396: Misty Forest, Poison Swamp Area

The next day.

Everyone left Ziguan Town and headed fifty miles west, finally arriving outside the Mist Forest.

The Mist Forest is a mysterious and ancient forest, boundless and without end, perpetually shrouded in mist, with extremely complex terrain that no one has ever fully explored.

It is teeming with demon beasts, filled with countless dangers, and also hides many opportunities.

Many cultivators come here for training, but very few dare to venture deep inside.

"That's the Mist Forest ahead!"

Xuan Bei gazed at the Mist Forest in front of him.

Xie Weilou looked at Xuan Bei: "The Five Great Powers have entered the Mist Forest before; do you have a map of this forest?"

This forest is covered in mist, obscuring vision and making it easy to get lost.

"Yes!"

Xuan Bei waved his hand, and a golden light appeared, forming a map of the Mist Forest.

"......"

Xie Weilou and the others looked at the map.

The map was not a complete view of the Mist Forest, only a part of it, but it showed the route to Evil God Lake.

Xuan Bei explained: "From here, enter the Mist Forest, go seventy miles forward, and you will reach the Poison Swamp Area. That area is vast, covered in poisonous mist, and visibility is blurred, making it easy for everyone to get separated."

"Continue straight along the Poison Swamp Area for two hundred miles, and you can reach the heart of the dense forest. There are nine mysterious mountains there, and within the mountains is a Yin River. The Yin River is precisely the entrance to Evil God Lake; just follow the Yin River forward, and you can find Evil God Lake."

"......"

Everyone nodded slightly, remembering the map and Xuan Bei's words.

Xuan Bei continued: "If we get separated in the Poison Swamp Area, we will meet up in the heart of the forest. The time limit is seven days. Once seven days are up, no matter how many people there are, we will go directly to Evil God Lake."

"Can't we just fly over it directly?"

Lu Jin frowned.

Xuan Bei shook his head: "There are many large formations within the Mist Forest that will obscure vision. If you fly over, all you'll see is poisonous mist; you won't be able to find where the heart of the forest is at all. Moreover, some areas of the Mist Forest hide lightning-attracting formations, and going from above will result in being struck by lightning."

If this Mist Forest were truly that easy to explore, it would have been thoroughly explored by the various powers long ago.

"......"

Lu Jin stopped asking questions.

Yan Ruyi was holding a bag of nuts and eating them. She looked at Xie Weilou: "Don't be afraid, young man, Princess will protect you."

Seeing Yan Ruyi's cheeks puffed up, Xie Weilou chuckled: "Princess is a foodie; I'm worried you'll eat me."

"Hehe! You're a good judge of character."

Yan Ruyi's face showed a sweet smile, her eyes narrowed like crescent moons.

Just then, Yan Mo arrived with over a hundred cultivators. He was also very interested in this Mist Forest and wanted to enter and explore it. If he could obtain some opportunities, that would naturally be for the best.

Xie Weilou glanced at the forest ahead: "Let's go!"

After speaking, he was the first to rush into the dense forest.

The others quickly followed.

As soon as they entered the dense forest, a chilling sensation swept over them. The ground was extremely damp, and poisonous mist enveloped the surroundings, though it wasn't particularly dense, still allowing for clear vision.

This was just the outer perimeter; many demon beasts had been dealt with by cultivators who had come for training multiple times, so there was no particular danger.

Everyone activated their spiritual power, forming a defensive energy shield to protect themselves. They did not linger here but quickly moved forward.

At the same time, outside the Mist Forest, many cultivators arrived. Some wanted to enter the Mist Forest for training, while others were interested in Evil God Lake.

Dao Kong and the three Dragon Transformation Realm elders were among the crowd.

"Holy Son, should we retrieve those five evil artifacts? With those items, we can release the Evil God and also seize that Ancient Battle Puppet."

An old man asked in a low voice.

They all came from Ten Thousand Demons Gate, and Dao Kong was not a disciple of Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, but the Holy Son of Ten Thousand Demons Gate, Demon Dao Kong!

This time, they were here to seize an Ancient Battle Puppet from Evil God Lake. The theft of the Three Sects' treasures was orchestrated by Ten Thousand Demons Gate.

Demon Dao Kong said indifferently: "The items are on them. As long as they go to Evil God Lake, they will definitely take them out then. We'll just be the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

Taking the Three Sects' items in advance was intended to get to Evil God Lake first, but the items had already been taken back. Since that was the case, they would just be the oriole.

"That works too."

The old man nodded slightly.

Demon Dao Kong then asked: "Have you investigated the background of that Dragon Transformation Realm individual carrying the giant sword last night?"

The old man pondered: "There seems to be a shadow of the Xia Emperor's royal family. Perhaps those eyeing that Ancient Battle Puppet also include members of the royal family!"

"Interesting!"

Demon Dao Kong's eyes narrowed.

At this moment, many cultivators rushed into the dense forest. Demon Dao Kong also did not hesitate, directly following them with the three elders.

— — — — — —

Half an hour later.

Xie Weilou and the others arrived at the Poison Swamp Area.

Beneath their feet was an endless swamp, steaming, filled with numerous withered bones and decaying wood, emitting a strong foul odor.

Poisonous gas rose into the sky, covering all directions, obscuring vision, forming gray tornadoes that continuously devoured the surrounding power.

Xuan Bei said solemnly: "This Poison Swamp Area is unpredictable and dangerous. Besides the terrifying poisonous mist, there are also some powerful demon beasts hidden in the swamp. Everyone, please be careful from now on."

"......"

Everyone nodded with grave expressions. Even before entering the Poison Swamp Area, they had sensed a terrifying killing intent. If they entered it, it would undoubtedly be extremely perilous.

"I'll lead the way."

Ku Zhu transformed into an afterimage, instantly rushing into the Poison Swamp Area. The surrounding poisonous mist suddenly swept over him, and the poisonous mist tornadoes continuously spun, coiling around him. Withered trees and beast bones furiously slammed towards him.

"Heavenly Gang Shield!"

Ku Zhu clasped his hands together, and a golden bell appeared outside his body, blocking the surrounding poisonous mist, withered trees, and beast bones. He did not hesitate, continuing to rush forward.

A moment later, he disappeared, obscured by the poisonous mist, making it difficult for everyone to catch sight of him.

"People of Tianyin Temple, follow me!"

Xuan Bei formed a hand seal, and golden Buddha light diffused, forming an energy shield that enveloped the people of Tianyin Temple. He immediately led them towards the swamp.

"......"

Xie Weilou and the others also did not hesitate, instantly rushing into the swamp.

Boom!

The surrounding poisonous mist and tornadoes suddenly surged, carrying powerful destructive force, like giant pythons, trying to devour everything.

"Ah..."

Some of the cultivators brought by Yan Mo were weaker. When the tornadoes struck, they directly shattered their power shields, and the poisonous gas invaded their bodies. In an instant, these people's faces turned black, and they collapsed directly into the poisonous swamp.

"Roar!"

From within the poisonous swamp, a roar sounded. A blood-colored giant crocodile covered in scales rushed out, its maw wide open, revealing jagged fangs, instantly swallowing those cultivators.

Then the giant crocodile disappeared into the swamp, vanishing from sight...