This peculiar artifact originated from the final item obtained in the sixth Fate Draw.
— A Superior Peculiar Artifact Draw Ticket.
From it, this perfect peculiar artifact, shaped like a stone tablet—The Realm of White Mist—was acquired.
"The Realm of White Mist (Purple)"
"Category: Perfect Peculiar Artifact"
"Ability One—White Mist Terrain: Can create an area of white mist that affects vision and hearing. Can be filled with Ghost Crystals for long-term maintenance."
"Ability Two—Mist Beast Phantom Form: Within the area shrouded by white mist, special mist phantom beasts can be created. The more are created, the weaker they become."
The sole drawback of The Realm of White Mist was the need for setup, integrating it with the surrounding environment.
The main core was the stone tablet before them, but there were also accessories to be buried throughout the mountain, above and below.
Wang Chui was the master responsible for the setup.
Unfortunately, it could only be installed, not dismantled.
Master Chui sighed.
Beside him stood Black Blade and Pei Hongjing.
They were inside the resort, and from the outside looking in, the entire resort was enveloped in a faint mist. The mist wasn't thick, but peering in was impossible.
Once one ascended the mountain and ventured deeper, they would encounter scenes similar to Luo Rui and the others.
Thick white mist, making progress impossible.
However, those within the resort did not see thick white mist upon looking up; there was only a slight amount, which did not obstruct the sunlight.
Pei Hongjing, though not fully understanding this power, marveled at it.
He also mourned for the examinees for a second, "Under the shroud of white mist, can these ordinary people truly reach the resort?"
Some talents and bodyguards from his Pei clan, if confirmed to have no blemishes, might also enter the Embers of Hope to become a glorious outer member.
But they too, would have to pass this 'entry examination' of The Realm of White Mist.
At this moment, Wang Chui was staring intently at the stone tablet, his gaze like that of a lover. Hearing Pei Hongjing's question, he casually replied, "If The Realm of White Mist were operating normally, let alone ordinary people, even awakened individuals would be trapped within."
"This is a perfect, high-grade peculiar artifact! Ah, but you wouldn't understand its value."
"Just know that it can be adjusted. Black Blade is currently controlling it."
Not far away,
Black Blade placed his hand on the stone tablet before him, both controlling and observing.
Indeed, The Realm of White Mist also came with a remote observation capability.
These individuals had all passed the first round of screening and the selection by the Spirit of Illusions, but this did not prevent Black Blade from continuing the assessment.
Firstly, it was to test these people's temperament and courage, to see if they could remain calm in the face of crisis.
Secondly, it was to observe the abilities of these prospective newcomers and determine their potential development paths... If their temperament was suitable but their courage was lacking, Black Blade would also reject such individuals, at least preventing them from joining the combat department.
…
On the mountain road leading to the resort's entrance, Luo Rui stopped and stared at a large rock by the roadside, lost in thought.
"I've already passed this rock. I remember passing it earlier."
"But this road... it shouldn't even have any turns!"
He was certain he had been walking along the road. He had observed it before the mist appeared; there was only this single path.
Was this the assessment for climbing the mountain?
Truly a power beyond the ordinary!
Even though he was no longer young, nearing thirty, Luo Rui couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
But in the next moment, his excitement cooled, chilling him to the bone. His entire body felt as if it had plunged into an abyss.
Because before him, the white mist roared and transformed into a colossal beast.
A ferocious, ugly, terrifying behemoth, baring its gaping maw towards him.
"I-I-I-I... Damn it!"
Luo Rui's mind went blank. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he shivered, gritted his teeth, and turned to flee.
His legs trembled, and he ran unsteadily, stumbling, sometimes falling to the ground but getting up again instantly. He couldn't be described as slow as a snail, but certainly as slow as a turtle.
Strangely, the giant mist beast never caught up.
Luo Rui didn't realize that his mind was consumed by a single thought: run, keep running. When his legs felt like they would break, the scene suddenly opened up. The thick white mist had somehow dissipated, and the beast behind him had vanished.
He had arrived inside the resort.
Around him were several other people, looking equally surprised and uncertain. He didn't recognize them; they didn't seem to be from the same vehicle as him earlier.
The most composed was an unremarkable-looking older gentleman.
He walked forward to greet him and asked about the situation.
"You've asked the wrong person about this. I just arrived earlier, and I might have been in the white mist for longer than you."
"It's not composure; I've just rested for a while and recovered. I was also almost scared to death."
"Someone came earlier and told us to wait here. They'll probably wait until everyone arrives."
This old gentleman, named Gou Ping'an, said so.
Luo Rui also found a chair and sat down to rest. Now that he had calmed down and thought back, he easily understood that the mist beast earlier was just meant to scare people and wouldn't have posed any real danger. But his own performance then...
It couldn't be said to be unrelated to being outstanding, but it was certainly far from it.
Thinking of this, Luo Rui became uneasy.
But anxiety was useless. He chatted sporadically with others. Curiously, looking back from his position, there was mist, but it wasn't thick. He could clearly see the winding road.
Occasionally, figures would arrive, as if emerging from a curtain of water, each panting, looking astonished and fearful. The entrance to the resort gradually became lively.
As more people arrived and after resting for a while, the lingering fear receded, and the newcomers began to feel excited.
Luo Rui saw the chuunibyo teenager from the same car and other 'acquaintances' in the crowd.
He estimated there were likely over a hundred people here. While he knew he wasn't a one-in-a-million candidate, a hundred people... that was quite a lot.
There were men and women, young girls and older aunts, young boys and seasoned veterans.
"What kind of monster was that giant beast? It was too terrifying."
"I thought it was pretty cool. Will we be able to possess such power in the future?"
"Climbing the mountain was the assessment... but it seems most people have passed through the white mist. Have we passed or not?"
"From today onwards, my fate is my own, not heaven's!"
"Finally pushed open the door to a new world, Ura!"
"So what kind of amazing powers will there be? φ(>w<*) ."
As time passed, fewer and fewer newcomers emerged from the white mist. Those present were still enthusiastically chatting about the future.
Suddenly, the wind stopped. Despite the bright sunshine, over a hundred newcomers felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. Their excited hearts instantly cooled as if doused with ice water. An invisible force enveloped them, constricting their hearts, like lower beings facing a higher being, uncontrollably filled with terror.
It was more terrifying than encountering the mist beast earlier.
The invisible pressure lasted for a few seconds before dissipating. A tall, slender figure in black had appeared before them at some unknown point, wearing a mask, but their gaze was like a sharp blade.
Cold words struck their hearts.
"You have only passed the first round of screening, barely passing! In my eyes, many of your performances were very poor. If your future performance remains substandard, we will have to erase your relevant memories and return you to ordinary life."
"Ordinary might not be a bad thing. This path is destined to be fraught with thorns. The door to reality stands here. I ask you again, have you thought it through?"