Entering the Fog Zone

Han Ning felt the noticeably replenished spiritual energy within his body.

On the system interface, his spiritual energy had recovered to 21/25 points.

This ability was simply too practical!

He had calculated that ever since he reached Level 4, his natural spiritual energy recovery rate was about 8 points per hour.

This was much faster than the 1 point per hour at Level 1, but correspondingly, as his skill levels increased, enhancing their destructive power and various effects, the consumption of spiritual energy had also grown.

For instance, when unleashing the Advanced Vine Technique at full power to entangle a large target, it could consume 2 to 3 points of spiritual energy in a single go.

Han Ning had also figured out some techniques to conserve spiritual energy.

By using his willpower to control the output of spiritual energy, he could summon a smaller number of weaker vines for reconnaissance or simple binding.

Each time might consume less than 1 point of spiritual energy. Such fine control was a benefit brought by increased proficiency.

Yet, no matter how much he conserved or how fast it recovered naturally, it still fell far short of the speed at which Lin Qianqian had replenished nearly 4 points of spiritual energy for him in just a few short seconds.

The value of such rapid replenishment during the intervals of battle or in moments of crisis went without saying.

Furthermore, Lin Qianqian was someone he had known before the apocalyptic crossing. Although they were merely in a superior-subordinate relationship, in his impression, this Boss Lin was decisive, fair in rewards and punishments, and reasonably upright—at least far more reliable than that scoundrel Chen Yan in Liu Feng's team.

However, Han Ning did not lower his guard completely.

Instead of immediately refusing, he asked cautiously, "What kind of cooperation do you have in mind?"

Lin Qianqian stated:

"Exploring the fog zone, especially venturing deep into the core area, is extremely dangerous."

"The mental attacks from those monsters are hard to guard against, and I cannot guarantee that you will maintain a clear state of mind at all times."

"Therefore, we need a support."

Han Ning frowned slightly and remained silent.

Having one more person meant one more variable, and just as Lin Qianqian said, mental defense was indeed their weak point.

The last time he managed to shake off the illusion, he relied on the purification effect of the Blessing of Nature, a skill that consumed a massive amount of spiritual energy and might not work every single time.

A teammate specializing in mental defense would indeed be an excellent asset.

"Everything about your strength was gathered from Chen Feng's description; I need to confirm it with my own eyes."

"Tomorrow morning, we will enter the outer perimeter of the fog zone from the southern entrance for a simple hunt, targeting the monsters on the periphery."

"If your performance meets my expectations, we will continue deeper until we can no longer hold on."

This was the value of ability. Lin Qianqian's skill to rapidly restore energy with a mere touch directly proved her worth.

"The southern entrance?" Han Ning was somewhat curious about this division.

"Yes," Lin Qianqian explained,

"Based on our explorations over this period, taking the axis extending from the Biyun Resort toward Egret Port, we have currently discovered three relatively safe entrances."

"There are two in the north, which we call North 1 and North 2 entrances."

"There is one in the south, which is the South Entrance. This time, we will take the southern entrance. The monster density there is relatively lower, and their strength is weaker, making it suitable as a place to build our synergy."

"Understood," Han Ning nodded in agreement.

After agreeing on the meeting time and place, the two parted ways.

...

Back at his apartment home, Han Ning did not rest immediately.

He walked over to the planting area in the corner of the balcony, gazing at the potato and tomato seedlings that were still struggling to grow under the dim light.

He extended his palm, and a soft, emerald-green radiance bloomed once more, enveloping the two crops.

[Blessing of Nature (Primary) Proficiency +1, Current: 22/200]

The green light seeped into the leaves and stems. The leaves of the potato seedling seemed slightly more vibrant, though no visible mutation had occurred to the naked eye.

Undiscouraged, Han Ning cast the spell once more on the neighboring tomato seedling.

[Blessing of Nature (Primary) Proficiency +1, Current: 23/200]

After casting it consecutively six times, he then applied rapid growth to several other plants.

He only stopped when his spiritual energy was completely exhausted.

...

The next morning, the rain had grown considerably heavier.

Accompanied by Xuebing, Han Ning arrived at the main building entrance of Biyun Resort right on time.

Before long, Lin Qianqian's figure appeared.

She was still dressed in her sharp windbreaker and cargo pants, shielded by a hooded raincoat, with her long hair tied back and a calm expression on her face.

A travel pack was strapped to her back, a quiver of arrows bound to her waist, and a compound bow held in her hand.

Accompanying her was a young-looking girl.

The girl was around twenty-one or twenty-two years old, standing only as tall as Lin Qianqian's ear, wearing a slightly oversized pink raincoat, with moist, deer-like eyes and an adorable appearance.

"This is Yu Na," Lin Qianqian briefly introduced,

"Her ability is 'Mental Barrier,' which can use energy to construct shields against mental shocks, release attacks similar to mental shocks, and provide a certain degree of reconnaissance. She will serve as our safeguard to maintain mental clarity."

"Hello, I am Han Ning," Han Ning took the initiative to greet her.

Despite her cute appearance and youthful look, Yu Na was actually rather aloof.

She merely gave Han Ning a cold nod in acknowledgment.

"Let's move out." Accustomed to Yu Na's reaction, Lin Qianqian said no more and took the lead, walking toward the flooded road outside the resort.

Along the way, Lin Qianqian briefed Han Ning on the situation regarding the southern entrance:

"The southern entrance was originally located near the ocean, at the edge of an urban village slated for demolition. The buildings there are relatively low and sparse, the floodwaters are deeper, and there are hardly any people around."

"The Mirage Insects active in that region are generally smaller in size, and the intensity of their mental attacks is weaker than those encountered at the northern entrances."

"Occasionally, a stray juvenile or sub-adult alligator lizard might wander over, but packs are very rare."

"Our route today is to push inward for about three hundred meters from the southern entrance. This distance is still within a relatively safe range; if we encounter danger we cannot handle, we can quickly retreat."

Before long, the surrounding scenery began to change.

The waters ahead began to mist with a milky-white fog.

The fog was initially thin, but as they pressed further forward, it grew denser, causing visibility to drop rapidly.

The sound of raindrops striking the water surface grew muffled, as if heavily absorbed by the thick mist.

"We've entered the edge of the fog zone," Lin Qianqian lowered her voice, "Stay alert; Mirage Insects could appear at any moment."

"I don't know how much energy you have left in your body, but as soon as you feel any depletion, let me know immediately so I can replenish you." She instructed.

"Understood!" Han Ning nodded.

The thick white fog rolled and billowed, reducing visibility to less than ten meters.

The accumulated water underfoot was icy cold, and every step required lifting one's leg with a sickening, viscous suction.

Xuebing walked at the very front, its vertical pupils scanning the surroundings with acute vigilance.

Han Ning followed two paces behind Xuebing, with Lin Qianqian and Yu Na close behind. The three formed a triangular formation, maintaining a high level of preparedness.

"Be careful, the hallucinogenic effect of the fog is stronger here," Lin Qianqian's voice filtered through the hood of her raincoat, sounding somewhat muffled.

"Mirage Insects... will appear... at any moment."

The voice of Lin Qianqian beside him suddenly turned wispy and ethereal, and the scene before his eyes distorted abruptly.

Deep within the thick fog, the outline of a village vaguely materialized.

Skewed wooden houses, dilapidated tiled roofs, muddy, winding paths... exuding an unspeakable, gloomy chill.

It looked precisely like a village straight out of a Hong Kong horror film like *July 14*.

An inexplicable frost of cold gripped his heart.

"No, it's an illusion!" Alarm bells rang wildly in Han Ning's mind.

Without a moment's hesitation, he mobilized the spiritual energy within his body.

A tender green radiance instantly surged from his palm, acting like warm sunlight dispelling the gloom, enveloping his entire body.

[Blessing of Nature (Primary) Proficiency +1, Current: 30/200]

Hum!

The scene before his eyes was instantly erased as if wiped away by an invisible eraser.