Inside the Kui Cow mech's cockpit, the projection panel displayed hundreds of sensor readings, showing internal and external conditions, as well as Ding Zhensi's own data. His current spirit energy recovery rate was clearly marked at 10% of normal.
Was he cursed? Or unknowingly afflicted with a debuff?
"Probably just thin spirit energy."
Li Ang, lounging in a deck chair, lightly tapped the armrest, causing plant fibers to sprout from the bottom of the wicker chair and pierce deep into the soil. He drawled, "This area's ambient energy is even more barren than the real world."
Ding Zhensi subconsciously glanced at the projection panel in the cockpit. The next moment, the AI's gentle voice echoed through the cabin: [Detected that the current mech is in a low-energy reaction zone. Enter energy-saving, low-consumption mode?]
Low-energy reaction...
Ding Zhensi felt a chill run down his spine, an ominous feeling washing over him.
As a member of the Special Affairs Bureau's Mobile Task Force, he was authorized to know certain information considered common knowledge within the Extraordinary Association but not necessarily known to outside players.
Generally speaking, a transcendent,
regardless of which power system they chose,
whether using spirit energy, magic, arcane power, or inner force, ether,
was, in most cases, connected to the outside world.
Daoist techniques drew spirit energy from heaven and earth, arcane arts called upon ambient elemental energy.
Even inner force, mind power, Ripple, and other seemingly self-contained power systems were not completely isolated from the outside world.
They still relied on external energy replenishment (such as breathing and meditation) to complete the energy cycle.
Based on this mystical theory, several related concepts had emerged, including but not limited to anti-magic fields—which suppressed all magical effects, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities within a certain area;
dead magic zones—where any "supernatural concept" could not exist;
wild magic zones—where all spell effects would be distorted;
and the most common, low-energy reaction zones—commonly known as spirit energy decay. All supernatural effects that drew upon external energy rather than using one's own power would be discounted, and the spirit energy recovery rate would also be reduced.
But, according to the Extraordinary Association's records,
the real world in the 21st century was already in the End of Days after several spirit energy decays. How could there be an area even more desolate than the real world?
Moreover, the growth of the surrounding vegetation didn't resemble a barren, ashen-white world drained of spirit energy.
"Hmm..."
Hohenheim squinted and snapped shut the Sand Book in his hand. His voice was low as he said, "The ambient energy density in this area is only slightly higher than a dead magic zone..."
He took a small bottle of blue potion from his inventory, downed it in one gulp, and slowly said, "Spirit energy recovery potions do work normally.
However, drinking any potion in the short term will lead to severe drug resistance.
Considering that this area might be vast,
I personally suggest that everyone start reducing energy consumption from now on."
Hohenheim's speech was unhurried, his expression calm and composed.
In fact, everyone knew that he, as a traditional spellcaster, was likely the most affected—for mages, excessively thin external energy could produce negative reactions similar to altitude sickness.
At best, general discomfort and limb weakness; at worst, headaches, insomnia, and difficulty breathing.
It was not impossible for some weak mages who relied on magic to maintain their vital signs to simply faint.
But from the outside, Hohenheim showed no signs of discomfort.
His composure was almost comparable to Li Ang, who was busy setting up a parasol.
It was unclear whether he was forcing himself, not wanting others to see his weakness, or if he was genuinely unaffected.
"In any case, let's scout the surrounding environment first."
Hohenheim swept his gaze over the group and took a drone from his inventory.
Just as he was about to pick up the remote control and pilot the drone to observe the surroundings,
a bolt of lightning as thick as a bucket instantly struck down from the high clouds, directly hitting Hohenheim.
Boom!
The dull and thunderous sound of thunder echoed belatedly across the wilderness.
A flash of dazzling light disappeared in an instant.
"Cough, cough."
Hohenheim, who had just been engulfed by the lightning, stood in place, the corners of his brown trench coat emitting charred smoke.
His expression changed slightly, and he abruptly raised his arm, signaling the other players who had subconsciously raised their weapons not to act rashly.
"Wait, I'm fine."
The mage from the Clock Tower threw the smoking drone fragments on the ground and waved his hand, his expression strange. "The main target of that lightning was the drone in my hand..."
David frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
"The main power of the lightning was concentrated on the drone I took out. The aftershocks were absorbed by the magical items I'm wearing."
Hohenheim pondered for a moment, then looked up at David and said, "You have a drone with you too, right? Take one out, then immediately throw it away."
"You mean..."
David's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he took out a drone manufactured by the Federal Bureau of Investigation from his inventory—this time, he learned from Hohenheim's lesson and threw it far away as soon as he took it out.
Boom!
Lightning struck again, accurately hitting the drone David threw, blasting it into fragments that scattered in all directions.
"As expected..."
Hohenheim's eyes flickered. "Summoned creatures are attacked..."
[Phase One Mission Objective: Pass through the forest and reach the foot of Pale Sacred Mountain]
[Mission Time Limit: 5 hours]
[Mission Reward: None]
[Mission Failure Penalty: None]
[Friendly fire shield will be temporarily disabled during this mission]
Without any warning, the system notification suddenly sounded, and everyone's expressions changed slightly as they looked at each other.
"You guys heard the system's voice, right?"
Hohenheim took a deep breath and took out paper and a pencil from his inventory. "To ensure that everyone's goals are aligned,
I suggest that everyone write down the description of the script mission they received in the real world on a piece of paper, as well as the system notification they just heard."
This was indeed necessary.
The suffix of the [Chang Ye Jiang Zhi] script mission was a string of question marks, indicating neither team cooperation nor team competition.
Perhaps someone's mission objective was the opposite of others, to prevent others from completing the mission, or simply to hide in the team and kill others—the database was full of similar cases.
Everyone was an experienced player. Even Ding Zhensi was familiar with these potential rules. They each took out paper and pens or similar carriers from their inventories, wrote down the mission descriptions they heard, and then finished writing at the same time. Together, they took them out and compared them.