Chapter 720: City of Divine Gift

In just a second or two, the floating island became completely barren.

The pure starlight pouring from the sky flowed silently as if solid, outlining layer upon layer of buildings that overlapped; even the mere silhouettes that appeared were so stunning that one could not look away.

Gradually, colors appeared on the city outline traced by the pure starlight, as if composed of countless illusory things, drifting chaotically and interweaving.

In the Perfect Land of the Star Realm, a golden cube inscribed with numerous symbols and magical sigils began to rotate of its own accord, until every face's pattern was fully aligned.

A burst of golden light was about to flare when it dissolved into nothingness.

Threads of solid black mist materialized out of thin air, intertwining into a cloaked figure studded with many eyes, who seized the golden cube.

As he moved, black mist continuously seeped from his body into the golden cube, casting a shadow over its surface.

When the golden cube was sealed, the surroundings instantly shifted from noon to dusk.

"Almost done," he murmured, and Lei Kedun casually tossed the golden cube away.

Having finished, his figure rapidly disintegrated, reverting to pure black mist and merging again with the Divine Realm.

The golden sunlight flashed across the Star Realm, plunging straight into the ghostly empire shrouded in starlight in reality, vanishing amid the shifting colored radiance.

As if a catalyst were added, the island's light quickly solidified into bizarrely shaped skyscrapers, linked by spider‑web‑like roads, towering dozens to hundreds of meters.

At the very center of these towers stood a golden spire studded with countless stars.

The brilliant stars in the sky had vanished unnoticed; the gentle sunlight bathed the land again, striking the several‑hundred‑meter tower, igniting a burst of golden light that spread along the tower's engraved patterns to the ground and reached every corner of the city.

In less than two seconds, the strange city perched on the floating island lit up, its blue, white, red, and green lights appearing dim under daylight, like stars dotted across the city.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, the city seemed to come alive, revealing a bizarre, magnificent, and grand aspect.

Its existence seemed to transcend eras and the limits of imagination—not a product of any contemporary society or age, but a form of miracle.

Luo Sai'er's silhouette projected onto the sky once more; he spread his arms, gazing down at each person below, and said lightly,

"Welcome to the capital of Nan Yindi Si, the city blessed by the gods, the pinnacle of miracle and art, the convergence of knowledge and civilization—Mai Rui Si."

"Here we welcome every seeker, every citizen of Nan Yindi Si, and all devotees of knowledge and civilization."

"The forthcoming coronation ceremony and festivities will take place here. Everyone, Mai Rui Si's ferry is docked at the harbor; please proceed. Next, you will witness the divine miracle of Nan Yindi Si."

As Luo Sai'er's words faded, the crowd below erupted in restless excitement, chattering, occasionally stepping forward to peek, urging those ahead to hurry.

On the opposite sea, star after star materialized out of nowhere, densely packed and dazzling, scattering beams of starlight.

Under the operation of the astrologers, the falling starlight wondrously formed transparent, radiant long bridges linking the sky‑borne city to the vessels.

Aboard the star‑lit Future Vessel, Jia De Li Ya tilted her head slightly and said to the crew behind her, "Let's go over as well."

Captain Ao Tu Luo Fu subconsciously asked,

"Everyone together? No need to leave anyone to guard the ship?"

Jia De Li Ya shook her head, "Not here."

Finishing, her body, lifted by the starlight, flew straight onto the radiant long bridge, stepping forward.

Behind her, Fu Lan Ke, Ao Tu Luo Fu, Ni Na and others leapt onto the starlight‑solidified bridge, matching their captain's pace, occasionally whispering guesses about the interior of the strange city ahead.

Above the gray mist, Ke Lai'en and Lei Kedun watched the scene; after a sigh, Ke Lai'en turned to Lei Kedun and asked,

"Is this the Perfect One's ability? To conjure a city out of thin air?"

"It's not pure creation," Lei Kedun shook his head, then explained, "The blueprints and materials were prepared by me and Luo Sai'er beforehand; I merely skipped the construction process and completed it instantly."

"I set this as the future trajectory of this world; with an initial goal, society and civilization will gradually move toward it under various direct or indirect influences."

"Shall we go down and see? Watching a livestream alone is so boring, isn't it?" He muttered internally, "Aren't you human?" Ke Lai'en expressionlessly nodded.

After the brief exchange, Ke Lai'en prayed to himself, using his own method; with the ancient box placed upon the gray mist, he transferred his physical body from reality directly to Le Sai Er.

The City of Divine Gift, Mai Rui Si, ahead was shielded by divine power and law; he could not teleport there directly, so he chose to alight at nearby Le Sai Er and join the crowd on the ferry.

In the conference room atop the circular tower at the heart of the God‑Abandoned Land's Silver City.

Dai Li Ke, as the newly appointed elder of the Six‑person Council, participated in the meeting, personally recounting the detailed process and final outcome of the expedition to the Giant King's Court.

Finally, he added, "According to Mr. Fool's hint, beyond the palace gates of the Giant King's Court lies the Sea of Ruins; traversing that perilous waters will let us reach the normal world outside."

"However," Dai Li Ke paused, his tone deepening, "the Sea of Ruins has undergone a massive anomaly; the previously derived rules no longer apply, requiring fresh exploration or an alternative way to bypass that region."

Opposite Dai Li Ke, a bald, dark‑blue‑tattooed, roughly 2.5‑meter‑tall hulking man nodded and asked, "What about Ge Er Man·Si Pa Luo, who helped you explore the Giant King's Court?"

"He has already left, with Mr. Fool's assistance."

As he spoke, Dai Li Ke paused, realized what Elder Wei Te was asking, then shook his head, "Mr. Si Pa Luo is a devotee of Mr. Fool, and besides, Silver City has far too many people."

"I will try to seek assistance from others at the upcoming gathering; perhaps some beings already at an angelic tier can help."

Colin·Yi Li Ya Te raised his hand, cutting off the other elders' inquiries, scanned the room, then looked at Dai Li Ke and said, "Later, Elder Dai Li Ke will lead an exploration team to the Giant King's Court to find a way through the Sea of Ruins."

"The remaining elders will stay behind in Silver City in shifts, hunt monsters, and gather extraordinary traits and materials—our best bargaining chips for trade."

With no one opposing Chief Colin·Yi Li Ya Te's proposal, the first Six‑person Council meeting involving Dai Li Ke concluded.

Even after exiting the tower and hearing the guards' greetings, Dai Li Ke still felt a surreal sense of unease, unaccustomed to the changes brought by his elder status.

The City of Divine Gift, Mai Rui Si, which had once been weighed down by Inditis's division, Emperor Luo Sai'er's return, and the upheavals of faith and church, leaving many bewildered about the future, gradually became enthralled by the splendid city, forgetting worries and only marveling.

From the opposite side, those aboard the Future Vessel scattered in small groups, curiously surveying their surroundings, occasionally reaching out to touch, showing no trace of the extraordinary's bearing or insight.

An islander from the Archipelago Province couldn't help but dream, "The Archipelago Province has also been incorporated into Nan Yindi Si; once I earn enough money, perhaps I can live here someday."

Sailor‑in‑chief Ni Na looked around while retorting,

"Only the most faithful believers would have a chance to come here, unless every day were a celebration like today, or you're willing to abandon the storm faith and embrace knowledge."

As she spoke, she turned her head toward Jia De Li Ya, seeking her opinion.

Jia De Li Ya shook her head, replying calmly, "Since the Great Emperor said any Nan Yindi Si person may come, it must be true; however, if too many arrive, some selection mechanism will inevitably arise."

"How to select? By piety of faith? Or contributions to the nation?" Ni Na asked.

Jia De Li Ya gently shook her head, "Perhaps both, or perhaps the breadth of knowledge."

Captain Ao Tu Luo Fu chuckled, a slightly schadenfreude grin, "Hey, just as I thought; this standard is unattainable for most pirates—they might not even know all the words—but we 'knowledge' believers are exempt."

"I can already picture my leisurely and wonderful old age."

Fulanke, who showed little interest at the side, furrowed his brows and asked, somewhat incomprehensibly: "Why come to live in this city? There isn't a single plant here; everywhere is steel, glass, and cement, with not a trace of life's aura—it's a terrible environment."

Nina snorted, somewhat dissatisfied, and said: "Fulanke, not everyone likes living in the primitive jungle; that often means having to sleep with mosquitoes."

"The herb to repel mosquitoes is simple," Fulande rebutted.

This isn't a problem with the herb, it's.

Nina's words suddenly got stuck; she saw a familiar yet unfamiliar figure suddenly appear ahead.

Clad in a dark red coat with rust‑gold threads, chestnut‑colored slightly wavy hair, blue eyes, a high nose bridge, and two neatly groomed little mustaches was Luosai'er.

(End of chapter)