Chapter 312 The Genesis of the Anomaly
The next morning, Liu Nanfeng awoke from his dream, feeling something was amiss. He sniffed the air, detecting a damp moisture mixed with spiritual energy and other unidentifiable gases. He initially dismissed it, attributing it to the proximity of the river.
However, as he turned to look out the window, he noticed the anomaly. A vast, obscuring fog had descended, reducing visibility to mere meters, though not entirely to the point of being unable to see one's hand in front of their face.
Liu Nanfeng moved to the balcony. His eyes emitted a glow, revealing the true nature of the fog. It was no ordinary mist. Besides spiritual energy, it contained substances he had never encountered before. They resembled spiritual energy but lacked its gentleness, carrying a violent potency that drastically accelerated the growth of plants and animals. It had an effect on humans as well.
Despite this, Liu Nanfeng remained calm. He recognized this was not a good omen and that the world could descend into chaos. As he pondered this, he heard a clamor from downstairs. Forgetting about breakfast, he rushed down, only to find that the cats and dogs from two neighboring households had engaged in a vicious fight. Their owners, accusing each other, soon joined in the brawl.
The violent energy had not only made plants and animals more ferocious but had also significantly enhanced their physical capabilities. Despite the bloody noses and injuries, there were no fatal consequences. It seemed the situation was not as dire as he initially thought. When everyone's physical condition was elevated, the enhancement effectively canceled itself out, leaving things much as they were before. Humans had become more aggressive but also more resilient, reaching a new equilibrium, which might even be considered beneficial.
Returning upstairs, he made do with something simple for breakfast. He found himself missing the days when the Su sisters were home, when he lived a life of pampered ease, never having to worry about domestic matters.
After a quick breakfast, he went downstairs again and looked up at the sky. The dense fog showed no signs of dissipating. Liu Nanfeng decided to head to the coffee shop. Given the thick fog, he opted to walk, as it wasn't far. As he strolled along the road, he noticed an unusual number of pedestrians and very few cars. The street was remarkably quiet, creating a peculiar atmosphere.
Upon arriving at the coffee shop, he found it empty. He unlocked the door and proceeded to make himself a cup of coffee behind the counter. Just as he finished, Song Haitang arrived with a graceful entrance.
"Good morning, boss," she greeted.
Song Haitang's complexion was excellent, her cheeks rosy, and her face radiant. At first glance, she seemed to shimmer. Even more remarkable was her guardian spirit, which had become more substantial, its eyes moving with remarkable liveliness. Upon entering, it even offered a bow to Liu Nanfeng, indistinguishable from a real person.
This was the benefit of the spiritual energy resurgence. Song Haitang's innate talent was already considerable, and even without active cultivation, she was deeply affected by the spiritual energy. However, this also made her rather conspicuous.
"Good morning to you too," Liu Nanfeng replied with a smile, glancing at her.
"Where's the boss lady? Aren't you two together? I haven't seen her for a few days," Song Haitang asked, her gaze sweeping over Liu Nanfeng, and a hint of disappointment colored her tone when she didn't see Su Jinxiu.
Su Jinxiu was mature and steady, her demeanor as comforting as a spring breeze. Even her criticisms were delivered in a way that earned respect and encouraged humility. Consequently, among the employees, she was regarded as an approachable elder sister, fostering a deep sense of affection. It was this fondness that made her absence for several days keenly felt.
"She'll be back in a couple of days, but..." Liu Nanfeng hesitated.
"But what?"
"You're being too flamboyant. I'll teach you a method of qi absorption." Liu Nanfeng said, placing his hand on Song Haitang's shoulder.
Although Liu Nanfeng's cultivation experience was limited, he possessed Ren Yang's memories and the "Analysis Eye." This allowed him to easily observe and understand the qi circulation methods of cultivators. Teaching Song Haitang a qi absorption technique was, therefore, a simple matter.
As Liu Nanfeng's hand rested on her shoulder, Song Haitang was about to speak when she felt a warmth spread from her shoulder throughout her body.
"Memorize the circulation route. From now on, use your mind to guide the spiritual energy within you along this path," Liu Nanfeng instructed. His teaching was direct and uncomplicated, devoid of elaborate explanations; remembering the circulation route was the key.
Song Haitang, far from being foolish, was exceptionally intelligent and easily retained the sensation and the circulation path. At that moment, the doorbell chimed, and Xu Xinyi entered. Seeing Liu Nanfeng's hand on Song Haitang's shoulder, as if they were engaged in a private conversation, and Song Haitang's flushed cheeks and shy expression, she suspected she had stumbled upon a juicy secret. Eager to capture this moment as a "memento," she quickly raised her phone to take a picture. However, by then, Liu Nanfeng had already withdrawn his hand, thwarting her attempt.
Noticing her hasty attempt to hide her phone, Liu Nanfeng understood her intention. He figured she would likely report him to Su Jinxiu later, accusing him of being a fickle heartbreaker.
"Good morning, boss," Xu Xinyi said, feigning nonchalance and waving to Liu Nanfeng.
Amused by her comical pretense, Liu Nanfeng nodded slightly, downed his coffee, and announced, "I'm leaving now. I'll leave things here to you two."
"Okay," Song Haitang and Xu Xinyi both responded. Internally, however, they scoffed, thinking, "As if your presence here makes any difference?"
Unaware of their thoughts, Liu Nanfeng stepped outside, intending to visit Yang Ruoyun. He felt uneasy, not only because of the impending global chaos but also because of the potential threat posed by the Tide Society. Yang Ruoyun had shown him great kindness, and he couldn't simply abandon her.
Liu Nanfeng decided against driving or using his teleportation ability. He chose to walk, a considerable distance, but manageable given his current physique. This also provided an opportunity to observe his surroundings more closely.
It was past the usual commuting hours, and the streets were becoming less crowded. Only a few elderly individuals could be seen exercising by the river. Liu Nanfeng averted his gaze and looked at the flowerbeds by the roadside. The plants there had grown exceptionally thick and lush, with flowers blooming in a riot of colors. More notably, many had developed sharp thorns or serrated edges, giving them a distinctly aggressive appearance. In just one night, the violent spiritual energy had affected the flora, suggesting a period of widespread disruption before things stabilized.
As he passed the spot where the little koi often came ashore, Liu Nanfeng instinctively glanced in that direction. The fog was too dense to see clearly, so he continued walking, as was his habit. He then noticed a little girl, tilting her head back and hopping, her small hands reaching out to grasp at the mist in the air. Clearly, the mist was elusive, and each attempt resulted in empty hands, yet she persisted with unflagging enthusiasm.
"Silly little thing, how can you catch mist?"
"Big brother..."
Hearing Liu Nanfeng's voice, the little koi turned around with a delighted expression and then, with her short legs, ran into his embrace. Liu Nanfeng lifted her high, and the little koi immediately puffed out her cheeks, blowing at the surrounding mist.
"Hahaha..."
The little koi's joyful laughter echoed through the dense fog.