Artifact Hall

"What did I get myself into?" Lin Ke asks.

"I-I can't tell you… Not right now. However, just know that that woman is extremely shrewd." Lily replies.

Lin Ke shrugs. "Well, I'll just deal with it later. I managed to get you back, that's worth enough of a deal."

"Ahhh! Stop, why do you have to say it like that?"

"Say it like what?" Lin Ke asks, confused.

"Never mind." Lily sighs. "Anyways, if I remember correctly, I chose the Gate that led to the outskirts of Vidensalle, am I right? We should be close to the Spirit Skylakes now."

Lin Ke pauses for a moment. "Hmm… I seem to recall Lia saying something like that, yeah. What about it?"

"What about it? That's where you will be heading next. That's where your next mission will be." Lily says.

Then, in Lin Ke's head, a few words flash through his head.

"Sacred Lands Mission 1: Spirit Skylakes. The system will further update you."

"So? What are the Spirit Skylakes?" Lin Ke asks.

"Well, they're as the name suggests." It's a range of multiple floating islands suspended in the sky. There are multiple smaller islands surrounding a large island."

"How does it-"

"How does it float? The Spirit Skylakes is a natural land, formed entirely from nature. The reason it can float is… well honestly a miracle. The way the Spirit Skylakes developed was actually from a vein of land. It involved countless different miracles coming together, clicking together in the most coincidental way possible."

"The Spirit Skylakes are kept afloat by a single large stone. A large, humongous piece of Chaos Stone. A very odd type of Chaos Stone. You know how there are three grades of Chaos Stones right?"

Lin Ke nods.

"Well, that piece of Chaos Stone is different from those. That piece of Chaos Stone is known as a Sentient Core-grade Chaos Stone."

"Woah! That sounds sick!" Lin Ke marvels.

"Mhm. It's an extremely valuable, extremely, EXTREMELY rare piece of Chaos Stone. While usually, humans absorb the energy in Chaos Stones for their cultivation, these Sentient Core-grade Chaos Stones ABSORB energy. They're practically an Energy Gathering Rune on steroids."

"So, the Sentient Core-grade Chaos Stone absorbs a massive amount of energy from the air, and distributes it across the island, keeping it afloat. Well, that's the main principle behind it. Of course, it's way more complex than that, but for now, that's all you need to know." Lily explains.

"Hmmm. Who knew that one stone could cause something so massive like an entire island to float?" Lin Ke muses.

"While this world might not be as technologically advanced as your old world, it does have some interesting things."

"That's true. Oh right, what am I supposed to do at the Spirit Skylakes? Is there something I'm supposed to paint?"

"No. You're not painting anything this time." Lily replies.

"What do you mean? Then what am I doing?" Lin Ke asks in confusion.

"Ehem. Let me rephrase. You're still going to be making art, just not through painting." Lily clarifies.

"Ohhh. I see. So? What am I going to use? A pencil?"

"Yup."

"Hmmm. So for this next mission, it's going to be about sketching?"

"Yup. While there may be some artists that excel at different skills, you have to still know the others. That's why, for this next mission, you are going to be sketching… the Spirit Skylakes or its Sentient Core-grade Chaos Stone."

"Waaah! That's sick!" Lin Ke responds.

By this point, they had already reached the restaurant. As they… as Lia and Lin Ke ate, all Lily could do was watch in jealousy. As they ate, Lin Ke told Lia about their plans to visit the Sacred Land soon.

Before long, they had finished their meal.

"Thank you! Hope you enjoyed the meal!" A voice calls behind them as the door to the restaurant opens.

"Ahh! That was tasty!" Lin Ke sighed in comfort as they walked out of the restaurant. Lin Ke stretches his arms a little.

"Mm!" Lia agrees.

"Well, what now?" Lin Ke asks.

"Let's go shopping!" Lia suggests. "We should get some supplies for our trip to the Spirit Skylakes. Even though it's relatively close, and many people visit, we should still stock up on some supplies."

Lin Ke nods his head. "Hmm. Yeah, makes sense."

"I heard that there was a really famous marketplace that sells expensive, rare artifacts! Let's go see it!" Lia says.

As Lia led Lin Ke through the city, they stopped at random street side vendors to take a look, got interrupted by advertisers, and many other types of people.

Finally, they arrived in front of a distinguished building with two beautiful jade statues in front of the large doorway. As they entered, they were immediately greeted by the site of a large, spacious interior with many different stalls set up neatly.

"Welcome to the Artifact Hall! May I ask if this is your first time here?" A woman walks up to them and bows. While she was pretty in her own right, she was nowhere near the level of Lia. However, she gave off more of a mature feel and was extremely polite. Her uniform was crisp and neat, without any creases or lint, giving off an aura of professionalism.

Lia nods. "Mhm. We came from elsewhere."

"Wonderful! Since this is your first time here, may I ask who tier of membership you would like to purchase?" She asked.

"Oh, no I meant this is my first time at this branch of the Artifact Hall, I've been to a separate branch before, so I have a membership already." Lia replies laughingly.

"Ahhh! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize. Can I see your card please?" The woman bows. Her voice turned much more respectful upon hearing that.

"Sure." Lia replied. From her spatial ring, she pulls out a bright purple card with golden letters engraved on it.

The moment the woman saw the card, she stepped back a few steps in shock.

Then, her knees hit the ground.