Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Windstream

Strong winds howled across the Sea of Clouds.

These winds tangled and merged, consuming each other until they formed an unstoppable air current stretching thousands of kilometers. The force tore apart white clouds and hurled drifting rocks into dangerous reef clusters.

Even the massive floating islands, impossibly heavy, were caught in the current’s grip, forced to circle endlessly along fixed paths.

Over centuries, this became a deadly airspace—a graveyard of floating islands ringed by countless reefs.

Large Skyships entering here quickly struck the reefs. Even stationary vessels weren’t safe, as the winds flung rocks at them like meteors.

Small Skyships could barely navigate a few narrow routes, demanding captains of extraordinary skill.

Only Vanguard ships truly thrived here.

The reef area rejected alchemy’s advancements.

No safe routes meant no trade. No trade meant no profit. Factions chasing endless Crystal Coins ignored this place.

Yet this lawless zone became paradise—for criminals, exiles, and adventurers craving freedom.

This was Windstream. A realm of reefs above the clouds, where rules held no power.

Home of the "white snake" Emil.

To evade the Blue Truth Sect, Midi and Victoria left the Monsoon Fleet not on the Narwhal, nor even the Arrow Fish Skyship that might alert Victoria’s brothers. They bought a plain fifteen-meter whaling ship and flew north.

After skirting the Stormy Region for two weeks, they reached Windstream in the Sea of Clouds’ northern reaches.

In his past life, Midi never explored such places—his knowledge came from rumors. Now, seeing it firsthand, Windstream surprised him.

Though deadly to large Skyships and merchants, it teemed with life.

Vanguard ships swarmed everywhere. They wove through reefs, some towing cargo pods on steel cables like wild horses pulling carriages, pilots displaying breathtaking skill.

As Midi’s whaling ship approached, several Vanguard ships closed in.

“Outsiders! How rare.” A honeyed voice carried on the wind. “What business brings you here, young master?”

The speaker wore pilot’s leathers that strained against her curves. Sun-kissed skin peeked from her collar, drawing hungry stares from the crew—a dark elf woman radiating allure.

Midi remained unfazed, though it reminded him of Avril, the dark elf secretary he’d left at Sky Arena.

_Do all dark elves specialize in seduction?_

Or was this Emil herself?

If so, her ability to write formal letters while flaunting such boldness spoke of masterful acting. Unlikely, he decided—if Emil could predict his arrival, she wouldn’t grovel for 25,000 Crystal Coins. In Arad Calendar 988, she was still a nobody.

But even if this flirtatious pilot _was_ Emil? Let her look. He’d come openly.

Thinking this, Midi relaxed.

He turned to the dark elf pilot skillfully steering her Vanguard ship beside his whaling vessel and offered a perfect smile. “I’m Blade from the West Sea. Your name?”

“Sarah. Interested?” she replied, her gaze teasing.

Midi had asked her name out of caution—a small step to avoid the absurdity of searching everywhere only to find his target already nearby.

But luck wasn’t that kind. Her proud tone made it clear: she wasn’t Emil.

“You’re charming,” he said, locking eyes with her autumn-pool gaze, “but we’re here at a friend’s invitation. Her name’s Emil, a dark elf like you. Know her?”

At Emil’s name, the pilot’s relaxed demeanor sharpened into wariness.

“Why seek her?” she demanded.

“So you *do* know Emil—and she’s in Windstream.” Midi read her reaction effortlessly. “Tell her the buyer’s here.”

The dark elf studied him before nodding. “I’ll relay this. Wait here until dawn for her reply.”

Victoria and old steward Lund frowned. Midi narrowed his eyes.

A power play.

Windstream’s reef maze was compact. With a guide, reaching the floating islands took three hours at most. Yet she demanded a full day’s wait outside? Pure disrespect.

Worse, she’d use the time to dig into his background.

Clearly, Emil commanded deep respect here—why else would her name trigger such caution? But her need for twenty-five thousand Crystal Coins proved she lacked real authority. A revered figure, not a ruler.

Midi dissected this in seconds.

Yet as the visiting buyer, he’d already stooped low. To bow further would weaken their position before negotiations even began.

A cold smile touched his lips.

“We’ll wait,” he said, “but not in this barren reef. We dock at the islands.” He gestured sharply.

The whaling ship surged forward, plunging into Windstream.

“Fool!” The dark elf banked her Vanguard ship closer. “No guide means death here! That Skyship’s too bulky for these reefs!”

She’d liked him initially—handsome, skilled, likely backed by powerful factions. But Emil’s involvement changed everything. Windstream couldn’t gamble.

Too late. The whaling ship accelerated, breaching the reef zone.

Cursing, she signaled other Vanguard ships to spread the rumor while tailing the intruders. Maybe she could minimize the disaster.

As she calculated, a jagged reef—wide as a house—shot through the air currents toward the ship’s stern like a meteor.