The gray-black clouds and shadowy sky were pierced by a magnificent pillar of light, opening a blue sky over the entire giant city.
The edges of the blue sky hinted at thunder, but upon seeing the Holy Capital Vitas, one felt neither fear nor worry; instead, there emerged a sense of majestic sanctity.
Because when approaching from the outside, the first sight is the towering White Crystal Twin Towers, resembling a crown. They lean towards each other, their tops connected by a bridge, forming the dome of the city's gate, reaching an astounding height of 354 meters, seemingly piercing the heavens.
The twin towers are embedded with golden decorations inscribed with runes, maintaining their stability from both structural and spiritual levels.
They are the number one symbol of the Holy City—the Gate of Brilliance, with a magic shield emanating from their tops, enveloping the entire island. When viewed from a distance, the outside world is shrouded in black winds, while inside it is splendidly bright, with chirping birds and fragrant flowers.
Between the twin towers lies an 87-meter wide passage into the city, leading directly to the sky port at the island's edge. From here, diverse flying airships are densely arrayed, stretching to faraway places along the island.
The size, color, shape, hovercraft design, wing appearance, power furnace condition... each ship is different from the next, providing an additional layer of awe outside that giant door.
The sky port docks have been expanded several times, yet a space is still hard to find at a glance.
Therefore, the remaining airships simply allow people to remain on board, hovering over the skies outside the Holy City, using small attached boats for transport. This way, they only need temporary docking at the port, speeding up throughput.
Their numbers far exceed those docked at the ports, so, when the Holy City comes into view, other than the majestic Gate of Brilliance, it's these sky-filling airships that leave a deep impression.
When traveling through the skies in a large vessel, people often feel solitary, as if they are the only one in the sky, yet at this moment, they realize they are but a small fish among a school of large fish in the sea, not so significant after all.
Although there are other bustling sky islands with fine distinctions like the City of Trade, Magic Country, and Thousand Tower City, also with vast human traffic, since the establishment of the Sky Knight Guild, the status of the Holy City has gradually elevated. People from all directions gather here, making it the city with the richest and most diverse offerings—the rarest treasures elsewhere can all be found in the Holy City.
"There!"
Zoe excitedly pointed at the staircase beneath the gate.
From the sky port onward, a wide avenue paved with intricately carved stone bricks leads directly to the Gate of Brilliance. After a stretch of stairs upwards, one can arrive right beneath the twin towers' dome.
Here stands a fountain composed of multiple statues and intricate decorations, named the Memorial Spring, the first sight upon arriving in the Holy City, and as such, it has become a famous attraction.
"Isn't it right there? It's right there!"
Zoe clung to the ship's railing, jumping up and down, turning to look at Li Ang with excitement that made her eyes turn red.
The Memorial Spring is exactly where her parents took a photo together, and for the young girl, the entire world is shrouded in mist. Apart from Li Ang, a beacon, the only place she can awaken her sense of security is from this place she clearly knows.
"Yes."
"Let's go there immediately once we get off, to take a picture! To——"
Zoe's mouth was filled with nonsensical, excited utterances.
"Okay." Li Ang agreed readily.
Zoe's expression was a mix of tears and laughter, with a quiver in her voice, she said, "Let's use the same photo frame, in the same spot, shall we?"
Li Ang nodded to her, thinking that finding the frame might not be easy.
He remembered where her parents had chosen the frame, in a boutique shop with a trademark engraved on it, but whether that style of frame is still sold is unclear. Though the Holy Capital Vitas is a city of the fantasy world, its product iteration speed rivals that of modern cities on Earth.
"Are you two... standing too close?"
Dorothy gazed at Li Ang and Zoe with a meaningful look.
"Did you do something while I wasn't aware?"
"We did." Zoe said straightforwardly.
"What!" Dorothy immediately shrieked, grabbing Li Ang with flailing arms.
Luckily, there were other members of the Order Sky Knight Corps around, and Elaphia was slowly approaching, preventing her from causing a more outrageous scene.
Outside the ship's side, other ships were also flying towards the Holy City. Here, almost everyone recognized the emblem of the Order Flame Corps, and from ships in all directions, eyes were drawn.
Li Ang lowered his voice to the half-elf, "It won't be more ridiculous than you, let me go."
"I thought this was it!" Dorothy whispered in Li Ang's ear.
"She doesn't understand anything, and I don't think you would learn that fast either, so it's just...?"
She raised her hand to point at her lips.
Though Li Ang said nothing, she seemed to have learned how to judge his response from his expression and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
She then turned back, her rainbow-colored eyes fixated on the nonchalant Zoe: "Why do you look so proud!"
"What did that mean?" Andasu came over to ask.
"Oh, I'll tell you later," Dorothy regained her composure, waiting for the strange looks from others to fade away.
Li Ang scratched his head: "Check your personal belongings and luggage; get ready to disembark."
He looked over at the girls: "Did you put on everything I told you to before?"
Seeing their nods, he did a brief check again.
These items weren't any strange gimmicks, but high-quality Transcendent Realm equipment acquired from the Platinum King's Treasure Vault.
The main outfitting was for Andasu since Li Ang hadn't had a chance to furnish her with equipment specifically.
On her wrist was the [Death Battle Bracelet] with silver-lined edges and a dark blue base, which the Platinum King had initially included in an unredeemed championship prize.
Her shirt and pants were a two-piece set, the [Traveler's Clothing] and [Trekking Greaves], naturally resistant to elemental attacks. When both are present, they can transform, although the range and extent are small, they allow the Beast-Earkin's spine to be exposed for better heat dissipation, and additionally conjure various suitable tools for adventure.
Her boots were the [Light Shadow Boots], able to mold silent shadows around her feet, eliminating walking sounds, and enhancing agility.
Two rings, one casting a spell to temporarily enhance jumping, and the other capable of condensing a temporary metal protective layer on needed body parts, suitable for professions lacking defense but focusing on agility.
In addition, there's a "Spark Necklace" that can emit electric circles, supplementing her insufficient magic attack,
As for weapons, it's a pair of dusty Blade Claws from the Yunxiang Race.
Upon seeing them, Andasu immediately recognized them, because even though the Yunxiang Race had been exiled for many years, some patterns were still retained, sewn onto their clothes. These patterns also appeared on this pair of Blade Claws.
They naturally aren't relics from ancient times, but rather weapons produced by the Yunxiang Race when they were still free. After being captured by the Platinum Imperial Family, they entered the Treasure Vault.
"Dark Swift Strike"
"The night is deep, this is the time to vanquish the wicked"
"Tier: 5"
"Category: Fist Blade"
"Equipment Skills: Shadow Stealth Assault, Flying Scythe Black Blade"
The Blade Claw can, in the darkness, initiate a surprise attack using shadows, with a cooling time of about three hours. It can also transform into chains, connecting with a scythe-shaped black blade to conduct long-range reaping during swings, making up for the lack of ranged attack in close combat.
Then, she stopped using the previous Short Gun, as cultivating as an Evil Assassin had enhanced her combat ability to the point where she didn't need guns to supplement damage. It should be responsible for broadening the attack range.
Therefore, she chose a Shotgun.
"Silver Storm"
"Hard bullets radiate a deadly silver rain"
"Tier: 4"
"Category: Gun"
"Equipment Skills: Bullet Enhancement, Continuous Fire Magazine"
It can coat bullets with a metal layer upon firing, greatly increasing lethality.
Using this gun is a consideration for being surrounded by lackeys at mid-range.
As for Dorothy, she originally had two Rings, one being a Guardian Ring she never wanted to take off, always keeping it for Li Ang to prevent him from getting hurt. The other was the Ring of the Vigorous Champion left from their adventurous times, which suited her situation and wasn't replaced.
Her Golden Sand Set is complete in itself, and now the Dragon Sealing Staff is also entrusted to her. Due to the mutated Star Crystal Demon-Born Flower and Dragonblood Bloombeast being able to cast magic independently, she could gain an extra casting ability.
She couldn't wield too heavy a weapon, so she still chose a Magic Staff.
"Arcane Wand"
"Mimics the operating principle of Arcane Energy, sealing a miniaturized Magic Array within the staff to filter magic power, but what you get is not advanced magic Arcane, but Arcane Missile, hehe"
"Tier: 5"
"Category: Magic Staff"
"Casting Enhancement: slightly improves casting effect"
"Equipment Skills: Arcane Missile [Tier Three], Arcane Missile [Tier Four], Arcane Missile [Tier Five]"
This is a fairly decent caster equipment for supplementing, with Casting Enhancement almost negligible, but the independently sealed and cooled three Arcane Missiles are quite interesting.
Arcane Missile involves compressing magic power and transforming it into high-purity energy for bombardment as a spell.
Its inception stems from research on Arcane Energy, and using real Arcane Energy to release an Arcane Missile makes it more than just a regular spell of an ordinary magic profession, instead being a top-tier pure magic bombardment.
But at Tier Three, its power is even weaker than the Magic Shock Li Ang used to favor without equipment, but it excels in number and has a broader effect than Magic Shock.
Upon reaching the Transcendent Realm, Arcane Missile's effect becomes considerable, with a single casting capable of launching over ten missiles in multiple groups, useful for supplementing damage to break through defenses or for suppression and restraint.
Beyond the Magic Staff, she also picked a Necklace that could cast Flying Technique, making it convenient for this clumsy and delicate young lady to displace at crucial moments.
As for Alulu, the armor suitable for her needs Li Ang's help to make, so for now, she wore the previous one without upgrades.
However, she found horn-adorned equipment suitable for the Horned Race in the Treasure Vault, with specifications fitting for younglings, just fitting her current short horns. It's apparent these used to belong to the Ox Race's Platinum Kingship family, but Alulu seemed concerned about something and requested Li Ang to craft one separately, not wanting to wear it.
Most jewelry equipment is for storing spells or enhancing movement abilities, which isn't quite fitting for Alulu. Her movement ability was never an issue, and she didn't need to stop her battle to cast spells, which would otherwise reduce her offensive decisions.
Therefore, aside from the Baker's Ring, she wore functional rings to enhance agility, which was somewhat useful to her.
No necklaces were left in the Treasure Vault, and Li Ang initially intended to give the Eye of the Burrow Spider, which allows sight in darkness, to her. However, even Xiaoniu, being a grounded girl, found it disgusting and didn't want it.
Eventually, Li Ang decided to handle this item and other equipment from the Vault at the Holy City's marketplace.
As for Zoe, she did not choose to supplement equipment. Firstly, because ornaments were scarce and better suited for others, as she could transform herself, functional supplementation wasn't as necessary.
Secondly, swords capable of emitting powerful Elemental Attacks at the Transcendent Realm were also scarce, mostly based on their own resilience and sharpness with little element integration for assistance.
She hadn't yet mastered the Equipment Set given by Elaphia, so she wouldn't force herself to choose two swords.
After this round of supplementation, the young girls were almost armed to the teeth.
Elaphia's ship passed by a series of waiting Flying Airships, heading directly to the dock reserved by the Guild for the Order Corps.
The benefit of hitching her ride is evident here.
After landing, various personnel onboard each went about their own affairs, and Elaphia temporarily parted from the group as well.
The meeting convenes tomorrow; she needs to report some information.
Li Ang, on his part, needs to arrange accommodations for the young girls to stay, after which they would reconnect.
It was time belonging solely to the Star Flower Travel Corps; Zoe was swift in leading the charge, running along the spacious avenue lined with blooming flowers and greenery straight towards the dome beneath the Gate of Brilliance.

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