This time, there was no white room. Everyone simply fell from the sky in a free fall. Sun Tie glanced to the side and saw everyone yelling, screaming, clutching their heads, and likely pissing themselves. But not him; he was familiar with the sky and knew he wouldn't die.
Honestly, Sun Tie was elated to be soaring through the skies again. The shock of being hurled into the firmament no longer fazed him.
As the young master descended, he noticed the look of sheer terror on Cole’s face. The man was frozen, his mouth open as though a scream stuck itself in his throat. He's really afraid of heights. It's best if no one else sees this, Sun Tie thought as he watched the ground approach.
Cole closed his eyes tightly, and Sun Tie just waited. If the system intended to kill him, it would be swift, with him landing face-first. But before any semblance of fear could creep in, he landed softly, as if he'd just fallen from a bed.
The ground completely absorbed the impact of the fall. Some were smiling, others crying, and Cole stood still with his eyes closed.
“Cut it out, old man. You're making a fool out of us,” Sun Tie said, already on his feet and giving the old man a light kick.
Cole rose swiftly, brushing himself off as if nothing had transpired.
“I’m okay.”
“Yes, you are,” Sun Tie replied, glancing to the side. He noticed his portable inventory next to him and Cole’s beside him.
The young master inspected everything, retrieved his sword from within the inventory and fastened it securely to his belt. After a brief pause, Sun Tie raised his voice, addressing all within earshot.
“People of Eternal Wind, gather around.” A group of men and women dressed in servant attire approached the young master, awaiting his next words. “I am Young Master Sun Tie, grandson of Sect Elder Sun Xiao. I advise you to stay close to us for now.”
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact. Sun Tie turned to Cole and murmured, “These are the loyal subjects, can you see?” Clearing his throat, the young master continued, “I also urge you to train, level up, and ally with other humans. Regrettably, you may never match the strength of a cultivator, but this is your chance to prove your worth.” As Sun Tie spoke, he noticed a spark in their eyes for the first time, and they exchanged surprised looks.
“But, young master—” A man attempted to interject.
“No buts, fool. Simply obey. You're currently too vulnerable to navigate this new world on your own. Get stronger and stay close to Leigh and Sofia. They will assist you.” The group nodded slowly, no further interruptions or inquiries coming forth. “I'll head to my grandfather’s mansion to gauge the situation. When I return, you'll have a home and can resume your responsibilities.” The latter statement didn't elicit joy, but there were no objections. “Good. You may leave.”
They dispersed, some in groups of three, others in pairs, but none ventured off alone. Who wants to be alone in this damn world? As this thought crossed Sun Tie’s mind, he searched for Bruce amid the crowd. With that man’s hatred, all care was advised, but he was nowhere to be seen.
After addressing the group, Sun Tie took a moment to survey his surroundings. He realized the structures were grander than they'd appeared from above.
Tiny homes stood next to towering buildings of glass. Elements of Eternal Wind's architecture were evident in some edifices. Yet, other parts of the ruined city showcased a distinct style: residences featuring grand arches, walls painted in deep shades, and windows adorned with vibrant, stained glass.
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It indeed seemed they were in a merged version of the three planets. The urban scenario of the end of the world.
“That’s remarkable,” Leigh said, approaching them and scanning the horizon. Cole and Sun Tie nodded in agreement, mesmerized by the view. “I want to explore, but first, we need to find a safe place to rest and plan our next steps. Any suggestions, Cole?”
Cole seemed taken aback by the question. Sun Tie noticed a part of Cole wanted to lash out at Leigh, but he held back.
“Find a place with at least two exits, one floor, windows, and somewhat easy to defend. We don’t know who the other groups are or what monsters might be awaiting us.”
Leigh nodded as Cole spoke.
“Good plan. Are you joining us now?”
“As you overheard earlier, we won’t. We have our own matters to attend to,” Cole replied, not mincing words. Leigh's manipulative tendencies were becoming evident, and Cole was not one to let it slide easily. “But we'll help you find a place, and then we’ll say our goodbyes. Right, Sun Tie?”
Sun Tie nodded. He had no objections. They wouldn't reach his grandfather's mansion within the first 48 hours. Spending an extra hour or two wouldn’t disrupt their plans, and he wanted to ensure his people were safe.
With those thoughts in mind, Sun Tie and the group traversed the city streets. The red moon illuminated the cobblestones and reflected off the glass windows of the Earth's buildings and houses. They heard no beasts nearby, but the group moved in silence. Cole and Sun Tie led the way. The only suspicious thing Sun Tie noticed was the silhouette of three people running in the distance as they rounded a corner. If Sun Tie were a betting man, he'd wager that one of them was Bruce, heading in the same direction he planned to go later.
Their journey lasted roughly thirty minutes until the archer discovered a warehouse. It wasn't particularly large but had massive windows, a prominent door at the front, and a smaller one at the back. The place was filled with boxes; from what Sun Tie could discern, they were made of paper.
"This is perfect," Cole remarked, "well-ventilated, two entry and exit points, and spacious enough for everyone." The older man moved to the side of the building, pointing to a red staircase leading upwards. "Easy access to the roof. We can set up lookouts throughout the night. This is a prime spot, Leigh. I think it'll serve us well."
"I agree," said the slender teacher, extending a hand to Cole. Cole eyed the gesture for a few moments before reciprocating. "Let bygones be bygones."
Cole simply nodded in response. Sun Tie sensed that a mere handshake wouldn't ease the old man's reservations. The elder didn't trust the teacher, and Sun Tie was aware that the younger Earthling had yet much to improve that sentiment.
James approached them with swift steps and addressed Sun Tie.
"So, our journey begins."
"Yes. Are you ready?"
"Of course not," James replied, a smile playing on his lips. "But what choice do I have? Shall we?"
"Hold on a moment," Cole interjected, his gaze fixed on the far end of the warehouse. In one corner, a workbench stretched out, and atop it lay a peculiar metallic object. Cole quickly moved towards it and sat down, inspecting the device by turning it from one side to the other. A cable linked the object to a wall.
"Do you think it works?" James asked, hope shining in his eyes. Cole, however, remained silent, continuing to manipulate the device until he found what he was searching for.
"It might be battery-powered. Radio towers might still be on the landscape," Cole mused, setting the device in place and leaning back to observe it.
"What are you waiting for?" James inquired, but was once again met with silence.
"Are you familiar with radios, Sun Tie?"
"No, what is it?"
"It's a means of communication that can span vast distances."
"Like sending a letter?"
"Yes, but it's instantaneous."
"Fascinating. We don't have anything like that in Eternal Wind."
"What about on your planet, Liv?" Cole turned to Liv, who was eavesdropping from a nearby corner, feigning disinterest.
"We don't possess such technology on my home planet, as far as I know."
"You asked what sets us apart. Why we're here with individuals from other planets who wield magic, perhaps it's because of this," Cole stated, "We aren't special; we're just inventive."
With that, Cole pressed a red button on the device. It emitted an odd sound, and after a few moments, a voice resonated from the other side.