Chapter 842 The Powerhouses’ Plan

　　“Ancient Mirage Dragon?” The Heavenly Palace people exchanged glances with each other. They were not familiar with the creature, but if it could form a dangerous spot while in its slumber just by breathing, then even a first-step Wisdom Elite would think twice before crossing it.

　　“Since the Mirage Dragon was awakened by the appearance of the unknown gray mist, it’s likely the reason why the unknown gray mist is thicker here,” said Yang Jing in a low voice.

　　Cultivator Junjun frowned and said, “I wonder what level the Mirage Dragon is.”

　　“Seniors, people have gone to investigate the Misty Valley before when the Mirage Dragon was still in its slumber. Mirages would play in in their minds all the time. A Chaos Daluo Golden Immortal could only last a maximum of two hours there. After that, he’d forever be trapped there. A first-step Wisdom Elite could last for ten hours. Any longer than that, he’d be trapped in his fantasy forever, too,” said Bei Yunchang

　　“Does that mean the Mirage Dragon can control people’s minds?” asked Xiao Chengfeng with shock.

　　Bei Yunchang nodded and said, “Yes, now that the Mirage Dragon’s awake, the power of the fog is even greater and it’s rapidly spreading. The Ethereal Sect was making preparations for the move before all this happened.”

　　Cultivator Junjun arched his brow and said, “The fog is spreading? It seems like the Mirage Dragon definitely has something to do with the gray mist. It has just woken up and is at its most violent state. This will allow the Mirage to spread!”

　　“Seniors, there’s also a sect called the Cloud Pavilion in the southwest which is the top powerhouse in this area. The sect master and deputy sect master are both third-step Wisdom Elites but no one has been able to come out since the Cloud Pavilion was swallowed by the fog,” said Bei Yunchang. He was trying to warn them just how dangerous the place was. He did not want the people who saved his life to die needlessly. “Apart from that, some cultivators who had overestimated their abilities also entered the fog and never came out.”

　　The warning was very powerful since even a third-step Wisdom Elite could not get out. However, the Heavenly Palace people were not so easily scared. After they got the information they wanted, they left the Ethereal Sect and went straight to the Misty Valley on their auspicious cloud. At the same time, a map was spread out in front of everyone. The map was given to them by Bei Yunchang, and it was the map of the Misty Valley. However, many places on the map were now shrouded in fog.

　　“What do you think?” asked Cultivator Junjun.

　　“Looking at the map, the fog used to be confined to this area only, but in the past five days, it has spread more than five times, which means that the two major towns, the three major sects, and countless wild creatures are all shrouded. On top of that… No one can break free!” replied Yang Jing.

　　“If the Mirage can really control the mind, then it’s completely impossible to escape once someone is under its control. There’s only one reason for this phenomenon—the Mirage can disorient people and thus, trap them indefinitely,” said Goddess Nuwa solemnly.

　　“Besides that, there’s also an extremely difficult problem…” There was distress in Xiao Chengfeng’s tone as he sighed. “Once you enter the fog, you’ll most likely be besieged by the cultivators who have been manipulated by the Mirage! If you’re under siege, you’d be disoriented by the Mirage sooner or later.”

　　They analyzed all the horrors of the Mirage but could not find corresponding countermeasures. In addition to the problems, there were also some unsolved problems. How were they supposed to find the Mirage Dragon? What level was it at? They were completely clueless about these questions.

　　“No matter what, we have to enter the Mirage. This is the only way we can obtain information on how to defeat it!” said Yang Jing determinedly.

　　“He’s right. I may not be as smart as you all, but I’m willing to do anything for the sake of the expert!” said Juling Shen. Everyone else unanimously agreed with his view. However, they still needed to come up with a plan of action. In the end, it was decided that Yang Jing, Xiao Chengfeng, and Juling Shen should enter the mirage first to test the waters. Everything was finalized and everyone continued on their way.

　　Not long after, a cloud of white fog that looked like thick smoke appeared in front of them. The white fog was like a barrier that was blocking a large area, but it was clearly separated from the boundaries outside the white fog, like two worlds.

　　“According to the map, the white fog has spread to this location, and the spread is much faster than expected,” said Cultivator Junjun gravely.

　　“Is this the Mirage? I’m curious to know how it’ll affect my sanity. Let’s hurry in,” said Juling Shen excitedly. “Hold on a minute.” Yang Jing shook his head but he was looking in another direction. There, a group of cultivators was slowly approaching. It was a group of five people dressed in different clothes. They did not deliberately conceal the aura on their bodies. Three third-step Wisdom Elites and two second-step Wisdom Elites.

　　The old man walking in the center cupped his fist in a salute to the Heavenly Palace people and said with a smile, “Greetings fellow Taoists, I’m Cultivator Zuosi. Did you all come for the unknown gray mist?”

　　“I’m Cultivator Junjun. Are you here for the unknown gray mist, too?” asked Cultivator Junjun with his fist cupped in a salute as well.

　　Cultivator Zuosi nodded and said with a smile, “The birth of the unknown gray mist has birthed countless upheavals. As the source of chaos in the Origins Realm, it must be removed!”

　　“Your sense of righteousness is commendable,” said Yang Jing noncommittally. The alarm bells in his brain were ringing a little. The fact that the other party proclaimed such a righteous thing right at the start could either mean he really was a pure-hearted soul or he had ulterior motives.

　　“Well, I have to admit our motives aren’t that pure. We’re hoping to get something out of this, too,” said Cultivator Zuosi as if he had read Yang Jing’s mind.

　　“Oh? And what may that be?” asked Yang Jing.

　　“You don’t know? Aren’t you all here for the same thing?” Cultivator Zuosi did not wait for Yang Jing to reply but continued saying, “The powerhouses in the Origins Realm had promised that as long as enough gray mist is captured, it’ll be considered a contribution to the world. By doing so, we get to enter their secret border to gain some opportunities!

　　“Even some ancient sects that had isolated themselves from the world had sensed the horror of the unknown gray mist and decided to partake in this effort. We’ll be able to reach the peak of our power if we can enter their secret border to get the opportunities. With those treasures, Spiritual Roots, or heirlooms, one can definitely reach the sky in one step.”

　　“The other powerhouses are also collecting unknown gray mist?!” The expressions of the Heavenly Palace people changed to shock.

　　“No, they’re not collecting it. They’re going to wipe it out!” said Cultivator Zuosi.

　　‘Who knows if they’re actually going to wipe it out or do something else once it’s in their hands,’ thought Cultivator Junjun with a cold smile.

　　“How about we team up since you’re already planning to enter the Mirage?” invited Cultivator Zuosi.