Perhaps because of Half-Mountain Stronghold’s unique structure, Feng Yuan discovered that the Spirit Beasts living here differ from those in most of the strongholds in Cha Mu Town.
As a region heavily influenced by the Yognot, the Spirit Beasts in Cha Mu Town generally lean towards the fire-elent, yet the Spirit Beasts of Half-Mountain Stronghold are uniquely dominated by wood and water elents.
Wood Spirit Beasts can accelerate the growth of crops. At least in the event of a siege on Half-Mountain Stronghold, they can ensure the people inside won’t go hungry. As for the water elent, it’s simpler—not just about watering or diverting water, but the wooden structure itself is enough to trouble them. A fire that isn’t controlled in ti isn’t sothing to joke about.
Perhaps it’s because of this that the Fire-Attribute Spirit Beasts are pitifully few, and very few belong to Half-Mountain Stronghold.
It’s inevitable, for a single mishap with a Fire-Attribute Spirit Beast could destroy Half-Mountain Stronghold entirely, unlike other strongholds. Other strongholds aren’t stacked together like Half-Mountain Stronghold, so even if rescue is untily during a fire, it would only burn down a few houses.
If a massive fire breaks out in Half-Mountain Stronghold, there’s no telling if the whole stronghold might be wiped out.
Aware of the enormous side effects of this structure, Feng Yuan does not quite understand why they chose it initially, although it doesn’t concern him.
The staggered design didn’t make Feng Yuan feel much difference in lighting as he climbed higher. He noticed sothing curious about the light from those sky wells and spaces between buildings. He approached a nearby sky well, where the sunlight was rather dazzling, but Feng Yuan noticed sothing unusual amidst the glare.
"Is this a special coating made by mixing Spirit Beast phosphorus powder?"
Sweeping his Divine Sense over it, Feng Yuan barely figured out roughly what it was and couldn’t help muttering, as Agunas flicked its tail and said,
"That’s probably right, but this stuff only lasts three years."
Compared to Feng Yuan, Agunas noticed more details—not that Feng Yuan’s vision is lacking, but it’s a matter of authority. Agunas can sense intuitively and know the general lifespan of those things.
Moreover, these coatings aren’t complex—just special reflective materials made by blending Spirit Material with Spirit Beast phosphorus powder.
Unlike mirror reflection, these coatings’ refractive paths aren’t uniform once applied, so no small areas beco particularly bright. Overall, brightness near those areas is relatively higher, with added substances in the coatings enhancing diffused reflection effects.
While reflecting sunlight, these coatings also intensify sunlight themselves, precisely because of their existence. The lower part of the stronghold doesn’t appear dark—even without looking up, one might not realize how tall the stronghold is.
Benefiting from Half-Mountain Stronghold’s uniqueness, Feng Yuan noticed a fair amount of tourists here. Following signs continually upward, Feng Yuan observed an unavoidable increase in brightness the higher he went, even with the coatings’ help.
Perhaps as a result, residents mostly live near the upper parts, yet avoid the very top layers.
On the topmost layer, Feng Yuan sees large farmlands with sunlit soil. Compared to below, the top layer is evidently more suitable for farming—unless using Spirit Beasts that simulate sunlight, land lower down struggles to compare despite Wood Spirit Beasts’ help.
Below the top layer is a drying field, empty now due to the off-season, becoming a spacious activity area.
In this venue, many Spirit Beasts play with children. Feng Yuan guesses by their attire that these are tourists’ offspring, perhaps aware that Half-Mountain Stronghold’s environnt is rather dull for children and has provided various amusents in this drying field.
With Spirit Beasts watching over them, parents seem able to enjoy so treasured ti alone, and dedicated staff monitor the drying field, minimizing potential incidents.
Feng Yuan leaves the drying field quickly, feeling it’s not quite his scene.
The topmost layer’s farmlands are already planted with winter crops, given Maomu City’s location in Southern Xia, where winter planting is possible. Even more so, Cha Mu Town Area is under Yognot’s special rules, allowing many crops to grow through winter.
Of course, considering the New Year, generally, winter crops in Cha Mu Town don’t require excessive care.
Walking to the edge, Feng Yuan peers into the deep valley below, separated by tall railings. Despite plunging temperatures, one still feels gusts of warm air blowing through.
"These railings are quite high indeed."
Veronia gazes at the over two-ter-high railings, saying aloud, as Feng Yuan smiles and replies,
"Otherwise, if soone clumsily falls, it’s not a joking matter."
Falling off any side here would be deadly; the place is just too high. Not just here—the entire Half-Mountain Stronghold, except the bottom three layers, is enclosed externally by special wooden railings.
The lower three layers guard the cliffside, avoiding accidental falls from which rescue would be impossible.
The railings weren’t installed solely for tourists, but set to protect the children in the stronghold, not designed mainly with visitors in mind.
Despite so obstructed views, Feng Yuan doesn’t consider crossing the railing to look beyond.
Because he senses chaotic rules and forces hovering above the cliff—forces likely deterring airborne foes from approaching Half-Mountain Stronghold.
The Yognot’s forces manifest here, and the chaotic forces will trigger burning with special flas upon any life approaching.
This special force ensures only the mountain path leads to Half-Mountain Stronghold. Of course, the area’s immunity from war isn’t solely for this reason. Historically, Cha Mu Town Area is rarely caught in major conflicts.
The reason is simple—Yognot’s presence. Forget others, the Divine Beasts won’t allow human wars to easily affect this region. Although they don’t intervene with mountain bandits, large-scale battles are mostly forbidden in Cha Mu Town Area.
Thus, Half-Mountain Stronghold mainly resists small ard groups like mountain bandits, maintaining relative peace.
"I didn’t expect such a distinctive stronghold in Cha Mu Town Area. It’s a pity it seems underdeveloped for tourism."
Leaning against the railings and gazing at the farmland, Feng Yuan can’t help lanting the low level of tourist developnt here. Besides so visitor conveniences, there’s little in the way of comrcial activities.
Stores retain their traditional focus on residents’ daily needs.
Not that one can’t shop online, just it’s cumberso to deliver packages, mostly using Flying Spiritual Beasts for delivery.
Yet, with Half-Mountain Stronghold built on a flight-exclusion cliff, Flying Spiritual Beasts must detour around the area via mountain paths, very troubleso indeed.
Hence shipping costs to Half-Mountain Stronghold are generally high, so unless items are valuable, regular essentials aren’t bought online, lest shipping surpass product costs.
Except for daily necessities, stores lack tourist-oriented products, which Feng Yuan finds uneasy. Likewise, inns and restaurants catering to visitors are nonexistent, forcing late-arriving tourists to solve lunch on their own.
Lodging is easier to address; being the tourism line’s starting point, only latecors face this difficulty.
Still, this situation makes tourists wishing to stay in Half-Mountain Stronghold overnight give up their intentions.
Feng Yuan wonders whether it’s insufficient ti for preparation or rely the stronghold’s decision not to provide such anities. In his view, lacking accommodations and dining is sowhat regrettable.
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