NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 132
The returning members of the Black Mist Exploration Team devoured their meal with the ferocity of starving wolves, their hunger a testament to the hardships they had endured.
They feasted on the Tier 4 exotic beast meat that Lu Ming had generously provided, savoring the tender, juicy flesh. One of the Awakened even shed tears of joy as he ate, as if he hadn't tasted such a satisfying meal in ages.
The other diners in the canteen observed the scene in somber silence, their faces etched with concern. It was clear that this group had experienced something truly harrowing within the Black Mist Zone.
As the meal concluded, Huo Sheng rushed over from the official shelter.
In Lu Ming's outdoor dining hall, a somber gathering commenced. Lu Ming, Zhang Chengcheng, Wang Xiong, Bai Tianyu, Duan Mei, and Huo Sheng assembled, ready to hear the news Bai Tianyu had brought back from the Black Mist Zone.
"Let's start with the bad news," Bai Tianyu began, his voice heavy. "Everything Lolita's mother said was true..."
It was, indeed, a grim report.
During their previous conversation, Lolita's mother had painted a bleak picture of the Black Mist Zone, describing it as a place of extreme danger and constant threat to life. Huo Sheng had listened with skepticism, suspecting that she was exaggerating the risks to ensure a swift reunion with the Nanxiang survivors upon their entry into the zone.
But now, Bai Tianyu confirmed that Lolita's mother had not exaggerated the dangers.
"Let's start with what we already know," Bai Tianyu said, summarizing their existing intelligence on the Black Mist Zone.
"First, the level of the creatures," he began. "The lowest level of creatures in the Black Mist Zone is Level 4. As far as I've seen, anything capable of inflicting harm is at least Level 4."
This information was already known, but Bai Tianyu reiterated it as a form of validation.
"Next, the method of entry," he continued. "To enter the Black Mist Zone, you must come into contact with the Black Mist, either intentionally or unintentionally. After contact, you'll experience a temporary state of dizziness. Once the dizziness subsides, you'll find yourself within the Black Mist Zone."
"There are two crucial points to note," he emphasized.
"Firstly," Bai Tianyu began, "buildings and structures don't follow us into the Black Mist Zone. The way we entered was by remaining inside a building on the verge of being consumed by the mist, waiting for it to swallow us."
"When we appeared in the Black Mist Zone," he continued, "we realized the building hadn't come with us."
After finishing his explanation, Bai Tianyu discreetly glanced at Lu Ming, noting a flicker of pain in his eyes.
He really won't be able to keep his house... Bai Tianyu thought to himself.
"Vehicles, supplies, and such do accompany us into the Black Mist Zone," Bai Tianyu resumed, "but ordinary items decay rapidly within the zone."
"Take our vehicles, for example."
The vehicles Bai Tianyu's team had driven were modified by Zhang Lixin, heavily armored with robust defenses.
"Despite that," he lamented, "after just half a month in the Black Mist Zone, they deteriorated beyond recognition."
"As for food," Bai Tianyu continued, "regular food spoils within an hour inside the zone. We attempted to preserve it using ice-based abilities, but it was futile. Only exotic beast meat seems to remain unaffected..."
"Secondly," Bai Tianyu moved on to the next point, "upon entering the Black Mist Zone, we don't arrive together. We're scattered across the area, but generally within an hour's walking distance of each other."
Lolita's mother had mentioned this phenomenon as well.
"Therefore," Bai Tianyu continued, "entering the Black Mist Zone is like teleportation. Each person's landing point is random, but it seems we're all transported to the same general area."
This meant that during the initial phase of entering the Black Mist Zone, individuals had to rely on their own strength and ingenuity to reunite with the main group.
"Three members of the Black Mist Exploration Team lost their lives during this process," Bai Tianyu revealed, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Huo Sheng frowned. "Doesn't holding hands help?" he inquired.
Bai Tianyu shook his head. "It doesn't."
"However," he added, "if people are inside the same vehicle, they will enter the Black Mist Zone together. This method ensures that a small group can land at the same location."
After a brief pause, Huo Sheng nodded, encouraging Bai Tianyu to continue.
"Then, there's the matter of the surrounding map and the ecological environment," Bai Tianyu said, his expression darkening. "We haven't been able to create a map. Our movements were severely restricted during our time in the Black Mist Zone."
"We can only confirm that the area is teeming with monsters and the environment is incredibly harsh. The team members were either constantly fighting or on their way to fight."
With meager meals and restless sleep, who had the energy to draw a map?
"But there is some good news," Bai Tianyu offered. "We found a location that could serve as a foothold."
"An ancient city ruin," Bai Tianyu revealed, his voice grim.
Though it was called a city, it was more accurately the size of a modern village. Its walls had long since crumbled, leaving it defenseless. The only advantage was the abundance of broken walls and ruins, providing ample cover against the dangers lurking within the Black Mist Zone.
"During our fifteen days of exploration," Bai Tianyu continued, "we didn't encounter any intelligent creatures we could communicate with. It was all exotic beasts and monsters. So, we can't confirm if there are factions or safe zones established by intelligent beings within the Black Mist Zone."
Huo Sheng's brow furrowed. "That's troubling," he muttered.
Having an indigenous faction capable of communication would be invaluable for gathering information and potential alliances. Unfortunately, none had been found so far.
"Finally," Bai Tianyu concluded, "let's discuss the method of escape."
"The way to leave the Black Mist Zone is surprisingly simple," he explained. "All you need are Zombie Crystals, also known as Origin Stones. Collect three Origin Stones of the same tier as your own, and you can return to your point of entry."
However, Nanxiang City had yet to be completely enveloped by the Black Mist. This meant that Bai Tianyu and his team still had a place to return to. But once the city was fully consumed, it was uncertain whether this method of exiting the Black Mist Zone would still be viable, or if they would even be able to return to Nanxiang City at all.
"No, you can't," Huo Sheng stated firmly.
He turned to Lu Ming and said, "Earlier today, Lolita's mother sent a message. New York has been completely consumed by the Black Mist. They tried to return using the method Bai Tianyu described, but it didn't work."
A somber silence descended upon the group.
Huo Sheng continued, his voice heavy with the weight of the news. "Therefore, when Nanxiang City is enveloped by the Black Mist, those who enter the zone will have no way out. They will be trapped, forced to struggle for survival within its depths."
But then, a glimmer of hope emerged.
"There is some relatively good news," Bai Tianyu interjected. "Firstly, the concentration of mystery factors within the Black Mist Zone is incredibly high, several times that of Nanxiang. This means that once inside, the efficiency of the breathing technique increases dramatically, accelerating the rate of advancement."
"Secondly," he continued, "there are zombies and monsters in the Black Mist Zone, and they can produce zombie crystals. These crystals can further enhance the Awakened's progression."
As a testament to this, the returning members of the Black Mist Exploration Team had made significant strides in their training. Bai Tianyu had even ascended to Level 6! Duan Mei had reached Level 5, and the remaining seven members had also progressed significantly.
"The rate of growth within the zone is extraordinary," Bai Tianyu confirmed.
He hesitated for a moment before adding, "There are also numerous opportunities in the Black Mist Zone, such as weapons, equipment, and even more Basic Breathing Techniques... But I have a feeling that these opportunities are somewhat... unusual."