Storms Above and at Sea

Sky Island, outskirts of Shandora Forest.

Lin Nuo flew low through the air, slowing down as he observed his surroundings.

If Birka was to the south...

Lin Nuo pondered as he flew.

To get there, he could catch a Guide Bird.

He remembered that once this kind of bird left its habitat, it would lose its sense of direction. Only when its head faced south would it feel comfortable.

Perfect for use as a living compass.

Lin Nuo lowered his altitude and skimmed above the treetops, his gaze sweeping across every branch.

Guide Birds, also known as South-South Birds, looked rather strange. They should not be hard to find...

Lin Nuo's ears twitched slightly as he activated the Voice of All Things.

At that moment, aside from the faint cries of animals, he suddenly caught several unusual breathing sounds.

A lot of them.

Behind trees and rocks in every direction.

The corners of Lin Nuo's lips curved up. Pretending not to notice anything, he continued flying forward.

Just as he passed over an open clearing—

"Don't even think about invading our holy land!!"

A furious roar erupted from all directions.

Dozens of figures charged out from their hiding places!

They wore battle attire crudely stitched from animal hides and cloth, their bodies painted with red tribal markings.

At their head was a scar-faced warrior holding a war hammer embedded with an Impact Dial high above his head.

"Drive the invaders of our holy land out!"

Amid their impassioned chants, attacks rained down like a storm.

Lin Nuo sighed.

Thud.

The first warrior sprawled face-first on the ground.

Then came the second, the third...

Within three short seconds, every Shandia warrior who had charged out was lying face-down on the cloud ground, sprawled out as if in full prostration.

Lin Nuo