Chapter 255: Lord of Phantom Mist

In the blink of an eye, the Void Ship had sailed through this sea for half a month, racing at tens of thousands of kilometers per second, already covering tens of billions of kilometers.

Of course, for such a vast Void Sea, this distance meant they had merely left the edge of the Eastern Extreme Sea and entered this small, nameless sea area.

This sea area was near a Secret Realm, relatively stable and safe, and they had passed through it with almost no detours.

Ahead, in the far distance, a boundless gray curtain blocked the sky and covered the sun, like an endless, long wall dividing heaven and earth, shrouded in obscurity.

"Everyone, we are about to enter the Phantom Mist Sea."

On the deck of the Void Ship, a tall woman with multicolored hair and numerous rings hanging from her ears stood at the very front and said in a solemn voice: "The dangers of the Phantom Mist Sea, I believe everyone is clear on. Although our adventure team is strong and we have a map guiding a safe route, so there is no need to fear the servant races of the Star Abyss Demon Race in the Phantom Mist Sea, we must be careful of those powerful pirate factions that dominate the Phantom Mist Sea!"

Those present who knew something about the Phantom Mist Sea had also heard of this.

The Phantom Mist of the Phantom Mist Sea would obstruct mental power and Void sensing, like a wall surrounding this sea area. That strange gray mist was only hundreds of billions of li thick, but its length stretched for countless trillions of kilometers.

Although the Phantom Mist Sea was not large, it still contained hundreds of Void Stars and one Life-type Main Star.

The Phantom Mist was originally the activity ground for a large number of Demon Race servant races, and even high-level servant races appeared within it; those were Void Sea monsters capable of rivaling the peak existence of Void Beings.

However, the most dangerous were the pirate factions dominating the Phantom Mist.

It was rumored that the leader of the pirate factions in the Phantom Mist Sea, known as the Lord of Phantom Mist, had once been loyal to the Emperor of the Eastern Sea, the 'Empress of Despair', one of the Four Pirate Emperors. He was originally a peak existence among Void Beings and was said to have received a powerful Divine Artifact bestowed by the Empress of Despair.

His strength was, one could imagine, immense.

Most importantly, the Lord of Phantom Mist possessed a strange treasure naturally formed from the core source of this Phantom Mist, which could easily probe the situation within the range of the Phantom Mist. Even if a Void Sovereign entered the Phantom Mist, they could not escape his detection.

Once he discovered a Void Sovereign entering the Phantom Mist, this Lord of Phantom Mist would simply move far away.

Below the level of a Void Sovereign, this Lord of Phantom Mist was nearly invincible.

Therefore, even though the Universal Star Patrol Alliance knew of his existence, they could do nothing to him.

This was also the reason why he could dominate the Phantom Mist Sea for tens of millions of years.

"Commander Tuo."

Among the crowd of Void Beings, a man with long, loose hair tied with small golden bells at the ends spoke up and said in a deep voice: "Earlier you said you were confident we could pass through the Phantom Mist safely. Are you sure that is true?"

"Of course," said the tall woman with multicolored hair. "I have already guaranteed it to you in the name of the Guqi Family, and the contract has been signed. What doubts do you still have?"

"Just some doubts, that's all."

That person immediately said: "The strength of the Lord of Phantom Mist is nearly invincible below the level of a Void Sovereign, and he can control the Phantom Mist. He doesn't even give face to a Void Sovereign. Does Commander Tuo really have the confidence to pass through this Phantom Mist safely?"

"No need to worry." The tall woman with multicolored hair smiled and said: "The Lord of Phantom Mist will give face to my elder brother."

"Commander Tuo?"

The crowd was slightly stunned, and then they suddenly realized.

The reason why the Guqi Family was one of the three great families of the Wuqi River Civilization lay in this Commander Tuo. As a Void Sovereign, he was naturally the top combat power of the Wuqi River Civilization.

After all, the Wuqi River Civilization was only a Level 2.3 civilization and had no Void Divine Officials.

However, this Commander Tuo and the Lord of Phantom Mist must have some other connection; otherwise, the Lord of Phantom Mist would not give face just because the other party was a Void Sovereign.

Anyway, the contract had already been signed, so they naturally would not worry too much.

Even if they were really robbed by that group of pirates, whatever losses occurred, this Commander Tuo would have to compensate them according to the contract.

And they had only paid one million Void Coins each in advance.

"Lord of Phantom Mist?"

Lin Qing listened with interest, feeling somewhat curious about the strength of the Lord of Phantom Mist.

The fact that the other party could dominate the Phantom Mist for tens of millions of years meant he was certainly not an ordinary Void Being. One didn't know what level of Divine Technique he had created or what grade of Divine Artifact he possessed.

He had also found the bounty on the Lord of Phantom Mist through the Universal Star Patrol Alliance.

The bounty was as high as five trillion Void Coins, or five hundred million points, which was even higher than the bounty intensity for some pirate factions at the Void Sovereign level.

Money meant nothing to him, but five hundred million points were different.

The channels of the Universal Star Patrol Alliance could even exchange treasures available only in Level 3 civilizations, so the utility of five hundred million points was naturally immense.

In the future, when he wanted to forge a unique innate Divine Artifact for a Star God, he would naturally need some extremely precious materials. Some of these materials could not even be found in the Void Sea, and at that time he would need the channels of the Universal Star Patrol Alliance.

"We'll see if there's an opportunity..." Although Lin Qing was very tempted by this reward, he did not have much confidence.

Who knew what strength the other party possessed?

For example... if the other party had created a Seven-Phase Combined Divine Technique like him and possessed a Seven-Color Set of Divine Artifacts, then he would not have the confidence to kill him either.

Although the possibility was very small, the Void Sea was so vast; who knew?

"No need to reveal my strength; if he doesn't provoke me, that's fine..."

Lin Qing shook his head slightly, looking at the endless Void Sea outside the deck. "Let's just visit the Void Stars in the Phantom Mist Sea area and that Main Star first."

"Mr. Galaxy."

At this moment, Commander Tuo walked over and said: "I heard you plan to leave the team when we reach the first Void Star of the Phantom Mist Sea?"

"Yes." Lin Qing nodded.

"Does Mr. Galaxy not plan to leave the Phantom Mist Sea? Are you preparing to live in the Phantom Mist Sea forever?" Commander Tuo could not help but ask.

Lin Qing looked at her and said: "There is no need to explain that to Commander Tuo, is there?"

Commander Tuo frowned slightly, then said in a calm voice: "I just wanted to remind Mr. Galaxy of one thing. Although the Lord of Phantom Mist gives face to my elder brother, Mr. Galaxy must also be on the same ship as me to pass through the Phantom Mist safely. If Mr. Galaxy wants to leave the Phantom Mist Sea in the future, do not come to me for help."

Lin Qing was speechless, and only then understood that the other party was still hoping to earn another one million Void Coins from him.

After all, the Phantom Mist was ring-shaped; entering the Phantom Mist Sea required passing through the Phantom Mist once, and exiting required passing through it again, allowing them to earn money twice.

But actually, it was already very cheap.

If one hired a Void Sovereign to lead the way, it would not be something that could be solved with one million Void Coins. A Void Sovereign would not look favorably on such a small amount and would not deign to lower his status to do such a thing.

"Then there is no need for Commander Tuo to worry; I have my own methods." Lin Qing naturally would not explain much, just casually brushing it off with a sentence.

"... Very well." Commander Tuo frowned and looked at him once, then found it tedious to say more, so he turned and walked away.

It was just losing one million Void Coins in profit, that's all.

On the other side of the deck.

A blue-skinned woman, nearly naked, quietly observed Lin Qing from a corner.

"Old man, what do you mean? You're willing to use this chance to kill the Lord of the Mysterious Mist, yet you dare not act against this fellow?" the blue-skinned woman muttered in her heart. "Didn't you say the Lord of the Mysterious Mist's power is nearly that of a Void Sovereign? With such terrifying strength, are you actually afraid of this fellow?"

"Little one, what do you know?"

An aged voice sounded in her mind. "My divine office can sense changes in order. This galaxy's impact on order is almost the most astonishing I have ever seen. It is highly likely from the Three Great Sacred Sites. Those three great sacred sites' most terrifying Void Beings can even defeat a Void Sovereign head-on. Is such a figure not more fearsome than the Lord of the Mysterious Mist?"

"A Void Being capable of defeating a Void Sovereign head-on?" the blue-skinned woman was stunned.

"The universe is vast; there are many things you have never seen." That aged voice said, "In any case, this old one will first kill that Lord of the Mysterious Mist for you and seize the Mysterious Mist Origin in his hand."

Dim mist drifted aimlessly; an almost deathly silence permeated the sea surface, so much so that even the originally violent and surging seawater fell silent, as if it would remain unchanged for billions of years.

Deep within the eerie gray mist floated a massive palace.

Inside the palace, a giant about ten meters tall sat quietly on the Wang Zuo, eyes closed, his mind merged with this boundless Mysterious Mist.

As the Lord of the Mysterious Mist, although this patch of Mysterious Mist was not as wondrous as a Void Secret Realm, frequent fusion could still allow his mind and will to slowly grow.

"If this continues, when will my will transform to the Sovereign level..." the Lord of the Mysterious Mist frowned.

He was respectfully called the Sovereign of the Mysterious Mist by outsiders; within the Mysterious Mist's range, bolstered by the Mysterious Mist Origin, his direct combat power was no inferior to a true Void Sovereign, but he also knew clearly...

He was ultimately not a true Void Sovereign.

Long ago, tens of millions of years ago, he had already comprehended a sufficiently vast world and had long recognized all spatial mysteries.

Only the trial of will remained.

But will is difficult to improve; it does not increase with time. On the contrary, it is more likely to gradually decline with time.

Too many Void Beings are stuck at this trial of will.

He, the renowned Lord of the Mysterious Mist, was no different.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the Lord of the Mysterious Mist frowned slightly and abruptly looked toward a direction in the void.

There, faint mist drifted and shifted, forming a strange projection.

"There... is it actually a treasure the Mysterious Mist Origin craves?" the Lord of the Mysterious Mist's eyes suddenly flashed with light. "The aura is even concealed... by just a single Void Being?"

While his heart stirred with desire, he also tried to calm himself and probed through the Mysterious Mist.

Soon, he confirmed that Void Ship which had just entered the Mysterious Mist range.

"Just a group of Void Beings?"

The Lord of the Mysterious Mist smiled, then calmly pondered: "A treasure even the Mysterious Mist craves; I wonder what kind of rare treasure it is. Once discovered, it will likely bring trouble..."

He knew clearly that this patch of Mysterious Mist was a great blessing born from the Void Sea. He had the fortune to refine its Origin treasure, which made even many Void Sovereigns extremely envious.

After all, even a Void Sovereign, once refining the Mysterious Mist Origin, could have their combat power increase several-fold within the Mysterious Mist range, along with various strange abilities.

Just the Mysterious Mist itself made him cautious; he dared not offend true great figures.

For instance, the Void Divine Officers were existences he absolutely dared not provoke.

Add to that the treasure even the Mysterious Mist craves; he also worried it might attract the covetous gaze of even more terrifying existences.

"Must keep it secret."

The Lord of the Mysterious Mist slightly narrowed his eyes. "The Mysterious Mist is my foundation for survival. A treasure even the Mysterious Mist craves might allow me to advance further?"

Setting aside other things, if he could mobilize more of this Mysterious Mist's Origin power, his strength would skyrocket.

Amidst the drifting eerie gray mist, a massive Void Ship sped across the sea surface; this place had already penetrated nearly ten billion li deep into the Mysterious Mist zone.

"We've reached this position, yet the pirates under the Lord of the Mysterious Mist haven't come..."

On the Void Ship, the Void Beings one by one relaxed somewhat; their previously tense hearts gradually settled.

Given the speed of the pirates under the Lord of the Mysterious Mist, using the Mysterious Mist's power to clear the way, their speed was far greater than the Void Ship's flight speed.

But several days had passed without a single trace of pirates seen; only occasionally were some Servant Species spotted, which the group's strength could easily resolve.

Clearly, the Lord of the Mysterious Mist had given face to that Tuojun Lord to achieve this.

This also made the group's gaze toward Commander Tuo carry a bit more respect.

"Everyone, next time we leave the Mysterious Mist Sea, we will still assemble at Void Star Number 14777."

Commander Tuo smiled and said, "Same old rule; one million Void Coins is enough. At that time, I will still be able to safely bring you all out."

While speaking, she glanced at Lin Qing, her eyes slightly mocking, as if waiting for Lin Qing to regret it.

The crowd had no objections.

Although one million Void Coins was a lot, everyone present were top-tier experts among the Void Beings; they could afford to part with one million Void Coins.

Being able to enter the Mysterious Mist Sea safely was already a good thing.

Due to the Mysterious Mist's existence, on the Void Stars within the Mysterious Mist Sea, those who left soul imprints were either Void Sovereigns or Void Beings with backgrounds; their strength was generally weak, so there was greater hope of planting soul imprints.

They themselves had come with this very purpose.

Now being able to enter the Mysterious Mist Sea safely, they were naturally willing to pay this one million.

Yet only a handful of people in the entire scene knew it would not be so smooth.

Lin Qing was one of them.

He had noticed long ago: "Such a high danger level... could it be..."

Suddenly—

"Boom!"

The grayish Mysterious Mist suddenly trembled and began to surge violently; a massive palace abruptly broke through the Mysterious Mist, crashing into view before the Void Ship. Rolling mist churned, causing endless seawater to surge and swell, forming a towering tsunami.

That massive palace was magnificent, spanning across the misty sea, emitting an incomparably terrifying aura; merely its pressure made everyone's faces change.

"Divine Artifact? A Divine Artifact Palace?"

At this moment, everyone sensed the divine artifact aura of this palace, which fluctuated like the origin of the universe.

Most importantly—

"Deceptive Sea Divine Palace?"

Commander Tuo immediately recognized the origin of this divine artifact palace; his pupils contracted involuntarily.

This was unmistakably the divine artifact palace of the Lord of Deceptive Mist!

The arrival of the Deceptive Sea Divine Palace meant that the Lord of Deceptive Mist had also arrived!

At this moment, streams of light flew out from within the massive divine artifact palace, transforming into powerful figures emitting formidable auras that completely surrounded the Void Boat, clearly approaching with hostile intent.

"Didn't they say they would give Commander Tuo some face?"

"What is going on?"

"This... even the Lord of Deceptive Mist himself has arrived?"

With their faces pale, everyone turned to look at Commander Tuo, seemingly waiting for her explanation.

Commander Tuo was also somewhat bewildered; even if she were foolish, she could see that the other party's approach was hostile, clearly not coming in peace, yet she forced a smile and said, "Perhaps there is no ill will; they are just passing by to say hello..."

At the same time, she frantically sent a message to her elder brother through the Second Universe Network.

Just then, a cold and indifferent voice came from within the massive divine artifact palace:

"No need to contact Tuo Yuancheng anymore. From now on, my cooperation with him is terminated."

(End of this chapter)