Eli Winters moved in a flash, his body light and swift like a bird in flight as he leapt effortlessly onto the towering steel wall that pierced the clouds. Once he landed, he turned back. Big Pan and the others exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other. With quiet confidence, they activated their own movement techniques and followed, one after another, landing steadily atop the wall.
When everyone had gathered, the wolfman showed a brief look of surprise. Clearly, he had not expected their strength. However, the expression quickly faded. After all, this was not the first time powerful outsiders had appeared here.
Just as the wolfman was about to step forward and speak with Eli and the others, his peripheral vision caught sight of the distant sea. In the next instant, his entire body froze.
The enormous, luxurious ship the outsiders had arrived on had vanished without a trace.
His eyes widened in shock. After a long pause, he finally recovered and spoke with genuine concern. "Um… warriors from beyond this domain, the massive ship you arrived on seems to have disappeared."
Eli burst into laughter, waving his hand dismissively. "It is nothing. Just a ship. If it is gone, then it is gone. What I am more curious about is this. Where exactly is this place?"
As he spoke, he looked at the wolfman with keen interest, curiosity shining in his eyes.
Naturally, the Silver Dragon had already been stored away in Eli's spatial storage. Still, the wolfman's sincere reminder earned him a bit of goodwill in Eli's heart.
"I see," the wolfman said after a brief pause. "This is not a good place for conversation. Please follow me."
Seeing that Eli and the others did not seem bothered by the loss of their ship, he did not press the matter. Instead, he turned and led them down from the towering steel wall, eventually arriving at a place that resembled a military camp.
Eli and his companions looked around with interest. The camp was large in scale. Besides the tall, powerfully built wolf warriors, there were many other humanoid races present.
The pigfolk were stout and solid, their faces carrying honest, simple smiles. The dogfolk appeared sharp and agile, their eyes constantly alert. As for the fewer birdfolk, their bearing was proud and imposing, their movements sharp and decisive like eagles in the sky. Judging by their features, they likely belonged to an eagle lineage.
While Eli's group observed these different races, the soldiers also stole curious glances at the newcomers. However, strict military discipline kept them from stopping or whispering among themselves. Even so, curiosity and faint excitement were clearly visible in their eyes.
The wolfman guiding them was evidently a figure of authority. Along the way, soldiers saluted him respectfully. He responded with brief nods, calm and composed, carrying the steady presence of a commander. Soon, they arrived at the entrance to a somewhat old-looking meeting room.
"Please, sit," the wolfman said warmly as he took the central seat, his tone friendly and open.
Once everyone had settled, he spoke again. "My name is Lang Yan. I am the commander of the Eighth Outer Defense Zone of Star-Chasing Island. May I know how you should be addressed?"
Seeing his approachable attitude, Eli and the others briefly introduced themselves one by one.
When the introductions were finished, Lang Yan's deep gaze settled on Eli, his expression turning serious. "Eli Winters, may I ask how exactly you entered this place?"
Eli showed no intention of hiding the truth. He answered calmly, "It was an accident. We were sailing normally when we were suddenly caught in an extremely violent spatial disturbance. Before we knew it, we were dragged into this place."
Lang Yan frowned slightly, murmuring to himself, "That should not be possible. The timing is wrong, and the location does not match either."
Eli caught the words and asked at once, "Commander Lang Yan, forgive my bluntness, but what do you mean by the timing and location being wrong?"
Lang Yan's expression grew heavier. "Yes, it is true that there are ways for outsiders to enter this place. In the past, some human warriors were accidentally pulled in by terrifying spatial turbulence and arrived on Star-Chasing Island. However, there are strict conditions.
"First is time. Only when the mysterious tide descends will the spatial disturbance connecting this place to the outside world appear. Second is location. Those who are pulled in always appear within the inner city. You appearing directly in the open sea outside is something we have never seen before."
Hearing this, Big Pan and the others exchanged knowing looks and nodded slightly.
They were not dragged in by any spatial turbulence at all. Eli had torn space apart himself and opened a direct passage.
Naturally, such a truth could never be revealed. If the inhabitants learned they could come and go freely, the entire island would fall into chaos.
Eli's expression remained unchanged. "We are not very clear about the specifics ourselves. At the time, we were caught in an intense spatial storm. In our panic, we saw a faint spatial rift ahead and rushed into it without thinking. We never expected to arrive here."
Lang Yan pondered for a moment, then shook his head lightly. Even with his experience, spatial phenomena were far too unpredictable. Perhaps it truly was coincidence.
He smiled sincerely. "Regardless, we welcome friends from the outside. Star-Chasing Island would not have developed to its current state without the help of outsiders like you."
Eli's curiosity deepened. "Then may I ask you to tell us more about Star-Chasing Island? You mentioned danger earlier. What kind of danger is it? And how exactly have outsiders helped you?"
Lang Yan laughed softly. "No rush. I will explain."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if recalling distant memories, then gently shook his head before continuing.
"To be honest, we no longer know how this space was formed. Time has buried too many truths. Our recorded history only goes back seven hundred and thirty years. At that time, a brave human accidentally entered this place and left behind records. It was because of that human that we stepped into civilization."
His gaze softened, filled with reverence. "We later honored that human as the Saint. Under the Saint's guidance, we learned writing, tools, and methods of knowledge transmission. We no longer lived purely by instinct. He was like a light in the darkness, guiding us out of ignorance."
Lang Yan continued, "After that, humans from the outside would occasionally stumble into this space. They brought knowledge, technology, and culture. With their help, we learned, innovated, and eventually developed the advanced technology you see today."
After taking a sip of hot tea brought in by a guard, Lang Yan went on, "As for the danger, it comes from the sea beasts beyond the island. Whenever the tides surge, those creatures go mad and attack relentlessly. At first, their numbers were small. Over time, they grew stronger and more numerous. If not for the steel wall our ancestors built more than three hundred years ago, our people would have been wiped out. Even now, the pressure grows heavier every year."
A trace of deep worry appeared on his face.
Eli frowned slightly. "Do you know why the sea beasts attack you like this?"
Lang Yan shook his head slowly. "I do not. Perhaps only the wise elder in the inner city knows the answer."
Eli nodded, then changed the subject. "May I ask, are you Mink?"
Lang Yan shook his head. "No. We are Beastfolk, not Minks."
He explained that Minks possessed special abilities and transformations, while Beastfolk relied solely on their physical strength.
After more conversation, noon arrived.
Lang Yan said enthusiastically, "Eli, come. I will treat you to our local specialties. I promise you will like them."
He pulled Eli along as they headed outside. The group arrived at a place resembling a canteen, filled with strange but enticing aromas. The tables were covered with food. There were roasted meat legs glowing faint blue and bowls of green soup bubbling softly.
Big Pan whispered, "Is this safe to eat? It looks strange."
Eli shrugged, willing to try. With Reiju present, poison was not a concern.
Lang Yan took a bite first. "Relax. It is delicious."
Eli followed suit. The blue-glowing meat was rich and tender, melting in his mouth. The green soup was refreshing and invigorating. Soon, everyone joined in.
Around them, Beastfolk soldiers rotated in and out, eating quietly.
Big Pan pointed at a pigfolk soldier gnawing on a pork knuckle. "Does he not feel weird eating that?"
Lang Yan explained calmly, "We are Beastfolk, not animals. Those are two different races."
Big Pan quickly apologized. Lang Yan waved it off. He was used to such questions.
After the meal, Lang Yan's tone turned serious. "Eli, tonight the tide will rise, and the sea beasts will attack. You should head to the inner city now. I will arrange an escort."
Eli smiled. "Commander Lang Yan, we are not weak. Perhaps we can help."
Lang Yan shook his head. "You have not seen it. Against a sea beast tide of that scale, individual strength means little."
Big Pan laughed and slapped his shoulder. "That is because you do not know how strong we are."
Seeing their confidence, Lang Yan finally agreed.
As night fell, alarms blared across the wall. "The sea beasts are coming!"
Eli and the others stepped outside to see soldiers moving in perfect order under their officers' commands.
"Let's take a look," Eli said.
Big Pan grinned. "Finally, a good fight."
Eli smiled and led them back onto the wall.