Grey had been cultivating for a total of sixteen long hours. His mind, though fully immersed in the practice, had long since drifted into a state of near emptiness. His consciousness had retreated deep within his body, where the flow of spirit energy and Cold Yin energy could be felt with an almost detached awareness. His senses, however, were sharp and vigilant, extending outward into the surrounding environment, alert for any signs of danger. This was a side effect of his cultivation — while his mind sank into his body, his perception was always on standby, ready to react should the need arise.

As the hours passed, the sensation of time slipped away from him, and it was only when the sixteen-hour mark finally came that Grey opened his eyes once more. A faint, eerie purple glimmer flickered in the depths of his irises, like a distant star that quickly vanished with the blink of an eye. He let out a sigh, his breath condensing into a small, ghostly wisp of mist that was so cold it almost seemed to freeze the very air around it.

Anyone who happened upon him at that moment would have been left speechless in shock and awe. The fluctuation of spirit energy and the intense Cold Yin emanating from his body was enough to freeze not only the flesh, but also the very soul of anyone who came too close. Yet, Grey was unaffected by it. He had cultivated the Cold Yin Energy to the Ninth level using the Forbidden Monarch Art — a technique known for its chilling potency. But now, as he exhaled the freezing mist, he withdrew from that dangerous state, allowing his body to return to a more stable balance. He stopped circulating the Cold Yin energy and allowed his focus to shift back to the gentler flow of spirit energy.

After a brief period, which he spent in a quiet contemplation of his cultivation, Grey closed his eyes again. Thirty minutes later, the harsh aura of Cold Yin had completely dissipated. His body was no longer wrapped in that chilling mist, and the atmosphere around him returned to normal. The only remnants of his previous state were the slight tingling sensations in his limbs — the aftereffects of prolonged Cold Yin cultivation.

Grey's mind wandered back to the question that had been troubling him for some time now. Despite his impressive mastery over Cold Yin, his progress with the Sky Mist Art, the technique for cultivating spirit energy, had been disappointingly slow. "Why is it taking so long?" he mused, frustration creeping into his thoughts. "Could it be that my body is more attuned to Cold Yin energy than to regular spirit energy?"

He was no stranger to the concept that a person's physical constitution could have a significant effect on their cultivation speed. Some cultivators, through birth or training, were naturally more attuned to a specific type of energy, whether it be Fire, Earth, or in his case, Cold Yin. In such cases, their cultivation speed would naturally be faster, while other types of energy would feel foreign and difficult to assimilate.

There were rare individuals with a natural affinity for Cold Yin energy — a mysterious, detached force known for its ability to freeze and slow things down. These people were often gifted with extraordinary power, but they were also often few and far between. Most cultivators never even knew if they had this rare affinity, as the energy itself was so difficult to recognize, let alone cultivate, unless one had specific guidance or tools.

Grey's brow furrowed as he thought about it. "But I don't think my constitution is to blame. After all, the original owner of this body achieved the Second Level of the Sky Mist Art in just two weeks. Yet ever since I transmigrated into this body, my progress has been abysmally slow. I'm far behind where I should be, and I can't help but wonder if it's because of the transmigration process itself."

His eyes sharpened with sudden clarity. An idea flickered in his mind, and he recalled something that had bothered him from the moment he arrived in this world. The purple crystal. The first one he had found shortly after transmigrating. At the time, he had been confused, even unsettled by its appearance, not understanding its true nature or significance. But then, after months of feeling its faint pull on his consciousness, he had discovered another crystal of the same color, almost identical to the first. They merged together, and since then, the crystals had gradually integrated with his body, their presence becoming a part of him. The lingering feeling of the purple crystal's influence on his cultivation was undeniable.

Grey's thoughts began to race. "Could there be more purple crystals out there?" He wondered aloud. If he had encountered one by chance, could others be hidden away, waiting to be discovered? And why had he found another one only six months after the first? It didn't feel like a coincidence — in fact, it felt more like an inevitable event, as though something had been guiding him toward them.

The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became. His connection to the purple crystal was still a mystery, and no amount of contemplation had brought him any closer to understanding it. He had no answers, only more questions. For now, he decided to let it go, unwilling to waste more energy on something he couldn't control. The answer would come in time, he hoped, but for now, there was no point in dwelling on it.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Grey stood up. Despite his cultivation and his status as a high-level Qi Accumulation cultivator, he was still human, and his body needed sustenance. No matter how advanced his cultivation, spirit energy alone could not nourish his physical form. The Cold Yin, though powerful, had its drawbacks. Without regular meals, his body would begin to deteriorate over time. The extreme energy had a tendency to erode his vitality if he relied on it too long without replenishing his strength with food.

Grey stretched his limbs and made his way toward the sea. It was time to catch some of the local marine creatures, a task he found both relaxing and rewarding. Cooking and eating were simple pleasures, but they were vital to maintaining his strength. Spirit energy and Cold Yin could do a lot, but they couldn't replace the need for real nourishment.

With the thought of a meal ahead, Grey felt a brief sense of calm wash over him, the frustrations of his cultivation slowing fading into the background. He had time. Cultivation was a long road, and there would always be challenges to face along the way. For now, he would focus on the simpler things — the food, the hunt, and perhaps a few more answers to the mysteries surrounding him.

Very soon, after a wholesome meal, the captain announced that they had reached Sky Mist City.

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