Some islands are shaped like upside-down pyramids, with their tips pointing down and their bases facing the sky;
others appear in the form of a donut, with crystal forests growing inverted in the central void.
The "roots" of these forests grow upwards, the "branches and leaves" hang downwards, and each leaf is a pure magic crystal.
When the breeze blows, the crystal leaves collide to create a sound as crisp as wind chimes.
"Those crystal trees..."
Excitement unique to a researcher appeared in Ron’s eyes:
"Their growth pattern completely overturns common sense."
"In the Quicksand Lands, common sense is often the most unreliable thing."
Samuel smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"I’ve seen fish swimming in the desert, stones that can sing, I’ve even seen rivers that flow upside down."
"Here, the only constant is that everything is changing."
What shocked Ron the most was the gigantic "net of melody" in the sky.
Here, the Wind Element was no longer an invisible and intangible existence but was woven into visible transparent threads.
These threads interwove in the air into a complex web-like structure, covering hundreds of kilometers of the sky.
Whenever a fire vortex or inverted gravity island collided with the net of melody, the entire sky would resonate with heavenly harmonious music.
That music transcended the limits of human hearing, directly acting on the depths of the soul, allowing the listener to feel a transcendental tranquility and beauty.
"This phenomenon..."
Ron struggled to describe the spectacle before him in technical terms:
"The Elements aren’t in conflict, but rather coordinating on some profound level?"
"Your observation is very astute."
Samuel nodded appreciatively:
"In the Quicksand Lands, conflict and harmony are often two sides of the same coin."
"Those phenomena that seem contradictory are actually following some higher-order logic."
"It’s just that this order is beyond our conventional understanding."
The airship shook in the elemental storm for nearly an hour before gradually entering a relatively calm region.
But this "calm" is also relative—the air is still filled with dancing elemental particles, and the dunes on the ground constantly change shape and color.
"Lecturer Ralph, there’s something I must remind you."
Samuel’s expression became serious, his voice lowering slightly:
"In the Quicksand Lands, especially at night, never stare at the dunes for too long."
"Why?"
Ron acutely noticed the ominous undertone behind the warning.
"Because..."
Samuel hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully:
"Some areas of the Quicksand Lands, will stare back at you."
This sentence sent a chill through Ron.
He recalled the "observer paradox" mentioned in the Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide—when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back into you.
"What are those areas...?"
He asked further.
"No one knows the exact answer."
Samuel shook his head, a deep dread in his eyes:
"Some say it’s ’observation residue’ from experiments of the Second Era, some believe it’s some unknown entity’s sensory tentacles."
"But in any case, all those who stare at the dunes for too long at night are found the next morning mentally unstable."
"They keep repeating the same sentence: ’It saw me, it remembered me.’"
This warning made Ron more aware of the dangers of the Quicksand Lands.
Here, it’s not only a vibrant research environment for Elements but also a mysterious realm full of unknown threats.
Yet at the same time, this danger also indirectly proves the unique value of this place.
According to divination results, his bloodline breakthrough is likely to be completed in such extreme environments.
......
After witnessing the breathtaking elemental sights of the Quicksand Lands, Ron felt a bit mentally exhausted.
After hours of observing those phenomena that defied reason, even with his mental fortitude, he needed time to process and understand.
"Lecturer Ralph, we still have about four hours before reaching the Sand Sea School."
Samuel noticed his state:
"You can relax in the rest cabin, where there are isolation runes to shield you from external elemental turbulence."
"Thank you for the suggestion." Ron nodded in acknowledgment: "I do need some quiet time."
Back in his assigned private cabin, Ron felt a long-lost sense of peace.
The space here wasn’t large, but it was arranged quite comfortably.
There was a soft armchair, gentle magic crystal lighting, and a small table designated for reading.
He took out the Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide from his storage bag, a precious tome gifted by the King of Absurdity.
The wonders he had just witnessed heightened his interest in the Extraordinary System of alien civilizations.
"Since we have ample time, why not delve into the cultivation systems of various races?"
Ron gently stroked the eye on the book’s cover: "Perhaps I can find some insights that will be useful to me."
When he opened the book, the eye embedded on the cover slowly rotated, staring at his face.
Then, the pages automatically turned to a specific Chapter:
[Chapter 12: The Lost Legacy of Necromancy]
This Chapter was protected by special black sealing runes, densely covered with warning texts:
"Warning: Necromancy is a forbidden discipline, cultivators must bear corresponding legal responsibilities"
"Warning: Necromantic spells may lead to spiritual contamination and moral degeneration"
"Warning: The content of this for academic research only, practical application is strictly prohibited"
"Since it’s included in the Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide, it shows that this knowledge still has its academic value..."