The command center was located in the heart of the battleship, a spacious circular hall filled with advanced equipment and glowing display panels. At its center floated a massive holographic star map, displaying detailed information about the Mist Forbidden Zone.
Standing before the projection was a tall man with short silver-gray hair. A scar stretched from the corner of his left eye down to his jaw, giving him a fierce and intimidating appearance. Yet the most striking thing about him was his gaze.
Cold.
Sharp.
Predatory.
Like a true shark waiting for blood in the water.
"The recruits have arrived, Captain," the bearded man reported respectfully.
The silver-haired man turned around and examined Rowan and Luo Feng with emotionless eyes.
Several seconds passed before he finally spoke.
"I am Karl Blackshark, captain of the Blackshark Mercenary Corps."
His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.
"You two. Names."
"Rowan."
"Luo Feng."
The two introduced themselves briefly.
Both could feel the powerful aura radiating from Karl.
Judging from the energy fluctuations alone, this man was at least a high-level Stellar Rank powerhouse, perhaps even stronger.
"Good."
Karl nodded.
"I heard you're here to explore the Mist Forbidden Zone as well?"
"That's right," Rowan answered honestly.
"You've got guts."
A faint smile appeared on Karl's face.
"I like young people with courage. But courage alone isn't enough. You also need strength."
His eyes narrowed.
"So tell me. How strong are you?"
"We're both at Planetary Rank Level Nine," Rowan replied conservatively, intentionally reporting a lower level.
"We're not particularly powerful, but we can protect ourselves."
"Planetary Rank Level Nine?"
Karl squinted.
"It seems you're lying."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
"I can tell your true strength is far beyond that."
Rowan and Luo Feng exchanged glances.
Being seen through so easily made them uneasy.
Fortunately, Karl didn't pursue the matter.
Instead, he shrugged.
"Whatever. Stronger is better."
His gaze returned to the holographic map.
"It improves your chances of survival."
Luo Feng frowned.
"Captain, why force us to join your expedition team? With your strength, you shouldn't need our help."
"Good question."
Karl walked toward the holographic star map and pointed at a specific region within the Mist Forbidden Zone.
"See this area?"
A glowing marker appeared.
"According to our intelligence, an ancient ruin lies here. There may be treasures inside worth a fortune."
"But?" Rowan asked.
He sensed there was more to the story.
Karl's expression grew serious.
"But the ruin is protected by a special mechanism. It requires a certain number of people to activate it simultaneously before anyone can enter."
He paused.
"And once inside, we'll likely encounter unknown dangers. We need enough manpower to handle whatever awaits us."
"So we're cannon fodder?" Luo Feng asked bluntly.
"Cannon fodder?"
Karl burst into laughter.
"Kid, you're overthinking it."
His smile became sharper.
"What I need are partners."
"Forced partners, perhaps, but partners nonetheless."
"What do partners get in return?" Rowan asked.
"If the expedition succeeds, you'll receive ten percent of the profits."
Karl folded his arms.
"For people at your level, that's already a generous reward."
Ten percent sounded small.
But if the ruins truly contained priceless treasures, even a fraction could be worth an enormous fortune.
More importantly, they weren't exactly in a position to negotiate.
"Do we have a choice?" Rowan asked with a wry smile.
"No."
Karl answered immediately.
"But that doesn't necessarily make this a bad deal."
He pointed toward the mist-covered region on the map.
"Traveling with us will significantly increase your odds of survival."
"The Mist Forbidden Zone is not a place to underestimate."
"When do we enter?" Luo Feng asked.
"Tomorrow morning."
Karl's answer was straightforward.
"Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins."
With that, he waved toward the bearded mercenary.
"Old Wu, arrange rooms for them."
"Treat them as guests."
"Understood, Captain."
Old Wu nodded respectfully.
Just as Rowan and Luo Feng were about to leave, Karl suddenly spoke again.
"One more thing."
His voice turned cold.
"You may have joined against your will, but once you're part of this team, I expect loyalty."
His eyes swept across them.
"I do not tolerate betrayal."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Trust me."
"Anyone who betrays the Blackshark Mercenary Corps never ends well."
The threat was unmistakable.
Both Rowan and Luo Feng nodded silently.
After leaving the command center, Old Wu escorted them to the guest quarters.
The room was small but comfortable.
Certainly better than either of them had expected.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Luo Feng turned to Rowan.
"What now?"
He lowered his voice.
"Are we really going to explore alongside these pirates?"
"For now, we don't have another option."
Rowan remained calm.
"Besides, this situation isn't entirely bad."
Luo Feng raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
"First, they know far more about the Mist Forbidden Zone than we do."
Rowan sat down.
"Following them genuinely improves our survival chances."
"Second, if we really find those ancient ruins, whatever we discover there could greatly benefit our cultivation."
"Maybe."
Luo Feng still looked uneasy.
"But these people clearly aren't saints."
"What if they decide to silence everyone after finding the treasure?"
"Then we'll have to rely on our own judgment."
Rowan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Right now, the most important thing is staying low-profile."
"We observe."
"We gather information."
"And we wait for the right opportunity."
Luo Feng nodded slowly.
"You're right."
"But we can't remain completely passive either."
"We need some leverage."
"I agree."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"Once we're inside the Mist Forbidden Zone, we have to be careful."
"Too weak, and they'll look down on us."
"Too strong, and they'll become suspicious."
The next morning, the Blackshark's intercom system echoed throughout the battleship.
"Attention all expedition members."
"It is now 6:00 AM."
"We will enter the Mist Forbidden Zone in two hours."
"Complete all preparations and assemble in Compartment Three at 7:30 for the final mission briefing."
Rowan and Luo Feng opened their eyes almost simultaneously.
Although they had discussed strategy late into the night, years of cultivation allowed them to recover quickly.
"Sleep well?" Luo Feng asked while stretching.
"Not bad."
Rowan began organizing his equipment.
"Just wondering what kind of surprises today will bring."
He glanced at Luo Feng.
"Did you check your gear?"
"Three times."
Luo Feng patted his backpack confidently.
"Protective suit, energy supplements, emergency medical kit, and those special tools you gave me."
"Everything's ready."
After washing up, they put on protective suits specifically designed for exploration within the Mist Forbidden Zone.
The suits looked bulky, but they provided strong protection against hazardous substances while maintaining reasonable mobility.
At exactly 7:30, they arrived at Compartment Three.
Around twenty expedition members had already gathered.
Aside from Rowan and Luo Feng, everyone was a veteran member of the Blackshark Mercenary Corps.
Every mercenary was heavily armed.
Every face carried the confidence of experience.
"We're definitely the weakest people here," Luo Feng whispered.
"Probably."
Rowan could feel the powerful auras surrounding them.
"But that also means we're safer."
A few minutes later, Karl Blackshark entered the compartment.
Today he wore a set of heavy black combat armor, making him look even more imposing than before.
Several senior members followed behind him, including Old Wu.
"Everyone."
Karl's deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Today we enter the Mist Forbidden Zone."
"Even for experienced explorers like us, this place remains filled with unknown dangers."
"I expect everyone to maintain maximum vigilance."
He activated the central holographic projector.
A detailed map of the Mist Forbidden Zone appeared before the team.
"Our target ruin is located here."
He pointed at a glowing red marker deep within the forbidden region.
"The journey from the entrance to the ruins will take approximately three days."
"Captain, what are the environmental conditions inside?" one mercenary asked.
"Complicated."
Karl crossed his arms.
"First, there's the mist itself."
"It severely interferes with vision and most detection equipment."
"Second, the terrain."
"Reports suggest there are numerous spatial distortion zones scattered throughout the region."
"People can easily lose their sense of direction."
"What about hostile creatures?" another mercenary asked.
"That's the greatest uncertainty."
Karl's expression darkened.
"According to the few explorers who survived and escaped, strange lifeforms do exist inside the zone."
"But nobody knows exactly what they are."
"So prepare for anything."
Rowan and Luo Feng listened carefully.
The more they learned, the more dangerous the expedition seemed.
Yet that danger only made the opportunity more enticing.
"Equipment inspection."
Karl issued his next command.
"Everyone verify your gear."
"If anything is missing or malfunctioning, report it immediately."
The following thirty minutes passed in meticulous preparation.
While checking his own equipment, Rowan secretly observed the others.
The mercenaries were impressively equipped.
Weapons.
Protective gear.
Navigation devices.
Survival supplies.
Everything had been prepared with military precision.
"Inspection complete," Old Wu reported.
"All personnel are ready."
"Excellent."
Karl nodded.
"Prepare to enter the Mist Forbidden Zone."
"Once inside, maintain formation."
"No one moves independently."
The Blackshark battleship slowly advanced toward the edge of the mist.
Through the observation windows, everyone watched the massive silver-gray fog draw closer and closer.
Eventually, the battleship crossed the boundary.
The world darkened instantly.
It felt as if they had entered an entirely different dimension.
"As expected."
One of the technicians studied his instruments.
"Most electronic systems are being disrupted."
"Navigation systems are nearly useless."
"We can only rely on basic directional guidance."
"That's within expectations," Karl replied calmly.
"Activate the backup navigation system."
"Proceed along the designated route."
Two hours later, the battleship finally arrived at a relatively open region within the mist.
Visibility here was slightly better.
Several hundred meters at most.
"This will be our base camp," Karl announced.
"From here onward, we proceed on foot."
"Take only essential supplies and prepare to disembark."
Everyone gathered their packs and checked their weapons.
Rowan and Luo Feng followed suit.
Both nervous.
Both excited.
As the hatch opened, a strange scent drifted inside.
It wasn't foul.
It wasn't pleasant.
It was simply... unfamiliar.
Unlike anything they had ever smelled before.
"Atmospheric analysis complete."
The technician checked the readings.
"The composition is unusual, but harmless to humans."
"Good."
Karl stepped forward.
"Move out."
The moment Rowan set foot on the soil of the Mist Forbidden Zone, he immediately sensed something different.
The ground felt strangely soft beneath his boots.
The landscape was blurred by drifting mist.
Visibility remained extremely limited.
Most unusual of all was the energy field permeating the area.
It subtly interfered with perception.
Even his senses felt dulled.
"Stay close."
Karl led the way.
"In this environment, getting separated is extremely dangerous."
The expedition team advanced deeper into the forbidden region.
Their formation remained tight.
Each person stayed roughly ten meters apart, ensuring everyone remained within sight despite the fog.
Rowan and Luo Feng were positioned near the center of the group.
Protected.
And watched.
"How does it feel?" Luo Feng whispered while walking.
"Strange."
Rowan scanned the surroundings.
"The energy field is definitely affecting our perception."
He paused.
"And do you feel that?"
"What?"
"It feels like something is moving through the air."
Luo Feng nodded immediately.
"I sensed it too."
"Like invisible currents of energy flowing around us."
Before they could discuss it further, a signal came from the front of the formation.
Stop.
The entire expedition halted instantly.
Every mercenary raised their guard.
"What is it?" Old Wu asked quietly.
The scout pointed into the fog ahead.
"Something's there."
"I heard a strange sound."
Everyone held their breath.
Moments later, they heard it too.
A deep, guttural growl echoed through the mist.
It didn't sound like any known animal.
"Looks like we've encountered our first challenge."
Karl calmly drew his weapon.
"Everyone prepare for combat."
"But do not attack first."
"Let's identify the threat."
The growling grew louder.
Closer.
Soon, a massive silhouette appeared within the fog.
At first it was only a shadow.
Then the creature stepped fully into view.
A collective gasp swept through the expedition team.
The beast was unlike anything they had ever seen.
Three meters tall.
Five meters long.
Its body was covered in gray scales.
Its limbs were thick and powerful.
Its head resembled that of a gigantic reptile.
Yet its eyes glowed with an eerie violet light.
Most disturbing of all were the tentacle-like appendages extending from its back, writhing continuously through the air.
"What the hell is that?" one mercenary asked nervously.
"No idea."
Karl tightened his grip on his weapon.
"But it looks dangerous."
His gaze locked onto the monster.
Every member of the expedition raised their weapons.
"Stay alert."
"Prepare for battle."
-------------------------------
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