The mountain terrain where Shilin Mountain Castle is located is on the edge of a north-south oriented mountain range that extends northward and eastward. The pollution on the mountain is relatively low because the toxic particles from the pollution back then mainly accumulated in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The lower the altitude, the more severe the pollution.

"Therefore, most settlements and strongholds of intelligent life on this land are built by the mountains." Sigismund explained.

"Most of the eastern land is wilderness, and it is only near the northern mountains where there might be settlements and strongholds of intelligent beings."

"So, you must have some clues." The young girl nodded.

"Yes, Gwen, who is leading the team, has started gathering the dispersed teams."

After spending a relatively stable night, the team Hexia followed moved northward the next day, gradually merging with other teams along the way.

By the evening of the third day, at a mountain clearing near the hills, about 800 people who set out this time had all gathered. Everyone gathered around several huge bonfires, cooking dinner, with various conversations and footsteps noisy in the night.

Sitting in a separate tent, Hexia and Ores sat together, teaching one another some relatively complex theoretical knowledge. Hexia spread open her hand, revealing the model of the Aijeika branding with sparkling light points, allowing Ores to slowly comprehend.

"I understand this now." After a thorough round of teaching, Ores nodded, indicating she got it.

Although she had forgotten many things, Ores retained muscle memory for many tasks. Additionally, she was inherently smart, learning swiftly.

"Alright, let's call it a day for now. Want to take a walk?" Tilan dispersed the floating model lights.

"No, sleep." Ores disliked the noisy environment outside, especially since many members bore body odors, which made the cleanliness-obsessed Ores even less willing to go near.

"Then go to sleep first, I'll take a look outside." Helping Ores tuck in her blanket, Tilan touched Ores' cheek, then stood up.

In the night, some people gathered around the bonfire roasting things, some were humming unknown tunes, and others were keeping rhythm.

Among them were the slender, fine-boned newborn races and the tall and burly newborn races with horns on their shoulders. They each possessed different talents and, even without systematic study of extraordinary knowledge, could harness some extraordinary abilities through the instincts of their genes.

"That day, after encountering the savages, I leapt up, glided to the back of their formation, and charged towards their leader. He was clearly startled and screamed as he fled, having some savages intercept me."

"I cut down several thick-furred savages and chased him over a hundred meters on the ground before he dared to turn back and fight me."

"At that time, I used the 'Triple Ax Strike' and chopped off one of his arms. But this guy wasn't simple. He started emitting steam from his whole body, and then his breath seemed like vapor. When he retaliated, he swung down a blow that almost severed me and my axe, so I dodged multiple times. He was exhausted and couldn't catch up, only watching me leave leisurely." A lean person with crude wings on his back boasted by the bonfire.

Standing not far away, Tilan listened to the description and speculated about the enemy's species.

"Miss Hexia, are you interested in these?" A Grey Feather Species member approached; he seemed about 30 years old, wearing a dark coat, and his gray-blue eyes turned towards the boasting lean person not far away.

"He actually also has some of our Grey Feather Species blood, though very faint, with only that pair of feathered wings on his back barely showing the characteristics of a Grey Feather Species. As for the enemies and opponent he mentioned, they should be 'Boiling Blood Species,' a kind of newborn species extremely resistant to high temperatures, though I hadn't expected them to appear in this land."

"Over the past few days, I have seen many new races with various abilities. What I am more curious about is that it seems only a small portion of people have inherited bloodline abilities."

"Yes, due to the intermixing and pollution of genes during reproduction, most abilities can't be expressed. This type of people constitutes a significant proportion. Their genes are, therefore, unstable, referred to as 'Chaotic Species.' In the original natural world, hybrids usually have advantages, but newborn species' genes are meticulously designed. Once disturbed, the original advantages can't be expressed and might even turn into disadvantages."

"Current, thriving species often have intra-racial marriages, which help maintain a strong foundation."

"I'm somewhat curious, Miss Hexia, to which species do you belong? You don't seem to have any particularly distinct features." As the other spoke, a hint of inquiry flashed in their eyes.

It appears this one is a fellow enthusiast in research—Grey Feather Species seem to have an inclination towards a love of knowledge, Tilan thought to herself.

"I... I am not really sure of my true heritage, only familiar with my mother's background." The girl spoke a kind of truth, her gaze looking into the distance.

"I once spent considerable effort seeking answers but never found a clear one. Eventually, I came to terms with it. Whether a person's essence is self-defined or defined by bloodline, I believe it should be the former, so I stopped being troubled by it."

"Miss Hexia's thoughts are quite philosophical, and I quite agree with them. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people on this land understand philosophy and truth. Most lives merely follow their instincts to survive."

"When I was young, I also wondered what kind of end this chaotic and declining world would meet." He, too, recalled past events.