Chapter 335: The Toxic Fog Enclave
Chapter 335: The Toxic Fog Enclave
The air was thick with fog, shrouding everything in uncertainty.
Just standing at the edge, one could feel the miasma as if it were about to engulf their nose and mouth.
The group murmured among themselves, some even considering retreat.
Upon seeing this, Lindsey immediately adopted a firm and composed tone, addressing those behind him:
"The key to the birth of a hidden realm lies in the special environment that accumulates Essence."
"The hidden realm discovered in the Forest Courtyard World does indeed offer significant benefits. However, the true nature of a hidden realm is not determined by its goodness or badness but by its ability to accumulate Essence."
Lezer was the first to understand Lindsey's implication:
"So, what we've found might be a life sanctuary with a poison attribute?"
Lindsey pointed to the fog before them:
"The truth can only be known by witnessing it firsthand."
As his words landed, Lindsey began his preparations.
He rummaged through his satchel, retrieving a helmet and a face mask.
These items had last been used beneath the glacier at the foot of Black Mountain, and he never imagined they would be useful again half a year later...
"Everyone, wrap this around your face! And put this over your eyes, remember to tie it tightly, no leaks!"
"Nose, mouth, and ears are the key areas for protection."
Behind Lindsey, the voice of the explorer, Lezer, echoed.
Lindsey turned to look, his hand movements momentarily halting.
He saw the explorer taking out two types of cloth strips from his backpack and distributing them to his companions.
One type was white and could be wrapped around the face like a mask; the other was transparent and slightly curved, fitting over the eyes like a soft eye shield.
"..."
Lezer didn't forget about Lindsey and handed him a set as well.
Lindsey took it and examined it.
[Consumable: Filter Cloth]
[A cloth strip with filtering capabilities. When worn, it isolates harmful substances in the air for one and a half hours.]
[A common expedition equipment, low value.]
[Consumable: Transparent Cloth]
[A cloth strip with good transparency, capable of isolating the eyes from the external environment while maintaining clear vision. Not recommended for extended wear.]
[Common expedition equipment, low value.]
"..."
"Is this what a professional explorer looks like?"
Throughout his adventures, Lindsey had always handled various tasks himself.
Now, he was experiencing something unprecedented.
He looked at the two cloth strips in his hands, his emotions complex.
He felt a mix of embarrassment, awe, and even a hint of amusement.
In the end, Lindsey simply put away his various pieces of equipment, similar to the assortment found on PinDuoDuo, and replaced them with the professional items provided by Lezer.
As he tried them on, the explorer continued his explanation:
"This filter cloth is typically effective for about an hour, but its functionality becomes unstable after that. Everyone must ensure they return within the safe time frame and not take excessive risks."
Lindsey raised an eyebrow.
He had read the product information and knew that the filter cloth's actual effective time was one and a half hours.
Yet, Lezer claimed it was only effective for an hour.
This cautious explanation, allowing for some leeway, was likely for safety reasons.
"Next, I'll still take the lead."
Once his companions were ready, Lindsey moved to the front, with Lezer closely following.
The five of them formed a formation, two in front and three behind, and stepped into the toxic fog.
The valley was filled with dense mist, and the surrounding air felt damp and sticky, almost viscous against their skin.
Within their field of vision,
Lindsey could see the grayish-brown weeds underfoot, but no trees or shrubs were visible.
In the vast expanse of toxic fog, the only change was the occasional animal skeleton in the grayish-brown weeds. These bones were so decayed that a single step could crush them into fragments.
As Lindsey had previously speculated, the deeper they ventured into the valley, the thicker the toxic fog became, and the air was permeated with the essence's presence.
This might truly be a Life Sanctuary.
It was a life attribute, yet it manifested in the form of poison, a highly threatening nature.
Lindsey led the way cautiously, relying on the map and walking for a few more minutes. Suddenly, he felt an itching sensation on his skin.
"What's going on...?"
Lindsey raised his arm to take a look.
As they moved through the venomous fog, their clothing inevitably came into contact with the damp air, accumulating a purple, sticky substance.
At this moment, the substance was seeping through their clothes, even touching their skin!
Skin... toxin invasion...
Lindsey reacted immediately and shouted to his companions:
"Be careful, everyone!"
"This stuff is soaking our clothes, don't let it touch your skin!"
Fortunately, the Dimensional Master Schott was also among the team.
As soon as Lindsey finished speaking, the Awakener demonstrated his skill.
The toxic fog around them, just like the venom of the snake swarm before, was affected by the Dimensional Master's ability and fell off the team members' clothing.
Schott spoke up:
"I can only maintain my ability for half an hour, so let's move faster."
Hearing this, Lindsey naturally quickened his pace.
The valley was not small, but the team members were all Awakened, so their progress was swift.
As they ventured deeper, the density of the toxic fog continued to increase.
The five-meter visibility gradually shortened to just two meters.
At this moment, their vision was limited to the surrounding purple toxic fog floating in the air, and through this dangerous color, it seemed as if something dangerous was lurking nearby.
"Drake, take a look over here, there are mushrooms here too!"
Lezer, beside him, suddenly shouted.
Lindsey walked over to take a look, and the Explorer's words proved accurate.
Unbeknownst to them, as they ventured deeper, the plants around them gradually transformed into fungi, and even the underground fungal network left traces.
"It's just ahead."
Lindsey glanced at the map.
According to the map's display, the largest concentration of the fungal network was just ahead, forming a core.
In a world with essence.
These special lifeforms, constantly influenced by essence, would undoubtedly evolve unique effects, indicating immense value.
Lindsey's thoughts began to wander.
His botanical knowledge told him that giant fungi were an essential part of the forest ecosystem, indispensable decomposers in the cycle.
With an area this vast.
If they recklessly dug it out, it would undoubtedly disrupt the forest's ecological balance.
Or perhaps it could also remove the toxic fog from this area, making the Life Sanctuary developable?
As Lindsey pondered this, he led the team forward.
Just then, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of faint glowing spots in the dense fog to the side.
"Glowing... mushrooms..."
Lindsey's heart stirred, accompanied by a strong premonition.
He remembered the description of the Nightlight Juk Mushroom's appearance; it was named so because it glowed!
Without even having time to warn his companions, Lindsey quickly took two steps forward.
As he approached, his vision became clearer.
His guess was correct; the glowing object was a mushroom emitting a faint blue light.
This mushroom's cap was semi-open, with crimson dots on its surface, its appearance vibrant and beautiful, clearly inedible.
"This... is almost exactly as described!"
As Lindsey gazed at the mushroom before him, his tone was filled with excitement.
Suppressing his excitement, he slowly crouched down and used his dagger to cut off a piece.
[Fungi: Nightlight Juk Mushroom]
[Possesses a powerful source essence hybrid corrosive toxin, extremely dangerous!] [A rare fungus with high value.]
(End of Chapter)
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