Who Brought Him into the Cultivation World?

Chapter 336: Chapter 278: Shrouded by Mist

There aren’t many things that can make the Artifact Spirit so flustered; it only seems to get this eager upon encountering its prey, and rarely loses its composure otherwise.

Han Yu left Ling Wuce behind, finding a quiet spot to sit cross-legged, and delved into his Sea of Consciousness.

At that moment, the Sea of Consciousness was already filled with swirling mist, and the Artifact Spirit took small steps backward, distancing itself from the Bottle.

The state of the Bottle was incredibly peculiar; why was it releasing this mist without reason?

He recognized this mist, which would prevent others from spying on him if released. So, what is happening now?

The Bottle seemed to have no intention of stopping, as the mist spread rapidly, finally enveloping even the Artifact Spirit, leaving the entire Sea of Consciousness as a hazy expanse, making it impossible to see anything.

”What’s going on here?”

Han Yu, puzzled, asked the Artifact Spirit.

A voice filled with irritation, that of the Glass, came from the mist, ”You’re asking me? Who should I ask?”

Who knows what the Bottle is up to, suddenly acting like this without any reason.

As the voice trailed off, tendrils of mist began to seep from Han Yu’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, enveloping his entire body; it permeated his flesh and blood directly, while the rest even slipped through his sleeves and pants.

In just a moment, the mist had completely infiltrated Han Yu.

”Do you think there’s a possibility that someone is spying on me?”

Han Yu pondered. The Bottle had cloaked both the Sea of Consciousness and himself, making it unlikely to be an issue with the Bottle but rather an external one.

He knew the purpose of the mist, so the likelihood of someone spying on him was high.

Yet, he didn’t understand what sophisticated method could prompt such drastic actions from the Bottle.

No one was there to solve his confusion; after the Bottle completed its task, everything returned to calm, leaving only a hazy Sea of Consciousness and a bewildered Han Yu.

Luckily, the mist outside had entirely fused into his flesh and blood, so externally, Han Yu showed no signs of anything unusual.

Returning to The Bund, Ling Wuce was standing there looking around. Upon seeing Han Yu return, he asked curiously.

”Did something happen?”

Han Yu had left in such a hurry earlier that it couldn’t have been faked, and Ling Wuce couldn’t follow.

Now, seeing him return, Ling Wuce couldn’t resist asking out of curiosity.

Han Yu’s speculation about being spied upon was based on the mist, which originated from the Glazed Bottle—a secret he couldn’t reveal—so he simply shook his head.

”It’s nothing.”

Seeing Han Yu unwilling to elaborate, Ling Wuce didn’t press further, only advising softly, ”In the future, don’t worry. Quan Xiaotong owes you plenty of favors, and you can seek help from the Fifth Tower when needed.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle, realizing that the Fifth Tower seemed to offer little help.

In terms of Magical Treasures, Han Yu was a Pure Body Cultivator with no need for them.

Regarding Pills, the Hundred Herbs Bureau likely wouldn’t bother to take out theirs just to show off.

In terms of strength, Han Yu’s ability to fight or flee meant he rarely needed the Fifth Tower’s help, but whenever he did, it must involve significant trouble.

”If you keep accumulating those favors, Quan Xiaotong might end up offering his spot to settle the debt.”

Ling Wuce joked, though the accumulation of those favors was indeed substantial.

Outside the beach, the migration procession went smoothly, and the old site of the village was now deserted.

About an hour later, a cultivator from the Cultivator Institute returned, bowing towards Ling Wuce.

”Dean Ling, everything has been temporarily settled.”

For the time being, even the Imperial Court couldn’t conjure a village from thin air. The so-called ”settlement” meant temporarily housing the villagers in Sea Stone City’s residences using Chicken Feather Gall, while ships from Sea Stone City remained docked. Supplies were sent back to the ships by cultivators from the Government Office for a few more days.

For the Celestial Craft Department, creating a cottage within a few days was a breeze.

As for the Wood Spirit, it was even more carefree; it found a vacant lot and settled in, and as Ling Wuce had anticipated, it soon appeared in its Spirit Body, frolicking around Sea Stone City.

When they returned to Sea Stone City, they saw it exuberantly passing through the streets.

”Do you think it can be persuaded to stay if Sea Stone City becomes more prosperous?”

Ling Wuce was naturally delighted, as such formidable natural spirits were unlikely to find joy in mundane human life.

The more it liked it, the steadier Sea Stone City’s future would be.

”Well, have you considered giving it a Guardian role?”

Han Yu half-joked.

To his surprise, Ling Wuce seemed genuinely intrigued, his face pensive as though seriously contemplating the concept.

”No way, you’re not serious about that, are you?”

Han Yu was taken aback by his expression, followed by a peculiar look. Appointing the Wood Spirit as Guardian would be an eccentric move, potentially jeopardizing the city.

”Well, the villagers have worshipped it for a millennium; isn’t that quite nice?”

Ling Wuce mused, stroking his chin.

Indeed, from what the villagers recounted, ever since their ancestors were rescued by the Wood Spirit a thousand years ago, they had been shielded and thrived for generations.

Such a long span of time, and the villagers’ unwavering reverence showed they not only lived undisturbed but found their lives immensely enjoyable.

It was evident that the Wood Spirit had a natural inclination to protect living beings.

Han Yu, who had encountered its fierce side, had reservations about it, while Ling Wuce seemed unaware of its sharp tongue.

As midnight approached, dense fog veiled the full moon.

And mist enveloped the Sea of Consciousness.

Huh! Tsk!

A soft sound emanated from the Sea of Consciousness, and Han Yu, lying on the deck of the Government Office’s ship, turned over, intending to check on the Pills, only to be confounded.

Amidst the thick fog, forget discerning the effectiveness of the Pills, he couldn’t even locate them.

”Hey, hurry up and find the Pills!”

He called out to the Artifact Spirit.

”Can’t find them? Ask the Bottle, not me!”

The Artifact Spirit reluctantly replied, but showed some movement.

A quarter of an hour later.

”... Han Yu, I’m lost in your Sea of Consciousness.”

The Artifact Spirit’s words caused Han Yu’s face to drop; it was absurd. The hazy Sea of Consciousness had not only isolated it from the outside world but had also trapped him.

What about my Pills?

”You should be asking how I fare?”

The Artifact Spirit suddenly spoke with grievance, as it was having the worst time, finding itself in utter darkness within the Sea of Consciousness, surrounded by nothing but mist. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that while trying to help Han Yu find the Pills, it even lost track of the Bottle’s whereabouts.