A gentle breeze skimmed across the azure sea, lifting layers of ripples that glittered like countless shattered diamonds sparkling under the sunlight.
In the midst of the vast ocean lay a solitary island, quietly nestled. This island seemed like a forgotten pearl of nature, tenderly embraced by the blue ocean.
At the center of the island stood a proud hillock, thick with vegetation. Luxuriant trees and vibrant wildflowers intertwined, creating a beautiful natural tapestry. A gust of sea wind rustled through the leaves, accompanied by the crisp chirping of birds, as if nature itself was whispering, adding a touch of vitality to this silent isle.
No one had set foot on this tiny island for who knows how long, but today its tranquility was abruptly shattered.
On the island's sandy beach, a dark gray Shadow suddenly appeared, and once it dispersed, Lis and Joyce were standing on the sand.
Joyce surveyed the unchanging island with a hint of sigh in his heart.
Lis, meanwhile, was still savoring the special flavor of "Shadow Jump."
Having broken through to Gold Level, he was now able to attempt mastering this powerful assassin skill.
Although "Shadow Jump" wasn't as straightforward and convenient as Space Transmission, its advantage lay in stealthy movements, offering superior practicality in combat.
Joyce, seeing the look on Lis's face, did not disturb him.
A moment later, Lis finally looked up and observed the small island before him.
Is this where the Azela Floating City lies?
Apart from its extremely remote location, it seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary island in the sea.
The island wasn't large, spanning only a few square kilometers; it appeared almost impossible that it could conceal a Floating City.
Lis pondered for a moment, then tried to extend his spiritual power towards the hillock on the small island ahead. With Gold Level spiritual power, it was quite easy to cover the entire island.
After a brief exploration, Lis withdrew his spiritual power.
Next to him, Joyce watched Lis's actions with a smile, making no move to interfere.
"Well, any discoveries?"
Lis shook his head. The feedback from his spiritual probe indicated that the small island and the central hillock were merely soil and rock. Apart from active Earth Element and Water Element, there was nothing unusual.
"Of course, if it were so easy to discover, this Floating City wouldn't have remained hidden for so long."
Joyce spoke with a faint smile, heading towards the hillock on the island.
Seeing this, Lis quickly followed. After leaving a space coordinate on the island's sandy beach, he hurried after Joyce.
The two men hiked towards the hillock, passing through the lush green jungle to arrive at a small cave entrance.
Lis glanced at the cave; it was less a cave and more a narrow fissure formed by a crack in the rock layer.
Looking down from the entrance, the deep and dark cave seemed to stretch endlessly into the depths.
Is the Floating City beneath us?
Curious, Lis followed Joyce into the cave.
Joyce didn't seem inclined to explain, proceeding silently downwards.
As they descended in silence, their footsteps echoed in the quiet cave. Although there was no light source inside, the darkness posed no issue for Joyce and Lis, who both possessed Dark Vision.
Lis silently calculated as they descended; after about a hundred meters, the slope of the cave finally began to level off.
His spirit lifted. Were they about to reach their destination?
After squeezing through an extremely narrow gap and advancing several dozen steps further, Lis saw Joyce's figure suddenly vanish into the air ahead.
Lis paused briefly but did not stop, continuing forward.
As he passed the spot where Joyce had disappeared, Lis faintly sensed as if he were moving through an invisible membrane.
In the next instant, the view before Lis abruptly opened up.
At the same time, Lis's system panel popped up with a new prompt.
[You have entered the special secret realm, Lost Underworld Floating City (Legendary)!]
[Detection: You have entered the special secret realm, Lost Underworld Floating City. A special task is triggered!]
[You have accepted the Legendary Series Task, Inheritor of Azela!]
[Task requirement: Despite being silent for thousands of years, the Azela Floating City is still in operation, quietly awaiting a new Inheritor to awaken this slumbering city.
So, can you become the Inheritor to take control of this most exquisite creation of human wisdom?]
[Legendary Series Task (First Ring): Outer Exploration]
[Task Introduction: Over countless years, the Azela Floating City, powered by Miserla's Core's abundant magic power, is still functioning, but the outer structures have been eroded by time, decrepit and in disrepair, with protective forces significantly weakened, making exploration of the city's periphery far less challenging.]
[Task Requirement: Explore the outer zone of the Azela Floating City, achieving an exploration completion of over 90%.]
[Task Reward: 10 million Experience Points, Azela Floating City Map, unlock the next stage of the task.]
[Current Exploration Completion: 0%]
Although the system's prompt sounded, Lis no longer cared about that.
Stepping out from the depths of that dark cave, the space before him suddenly opened wide, as if he had stepped into another world.