At dusk, the Weapon God arrived at the Weapon Race’s homeland.
This is a large sky island composed of solidified giant rocks, forming a towering Sword Mountain with various gaps, allowing the race to cultivate villages and cities within.
The lush greenery hanging down from the mountain blocks strong winds, and the intense sunlight of the Salem Sky Realm is filtered to become a mild brightness. Water flows between houses, moistening the air, making this place worthy of being called a paradise.
Within the rock mass of the Sword Mountain, there is also a huge quantity of precious metals, which form the foundation for the race’s weapon wielding.
"This island formed by Sword Mountain is said to be the earth raised from the Sea of Scarlet by the God of Weapons," Farlonio explained.
This spectacle amazed Diao, who hadn’t seen much of the outside world. Even Li Ang had to admit, such scenery is rare.
The environment can affect a person’s mindset; living here, it’s not surprising for one to naturally possess the pride as sharp as a steel blade.
Sword Platform Island, that’s its name.
It’s not marked on any sky map, and the surrounding magic power is disturbing many instruments, which Diao also noticed. The young girl commented that although it hasn’t reached a state like Zultin Marsh, which exists between two dimensions, it’s not just an ordinary material dimension anymore.
"The Alma Family’s main territory is under the Fifth Sword Peak, while the Alaphia Family, now the palace of the First Family, is under the First Peak. Let’s not go to the Fifth Peak, we can stop at the First Peak," Falo whispered.
This was the first time Li Ang heard of such a situation, and he curiously asked, "Is there any difference between the two?"
Farlonio explained that according to the clan’s history, after the Weapon God’s descendants divided into different clans based on their weapon specialties, there were disputes, resulting in different residences.
The number of each peak is most realistically assigned based on the abundance of resources.
"Originally, the Second Peak was the First Peak’s because, at that time, there was no Martial Extreme Trial or tradition of choosing the First Family," Falo said.
Li Ang nodded, "Which families do other Sword Peaks belong to?"
"The Second Sword Peak belongs to Gladius, the Sword Clan."
Farlonio pointed to the outermost, sharpest, and almost the highest peak of the entire island—under the mountain, houses made of silver metal stood facing the blazing sun of the Salem Sky Realm, reflecting dazzling light, like a sword’s edge, unabashedly displaying their existence.
"The Third Sword Peak belongs to Pugio, the Blade Clan."
"The Fourth Sword Edge belongs to Bapnis, the Axe Race."
When mentioning Bapnis, Li Ang noticed Farlonio’s expression was a bit unnatural—he pointed in a direction carelessly and dropped his hand.
The Fourth Peak is the most robust, and its sharpness lies not at the top but in the vertical rock walls on both sides, like axe blades, not flashy but possibly possessing the greatest destructive power.
"The Fifth Peak is the Alma Family’s, the Clan of Armor."
The Alma Clan’s mountain is the most peculiar; it can’t even be called a Sword Edge. It doesn’t stand upright but is horizontally suspended. It’s considered a wonder of Sword Platform Island, as the mountain has been hollowed out by the Weapon Race, with houses built on the mountain body, like equipping the suspended mountain with armor.
The remaining Sword Mountains are where the less powerful small families live mixed, and the scenery isn’t as special as the previous four Sword Peaks.
Falo said that once a powerful family also rose to occupy one peak alone, but over time, they faded away. The largest families that remained are the four: Sword, Blade, Axe, and Armor.
The view of the Fifth Peak quickly disappeared as the airship turned and blocked it. Ahead, a Sword Edge resembling a wide Long Sword thrust straight into the clouds.
"So this is the First Peak?" Diao promptly asked.
"That’s right."
Falo nodded, "There aren’t many resources here; it’s listed as the First Peak because it’s centrally located and symbolically represents the King’s Sword. Hence, it’s used as the residence of the First Family."
This still didn’t completely explain Li Ang’s confusion: "Is the Alma family here different from the Alma family on the Fifth Peak?"
Falo paused, giving the Spiritual Forger a meaningful look.
"Mr. Li Ang is indeed perceptive. Think about it: to use a Sword Mountain as a residence, each major clan has a large population. Naturally, there’s a main family and branch family. If the ruling main family has many descendants, there must be a hierarchy based on strength among the descendants."
Since the rise of Elaphia Alma’s father, Taladin Alma, who possessed the strength of a Legendary Blade Knight, he became the backbone of the entire Alma Clan. After winning the Martial Extreme Trial twenty years ago, Alma became the First Family, briefly rising to the pinnacle of the Weapon Race.
"However, now with Elaphia supporting the family, this position isn’t easy to maintain. Even though she’s the strongest in this generation, she can’t do it alone," Falo sighed.
"What about her father, that uncle now?" Diao asked.
"Passed away," Falo shook his head.
Diao paused, showing a trace of melancholy on her face.
"Indeed, when a person’s life ends, even the greatest glory built collapses with it."
Li Ang felt that Diao actually understood and could comprehend many things. She was talking about the Alma family, perhaps also remembering her own parents. They were the initial reason she didn’t fully respect Li Ang.
"True glory never perishes; if it does, then it was only temporary authority," Li Ang said.
"Ha, Mr. Li Ang actually echoes Aifei’s words, no wonder..."
"Brilliant achievements and great endeavors will be recorded in history. Unless, of course, there’s a catastrophe where the history books are burnt, then there’s nothing to be done," Li Ang smiled.
"Ha-ha, why so consistent, fine, I’ll say less then..."
The voice behind Farlonio gradually diminishes, as the Weapon God has already approached the port of the First Peak.
Due to the conspicuousness of this ship, as it neared the peak, various Haven race members suspended by metal equipment began to look over. Falo saw the distance was about right, quickly beckoned, and stepped onto the flying sword, entering the cabin.
"From here, if Mr. Li Ang and the two ladies want to follow me inside, they need to disguise as Haven race members."
"That’s not a problem," Li Ang replied.
Farlonio summoned three attendants, all of whom were female, possessing captivating appearances, and were close attendants of Alaphia.
"They are named Kaliya, Eviss, and Passel. I’ve already informed them that you will replace their identities and disembark together. These three will take food and water and wait in the secret room of the Weapon God for the next steps."
Li Ang paused; since it’s a disguise illusion, he was too lazy to argue with Crafty Merchant Douding over whether to pretend to be male or female.
He nodded to the three, "Thank you for your hard work."
"It’s not hard." The chief maid-like attendant bowed her head, "For the sake of the young lady, these matters are nothing to us."
Her name was Kaliya, and when she raised her head, there was a sharp flash in her eyes. Li Ang could sense that this attendant was also close to the Excellence Realm.
"I also sincerely ask Mr. Li Ang to wholeheartedly help the young lady. She deserves the best treatment..."
The attendant girl gazed intently at Li Ang, scrutinizing him carefully.
This kind of scrutiny was not hostile but could be considered impolite in ordinary circumstances. However, Li Ang could understand her current emotional agitation.
Every time Aifei got close to him, these attendants would look at him with various meaningful gazes, perhaps out of curiosity or perhaps wanting to see what the person favored by the young lady was like.
Or perhaps, they might think about the future...
Li Ang seriously nodded to her, "Don’t worry, I will do my best."
He raised his hand, and the illusory spirit forge enveloped himself, Diao, and Lily, the magic power prying into spirituality to construct an unnoticeable disguise.
Witnessing this ability firsthand naturally surprised the three, greatly reducing Kaliya’s unease.
Deeply bowing, the three attendants walked into the depths of the ship’s cabin.
Li Ang experienced the height of the Douding Family, shook his head. When he used the illusion form on himself for the first time, he was surprised to find that although the power remained, the appearance truly changed, even the height could be altered. Spirit Casting Art once again refreshed his cognition.
"Let’s go." Farlonio stepped forward with a smile of triumph. Now, they were of the same height, so she no longer needed to look up to speak with Li Ang.
Li Ang said to Lily and Diao, who were also not accustomed to this height, "Let’s go."
The three of them took a few steps with small strides, the distance moved far shorter than before. As their eyes met, they finally understood why the Douding Family’s short legs swung so fast when walking.
And why they loved riding various vehicles.
Gritting his teeth, Li Ang led the two in a jogging manner, managing to reach the normal walking speed of humans and other races.
After getting off the ship, a wide metal avenue led straight to the Central Sword Edge. Only after approaching could they discover some metal mechanisms on the road. Once stepped on, they would be automatically driven by magic power to the central area.
"Having this makes sense," Li Ang said, the voice he spoke with exactly matching Kaliya’s.
"Hehe, Mr. Li Ang, are you now experiencing the feeling of the Haven race?"
Farlonio laughed and stepped onto the transport mechanism, followed by Li Ang and the others, and soon the transport device advanced automatically driven by magic power. The wind blew in their faces, and they had to use magic power to strengthen their force to stand firmly, ensuring they didn’t get blown away.
All weapons races were here, their inherent bloodline powers making them indifferent to such strong winds.
"When we enter later, I will address Mr. Li Ang as Kaliya, and the other two misses similarly. So, don’t reveal any slip-ups."
Arriving under the sword edge, the Sword Mountain had become a sheer cliff visible only by tilting up ninety degrees. Ahead, the magnificent palace of the First Family came into view.
Whether due to the height or something else, Li Ang felt this palace extraordinarily vast and majestic. But as they got closer, seeing the door and steps built to other racial standards, he somewhat understood.
As he became a Haven race member, he realized that the houses built by the Douding based on their standards were always large; external ones aside, why are they still like this on Haven race islands?
"Not here? Went out? Temporarily changed trial times? How could this be?"
However, as soon as they reached the entrance, Farlonio encountered something unexpected.
She turned back to the three, saying, "This isn’t good; we need to go to the Central Peak first."
"Central Peak?" Li Ang questioned.
As they walked, Falo explained to the three that it was the location of the Martial Extreme Trial. The reason it was picked was because the "Divine Armory" was located there, thus it was also known as Holy Sword Peak.
"It’s easy to find, the tallest and largest Sword Peak is it."
Leading the three to board the small flying airship used inside Sword Platform Island, they hurriedly headed towards the center of the island without entering the Alaphia family.
Soon, they could see small flying airships with a non-affiliated metallic exterior surrounding the massive central peak. Compared to its grandeur, these small ships looked like decorations of a balloon.
On Holy Sword Peak, the shouts were deafening, and even at high altitude, a dueling arena could be seen.
On the field, two Douding Family people confronted each other. One’s golden hair shone as if fused with sunlight, and the giant sword in her hand was poised in an impeccable starting stance.

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