"Ladies who have either just arrived in the City of the Ship’s Rudder today or are already in the City of the Ship’s Rudder are fortunate. Before our ’Double Eagles’ Helm’ celebration reaches its peak, today marks our last training race!"

The host "Ryder" wearing the Soul Apex Cloak, spoke loudly facing all around.

"When the official race arrives, whichever of our twelve rowers wins the final victory, they and the shipyard they represent will step onto the glorious stage. Heh, perhaps after that, that shipyard will become a pioneer in the shipbuilding industry of the entire sky!"

Ryder waved towards the eager and ready rowers: "And after today, the rowers here will also see their value multiply, becoming stars in the sky! By then, they will be surrounded by people, and it will be difficult to approach them again!"

Reed chuckled disapprovingly: "Just those guys?"

His voice startled those beside him; this guy’s loud voice and dismissive tone made it difficult not to notice him when he contradicted in public. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Nonetheless, he controlled his volume, not directly smashing the stage of the host standing high above because the real show was yet to come.

Reed donned attire similar to that at the Flashing Field, not hiding the terrifying scars on his face and the iron cage mask. This appearance was eye-catching even in Nebis, where adventurers were numerous.

Among the crowd, there were naturally many followers, but also genuinely passionate airship racing participants. They noticed Reed’s demeanor, their expressions changed, trying to squeeze through the crowd to get close to him.

Seeing himself already noticed, Reed smiled with satisfaction and focused his attention on the field. However, some would not let him off and had already begun to argue with him.

"Hey, what did you just say? Jumping on the bandwagon to criticize? They’re competing for us, and you say such sarcastic remarks..."

As the host Ryder spoke, the expressions of those racers also varied, and the crowd, wild for them, surged forth immediately.

Some seemed to expect the glamour after success, while others looked at their airships contemplating something.

After quite a round of photo-ops and signatures, they stepped into their airships under Ryder’s direction.

"Well then, the last training race is about to begin. Everyone can place their bets. Will it be our Sky Flame ace, Gel, who maintains the most wins, or someone else who seizes the throne by staying hot on the trail? Stay tuned!"

Not far from Ryder were others also dressed in Soul Apex Cloaks. They set up tables, starting a betting arena.

"Is this the idea of these Soul Apex branch members, or is Rams really looking to accumulate wealth through gambling?" Farina asked as she watched.

Compared to Li Ang, who had left the group for a long time, she no longer understood Rams at all.

"Hard to say, at least ostensibly Rams would claim he wouldn’t do something so low-class, but if someone else does, he wouldn’t stop it either."

Xiaomo sneered, while Farina shook her head.

These people likely made quite a lot these days, Li Ang said, "It’s a pity there’s no thirteenth option, otherwise, they would lose thoroughly."

Andasu tightened her gloves beside.

At this moment, those with significant strength and key status stood on a small platform that could see the starting line of the training race. Here were Melegon, Morales, Loken, Farina, Li Ang, and naturally, Andasu.

This was a corner of a building that only the local bosses of the Shadow Factory knew about. Tourists couldn’t find it at all.

The engine of The Howling Wolf had already warmed up, its low rumble akin to the whimper of a great wolf before a hunt.

The beast-eared maiden was not wearing her previous flight suit; now, this Nether Lamp Shadow Suit was more convenient for her movements than ordinary racing apparel,

"Get ready."

As the rowers below took their positions, Li Ang also sat in the cockpit with Andasu.

Although she only needed to defeat those guys this time, without needing a navigator, Li Ang being present was to prevent any mishaps from occurring, such as the Empire playing out of order and attempting to down The Howling Wolf.

"Now, everything’s in place!"

Ryder shouted: "Three, two, one!"

Reed raised his hands, smiling, the fans around him cursed: "You dare say that again?"

"I said, none of your pretty boy pilots can win."

"Start!"

The host’s amplified shout through a loudspeaker drowned out the angry fans’ clamor. The engines of twelve small flying airships roared simultaneously, the sound wave shaking the heavens and the earth, the wind blowing up the onlookers’ clothes and street banners.

The rowers, trailing in colors matching their shipyards’ livery, soared into the sky, immediately passing through the rings already set in the sky, climbing in altitude.

In the City of the Ship’s Rudder, lacking the Platinum King, Rams wouldn’t invest too much, so it’s impossible for there to be magical equipment broadcasting like at the Flashing Field.

For tourists to see the rowers, they chose a route predominantly low to high, ascending along this spindle-shaped island of the City of the Ship’s Rudder, not far from the ground, passing through predefined markers, circling those ancient mechanical arms that naturally became obstacles, and then returning to the starting line.

The twelve airships raced neck and neck, giving no ground, occasionally making feint collisions to scare off opponents trying to accelerate past.