Above The Sky

Chapter 2103 - 51: The Disappearance of Ian Silverpeak

"This is the essence of Aether, it’s quite normal."

"Hmm." Anfa cautiously placed the other green gemstone — no need for explanation, the right eye — into the box for preservation. After doing all this, she finally sighed: "This is a bit too advanced, I can’t quite accept it..."

[Indeed, couldn’t you just leave a dragon scale or claw as a marker?]

The three Dragon Kings beside her all nodded in agreement. Even the True Dragon Kings found it hard to accept such an approach; it was just a bit too open-minded.

"You are dragons, aren’t you? You can use a dragon tooth, claw, or scale as a marker; I’m a human."

Ian turned his head with a hint of annoyance, did they really think he didn’t want to?

Leaving behind a heritage artifact, responding to a call in times of crisis for friends, disciples, and relatives — that would be so cool, incredibly cool; summoning markers, be it dragon teeth or claws, are much more suitable than skulls, eyes, or hearts. If there were dragon horns, it would be even more impressive.

But who said he was human? The Glass Emperor Dragon, while considered his avatar, is more a part of Green Pupil; its entire being could only compare to one of Ian’s arms, and it also has to protect the entire New Continent. Beacons aren’t as simple as they seem.

[But this is actually part of my plan.]

Ian sighed and explained earnestly: [My body is also the best intermediary of the ’Heart of Terra’, with Sio taking my body to Dragon Island and Anfa to Canaan Moore, the dissemination speed of the Heart of Terra would also accelerate.]

[In this way, my heritage will also spread, and as more Arcane Pathway practitioners appear, I might be able to find more critical information from the Aether.]

[Each part of me will carry information about the Arcane Pathway practitioners in different regions, waiting for me to reclaim them in the future when I might be able to progress further.]

This explanation seemed normal enough to convince everyone.

"Are you leaving?"

At this moment, everyone could understand Ian’s determination — he separated his own blood and bones to protect everyone; this not only reflected Ian’s feelings for everyone but also demonstrated his resolve to venture far.

— Even so, abandoning the flesh, setting aside longing, he must move forward.

Yisen Gard watched as Ian walked step by step back to the Silverpeak Domain Castle, following his friend from behind: "When will you be back approximately?"

[I don’t know] Ian opened the door, heading to the ’Central Throne’ in his Lord’s Mansion, used to control the Heart of Terra: [Maybe soon, maybe for a long time... I’ll definitely come back before the Perpetual Motion Machine vote, but I can’t be certain either.]

[You know, Yisen. The reason I declared the Perpetual Engine Declaration is to buy time, and the time bought by this series of actions is already substantial; I can’t foresee what the future holds.]

[So,] he calmly said: [just wait.]

"... I understand."

The blonde youth paused slightly in his actions and nodded: "I will wait."

[I will return.]

As he said this, Ian sat on the throne: [Don’t worry, even if you lose my body, it doesn’t matter.]

At this moment, in South Ridge, Silverpeak Domain, Xiahui City.

Above Silverpeak.

The once calm and clear sky suddenly exhibited unusual space-time distortions, with invisible Aether circuits crisscrossing in the sky, connecting the Domain of Void and reality.

Endless surging natural Origin Quality and Spirit Energy converged, subtly transforming into a clear rain around the South Ridge Duchy. This rain drifted with the wind, seemingly scattered and chaotic, but secretly orderly, with a silver sun in the center, constructing a grand ’circulation’.

This is...

The true Ian Silverpeak.

Transcending the mortal, unable to attain eternal life, human body, yet still loving friends and family, an existence accompanying everyone.

[Because I will not truly leave.]

Yisen Gard and the others watched as Ian’s form gradually dissipated into scattered light particles, leaving only a smile: [Because my spirit will always be with you.]

At the same time.

Or rather, sometime earlier.

On the other side of the Terra Continent.

Steep Ridge Fortress.

Northwest Terra, a place surrounded by mountains, left of the Holy Mountain on the Banweir Plateau, beneath the expansive Azure Sky, resource-scarce, with predators lurking.

The harsh living conditions in Steep Ridge Fortress made hope both a necessity and an expensive commodity, something everyone, from top to bottom, needed.

A Pioneer Space user, the former Imperial Grandson, now fleeing Western Empire’s crown prince, Aina Sertar walked along the road to Steep Ridge Fortress.

Though Steep Ridge Fortress had been the Empire’s nemesis for years, Aina had never actually seen any large-scale conflict between Steep Ridge Fortress and the Empire’s northern legion in his lifetime.

Private brawls, accidental discharges, officer duels, or clashing of armor suits naturally occurred; there were even standoffs between legions, and a Floating City even made a round, but they never truly went to war.

Even when the East-West Empire split, Steep Ridge Fortress bizarrely remained calm and unmoving, showing no reaction.

This seemed improper. Aina thought. Any abnormal action represents a deeper intention, and any action, whether abnormal or not, indicates a true purpose.

— Steep Ridge Fortress actually holds no deep grudge with the Empire anymore; the standoffs and maneuvers, aside from being theatrical, might serve to mask more significant ’collaborations’.