novelraw Chapter 1112 - 1111 - Strange Vehicle
Chapter 1112 - 1111 - Strange Vehicle
The morning brought Lind an experience he had not had in a long time. He had grown used to the odd shapes of flying artifacts various cultivators used. They could be in the shape of ships like those that go in water or pyramids to simple discs.
Still, flight was the goal and to allow the cultivator to not drain their Qi so badly they had to rest for days at a time. It also allowed groups to travel without interruption by having several people swap out as needed if necessary on low end artifacts.
While there were some artifacts for ground transport, they were universally pulled by various beasts to travel along the roads.
All that is to say that aside from any kind of siege engine that might be brought to bear on a city, Lind had never dreamed to see a land vehicle that was on par with aircraft carriers!
He came out of the city to find a looming vehicle on treads with a shimmering skin that refracted light to make it hard to make out its exact shape.
The massive ramp leading up to an actual set of stables was easily accommodating his own horses and his wagon with quite a few more from Gilgamesh's caravan.
Using his Law Eyes, he was able to roughly see it towered into the sky enough that it was just shy of the massive walls behind him! He could also see it was not smooth but had bulges that had clear uses as weaponry! It was a fortress on treads!
The road was also different on the side they were on as it was far wider and he noticed peak mid grade 7 formations and Law Bindings both interacting in ways that almost made him dizzy to pick apart.
"What is this, Papa?" Jur was next to him as the rest of their party went up with the wagon. She had her own eyes sparkling next to him but another voice answered.
"It is how we transport important materials and personnel between cities. This is one of 7 artifacts created after heavy losses due to flying that was far more hazardous in our once floating land." Gilgamesh walked up to them as he looked proudly up at the opening.
Lind understood but it still floored him with the irony that a floating land had to make ground transport due to flying being too dangerous!
The trio walked in and it was like he was back on the sea once more. It was closer to that feel than a flying artifact counterpart. Crew were moving cargo and people along to the places they belong.
The strongest person he could feel was peak Sky Realms which he found odd.
Why were there no Heaven Realms?
As if reading his mind, Gilgamesh pointed up and Lind saw glowing clusters of crystals in the middle of visible arrays that shocked him. They were power enhancers like he made for his skyships!
They suffered due to the lack of true primary elemental theory balance but it heartened him to know he was not the first! His eyes were now the ones glowing with a burning desire to learn but he refrained from using his Law Eyes as that would be prying into secrets.
"If there are refiners that are able to share knowledge with me, I would love to know more about those." Gilgamesh nodded as that was fine.
The loading was almost done and calls for VIPs were being sent out so Lind and the rest walked up the ramp to find the crew dressed in smart armor. He rated that each was a nearly perfect replica of the other at peak grade 6! Such precision was stunning to Lind.
The ramp lifted neatly and closed the stable away from the world. The glowing crystals and some arrays gave enough light to simulate daylight for the animals as the group were led up stairs to the living quarters.
Lind was suddenly aware of movement but no one else seemed to react. His Law Touch let him feel massive flows of Qi all round them compared to before so the vehicle was moving but it was so smooth!
How could they pull that off?!
He suddenly realized all his accomplishments were quite narrow. He had made unprecedented things but he had not truly seen the fruits of Immortals until now! The desire to study was surging in him but he reigned it in.
Still, Jur was actually smiling back at him in amusement. She liked that side of him it seemed.
"Once you are settled, Lord Emerald Immortal, the commander of this Strider will likely come to greet you or his right hand man. Do not worry, the strength of beasts has waned so now this vehicle is far stronger than any threat we might face." Why?! Why would Gilgamesh practically paint a bullseye on them?!
Lind suppressed the sigh and asked the spirits to let just one go but he doubted he would be that lucky.
"I do not wish to affect the flow of the ship. Any knowledgeable expert on the vehicle is fine." They had finally reached metal corridors lit with light crystals refined into fixtures.
It was a pragmatic and simple structure that could be repaired by even a novice refiner by what he could see.
He could even see an older woman repairing one but his discerning eyes noticed the fluidity of her hands and efficient use of Qi. Lind paused and watched her work. An approving glint in his eye was the only acknowledgment but his guides looked confused as he stopped.
Jur simply waited but Gilgamesh bowed before continuing on. He could not stop as he had duties to fulfill that time. Lind waved at him but watched until the old woman finally finished.
She swept back her silver hair and her wrinkled visage spoke of centuries of labor. He did not know what the markings on their clothes meant but where the pair guiding him had on armor, she had simple robes of pale red.
Her eyes were cloudy when they turned to them but Lind was certain she could see them. She bowed low with respect and moved aside but he only approached the fixture she had worked on in front of them.
The old crystal had cracked but the new one had been seamlessly inserted and fused to the arrays perfectly. Only his Eyes could pick out the areas they joined together.
"Fine work. Truly, fine work. May I know your name, senior." His question made the 2 soldiers look at him as if he was mad but Jur smiled wide. Her own instincts agreed with his words. A peak Crystal Tier was in front of them!
"I am but a humble technician of this Strider, Lord Immortal. I am no senior." Lind arched an eyebrow at that but then decided to push his luck.
"Excellent! Then you are perfect!" True surprise crossed her features but Lind glanced back at his guides. "Is that all right?" The 2 shrugged and nodded. It was simple to find out the duty roster and the Strider was checked over each time it stopped.
Anything critical was already attended to or functional enough to be fixed on the way.
"We will let the Lead Technician know, Lord Emerald Immortal." Lind frowned a bit at that.
"While I appreciate that, you did not ask her what her duties are. I am only a guest and would not dare to be that selfish. Please follow proper procedure." A fleeting smile crossed her old features but only the 2 beasts noticed.
A quick conversation followed and the pair of soldiers blanched to learn they almost royally screwed up. The very notion of a critical system being worked on was correct and the technician in front of them was to be on it later that day.
If they had simply pawned her off to him, they would have faced serious repercussions.
"Lord Emerald Immortal, she has duties to perform but until midday you could ask your questions." An agreement had been reached and he found that acceptable.
The old woman put away her tools in her storage ring and followed behind him.
[So why are you pretending to be a World Realm, Senior?] Lind saw her not miss a step but shock flashed on her face as she looked at him. Telepathy had some limited ability on their fallen land but his strength likely stunned her.
[Brat, can't an old woman work in peace?] A much more acerbic tone came back but it only made Lind think fondly of his old masters in Cimmeria. His nostalgic smile seemed to pique her curiosity. [What is that look for?]
He simply relayed the lunch where he met his 2 future masters. A strained look of trying to contain laughter crossed her face for a moment but she seemed to look at him gently after that.
[Do these idiots know you are a beast?] It was his turn to hide his shock. Since donning his former human body as a disguise, not even the Piercer of the Veil Immortal had been able to see through him.
A more serious look crossed his features but then a mental cackle was heard in his head.
[Oh your disguise is perfect but you give yourself away in your reactions. You are faster than any human can be and your instincts are superior as well. The only beings I can't trick are beasts.] Lind sighed as he had betrayed himself.
[It would be problematic but if it helps, I was once like this in my youth.] A flash of his much younger self again surprised her. [I am avoiding leaving a trail for dangerous people to find me and got the boon of them thinking I am now 2 people. I would appreciate discretion.]
She nodded and they finally arrived at lavish quarters several decks up. If Lind was to guess they were below the main crew area but more than halfway up the Strider as they called it.
"Thank you both, please let your commander know I have borrowed one of your crew." The 2 soldiers smartly bowed and moved off.
"Please, senior, come into my quarters." The old woman smiled as she went ahead and Katerina took that moment to point at him and say a word.
"Mata!" Lind paused as Ranger looked torn between happiness and frustration. She was advancing so quickly but the first true word was for him and not her father! Even Chu or Nana would be acceptable but the old woman cooed at her in joy.
"Fine, baby fun first but then my questions." All laughed as they closed the door and Katerina became the center of attention for a good while after that.