159: Chapter 159 Escape

Fellow Daoist Zhou Xuan, standing to the side, nodded slightly and echoed, "Brother Mo is absolutely right. Moving as a group makes us too large a target. Breaking out separately is the superior strategy. We shall rendezvous at the high ground five hundred li away; it is safe and foolproof."

As he finished speaking, the gazes of Mo Yuan, Fellow Daoist Zhou Xuan, Qing Feng, and Fellow Daoist Chu Cang all fell upon Li Changqing, the only Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator among them.

The four of them shared the exact same thought. They were all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or higher, fully equipped with movement techniques, spells, and defensive Spiritual Artifacts. Although breaking through the insect domain alone carried risks, they were all fully confident in their ability to escape.

However, Li Changqing only possessed Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation, with shallow Qi and insufficient foundations. Under the siege of the swarming, invisible Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes, no one dared to guarantee that he could break out safely.

Sensing the doubts hidden in their gazes, Li Changqing smiled indifferently and spoke calmly, "Rest assured, everyone. I have no objections. Let us follow your suggestion—break out separately and rendezvous at the high ground five hundred li away."

Upon hearing this, the other four were slightly taken aback, their faces showing surprise.

Even they, as Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators, needed to be extremely cautious and expend significant means to break out alone. They had not expected this young man at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage to agree without a hint of fear, his nonchalance exceeding their expectations.

Although the four still harbored hidden concerns, none were willing to offer to escort him.

The Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes were too troublesome; their invisible sneak attacks and paralyzing toxins were impossible to guard against completely. It was already difficult to fend for themselves; if they were to bring along a companion with low cultivation to break out, not only would they be unable to protect the other person, but they would very likely be dragged down, with both falling into danger.

Seeing that no one had any objections, Mo Yuan immediately said in a deep voice, "In that case, take care! We shall rendezvous at the high ground five hundred li away; do not delay! I shall take my leave first!"

Before his voice had even faded, Mo Yuan's figure flickered, transforming into a pitch-black streak of light as he sped towards the depths of the miasma in the northwest, vanishing into the vast white poisonous fog in an instant.

After only a few breaths, dense and ear-piercing buzzing sounds of mosquitoes erupted from the northwest. The sharp, grating noise resounded across the miasma marsh, mixed with the booming roars of exploding Devilish Qi and Spiritual Artifacts cutting through the air, causing one's eardrums to tremble.

Clearly, Mo Yuan had taken the initiative to strike, drawing away a large swarm of Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes to alleviate the pressure on the others.

Fellow Daoist Chu Cang, Fellow Daoist Zhou Xuan, and Qing Feng exchanged glances and no longer hesitated.

Fellow Daoist Chu Cang transformed into a pitch-black afterimage, heading straight north to break out. Fellow Daoist Zhou Xuan and Qing Feng, in two streaks of green-robed light, veered left and right, sweeping towards the southeast and due south respectively. The three streaks of light vanished in an instant, each plunging into the sky-covering miasma.

In an instant, the vast airspace was left with only Li Changqing standing in the air.

Watching the direction in which the four had departed, and listening to the rising and falling sounds of buzzing mosquitoes and clashing spells from all directions, a faint, indifferent smile slowly curled onto Li Changqing's lips, showing not a shred of panic.

From the moment he stepped into this insect domain, he had already seen through the situation and anticipated that everyone would inevitably choose to break out separately.

He was not in a hurry to escape. Instead, he sat cross-legged, suspended in mid-air, closing his eyes to focus and silently regulating his Qi to refine his spiritual power. Only after the buzzing and agitation in the distance gradually faded, and he confirmed that the four had already broken through several li away, drawing off the vast majority of the Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquito swarm, did Li Changqing slowly open his eyes, his gaze clear and calm.

He stood upright in the Void Realm, slowly releasing his highly refined Divine Sense, using himself as the center to meticulously scan the five-li miasma zone ahead.

Under the probe of his Divine Sense, within the three-plus li of miasma ahead, thousands of Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes were slowly wandering and foraging in the direction of his location.

This swarm of poisonous insects was still outside the safe distance. Li Changqing no longer hesitated; his figure moved, transforming into a light, traceless streak of pale light, moving at a steady pace towards the rendezvous point five hundred li to the northwest.

For Li Changqing, there were quite a few feasible ways to pass through the activity area of the Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes unscathed. He pondered slightly, and within a moment, he had decided on a plan.

With a light leap, Li Changqing landed steadily amidst the miasma-filled woodland. He raised his hand to take out an ink-colored Invisibility Talisman, tapped it lightly with spiritual power from his fingertip, and instantly ignited the Talisman.

The paper charm transformed into a wisp of faint green smoke that merged into his body. Layers of concealment power instantly wrapped around him, not only completely erasing his figure and appearance into the Void Realm but also masking his aura and the faint fluctuations of spiritual power around him, causing him to merge seamlessly with the surrounding miasma and vegetation.

Ordinary Qi-restraining techniques inevitably left behind subtle ripples of spiritual power. Under the extremely keen perception of the Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes, it was still very easy to expose one's tracks and attract a swarm of insects for a siege. However, this Second-Rank Invisibility Talisman could completely sever the leakage of a Cultivator's aura; at the very least, this group of low-rank Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes would find it difficult to detect him.

Having made thorough preparations for concealment, Li Changqing raised his eyes to identify the due west direction. With a light step, he executed an exquisite mid-air movement technique, his figure transforming into a silent, pale shadow as he sped straight towards the predetermined location.

Traveling through the miasma marshes, whether it was muddy poisonous swamps or dense poisonous weeds, he flashed past them all, remaining completely silent throughout the journey.

Along the way, he passed by swarms of wandering Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes several times. Even though those poisonous insects were close at hand, they did not notice anything unusual, only continuing to patrol aimlessly.

Relying on the excellent efficacy of the Invisibility Talisman, Li Changqing traveled without obstruction, without causing any disturbance, and inwardly confirmed that this choice was extremely secure.

He dared not slacken in the slightest, keeping his figure low and moving forward steadily. Throughout the journey, he avoided areas where the Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes were densely gathered, choosing to travel along routes where the insect swarms were sparse, remaining hidden and silent the entire time without causing any commotion.

Traveling rapidly without stopping, relying on the Invisibility Talisman to mask his figure and aura, Li Changqing successfully avoided wave after wave of wandering Miasma-Corroding Ghost Mosquitoes, proceeding smoothly without ever clashing with a single poisonous insect.

After traveling for over two hundred li, he finally stepped completely out of this dangerous territory where the Ghost Mosquitoes were active.

He continued to fly forward for another twenty-plus li, and upon confirming that there were no traces or auras of Ghost Mosquitoes around, Li Changqing slowly stopped and stood suspended in mid-air.

Traveling at full speed while keeping his Divine Soul on high alert for such a long time, even as a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, he still felt a sense of fatigue.

In order to stabilize his condition and conserve his energy before heading to rendezvous with the others, Li Changqing decided to pause for a moment to regulate his Qi and rest.

He released Xiao Hei and Da Gui to keep watch, ordering them to stand guard in the surroundings so that if any strangers or fierce beasts approached, they could sound the alarm immediately.

Once there was danger, the five combat Spirit Beasts within Changsheng Garden could emerge instantly to fight. Previously, Li Changqing had fed the remaining two Profound Heaven Spirit Peaches to two of the Mystic Ice Flood Dragons, helping them achieve a Breakthrough to the Second-Rank Late Stage.

This was also the source of his confidence in daring to team up with Demonic Path Cultivators to explore the ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave. Although the Mystic Ice Flood Dragon was only the weakest lineage among the Flood Dragon clan, it still possessed a Profound Rank Bloodline, and its combat power was significantly stronger than that of typical Yao Beasts of the same rank.

After making the arrangements, Li Changqing closed his eyes and sat cross-legged, focusing his mind and calming his Qi to enter a state of cultivation, devoting himself entirely to restoring his exhausted essence, Qi, and spirit.

This meditation lasted for a full hour. When he opened his eyes again, all his fatigue had dissipated, and his essence, Qi, and spirit had been restored to a state of Peak Perfection.