To eliminate the black mist, one must ascend to the highest point of the Void Tower and activate the Light Realm Cone Chisel atop it, letting in the power of the Light Realm.
The Enkanomiya is indeed a place where the Ley Lines of the mortal realm, the elemental flows of the Light Realm, and the dark currents of the Void Realm are all potent…
Furthermore, I only performed the ritual as written in the book. It seems the core of the Thousand Lanterns is the statue before us. By offering it Light Realm Power Crystals, the "Mufeng Box" can become more potent. Resting here also restores the box's energy…
Miss Aji gazed at the colossal stone statue holding a stone lantern.
She handed a hand-drawn map to the three of them, marking the locations of the tower bases she had just identified.
Then, this is all I can do to help you. I shall wait here for your good news.
Aji gave a slight bow, expressing her earnest plea and blessings to the group.
This time, Feng Yi chose to act together with Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu. The three had clearly defined roles.
Arataki Itto was responsible for clearing the path, Kuki Shinobu for deciphering mechanisms, and Feng Yi for using the "Mufeng Box" to activate the Light Realm Cone Chisels.
These three towers were all built upon Ley Line nodes, intended to balance the powers of the Bathysmal Vishaps, the Abyss, and humanity.
However, after being corrupted by the Abyss, they began to solely amplify the Abyss's power, thus disrupting the Enkanomiya's balance.
With the activation of the Light Realm Cone Chisels, the continuous influx of new Abyssal power into Enkanomiya was halted. Yet, the Abyssal power that had already entered did not simply vanish. Instead, it transformed into black mist that seeped into the earth, causing unknown anomalies in the surroundings…
Nourished by the black mist, the monsters became more powerful, especially those annoying humanoid armor constructs.
They became more resilient, and it took considerable effort for Feng Yi and his companions to clear out the nearby monsters.
Miss Aji, we've returned. The Light Realm Cone Chisels on all three towers have been successfully activated…
Feng Yi and his companions found Miss Aji waiting for them by the human statue.
I have already seen your results. All three towers have indeed been dealt with. The injured and soldiers have been evacuated at an accelerated pace due to the recovery of Enkanomiya's environment… ah, most have been evacuated…
However, it appears something unexpected has occurred. Please follow me, the three of you.
Saying so, Miss Aji led Feng Yi and the other two towards the central area of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
There, Feng Yi and his companions were astonished to find churning black mist.
Under normal circumstances, Enkanomiya should have returned to its pristine state by now. Yet, it had become the most dangerous place.
Miss Aji looked at them with a helpless expression. She didn't know what to do either. The only thing she could tell Feng Yi and the others was the hidden location of the mastermind, hoping they could defeat him and find out the reason from his own words.
Alright, there's no other choice then…
Feng Yi felt as if he were being led around, but there truly was no better option at the moment.
He also wanted to find the Abyss Lord and get some answers.
Mm, I did observe a faint vortex in the center of the black mist there, continuously drawing in the mist. It should be a subtle flow caused by the mastermind's need for Abyssal power. That individual is very dangerous; even ordinary Bathysmal Vishaps are no match for him…
Miss Aji couldn't help but show a hint of a smile when she saw Feng Yi's willingness to deal with the mastermind.
Don't worry, with me and Boss Feng Yi here, he's definitely getting beaten!
Arataki Itto immediately declared it to be no problem at all. The last time Kuki Shinobu wasn't around, it was just him and Boss Feng Yi who made the Abyss Lord beg for mercy all over the ground. Moreover, this time Kuki Shinobu is here to help.
Arataki Itto couldn't imagine how they could possibly lose with this lineup.
That's excellent. Then I shall trouble you. If my speculation is correct, he should be in the library area…
Miss Aji bowed slightly, expressing her gratitude to them.
Feng Yi and his companions left the Grand Narukami Shrine, preparing to head towards the library where they had previously encountered the Abyss Lord. Unexpectedly, they found that the Abyss Lord had anticipated their anticipation and was waiting for them at the foot of the mountain.
Hmph, should I call this an accident, or is it entirely expected? To press on in this darkness, to break through the fog and come before me… if anyone could still achieve this, it would be you. However, I hadn't expected you to ally with them…
The Abyss Lord stood in their path and said in a deep voice.
Hey, hey, hey, Abyss Lord, what in the world are you playing at? You've turned Enkanomiya into a mess, and I can't stand it anymore. Hurry up and stop, or I'll have to lovingly caress your face with my Great Onikabuto…
Arataki Itto stepped forward. He hadn't expected the Abyss Lord to have the audacity to come looking for them. It seemed he truly had a penchant for getting beaten.
Cough, cough. It seems you truly don't know. It's understandable to feel your blood surge upon seeing me, but fighting won't solve anything. Listen to me first, don't be such a brute.
That woman, the one with the slender pupils, what does she call herself?
The Abyss Lord was choked by Arataki Itto's brutishness. He was a scholar, a person of standing, wasn't he?
What kind of behavior is it to be fighting all day long?
Are you referring to Miss Aji?
Hmph, just a lizard, yet you imitate humans so well!
A lizard?!
Feng Yi and the others were startled, but as if recalling something, their expressions suddenly turned grim.
Not entirely foolish. You've thought of it too, haven't you? Bathysmal Vishaps are very intelligent, and this lineage evolves very quickly. Legends of this kind have existed for thousands of years – Vishap-kin!
The Abyss Lord glanced in the direction of the Grand Narukami Shrine and said meaningfully.
Vishap-kin? No way. If Miss Aji is a Vishap-kin, then how can she use the sacrificial sorcery of the Watatsumi people?
Arataki Itto found it difficult to accept.
A long time ago, after the Vishap-kin were repelled, they began to evolve anew for survival. They started to imitate the forms of the victors. Finally, a lineage of Vishaps appeared that were indistinguishable from humans except for their pupils – the Vishap-kin. Legend has it that they infiltrated Enkanomiya and replaced the positions of the Yaoyao…
In abundant light, a lizard's pupils are a thin vertical slit. This is irrefutable proof of her betrayal!
The Abyss Lord smiled playfully. Feng Yi and the woman beside him began to ponder the matter, but Arataki Itto seemed a step behind.
But Miss Aji has been helping us, guiding us to resolve the black mist invasion of Enkanomiya. This cannot be denied, right?
Arataki Itto scratched his head. Even if Miss Aji were a Vishap, she was still a good Vishap-kin.