Chapter 38: Bewildering Marsh

After about a quarter of an hour, Lu Chengfeng exited the Affairs Hall, where the steward had sent him off warmly. Wasting no time, he quickly headed toward the Bewildering Marsh.

"I've done everything I could. Now it's up to fate."

If it weren't for the beast tide, he could have found other ways to win a woman's favor and perhaps make things go his way. But under these circumstances, he couldn't afford any distractions.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the Bewildering Marsh, he immediately saw an enormous boulder with what looked like bloodstains—dark red marks covering its surface. At the top was a noticeable cut, as if cleaved by a divine weapon.

This was the famed Dragon Severing Stone.

It was said that the underground river from the Dragon Confinement Abyss of the five inner peaks flowed directly to the Bewildering Marsh.

This river, filled with toxic miasma, had corroded the marsh over centuries, causing it to become infested with poisonous creatures. The air was thick with a noxious mist, which clouded minds and made the area perilous.

The Dragon Confinement Abyss was usually kept under control by the five peaks, but when the abyss became turbulent, numerous demon beasts would emerge, flowing into the Bewildering Marsh along the river.

Surrounded by mountains, the marsh originally had no exit. It's said that thousands of years ago, a poisonous dragon broke out from the underground river, spewing deadly venom that corroded a narrow passage through the mountains, its head emerging from the tunnel in an attempt to escape.

At the crucial moment, the Sect Master of Yuncang struck with the Grand Five Elements Extinguishing Divine Light Sword, decapitating the dragon. Not only was the dragon's head severed, but the already weakened mountainside was completely cleaved.

The Dragon Severing Stone marks the spot where the dragon's head fell!

No one knows for sure if the legends of the dragon are true, but the terrifying beast roars from the Dragon Confinement Abyss and the recurring beast tides make many disciples believe a true dragon is sealed within the abyss.

When Lu Chengfeng arrived, the place was bustling. Numerous true disciples registered at the Dragon Severing Stone, each receiving a set of black armor made of dark iron and a signal flare, before donning their armor and assembling in squads to enter the marsh.

"Make sure you wear the black armor properly. It's lined with phoenix-blood gold-thread velvet, which can quickly stop bleeding if you're injured and shield you from the marsh's toxic miasma."

Perhaps recognizing Lu Chengfeng, or having noticed his name in the records, the disciple handing out supplies gave him a few words of advice.

"The flare is for emergencies. Activate it with your inner strength and throw it into the sky; it will serve as a distress signal, visible for miles."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Lu Chengfeng accepted the equipment, expressed his gratitude, and stepped aside to put on the armor.

Just then, a burly man with a beard and a shaved head waved at him, "Junior Brother Lu, we've been waiting for you."

Lu Chengfeng approached and found that, including the bearded man, four others were waiting for him.

"My name is Tan Xiong, a disciple of Huanglong Peak," the bearded man introduced himself. "When true disciples are sent on missions, we usually work in groups from the five peaks, with five people per squad."

"The other three here are Lu Lingxi from Qingyun Peak, Xu Changge from Baihong Peak, and Duan Li from Chixiao Peak."

Lu Chengfeng greeted each of them, calling them Senior Brother or Senior Sister as appropriate, as he was the youngest among them.

Lu Lingxi was a refined woman in her late twenties, with a slender figure and long legs, dressed in a black armored robe that concealed her curves. Her hair, styled in twin coils, was tied back with an iron crown.

The marsh was filled with toxic miasma and venomous creatures, so any hair left loose could be a hindrance in a critical moment. Therefore, they all secured their hair with iron crowns before entering to facilitate movement.

Xu Changge from Baihong Peak and Duan Li from Chixiao Peak were easy to distinguish. Xu Changge wore a white robe with a sword at his waist and a folding fan in hand, while Duan Li was dressed in bright red with a fair face and striking red eyebrows.

"Junior Brother, I've heard a lot about you. Finally meeting you today is a pleasure." Xu Changge smiled mischievously, "I admire your methods, Junior Brother. If we find time, I'd love to learn from you." From his sly smile, Lu Chengfeng immediately realized he was referring to his recent marriage to the sect mistress. His expression darkened, and he quickly changed the topic, "Senior Brothers and Sister, this is my first time facing the beast tide, so I'm inexperienced. Please guide me if any critical moments arise."

The silent Duan Li spoke briefly, "Raise your sword and kill. Other than fellow disciples, everyone is an enemy."

Tan Xiong, though burly and fierce-looking, was calm and composed. "Junior Brother, you've only recently entered the inner peaks, so you likely haven't trained in the Bewildering Marsh before. This place is complex, with dangerous terrain and many poisonous creatures."

"I suggest we start by familiarizing ourselves with the outskirts and building some teamwork before moving deeper in. What do you all think?"

Lu Lingxi agreed, "That's the safest approach."

Xu Changge nodded, "I'm fine with that."

Duan Li said nothing but did not object.

Tan Xiong said, "Then it's settled. Since I'm the eldest among us and have reached the eighteenth level in swordsmanship, I'll take the lead in the marsh. Any objections?"

Xu Changge laughed, "You're one of the Seven Heroes of the Sect, known as the Violent Bear. How could we possibly match you, Senior Brother? Of course, you'll take the lead."

"I only follow Senior Brother." Lu Lingxi, cool and reserved by nature, spoke with quiet respect for Tan Xiong.

Duan Li snorted, "Don't get too full of yourself. One day, I'll surpass you, but for now, I'll let you lead."

Lu Chengfeng added, "I have no objections either, Senior Brother. Please guide us."

With everyone in agreement, Lu Chengfeng finished donning his armor, secured the flare at his waist, held his sword in his left hand, and followed the group into the marsh.

As they advanced, a grayish mist hung in the air, and the ground grew damp and muddy.

Lu Chengfeng noticed the trees in the marsh were towering, with vines coiled around their trunks and green moss glowing faintly blue at the roots—a clear sign of toxicity.

Centipedes, scorpions, and snakes became increasingly common, while the air was humid and hot, with no birds in sight.

Occasionally, shadows of beasts flitted through the woods—mainly wolves, prowling around them upon detecting human presence.

"Junior Brother, demon beasts are different from ordinary beasts. They're intelligent, cunning, and capable of using demonic techniques, making them formidable foes."

"Demon beasts are born different, and you'll recognize one when you see it. More importantly, they can command other beasts to attack, and that's what creates a beast tide."

"The real source of the tide lies with the demon beasts!"

Tan Xiong, holding a copper staff, led the way. Lu Chengfeng stayed close on his left, with Lu Lingxi on the right, while Xu Changge and Duan Li covered the rear.

As they delved deeper into the marsh, everyone's expressions grew vigilant, their eyes scanning their surroundings with caution.

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