Chapter 132: You Smell So Good
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“Senior Sister Yu Zhao, are you implying that Ye Cong Xin is involved in those deaths?”
Ji Han Zhou was uncertain about the nature of the relationship between Yu Zhao and Ye Cong Xin, but he couldn’t ignore Yu Zhao’s heightened interest in her. Earlier, Yu Zhao had only agreed to stay upon hearing news of Ye Cong Xin, which further fueled his curiosity.
Yu Zhao didn’t answer directly, her thoughts spinning rapidly. In her previous life, she had stumbled upon the fact that Ye Cong Xin was secretly dealing with evil spirits. However, with no solid evidence to support her claims, no one believed her. This ultimately led to her untimely death.
In this life, Yu Zhao had no intention of exposing Ye Cong Xin’s dark secrets. After all, if Fang Cheng Lang and the others were so fond of her, perhaps they wouldn’t mind having their fortunes drained by her. In their past lives, Ye Cong Xin targeted the elite of the cultivation world, those with strong fortunes. Even as their fortunes were gradually siphoned away, it took a long time before anyone noticed.
But now, something had changed. Ye Cong Xin had started preying on ordinary cultivators—those with far less fortune. After she devoured their luck, they died almost instantly. What Ye Cong Xin was doing was no different from murder.
If she continued consuming recklessly, it would undoubtedly lead to disaster in the future. However, if Yu Zhao were to take the initiative and eliminate her, the people of Lone Moon Peak would be her greatest obstacle—unless she could gather evidence of Ye Cong Xin’s collusion with evil spirits…
Yu Zhao’s frown deepened. After a long pause, she decided to set the matter aside for now. Although Ye Cong Xin was bold in her actions outside the sect, she would surely be more cautious upon returning to the Five Elements Sect. For now, Yu Zhao’s priority was to become stronger. Only with greater power could she ensure her survival.
“Junior Brother Han Zhou, you should get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we’ll visit the shops in the city to buy insect-repellent and antidote pills before heading to the swampy marshland.”
“Understood.”
Recognizing Yu Zhao’s resolve, Ji Han Zhou didn’t ask any more questions and respectfully took his leave.
The next day, Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou left the inn, catching the innkeeper’s surprised gaze as they made their way to the busiest shop on the street. After purchasing a variety of popular pills, they left the city and headed toward their destination.
The swampy marshland, as its name suggests, is a treacherous place where swamps and dense forests coexist. Beneath the thick layer of decaying leaves, one might find solid ground—or a treacherous swamp ready to devour anything in its path. Every step taken within the swampy marshland required utmost caution.
Yet, the swamps themselves weren’t the most dangerous aspect of the area. The real threats were the omnipresent miasma and the deadly poisonous insects that lurked within. These venomous insects were so toxic that they could kill a Nascent Soul cultivator before their soul had a chance to escape, their ferocity unmatched.
Of course, danger and opportunity often go hand in hand. While the terrain was rife with deadly perils, it was also rich in rare treasures. Items like the Celestial Orchid, which Yu Zhao sought, and the Yin Blossom Honey that cultivators collected to curry favor with Ye Cong Xin, were unique to the area and couldn’t be found elsewhere.
Despite these dangers, cultivators flocked to the place every year. Along the way, Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou encountered several groups of cultivators heading in the same direction. Some even approached them, hoping to form a team, but Yu Zhao declined their offers outright.
In a place as dangerous as the swampy marshland, one had to be wary not only of the poisonous miasma and insects but also of other cultivators. It was well-known that the number of cultivators who died at the hands of their peers often exceeded those who fell victim to the natural dangers.
Yu Zhao had no intention of allowing any unstable elements into their group. She and Ji Han Zhou moved swiftly, and after two hours, they reached the edge of the swampy marshland.
The trees here were vastly different from those in the outside world. Their trunks were straight and slender, with the thickest barely requiring a full embrace. Yet their canopies were lush and expansive, interlocking to form a dense cover that blocked out the sun, casting the forest into perpetual shadow.
A damp, cold atmosphere mixed with the scent of decay filled the air, sending chills down one’s spine. Yu Zhao took out two emerald-green pills and handed one to Ji Han Zhou. “Keep it under your tongue; don’t swallow it.”
Ji Han Zhou took the pill, nodding solemnly. After making their preparations, the two transformed into streaks of light and darted into the dense forest.
As soon as they entered, Yu Zhao felt her skin enveloped by the sticky, cold air. Her expression remained calm as she quickly scanned the area with her senses. It was said that the Celestial Orchid grew in swampy areas and was highly toxic. When harvesting it, one had to avoid contact with their limbs, as it was extremely delicate and would wilt at the slightest touch of sunlight.
Although Yu Zhao knew that the chances of finding the Celestial Orchid on the outskirts of the swampy marshland were slim, she was unwilling to let even the smallest opportunity slip away.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
In an instant, the leaves around Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou began to tremble violently.
“Jump!”
Yu Zhao’s expression shifted slightly, and she leaped into the air. Ji Han Zhou, though a step slower, quickly followed suit. Moments later, countless black dots rained down from above, flooding the spot where they had just been standing.
Perched on a branch, Yu Zhao looked down at the swarm of black beetles writhing on the ground, her face darkening.
Though these beetles weren’t particularly strong in terms of defense or attack, and Yu Zhao could easily destroy a patch of them with a wave of her hand, the sheer number of them was overwhelming. Even she had to retreat in the face of such a horde.
“Be careful,” she warned Ji Han Zhou, then glanced toward the direction of the scream, reminding herself once again to stay vigilant.
Elsewhere in the dangerous swamp, Cui Jue was sprinting through the dense woods, carrying the unconscious and black-faced Fang Cheng Lang on his back. Not far behind him, a strange-looking female cultivator pursued them relentlessly.
“Hehehe, you can’t escape. Just give up and become food for my precious babies. Don’t worry; it won’t hurt much, and it’ll be over quickly.”
Cui Jue gritted his teeth, his spiritual energy nearly depleted, causing his meridians to ache as if they were being torn apart. Yet, the physical pain paled in comparison to the deep remorse gnawing at his heart.
Senior Brother Fang had been bitten by the woman’s poisonous insects while trying to save him, and now he was poisoned and unconscious. Cui Jue had thought that after their argument the other day, Senior Brother Fang wouldn’t care about him anymore. But Senior Brother Fang was still Senior Brother Fang, willing to sacrifice himself to protect him.
Cui Jue despised the woman for her cruelty, but he hated his own weakness even more. He couldn’t avenge his senior brother and was now reduced to fleeing in disgrace.
Just then, Cui Jue felt his right leg sink into a patch of mud. His expression changed drastically as he realized the danger. Looking down, he saw that his foot had slipped into a swamp. He tried to pull his leg out, but it felt as though a powerful force was dragging him deeper.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
As he struggled with the swamp, the strange woman caught up to him.
“Hehehe, I told you, you can’t escape!” She teased, her red nails glinting as she toyed with them, her eyes full of mockery.
Cui Jue’s face turned pale, and he didn’t bother to respond. After a few tense moments, he managed to pull himself free from the swamp. Covered in filth, he had lost his usual graceful demeanor and now resembled more of a fallen prince.
The woman’s lips curled into a smile as she suddenly leaned in close, whispering softly, “You smell so good.”