126: Ethereal Reed Spirit

One month later.

Gao De stood with his hands behind his back outside the temporary Water Mansion, Demonic Power flowing through his body, more refined than it had been a month ago.

Deep within his Bloodline, the Power of Thunder and the Dream Mirage Qi intertwined and surged, with profound runes occasionally flashing and vanishing.

After consuming the jiao saliva grass and undergoing rigorous training, the Demon Soldiers under his command had a completely new aura, their Evil Qi condensing.

The newly acquired Giant Demon Bee Swarm buzzed and hovered, performing their duties alongside the native demon generals of Yunmeng Marsh. All had submitted to him, having preliminarily integrated into the Water Mansion's system.

The legacy of Cultivation Technique knowledge from the Yunhe Sect was being steadily transformed into his own Foundation bit by bit.

“The time has come.” He lifted his gaze toward the depths of Yunmeng Marsh, his eyes like lightning piercing through layers of mist, a calm but unmistakable sharpness hidden within.

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The ancient map obtained from the Hundred Beasts Sect Elder slowly unfurled. As his Divine Sense swept over it, the corresponding records from the "Yunmeng Marsh Record of Exotic Items" simultaneously appeared in his mind.

By cross-referencing the two, the outline of his next target—the “Thousand Reed Swamp”—gradually became clear.

It was about a few days' journey by water, a vast and boundless reed wetland.

The map indicated that “ethereal reed” might grow there; its stalks were excellent spiritual materials for crafting specific high-level Talismans and musical Magical Artifacts.

The "Record of Exotic Items" added that the waterways within the Thousand Reed Swamp were as complex as a labyrinth, filled with hidden currents and whirlpools, and teeming with aquatic Yao Race.

It gave a special warning that in certain areas, as night fell, a “Soul-Confusing Mist” would rise, capable of interfering with and deluding one's Divine Sense, hiding many dangers.

Gao De was in no hurry to search for treasures.

“The 'Record of Exotic Items' was written during the Yunhe Sect's Peak, more than a thousand years ago.”

He murmured in a low voice, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the map. “Yunmeng Marsh is not a dead land. Through a thousand years of vicissitudes, how could the topography not change? How could the Spiritual Veins not shift? How could the monsters not change? What is recorded in this book can serve as a reference, but it cannot be fully trusted.”

He knew all too well that outdated information was often the prelude to a fatal crisis.

A waterway marked as a safe path might have long since become the lair of some great demon; a spiritual plant recorded as having a mild temperament might now be guarded by a ferocious beast; former resource points were even more likely to have dried up or been claimed by unknown forces.

“Before committing heavy forces, the timeliness and authenticity of the information must first be confirmed.”

With his mind made up, Gao De immediately made deployments.

“Qing Feng.”

“Subordinate is here!” The One-Horned Green Python, Qing Feng, emerged in response, his serpentine body creating fine ripples as he moved.

“Lead a team yourself. Select the most alert and stealthy subordinates from your ranks to scout the outskirts of the Thousand Reed Swamp first.”

Gao De’s orders were clear and organized. “There is no need to go deep. Your primary task is to accomplish three things:”

“First, verify whether the terrain and waterways recorded in the ancient texts generally match the current situation.”

“Second, sense the distribution of Spiritual Qi and investigate if there are any areas with abnormally powerful Demonic Qi or energy concentrations.”

“Third, find a way to capture some local aquatic tribes to inquire about any major changes in the Thousand Reed Swamp in recent years, or any newly emerged dangerous territories or powerful beings. Remember, the operation must be stealthy. If word gets out and attracts attention, you will be severely punished.”

“Qing Feng obeys!” The green python did not hesitate, immediately selecting two Green-Scaled Water Snake Demons skilled in stealth and perception. The three of them flickered and vanished toward the Thousand Reed Swamp like drops of ink into water, making no sound.

Gao De suppressed the urge to explore immediately and returned to preside over the Water Mansion.

While Cultivating with full concentration to further fuse his newly acquired Water Vein Surveying Skills with the Mirage Dragon's Dream Power, he also waited patiently for Qing Feng to bring back the key intelligence for the next step.

Five days later, Qing Feng returned.

His human-like face bore an obvious gravity, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of irrepressible excitement. “Master, the investigation is complete. The current state of the Thousand Reed Swamp does indeed differ significantly from the ancient records, but the Opportunity within may far exceed expectations!”

“Speak in detail.” Gao De's gaze sharpened.

“The outer topography roughly matches what the map shows. However, the internal waterways have changed immensely; many forks and hidden currents have long since altered. I captured several local 'Sharp-Toothed Fish' demons and learned through interrogation that about several hundred years ago, there was a violent shift in the underground water veins in the depths of the Thousand Reed Swamp, causing large areas to sink and creating many new lakes and dangerous zones.”

“More importantly,” Qing Feng's voice was solemn yet carried a trace of fervor, “according to those Sharp-Toothed Fish, the group originally occupying the core area of the Thousand Reed Swamp was the 'Iron-Beaked Ghost-Head Ducks.' But about fifty years ago, a Three-Headed Black Water Python that swam from deeper within Yunmeng Marsh forcibly drove them out. This python's strength is likely at the third-rank Late Stage, or even... Peak! Its temperament is violent and cruel, and it has designated the core of the Thousand Reed Swamp as a Forbidden Ground.”

“However, this is the key!” Qing Feng lowered his voice. “Those Sharp-Toothed Fish have lived there for generations. They mentioned that after the geological shift and the Three-Headed Black Water Python took over the core, a strange 'fragrance' occasionally wafts from its territory, especially near several shallows where ethereal reeds might grow. Smelling it refreshes one's spirit, and it even gives a slight boiling sensation to one's Bloodline. They suspect that what is being nurtured in that core area is no ordinary ethereal reed, but likely a thousand-year ethereal reed essence produced by the long-term influence of the water vein mutation and powerful Demonic Power... perhaps even accompanied by 'reed heart jade marrow' which can purify demonic lineages and boost cultivation!”

After hearing this, Gao De's eyes flashed with brilliant light.

Ordinary ethereal reeds were just decent spiritual materials, worth planning for but not necessarily worth a death match with a third-rank Late Stage or Peak great demon.

But a thousand-year reed essence, especially with the possible accompaniment of reed heart jade marrow, was entirely different! To the Yao Race, this was a rare treasure that could only be encountered by luck. It could temper the Bloodline, purify Demonic Power, and have miraculous effects on breaking through a Bottleneck. This was a more than sufficient reason for him to take a risk!

“Information asymmetry is both a crisis and an Opportunity.” Gao De slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, suppressing the heat in his heart. “The Yunhe Sect's records are outdated. They only knew of ethereal reeds but did not know they might have evolved into reed essence, nor did they know of the existence of reed heart jade marrow. That Three-Headed Black Water Python occupies that place likely for the reed essence and jade marrow as well, perhaps waiting for its maturation or using its aura to Cultivate.”

The risk was immense, but the rewards were equally staggering. This was no longer a simple resource collection; it was a struggle for the very Foundation of his Dao!

“Our goal must be revised to seizing the reed essence and jade marrow!” Gao De quickly cleared his thoughts and adjusted his strategy, an aura of decisive slaughter instantly arising.

“Qing Feng, have you discovered the activity patterns of that Three-Headed Black Water Python? Its specific location and method of guarding the Reed King?”

“Reporting to Master, according to the Sharp-Toothed Fish, that demon python usually stays dormant in a deep pool lair in the core area. It has a solitary personality and no Demon Soldiers under its command. However, every night of the full moon, it comes out to patrol its territory for the entire night. It also seems to pay relatively less attention to the edges of its territory, especially near the areas where the 'Soul-Confusing Mist' spreads. The Reed King's exact location is hard to pin down, but it must be within its core territory; the source of the fragrance is the clue.”

“Full moon patrol... Soul-Confusing Mist zone...” Gao De's gaze was as sharp as a blade. “The 'Record of Exotic Items' mentioned this mist can interfere with Divine Sense; we can use that. That demon python might not fear it due to its powerful cultivation, but this mist is the perfect cover for our infiltration.”

A more precise and daring plan rapidly took shape in his mind: abandon the idea of a full-scale military advance and instead personally lead a small group of absolute elites. On the night of the full moon, while the Three-Headed Black Water Python was patrolling and its attention was divided, they would use the natural shielding of the Soul-Confusing Mist to quietly slip into its core territory. Relying on their sense for Spiritual Qi and that special 'fragrance,' they would lock onto the Reed King's location, harvest the Reed King and jade marrow with lightning speed, and immediately flee once they succeeded. If things were impossible, they would use Dream Mirage Qi to create chaos and make a full-strength escape.

“Pass down the order: all units are to intensify combat preparations and practice stealthy combined attack techniques! Qing Feng, continue to dispatch capable subordinates to monitor the movements of the Thousand Reed Swamp from a distance. You must find out the exact route and timing of the Three-Headed Black Water Python's full moon patrol! Iron Pincer, prepare the Giant Demon Bee Swarm and elite Demon Soldiers to stand by as backup!”

“This time, we snatch food from the tiger's mouth. We must succeed!”

“As you command!” The two generals felt the chilling resolve and faint Evil Qi radiating from Gao De. They responded in unison, their Battle Intent surging.

Gao De once again looked toward the direction of the Thousand Reed Swamp. This time, his gaze was no longer one of pure exploration, but carried a sharp, determined edge.

Risk and Opportunity coexist, and the Law of this Yunmeng Marsh is to fight and kill to carve out one's own world!