CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 296: DUAN YIREN

Yao Ji, as the spiritual body of the Shelter, possesses her own thoughts and emotions.

Such a fantastical creation is beyond the current capability of the East Prosperity Imperial to develop.

Baiyu finds it difficult to simply regard her as a mechanical lifeform.

She can cry and laugh, and she understands how to think.

These are already the characteristics of intelligent life.

"Master, you finally came. That very annoying person from last time is waiting for you. His access is very high, I cannot refuse him..."

The image of Yao Ji spoke.

Baiyu thought for a moment; the only person with such high access in the Shelter and related to him could only be the Third Prince.

The prince valued the spirit tides.

So even though he had Uncle Nanmu as a trusted subordinate, he would certainly inquire personally.

Baiyu just didn’t expect him to come directly.

...

Without delay.

Under Yao Ji’s guidance, Baiyu quickly arrived at the underground control center of the Linjiang City Shelter.

This place does not permit outsiders to enter.

But with the Third Prince present, Baiyu naturally had unimpeded access.

More than ten minutes later

The two met again in the underground control center.

The other wore a brocaded long robe, and his handsome face, slightly feminine, had a hint of subtle grace as he stood before a large screen, observing various data.

Hearing a noise.

He turned around, a smile on his face: "I didn’t expect that in just a few months, Brother Bai’s strength has advanced so much, excellent... truly excellent."

"The Third Prince, you also look well."

Baiyu walked to the side and sat down.

Yao Ji projected a virtual image from the light orb on the ceiling, standing beside Baiyu, her eyes filled with unmistakable affection.

The Third Prince seeing this scene, sighed.

Indeed, he was the one acknowledged by the spirit of the Shelter.

This is fate and opportunity.

Even though I am a prince, I cannot gain the acknowledgment of any spirit of the Shelter, nor can I ever venture into those wondrous places in the Spirit Realm.

Perhaps when one’s power reaches a certain height, with the help of the Legendary Ship, one may enter the spirit tides.

But to reach that step is truly difficult.

"Third Prince?"

Hearing Baiyu’s voice as a reminder, the Third Prince snapped out of his reverie, chuckling wryly, "I am envious of Brother Bai’s fortune, making a spectacle of myself."

Baiyu was speechless.

Envious of you, my ass.

With your silver-spoon birth, it’s you whom others should be envious of, damn it.

"Ahem, alright, I won’t say much idle talk."

The Third Prince said: "I have already instructed Uncle Nanmu to hand over the Destiny Pocket Watch to you. This will give you an advantage in the spirit tides and help you avoid many dangers and unnecessary troubles.

But that’s not enough.

This is your first time entering the spirit tides; I won’t let my people fall into danger.

Take this with you."

He took a wooden box the size of a toothpick case from his bosom, and Baiyu took it and opened it. Inside, there were ten papermen, covered with various strange symbols.

Some were in Mystical Language, and others were simply patterns.

Just weird enough to make one’s head spin at a glance.

"These are Suffering Papermen, rare consumable magical items, each one can take a fatal attack for you, a total of ten."

Though it pained him, the Third Prince still said: "With these ten papermen, no matter the peril you find yourself in, as long as you manage properly, you can escape.

Of course.

This time, my Imperial Sister will go with you.

She has half the bloodline of the Eternal Sleep City in her body. Although not high, it still allows her to enter into the spirit tides."

Baiyu looked to the side.

A young girl dressed in the same brocaded long robe stood nearby, her chestnut eyes falling on him, assessing him from head to toe.

"My sister, Duan Yiren."

The Third Prince smiled, pulling the girl over, "Please rest assured, Brother Bai, she will definitely not drag you down. In the spirit tides, she will follow your commands unconditionally."

The young girl gracefully bowed to Baiyu, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"No need for such politeness, since we are on the same mission, working together to complete the goal is best."

Baiyu said with a smile.

By now he understood the Third Prince’s intention.

One, Duan Yiren was his reassurance, telling Baiyu not to worry. If there is real danger in the spirit tides, he wouldn’t put his Imperial Sister at risk.

This was to make Baiyu feel at ease to complete the mission.

As for the second point.

Duan Yiren had the bloodline of Eternal Sleep City.

Proving she was very likely an illegitimate child.

Because Baiyu remembered that Eternal Sleep City never allowed outside marriage even with royalty. But how could the Royal Family not covet the power to control the Shelter?

So secretly, there must be all kinds of infiltration toward Eternal Sleep City.

But now.

Duan Yiren was pushed out as a hostage, proving she wasn’t of high status, not even as important as Baiyu, an outsider.

The reason being.

Duan Yiren couldn’t gain the acknowledgment of the spirit of the Shelter.

The main crux likely lay in her half Eternal Sleep City bloodline. The spirit of the Shelter surely included bloodline concentration as a requirement for acknowledgment.

Currently, the only thing Baiyu didn’t understand was the bloodline of Eternal Sleep City...

What on earth this was.

"Sister’s combat power is not weak, and she also has many methods, Brother Bai, the two of you can support each other in the spirit tides.

And this time.

I only want some life-extending elixirs and spirit pills.

Such things are actually not hard to find in the spirit tides."

The Third Prince’s face showed a troubled look.

No need to guess.

These life-extending elixirs were certainly not for himself. Coupled with the recent news of the old emperor of East Prosperity Imperial weakening, it’s likely for his father.

Among the many princes, the Third Prince’s faction was not strong.

If the old emperor were to die now, it would be very disadvantageous for his claim to the throne.

The two didn’t have much more to say.

The Third Prince’s entire understanding of the spirit tides came from the data he had collected, all of which he had essentially handed over to Baiyu.

Now.

He stood aside, revealing a groove carved from some unknown black stone.

Nearby, Yao Ji floated in mid-air, staring at the Boundary-breaking Stone in Baiyu’s hand, "Are you sure you want to enter the spirit tides? We are currently in the rising tide period of the spirit tides, and it’s safe to enter now!"

Baiyu nodded, then placed the Boundary-breaking Stone into the groove.

In an instant.

The walls of the shelter’s control center suddenly turned black.

The surroundings plunged into endless darkness.

In this darkness, the black orb where the Boundary-breaking Stone was placed emitted a dazzling brilliance, gradually expanding into a light screen that enveloped the three of them.

Baiyu and Duan Yiren did not feel any anomaly.

Only the Third Prince.

Upon touching the light membrane, he was immediately pushed aside, unable to enter the light membrane’s interior.

He gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said to Baiyu: "Take care of everything, if the mission can’t be completed... it’s enough if you return safely."