This is all a reference to special environments.
It refers to places that have been influenced and transformed by Extraordinary Power.
However, there is a difference between the Spirit Realm Tide and the Simulation Realm.
To put it simply.
The Simulation Realm is simply composed of pollution, distortion sources, and so on, while the Spirit Realm Tide can be a complete region, even possessing independent life forms and rules.
If we were to measure complexity.
The Spirit Realm Tide is much more complex than the Simulation Realm.
Regardless of which one.
The current situation is unfavorable for Baiyu and the others. There is a high possibility that they are caught in a Spirit Realm Tide.
Xu Qiu listened to this and
his face gradually turned grim, finding it somewhat unbelievable: "This is inside the Mountain City, how could a Spirit Realm Tide appear?"
"I have no idea, but the appearance of a Spirit Realm Tide is unpredictable, and everything within its covered area changes."
Baiyu remembered the matter of the Silent Castle and couldn't help but say, "Now we can only take it one step at a time."
The few of them nodded and said no more, continuing onward.
Soon.
They realized something was amiss.
The first courtyard they entered after passing through a stone screen was showing signs of activity.
And it was very recent.
Judging by the appearance, absolutely no more than three days old.
Moreover.
The entire courtyard's layout and style starkly contrasted with modern designs.
This was more like an ancient building.
Baiyu wasn't very familiar with Canglan Star's history, but he knew the basics.
After all, he was a regular at various libraries.
Libraries contained many books researching and exploring ancient history, most written by well-known archaeologist martial artists.
The historical lineage of humans on Canglan Star is far from complete.
Many gaps exist.
Currently, it is generally recognized that the most developed era was the ancient humans, who created wonders like Shelters and Legendary Ships.
This was the Ancient Era.
Nowadays, during the Era of Radiance, humans continue developing steam and mechanical technology by following the paths laid by ancient humans.
Various historical sources prove.
Steam technology might be the only thing capable of resisting Extraordinary Power.
Due to the peculiar nature of the Simulation Realm, electric technology instantly fails within it.
It also falls under the influence of Extraordinary Power.
Thus, it has been placed in the second-tier of development, available only for ordinary people's use.
Technology on Canglan Star is constantly regressing.
From the Ancient Era, to the Medieval Era, to the subsequent chaos, and then the Dark Era.
Science and technology are continuously weakening.
Even though in the Era of Radiance, many are researching ancient ruins, trying to advance steam technology.
However, there hasn't been much progress.
Historians divide Canglan Star's history into five periods, and the style of the current building resembles the style of the Dark Era.
The Dark Era.
Thousands of years ago.
It was a time when the human race was completely disadvantaged, yet it was a legendary age of rising heroes.
According to scant historical accounts.
Between the Dark Era and the present Era of Radiance, at least five hundred years of history is missing.
Back then.
Divine Spirits still walked the earth, leading people to resist exotic races and slaughter demons.
Back then, Canglan Star had several more continents than now, but they sank and were destroyed during the great divine wars that followed.
Once the dark age ended.
Divine Spirits disappeared, and humans only recuperated five hundred years later, initiating the Era of Radiance, developing into today's state.
The architectural style here.
Reveals much of the style of those Dark Era ruins.
The walls are covered with unknown exotic beast engravings, and the ground too, with unknown scripts.
Sculptures are abundant.
Various eaves and corners have special stone carvings, all exuding a strong flavor of the Dark Era.
During that age since divine beings trod the earth.
Devotion to faith and its importance were at their peak.
Compared to the Ancient Era, when Divine Spirits emerged, the Dark Era was the pinnacle of faith.
Thus, these buildings.
Almost all feature faith-related motifs.
"Let's continue deeper inside and take a look."
Baiyu spoke calmly, maintaining composure, knowing the leader mustn't falter at this moment.
Evidently.
This inner mansion certainly isn't the Count's.
After being swept by the Spirit Realm Tide, it completely transformed into something else.
It's even fair to say.
It is an isolated and entirely new enclosed zone.
Finding a way out isn't simple.
Examining one residence after another.
Baiyu and the group, totaling eight people, finally finished touring all the outer courtyards of the inner mansion; many courtyards appeared long abandoned.
But in some courtyards.
There were still signs of human activity.
This heightened the vigilance among them.
Approaching the central area, as they pushed open the main door of the inner mansion, a scent wafted towards them.
This smell was extremely peculiar.
As if a woman was wearing strong, low-quality perfume mixed with the scent of shampoo.
A robed woman appeared before them, holding a basket filled with various grains.
Her long hair was neatly up.
Adorned with many gold, silver, and jade accessories, dressed flamboyantly.
However, this attire still adhered to the Dark Era's style.
Baiyu and Xu Qiu clearly knew more; at the first glance of the woman, they sensed something was wrong.
Although the others were wary.
They hadn't realized yet the peculiarity in the woman's attire and dress.
After all, many people nowadays fancy vintage styles, making it hard to discern abnormalities at once.
Nonetheless.
No matter what.
An openly appearing woman here is unquestionably suspicious.
"Eight guests, are you looking to stay?"
The woman's smile was charming and her voice alluring, akin to the song of a lark.
Martial artists from the Security Bureau and Anomaly Bureau present sensed something amiss, their eyes beginning to reveal a murderous intent.
However.
At this moment.
Baiyu motioned for them to stop, smiling at the woman, "Stay, can we really stay?"
"Of course, our place is quite big,"
The woman giggled.
...
Having Baiyu's restraint, they did not act immediately.
Xu Qiu also evidently dared not act rashly against the woman without understanding her background.
Else.
If they angered her yet couldn't defeat her, it would spell certain doom.
They obediently followed the woman to the inner mansion's main hall, which surprisingly resembled an ancient inn.
Tables, chairs, wine racks, and so on.
Everything was present.
Even a few sparse guests were there, either drinking or chatting at their tables.
"Let's rank together, for all eight of you, the accommodation fee is eight hundred rupees."
The woman brought out an abacus, smiling as she spoke.
Rupees.
This must be the currency here, or the name of currency from the Dark Era.
Evidently.
Either this woman is acting, or she has been in the Spirit Realm Tide all along, never contacting the outside world.
To live so long in the Spirit Realm Tide, she certainly isn't human.
The payment matter reached a critical juncture.
Several times, Xu Qiu even contemplated rashly beheading the woman.
Yet Baiyu stopped him with a glance.
Eventually.
Baiyu negotiated to pay at check-out, and when the woman agreed, they refrained from acting.
Soon.
The eight followed the woman to a large, elegant residential courtyard.
After guiding them there, the woman promptly left without further word.
With the door closed.
After confirming no one around, someone couldn't resist asking:
"What's going on, director, captain? What exactly is this place?"
Baiyu had been somewhat uncertain before, but now he was sure they were in a Spirit Realm Tide.
He explained the current situation to everyone.
To resolve the Spirit Realm Tide, they must find the key location; other places are deserted, only here has a suspected human entity.
Thus.
Baiyu believes the key point must be with this woman!
