The oppressive heat of the underground tunnels faded, replaced by cool, moist air.
Lin led the group, following the corruption stains that marked Jiaolong's path. The dark smears left by Jiaolong were harder to see as they walked through the tunnel.
"The passage is getting wider," Captain Zhen observed as they rounded a bend. Ahead of them, the tunnel opened into what appeared to be a vast underwater cavern.
They emerged into the West Sea realm, and Lin immediately understood why it was called the Mist Realm. Dense, swirling mists filled the water, reducing visibility to mere yards in any direction. The mist wasn't ordinary water vapor—it created shadows that seemed to move like they were alive.
"Stay close," Lin warned as they swam forward. "I can barely see ten feet ahead."
