71: Swamp Survival and Unexpected Gains

Inside the Black Swamp, poisonous miasma permeated the air, obstructing vision, while the mud beneath their feet threatened to swallow everything. Even with the "Star Domain" providing isolation, the all-pervading corrosive energy still caused the light shield to fluctuate constantly, requiring Wen Youyi to continuously consume Spiritual Power to maintain it.

"Follow me closely, don't step in the wrong place!" Wen Youyi was fully focused, relying on the information gathered from the Myriad Phenomena Tower's miscellaneous records and the Mutual Aid Society to find the nearly forgotten secret path in the peril-filled swamp.

This had once been a supply route abandoned by an ancient Sect; it had long since been swallowed by the swamp, but some hard foundations and special markers still remained.

Lin Feng followed closely behind, the long sword in his arms trembling from time to time as he precisely picked off the chopstick-length Black Venom Centipedes that shot out from the mud. His swordsmanship was exquisite and flawless.

Zhao Iron Pillar and the other three were responsible for guarding the flanks and rear, dealing with the occasional flying poisonous insects that lunged out from the poisonous miasma.

The group moved as if dancing on the edge of a blade, being extremely cautious, with every step filled with trepidation.

"Turn left, that patch of crooked withered trees is the marker!" Wen Youyi shouted in a low voice, leading everyone around a dead zone that was constantly bubbling with poisonous bubbles.

After traveling for about an hour without further incident, the surrounding poisonous miasma seemed to thin out a bit, and an ancient path paved with some kind of black stone appeared beneath their feet.

"We're safe for now." Wen Youyi breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; the pressure of maintaining the Domain against the entire swamp environment was too great.

Everyone else also breathed a sigh of relief, each taking an Antidote Pill and a Medicinal Pill to restore Spiritual Power.

Lin Feng looked at Wen Youyi, a hint of hard-to-detect recognition appearing in his eyes: "Are you very familiar with this place?"

"I did some homework in advance." Wen Youyi smiled and didn't say much. The Mutual Aid Society's intelligence network had already begun to take shape.

The group continued along the ancient stone path, preparing to find another exit to leave the swamp. However, as they passed a dilapidated stone temple half-buried in the swamp, the star core fragment in Wen Youyi's bosom suddenly sent out an extremely weak throb of longing!

Hmm? Wen Youyi paused and looked at the ruins in confusion. The star core fragment actually reacted to this place?

"What's wrong?" Lin Feng keenly noticed his abnormality.

"I feel like this place... is a bit unusual." Wen Youyi didn't explain clearly, signaling everyone to approach cautiously.

Most of the stone temple had been swallowed by the swamp, leaving only a few broken stone pillars and a relatively intact wall. The wall was covered in thick moss and silt.

Wen Youyi walked closer, carefully sensing the source of the star core fragment's throbbing, finally locking his gaze on the bottom of the wall. He signaled Zhao Iron Pillar to help clear away the silt and moss there.

As the silt fell away, a blurred pattern composed of countless fine lines was revealed on the wall. The pattern was incomplete, with what seemed to be a shattered sphere at its center, surrounded by some incomprehensible symbols.

"This is..." Wen Youyi's pupils shrank! The style of this pattern was so similar to the records about the stars and "the net" he had seen before in the Myriad Phenomena Tower's Ancient Cultivators Inscription and the "miscellaneous records of starfall"! It was even more ancient and complex!

The throbbing of the star core fragment originated precisely from this pattern!

He attempted to probe a thread of Mental Energy into the pattern.

"Buzz—"

As if a switch had been flipped, the incomplete pattern suddenly lit up with a faint glow! A clearer, yet even more fragmented and chaotic flow of information forced its way into his mind!

It was no longer a simple transmission of a Concept, but rather some more specific yet shattered pieces of "knowledge"!

"...Monitoring node... Number seventy-three... Energy dissipation... Protocol conflict... Execute... Clear..."

"...Warning! 'cradle' protocol subjected to unknown interference... Source Pool pollution..."

"...Escape... Must... find 'ark'..."

The information flow stopped abruptly, and the pattern on the wall dimmed completely, as if it had exhausted its last bit of energy.

Wen Youyi turned pale and stumbled back, supported by Wang Wu. Although this information was fragmented, the message contained within made his heart race with fear!

Monitoring node? Protocol conflict? cradle protocol? Source Pool pollution? ark?

These words seemed to reveal the deeper operational mechanisms of "the net" System and... some kind of malfunction? Or perhaps, the possibility of resistance?

"What did you see?" Lin Feng asked with a frown; he had also felt the unusual energy fluctuation just now.

Wen Youyi took a deep breath, suppressing the stormy waves in his heart, and said solemnly: "Some... ancient secrets. Regarding the shackles of this world."

He didn't go into detail, but Lin Feng seemed to understand something. He took a deep look at that wall and didn't ask further.

The value of this unexpected discovery might far exceed the sword gallstone! It provided more specific intelligence regarding the "enemy"!

"This place isn't suitable to stay for long, let's go." Wen Youyi firmly memorized the pattern on the wall and led everyone away quickly.

They followed the stone path and finally found another exit from the swamp, quietly leaving this dangerous land and bypassing Fire Cloud Child's blockade.

Through this endeavor, Wen Youyi not only gained the sword gallstone and Lin Feng's favor but also obtained precious information concerning his future path.

And his grudge with the Five Elements Courtyard, and even the Elder Black Fiend behind it, was now completely out in the open.

(End of Chapter)