Floating Island - Triple S Talent-Chapter 489: Entering the city

On a vast platform, sect disciples bustled about, busy with their own matters. Some wore sect robes adorned with distinctive symbols, while others could be seen chatting or practicing their techniques.

Out of thin air, Lein, Laras, and Efan appeared without a sound, their teleportation completed in an instant.

Lein immediately glanced around, his eyes searching for the portal they needed. Without wasting time, he stepped forward calmly, his movements filled with confidence as he headed toward a nearby portal.

Laras and Efan followed behind, their faces still filled with confusion. They exchanged glances, trying to make sense of this unfamiliar place. A sense of strangeness surrounded them, and without needing to ask, Lein could already feel the uncertainty they were experiencing.

"We are currently in the central area of the sect," Lein said casually, his voice flat yet clear enough to cut through the noise around them. "To reach the Main Hall, we have to enter the sect's core area."

He continued walking through the crowd without slowing down.

The people they passed occasionally glanced their way, but no one dared to approach or ask anything. Perhaps it was due to Lein's steady and unshakable aura, or maybe they were simply used to seeing newcomers arrive via portal.

Laras and Efan could only marvel. As far as the eye could see, this land stretched endlessly. At a glance, the island felt grand, even more massive than their own island in the Divine Sky Realm. In comparison, it was like heaven and earth.

Without much difficulty, they finally arrived at the intended portal. Lein selected the destination and, without hesitation, took three silver cosmos coins from his pouch. After the payment, a soft light enveloped them, and the world around them changed in an instant.

***

Core Area - Sect Invictus

As soon as they stepped out of the portal, the view before them grew even more impressive. The vast platform was crowded with people coming and going. Some groups were deep in serious discussion, while others had just arrived and were still adjusting to their surroundings.

Lein didn't want to waste any time. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he immediately moved away from the portal platform. Without needing any signal, Laras and Efan followed suit, matching Lein's pace as they flew low toward the main road.

"So this is the core area?" Laras muttered, her eyes continuously observing her surroundings.

At a glance, the environment didn't look much different from the mainlands in the Divine Sky Realm.

Tall buildings stood majestically on various corners, but the materials used were still mostly wood and natural elements. There were no strange metals or advanced technologies like those often seen in modern cities in their world. Everything felt more traditional, though still carrying a majestic aura.

"Hardly any other races here," Efan remarked. His eyes scanned the crowd along the street. Almost everyone they saw had human forms, with no signs of other races usually found in major sects.

"Yeah… Sect Invictus is one of many sects that requires its members to use human form," Lein said casually. His steps suddenly halted at the side of the road, his eyes sweeping over the crowd with a thoughtful gaze.

"Do you want to take public transport or use an airship?" he asked, turning to Laras and Efan.

"Better the airship, Brother Lein. It'll be faster," Laras replied without hesitation. Efan beside her nodded in agreement, his expression showing he preferred that option as well.

"Alright then…" Lein raised his hand into the air, and in an instant, a ten-meter-long ship formed in the sky above.

A faint light flickered before the ship fully materialized, calmly floating above them.

"Let's go," Lein said shortly. Without waiting any longer, their bodies vanished from the crowd and appeared aboard the ship.

In the air, the sturdy wooden vessel floated steadily amid gentle breezes. Lein took his seat, while Laras and Efan also sat comfortably in the available chairs.

"The distance to the Main Hall is about ten minutes," Lein said, calmly steering the ship forward.

Laras, who had been silent until then, finally asked, "Isn't there a portal closer to the Main Hall, Brother Lein?"

Lein shook his head. "This area may be the core region of the sect, but we're still on its outer edge," he explained calmly.

In truth, Lein had already tried using his elemental energy to reach the central part of the core region. But the result felt like trying to navigate a boundless ocean—no matter how far he tried, he could never find the center.

Laras and Efan could only nod, accepting the explanation without asking further. There was nothing they could do but sit quietly and wait.

The airship soared swiftly, like a star streaking across the skies of the core region. Lein observed the view below—a vast stretch of land that seemed endless. Occasionally, large cities appeared amidst green plains and mountains, but most of the region was still dominated by expansive seas, followed by dense forests.

"Brother Lein, do you think the Afaithwardens also received floating islands like us?" Laras asked, her voice filled with curiosity. She had been amazed by the vastness of the sect's territory from the start.

Efan, hearing the question, was immediately intrigued. He turned his attention from the landscape below to Lein, waiting for a response.

"Of course," Lein answered briefly.

There was a moment of silence. A gentle breeze passed over the airship, filling the gap before Lein finally continued, "The only difference between us as players and them lies in the source of power we use."

Laras and Efan didn't seem surprised. That answer aligned with what they had already suspected. However, there was still something bothering Laras.

"If that's the case, why haven't I ever seen any floating islands around here? Don't they use them?" she asked, trying to dig deeper.

Lein let out a soft sigh. "I don't know for sure either," he admitted. "But from the memories of that man Gareth, the members of Sect Invictus do still have their own floating islands."

The uncertainty in Lein's voice made Laras and Efan exchange glances. If they had floating islands, why weren't any visible?

"Maybe they only use them for long-distance travel or when exploring other places," Efan said, offering his thoughts. He was curious too, though his answer was merely speculation.

Their conversation continued throughout the journey. The wind grew stronger, indicating that their ship was moving at high speed. Time seemed to fly by, and finally, after nine minutes, a magnificent city appeared before them.

Massive walls stretched far and high, towering as if separating the outside world from the city within. Their length seemed endless, like a fortress guarding great secrets inside.

"We're here," Lein muttered, his eyes gleaming as he observed the city's grandeur.

He slowly guided the airship to descend. As per regulations, they were not allowed to fly above the city—no aerial activity was permitted within the walls.

Once the ship landed at the entrance road, Lein, Laras, and Efan immediately disembarked and began walking toward the main gate, joining the flow of people entering the city. But before they could go any farther, two guards in black armor stepped forward to block them.

"Show your identification," one of the guards said firmly, his hand resting cautiously on the hilt of his weapon.

Efan glanced at Lein, slightly hesitant, but Lein remained calm. With a casual motion, he took out a dark purplish token from inside his robe and showed it to the guards. Instantly, both guards' expressions changed dramatically.

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"M-My apologies, Elder!" one of them immediately bowed deeply, followed by the other. They both showed utmost respect, as if they had just realized who stood before them.

Lein merely gave a slight nod. It was only right that they recognized the authenticity of the elder's token he held. The token wasn't merely a sign of position but also proof that its bearer possessed power beyond the king level—a being at the peak of the sect.

Some people nearby began whispering, their shocked gazes directed at Lein. The city's residents rarely saw a sect elder in person, let alone from such a close distance.

Without wasting time, one of the guards gestured to his partner. "Please proceed, Elder Lein. Allow me to escort you to the main hall."

Lein didn't refuse and stepped into the city, followed by Laras and Efan.

Beyond the giant gate, the city was truly magnificent. Towering buildings stood in various corners, wide roads paved with smooth stone, and rows of crystal lamps emitted a soft glow. The city's atmosphere buzzed with activity, from merchants to warriors passing through.

The guard continued guiding them along the main road, heading toward the largest building at the city's center—the Main Hall, Lein's intended destination.

Taking public transportation, they passed through the city's crowded streets filled with pedestrians, merchants, and sect warriors. Tall buildings with majestic architecture lined both sides of the road, while the aroma of the sect's signature foods wafted from various stalls, adding to the lively atmosphere of the city.