The sky was overcast, pressing down low and heavy, with intermittent gusts of an unknown chilling wind that swept through the air, causing a shiver to run down one’s spine.
Beside a weed-choked marsh, there was a faint, barely visible path that wound its way inward.
Zeng Shushu and a group of disciples from the Azure Ethereal Conclave stood at the entrance of the Deathswamp, peering into the distance. All around them, the land was covered with lush water plants, and occasionally, a lone tree stood tall amidst the swamp. The air was filled with a faint, decaying stench, while a thin, gray mist, like a shroud, drifted above the swamp, allowing only a view of the nearby area, making everything seem even more enigmatic.
Zeng Shushu frowned and turned around. The thirteen young disciples, led by Xiao Yicai, all wore solemn expressions.
Since ancient times, the Deathswamp had earned the notorious reputation of “those who enter rarely leave.” No one knew what evil lurked within. This time, the Azure Ethereal Conclave had come westward, and with Xiao Yicai’s status and cultivation, he had become the de facto leader. After gazing deep into the Deathswamp for a long moment, he addressed the group calmly, “Yesterday, Senior Brother Li Xun from Incense Valley sent me a letter, very politely expressing their desire to join us in eliminating the demonic presence. Therefore, they have already entered the Deathswamp ahead of us.”
A murmur of unrest rippled through the group behind him, but Lu Xueqi remained calm, standing beside her senior sister Wen Min, silently gazing into the swamp. On the other side, Lin Jingyu, who was on his first descent from the mountain, let out a cold snort.
Xiao Yicai spoke softly, “Everyone knows very well what Incense Valley intends. If they manage to obtain that mysterious treasure first, their reputation will soar, and some might even covet the position of the orthodox leader in the future.” He paused, then a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “However, there’s no need to rush. I suspect that although the signs have been apparent, no one has yet acquired the treasure, indicating many dangers and obstacles. Let them be in their haste. But we must be cautious once we enter the Deathswamp. Its reputation is not for nothing, and it’s fraught with perils, and there may even be demons lurking here. Once inside, we must look out for each other. Remember, remember.”
Zeng Shushu nodded, saying, “Brother Xiao is right. It’s getting late; perhaps we should enter now.”
Xiao Yicai nodded, “Agreed. Once inside, we should not stray too far from each other. Also, avoid landing on the ground to prevent being bitten by venomous insects or sinking into the bottomless swamp.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. With a wave of his right hand, Xiao Yicai summoned his “Seven Star Immortal Sword” and flew forward, leading the way. The disciples of the Azure Ethereal Conclave followed, transforming into a dazzling array of lights as they soared into the depths of the swamp.
Moments later, the young elites of the Azure Ethereal Conclave vanished into the misty abyss of the Deathswamp. The empty ground at the entrance suddenly fell into a profound silence, broken only by a distant bubble surfacing somewhere in the reeds, emitting a faint “gloop” sound.
* * *
“Slap!” Zhou Yixian swatted the right side of his neck hard, leaving a red mark, but the mosquito that had bitten him buzzed away, seemingly triumphant, circling in front of him before flying off.
Zhou Yixian grimaced, his face dotted with small, itchy bumps. Although not severe, they made him look quite miserable. He grumbled loudly, “What kind of place is this? Where do these damn mosquitoes come from? In just one day, I’ve lost half my blood!”
Xiaohuan, walking ahead, turned around, looking worried, “Grandpa, are you alright?”
Zhou Yixian snapped, “Of course not, can’t you see?”
Xiaohuan frowned, “It’s strange. Why are these mosquitoes biting only you? Me and Sister Ping’er are fine.”
The beautiful woman in yellow robes, standing beside Xiaohuan, stopped and looked back. She was guiding Xiaohuan and Zhou Yixian through the swamp, moving gracefully without a speck of dirt on her, while Zhou Yixian stumbled and trudged through mud and water.
Frustrated, Zhou Yixian found a small tree nearby, cautiously tested the ground, and sat down, declaring, “I’m tired. Let’s rest for a while.”
Xiaohuan, slightly apologetic, glanced at the woman in yellow robes, called Sister Ping’er, who smiled, “It’s fine. We’ll rest for a bit.”
Grateful, Xiaohuan looked around, seeing the vast, mist-shrouded wilderness. Without Sister Ping’er’s guidance, she would have never made it this far.
Curiously, she asked, “Sister, am I and Grandpa slowing you down? You could fly, wouldn’t that be faster?”
Sister Ping’er smiled, “No need to worry. I didn’t come to the Deathswamp to rush.”
Xiaohuan was puzzled, “But aren’t you here to find the treasure for your sect, Blissful Union?”
The elegant woman in yellow robes was none other than Jin Ping’er, renowned alongside Gui Li and Qin Wuyan. Xiaohuan and Zhou Yixian had somehow befriended this famed new-generation demon cultivator.
Jin Ping’er, clearly fond of Xiaohuan, replied, “Yes, but with so many people coming, we can take our time.”
Intrigued, Xiaohuan refrained from probing further, changing the subject, “Sister, we’ve been in the Deathswamp for a day. You seem to know the way, have you been here before?”
Jin Ping’er shook her head, “I’ve never been here.”
Xiaohuan was surprised. Jin Ping’er looked at her, seeing the curiosity in Xiaohuan’s eyes, and smiled, “Have you heard of an ancient book that records strange phenomena, rare creatures, and wondrous treasures…?”
Xiaohuan pondered, “You mean the ‘Record of Gods and Demons’?”
Jin Ping’er nodded, “Exactly. It was written by an ancient sage, and only a few sections remain, including the ‘Beasts and Spirits’ and ‘Ghosts and Monsters.’ I found a fragment of the ‘Lands and Waters’ section, which contains some information about the Deathswamp.”
Understanding dawned on Xiaohuan, but before she could speak, Zhou Yixian let out another curse, likely bitten again by a pesky insect. Concerned for her grandfather, she realized that the insects were only targeting him, not herself or Jin Ping’er, suggesting something peculiar.
She turned to Jin Ping’er, who smiled nonchalantly, “Sister, what’s wrong?”
Xiaohuan sighed, “Sister, can you help my grandfather? I know you’re powerful.”
Jin Ping’er glanced at Zhou Yixian disdainfully, but upon seeing Xiaohuan’s pleading eyes, shrugged, “Alright, for your sake, I’ll give him a break.”
She pulled out a small white jade bottle and handed it to Xiaohuan, “This contains a repellent. Have him apply it to keep the mosquitoes away.”
Xiaohuan, grateful, took the bottle and hurried to Zhou Yixian. He applied the lotion and, almost immediately, the mosquitoes ceased. Relieved, he relaxed, and Xiaohuan returned the bottle to Jin Ping’er, hesitating before whispering, “Sister, do you still hold a grudge against my grandfather for his past mistakes?”
Jin Ping’er’s face hardened, “Three years ago, on the East Sea, he almost cost me my life with his nonsense. If you hadn’t discovered it and sacrificed a year of your life to cast the ‘Soul Gathering Array,’ I would have been dead. Such an old fool, if not for…”
Xiaohuan gently held Jin Ping’er’s hand, “Sister.”
Jin Ping’er sighed, her face softening, “With you, I’ve forgiven the past. But sometimes, seeing your grandfather, I can’t help but want to make him suffer a little. Do you blame me, dear sister?”
Xiaohuan smiled, shaking her head.
Jin Ping’er, smiling, suddenly turned serious, “Who’s there?”
Xiaohuan and Zhou Yixian were startled, looking around at the thick fog and dense reeds. Jin Ping’er’s usually calm demeanor now showed intense caution, a hint of deadly intent.
A voice from the fog spoke, “Immortal Lady Jin, we agreed to meet yesterday at Blackwater Gully. Why didn’t you come?”
Jin Ping’er, recognizing the voice, relaxed slightly but remained vigilant, “I didn’t know the way.”
The person in the fog hesitated, then said, “Does Blissful Union no longer have interest in this matter?”
Jin Ping’er replied coldly, “Three days ago, four of our disciples were killed near Dawa Village, poisoned with ‘Black Toad Powder.’ Was it you?”
The voice responded, “No.”
Jin Ping’er scoffed, “Black Toad Powder is unique to the Venom Sect. How do you explain that?”
After a long silence, the voice replied, “If I had acted, I wouldn’t have used poison.”
Jin Ping’er, not disagreeing, added, “But since it involves both our sects, I’ll expect an explanation. This western expedition is fraught with strange occurrences. I hope you consider the bigger picture.”
Jin Ping’er turned to Xiaohuan, “Rest here with your grandfather. I’ll return before dark.” She lowered her voice, “Do you still have the item I gave you?”
Xiaohuan nodded, patting her left hand.
Jin Ping’er smiled, “Stay safe. Call me if you need anything.”
She levitated, a purple light emerging from under her robes, carrying her into the fog.
Xiaohuan watched Jin Ping’er disappear, then joined Zhou Yixian, who, free from the mosquitoes, was still complaining, “I shouldn’t have come.”
Xiaohuan laughed, “No one forced you, you wanted to come.”
Zhou Yixian grunted, “Stay away from that woman. Rumors say she’s killed many and seduced countless men…”
Xiaohuan scowled, “Grandpa, how can you say that!”
Zhou Yixian stuck out his tongue, falling silent.
As the sky darkened, Jin Ping’er still hadn’t returned. Xiaohuan, worried, hesitated to go, remembering Jin Ping’er’s warning. As rain began to fall, Xiaohuan realized she had forgotten the rain gear.
Turning to Zhou Yixian, she asked, “Grandpa, do you have an umbrella?”
Zhou Yixian, startled, “Umbrella? I thought you had one.”
Xiaohuan, frustrated, “Now what? If it rains, we’ll be soaked!”
Zhou Yixian, glancing around, suggested, “Let’s find shelter.”
Xiaohuan shook her head, “No, Sister Ping’er said it’s dangerous to wander.”
Suddenly, footsteps approached, and Xiaohuan, thinking it was Jin Ping’er, saw Dog Man, with Monkey Xiao Hui following. Behind them, Gui Li was absent.
Dog Man, surprised, “Hey, it’s the fortune-tellers. What are you doing here?”
Xiaohuan, embracing Xiao Hui, “How did you get here?”
Xiao Hui, seemingly understanding, pointed behind him, chattering excitedly.
Xiaohuan, guessing Gui Li was nearby, wondered if Jin Ping’er was meeting him.
A thunderclap broke the sky, followed by a heavy downpour. Xiaohuan screamed, covering her head, and ran to Zhou Yixian, “Grandpa, what do we do?”
Zhou Yixian, with a bitter laugh, draped his cloak over his head, “We can’t move, and there’s no shelter. We’ll get soaked!”
Xiaohuan, helpless, saw the rain intensifying, soaking her shoulder. Xiao Hui huddled in her arms, and suddenly, Dog Man, smirking, produced an umbrella from his pack, relishing his preparedness.
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