Chapter 84: The Silent Swamp

Chixiao arrived two days later, and with his arrival, all the key figures in this exploration of the "Heavenly Gate" had gathered.

The Silent Swamp was dotted with thousands of swamps of varying sizes.

These swamps had existed for thousands of years, and anyone who stepped on them could easily sink into the mire and be swallowed by the swamp.

Upon reaching this place, the carriages could no longer proceed. The carriages and horses of the Zuo and Shi families were left at the entrance of the Silent Swamp, and the group had to enter on foot.

Once inside the Silent Swamp, Shi Yan spoke little, constantly on guard for any sudden dangers.

The Silent Swamp was covered in green mire, and many of the swamps were shrouded in colorful miasma.

These miasmas contained potent toxins, and many of them were extremely lethal. A single whiff could cause a person to quickly rot and die.

In addition to the swamps and toxic miasmas, the Silent Swamp, like the Dark Forest, was also teeming with demonic beasts.

The demonic beasts that lived here had long adapted to the Silent Swamp and could often hide in the mire, suddenly emerging to attack passing martial artists.

Chixiao and Xia Xinyan led the way, always trying to avoid the swamps when they appeared.

As a Heaven Rank expert, Chixiao could fly through the air and was not afraid of the sticky mire in the swamps.

However, his fearlessness did not mean others were fearless. Even Xia Xinyan could only reach the Heaven Rank and fly through the air by activating her "Cycle Martial Soul."

However, each time she activated her "Cycle Martial Soul," Xia Xinyan would suffer greatly.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Xia Xinyan did not dare to easily activate her "Cycle Martial Soul." Thus, she was extremely cautious on the journey, always watching Chixiao lead the way.

Shi Yan's cultivation was the lowest among the group, and his understanding of this world was the shallowest.

Therefore, after entering the Silent Swamp, he remained quiet, always observing the dangers of the Silent Swamp and the responses of Chixiao and others.

"There is a three-mile-long green swamp ahead, and we can't avoid it," Chixiao suddenly stopped, standing on a muddy patch of land, frowning. "The surrounding area is all swamp, and this one is relatively safe. Everyone, be careful; we have to take a risk this time."

Shi Yan's expression turned serious, and he frowned as he examined the swamp ahead.

The swamp was three miles long, covered in green mire. However, there were also patches of dry land in the center of the swamp where people could stand. These patches were generally small, some only able to hold two or three people.

The distance between the patches of dry land varied, some being dozens of meters apart, others only a few meters. If they could keep stepping on these patches, they should be able to cross the swamp without much trouble.

However, Chixiao's next words shattered his hopes.

"Don't be fooled by those patches of dry land. Once you step on them, you might sink even faster. Many of these patches are floating on the surface of the swamp and cannot bear any weight. Once someone stands on them, they will immediately sink."

Shi Yan's heart sank, and his expression became even more serious, but he did not say much.

"Don't worry, I'll step on each patch first and find the ones that can truly bear weight," Chixiao seemed to understand the group's concerns and smiled. "Just follow my steps and watch where I step. There shouldn't be a problem. However, some patches are very small and might only bear my weight, not three or four people, so be careful."

The group's faces were heavy, and they nodded slowly. Even Zuo Shi, who had been relaxed, became tense and also paid attention to the patches of dry land ahead.

"Miss Xia, there might be some danger ahead. If you can use your Heaven Rank power, could you help me watch out?" Chixiao hesitated and looked at Xia Xinyan.

Xia Xinyan's clear eyes behind her veil showed a hint of hesitation. After a moment of thought, she said, "Mr. Chixiao, if you can handle it alone, it's best for you to help everyone get through this. If I use my Heaven Rank power, I will be weak afterward. I want to save my energy for the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake, not waste it here."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian subtly frowned.

Everyone thought she was unwilling to help and did not consider them as companions. This naturally made them unhappy, but they did not show it.

Chixiao, however, did not mind and nodded. "Alright, I'll take the lead this time, but without Miss Xia's help, you all need to be even more careful. Without my guidance, do not step on any patches rashly, or you might sink into the mire, and even I would have trouble saving you."

The group nodded solemnly.

"Alright, follow me," Chixiao took a deep breath and lightly flew out, stepping on the nearest patch of dry land.

As he stepped on it, the patch suddenly shrank and sank into the mire.

Shi Yan's face changed slightly, a serious look in his eyes. He suddenly realized that this exploration was not as smooth as he had imagined and that he needed to be even more cautious.

Chixiao was not worried. Seeing the patch sink into the mire, he said, "Everyone saw that. This patch cannot bear even one person's weight. If you jump on it, you might sink with it."

Speaking, Chixiao flew again and landed on another patch of dry land. This time, the patch remained stable and did not sink.

"This one is safe, but be careful. I can stand here alone, but if more people stand on it, there might be an accident," Chixiao said, lightly stomping his foot.

As he stomped, the patch beneath him trembled and slowly sank again.

"This one can bear the weight of three people. Be careful when crossing, and do not have more than three people stand on it at the same time," Chixiao explained and flew out again, using the same method to guide the group.

When Chixiao had flown a hundred meters ahead, Xia Xinyan said calmly, "We can go now."

With that, Xia Xinyan's slender figure lightly landed on the patch that could bear three people's weight.

After a brief pause, she moved again, quickly following Chixiao's path.

The two towering figures who had been following her did not hesitate and also rushed out, stepping on the patches of dry land and closely following her.

Zuo Shi, Wu Yunlian, and Chu Ping followed, walking along the path taken by Xia Xinyan and the others.

"Young Master, please go first," Han Feng bowed and said to Shi Yan, "Young Master, be careful."

"Alright," Shi Yan nodded and leaped out, following Zuo Shi and slowly moving forward.

The air above the swamp had a faint acidic smell.

After walking a mile into the swamp, Shi Yan noticed green bubbles rising from the mire. When these bubbles burst, green, oily smoke escaped.

"Be careful, these green fumes are toxic. Don't inhale them," Chixiao's voice came from ahead. "Everyone's cultivation is high, so holding your breath for a short time shouldn't be a problem. I'll clear the path as quickly as possible, and you all follow closely."

As he spoke, Chixiao did not stop, hopping from one patch to another, occasionally reporting, "This one can't be walked on, this one is safe, but be careful, it can only bear two people's weight, pay attention..."

Shi Yan's eyes never left Chixiao, memorizing every step he took, not daring to be careless.

At this moment, he suddenly envied Heaven Rank martial artists. If he could fly, he wouldn't need to go through this trouble and could simply fly over.

Shi Yan's desire for greater strength and higher cultivation grew stronger.

With Chixiao leading the way, the journey became much easier for everyone. Apart from Chixiao, who had to do the hard work, the rest of the group was relatively relaxed.

In this swamp, which had claimed the lives of countless martial artists, the group remained safe and sound, without any major incidents.

However, just as they were about to leave the swamp, Chixiao's face suddenly changed, and he shouted, "Be careful! There's movement in the mire!"

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

Three mud-covered demonic beasts suddenly emerged from the mire, charging toward the patches of dry land where Shi Yan and Xia Xinyan were standing.

These demonic beasts resembled eels, with sharp spines along their backs, fish-like heads, and teeth like steel needles.

Three demonic beasts flew out of the mire, two heading toward Xia Xinyan and one toward Shi Yan.

Shi Yan's expression remained unchanged. As the demonic beast approached, he suddenly extended his right hand, which immediately turned to stone. He formed a finger spear and thrust it at the demonic beast.

"Swish!"

The demonic beast bit down on Shi Yan's right arm but could not break through his stony martial soul. Instead, it was pierced through the head by Shi Yan's fingers and fell into the swamp, green blood splattering.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two dull explosions came from Xia Xinyan's side.

Shi Yan turned his head and saw that the two demonic beasts near Xia Xinyan had exploded before they could reach her, also falling into the swamp.

A tingling sensation spread from his right hand, which was covered in green blood. Shi Yan frowned slightly, took a soft cloth from his backpack, and wiped the green blood clean.

Strange demonic beasts suddenly emerged from the swamps with green bubbles, and a rough count showed that there were at least a hundred of them.

These demonic beasts glared at Shi Yan and the group with hatred, as if ready to devour them.

"Shi Yan, did you get green blood from the Green Eel Beast on you?" Chixiao suddenly shouted from the front of the group.

Shi Yan casually wiped the green blood clean, turned to look at Chixiao, and nodded. "Is there a problem?"

"These Green Eel Beasts have absorbed too much toxic miasma, and their blood contains potent toxins that can rot a person's body!" Chixiao regretfully said, "I planned to tell you after we crossed this swamp, as Green Eel Beasts rarely appear here. I didn't think they would be here."

"Chixiao, what are you doing here again?"

A hideous creature, covered in mire and without a single hair, slowly emerged from the mire. Half of its body was in the mire, and the other half was exposed. It coldly glared at Chixiao and angrily said, "Last time you stole my Green Incense Grass. What do you want this time?"