Chapter Eleven: The Relentless Gale

After retrieving the calendar from the general store, Chi Sui studied it carefully. The Sky Island did not follow the conventional months; instead, the year was divided directly into four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—each lasting 65 days. This meant that a year on the Sky Island was 105 days shorter than the world Chi Sui came from, seemingly making aging quicker and the seasonal changes more pronounced.

The Wind Season typically appeared at the start of summer, lasting about half a season, though it sometimes arrived early or late. For instance, this year’s Wind Season had come early, beginning at the end of spring. The Wind Season was caused by multiple strong cyclones forming around the Sky Island, rendering airborne vessels—the floating ships that connected the islands—unable to travel. Fortunately, the internal conditions of the islands remained mostly unaffected.

Chi Sui had believed these facts about the Sky Island until now, when she was suddenly swept into the air. Clinging tightly to the now soft-haired Momo, she struggled to speak while dodging branches and debris flying by.

“Momo! Didn’t you say this path was safe?”

“It was supposed to be. I didn’t smell any beasts or monsters, but who could have predicted such a sudden gust of wind?”

Momo gripped Chi Sui’s collar tightly. If they were separated in the forest, Chi Sui’s chances of survival would plummet.

Ignoring Momo’s explanation, Chi Sui quickly grabbed a nearby tree trunk and, after some effort, secured herself to it. The swirling sand and dust already made it difficult to keep her eyes open.

Earlier, Chi Sui had followed Momo into a cave it mentioned, but unfortunately the ice crystals inside had melted into droplets. Perhaps due to poor ventilation and rising temperatures, the cave had become damp and stifling, permeated by an unpleasant odor. She had only stayed briefly before the smell overwhelmed her.

Momo, with its sensitive nose, hadn’t even entered the cave and was already gagging at the entrance.

Apparently, something had changed in this ice cave from Momo’s memories; the original occupant was long gone.

Originally, Chi Sui intended to return home, but near the cave’s entrance, she discovered a new ingredient—morel mushrooms.

These mushrooms, which thrived in soil rich with humus, had a distinctive shape resembling a sheep’s stomach with pitted surfaces. The whole mushroom was yellowish-brown, emitting a unique aroma and possessing rich nutritional value, often used in stews.

Simply seeing these mushrooms sparked countless recipes in Chi Sui’s mind. She was already planning to order an old hen from Basha’s ranch in town.

Unfortunately, before she could harvest many mushrooms, after trekking along the mountain path, she was suddenly swept into the air.

Now, clinging desperately to the tree trunk, Chi Sui deeply regretted why something always happened whenever she discovered new ingredients. Perhaps next time, she should just run away at the sight of new food.

The howling wind showed no sign of abating. The tree trunk she clung to swayed dangerously, and despair crept deeper into her heart.

Momo curled quietly in her arms, its small paws digging into the bark.

Sheltered by Chi Sui’s body from most of the sand and wind, Momo cautiously poked out half its face and sniffed.

“Chi Sui, I think I smell a monster... but only faintly.”

Its nose twitched again. “It’s really faint, but I’m sure it’s a monster. This unusual wind might be caused by it.”

Trying to speak, Chi Sui ended up with a mouthful of dust and dirt, coughing and spitting before whispering, “Momo, is this a monster you recognize?”

Momo sniffed again, then sadly lowered its head. “I’ve never smelled this before.”

The expected answer weighed heavily on Chi Sui’s heart.

But there was little time to ponder. The tree beneath them began to crack under their combined weight. In such fierce winds, being blown away would be disastrous, and she doubted she’d be so lucky to find another secure hold.

Thinking of recent encounters with Momo and the Green Shoot Python, Chi Sui gritted her teeth and spoke aloud, “Sorry to disturb you. I’m the new ranch owner from Fufeng Town. I don’t know if this is your territory, but I apologize for trespassing. Could you please stop this wind? I promise we’ll leave immediately and won’t linger.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the howling wind began to ease.

Seeing this, Chi Sui quickly spat out the grit in her mouth and continued, “I’m sorry for the trouble. Though I’m a new ranch owner, I have some cooking skills and brought some homemade scallion rolls. If you don’t mind, I’d like to offer them as an apology...”

Before she could finish, the wind abruptly stopped.

A massive antenna appeared before Chi Sui’s eyes.

She could hardly describe the surreal scene. The largest beetle she had ever seen was only palm-sized, but this enormous insect stood upright like a human, estimated to be over a meter tall. Its wings, spread from constant fluttering, resembled heavy stone slabs etched with wind-blown patterns. The antennae on its head ended in bifurcated tips, thick and strong, somewhat like antlers.

Most striking were the black rings along the antennae. Within these rings were white orbs, and in the center of each orb was a small dot, perhaps its pupil. The giant body paired with these cartoonish big eyes oddly softened its otherwise fierce and intimidating appearance.

“Are you the ranch owner from the eastern part of town?”

Though no sound was made, the words echoed directly in Chi Sui’s mind.

Wide-eyed, Chi Sui looked at the oblivious Momo. Clearly, the voice was not Momo’s; it had to be the enormous beetle before her.

Swallowing nervously, she spoke cautiously, “Yes, Your Honor. I inherited that ranch just a few days ago.”

“Inherited? What is your relation to Chi Yu?”

The sudden mention of Chi Yu’s name caused Chi Sui’s mind to blank for a few seconds. Though unfamiliar, the name sparked a deep sense of warmth within her.

When she regained her composure, the words slipped from her mouth: “Grandfather.”

The beating of the wings paused noticeably upon hearing this.

To Chi Sui’s astonishment, the towering beetle gently embraced her, and even Momo began flailing its limbs in surprise.

Before either could struggle, they were gently set down.

Thanks to the beetle’s movement, Chi Sui finally noticed a line of silvery-gray small characters above its head.

[Affinity 63%, Contract Attempt Possible (Ranch Friend Bonus)]

After Chi Sui steadied herself, the beetle rubbed its hands together, and a nostalgic voice entered her mind.

“You must be Chi Sui. I’m a friend of your grandfather’s. When you were little, I used to hold you. I never imagined you’d grow so much so quickly.”

Chi Sui, originally tense, was left speechless.