The next day.

When Mu Qingge stepped out of her room, Shang Zisu had been waiting outside for a while.

"Shang Senior Sister?" Mu Qingge was somewhat surprised to see Shang Zisu.

Shang Zisu slightly nodded her head and said to Mu Qingge, "Breakfast is ready, Junior Brother, let’s eat together."

"Okay." Mu Qingge nodded.

She was curious why Shang Zisu was waiting at her door early in the morning. Was it just to ask her for breakfast?

Following Shang Zisu to her room, as soon as Mu Qingge entered, she saw several small dishes and a light porridge placed on the table.

Mu Qingge always preferred a light breakfast, which suited her taste.

The two ate in silence.

It wasn’t until Mu Qingge put down her bowl and chopsticks that Shang Zisu said, "Junior Brother, let’s go."

"Have you rested well, Senior Sister?" Mu Qingge asked, and after thinking about it, added, "You don’t have to worry about those people; with me around, you’ll be fine."

’With me around, you’ll be fine.’

These ordinary words warmed Shang Zisu’s heart. Reflecting on Mu Qingge’s care over the past few days, her calm heart was stirred like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples.

She lowered her gaze, her long and thick eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyes.

Mu Qingge did not sense anything amiss, seeing her silent, he called out, "Shang Senior Sister?"

Shang Zisu suddenly raised her head, her expression briefly showing panic, but she quickly calmed down, leaving no trace of it. Pressing her lips, she said to Mu Qingge, "Staying here will only cause more trouble. When we’re out, we should avoid it if we can. There are other towns to rest in outside Yue City, so why stay here?"

Shang Zisu rarely spoke so much, but now she did, clearly expressing her thoughts.

Seeing she had decided, Mu Qingge did not insist further.

She nodded, "Alright, let’s leave then."

...

Not half an hour after Mu Qingge and Shang Zisu left, a group of people stormed into the inn aggressively.

Among them was none other than Ding Mao, who had returned.

He was covered in wounds, his face dark, with eyes full of resentment. The hostility emitted from him made people around keep their distance.

Only one person ignored Ding Mao’s sinister aura, standing beside him. "Is it here?" he asked, looking around the yard.

This person was of average height, ordinary appearance, but his small beady eyes left a deep impression, making him look sleazy and sinister.

Once he opened his mouth, Ding Mao’s hostility lessened significantly, and he bowed his head respectfully, saying quietly, "Yes, Master."

Jin Gui squinted arrogantly, saying indifferently, "There’s no one here anymore."

"What! They actually fled!" Ding Mao’s eyes widened, his resentful gaze revealing his gnashing teeth.

Jin Gui sneered, "Trying to run after hurting my disciple? Is there such an easy thing in the world."

Understanding his master’s words, Ding Mao quickly showed a pitiful look, pleading, "Master, please stand up for me. If I hadn’t been alert last night, I might never have seen you again."

Ding Mao’s words brought a chill to Jin Gui’s fleshy face.

He snorted coldly, assuring his disciple, "Don’t worry, I won’t let those villains go!"

"Thank you, Master." Ding Mao said excitedly. Then he frowned, unwillingly saying, "But they’ve already fled, probably fearing your reputation, leaving Yue City overnight."

"Don’t worry, they can’t escape." Jin Gui’s gaze was as sharp as a knife, tinged with malice.

With the power of the Refining Tower in Rong Country, he didn’t believe two immature kids could escape!

Suddenly, his eyes flashed, looking at Ding Mao, asking, "You said he had a strange thing on him that could cause harm merely by sounding?"

Ding Mao nodded quickly, raising his injured wrist to the master, "It’s true, I couldn’t see it at all, yet I got injured. You’ve checked this wound as well."

Jin Gui nodded thoughtfully, saying, "If he truly possesses such a treasure, it’s not a wasted trip."

"Then Master, what should we do now?" Ding Mao asked, leaning closer.

Jin Gui squinted his small eyes, with a malicious gleam in their slits. He was silent for a while, then sneered, "Let’s go back, send people to investigate their whereabouts. In a few days, the tower will have a mission outside, once found, we’ll deal with them properly."

Upon hearing this, Ding Mao’s eyes lit up, and he raised his voice, "Yes! Master."

The group arrived like wind and fire, scaring everyone in the inn, who huddled down with their heads covered. Before long, they left hastily, allowing the innkeeper to breathe a sigh of relief yet leaving him trembling with fear.

However, before he could finish relaxing, someone returned and fiercely demanded the whereabouts of the two guests from the innkeeper.

After informing them that the guests had checked out, they smashed the inn as a price before sending the thugs away.

Once the whole matter ended, the innkeeper sat on the ground, exhausted. Silently mourning his unfortunate fate. When his wife and children came, he sighed in despair, "Alas, Yue City is not a place to stay. Let’s pack up and return home."

What happened in Yue City, Mu Qingge and Shang Zisu were unaware of.

They expected Ding Mao’s betrayal, returning, hence they left. Not knowing that their departure caused trouble for the innkeeper.

Nor did they realize that Ding Mao, unwilling to let go, began searching for their whereabouts.

After leaving Yue City, Mu Qingge and Shang Zisu traveled for a day to reach another town. This was the location she had agreed to meet Mo Yang.

It meant that here, after Mo Yang arrived, she would entrust Shang Zisu to him, while she herself headed to the Endless Swamp.

There was still a day until the agreed time with Mo Yang, so they stayed in town for two days.

Finding a quiet inn to settle, Mu Qingge then told Shang Zisu the upcoming arrangement—

"Shang Senior Sister, I’m going somewhere not suitable for companions. I’ve instructed my subordinates; they’ll arrive tomorrow. Once they’re here, you go with them, and I’ll come find you once I’m done," Mu Qingge said.

Upon hearing about their separation, Shang Zisu felt a subtle sadness.

However, she showed no emotion on the surface, just nodding calmly, accepting Mu Qingge’s plan.

That day, no one disturbed them.

By noon the next day, Mo Yang appeared before them, accompanied by four Wolf Tooth Guards.

After entrusting Shang Zisu to Mo Yang, Mu Qingge personally saw them off and then headed toward the Endless Swamp from another direction.

What she didn’t know was that shortly after she left, disciples from the Refining Tower tracked them to their former inn but came up empty-handed.

Nor did she know that since they couldn’t find her, the inn where she once stayed was burned to ashes.

After parting from Shang Zisu, Mu Qingge traveled with all her might.

Tired, she entered the space to rest or released Yin Chen, letting it continue while she rested on its back.

Day and night traveling, finally after a month, she arrived at the edge of the Endless Swamp.

Looking at the vast, poisonous miasma-filled swamp before her, Mu Qingge remained silent.

How would she find the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame in a swamp?

A swamp is a trap; if not careful, you’ll be caught.

Suddenly, Mu Qingge transformed into a purple light, soaring into the sky, flying into the Endless Swamp.

In the air, she glanced down at the swamp below, realizing how apt the name was. Even from above, she saw no edge to the swamp, like an endless ocean.

Above the black swamp, there were no plants, nor any living beings.

In the swamp, bubbles occasionally rise, popping and transforming into green poisonous vapors that ascend into the sky, forming a barrier that prevents anyone from entering.

Mu Qingge took out an elixir and put it into her mouth.

This elixir effectively prevents the erosion of the miasma. Although her body, modified by the Genetic Transformation Agent, can automatically expel toxins, she didn’t want to waste her physical and spiritual power on such matters at this time.

So, taking the antidote first is the best choice!

After all, she was never short of elixirs.

Unknowingly, Mu Qingge had already been flying over the Endless Swamp for half a day. Even though she now possessed Purple Realm cultivation, her spiritual power was still significantly depleted.

’I can’t continue like this!’ Mu Qingge told herself in her heart.

If she continued flying, even if she found the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, it would be difficult for her to subdue it.

After making up her mind, Mu Qingge suddenly disappeared from the sky and entered her own space.

Soon, she reappeared with something in her hands.

Those things, if seen by someone from her previous life, would be very familiar. It was a modified sled, allowing her to glide over the swamp with the least effort, conserving spiritual power.

Mu Qingge gently descended, stepping onto the sled, holding a pole to push against the swamp, thrusting backward with force. Her whole body slid forward, leaving faint traces on the black swamp, which were quickly erased.

In the Endless Swamp, it’s impossible to discern direction; Mu Qingge could only rely on her instincts to glide inward. Every hour, she would take an elixir to neutralize the poisonous vapor.

After a whole day, she was unharmed, but her clothes had been corroded by the miasma, making them look like old clothes, colors faded, and even the hems were eaten through with small holes, tainted with miasma and the black swamp beneath her feet.

Mu Qingge could even smell a sour stench emanating from herself. She wrinkled her nose in disdain, glanced at the dimming sky, and with a flicker of her silhouette, returned to her space.

After washing up in her space, Mu Qingge felt refreshed.

During her break, she called Mengmeng to her side and asked, "Mengmeng, how should I find the whereabouts of the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame in the Endless Swamp?"

Mengmeng exclaimed in surprise, "Master Silver, you came in without knowing anything!"

Mu Qingge twitched the corner of her mouth, unwilling to be outdone, "I’m sure it’s in the Endless Swamp."

"But Master, the Endless Swamp is so vast, I can’t even feel its boundaries!" Mengmeng blinked and said.

Hearing this, Mu Qingge felt a slight bitterness in her mouth.

"There must be a way to sense it." Mu Qingge asked stubbornly. Thinking back to the Sunset Wilderness when they searched for the Fire Cloud Yang Flame, didn’t Han Caicai have a way to ascertain its exact whereabouts?

"Abnormal Fires are hard to find! Unless Master has the innate ability like that Flower Demon guy, able to sense the Fire Spirit." Mengmeng said.

Mu Qingge sulked, "If I could sense it, I wouldn’t need to ask you, would I? Is there any other way?"

"There is!" Mengmeng puffed her chest and affirmed decisively.

This answer made Mu Qingge’s eyes light up, her spirits soaring, "Quick, tell me!"

Mengmeng arrogantly raised her chin, "The only way is for Master to leave first, go find that Flower Demon guy, and then drag him here to act as a compass for you."

Mengmeng’s words made Mu Qingge’s face darken, and she ground her teeth twice.

"Who knows where Han Caicai is? I can’t just leave now to look for him!"

"Then there’s no way." Mengmeng shrugged, "You can only rely on luck!"

Luck?

Mu Qingge was exasperated with her own foolishness!

Is she supposed to wander in the Endless Swamp like a headless fly, hoping to stumble upon the location of the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame?

"You may kneel and leave." A dejected Mu Qingge waved Mengmeng away, her palm-sized face written with only one phrase: ’Don’t bother me, I need some peace!’

Mengmeng wanted to say more, but Yin Chen grabbed her waistband and hauled her out, leaving Mu Qingge with a quiet space.

"You stupid fox, what are you doing!" Mengmeng struggled angrily, limbs flailing in the air.

Once far away, Yin Chen gracefully released its grip.

"Ow! My poor little butt!" An unprepared Mengmeng landed on the ground, feeling her buttocks numb.

Rubbing her butt, Mengmeng showed a fierce expression, pointing a chubby finger at Yin Chen, "You stupid fox! I’ll skin you alive, you know!"

Yin Chen disdainfully eyed her, "The master needs peace."

"You!" Mengmeng gnashed her sharp little teeth audibly. However, Yin Chen, not caring in the slightest, turned around, strolling gracefully along the creek in the space.

The dignified and elegant Snow Fox King, in Mengmeng’s eyes, was merely a ’pretentious little jerk’!

Mu Qingge, alone in her room, held the blood-red Heaven-Burning Furnace, murmuring, "The dean said you can do more than just alchemy, can you help me find the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame?"

Seeking aid from a pill furnace, how desperate is that!

Indeed, the slightly aloof Heaven-Burning Furnace utterly ignored Mu Qingge’s ridiculous behavior.

This made Mu Qingge feel utterly frustrated after mumbling for so long with no result.

After resting in her space for a day, Mu Qingge ventured out again, continuing her aimless wander in the Endless Swamp, now she could only follow Mengmeng’s advice and rely on luck.

Day after day.

On the third day after Mu Qingge entered the Endless Swamp, a group of people arrived at its edge.

They wore identical clothes, all with a golden embroidered ’Refining’ character on their chest!

Among the hundred-strong group, besides a dozen elder-like figures, the rest seemed to be disciples, with faces brimming with youthful naivety.

If Mu Qingge were here, she would definitely notice Ding Mao, with whom she had a conflict, was among them.

At this moment, he stood beside Jin Gui, his face gloomy.

"Master, that brat is too cunning. The people we sent couldn’t trace his whereabouts! Are we just going to let him escape like this?" Ding Mao’s voice brimmed with resentment and hatred.

Days had passed, his injuries had healed considerably, but the bloody hole in his wrist, pierced by Mu Qingge’s gun, occasionally oozed a faint trace of blood, reminding him of the humiliation he suffered that day!

Jin Gui’s face also didn’t look good, but in front of the other elders of the tower, he couldn’t say much, so he could only tell Ding Mao, "Let’s deal with the important matters first, then look for that brat. As long as he’s still in Rong Country, he can’t escape!"

Since his master had spoken, even if Ding Mao was unwilling, he had to temporarily relent.

Glancing at his fellow sect members, Ding Mao said to Jin Gui, "Master, is the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame really here?"

Jin Gui nodded, affirming, "For this Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, the dean calculated for nearly half a year to deduce its whereabouts, knowing its location. The dean said this Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame is in its nascent stage. As long as we bring it back, we won’t need Mortal Fire and Beast Fire for artifact refining in the Refining Tower anymore, but will use Abnormal Fires! By then, we’ll surely forge even higher quality spiritual artifacts! Even Treasure Artifacts!"

After speaking, Jin Gui’s eyes revealed a hint of greed.

It seemed he really wanted to claim the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame for himself, not sharing with others.

Unfortunately, the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame was a shared resource of the entire Refining Tower, making it impossible for him to monopolize it.

However, the dean also said that whoever achieves the most in capturing the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame could be rewarded with a trace of its Essence Fire.

This reward was indeed tempting!

Jin Gui discreetly examined the other elders, his eyes gleaming with determined ambition!

The people from the Refining Tower stood at the edge of the Endless Swamp, not rushing in. The leading elder had hawk-like eyes, giving a feeling of profundity and ruthlessness. Paired with his hooked nose, he seemed like a cold-hearted character.

This person currently held a specially made compass, meticulously searching for the direction. Several disciples stood by him, faces stern, guarding him, forbidding anyone from approaching.

Ding Mao glanced over and muttered disdainfully, "What’s so great about it."

It was unclear whether his comment was aimed at the elder or at the disciples on guard duty.

Jin Gui also looked at the elder’s back, snorting, "Just flaunting the dean’s favor, thinking it makes him superior." In his view, this mission should have been assigned to him, an elder at the Refining Tower for decades, nearly a century. Instead, it was given to someone who joined two decades ago and recently became an elder.

The other elders, Jin Gui didn’t pay any attention to.

He wanted the credit for the head, caring only about the person in front of him!

As if sensing Jin Gui’s gaze, the hook-nosed elder continued his actions, but coldly said, "Elder Jin, do you have something to say?"

Jin Gui’s eyes narrowed, his aura grew colder, and he retorted without backing down, "How much longer does Elder Feng plan to keep us waiting?"

Feng Kunhai’s eyes turned cold, and his lips curled into a faint mocking smile as he replied unhurriedly, "Why are you in such a rush, Elder Jin? If we enter recklessly without determining the exact location of the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, wouldn’t we be endangering the disciples’ lives?"

This statement caused a murderous intent to surface in Jin Gui’s eyes.

It’s always like this, every time, Feng Kunhai’s words always manage to mislead everyone! He clearly didn’t mean it that way, but after Feng Kunhai spoke, it caused misunderstanding.

Sure enough, after Feng Kunhai’s words, some other elders and disciples cast unfriendly glances at Jin Gui and his apprentice.

However, afraid of his status as an elder and his usual temperament, they dared not speak up, although visibly angry.

With just a few words, Feng Kunhai managed to sow discord between Jin Gui and others, showing the depth of his scheming.

"What nonsense are you spouting! When did my master ever say... Ouch, woo woo!" Ding Mao couldn’t help but start cursing but suddenly felt pain in his mouth, blood mixing with broken teeth poured out.

"Master..." Ding Mao cried, holding his broken teeth, looking at Jin Gui.

Earlier, Feng Kunhai had acted, and Jin Gui hadn’t had time to stop him, which already made him very angry. Now, seeing his beloved disciple being beaten like this right in front of him, a feeling of humiliation overwhelmed him. With blue and purple light condensing in his palm, he shouted angrily, "Feng Kunhai, what are you doing!"

Feng Kunhai replied nonchalantly, "An elder is speaking, when is it a disciple’s turn to interrupt? Jin Gui, is this the kind of disciple you teach? Breaking his teeth is giving you face; if it happens again, I’ll rip out his tongue!"

Jin Gui was infuriated, while Ding Mao hid fearfully behind him, not daring to look at Feng Kunhai again.

"Even if my disciple is at fault, it’s not your place to discipline him!" Jin Gui retorted angrily.

Feng Kunhai looked at him disdainfully, ignoring him, while he focused on the compass in his hand.

"You!" Feeling belittled, Jin Gui was about to step forward and challenge Feng Kunhai.

Seeing the tension rising, an elder immediately stepped up, advising the two, "Gentlemen, we’re on an important mission, please focus on the bigger picture and put personal grievances aside for now. Once we’ve completed the dean’s task, you can settle your differences however you wish."

On any other day, Jin Gui wouldn’t have heeded this elder’s advice.

But today was different.

His small eyes shifted, suppressing the anger in his heart, and after giving Feng Kunhai a fierce look, he withdrew his spiritual power. He couldn’t allow others to hold something against him; if something went wrong with the mission, what if these cunning old foxes pinned the blame on him?

Therefore, he had to endure for now, and address it after the mission was completed!

Jin Gui’s gaze towards Feng Kunhai already concealed murderous intent.

For now, the matter subsided.

Over a hundred members of the Refining Tower remained at the edge of the Endless Swamp, waiting for Feng Kunhai to calculate the results.

Suddenly, a disciple from Refining Tower, sent to scout the vicinity, hurriedly arrived, his face slightly tense, and whispered something to Feng Kunhai.

After listening, Feng Kunhai’s face turned grim.

The other elders noticed and quickly asked, "Elder Feng, has something happened?"

Feng Kunhai did not hide the matter; he looked at the other elders and said, "The people from Myriad Beasts Sect are also heading towards the Endless Swamp."

"Myriad Beasts Sect? What are they here for? This place is full of swamps, there are no living creatures," an elder remarked, puzzled.

Other Refining Tower disciples speculated about the purpose of Myriad Beasts Sect’s presence.

Upon hearing about the arrival of Myriad Beasts Sect, Jin Gui’s eyelid twitched involuntarily. He frowned and said, "Could it be they’re also here for the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame?"

This statement immediately put everyone in the Refining Tower on alert.

Myriad Beasts Sect is not to be trifled with.

Even someone as protective and domineering as Jin Gui would tread carefully if Ding Mao caused trouble with Myriad Beasts Sect; he would only dare to argue but not actually harm them.

Because people in Myriad Beasts Sect are the only ones on this continent who can control spirit beasts.

They are known as Heavenly Communication Masters, able to subdue spirit beasts using special means, commanding them to serve their purposes and even fight for them.

Typically, ordinary disciples of Myriad Beasts Sect can control one low-rank spirit beast. Those given special attention can control two to three low-rank spirit beasts, and the core disciples are even more formidable, able to control one or two middle-rank spirit beasts. Not to mention those who become elders in Myriad Beasts Sect; each of them walks out with four or five spirit beasts in hand, ranging from low-rank to high-rank.

Therefore, the combat power of Myriad Beasts Sect is usually two to three times that of Refining Tower.

Even with spiritual artifacts, facing off against spirit beasts is challenging and a tough battle to win!

"How many of them are there?" Feng Kunhai inquired to the disciple who brought the news.

The disciple hesitated and said, "There’s over a hundred of them."

Over a hundred?!

Everyone on the side of the Refining Tower, both elders and disciples, looked troubled.

Over a hundred Myriad Beasts Sect disciples, plus their spirit beasts, if they’re really here for the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, how could they fight them?

Jin Gui looked towards Feng Kunhai and asked, "You’re the elder leading this mission, what do we do next?"

Feng Kunhai’s eyes turned cold as he silently cursed, "Old fox!" Previously, they were flaunting their defiance; now, hearing about Myriad Beasts Sect’s involvement, they’re quick to stand aside and let him handle it.

Smirking inwardly, Feng Kunhai saw through Jin Gui’s thoughts clearly.

He’s just afraid of failing the mission and being blamed, so he withdrew.

Yet, he is, in fact, the elder handpicked by the dean for this task, leaving him no choice.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "In the Endless Swamp, there is no living creature. I can’t think of anything that would be a target for Myriad Beasts Sect, so they’re likely here for the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame. They have strength in numbers, and it would be unwise for us to confront them directly. Our best move now is to enter the swamp, quickly find the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, and then leave, avoiding contact and conflict as much as possible. We must prioritize completing the mission!"

These words resonated with the disciples of the Refining Tower.

None of them wanted to fight with Myriad Beasts Sect members, nor did they want to lose their lives in the Endless Swamp.

Even Jin Gui, who opposed Feng Kunhai, didn’t disagree.

Once a consensus was reached, over a hundred members of the Refining Tower quickly proceeded into the Endless Swamp.

Their method was somewhat similar to Mu Qingge’s, but also different.

For this mission, they specially crafted flat boats capable of floating in the swamp, each accommodating ten people. A fleet of these boats entered the Endless Swamp grandly.

For protection against the noxious fumes, they had already consumed Detoxification Pills purchased from the Medicine Tower, showing their thorough preparation.

After entering the swamp, Feng Kunhai guided everyone forward according to the direction previously calculated.

And coincidentally, the direction they entered matched the random path Mu Qingge had taken!

...

Mu Qingge was unaware that the Refining Tower members had entered the Endless Swamp following behind her.

She originally intended to use her spiritual sense to search for the whereabouts of the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame. However, she unexpectedly discovered that her spiritual sense couldn’t penetrate far through the green miasma.

Essentially, the distance she could sense with her spiritual sense was similar to what she could see with her eyes.

Realizing this, Mu Qingge abandoned the idea of using her spiritual sense to navigate and decided to take her chances honestly within the Endless Swamp!

Amidst the boundless and endless swamp, two different groups had arrived.

And after the Refining Tower members disappeared into the Endless Swamp, another group appeared along the edge.

This group, equal in numbers to the Refining Tower team, had almost every member accompanied by a spirit beast. Various spirit beasts obediently and docilely stayed close to their owners, showing none of the fierce aura of spirit beasts found in mountains and forests.

They were disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect.

The one leading the group is an Elder possessing four Middle Rank Spirit Beasts, and his cultivation has already reached the Purple Realm Peak.

It can be said that his combat power is the strongest among all those entering the Endless Swamp.

He rides on the back of a mystical wolf, gazing at the black Endless Swamp, not rushing to enter.

Behind him, there are disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Among these disciples, most have more than two Spirit Beasts, and they are generally key disciples cultivated within the Myriad Beasts Sect. They came here with the Elder, but they know little, only that this is their trial mission.

They need to take something from the Endless Swamp.

Among them, the only person who knows the details, besides the leading Elder, is probably the Young Sect Master of the Myriad Beasts Sect, Taishi Gao.

Taishi Gao’s Spirit Beast is a single-horned black panther with a completely dark body.

Yet, he particularly likes wearing a set of white scholar robes, dressed like a refined gentleman.

In his hand, he holds a folding fan, occasionally opening and fanning himself, resembling those dashing talents with impressive appearance.

He lightly kicked the black panther with a foot, and the black panther leisurely moved forward, coming to the side of the mystical wolf. Taishi Gao shook the folding fan and asked Elder Hei Mu beside him, "Elder Hei Mu, why have we stopped moving?"

Hei Mu’s gaze at the Endless Swamp didn’t change, but he softly replied, "I can sense that a lot of people gathered here before; their aura still lingers."

Taishi Gao’s eyes squinted, and a cold glint flashed in his slender pupils. "Someone entered the Endless Swamp ahead of us?"

"It seems so." Hei Mu nodded.

Seeing his certainty, Taishi Gao swiftly closed his fan, his brows furrowing slightly, "Has the information leaked, causing others to come for it as well?"

Regarding this, Hei Mu wasn’t sure and shook his head, "Unless we see them and interrogate them, it’s impossible to know."

"Then let’s go in." Taishi Gao said coldly.

"No rush." Hei Mu stopped Taishi Gao’s decision.

Taishi Gao frowned in dissatisfaction but didn’t display anger. He just asked, "What does Elder plan to do?"

Hei Mu looked at the sky, then at the poisonous miasma over the Endless Swamp. He said to Taishi Gao, "It looks like it’s going to rain. Once it rains, the poisonous miasma here will thicken. The Antitoxic Pills we brought may not fully neutralize the miasma’s corrosion. Let’s wait until the rain stops, then enter."

Considering matters of life and death, Taishi Gao didn’t insist on his previous opinion.

He nodded in agreement with Hei Mu’s decision.

The Myriad Beasts Sect’s people temporarily rested at the edge of the Endless Swamp. It wasn’t long before it started raining over the Endless Swamp; a heavy rain poured down, making the green poisonous miasma become thicker.

Hei Mu still sat on the mystical wolf, gazing at the rain-drenched sky, thinking to himself, ’If those who went in ahead are poisoned to death by the miasma, it saves us quite a bit of trouble.’

Behind him, Taishi Gao had already ordered a tent to be set up, cushioned the ground, and prepared fruits and snacks.

The single-horned black panther lay at the entrance, resting with closed eyes, while two selected female disciples entered Taishi Gao’s tent. Soon, laughter came from the tent.

The sound reached Hei Mu’s ears, but he didn’t find it strange and had no reaction.

During the heavy rain, Mu Qingge directly returned to the space to rest. However, the people of the Refining Tower weren’t as fortunate. The small boat lacked a canopy to shield from the rain, so they could only put on their raincoats and continue forward in the rain.

The heavy rain thickened the poisonous miasma in the Endless Swamp, making many of the Refining Tower disciples feel discomfort, causing mild coughs.

Ding Mao was already injured, and now inhaling too much miasma made him feel unbearably as if his body was burning with pain. He tugged at his collar and said to Jin Gui, "Master, I feel terrible!"

Jin Gui wasn’t feeling well either, but seeing his disciple’s state, he pursed his lips, frowned, placed a hand on Ding Mao’s shoulder, and used spiritual power to dispel the miasma from his body.

In the Endless Swamp, spiritual power seems to deplete faster than outside.

Before long, Jin Gui felt his spiritual power waning, and he called out to Feng Kunhai, "Elder Feng, if we continue like this without finding the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, we’ll all be poisoned to death by these miasmas!"

Feng Kunhai wasn’t feeling any better, and Jin Gui’s words made him more impatient. But seeing the disciples around being corroded by miasma, Feng Kunhai gritted his teeth, took out more Detoxification Pills from his pocket, and distributed them.

Once everyone had taken them, Feng Kunhai said, "The Detoxification Pills are limited, so everyone should try to resist the miasmas on their own as much as possible. If you can’t bear it anymore, then ask me for the elixir."

These words made the Refining Tower disciples’ expressions become grave, and they dared not be careless.

Fortunately, the rain finally stopped.

The miasmas thickened by the rain gradually thinned.

Feng Kunhai let out a sigh of relief and looked at the exhausted, disheveled disciples around him and said, "Everyone, rest here."

The disciples of the Refining Tower sat on their small boats, seizing the time to rest. Due to the limited space on the boat, they were all curled up, looking very pitiful.

Feng Kunhai didn’t rest but took out the special compass to continue calculating the next route.

Ding Mao sat with Jin Gui, stealing a glance at Feng Kunhai, and said with dissatisfaction, "What was the dean thinking? Clearly, you’re the most senior amongst the elders here, yet they had that Feng lead the team."

These words hit Jin Gui’s dissatisfaction directly.

He cast a dark glance at Feng Kunhai and said to his disciple, "Just a flatterer, really thinking he has some ability."

Ding Mao quickly agreed, "Master is right! Such a scoundrel can’t compare to you, Master."

The people of the Refining Tower rested for half an hour before Feng Kunhai ordered to continue moving. In the Endless Swamp, besides the swamp, there was nothing else.

No land to rest on, nor any food or clean water.

If they were tired, they could only rest on the boat; if hungry or thirsty, they could only consume the food and water they brought.

Limited resources also limited their time.

If they took a wrong path or delayed due to any reason, it could lead to life-threatening situations.

Feng Kunhai directed the course ahead, occasionally adjusting the deviated path. His gaze occasionally swept over Jin Gui, and his heart rose with a hint of annoyance.

His disciple approached sensing that the master’s mood was bad and complained, "The dean also knows that Elder Jin doesn’t get along with Master and that his temperament is odd, good and bad at times. Why did he bring him along for this mission?"

"Shut up. Is an Elder someone you can gossip about?" Feng Kunhai’s gaze moved from Jin Gui to his disciple as he sternly said.

The disciple was startled and quickly admitted his mistake, "Disciple has erred, please don’t blame me, Master."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Feng Kunhai replied, "Some things can only be understood in your heart, not spoken. Otherwise, if it reaches others’ ears, it becomes a tool for them to use against you, understand?"

"Disciple understands, thank you for teaching, Master." The disciple quickly replied humbly.

Feng Kunhai nodded and looked ahead.

The dozen or so small boats of the Refining Tower gradually penetrated the Endless Swamp, and their direction coincided with that of Mu Qingge. Even if they occasionally deviated, the main direction remained the same.

Continuing like this, it wouldn’t be long before they collided.

The rain stopped, and the miasma dissipated quite a bit.

After Hei Mu waited for Taishi Gao to refreshingly come out of the tent, he said, "We can set out now."

Finally able to enter the Endless Swamp, Taishi Gao’s eyes showed a layer of excitement.

He sat on the single-horned black panther, looking at the vast black Endless Swamp, with an unmistakable eagerness in his eyes.

In the tent, the two female disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect came out with flushed faces after tidying their clothes, and the hundred people each mounted their Spirit Beasts, standing behind Hei Mu and Taishi Gao.

Hei Mu lightly patted the mystical wolf’s head, and the mystical wolf howled skyward with a leap, directly jumping into the Endless Swamp. Its speed was swift, and it landed gracefully. Moreover, when landing, it stepped on firmer parts of the swamp that were less likely to sink.

Perhaps only Spirit Beasts could sense which parts of this swamp were safe to tread upon and which weren’t.

Up ahead, with Hei Mu’s mystical wolf leading, hundreds of Myriad Beasts Sect disciples followed the footprints of the mystical wolf and entered the Endless Swamp.

The people of the Myriad Beasts Sect eventually entered the swamp, approaching its depths.

However, their direction seemed to converge with that of Mu Qingge and the Refining Tower...