"Where did you come from?"
"A small village at the foot of the mountain."
"What significant events have happened recently?"
"Significant events…?"
The girl frowned slightly, her already confused expression becoming even more muddled.
"I mean… have there been any strange occurrences lately, or…"Yu Zi Yu reorganized his thoughts, trying to phrase the question in a way she would understand.
His mist was miraculous — it could influence the psyche. Through it, Yu Zi Yu could directly transmit his thoughts into the girl's mind and receive hers in return.There was no language barrier between them.
As long as the mist enveloped them, Yu Zi Yu could communicate with Humans.
"Significant events…?"The girl thought deeply, brows knitting again. After a moment, her eyes brightened as she recalled something.
"The Theory of the Rise of Transcendence and the Resurgence of Spiritual Energy has been trending recently. Also, a cruise ship and an airplane were reportedly swallowed by monsters… and… and…"
She began slowly, organizing her memories, then spoke faster and faster.
Suddenly, doubt flickered in her voice — as if she was puzzled by her own words.
"What else are you thinking about?"Yu Zi Yu loosened the branch binding her and asked again through the mist.
"The village seems to be relocating," she said after a pause. "According to my grandpa — the Village Chief — the country is developing new towns and plans to move out the small mountain villages. Also, the military seems to be recruiting more people. Lately, quite a few villagers have been conscripted."
"Are they on high alert?"Yu Zi Yu felt a weight settle in his heart. He hadn't expected the country to react so quickly. Bureaucracies usually moved slowly, yet this response was almost immediate.
In other words… there's a high chance the Era of Transcendents has truly arrived.He whispered inwardly before asking the final question lingering in his mind.
"Have Humans felt any changes in their bodies?"
"Changes…?"After a moment of hesitation, she replied, "I've seen news reports of someone lifting a huge rock with ease, and another man running through the streets covered in flames."
She paused for a long moment before adding quietly, "But… they all seem to have gone missing."
"I see…"Yu Zi Yu smiled faintly, his suspicions confirmed.
If he was correct, these people were likely the first awakened Humans, the earliest ability users. But against a nation-level institution, their fates were all but sealed — conscription.
From here on, the world would plunge into darkness and slaughter.Everything depended on the development of Transcendents.
If one day such individuals could walk freely in the open, then the glorious era would truly have begun.
Yet from what the girl described, Yu Zi Yu concluded one thing clearly:
Humans had weak affinity with Spiritual Energy.
While powerful beasts like the Giant Golden Eagle and the Mutant Wild Boar had already appeared, Humans lagged far behind.
A full-powered Golden Eagle could rival a fighter jet.A Mutant Boar could easily contend with a tank.
Human evolution was far slower than that of animals — let alone transcendent beings like Yu Zi Yu.
He felt somewhat relieved, though a fog of doubt still lingered in his mind.
These two girls…One was named He Qing Er, the other He Ling Er.
Under the Shroud of Mist and Hallucinogen, Yu Zi Yu had probed their intentions — and discovered they were unreliable. The younger sister had even suggested returning to inform her grandfather, the Village Chief, about the anomaly here.
A cold chill rippled through Yu Zi Yu, causing his branches to tremble.
"Seems like you've chosen the road to Hell."His branches slithered slowly around their pale necks. With a single thought, their lives would end.
But after a moment of silence, Yu Zi Yu loosened his grip, as if a new idea had formed.
"System, I want to upgrade the Hallucinogen ability."
"Yes."
With his response, 10 Evolution Points vanished instantly. Hallucinogen required far more than most abilities — many took only 5 points, while the costly Superb Regeneration needed a staggering 50.
Even with his large reserve of Evolution Points, such consumption wasn't sustainable.
But strengthening Hallucinogen was necessary.Yu Zi Yu had discovered a new, clever application for it.
"Hmph."
A low sneer escaped him as another transformation swept through his body.
It was subtle — hazy, indistinct — but unmistakable.
A strange fragrance began to permeate the air.
"Holy shit… that fast?!"
Yu Zi Yu couldn't help but be stunned by the potency of Evolution Points.
In mere breaths, Hallucinogen had grown far stronger.
Hallucinogen (Level 2):Capable of greatly influencing the minds of animals and Humans, even altering cognition itself.Caution: Requires significant energy and time.
"Not bad."
Yu Zi Yu nodded, deeply satisfied with the result.
Energy and time? He had plenty.
And the "Level 2" notation intrigued him.Did it correspond to Tier-1, Tier-2…?
If so, then one day, there might even be Level 9 abilities.
"Tsk tsk… at Level 9, would I be able to craft an entire false world, enslaving others with a single thought?"
A terrifying image surfaced in his mind — the legendary ability from anime:
Infinite Tsukuyomi — the pinnacle of illusion, trapping all living beings within an eternal dream.
A frightening possibility… yet thrilling.