Chapter Eighty-Four: The Silent Swamp

Chixiao arrived two days later, and with his arrival, all the principal figures for the exploration of the "Heaven's Gate" were finally assembled.

Within the Dead Marsh, thousands of swamps of varying sizes sprawled across the landscape. These swamps had existed for thousands upon thousands of years. Anyone who stepped into them risked sinking, eventually being devoured by the mire.

By the time they reached this place, carriages could no longer advance. The carriages and fine steeds belonging to the Zuo and Shi families were left at the entrance to the Dead Marsh, and the group had no choice but to proceed on foot.

Once inside, Shi Yan spoke little, constantly alert for any sudden peril.

The Dead Marsh was covered everywhere with green bogs, and above many of them hovered clouds of poisonous miasma in myriad colors. Those vapors carried potent toxins; even a single breath could rot a person’s flesh and kill them swiftly.

Apart from the marshes and the poisonous fumes, the Dead Marsh, much like the Dark Forest, was also rife with monstrous beasts. The creatures dwelling here were long accustomed to the marsh and often concealed themselves within the muck, erupting forth unexpectedly to attack passing martial artists.

Chixiao and Xia Xinyan led the way, always careful to avoid any visible bogs. As a master of the Heaven Realm, Chixiao could soar through the air, unconcerned with the clinging mud below. Yet his immunity did not extend to others; even Xia Xinyan could only achieve flight by invoking her "Reincarnation Martial Spirit," attaining the Heaven Realm temporarily.

However, each time she used the "Reincarnation Martial Spirit," Xia Xinyan suffered greatly. Unless absolutely necessary, she dared not use it lightly, so she proceeded with utmost caution, always watching Chixiao as he forged a path ahead.

Shi Yan, the least accomplished among them, possessed the shallowest understanding of this world. Thus, after entering the Dead Marsh, he became even more reserved, quietly observing the dangers and the responses of Chixiao and the others.

“There’s a three-li-long green swamp ahead. We can’t avoid this one,” Chixiao suddenly stopped, standing on a muddy patch, his brow furrowed. “It’s all bog in every direction, but this one is comparatively safest. Be careful, everyone—we’ll have to take a risk.”

Shi Yan’s expression grew solemn as he studied the swamp before them. It stretched three li, a carpet of green sludge, but in its center were patches of dry land, protruding just enough for people to stand—though most could only accommodate two or three at a time. The distances between these dry patches ranged from dozens of meters to just two or three. If they could step only on these, crossing the swamp should be possible.

But Chixiao’s next words shattered his calculations. “Don’t be fooled by those patches—they may seem suitable for footing, but stepping on them might sink you even faster. Many are merely floating atop the bog, unable to bear any weight. The moment someone stands on them, they’ll sink immediately.”

Shi Yan’s heart tightened, his expression growing even more grave, though he said nothing.

“Don’t worry, I’ll test each patch ahead and find the ones that are truly safe for you,” Chixiao assured, detecting their unease. “Just follow my steps and land only where I do; you should be safe. But some patches are very small—able to hold only me, perhaps not three or four. So remain vigilant.”

The group nodded, faces tense. Even Zuo Shi, who had been relaxed until now, grew anxious, her gaze fixed on the dry patches ahead.

“Miss Xia, there may be danger ahead. If you can use your Heaven Realm power, could you assist?” Chixiao hesitated, turning to Xia Xinyan.

Xia Xinyan’s clear eyes, visible beyond her veil, betrayed a hint of reluctance. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “Mr. Chixiao, if you can manage alone, it’s best you guide the group yourself. If I use Heaven Realm power, I’ll be weakened for some time afterward. I’d rather save my strength for the Nine-Headed Heavenly Serpent than waste it here.”

At her words, Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian frowned quietly. The others sensed her unwillingness to help, feeling she did not regard them as companions. Displeasure brewed, though none dared voice it.

Chixiao, however, seemed unconcerned, nodding. “Very well, I’ll handle it. But without Miss Xia’s aid, you all must be extra cautious. Without my guidance, never step forward recklessly. If you sink into the mire, even I will find it troublesome to save you.”

Everyone nodded solemnly.

“Follow me,” Chixiao breathed lightly and floated forward, landing on the nearest patch of dry ground. As soon as he stepped there, it shrank abruptly, sinking into the mud.

Shi Yan’s face changed, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes. He realized this exploration would not be as easy as he had imagined; greater caution was needed.

Chixiao, unfazed, commented as the patch sank, “You see? This patch can’t support even one person. If you jump here, you'll sink along with it.”

He then soared again, landing on another patch. This one held firm, showing no sign of sinking.

“This patch is safe, but be careful—even if I can stand, more people might cause trouble.” He stamped lightly, and the patch quivered, then slowly began to sink.

“This one can support three people. Mind yourselves—don’t let more than three stand on it at once,” Chixiao explained, then continued forward, pointing out the safe path for the group.

When Chixiao had gone a hundred meters, Xia Xinyan finally said, “We can proceed.”

With those words, her graceful figure flickered, landing lightly on the patch that could support three. After a brief pause, she moved on to the next safe patch, following Chixiao’s trail swiftly.

The two towering men who always followed her did not hesitate; as she leapt forward, they dashed after her, stepping from patch to patch.

Zuo Shi, Wu Yunlian, and Chu Ping followed, tracing the path Xia Xinyan and her companions had taken.

“Master, after you,” Han Feng bowed to Shi Yan. “Please be careful.”

Shi Yan nodded, leaping after Zuo Shi, proceeding slowly ahead.

A faint sour tang lingered in the air above the swamp.

After traversing a li, Shi Yan noticed green bubbles rising from the bog. When they burst, wisps of oily green smoke escaped.

“Be careful. The green gas is poisonous—don’t breathe it in,” Chixiao’s voice called from ahead. “Everyone here is strong; hold your breath for a while. I’ll clear the path quickly—stay close.”

Chixiao’s body never paused as he moved from patch to patch, frequently announcing, “This one’s unsafe, this one’s safe but can only bear two—watch yourselves…”

Shi Yan watched Chixiao intently, memorizing every step, not daring to be careless.

At this moment, he envied those at the Heaven Realm deeply; if he could fly, this would be no trouble at all.

Shi Yan’s longing for greater power, for higher cultivation, grew ever stronger!

With Chixiao guiding the way, the group found the journey much easier. Aside from Chixiao’s own effort, the others were largely unburdened. In this marsh, which had claimed countless martial artists, they remained safe, no mishaps occurring.

But just as they were about to leave the swamp, Chixiao’s expression changed dramatically. He cried out, “Careful! There’s movement in the mud!”

“Plop! Plop! Plop!”

Three mud-covered beasts suddenly erupted from the mire, lunging straight for the patches where Shi Yan and Xia Xinyan stood.

These creatures resembled giant loaches, their backs lined with sharp spines, their heads fish-like, their teeth densely packed, needle-sharp.

Two beasts hurtled toward Xia Xinyan, one toward Shi Yan.

Shi Yan’s expression remained unchanged. As the beast closed in, he extended his right hand, which instantly turned to stone. He silently invoked the Finger Spear technique, thrusting fiercely at the beast.

A sharp sound rang out as the beast bit Shi Yan’s stony arm, unable to penetrate it. Shi Yan’s fingers pierced its skull, splashing green blood as it fell back into the swamp.

A muffled explosion sounded from Xia Xinyan’s side.

Shi Yan turned his head to see that the two beasts near Xia Xinyan had shattered before they could reach her, falling into the bog.

A tingling numbness spread from Shi Yan’s right palm, slick with green blood. He frowned slightly, pulled out a soft cloth from his pack, and wiped his hand clean.

One after another, strange beasts emerged from the bubbling green swamp—on a rough count, no fewer than a hundred.

Each beast glared at Shi Yan and his companions with hatred, as if ready to devour them.

“Shi Yan, did you get any green blood from the Green Loach Beast on you?” Chixiao called anxiously from the front.

Shi Yan nonchalantly wiped the blood away, turned to Chixiao, and nodded. “Is there a problem?”

“These Green Loach Beasts have absorbed too much poisonous miasma—their blood is deadly and can rot your flesh!” Chixiao said with regret. “I meant to warn you after crossing this swamp, since Green Loach Beasts rarely appear here. I didn’t expect them now.”

“Chixiao, what are you doing here?” A hideous, hairless figure, caked in mud, slowly emerged from the mire. Half his body remained submerged, the other half exposed as he glared coldly at Chixiao and snarled, “Last time you stole my Jade Mist Grass; what do you want now?”

…