Chapter 132: You Smell So Good
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“Senior Sister Yu, do you suspect that those people’s deaths are related to Ye Cong Xin?”
Ji Han Zhou couldn’t fully grasp the connection between Yu Zhao and Ye Cong Xin, but it was obvious that Yu Zhao paid her far too much attention. Earlier, she had agreed to stay only after hearing news about Ye Cong Xin.
Yu Zhao didn’t confirm or deny the question, but her thoughts were spinning.
In her previous life, she had inadvertently discovered that Ye Cong Xin was making deals with malevolent entities. Without any evidence, no one believed her accusations, and it had even cost her life in the end.
This time around, Yu Zhao hadn’t planned to reveal Ye Cong Xin’s secret. After all, if people like Fang Cheng Lang admired Ye Cong Xin, they probably wouldn’t mind their fortunes being siphoned by her. However, in her past life, Ye Cong Xin had targeted the prodigies of the cultivation world—those with abundant fortune. Even as their fortune was gradually devoured, it took time for them to notice.
But in this life, for some unknown reason, Ye Cong Xin had started targeting ordinary cultivators. Their fortunes were already scarce, and being consumed by her led directly to their deaths.
This behavior was tantamount to murder. If Ye Cong Xin were allowed to continue unchecked, a catastrophe was inevitable.
Still, if Yu Zhao wanted to strike first, Ye Cong Xin’s backers on Lone Moon Peak would be the biggest obstacle—unless she could find evidence of Ye Cong Xin’s collusion with the malevolent forces.
Yu Zhao’s brows furrowed tighter with each passing thought.
After a moment, she shook her head, deciding to postpone dealing with it. Since Ye Cong Xin dared to act recklessly outside, she would likely exercise more restraint upon returning to the Five Elements Dao Sect. For now, Yu Zhao’s top priority was to grow stronger. Only by becoming powerful could she protect herself.
“Junior Brother Ji, you should go rest for now. Tomorrow morning, we’ll head to the city shops to buy some insect-repelling and antidote pills before making our way to Marsh Forest.”
“Understood.”
Ji Han Zhou, ever considerate, didn’t press for details and left.
…
The next day.
Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou left the inn under the astonished gaze of the innkeeper. They headed directly to the busiest shop on the street and bought over a dozen popular pills before leaving the city for Marsh Forest.
As its name suggests, Marsh Forest is a place where marshes and dense forests coexist. Beneath layers of decaying leaves, you might find solid ground—or a treacherous bog eager to swallow you whole.
Every step in Marsh Forest demanded careful consideration.
Surprisingly, the greatest dangers in Marsh Forest weren’t the bogs but the pervasive miasma and the venomous insects lurking everywhere. Most of these creatures carried deadly toxins capable of incapacitating even Nascent Soul cultivators before they could react—proof of their ferocity.
Yet danger and opportunity often go hand in hand. Despite its perils, Marsh Forest was also a treasure trove. Items like the Heavenly Fairy Herb Yu Zhao sought and the Yin Flower Honey cultivators used to win Ye Cong Xin’s favor were unique to Marsh Forest and couldn’t be found elsewhere.
Because of this, cultivators flocked to Marsh Forest every year, fully aware of the risks. Along the way, Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou encountered many cultivators heading toward the forest. Some even approached, proposing to team up, but Yu Zhao firmly declined.
In such a treacherous environment, the real threats weren’t just the miasma or poisonous insects but other cultivators. In Marsh Forest, more cultivators likely died at the hands of their own kind than from the forest’s natural hazards.
Yu Zhao refused to introduce any unstable elements into their group.
She and Ji Han Zhou moved quickly and reached the forest’s outskirts after two hours.
The trees in Marsh Forest were vastly different from those in the outside world. Their trunks were tall and slender, rarely wider than an arm’s span, yet their canopies were dense, forming umbrella-like shades that interconnected to block out the sun entirely.
The damp, cold air mingled with the stench of decay, creating a chilling atmosphere that sent shivers down the spine.
Yu Zhao retrieved two emerald-green alchemy pills and handed one to Ji Han Zhou. “Hold it under your tongue. Don’t swallow it.”
Ji Han Zhou took the pill with a solemn nod.
After preparing themselves, the two turned into streaks of light and darted into the dense marsh forest.
As soon as they entered the Marsh Forest, Yu Zhao felt her skin enveloped by the clammy, chilling air. Her expression remained calm as her divine sense rapidly swept the surroundings.
According to legend, the Heavenly Fairy Herb grew in swampy regions. Highly toxic and delicate, it could not be touched directly by limbs, nor could it survive exposure to light.
Yu Zhao knew the chances of finding the Heavenly Fairy Herb near the forest’s outskirts were slim, but even the slightest chance was worth pursuing.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the sky.
Rustling noises echoed as all the surrounding leaves began trembling.
“Jump!”
Yu Zhao’s face shifted slightly as she propelled herself upward. Ji Han Zhou followed a beat slower.
In the next instant, countless black dots rained down, blanketing the spot they had just vacated.
Perched on a tree branch, Yu Zhao observed the writhing mass of black beetles swarming below, her face darkening.
Even ants could devour an elephant.
Though these beetles were neither exceptionally durable nor offensively strong, Yu Zhao could destroy them in waves with a single move. However, such a massive concentration of poisonous insects was still something even she had to avoid.
“Be cautious,” she warned Ji Han Zhou before glancing in the direction of the earlier scream. Once again, she reminded herself to tread carefully.
…
Elsewhere in the Marsh Forest, Cui Jue was sprinting through the dense woods with the unconscious Fang Cheng Lang slung across his back. Fang Cheng Lang’s face had turned dark, and he was barely clinging to life.
Not far behind them, a demonic woman with an eerie beauty was in hot pursuit.
“Hehe, you can’t escape. Why not stop running and become food for my darling little pets? Don’t worry; it won’t hurt much—it’ll be over quickly,” she teased with a sinister laugh.
Gritting his teeth, Cui Jue pushed his spiritual energy to its limit, the strain causing searing pain in his meridians. Yet, the agony in his heart far outweighed the physical torment.
Fang Cheng Lang had been poisoned by the demonic woman’s venomous insects while saving Cui Jue. Now, he lay in a coma.
Cui Jue had thought that after their heated argument that day, Fang Cheng Lang would no longer concern himself with his safety. But Fang Cheng Lang, ever the senior brother, had still chosen to protect him, even at great personal cost.
Hatred for the demonic woman’s cruelty burned within Cui Jue, but he despised his own weakness even more. Powerless to avenge Fang Cheng Lang, he could only flee in disgrace.
Suddenly, with a squelch, Cui Jue’s right leg plunged into a patch of mud. His face paled as he realized the danger.
Looking down, he saw his foot had sunk into a hidden swamp. He tried to gather strength to pull free, but an overwhelming force dragged him deeper.
As he struggled against the mire, the demonic woman closed in.
“Hehe, see? I told you there’s no escape!” she mocked, her crimson nails gleaming as she sneered.
Cui Jue’s face hardened as he ignored her taunts.
After a tense moment, he finally managed to extract himself from the swamp, though his body was now filthy and disheveled. Gone was his usual air of refinement; he looked more like a distressed nobleman in dire straits.
The demonic woman’s lips curled into a wicked grin. She darted forward and leaned close to whisper in Cui Jue’s ear, her voice dripping with malice.
“You smell… so sweet.”