Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 899

The Reappearing Ghostly Mist

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Several days later.

Han Li and his companions flew over a strange body of water.

The turquoise water was sparsely stained with black, and a black mist swirled above it. Stranger still, the vast sea, or lake, was dotted with islands of varying sizes, like stars in the sky.

Han Li and the others had been flying day and night, yet they still hadn’t escaped this place.

“Let’s hide here. The sea is incredibly vast, and there seem to be terrifying creatures lurking beneath the surface. If the Demon Kings sense this, they won’t recklessly spread their consciousness to search. It will actually be an excellent shield for us,” Han Li said, circling the area as a streak of blue light.

They had seen countless areas shrouded in thick fog on their journey, but the black mist here was unique.

Just as they descended into the black mist, something astonishing happened. The seemingly ordinary black mist suddenly surged towards them, dispersing their spiritual energy and shattering their protective glows.

“Ah… !” Yuan Yao and Lian Li cried out in alarm, trying to mobilize their spiritual energy, but they were helpless. Han Li was just as surprised, but having experienced similar situations before, he simultaneously activated several hand seals within his body.

However, despite using various techniques like the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light and the Great Devilish Art of the Buddhist Sect, nothing worked. Instead, the twelve hand seals of the Awakening of Insects, which he had activated without thinking, worked, instantly transforming him into a blue roc and allowing him to recover his full magical power.

Delighted, Han Li spread his wings, doubling in size, and immediately snatched the two women with his claws, soaring into the sky. The blue roc broke through the mist and flew into the heavens.

The blue light faded, and Han Li, now in human form, along with Yuan Yao and Lian Li, who had regained their magical power, appeared in the air, their faces pale.

“What on earth is going on? What is that black mist that it can exert such terrifying power? If Brother Han hadn’t helped us, we would have been in serious trouble,” Lian Li said, her face grim. Yuan Yao’s eyes flickered, her face also pale. Han Li, with his hands behind his back, looked down at the black mist and pondered.

“It is indeed strange, but, Fellow Cultivator Yuan, doesn’t this feeling… seem somewhat familiar?” Han Li turned his head to look at Yuan Yao.

“Yes, we experienced something like this in the mortal realm. When we were sucked into the Ghostly Mist in the Chaotic Star Sea and went to the Land of Yin and Nether [a place associated with death and the underworld],” Yuan Yao suddenly recalled the Land of Yin and Nether.

“Back then, it was the Land of Yin and Nether, and now it’s the Land of Netherworld… Haha, the names are similar, and even the bizarre mist that causes one to lose their magical power is the same. There must be a connection,” Han Li mused.

“It doesn’t seem exactly the same. The effect of stealing spiritual power was stronger in the Ghostly Mist of the mortal realm. Just now, we could only not use our magical power, but we could still sense the spiritual power within our bodies. This is a big difference from when we were sucked into the Ghostly Mist and were no different from mortals.”

“I felt it too. The specific reason could be the difference between the Ghostly Mist here and in the mortal realm, or it could be because our cultivation has increased significantly since then. What’s certain is that the Ghostly Mist in the mortal realm actively moved to swallow cultivators, while the mist here…” Han Li shook his head, pointing out the differences between the two.

“That’s right. That black mist didn’t try to swallow us actively. The Ghostly Mist in the mortal realm dragged people into the Land of Yin and Nether. Could this black mist also be connected to another space?” Yuan Yao’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“It’s impossible to know. The true nature of the Ghostly Mist and the Land of Yin and Nether in the mortal realm hasn’t been revealed either.”

“Hmm, is it like this everywhere the black mist surrounds?” At Han Li’s sigh, Lian Li looked around and suddenly asked, her eyes shining.

“I hadn’t thought of that. If you two wait here for a moment, I’ll take a look around,” Han Li said, raising his eyebrows. Yuan Yao and Lian Li remained where they were, and Han Li transformed into a blue roc, descending again about a dozen yards away.

“Junior Sister Yuan, isn’t Brother Han’s divine ability amazing? He’s even mastered the transformation technique of the Flying Spirit Clan,” Lian Li said.

“Senior Sister Lian, have you forgotten? Brother Han entered the Earth Abyss as a Saint of the Flying Spirit Clan. It’s not surprising that he has mastered the Flying Spirit Clan’s transformation technique,” Yuan Yao replied.

“You’re saying that because you don’t know. Not just anyone can imitate a Saint of the Flying Spirit Clan. I heard that one must possess the blood of a True Spirit and pass various strict criteria. Even the Flying Spirits themselves find it difficult to become a Saint of their clan, so the fact that Brother Han has done it is amazing.”

“That’s true,” Yuan Yao nodded and stared blankly in the direction where Han Li had disappeared. Seeing this, Lian Li’s eyes changed slightly.

“But what I’m more curious about is why Brother Han isn’t affected by the Ghostly Mist even when he transforms into a roc.”

“It is strange. Could there be some special effect in the Flying Spirit Clan’s transformation technique?” Yuan Yao regained her senses at her question and turned her gaze.

“Let’s ask Brother Han when he returns. He might know something.”

“Isn’t it a bit… inappropriate to directly ask about another cultivator’s divine abilities or techniques?” Yuan Yao hesitated at Lian Li’s words.

“Haha, how long have you and Brother Han known each other? It’s okay to ask about this much. It’s not like we’re asking for the secret formulas of his techniques. If we share information, we might find a way to counter the Ghostly Mist. I’m not very close to Brother Han, so it would be better if you asked,” Lian Li said casually. Yuan Yao frowned and then relaxed, pondering before finally nodding silently.

After a full half-hour, a blue light flashed at the edge of the sky, and a large roc returned with a clear cry. The roc, which had flown in with the wind, retracted its blue light in front of the two women and returned to Han Li’s form.

“How did it go? What are the other places like?” Lian Li asked.

“Not all of them, but some of them absorb spiritual power. Most of them were shrouded in thick mist,” Han Li answered seriously.

“Then what should we do? Should we go into the black mist?”

“…Actually, being chased, it’s not wise to study this place deeply. However, the black mist’s effects and its ability to block consciousness seem like they would work on the Demon Kings as well. If we hide here, no one will be able to find us. The only concern is what dangers might be lurking beneath this mist.”

“If we can avoid Gui Pa and the other Demon Kings, we should take this risk. Besides, if Brother Han transforms into a roc, there’s no reason to fear the black mist,” Lian Li smiled. Han Li was about to say something when Yuan Yao, who had been hesitating, spoke up.

“Um, Brother Han, you’re using the Flying Spirit Clan’s transformation technique, right? Why aren’t you affected by the mist after transforming? If it’s okay, please tell us. We’re curious if there’s a way for us to maintain our magical power within the mist.”

“The Kun Peng [a mythical bird] transformation technique is indeed from the Flying Spirit Clan and the Heavenly Peng Clan. However, I’m not sure why I’m not affected by the mist. But if I think about it carefully, one guess is possible.”

“What kind of guess?” Lian Li’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. At her words, Han Li said with a slightly troubled expression.

“You two have also cultivated in the Land of Yin and Nether in the mortal realm for a long time, so you must have heard the legends related to that place.”

“Ah, are you talking about the legends related to the Netherworld and Rahu [a celestial being in Hindu mythology]?” Yuan Yao immediately understood and asked.

“That’s right. There’s no way to truly prove the existence of the Netherworld, but I’ve seen Rahu directly in the mortal realm. Although I only saw a very small part of Rahu, the situation when it appeared was quite similar to the Ghostly Mist.”

“Are you saying that the Land of Yin and Nether in the mortal realm could really be inside Rahu’s body?” Yuan Yao asked in surprise.

“There’s no proof, but I think there’s a 30 to 40 percent chance. The True Spirit Kun Peng and Rahu are natural enemies, so it makes sense that I’m not affected by the black mist when I transform into a Heavenly Peng.”

“If the Land of Yin and Nether is inside Rahu’s body, how can you explain that the Ghostly Mist there is different from the mist here?”

“If the Land of Netherworld is inside Rahu’s body, have you considered what kind of Rahu it is?” Han Li smiled faintly instead of answering.

“You mean the Rahu of the mortal realm and the spirit realm are different! If there are two Rahus, it makes sense that their bodies would be very different. The Rahu in legends is said to be so large that it can swallow the sun and moon, and it naturally has an independent space within its body! Since the Land of Netherworld is much larger than the Land of Yin and Nether, it could be a Rahu that is much larger than the Rahu of the mortal realm,” Lian Li’s face grew pale as she thought about it.

“Not only that, but judging by how the mist here is settled, this Rahu might still be alive. According to some scriptures I’ve read, even if Rahu’s lifespan ends, the space within its body may not collapse and may exist forever.”

“Then, is this place inside the corpse of a dead Rahu?”

“Haha, all of this is just my speculation. We don’t know what it’s really like yet,” Han Li grinned and then closed his mouth.

“I think Brother Han’s words make sense. It explains most of it. The Rahu here is already dead, and the energy within its body is stronger than that of the mortal realm, which is why so many high-level ghostly creatures have appeared. What’s uncertain is whether the Demon Kings know this to some extent. The only thing that doesn’t make sense is that we can use our magical power freely here, unlike in the Land of Yin and Nether,” Lian Li said, organizing her thoughts.

“Who knows! A powerful being of the Floating Tribe might have used a special divine ability here, or the space within Rahu might naturally change like this when it dies. But the important thing is whether the black mist can send us out. If the Land of Yin and Nether and the Land of Netherworld are similar spaces, there must be an exit here as well. If there is an exit, we can leave this place much more safely than by going through a spatial node.”

“That makes sense. Did you find anything else strange in the Ghostly Mist?” Lian Li asked, lost in thought.

“I didn’t find anything. Other than the black mist limiting magical power and divine abilities, there was nothing else. Of course, I haven’t explored this entire place, so I can’t say for sure. Since the black mist has gathered here, there’s a high possibility that the exit is also in this sea area. Should we look for the exit right away? Or should we hide for a while as originally planned?”

“Since the exit might be nearby, let’s look for it even if it takes some time! We might be able to find the exit within a day or two. If we can leave right away, it would be much safer than hiding and waiting blindly,” Lian Li decided without much hesitation, and Yuan Yao also agreed. However, Han Li was lost in thought, not saying anything. The two women’s words were correct, but an unknown anxiety made him hesitate.

After much deliberation, he opened his mouth.

“As you both wish, let’s stay here for a while and look for the exit. However, the maximum is two days, and after two days, we must disappear immediately to be safe.”

At his words, Yuan Yao and Lian Li exchanged glances and nodded.

“Let’s search the black mist below first. Even if we can’t find the exit, if we set up a temporary base here, we can hide in case of an emergency. With the power of the Kun Peng, we can escape the influence of the black mist, and for a while, you two will also have a way to not fear the mist.”

“What way?” Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed from behind Han Li, and two wings unfolded, their colors changing abruptly. One was surrounded by blue energy, and the other emitted a five-colored radiance. The wings were all smooth and transparent like crystal.

Unexpectedly, Han Li had returned the Wind Thunder Wings, made from Kun Peng feathers, to their original form. Lian Li and Yuan Yao, seeing the true form of the Wind Thunder Wings for the first time, were startled. The shape hadn’t changed much, but the energy they emitted was clearly different.

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