Chapter 655: Featherfolk Race
Chapter 655: Featherfolk Race
Although Ji Chen didn’t know the exact number of those corrupted skeletal lizards, he was likely they now now prevalent throughout this ocean. In theory, there was no safe place in the sea.
Ji Chen asked, “Sir Solidus, who are the native inhabitants residing on the Floating Mountain?”
“The inhabitants of the Floating Mountain are a group known as the
Featherfolk. They are one of the original peoples of this realm.”
Since the Featherfolk are indigenous, they probably knew something about the specific origins of those corrupted skeletal lizards and events that occurred in this realm a century ago.
If they could rest temporarily on the Floating Mountain, it would be even better for reorganizing their military forces.
Ji Chen made up her mind, but he didn’t immediately voice it. Instead, he looked at Solidus and said, “Sir Solidus, we agreed earlier that you would lead us to find high-level Dragon Whale bloodlines. Now that Lady Anina has successfully absorbed it, the agreement is complete. Investigating the demons carries some risks, and you are free to leave this matter…”
Solidus’ expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and he spoke with a hint of anger, “Do you think I, Solidus, am the kind of person who fears death? As you humans often say, ‘When a disaster strikes, it is rare for everything to remain unharmed.’
The invasion of demons concerns the entire world. How can I retreat just because of some danger?
The epic-tier Deep Sea Dragon Whale who arrived here a hundred years ago discovered the intent of the demon invasion and resolutely sacrificed their life to stop it. As a member of the Deep Sea Dragon Whale clan, how can I shrink back!?”
These words left Ji Chen speechless, and he could only nod.
“In that case, Sir Solidus, you can continue to travel with us and find evidence of the demon invasion.”
Solidus finally smiled with satisfaction, which changed Ji Chen’s opinion of him considerably.
He continued in a gentler tone, “Let’s go to the Floating Mountain and make contact with the Featherfolk.”
After a brief orientation, they headed in the direction of the Floating Mountain.
As they got closer, the Floating Mountain appeared even more magnificent. There were dozens of towering peaks suspended above their head, casting a massive, looming shadow over the sea surface.
The Floating Mountains were not linked together; each one floated separately, and the lowest one was positioned at about fifty to sixty meters above the sea level.
Looking up at the Floating Mountains above their heads, Solidus couldn’t help but grimace, feeling a genuine aversion to the sky as a marine race.
But he still asked, “How do we get up there? You have over a hundred flying dragons, but it will take quite an effort…”
Ji Chen smiled and shook his head, not answering directly but snapping his fingers.
[Ocean Domain (Golden skill, can create a floating ocean domain within a radius of eight hundred meters…; the domain can absorb nearby water sources and create a suspended water domain in the air).]
The second effect of the Ocean Domain.
Suddenly, a layer of seawater beneath their feet surged upward, lifting the Crown of the Ocean and all the heroes as if they were on an elevator, slowly ascending towards the heights.
The heroes looked down in astonishment as their bodies submerged into this layer of seawater, which disappeared abruptly at a depth of twenty meters, leaving only air below.
From a distance, they appeared to be floating on a lake.
Solidus had a nervous look on his face, fearing he might fall. The entire whale’s body remained tense until they reached the same height as the lowest floating mountain. Only then did he relax a bit, jumping from the suspended water domain to a platform on the floating mountain.
Ji Chen climbed onto the platform of the floating mountain, looked around, but saw no traces of the Featherfolk. They were likely living on higher floating mountains.
Looking upward, the tallest floating mountain was probably hundreds of meters high, with outlines of buildings faintly visible, resembling a city in the sky.
Ji Chen glanced at Solidus, who appeared somewhat uncomfortable as he peered over the edge. He smiled and said, “Sir Solidus, please return to the suspended water domain. We need to continue ascending.”
Solidus visibly swallowed hard and, while looking at the several hundred meters high floating mountain above, instinctively wanted to refuse. However, seeing Ji Chen’s enigmatic smile, he gritted his teeth and jumped back into the suspended water domain.
Ji Chen couldn’t help but chuckle when he noticed Solidus avoiding looking down and appearing tense. He raised her hand and controlled the suspended water domain to continue ascending.
The farther they were from the sea surface, the more difficult it became to control, and the faster the consumption of magical power increased exponentially. When they reached a height of about a hundred meters, it started to feel strenuous. But it was at this moment that the Featherfolk finally noticed the suspended water domain rising.
Two groups of Featherfolk, each consisting of a hundred people, flew down from above with bows and spears in hand.
Featherfolk Divine Archers, Sixth Tier, 1-star.
Featherfolk Spear Masters, Sixth Tier, 1-star.
The Featherfolk bore a resemblance to humans, including both men and women among their kind. They possessed a delicate and graceful appearance, featuring pristine white wings on their backs and a few feather-like plumes behind their ears. Their skin was as fair as snow.
They were dressed in scale armor, wielding steel-tipped spears and sturdy bows. Coupled with their exceptional beauty that was no less than that of elves, they appeared quite heroic.
“Don’t move! One more step, and we will launch an attack!” shouted the lead Featherfolk Centurion loudly.
Ji Chen stopped ascending to indicate a friendly gesture. However, the Sea Crystal Wyrms had taken off unnoticed and were circling around. If one were to look closely, one could see their flight paths intersecting with the trajectories of the Featherfolk’s arrows. Once the Featherfolk initiated an attack, the Sea Crystal Wyrms would use their bodies to block the arrows, preventing them from reaching the suspended water domain.
It was necessary to take precautions before understanding the Featherfolk’s temperament.
The Featherfolk Centurion looked at the extraordinary sight before them with a hint of amazement. This sight of something ascending as if defying gravity, carrying thousands of soldiers on top, was truly astonishing to them.
Ji Chen stepped forward and spoke loudly, “I am Ji Chen, the Lord of the Crown of the Ocean. We have come to discuss matters with your Featherfolk tribe.”
Discuss matters?
The Featherfolk Centurion refused without much thought, “We Featherfolk have no connection with you humans or the aquatic races, and there will be no overlap… You better leave, or we will launch an attack.”
Perhaps seeing that two more groups of a hundred had arrived from his own side, the Centurion’s tone suddenly became more assertive.
Ji Chen didn’t appear angry and responded calmly, “Are you not concerned about the corrupted skeletal lizards? Have you no worries at all?”
The Featherfolk Centurion’s complexion changed slightly at her words. “You have already fought against those lizards?!”
“More than just fighting; we’ve killed quite a few of them. We may even know where these corrupted skeletal lizards come from.”
“Really!? Tell me quickly!”
Feeling a sudden sense of urgency, the Featherfolk Centurion spoke impulsively before realizing he had spoken out of turn. He recognized the significance of the human’s words and said earnestly, “Please wait here; I will go and report this.”
With that, the Featherfolk Centurion flapped his wings and flew towards the higher floating mountain. He left behind hundreds of Featherfolk soldiers hovering in the air on alert.
Ji Chen watched as the Featherfolk Centurion gracefully flapped his wings, swiftly maneuvering between the Floating Mountains like a bird in flight. He couldn’t help but admire the agility of the Centurion.
The Featherfolk truly seemed like children of the sky, their agility surpassing even that of the Sea Crystal Wyrms. If a military force were formed by Featherfolk, it would indeed compensate for the Crown of the Ocean’s lack of aerial combat capabilities.
As thoughts swirled in Ji Chen’s mind, the Featherfolk Centurion returned with a slightly more polite tone.
“You can take a few guards to the uppermost floating mountain, but these troops will need to stay here.”
Ji Chen glanced around and replied, “Without me, this suspended water domain cannot be maintained. Please find a sufficiently deep lake or water source to accommodate my army, as I am not comfortable leaving them on the sea surface.”
The Featherfolk Centurion nodded in agreement. “There is a floating mountain on this level that can accommodate them. Please lead them to follow me.”
“Lord Ji Chen, you may go up, and I will stay on this level,” Solidas suddenly spoke. Seeing the strange looks from the heroes, especially the disdainful expression in Annina’s eyes, he quickly explained, “I’m just afraid you won’t be able to bring so many heroes up with you.”
Ji Chen smiled and nodded. “Very well, Sir Solidas, you can stay on this level.”
“Annina, Alice, Herald, the three of you will follow me, and Benbo and Diago will also stay.”
“Yes!” the heroes replied.
Seeing that they had finished arranging everything, the Featherfolk Centurion didn’t waste any more time. He led them to a flat floating mountain a few hundred meters away. At the mountain’s waist, there was a lake several tens of meters deep, large enough to accommodate thousands of troops from the Crown of the Ocean.
After settling the army, Ji Chen and the three heroes boarded the Sea Crystal Wyrms and followed the Featherfolk Centurion, circling and ascending around one floating mountain after another.
After roughly ten minutes, they arrived at the uppermost layer of floating mountains. In front of them stood magnificent Gothic-style buildings constructed on the floating mountains.
Continuous arches and spires, flying buttresses hanging from the mountain’s edge, elegant glass windows, round gazebos, fountains made of white stone…
In the dimly lit sky, this predominantly white-colored architectural complex exuded an atmosphere that was both grand and slightly decadent.
The Featherfolk had built such a stunning dwelling place on these floating mountains, which truly surprised Ji Chen.
“Please follow me to the council hall up ahead,” the Featherfolk Centurion urged.
Ji Chen snapped back to attention and nodded.
The group landed on a rather spacious floating mountain, walked across a square paved with stone, and entered a magnificent building where a group of Featherfolk was already waiting.
Seeing Ji Chen enter, a Featherfolk with a circular gold crown stood up and politely said, “I am Augustus, the chieftain of the Featherfolk tribe. Welcome, Sir.”
“I am Ji Chen, the Lord of the Crown of the Ocean,” Ji Chen replied casually.
However, his eyes were fixed on the Featherfolk chieftain.
The Feather folk chieftain was not a hero unit, but the young female Featherfolk by his side was a hero unit.
[Patheia (Featherfolk Hero)]
[Race]: Featherfolk
[Tier]: Legacy (Red)