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The group of Lapras gradually ventured deeper into the mist.
There were eight in total, advancing in a triangular formation. The mist swirled around them.
Unexpectedly, the visibility was quite high. Li Xiang could clearly see everything within a five-meter radius. At seven meters, things became hazy, and at ten meters, it was all grey.
Beyond that, without sunlight, it was just darkness.
It inexplicably gave one an empty and mysterious feeling.
The lake below was completely silent, its depths unfathomable. If someone with a fear of the deep sea glanced down, their heart and lungs would probably stop.
Along the way, the lead 'Sage of Song's' mouth never stopped for a moment. It chatted with Zhong Hai the entire time. When Zhong Hai ignored it, it would slow down, swim over to another Lapras, and chat with the person riding there.
It didn't even spare Mo Ye and Li Xiang.
It made one wonder if this guy was actually the Sage of Rambling, or the Sage of Song.
But objectively speaking, when it sang together with the other Lapras, the sound was indeed stunning and beautiful.
Li Xiang silently analyzed the method of entering Mist Island. It was like playing a puzzle game.
Although he might not need the knowledge, the process of solving the puzzle was enjoyable. After careful observation, he noticed that as the Lapras moved forward, the horns on their foreheads emitted a thin, glowing light.
It seemed similar to the way the red gem on the forehead of another Slowking lit up.
Perhaps this was a beacon.
A beacon-like pass. With this thing, the intangible mist wouldn't hinder their progress.
Was there a possibility of obtaining such a beacon?
Li Xiang lowered his head in thought, keenly sensing the countless peering gazes within the mist.
He turned his head and saw one indistinct black shadow after another, their outlines barely discernible because they were all connected.
Just looking, he could only make out some scattered, round shapes of various sizes.
The largest was comparable to a round table that could seat ten people. The smallest was no bigger than a basketball.
These creatures stared intently at them, their gaze almost tangible, pressing against him.
"They are..."
Li Xiang couldn't help but quietly ask the Sage of Song swimming nearby.
"Guards? Security? Take your pick. They send any humans who accidentally wander in back out. They usually enjoy observing visitors. You humans have a word for it—star—"
The Lapras showed a thoughtful expression.
"I get it, I get it, no need to say more."
Li Xiang hurriedly waved his hands, indicating he understood. If it continued, it might corrupt the young, and it might also change Mo Ye's impression of him.
The group continued deeper.
Before long, the lake whirlpool that Incineroar and the others had mentioned appeared.
It spun rapidly, taking the shape of a funnel.
But contrary to the imagined scene of overwhelming power and spectacular grandeur, the giant whirlpool was very quiet. The water spun so fast, yet it didn't cause any rushing sounds. It was like a black hole, constantly absorbing the sounds of the vast lake and flowing water.
"Hang on tight! We're not responsible if you fall off!"
The Sage of Song shouted, the horn on its forehead growing brighter as it swam towards the whirlpool.
At the same time, a song-like cry rang out, its melody melodious, carrying a magical power that made one relax and involuntarily close their eyes to sleep.
Li Xiang wrapped his arms around the Lapras's neck, with its permission, and looked at Mo Ye beside him.
The Abyssal Elite Four member still held his sword, sitting upright on the gray rocky shell, steady as a mountain.
"Don't be nervous."
Seeming to notice his gaze, Mo Ye spoke proactively.
"Mn."
Li Xiang nodded, secretly popping a Lum Berry lozenge into his mouth to resist the erosion of the song.
But as they say, those who seek death often find it.
As the Lapras swam into the void of the whirlpool and began to dive, an imperceptible tremor occurred in the air, invisible to the human eye.
Li Xiang, whose vision was blurring, felt his body discomforted. His brain felt compressed by something, growing incredibly drowsy.
Then, everything went black before his eyes. His ears rang continuously, his throat couldn't produce sound, his nose couldn't breathe, and even his sense of touch seemed to disappear.
He couldn't even determine if his hands were still holding the Lapras's neck.
It was unbearably uncomfortable. If it weren't for the Three-Blind Perception Method he had practiced for years, which felt similar to his current state, Li Xiang might have panicked.
Why was this happening?
Li Xiang couldn't understand why transitioning from the real world to another space would cause such a terrifying experience.
He wanted to spit out the Lum Berry lozenge, but at some point, he couldn't even feel his mouth anymore.
It was as if his brain had completely separated from his body.
This feeling lasted for a long time.
Li Xiang didn't know how long had passed. When he realized his consciousness had returned to his body, it was because Zhong Hai was shaking him awake.
"Hey hey, now's not the time for you to sleep."
The brown-haired middle-aged man with small braids came into view.
Li Xiang was dazed. "We..."
"We're in."
Zhong Hai jumped back onto the shore.
Li Xiang stood up shakily and exchanged a glance with the Lapras in front of him, which looked at him strangely.
The other Lapras seemed to have left, including that Sage of Song.
"Lapras?"
"Nothing..." Li Xiang shook his head, his gaze shifting to the surroundings. He was momentarily stunned.
After a long while, he couldn't help but utter, "Wow," to relieve the shock in his heart.
They were now on a small island.
Azure sky, clear lake water, lush greenery, and the faint fragrance of flowers and fruit in the air that simply breathing made one relaxed and happy.
Behind them, a giant mountain towered into the clouds, its peak snowy white, its middle section lush and green, stretching continuously.
Not far away, there were reefs covered in flourishing flowering trees, grotesque in shape, some standing like spears, others forming arches.
Countless Pokémon floated on the lake surface, playing and frolicking, leaning against each other.
Further away, plunging waterfalls could be seen, their thunderous roars echoing like countless white ribbons.
In the sky, Bird Pokémon soared freely. Altaria and Xatu, somewhat rare outside, were everywhere here.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds like a path to heaven, illuminating trees heavy with fruit. It was as if ten layers of filters had been applied. Although everything here could be seen outside, the scenery was still breathtaking.
It still brought Li Xiang the feeling of having arrived in a paradise on earth.
Being here, his mind was influenced, leaving only the thought: "I just love Mist Island so much!"
However, this feeling was abruptly interrupted by the clang of a sword being drawn.
Li Xiang instinctively turned his head and saw Mo Ye, his fox-like eyes slightly open, calmly surveying the surroundings.
"Lucky us. Time is slower right now."
He held two hourglasses. One was clearly slower. This meant two days inside Mist Island equaled one day outside.
So it really depended on the hourglass?
Li Xiang thought to himself, as Zhong Hai's voice came from beside him.
"Due to the special nature of the geographical environment here, factors like the oxygen content in the air and the magnetic field being different from the outside world, it can, to some extent, influence our senses."
He looked at Li Xiang and said softly, "A paradise. Living here forever—everyone who comes here thinks that. But you'll adapt after a while."
"I see."
Li Xiang suddenly understood.
Everyone began to pack their bags, checking if anything was missing. Although they had entered through the underwater whirlpool, they were completely dry, not wet at all.
After a search, everything was there, nothing lost.
"Let's go. To the City of Wisdom. Ji Xiang is waiting for us there."
Zhong Hai led the way, heading towards the giant island behind them. Ji Xiang was the Pokémon stationed inside Mist Island.
The City of Wisdom was what the rangers called a place where many Pokémon gathered.
Its actual name was much more hard to pronounce.
This was increasingly resembling the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series.
Li Xiang walked in the middle of the group, looking around, but didn't see many traces of human activity.
He thought to himself that nature was still preserved in its original state. Pokémon civilization didn't seem to have developed yet.
No.
He was wrong.
When he crossed a forest, stood on a slope, and saw an ancient city built by the water in the distance, Li Xiang knew he had been proven wrong.
He saw the most primitive buildings, a large number of strange tools, and row after row of markets. Countless Pokémon walked through here, exchanging things with each other.
Bartering?
Still relatively primitive, but it had the embryonic form of civilization.
Li Xiang looked up slightly, scanning the entire City of Wisdom, taking in the sights. In the distance, he could see a majestic and solemn stone temple, full of the ancient Greek style from his past life.
In the Pokémon world, that would be the Sinnoh style.
A pink, humanoid hippopotamus wearing a shell on its head stood in front of the stone temple. It seemed to notice Li Xiang's gaze and smiled in this direction.
Although it was far away and blurry, Li Xiang could still feel that smile.
"The Council of Ten Sages... the Sage of Will."
The ranger union's appellation for this Slowking appeared in Li Xiang's mind.
The City of Wisdom had no walls, nor any city gates to enter.
There was only a path that seemed to have been worn down by the footsteps of countless Pokémon.
At the side of the path, a man accompanied by a Machamp saw them and quickly hurried over, saying repeatedly, "You're finally here! I've confirmed it with that stubborn Sage of Will who refused to budge. It really is Mirage Island!"
"Good that it's confirmed."
Zhong Hai smiled upon hearing this and patted the man's shoulder. "Good work, A Xiang."
"Just doing my duty."
Ji Xiang shook his head. "But I haven't found any trace of the Ho-Oh's Guard. I did confirm from other Pokémon that they have entered, but where they're hiding is unclear."
"I see... Too bad we missed the chance to communicate. It's fine."
Zhong Hai frowned slightly. The reason they had come in, and even brought an Elite Four member along, was because they were worried about unknown situations inside Mist Island.
As everyone knew, the Ho-Oh's Guard was a typical relief squad. Whenever a disastrous incident occurred somewhere, they would appear there.
Their reunion on Mist Island this time was something the alliance had to be prepared for.
After all, there were so many Pokémon on Mist Island, and Mist City had over ten million humans and Pokémon!