Eager for sunlight and wind, we finished breakfast, changed for going out, told Heartvoice and Celia Maya, then took to the road.

These six months, training set our days like carved stone. On rest days, we drifted across the Dragon Realm like clouds. Yet many valleys and skies still waited, quiet as unopened books. I wondered where Lingxiao and the others aimed today.

For strolling, you expect markets, a tide of lanterns and voices. Thanks to Celia Maya’s notice, no one dared trouble us, like wolves kept back. No rude fools to jostle us; a calm street under a clear sky.

Yet an hour in, I realized our goal wasn’t a market at all. It was a natural sight—an untouched place of beauty, sparse in people. I could only make out its silhouette, like a garden drawn in mist.

We traveled on a dragon’s back, wings beating like banners in the sun. Our ride was a dragon, plain and simple. Records call Dragon Kin proud; was being a mount really fine?

Lingxiao had tossed this question to Celia Maya once. Not only Hill or Lanxia, even other Dragon Kin enjoyed bearing us, like storm steeds itching to run.

Celia Maya said, warm as a hearth: “If you build ties with the Mizumi Clan, dragons will line up to serve, mounts or whatever you need. I believe other races would do the same.”

So being our mount was a coveted task, a banner everyone chased. We gained convenience, like an easy wind down a hill.

As the destination drew near, Lixue stirred in my arms like a waking cat. She stood, stretched lazily, and gazed around with a smile like sunlight.

“Yeah, it really is beautiful,” I said, breath light as mist.

Unlike most of the Dragon Realm, the air here ran cool, like spring shade. A light breeze kept crossing us, soft and refreshing as silk. Our destination wasn’t a regular sight, but a small island floating in the sky. Its area matched Crimson Dragon Valley, yet its mood felt utterly different. Green life surged there, bright flowers spilled color like paint on air.

From afar, the hanging isle looked like a sky garden, too beautiful to take in.

“Heh, this is one of the Dragon Realm’s most famous sights—Vishia Isle,” came a rumble like distant drums. “Outsiders call it the Sky Garden. Its beauty will make you linger like drifting petals.”

Today’s mount and guide was a great dragon named Mankar Fosia. He loved travel, like a wind with a map, for two centuries and more. He’d roamed most of the world, tasting every land’s color and custom. In the Dragon Realm, every corner was clear to him as starlight.

“Looking forward to it. Tell me, Lingxiao, Lingsaki—how did you hear of Vishia Isle?” I asked, curiosity rippling like water. “It looks tucked away in the Dragon Realm like a hidden lake.”

“It is out of the way, yes, but its name carries far like bell chimes,” Lingxiao said. “Each year many visitors come to the Dragon Realm just for Vishia Isle.”

“We were bored the other day and flipped through books on Dragon Realm geography,” Lingsaki added, her smile like a curved moon. “We stumbled on Vishia Isle, and decided we had to go with Big Brother.”

A place’s fame, not its coordinates, writes it on the world’s wind.

“Odd. We’re almost there, but I don’t feel anyone else around,” I murmured, senses fanning like feathers.

“Celia Maya barred other visitors today,” Mankar said, calm as an old pine. “She wanted you to have a quiet space for play and rest.”

I’d barely voiced my doubt when Mankar answered, neat as a bell. Celia Maya thinks ahead, like a hand setting cushions before a fall.

Soon the full figure of Vishia Isle unfolded before us like a fan. Though it hung in air, it bloomed like a garden, birdsong braided with blossoms. Green swelled everywhere, flowers competed in riotous color, a thousand shades unfurling.

Fragrance tangled with the clear breeze, and it was hard not to drift. By scenery alone, Vishia Isle could rival the Phantasmal Forest in the Nine Cold Labyrinth. It even surpassed it in life; here everything breathed, unlike that lifeless maze.

After Mankar settled at the island’s gate like a swan on water, we dismounted. We couldn’t help but sigh, hearts opening like windows. This beauty felt like it belonged in the Elven Realm, not the Dragon Realm. The Elven Realm is famed across the world for landscapes like painted silk.

In the four great races’ planes, the Elven Realm has the gentlest environment. It sits away from the Central Continent like a green star, stirring endless longing.

Because of the Elven Empire, entering the Elven Realm isn’t simple; conditions stand like gates. For us, it’s easy—Elven Kind face stricter terms to settle on the Central Continent. If we wish to visit, a message suffices; even the Elven Queen might come greet us. Still, the Elven Realm can wait; we haven’t even walked the Dragon Realm properly.

“Yeah, the real thing beats the pictures in books by miles,” Lingxiao said, eyes bright like wet jade.

Playing and resting in a place like this is a life’s sweet harvest. The Central Continent has spots even prettier, like gems on a map. But they’re often empty; being here together gives heat and color to the day.

“Mhm, we came to the right place,” Lingsaki added, satisfied like a warm cup.

“I believe today will be a good rest day,” Lixue said, smile soft as a petal.

After savoring the view, Lixue smiled, light as a petal; her mood soared. In a place this lovely, even gloomy hearts clear like rain-washed stone. And we came full of expectation, like travelers chasing dawn.

“This is only the entrance. Inside lies better wonder,” Mankar said with a chuckle, voice like rolling stones. “If you don’t mind, let this old man lead the way.”

In human form, Mankar looked like a kindly elder, steady as mountain shade. He seemed to be a high elder in the Dragon Realm, weighty in status.

“We’ll trouble you then, Mankar,” I said, relief like cool water. I had no reason to refuse that offer, as clean as sky.

“It’s no trouble. Helping you is a blessing for this old man,” he said, warmth like embers.

“You’re too formal, Mankar. You’re the elder here,” Lingxiao teased, light as wind.

“Heh, it’s proper etiquette,” Mankar shook his head, smiling like a crescent moon. “The Dragon Realm’s prosperity today owes much to the Mizumi Clan’s aid. The young may not feel it, but my generation felt it deep as winter. With anyone from the Mizumi Clan, we cannot be discourteous. Enough talk; no need to delay your time. Follow me and stroll this Sky Garden—Vishia Isle—at a gentle pace.”

“Alright,” I said, like a leaf agreeing with the wind.