Anna transformed back into a human and took out several boxes from the trailer, then kicked the vehicle away with one foot.
"This piece of junk, no need for it anymore."
Rod smiled and patted her head, offering a word of comfort.
"I’ll get you a better car next time."
Anna glared at him, "Shut up!"
She opened the boxes, took out the Spiritual Power Instruments and crystals, carefully placed them beside the fire, and began to assemble them one by one.
These were devices allocated to them by the Military War Department before departure, one for positioning, one for communication with the command center at the Rock Lighthouse, and another for detecting nearby threats.
In addition to a box of supplies, a box of combat potions, and recovery potions, that was everything they had at their outpost.
Rod looked at the Black Fog rolling outside the light of the fire, his expression turning somewhat grave.
The fog here gave him an extremely unsettling feeling.
That deep black seemed to seep out from the darkest aspects of the world.
Before this, no matter where he was, even in the Abyss Rift, he had never seen such fog.
It wasn’t the thickest, but it condensed the most malice, like living darkness.
The glow of the Residual Fire was suppressed to within twenty yards, an unprecedented occurrence.
At the edge of light and darkness, the air became hazy, like the halo around a lamp in misty rain, with sporadic black dots slowly permeating from the outer layer of light, evaporating once they crossed the edge, like embers scattered in the air.
Rod furrowed his brows; he could feel the Black Fog continuously eroding the power of the fire, trying to further compress its range and even extinguish it.
He carefully extended his hand past the edge of the fire and into the Black Fog.
For the first time, he felt a stinging pain, as if countless tiny insects were biting at his hand.
Rod knew that the erosion from the Black Fog had exceeded Humanity’s protective limits; his Soul was being corrupted.
Mephit slapped his hand down.
She looked at Rod, her silver-white eyes reflecting the firelight like the moon.
"What are you doing?"
Mephit’s voice remained calm and detached, with a faint coldness, identical to when he first met her.
"Do not touch the darkness here. If you wish to enter the Black Fog, the Red Tear Stone and Residual Light Lantern are necessary."
Rod looked at his fingers.
Tiny black dots vanished quickly under the fire’s glow, the corruption of his Soul rapidly purified, but this foreshadowed an ominous picture—his Soul protection could not withstand all erosion.
In the face of stronger erosion, Humanity also could not absorb all Pollution.
He could no longer charge into the Black Fog for battle as he used to, unless he consumed the Flower of Humanity.
But with the Flower of Humanity being so rare, how could it be used in such a way?
Rod was somewhat worried in his heart, but the others did not feel the same,
Kashan looked curiously at the dense Black Fog outside the light, somewhat eager as she asked, "Shall we start the battle now?"
Rod shook his head slightly, "No, we wait for the offensive to begin."
Anna completed the installation of the spiritual communication device and activated it by inputting Spiritual Energy.
The light screen of Spiritual Energy fell before them, and a face as large as a potato appeared on the screen.
It was First Commander Herman.
The moment he saw Rod, a smile appeared on his face.
"You little fellas, have you arrived at your post? Let me see... Hmm, not bad, your light points are on the Spiritual Image Instrument; you’re the first to establish an outpost. Remember, do not damage the Spiritual Positioning Crystal lightly. We can understand your State from here at the Rock Lighthouse, and you also need it to return to your outpost when you go out for combat. If you encounter danger, other outposts will need it to locate you for support."
Anna nodded, "Commander, I’ve installed it properly, there won’t be any issue."
Herman glanced at Anna, his expression a bit strange, he coughed once and continued.
"The general offensive will begin in 12 clock hours. Sync your time now, the 7th clock hour, 6 marks, 51 seconds."
Everyone took out their pocket watches and synchronized the time.
"Remember, in 12 clock hours, the battle will start. The Spiritual Power fluctuations from the core army’s operations will spread far and wide, causing a great disturbance. Beings from the darkness will inevitably be alerted."
"Beyond Storm Pass lies what we commonly refer to as the deep dark. Do not harbor any illusions; the creatures that are disturbed are usually very powerful. You must fight with all your strength."
Herman paused for a few seconds, his expression turning grave.
"If you encounter danger, call for help immediately. Two Guardians have already entered the combat sequence, and nearby outposts will also come to your aid."
"If... if you unfortunately come across an insurmountable creature, call me for help immediately. If spiritual communication is interrupted, then use signal flares. Remember, you must pass the message out. The Sons of Fire are on the highest alert and ready to provide support at any time."
Rod answered seriously, "I will do so, rest assured."
Herman smiled again, "Rod, I’ve always trusted you. During the Trident River campaign, I saw that you are a reliable warrior."
"There are only 7 days left until the First Elder’s appointed time, and we must be victorious in this battle. We cannot afford any mistakes."
"Whether humanity rises or falls will depend on the outcome of this battle."
Rod responded solemnly, "I understand."
Herman ended the Spiritual Energy communication with satisfaction.
In the time that followed, everyone adjusted their state as best as they could, anxiously awaiting the start of the war.