Chapter 196: Divine Artifact
Chapter 196: Divine Artifact
An invisible force field, centered around the mineral deposit and expanding outwards, acted like a massive shield, protecting the Phantom City within from the harm of abominations.
Little John watched cautiously as Karl crossed the barrier, only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
It's a human!
Only humans and non-harmful beings would be granted entry by the 'God' into the Phantom City.
All along the way, he had been nervous, fearing that Karl might be some special kind of abomination. Now, it was clear that he wasn't.
Karl was also observing the 'Phantom City' before him, which resembled a village.
Suppress!
A rule-like power, similar to that of the Dream Marketplace, descended upon him the moment he entered.
Under this suppressive rule, he couldn't fly, and his strength was restricted to below the First Rank.
"The power of the rules here is clearly stronger than that of the Dream Marketplace, and by a large margin."
"Fortunately, this restriction is impartial, so I don't have to worry about the people in the Phantom City using it against me."
"John!"
A crisp female voice rang out.
"You're back."
"Yeah." John turned at the sound of her voice, his face lit up with a brilliant smile, and he held up what he had in his hand.
"Lulu, look what I found!"
"Meatbugs!" Lulu's eyes lit up.
"It's a nest!"
"John, you're amazing. I knew you'd succeed. Now you can learn cultivation techniques from Uncle Ubi, and you won't have to venture outside again."
"I... I can't." John hesitated, his eyes showing struggle, then he pushed the nest into her hands.
"Lulu, you're smarter than me. You should learn the cultivation technique. I'll eat the bugs you raise later."
"No... I can't take this." Lulu quickly refused.
"The nest is something you risked your life to find. Of course, you should be the one to learn the technique. I can't take it from you."
"It's fine." John smiled brightly.
"Without you, Lulu, I would've died out there long ago. And I'm too stupid to learn cultivation techniques anyway."
"Take it, I have things to do!"
"By the way..."
"Even if I can't learn the technique, the meatbugs in the nest will last for a while. With the queen, we won't need to go out for months."
He stuffed the nest into her arms, turned, and grabbed Karl's hand, then hurried forward.
When they were far enough, Karl asked.
"Cultivation technique?"
"Do you need that nest to learn it?"
"Yes." John was used to Karl's lack of common knowledge, and he nodded, explaining.
"The cultivation technique requires the queen because only she can hatch the meatbugs."
"If Lulu learns the technique, she won't have to venture outside again. She can survive by hatching meatbugs."
"To live here, you must either venture outside or master a skill."
He turned back to look at Lulu, who was holding the nest tightly, and continued.
"Cultivation, mining, alchemy..."
"With these skills, they can trade with others for food and avoid venturing outside."
Karl understood, and he smiled.
"You're a kind-hearted kid, willing to endure hardship yourself to give others a chance."
John smiled back.
Karl shook his head.
What a pity!
Too little cunning.
Little John's encounter with Lulu right after returning was no coincidence; she had been waiting for him.
The Phantom City was in ruins.
The people's clothes were mostly tattered, and their bodies were covered in dirt.
Lulu, however, was one of the few who had taken care of her hair and cleaned her face, even applying a hint of makeup.
Though her makeup was subtle, it made her stand out as bright and lovely compared to the others.
Many eyes had been drawn to her as she entered.
"Lulu is smart. She'll definitely learn the cultivation technique. In the future, she might even marry and have children, and move to the Inner City..."
Little John whispered.
"She'll live a long life."
"Marry?" Karl glanced at him.
"Don't you want to pursue her?"
"..." Little John opened his mouth, his face filled with dejection.
"I'm not worthy."
"Heh..." Karl smiled, not pressing further.
He gestured towards the front.
"What's the difference between the Inner and Outer City?"
He had noticed the city was divided into two parts, separated by a stone wall that wasn't too tall or short.
"Only children under seven, pregnant women, and those who have made significant contributions to the Phantom City can enter the Inner City."
John's face was filled with envy.
"I came out five years ago and haven't been back since."
"Oh!"
"The Divine Messenger also lives in the Inner City."
Though only twelve this year, he looked like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, a blend of maturity and innocence.
The muddy streets of Phantom City were lined with stone houses, and the residents, with dull expressions, squatted or lay about.
Very few had a glimmer of life in their eyes.
"Divine Messenger."
John led Karl to a building and explained, "This is Uncle McGin's place. He's a disciple of Messenger Bowen, one of the two Divine Messengers of Phantom City."
"To enter the Inner City, we must seek Uncle McGin's permission."
Karl nodded in understanding.
"Knock, knock!"
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Uncle McGin!"
John knocked on the door and called out, "Are you home?"
A burly man with a bushy beard opened the door, his impatience evident as he asked, "What's the matter?"
"Yes!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze fell upon Karl, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes. "A stranger?"
The population of Phantom City barely exceeded a few hundred, and while he might not know everyone's name, he recognized most faces. Yet, Karl was a stranger to him.
"Uncle McGin," John quickly interjected, "This is Messenger Karl, from another place. His Phantom City is no more, and he just saved me outside."
"A Divine Messenger?" Uncle McGin's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly gestured for Karl to enter. "Please, come in and sit."
The house was not spacious, with a stone table in the center holding various items and a stone tablet.
Karl's gaze swept across the interior, and his eyes flickered with interest. He then sat on a stone stool at the man's invitation.
"Mr. Karl," Uncle McGin said, rubbing his hands together and offering a nervous laugh, "My mentor is currently occupied. You can find temporary lodging in the Outer City for now."
"I'll inform him immediately upon his return."
"Mmm," Karl nodded, casually picking up a stone from the table. "This Divine Stone seems rather special."
Divine Stones were essential for the residents of Phantom City when venturing outside, as they could suppress one's aura and combat Malevolent Entities.
They were also used to craft various equipment, like the gray carpet John carried, embroidered with fragments of Divine Stones, which had saved his life on numerous occasions.
"This is a Divine Marrow, containing divine power. But I've used up a lot of it in my cultivation," Uncle McGin sighed. "Speaking of which, the mine has been producing less and less Divine Marrow lately. It's been a while since we last found any, only ordinary Divine Stones."
Divine Marrow...
A product of the mine.
Karl's expression remained unchanged, but his heart stirred. Within the Divine Marrow, he sensed something familiar.
Source Essence!
Source Essence that could directly grant him additional points!
"Uncle McGin," Karl asked, "May I enter the mine?"
"Well..." Uncle McGin's expression shifted. "I'll need to consult my mentor about that."
"You know, the mine is the foundation of Phantom City's existence. Outsiders are not permitted to enter casually," he explained.
"I understand," Karl nodded. "Is the other Divine Messenger not in Phantom City either?"
"He's here, but unavailable at the moment," Uncle McGin replied cautiously.
"I see," Karl sighed.
He could sense the man's wariness, likely due to his mysterious background. Both Divine Messengers might be absent from Phantom City.
Uncle McGin dared not speak openly, fearing that Karl might attempt something uncontrollable, as even with the rules restricting Divine Messengers, they were far more powerful than ordinary individuals.
"Then..." Karl's gaze shifted to the stone tablet on the table. "May I take a look at this?"
"Of course," Uncle McGin didn't refuse this time. "This is a Divine Gift associated with our Phantom City. Several Divine Messengers have gained insights into cultivation methods from it."
"Feel free to examine it."
"Hmm..."
"Messenger Karl, your Phantom City must have had a Divine Gift as well, right? Did it survive?"
"No," Karl shook his head. "I was the only one left."
"Then you must have encountered a Despair-Class Malevolent Entity," Uncle McGin nodded. "Only they can break through the rules of the mine and extinguish the Divine Fire of a Phantom City."
"Fortunately, our city's Divine Fire still burns. Messenger Karl, you can live here in peace."
He hoped that their Phantom City could have another Divine Messenger, ensuring resistance against any threats.
Little did he know that Karl wasn't from another Phantom City, and the terms he used were foreign to Karl.
Divine Gift...
Karl examined the stone tablet, its root-like patterns seemingly holding a secret.
He reached out and gently touched it.
Instantly, a thunderous roar reverberated within his Mind Sea.
(End of Chapter)
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