Chapter 568: Chapter 289: Guardian Holy Object and Ship’s Figurehead

The entire island resembles a spindle shape, but it’s not entirely sloped, as there are platforms surrounding it at intervals. Moving further up, leaving the densely populated areas, one arrives at a large platform area mainly composed of rails and broad roads.

This place is called Ship Merchant Street, and the shops here are much more legitimate, primarily supplying ship equipment, with a few factory counters also present.

From engines to hovercrafts, from ship figureheads to armor, from ramming horns to guardian divine objects, all are necessary equipment for the Flying Airships.

Needless to say, a certain Platinum Ace was immediately captivated.

Compared to Flashing Field, the equipment here, especially the engines, are mostly designed by major factories, possibly incorporating the heritage of previous civilizations. They are constructed with a strong sense of industrial aesthetics, boasting top-notch efficiency, unlike those pieces of scrap metal from Flashing Field—um, to put it nicely, they are ’wasteland-style’ creations, and completely different.

“Take your time to look around if you like.” He said to White Wolf.

Andasu’s usually folded ears perked up instantly with enthusiasm.

Li Ang sensed the unease in everyone’s hearts throughout the journey and thought that cheering up even one person was a success.

Zoe was curious about all the objects, but Li Ang felt she was like a cat, merely wanting to paw at them without any special significance attached to the items themselves.

Meanwhile, ALulu and Dorothy focused their attention on the ships’ figureheads and guardian divine objects.

“Brother, I feel there’s Divine Power on top of this.” ALulu pointed at a statue.

“That’s not surprising, they’re meant to protect the ships during their voyages.”

Dorothy originally viewed these items as craft pieces, yet she looked up curiously and asked, “Can placing some statues really protect the voyage?”

Her delicate fingers pointed towards a nearby statue of the Goddess, which was not complete, but more like primitive clay art—headless, with an expanded chest and abdomen, probably a relic from a fertility worship era.

“Yes, in ancient times, it was a form of belief that gradually evolved into tradition.”

Nebis, in such a Sky Island World, sometimes people esteemed the Flying Airships more than those from Earth’s age of great maritime exploration.

“Until recent years, under the leadership of the Guild, researchers gradually discovered that some guardian divine objects indeed possessed a certain spirituality, attracting magic power to create special effects, blessing ships on their voyages. They then slowly unveiled the fact that ancient civilizations had the ability to create such holy objects, and now some Magic Artisans have begun studying how to craft guardian divine objects.”

Previously, Otto promised such an item as a reward to Li Ang, which was Tier 9. This time, Meluna had a duel with the Elder Sword Hero, so he provided that item to Li Ang before departing.

However, Li Ang found it strange that the item before him was considered a guardian divine object. What kind of ship does a fertility worship guardian protect?

The system can also display the panel of such items.

[Statue of the Goddess of Life – Damaged]

[A statue of the Goddess molded with magically-imbued clay, manifesting a Divine Spirit that is now unknown, but its residual power still provides protection to those who hold hope]

[Tier: 5]

[Category: Guardian divine Object]

[Guardian Effect: Enhances the breeding likelihood and vitality of offspring aboard the ship]

Who would want this?

Li Ang was speechless, but Dorothy seemed to recognize its function upon seeing him gaze at it, insisting he explain its origins.

After a brief explanation, Dorothy blushed, then stood still, pondering for a while before saying, “Should we buy it in case it becomes useful later?”

Li Ang was about to say something, but noticed the more embarrassed ALulu beside him.

Ah, Xiaoniu’s state change makes her more prone to rampant thoughts.

What was my initial purpose for recruiting members again? He mused.

Wait, maybe this item could be useful for demon breeding? Perhaps we misunderstood. Alas, these problematic young girls.

Should we buy it or not?

“Let’s look at other things first; we already have our main guardian divine object.”

He could only present his own.

The item he retrieved from the Dimensional Rift was a sculpture of a Falcon, its texture resembling jade yet possessing a metallic sheen, giving the impression that a gentle tap would produce a clear, crisp sound.

However, this cognition was actually a deceptive feeling transmitted by its invisible power, and only upon shaking one’s head clear would reveal its splendid form.

A Tier Nine Powerhouse can establish a domain, Tier Nine Equipment possesses conceptual skills, and Tier Nine guardian divine objects are similar.

The Falcon’s hooves stood firmly on the ground, its front claws lifted high, mighty wings spread wide, eyes spirited and fiercely majestic.

“Is this what Wendes rides?”

“That’s a Griffin…”

“Alright, don’t look at me with that ’you’re uneducated’ gaze, I’m aware.” Dorothy lamented.

“Well, it’s not entirely your fault, many novice adventurers confuse them too.”

Falcons and Griffins, simply put, both have the front half of their bodies as birds of prey, whereas the latter half, one is like a horse and the other like a lion demon; at times, they appear quite similar, and their powers are somewhat alike.

The biggest difference is that Falcons are friendlier to humans, while Griffins are wilder.

This Tier Nine Falcon statue is an extremely powerful guardian divine object.

[Statue of the King of Falcon]

[A mysterious statue imbued with the abundant spirit of the King Eagle, having a strong guardian effect for the ship that places it]

[Tier: 9]

[Category: Guardian divine Object]

[Guardian Effect: Enables the ship to cross storms unimpeded]

The “Storm Crossing” granted by the system panel is the concept-level blessing of this guardian divine object, effectively allowing the ship to face potent storms and pass through.

Of course, Li Ang believes the storm’s intensity shouldn’t exceed Tier 9, as anything beyond that should be termed a Wind Elemental Magical Disaster, like the wind attribute Super Demon “World Disturbing Vulture” from the World destruction Six Punishments appearing, it’s overly challenging for any guardian divine object to counter it.

“Can only one guardian divine object be displayed?” Dorothy asked.

“As far as I know, yes, but they can be temporarily swapped.”

Having stored the Statue of the King of Falcon properly, the young girls beside him seemed to have gained some understanding of guardian divine objects. Meimei was well-traveled and aware of these matters, while Meluna didn’t care at all.

Zoe, after watching halfway, came over to listen, whereas Andasu was still deeply immersed in her engines.

“What about these then?”

ALulu looked at some other “craft pieces.”

“They’re so big.” Zoe exclaimed.

With her head held high, these sculptures towered over the small cat.

“These are ship’s figureheads, similar to guardian divine objects, but slightly different.”

Guardian divine objects are very mysterious, with diverse blessing effects, more akin to a concept bestowed upon the ship, while ship’s figureheads directly provide skills. People usually don’t expect to obtain divine objects with highly useful blessings, but Otto was generous in this instance.

Conversely, ship’s figureheads are crafted directly using magic, providing skills to ships, like the dragon head not far away, which offers two skills.

[Fine Red Dragon Ship Figurehead]

[A ship’s figurehead drenched in Red Dragon Blood, granting the power of the Red Dragon to the ship. When launching the ship, shattering a bottle of dragon blood at the bow will activate its full power.]

[Tier: 6]

[Category: Ship’s Figurehead]

[Provides Skills: [Dragon Flame Cannon] [Dragon Fire Sprint]]

The first skill is usable once a day, allowing the ship’s cannons to fire ten rounds of Dragon Flame Cannonball, causing destructive magical damage, while the second skill is usable once a week, temporarily propelling the ship with Dragon Flame, significantly boosting sailing speed.

Compared to guardian divine objects, ship’s figureheads are the main reliance of most large Flying Airships, especially for Sky Knights.

Due to its large size, extensive materials usage, and many engraved magic arrays, the effects provided are quite strong; of course, good ship’s figureheads are extremely expensive. Usually, only well-established Sky Cavalry would equip them; to save costs, not even the Contan Helm would bother, nor would the Imperial Battleship possess them.

[Note: Contact with the Ship’s Figurehead has opened the Ship’s Figurehead Crafting Panel]

Indeed.

Li Ang knew the system was at work again, since it appeared once when Otto gave him the guardian divine object.

In that case, should he handcraft the entire ship?

As he pondered, a commotion erupted from Andasu’s side.

Everyone thought she was in trouble and went over to check, only to find it involved someone else.

Inside the engine shop, a plump man resembling the shop owner was berating an elderly man with graying hair.

“What are you doing? I hired you to maintain the products, not to change their structure! How will I sell them now that you’ve altered the Sky Flame Shipyard’s design?!”

“I optimized it for you; that design decreases the usage lifespan, harming customers.”

“I don’t care about your reasoning, you—”

Seeing Li Ang approach, Andasu’s previously hesitant expression relaxed, and she immediately said, “Master, I want to go over.”

Trusting her not to cause trouble, Li Ang, though unsure of her intentions, agreed and said, “Go ahead, I’m behind you.”

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