Floating within this vast, deep atmosphere were islands – enormous fragments of land, some large enough to hold forests and mountains, others smaller shards of rock – drifting silently in the currents of the sky.
"It's... incredible," Su Mu whispered, leaning slightly over the edge, her eyes wide with wonder.
She could see waterfalls cascading off the edges of some islands, disappearing into the mists below.
Forests clung to tilted slopes, their trees adapted to this strange, vertical world.
Grandpa Chen, sitting calmly ahead of her, chuckled softly. "Aye, Blue Star is a sight. Nothing like the old world…"
"How do they stay up?" Su Mu asked, gesturing towards a particularly large landmass below that had what looked like ancient ruins dotting its surface.
"Ah, different reasons for different shards," Grandpa Chen explained, his voice easily carrying over the rush of wind.
"Some have unique minerals deep inside that react with the dense atmosphere, creating lift."
"Others are caught in gravitational pockets where the old planet's magnetic fields still linger, pushing back against the pull from below."
"And some are just buoyant, finding their balance in these upper layers, the Stratocrest, where the pressure is lower."
Stratocrest. Su Mu recalled her mother mentioning the layers.
This was the highest, relatively stable layer, where travel was safest.
Below this, she knew, lay more dangerous zones – the electrically charged Neon Tempest , the thick, viscous Syrup Hollow , and deeper still, the crushing gravity near the planet's theoretical core.
The phrase echoed in her mind: Sink slow… or fall forever.
Looking down into the seemingly bottomless depths, the words suddenly felt terrifyingly real.
This wasn't just land floating in the sky; it was a world suspended, caught between the thin void above and unimaginable pressure below.
The very air felt different here—thinner, yet somehow charged with a subtle energy. Gravity felt... mostly very light.
The Zephyr Ray banked smoothly, riding an invisible current of air with a very high speed.
Su Mu felt a thrill mixed with her awe.
This shattered, floating world was perilous, yes, but it was also magnificent, brimming with a wild, untamed beauty.
Thinking back on Monster College, she could recall some memories she heard when she was a kid.
In the wake of the Spiritual power's revival over the last 2500 years, a transformation occurred among the mutant beasts, giving rise to highly intelligent beings.
These intelligent races formed ethnic groups, were easily able to adapt to extreme environmental pressures, each possessing strengths comparable to high-level awakeners and beyond.
Humans, in their limited understanding, labeled these beings as demons.
The significance of Monster City extended beyond its physical boundaries.
As a super large floating island, it served not only as a bridge between the Great Fire Empire and the Forbidden Territory below, but also as a crucial place, in preventing potential conflicts before they could escalate.
The city's existence hinged on maintaining a delicate equilibrium between humans and demons.
In Monster City, the term "demon" encompassed both humanized beasts and monsters, ranging from geniuses to evildoers.
The city's unique policies fostered an environment where registered demons and monsters moved freely, and even humans welcomed those beasts with close affinities into the city's construction and management.
This inclusive policy attracted numerous powerful beasts and demon groups, creating a diverse and vibrant society.
The city, with its unique geographical location and open-minded policies, gave rise to a distinctive style and culture that set it apart from the rest of the Great Fire Empire.
Every few years, numerous descendants of demon races, having forged strong friendships with the Fire people, joined the academy, making it one of the top academy on Blue Star
The result was a fascinating blend of cultures and perspectives, contributing to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of Monster City.
As Su Mu was trying to wrap her head around the sheer strangeness and beauty of Blue Star, the Zephyr Ray beneath her seemed to gather itself.
A low hum resonated through its body, and she felt a surge of power.
Looking down, she could see layers of small, pulsating gas sacs beneath Ray's vast wings beginning to glow faintly.
They vented streams of shimmering air, converting spiritual energy drawn from the atmosphere itself into powerful gusts of wind, propelling them forward at an incredible speed.
The world below became a blur of streaking clouds and distant, hazy islands.
They flew like this for hours, the wind whipping past, but strangely they were not effected in the slightest.
The only sounds are the rhythmic beat of the Ray's wings and the rush of air.
Su Mu clung on, mesmerized by the speed and the feeling of cutting through the endless sky.
Then, Grandpa Chen pointed ahead. "Mu'er. There she is, the Monster Capital."
Following his gaze, Su Mu saw it.
Emerging from a swirling bank of clouds tinted an unusual mix of neon pink and deep indigo was the largest floating landmass she had ever seen so far on their journey.
It wasn't just an island; it was a continent adrift in the sky, vast and sprawling.
Even from this distance she could only see one corner.
Yet, she could make out towering structures reaching towards the heavens, strange architectural marvels blending stone, crystal, and metal in ways she'd never encountered.
Lights glittered across its surface like scattered jewels, hinting at the immense city built upon it.
This was Monster City , the heart of power and learning her mother had spoken of.
As they drew closer, the Zephyr Ray began a graceful descent, angling towards the colossal city-island.
The air grew thicker with traffic.
Smaller flying creatures, sleek sky-skiffs powered by glowing engines, and even other large beasts carrying passengers crisscrossed the airways below them.
The sheer scale of activity was staggering.
Their arrival didn't go unnoticed.
A creature as magnificent as Grandpa Chen's Zephyr Ray wasn't a common sight, even here.
Heads turned on the walkways and balconies below. People – humans, beast-kin with furred ears or scaled skin, and other races Su Mu couldn't even name – paused to watch their descent.
The city thrummed with noise: the shouts of vendors, the whirring of unseen machinery, the distant roar of beasts, and the constant murmur of thousands upon thousands of lives packed onto this floating metropolis.
Buildings crowded together, linked by bridges that spanned dizzying chasms, while strange flora spilled over rooftops and balconies, adapting to life high above the clouds.
The Zephyr Ray's descent into the bustling heart of Monster City was indeed a spectacle.
Su Mu felt a nervous flutter in her stomach, overwhelmed by the sheer strangeness of it all.
This city felt ancient and futuristic, chaotic and organized, dangerous and full of possibility all at once.
She gripped the Zephyr ray's smooth hair tighter, her heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and exhilaration.
Large number of awakeners, young and old, paused in their activities to witness their arrival guided by Mr. Chen.
The designated landing area is the huge building of the Awakeners Association, many awakeners were waiting to welcome them or mostly waiting for Mr.Chen.
As the Zephyr Ray touched down at the Awakeners Association, a sense of reverence spread through the crowd.
Awakeners, with their distinctive robes with various spiritual rune symbols, greeted Mr. Chen with respect calling him, "Vice President."