Chapter 716: The Cloud Layer
Chapter 716: The Cloud Layer
Alice stood idly on the ground, her mind wandering.
The Righteous Lioness watched Lindsey ascend, leaving her behind to wait.
"The cloud layer..."
"In the Dust Path World, I recall there were cloud-shaped elemental creatures. But this cloud layer doesn't seem alive, and it even hides something within?"
Alice pondered as she made her way to the second floor alone.
She leaped onto the roof of Lindsey's plant shop, preparing to continue guarding the foundation.
Clang!
At that moment, a sound came from the garden.
The fruits of the Radiant Ironthorn Tree had ripened, and three metal ingots fell, making a loud noise as they hit the ground.
"..."
"Game Player... What exactly is this all about?"
Alice, who had also experienced the game modules, covered her face with her hand.
Feeling helpless, she sighed and jumped down to help Lindsey retrieve the radiant iron ingots. Her mind, however, was filled with thoughts of the entire Dust Path World's situation.
The impact of war, the Silver Witch.
Having once lived in the City of Law, Alice wasn't familiar with the current situation, but she knew the consequences of war all too well.
In this world, ordinary people could barely find a place to survive.
Like the Outer Ring World, with its scarce resources, people became self-centered, prioritizing their own survival above all else.
And then, there was the Middle Ring World.
The intensity of war escalated, making resource-producing islands even more critical, and thus, they were tightly controlled by Awakened leaders.
Ordinary people lived here, occasionally finding respite from the chaos, but when true calamity struck, escape was even more challenging.
"..."
Alice took a deep breath.
She drew her longsword, gazing at her reflection in the clean steel, feeling a mix of melancholy and sadness.
But the gray eyes on the sword's blade only saw the shape of the blade.
"I must return."
"The war must end."
"This isn't about establishing the City of Law's legitimacy or maintaining a ruler's status; it's about the countless lives that need to return to normalcy, to end this unjust law."
Ding-dong!
Lindsey: [Alice, wait a bit! I'm going to clean this place out and then come down!]
Lindsey's voice chat suddenly interrupted Alice's thoughts.
Alice thought of this companion who had saved her, traveled with her, and carried countless secrets and a unique personality.
"Heh—This guy."
Alice smiled wryly.
Alice: [Lindsey, what's up? Did you find something up there?]
Lindsey: [There's a Cloud Island up here! And it's nurturing something amazing.]
Alice: [Something amazing? Did you get it? Or is there a problem? Are you in trouble?]
Lindsey: [I already got it.]
Alice: [You got it, then why aren't you coming down now?]
Lindsey: [...]
Lindsey: [I plan to move this Cloud Island too.]
Alice: [...]
The conversation ended, leaving Alice with a mix of laughter and tears.
She held the three radiant ingots in her arms and looked up again.
The cloud layer had subtly changed since she last gazed upon it.
Alice had only been able to sense Lindsey's location, not perceiving anything special about the cloud layer.
But now, its core had been severed, and the aura of ethereal and hidden power dissipated, confirming Lindsey's words.
The cloud concealed something.
That something was now like pork on a cutting board, being sliced piece by piece.
And when the last trace of its presence vanished from the cloud layer,
Alice saw a figure rushing out from within and plummeting straight down.
"Lindsey?!"
"Even with an Awakened physique, jumping down like that is too reckless!"
Alice's essence flowed.
She was about to use her technique to help Lindsey, who was still in the air, slow his descent.
But before the Righteous Lioness could make a move, Lindsey's body suddenly twisted sideways, and his speed abruptly decreased, causing his downward trajectory to spiral.
"..."
"A new ability again."
Alice retracted her action.
Soon after, Lindsey landed safely.
The impact was so minimal that it didn't even bend his knees.
After landing, Lindsey excitedly displayed the materials he had just collected in front of Alice.
In addition to Atmospheric Essence, there were also some synthesis formulas for Floating Cloud Flakes.
[1-3 Floating Cloud Flakes + 1 Any Object = Floating Object]
[1 Floating Cloud Flake + 1 Dandelion Seed + 1 Clear Water + 1 Glass Bottle = Slow Fall Potion]
[1 Floating Cloud Flake + 1 Platinum + 1 Clear Water + 1 Glass Bottle = Atmospheric Resistance Potion]
...
Alice across from her took the Atmospheric Essence and Floating Cloud Flakes.
The power contained within the former was incredibly exaggerated, and even Alice, a sixth-tier Awakened, couldn't help but marvel at it.
As for the latter, the Floating Cloud Flakes themselves were so light and fluffy that when Alice released her fingers, the white 'cotton candy' floated directly in the air without falling to the ground.
"Interesting!"
Alice's eyes were also filled with curiosity:
"I know that in the Dust Path World, some elemental creatures are born within the atmosphere and storms. But I never imagined that such things would be hidden within the clouds!"
Lindsey's eyes widened in surprise at her words:
"Alice, what did you just say?"
Alice looked up:
"I said... I never expected that such things would be hidden within the clouds..."
Lindsey quickly interrupted her:
"I meant the first part of your sentence!"
Alice then rephrased her words:
"In the Dust Path World, some elemental creatures are born within the atmosphere and storms?"
"..."
"Great!"
Lindsey clenched his fists, feeling like he wanted to throw a party to celebrate this news.
The drop items from elemental creatures usually included elemental crystals.
This news directly meant the synthesis of the Freedom Seal!
Alice was curious about Lindsey's sudden excitement:
"What's so special about this news that you're so happy?"
Lindsey couldn't hide the smile on his face:
"I need corresponding elemental crystals to craft equipment, and there's a chance to collect them from the hunting materials of elemental creatures!"
"Then I suggest you don't harm ordinary elemental spirits," Alice immediately corrected with a serious expression. "Most of them are gentle and may even lend a helping hand to humans in distress."
"Only storm-related elements are highly aggressive. It's best to collect materials from them."
Lindsey naturally nodded in agreement:
"Of course, that's not a problem!"
With the topic of equipment concluded, the two packed up and continued on their journey.
Lindsey recalled his recent descent from the sky and casually mentioned to Alice:
"Alice, the city ahead is occupied by the Silver Witch."
"This situation might affect us, but it also brings hope."
"A seventh-stage Awakened must have many resources at their disposal. Perhaps they even possess the kind of flying ship crafted by a craftsman?"
(End of Chapter)
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