Han Ning felt the noticeably replenished Spiritual Power within his body.
On his panel, Spiritual Power had recovered to 21/25 points.
This ability was incredibly practical!
He had calculated that since reaching Lv4, his natural Spiritual Power recovery rate was about 8 points per hour.
This was much faster than the 1 point per hour at Lv1. However, as skill levels increased, so did their destructive power and various effects, along with the Spiritual Power consumption.
For example, when unleashing advanced Vine Manipulation at full power to entangle large targets, it could consume 2-3 points of Spiritual Power in one go.
Han Ning had also figured out some energy-saving techniques.
By controlling the output of Spiritual Power through mental focus, he could summon fewer and weaker vines for reconnaissance or simple restraints.
Each use might consume less than 1 point of Spiritual Power. This precise control was a benefit of increased proficiency.
But no matter how much he conserved or relied on natural recovery, it couldn't compare to Lin Qianqian replenishing nearly 4 points of Spiritual Power for him in just a few seconds.
This kind of rapid replenishment during combat intervals or critical moments was invaluable.
Moreover, Lin Qianqian was someone he knew before crossing over. Although their relationship was merely professional, in his impression, Boss Lin was efficient, fair in rewards and punishments, and relatively upright—at least more reliable than that scoundrel Chen Yan in Liu Feng's team.
However, Han Ning didn't let his guard down completely.
He didn't refuse outright but cautiously asked, "How do you propose we cooperate?"
Lin Qianqian replied:
"Exploring the Mist Zone, especially venturing into its core, is dangerous."
"Those monsters' mental attacks are unpredictable. I can't guarantee you'll remain mentally clear at all times."
"So, we need a support."
Han Ning frowned slightly but remained silent.
An additional person meant additional variables, but as Lin Qianqian said, mental defense was their weak point.
He had previously broken free from illusions thanks to the purification effect of Nature's Blessing, but this skill consumed a lot of energy and might not work every time.
A teammate specialized in mental defense would indeed be a great support.
"Everything I know about your abilities comes from Chen Feng's descriptions. I need to see for myself."
"Tomorrow at dawn, we'll enter the outskirts of the Mist Zone from the southern entrance for a simple hunt, targeting the monsters there."
"If your performance meets my expectations, we'll continue deeper until we can't go any further."
This was the value of ability—Lin Qianqian's skill of rapidly restoring Energy directly proved her worth.
"Southern entrance?" Han Ning was curious about this classification.
"Yes," Lin Qianqian explained.
"Based on our recent explorations, using the line extending from Azure Cloud Resort to White Egret Port as the central axis, we've found three relatively safe entrances so far."
"There are two in the north, which we call North 1 and North 2 entrances."
"There's one in the south, the South Entrance. This time, we'll take the South Entrance. The monster density there is relatively lower, and they're weaker, making it suitable for breaking in."
"Understood," Han Ning nodded in agreement.
.
After agreeing on the meeting time and location, the two parties went their separate ways.
...
Returning to his apartment, Han Ning didn't rest immediately.
He walked to the planting area in the corner of the balcony, observing the potato and tomato seedlings that continued to grow diligently under the dim light.
He extended his palm, and a soft emerald glow once again emanated from it, enveloping the two plants.
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) Proficiency +1, Current: 22/200]
The green light seeped into the leaves and stems, making the potato leaves appear slightly more vibrant, though no visible mutation occurred.
Undeterred, Han Ning cast the same spell on the nearby tomato seedling.
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) Proficiency +1, Current: 23/200]
After casting it six times in succession, he then used Rapid Growth on the other plants a few more times.
Only when his Spiritual Power was completely depleted did he stop.
...
The next morning, the rain had grown heavier.
Han Ning arrived punctually at the main entrance of Azure Cloud Resort with Snowflake in tow.
Soon, Lin Qianqian appeared.
She was still dressed in her practical windbreaker and cargo pants, covered by a full-body raincoat, her long hair tied back, her expression calm.
A travel bag was slung over her back, a quiver strapped to her waist, and she held a compound bow in her hand.
Accompanying her was a young-looking girl.
The girl appeared to be around twenty-one or twenty-two, standing only up to Lin Qianqian's ear. She wore an oversized pink raincoat, her eyes dewy and her features cute.
"This is Yu Na," Lin Qianqian introduced briefly.
"Her ability is Mental Barrier. She can use Energy to construct shields against mental attacks, release something akin to a mental shockwave, and has some scouting capabilities. She'll serve as our safeguard against mental disturbances."
"Hello, I'm Han Ning," he greeted proactively.
Despite her cute appearance, which suggested a lively and cheerful personality, Yu Na was actually quite aloof.
She merely gave Han Ning a cold nod in acknowledgment.
"Let's go," Lin Qianqian said, unfazed by Yu Na's reaction. Without further comment, she led the way toward the flooded road outside the resort.
Along the way, Lin Qianqian briefed Han Ning on the situation at the southern entrance:
"The southern entrance was originally located near the ocean, on the edge of a rundown urban village undergoing demolition. The buildings there are relatively low and sparse, the flooding is deeper, and there's little human activity."
"The Mirage Worms active in that area are generally smaller, and their mental attacks are weaker than those encountered at the northern entrance."
"Occasionally, solitary juvenile or sub-adult Crocodile Lizards might wander over, but groups are rare."
"Our route today is to advance about three hundred meters inward from the southern entrance. That distance is still within relatively safe bounds. If we encounter any danger we can't handle, we can retreat quickly."
Before long, the surroundings began to change.
Ahead, the water was now shrouded in a milky-white mist.
At first, the mist was thin, but as they pressed forward, it grew denser, visibility plummeting rapidly.
The sound of raindrops hitting the water became muffled, as if absorbed by the thick fog.
"We're at the edge of the Mist Zone," Lin Qianqian's voice lowered. "Stay alert. Mirage Worms could appear at any moment."
"I don't know how much Energy you have stored, but the moment you feel any depletion, tell me immediately and I'll replenish it for you," she instructed.
"Understood!" Han Ning nodded.
The thick white mist churned around them, visibility reduced to less than ten meters.
The icy water beneath their feet made each step forward feel sickeningly viscous.
Snowflake took the lead, his slit pupils scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
Han Ning followed two paces behind Snowflake, with Lin Qianqian and Yu Na close behind, the three maintaining a triangular formation in high alert.
"Be careful, the mist here has stronger hallucinogenic effects," Lin Qianqian's voice came muffled through her raincoat hood.
"Mirage Worm... could appear... any..."
Lin Qianqian's voice beside him grew faint and distorted as the scenery before his eyes suddenly twisted.
Deep within the dense fog, the vague outline of a village emerged.
Crooked wooden houses, broken tiled roofs, muddy paths... all exuding an indescribable eeriness.
It looked exactly like the haunted village from those Hong Kong horror films.
An inexplicable chill ran down his spine.
"Wait, this is an illusion!" Alarm bells rang in Han Ning's mind.
Without hesitation, he summoned his Spiritual Power.
Emerald light instantly surged from his palm like warm sunlight dispelling the gloom, enveloping his entire body.
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) Proficiency +1, Current 30/200]
Hum!
The scene before his eyes was swiftly erased as if by an invisible eraser.