148: Nine-orifice exquisite fruit

Lin Huan did not use any earth-shattering movement technique; he simply walked lightly, as if enjoying a spring outing, heading toward Black Wind Marsh.

A journey of three thousand miles was nothing more than a leisurely stroll taking an hour or two for him.

The closer he got to Black Wind Marsh, the heavier the humidity in the air became, and the Spiritual Qi began to mix with faint scents of decay and sweetness.

The Cultivators encountered along the way gradually increased. Most were hurried, their aura mixed, with cultivation levels ranging from the Nirvana Realm to the Xiaoyao Realm. Occasionally, he could sense one or two obscure Saint Realm auras.

Most of them looked at Lin Huan, who was alone, with surprise, but after sensing the bottomless yet peaceful and natural aura of the Peak of the Carefree Realm within him, they all withdrew their scorn, and no one dared to easily provoke him.

"What is the background of this young child? He's actually at the Peak of the Carefree Realm at such a young age?"

"His aura is so condensed; he must be a core Disciple from a major power undergoing training. Don't provoke him."

"Looking at his direction, is he also going to Black Wind Marsh? Tsk, are all the juniors this fierce now?"

Lin Huan paid no heed to the surrounding discussions, quietly enjoying the gradually changing scenery along the way.

The trees became tall and twisted, vines intertwined, and the ground began to show mud and puddles.

Finally, a massive, endless marsh shrouded in gray miasma appeared before his eyes.

This was Black Wind Marsh.

Quite a few Cultivators had already gathered at the edge of the marsh, forming small groups, each occupying a spot, their eyes warily scanning others, yet also gazing greedily at the faint, multicolored glow emanating from the depths of the marsh.

Lin Huan's arrival caused a minor stir.

He was simply too young, and his temperament was too clean and refined, making him completely incompatible with this perilous environment.

Ignoring the gazes, he found a relatively clean large stone and sat down. He pulled out a sugar figurine he had bought earlier in Flowing Cloud City from his Storage Jade Pendant and began licking it with relish, his large eyes curiously surveying the marsh and the surrounding Cultivators.

"Kid, this isn't the place you should be. Hurry home and drink your milk!"

A burly man with a meaty face, whose aura was at the Middle Stage of the Carefree Realm, saw Lin Huan's naive appearance and couldn't help but mock him, attempting to scare him away.

Lin Huan tilted his head and looked at him, saying seriously, "Uncle, this isn't your house, so why can't I come here?

Besides, drinking milk is for babies. I've been eating solid food for a long time."

The burly man choked on his words, and several suppressed snickers came from the surroundings.

Losing face, he let out a sinister laugh: "Sharp-tongued brat! Looks like I need to teach you a lesson!"

As he spoke, he prepared to step forward.

Just then, a pressure from the Early Stage of the Saint Realm emanated from nearby, and a cold female voice rang out: "Pang Laosan, bullying a child is all you're good for."

Everyone looked over and saw a woman dressed in a blue tight-fitting outfit, carrying a long sword on her back, with a cold, clear face, walking toward them.

Her aura was sharp, and her gaze was like a sword. She was one of the elite Disciples from a first-rate Sword Sect, previously mentioned on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

The burly man known as Pang Laosan's expression changed. He clearly recognized the woman, huffed resentfully, and, not daring to act recklessly anymore, retreated back into his group.

The woman in blue walked up to Lin Huan. Looking at his pure eyes and his cultivation level that did not match his age, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and her tone softened slightly: "Little brother, are you alone?

This place is very dangerous. The competition for the nine-aperture exquisite fruit is fierce, and it's not something you can participate in. It would be best to leave as soon as possible."

Lin Huan could sense her goodwill and gave her a brilliant smile: "Thank you for the warning, older sister. I'm just here to watch the fun; I won't compete with them."

Seeing his innocent and naive appearance, the woman in blue shook her head, assuming he was merely some young master from a great Family who had secretly run out to gain experience. She stopped trying to persuade him, turned back to her spot, closed her eyes to rest her spirit, and waited for the right moment.

Lin Huan continued nibbling on his sugar figurine, but his Divine Thought spread out silently like invisible ripples, covering a large area of the marsh.

In his perception, there was indeed a strange plant deep within the marsh absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, about to ripen. The glowing mist it emitted was caused by the nine-aperture exquisite fruit.

Many powerful Yao Beasts were lurking nearby, several of which had even reached the Saint Realm. There were also natural illusions and poisonous miasma, making the area truly fraught with danger.

"This looks quite interesting."

Lin Huan licked the sugar residue from the corner of his mouth. Far from being afraid, he grew even more excited.

After waiting for about half a day, the multicolored glow deep within the marsh suddenly became incredibly brilliant, and a refreshing, unique fragrance permeated the air, instantly revitalizing the spirits of the many Cultivators, even from a distance!

"It's ripe!"

"Hurry and grab it!"

Someone shouted, and the Cultivators gathered at the edge of the marsh moved instantly!

Like sharks smelling blood, they utilized their various methods, transforming into streaks of light, rushing toward the source of the glow in a desperate race.

Sword Qi, saber light, Magic Treasures, Divine Abilities... various lights flared up, and the sounds of collisions, fighting, and Yao Beast roars instantly echoed throughout the marsh!

In the pursuit of Opportunity, the fragile calm that had been maintained was completely shattered, and a chaotic battle erupted!

The woman in blue also transformed into a streak of sword light, moving extremely fast, avoiding several obvious traps, and rushing toward the depths.

Pang Laosan and his group were even fiercer, directly teaming up to clear obstacles ahead.

Lin Huan remained seated on the large stone, watching the chaotic scene before him, blinking his eyes.

He was not in a hurry to rush in; instead, he seemed to be watching an interesting play.

He saw some people accidentally fall into the quagmire, dragged into the depths by lurking venomous insects; others were ambushed by rivals, their blood spilled on the spot; some triggered natural illusion formations and spun around in place; and a few possessed powerful strength, forging their way through thorns and obstacles.

The woman in blue possessed extraordinary sword skills, repelling several waves of resistance and gradually approaching the core area.

Pang Laosan's faction also charged in, relying on their superior numbers.

However, just as the first batch of people was about to touch the nine-aperture exquisite fruit tree growing on the small island in the center of the marsh, another unexpected change occurred!

"Roar!!!"

An earth-shattering roar sounded from the mud pit beneath the small island. The mud exploded, and a gigantic crocodile, covered in black scales and sporting a single horn on its head, suddenly leaped out!

Its aura had astonishingly reached the Mid-Saint Realm!

It was the overlord guarding this Spiritual Fruit—the Poison Dragon Crocodile!

The Poison Dragon Crocodile swept its massive tail. Terrifying demonic power surged like a storm, instantly smashing the few Xiaoyao Realm Cultivators charging at the front into a mist of blood!

It opened its huge, blood-red mouth, spitting out foul, poisonous breath that corroded several more people until nothing but bones remained!

The woman in blue and Pang Laosan's group turned pale and quickly unleashed their strongest methods to resist.

"Vile beast, prepare to die!"

The woman in blue shouted, and her sword light surged, transforming into a blue long rainbow that stabbed toward the Poison Dragon Crocodile's eye.

Pang Laosan and the others also quickly summoned their Magic Treasures, bombarding the massive crocodile.

An even more tragic battle between humans and Yao Beasts erupted!

The Poison Dragon Crocodile had thick skin and flesh, immense demonic power, and the advantage of the terrain. For a time, it fought the numerous Cultivators to a standstill, and blood dyed the marsh red.

Lin Huan watched the chaotic, intense battle, then looked at the nine-aperture exquisite fruit, which swayed gracefully and emitted an alluring luster, and rubbed his chin.

He stood up and brushed off the non-existent dust from his blue robe.

Then, in an unnoticed corner, he took one step.

The next moment, his figure appeared like a ghost. Ignoring the chaotic energy storm in the space, ignoring the raging Poison Dragon Crocodile, and ignoring all the humans and Yao Beasts currently fighting, he silently appeared on the central small island, standing right next to the nine-aperture exquisite fruit tree.

Both sides engaged in the fierce battle were stunned by this sudden change, and their attacks involuntarily slowed down.

The Poison Dragon Crocodile sensed someone approaching its treasure and became even more ferocious. It abandoned the woman in blue and the others, roaring as it charged toward Lin Huan!

Lin Huan looked at the charging behemoth, showing no fear on his face. Instead, he extended a fair finger and gently tapped the Poison Dragon Crocodile's forehead.

"Be quiet."

A formless, intangible power of Primal Origin, which seemed to contain the will of the creation of heaven and earth and the submission of all spirits, surged from his fingertip.

The incomparably fierce Poison Dragon Crocodile instantly stiffened the moment it came into contact with this power, and its charge stopped abruptly!

Its violent vertical pupils were filled with confusion and a reverence that stemmed from its life instinct, as if it had seen some supreme existence.

It let out a low growl. Its voice was no longer savage but carried a hint of grievance and flattery. Its massive head slowly lowered, and it even cautiously rubbed Lin Huan's hand.

Everyone stared dumbfounded at this scene, their minds completely blank.

This... what is going on?

That terrifying Mid-Saint Realm Yao Beast was actually... tamed by this seemingly harmless young boy?!

Tamed with just a tap of a finger?!

Lin Huan ignored everyone's shock and turned to look at the nine-aperture exquisite fruit tree.

It bore three Spiritual Fruits the size of longans, crystal clear, with a unique fragrance filling the air, and nine orifices seemingly breathing inside.

He reached out, carefully picked one, held it to his nose, and nodded: "Hmm, the taste is pretty good."

Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone present, he casually put the nine-aperture exquisite fruit into his mouth, crunching on it as if picking fruit from his own orchard.

It was sweet and crisp, full of juice, and a cool energy surged into his limbs and bones, nourishing his Divine Soul.

As for the effect... for him, it was merely comparable to eating a Spiritual Fruit of decent quality—better than nothing.

After eating one, he looked at the two remaining fruits on the tree, then at the surrounding Cultivators whose eyes were complex and filled with desire yet who dared not step forward, including the woman in blue and Pang Laosan, whose expressions were constantly shifting.

After thinking for a moment, he said to the Poison Dragon Crocodile, which was still lying prostrate: "Keep these two for yourself to guard. Don't be so aggressive in the future."

Then he looked at the crowd, flashing a pure smile: "You guys can divide the rest. I'm leaving!"

With that, his figure blurred and vanished from the spot, as if he had never been there.

Only the obedient Poison Dragon Crocodile remained, along with the multitude of Cultivators who were staring at each other, feeling as if they were in a dream.

After a long while, someone finally murmured: "He... he just left like that? He ate one, and the rest... he didn't want them?"

"That was the nine-aperture exquisite fruit! A treasure medicine that can enhance the quality of the Divine Soul!"

"Who exactly is he?!"

The woman in blue gazed in the direction where Lin Huan had disappeared, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Recalling Lin Huan's unfathomable yet peaceful aura and his unbelievable methods, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind: "The Lin Family... could he be someone from the Lin Family?!"