the sky!

The monster let out an earth-shaking scream as the light struck it directly, instantly vaporizing half its body! What remained fled in panic toward the top of the storm and vanished.

The Eye of the Storm began to collapse. Its blackness faded, returning it to pure blue. But even more surprisingly, after the Sacred Spirit Dragon came into contact with the light, its injuries instantly healed. Its body also grew larger once more, and feather-like scales appeared along the edges of its four wings!

"We did it!" Su Linger joyfully hugged Ning Xiaochuan, then immediately noticed his wound. "Your injury..."

"It's nothing." Ning Xiaochuan forced a smile, though his face had turned pale from blood loss.

Feng Yu and Yun Yi rushed over to help. Four people and one dragon quickly left the Eye of the Storm. Their return journey was far smoother than the trip there, with the air currents after the storm's calming as gentle as lambs.

In the distance, Sky City's battle had ended as well. The defensive barrier remained intact, and the black mist had been completely purified. Elder Yun Xiao personally welcomed the victorious party. When he saw the four Inverse Scales on the Dragon Soul Jade, tears streamed down his aged face.

"After a thousand years of waiting, we have finally seen hope."

But Ning Xiaochuan lost consciousness from the severity of his injuries. In his haze, he felt Su Linger's cool hand press against his wound, her Profound Ice Power gently neutralizing the corrosive energy.

"Don't die..." Her choked voice seemed like a call from far away. "You promised you'd take me to see Green Pine Forest..."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also leaned closer, licking the wound with its warm tongue. The power of the four Inverse Scales flowed through the Primal Covenant and began repairing the damaged tissue.

When Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in Sky City's medical room. Outside the window, the first ray of dawn pierced the clouds, gilding the white city with a golden edge.

Su Linger had fallen asleep beside the bed, her silver hair hanging loose and tears still clinging to her lashes. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was curled up on her lap. Seeing him awake, it immediately let out a "Goo Chu" and pounced toward him.

"Shh..." Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked Little One, not wanting to wake Su Linger.

But it was already too late. Su Linger had awakened. Seeing that he was all right, tears immediately flooded her eyes. "You... idiot!"

She hugged Ning Xiaochuan tightly, hard enough to make his wound ache faintly. But Ning Xiaochuan did not push her away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around the stubborn girl.

"I'm fine," he comforted her softly. "We still have one final Inverse Scales to find."

Su Linger raised her head. Her eyes were full of tears, but she was smiling. "If you try playing the hero like that again, I'll freeze you into an ice sculpture with my Profound Ice Power!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped "Goo Chu" in agreement, waving its little claws threateningly.

Elder Yun Xiao appeared at just the right moment, bringing both good news and bad news.

The good news was that after gathering four Inverse Scales, the Dragon Soul Jade had revealed the location of the fifth—the Abyss of the Deep Sea, the sacred land of the Merfolk Tribe.

The bad news was that Sky City's observatory showed that the process of Three Moons Shining Together had accelerated. The moons were expected to overlap completely in less than ten days.

"There is even less time than we expected." Yun Xiao looked deeply troubled. "The Void Master is accelerating the process."

Ning Xiaochuan tried to sit up. "Then we leave immediately."

"No!" Su Linger and Yun Xiao objected at the same time.

"Rest for at least one day," Yun Xiao urged. "The Merfolk Tribe's underwater environment places an enormous burden on the body. You must recover completely."

Ning Xiaochuan knew they were right. He looked out the window. The sky was a flawless blue, showing no trace of last night's fierce battle. Yet the Black Rift stretching across the distant heavens reminded him that the true final battle was about to begin.

"One day." He finally relented. "Then we'll go meet the Merfolk Tribe."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew to the windowsill and gazed in the direction of the deep sea. It released a long Dragon Roar, as though declaring war on the unknown challenge ahead.