Black smoke wrapped in Hydro elements slowly drifted through the sky. It looked utterly eerie—each wisp of black smoke seemed to contain an invisible human face.
They looked terrifying. Mouth-like openings gaped and closed as if cursing everything in the world. The black mist was restless, radiating a murderous aura.
But no matter what kind of creature you were, under the system's enhanced abilities, you were just trapped in Hydro, unable to break free from this ill-omened power.
"How unpleasant..." Xiao looked up at the unsettling black mist, a strange irritation rising within him.
Watching all this, Zhongli fell into thought. To perfectly control such ill-omened things—even I am helpless against them. How interesting...
Nodding lightly, Zhongli spread his arms. A massive golden Geo barrier instantly surrounded the entire mountainside.
The barrier was very inconspicuous—barely noticeable without careful observation. Though only a thin layer, its defensive capabilities were not something ordinary people could break.
To prevent these ill-omened things from escaping and harming others, it was better to trap them inside.
"Sister Bonanus, be careful." Xiao positioned himself in front of Bonanus, his expression grave, poised for battle.
"Don't worry." Bonanus gently touched Xiao's shoulder. Their eyes met, and she nodded seriously at him.
This was the system's ability. No matter how foolish the system, it wouldn't turn against its host—at least hers wouldn't.
Seeing this, Xiao took a deep breath. Honestly, this scene made him very uncomfortable—it made breathing difficult and stirred irritation.
It was like a depressed, reclusive patient suddenly thrust into a crowded place—difficulty breathing, easily angered. That was roughly how Xiao felt now.
But with Bonanus by his side, this feeling slowly subsided. As long as she was there, everything would be fine.
Slowly...
The black mist wrapped in Hydro suddenly condensed together, forming a large birdcage-shaped portal. It trapped both Bonanus and Xiao inside.
Seeing this, Zhongli frowned slightly but didn't intervene. Instinct told him this power, though eerie, emitted no dangerous aura.
Don't ask why Zhongli was so certain. Ask his 6,000 years of experience. After so long, he'd become an old hand with incredibly sharp senses.
Rumble! Swish!
The birdcage portal emitted a terrifying sound. Hearing it, Bonanus tightened her grip on Xiao's arm.
Why did it sound increasingly sinister!
[System! Can't you be normal for once? Must you make it like a horror movie?]
[Ding~ System provides free special effects for the host. Please enjoy~]
Bonanus: ???
The system did this because it knew its adorable host loved horror movies.
It remembered a period when, while collecting host data, it had accidentally witnessed her watching horror films.
In her previous life, the scene of her turning on every light in the house after watching a horror movie was unforgettable. The system could feel her blood pressure spiking then.
After careful analysis, the system determined the host's emotions at that time were likely very positive—she was excited.
Generally speaking, excitement raised blood pressure.
The main reason was that during excitement, the sympathetic nervous system is active, increasing renin and angiotensin secretion.
These hormones accelerate heart rate and strengthen myocardial contractility, increasing cardiac output. Blood volume in the arteries rises, pressure on vessel walls increases—hence, elevated blood pressure.
Thus, the intelligent yet rigid system could confidently conclude: the host loved horror films. That's why it specially provided these effects. It was so thoughtful!
Among all systems, it was surely the most considerate to its host! It was so gentle—the host would surely be moved to tears!
See, the host was praising it with beautiful words.
Bonanus's inner thoughts at that moment:
[Praise your grandpa! You #$&%￥! You #&%#$! Change it back to normal right now!]
Bonanus felt like she'd eaten something terrible. She'd always been afraid of ghosts. When she'd gone out to eliminate demons before, she didn't know what kind of resolve she'd mustered.
She'd thought this matter was behind her, but now the system pulled this stunt. For a girl afraid of ghosts, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow.
Do you know how much damage a heavy blow does to a girl?
---
Back to the topic...
The eerie power slowly contracted. Then, suddenly, the black birdcage's contraction speed increased, followed by a distortion.
Before either could react, the birdcage swallowed them inside.
Both vanished instantly, leaving behind only a strange black spatial rift...
Zhongli watched it all, genuinely amazed. He wondered if this otherworldly god could do battle with the Heavenly Principles.
A pity that god had already died. Perhaps they too had been a Descender of this world. As for why there were no traces of them...
Likely erased by Irminsul...
But this wasn't Zhongli's concern. Such thoughts were fleeting, quickly pushed aside. Rather than dwell on a dead god, better focus on the present.
With this thought, Zhongli slowly approached the black spatial rift. He reached out cautiously, testing its nature.
Though risky, he'd only know by touching it.
Shrrrk!
The moment he touched it, the rift lightly repelled his finger.
The force wasn't strong. Zhongli felt no pain or discomfort, but he could sense the rift was rejecting him.
"Heh... interesting." Zhongli raised an eyebrow slightly. He stepped back, crossed his arms, and watched, waiting for Bonanus and Xiao to return.
He couldn't sense anything inside. The rift's shielding properties were excellent. Looks like he'd have to wait outside.
For now, only Zhongli remained in this area. His barrier isolated everything outside—both adepti and mortals alike.
---
In a different timeline's space...
On a mountaintop, two streams of black mist slowly emerged in a peculiar manner. They wandered briefly before touching down.
The moment they landed, the black smoke dissipated, revealing a blue figure.
"Haah, haah, haah!"
Bonanus, suddenly emerging from the black mist, clutched her chest, gasping for air. She sat on the ground in a duck-like pose. The cold sweat on her forehead showed she was struggling.
Though uncomfortable, Bonanus couldn't help cursing the system inwardly.
[You unwanted cheap piece of junk!]