The gray mist billowed, its thick tendrils weaving like dark clouds, shrouding the city in gloom and haziness.
Towering buildings flickered in and out of view within the mist. The exteriors of dozens of meters-tall structures showed peeling paint, and cracks spread across them like gray-black vines climbing the edifices.
From the large cracks, or through windows where the glass had long since shattered, faint, cold eyes peered out at the desolate streets below.
There were also rusted, dust-covered cars, damaged billboards, and shattered shop windows.
This was a city of the dead.
Four figures, clad in robes emblazoned with flame patterns, moved cautiously through the silent, dim streets.
Po Li led the way.
According to the tactics devised before their arrival, she and Captain Shi Yunxi were positioned at the front and rear, respectively, while Miss Anna and Sister Cen Jing in the middle held bright torches to illuminate their surroundings.
This was a precaution: if one torch were to extinguish in case of an accident, the other would remain lit.
Through the torchlight, their surroundings came into view.
A sense of desolation welled up within Po Li. "The world is about to fall into ruin. Could this be the future of our Blue Star?"
"Most likely. That's why the Mentor founded the Spark of Hope and trained us. We must prevent this disaster."
Preventing disaster.
Mulling over Captain Shi Yunxi's words, Po Li felt a new understanding for the first time.
It wasn't just the simple oath taken upon joining, nor was it solely due to the dazzling exchange list. It was because the disaster was too immense.
One could escape the destruction of a city.
One could escape the destruction of a country.
But could one escape the destruction of a world?
The ruined city left Po Li feeling uneasy. She wondered if the cities she had passed through before, occupied and destroyed by malevolent entities, had gradually become like this.
She could no longer afford to flee. She was now a warrior of the Spark of Hope, wielding the flame of dawn to dispel darkness!
"Careful, there are malevolent entities above, three of them."
Hearing Cen Jing's words, Po Li quickly regained her focus. Without looking up conspicuously, she instantly diamondized her arm and, guided by the incoming stench, threw a heavy punch.
*Bang—*
A malevolent entity, over two meters long and resembling a giant cockroach, had its entire head shattered. Its body rolled to the side under Po Li's immense strength, smashing through a display window and knocking over mannequins before falling lifelessly.
The second cockroach-like entity, mid-leap, was decapitated by Anna's scorching, sharp threads of flame.
However, a third one swooped down, its fangs bared, aiming for Po Li.
Watching this, Shi Yunxi did not intervene.
Her tactical position was to conserve her strength for unexpected situations, a plan formulated before they set out. It was not yet time for extreme danger.
She trusted Po Li.
Po Li's left arm instantly turned to diamond as well. With a "clang," the entity's fangs tore through her wide sleeve, creating a small hole or two in her combat uniform, but they couldn't pierce her diamond-hard arm.
The next second, Anna's support arrived, her thread of fire piercing the entity.
A battle that seemed perilous but was in fact routine, concluded.
Whether it was Po Li, Anna, Cen Jing, or Shi Yunxi, they were all quite accustomed to combat in the spectral realm.
Most encounters were not difficult. With the team's strength, they could swiftly eliminate even two or three three-star malevolent entities.
However, exploring the spectral realm required consideration beyond just killing, encompassing factors like noise, endurance, and more.
"Let's go."
"We'll turn left next, into an area with less dense buildings. This stretch should be easier."
Hearing Shi Yunxi speak, Po Li scratched her head in curiosity. "Captain, this is your first time on this path too, how do you know there will be fewer buildings ahead?"
"Because of the map. The spectral realm is another dimension hidden beneath reality. Most places correspond to their real-world counterparts. The area we are in now is the spectral interface of Linshan City. I've thoroughly collected this city's map before coming."
She realized she was at a disadvantage due to her lack of knowledge.
She needed to catch up on her studies after returning; she absolutely couldn't be like President Yin Luoxi and be a slacker.
"Understood, understood," Po Li nodded her little head.
Captain Shi Yunxi was so reliable!
The team's movement was not in a straight line; they had to avoid areas with complex and changeable environments, as well as occasional passing giant figures.
Avoid if possible, circumvent if necessary – this was the principle of spectral realm exploration.
Po Li followed instructions and continually memorized these small tricks.
Occasionally, they would detour for treasures.
This happened quite often, as Captain Shi Yunxi had purchased a 'Treasure Detection Radar.' This was a special ability that only formal members of the Spark of Hope could acquire.
It could detect mysterious materials within a certain range, centered on the user.
The detection radar charged by the hour and was not cheap, but everyone felt it was a benefit of being a formal member of the Spark of Hope. They had collected a large amount of mysterious materials along the way.
Twelve green materials, one blue material.
Compared to that, the hourly fee was negligible. They felt it was too cheap and worried the organization might incur too much loss.
While collecting materials, Po Li widened her eyes. She knew treasures were nearby, yet there were many times she couldn't find or recognize them.
This, again, was due to her lack of knowledge.
Indeed, indeed, she couldn't be a slacker like President Yin Luoxi. Scholars earned fortunes, while slackers might lose everything.
...
...
Over an hour later, the four-person team finally reached their destination.
A treasure collection point located in an underground parking lot.
"This place is..."
The environment in front was dilapidated and desolate, at least corresponding to reality.
But here, the underground parking lot contained no rusty vehicles. Instead, it felt like entering a vast underground cave. The interior was cold and damp, with mostly jagged ground, and in some areas, concrete floors stood with rebar.
The primitive and the modern blended harmoniously.
After a moment of awe, Shi Yunxi spoke.
"We've reached the target area. Stay vigilant!"
She surveyed the surroundings, stepped forward, and crouched at the junction of the smooth concrete floor and the rugged stones. She gently brushed away the ground with her silver-gloved hand and revealed a look of joy.
"Found it! It's the Void Stone! Embedded in the underground area at the intersection. I can see three pieces right now!"
This was a blue-grade material!
The organization's usual purchase price started at 30 contribution points, with higher pieces fetching seventy or eighty, even a hundred. Moreover, as this was mission material, it could be priced at least 50% higher.
No wonder this mission was said to be so valuable.
Po Li also felt exhilarated, her ponytail swaying.
At this moment of potential wealth, caution was paramount. Po Li and the other three understood this well. Three stood guard while Anna, who could condense fire lines and possessed strong cutting abilities, began the extraction.
"I'm starting."
Anna took a deep breath, half-crouched on the ground, and rubbed the rough interface. After observing for a moment, flames appeared in her palm, condensing and compressing into a thin, scarlet thread. She began to cut into the earth.
*Chh-chh-chh—*
Sparks flew.
Anna's cutting was faster and quieter than any tool. Soon, the first 'Void Stone' was extracted.
Then came the second, and the third.
The flames of the two bright torches flickered slightly, casting a soft glow that dispersed the surrounding mist, bringing light to the pitch-black underground space.
Yet, malevolent entities could not be entirely avoided.
The most dangerous encounter was with three Death Giant Grubs, three-star malevolent entities that were adept at burrowing. When they erupted from the ground, the scout Cen Jing's warning was a moment too late.
Earth and stone flew, the ground collapsed.
Her slender body, wrapped in robes, plunged downwards as if falling into an endless abyss.
Po Li was startled and rushed forward.
But Shi Yunxi was faster.
"Water Flow · Azure Wave Blades!"
She cried out, and the water streams swirling around her transformed into sharp, azure blades that shot out. Several water blades struck the same spot on a giant grub with precision, severing it in one blow.
This was just the beginning. More water streams encircled Shi Yunxi, emitting a rushing sound.
The water surged like waves, and simultaneously, she gathered power in her right fist. A pure white cold current erupted from her silver-white glove.
"Water Flow · Freezing · Eternal Frost Current!"
The freezing power of the ice fist radiated outwards, spreading along the falling water streams onto the other two giant grubs.
In an instant, two magnificent statues were formed, embedded in the collapsed rock face.
As Shi Yunxi's final Azure Wave Blade fell, the grub statues shattered into several pieces, tumbling into the seemingly bottomless abyss.
Along with them fell two Void Stones that had not been extracted in time.
Anna, having climbed back up, followed the falling debris with her eyes, full of regret.
Shi Yunxi felt the same, but she was calmer. "More malevolent entities have detected us. We need to leave."
She stuffed the Void Stones and other valuable items into their backpacks, signaled her team, and the four of them quickly retreated from the underground space.
...
...
*Puff puff*
The sky outside remained overcast, offering a sense of relief compared to the completely dark underground cave.
Po Li leaned on her knees, panting slightly.
It was tense, but she also found it "exciting!"
Her eyes blinked as she looked at Captain Shi Yunxi, the image of her killing three three-star malevolent entities in mere seconds flashing in her mind. She gained an understanding of the power of the organization's Torchbearers.
Under the cover of the torchlight, the Death Giant Grubs did not pursue.
Seeing this, the group drank potions to recover slightly, then began their return journey along the path they had taken.
Moving through the steel jungle shrouded in thick gray mist, occasionally catching distant glimpses of giant shadows in the fog, they either waited patiently or detoured to other paths. Po Li followed instructions, walking cautiously. Suddenly, she noticed an unusual glimmer in the mist ahead.
A small point of orange-yellow light floated in the air, more conspicuous than the vehicles or malevolent entities hidden in the gray fog.
Po Li stopped.
Just as she was about to ask the captain's opinion, the orange-yellow light accelerated towards them.
Like a gust of wind, it burst out of the gray mist. Illuminated by the torchlight, Po Li clearly saw the orange-yellow light's appearance – an oil lamp, and the person carrying it.
"Huh!"