Chapter 186

The flying vessel pierced clouds and mist, racing southward. Gu Yusheng stood at the prow, his sleeves fluttering, his expression focused as he controlled the direction. Mei Ruoxue sat in the middle of the vessel, eyes closed, regulating her breath, a faint chill emanating from her body as if isolated from the outside world. Shi Ran sat at the stern, holding the Patrol Heaven Order, her mind immersed within it, carefully sensing the faint yet polluted aura of the beacon pointing toward the Black Wind Marsh.

As the flying vessel traveled south, the originally pure and clear spiritual energy in the air gradually became thin and turbid, faintly mixed with an unpleasant fishy-sweet and rotten odor. The terrain below shifted from green mountains and clear waters to a misty, distorted, and strange wetland edge.

"We are about to enter the outer perimeter of the Black Wind Marsh—be on guard." Gu Yusheng's cold voice rang out, breaking the silence within the vessel.

Mei Ruoxue opened her eyes, a sharp light flashing briefly in her pupils. Shi Ran also put away the Patrol Heaven Order, stood up, and turned her gaze downward.

Before them lay an endless expanse of dark marshland, black mud bubbling and gurgling, releasing a piercing stench. Twisted, dead trees stood like claws in the marsh, their trunks entwined with colorful vines, appearing eerie and dangerous. A gray-black miasma hung like gauze above, obstructing vision and even causing spiritual sense to feel sluggish and polluted upon entry.

Gu Yusheng lowered the vessel's altitude and landed on a relatively firm high ground where some dark red moss grew.

"This is already the outer edge of the marsh, where demonic beasts are active frequently. The flying vessel is too conspicuous—we will proceed on foot." Gu Yusheng stowed the vessel and gave a concise order: "According to mission intelligence, the recent core area of demonic beast disturbances lies in the 'Corrupt Poison Pool' deep within the marsh. Our mission is to cleanse demonic beasts along the way and investigate the source of the Corrupt Poison Pool's anomaly, eliminating it if possible."

He glanced at Mei Ruoxue: "The environment here is harsh, demonic qi penetrates everywhere—you must protect yourselves and conserve spiritual power. Ruoxue..." He paused, as if wanting to say something, but seeing Shi Ran, that bright lightbulb, he held back and finally said, "Stay close to the team. If you feel unwell, speak up immediately."

"Alright!" Shi Ran readily agreed. She could feel that when demonic qi approached her body, it was naturally repelled by the faint light emitted from the Patrol Heaven Order, forming an invisible layer of protection. This eased her mind somewhat.

Mei Ruoxue said nothing, merely nodding, her fingertips condensing a thread of icy sword qi, silently indicating her readiness.

The three formed a triangular formation: Gu Yusheng led the way, Mei Ruoxue took the rear, and Shi Ran stayed in the center, carefully stepping into this barren land.

Beneath their feet lay soft, sticky mud—carelessness would cause them to sink. The air was filled with toxic miasma, requiring constant circulation of spiritual power to resist. The surroundings were eerily silent, save for occasional distant roars from unknown creatures in the marsh depths and the gurgling of bursting bubbles, adding to the gloom.

After traveling only a few li, change struck suddenly!

"Hiss hiss hiss—"

Suddenly, the mud ahead exploded, and several tendrils covered in slime, resembling tentacles and ending in pale white fangs, shot toward the three like lightning! At the same time, from behind the withered trees on both sides, several creatures resembling lizards but covered in black bone armor and with glowing red eyes emerged—Corrupt Marsh Lizard Demons!

"Beware the Bone-Corroding Magic Vines!" Gu Yusheng shouted low, his long sword already drawn, transforming into a clear sword light that precisely slashed at the tendrils. Where the sword light passed, the vines snapped, spraying foul black juice from the breaks.

Mei Ruoxue acted almost simultaneously, her fingers together like a sword, pointing into the air—several ice shards instantly condensed, carrying piercing cold, shooting toward the Corrupt Marsh Lizard Demons. The ice shards struck the bone armor, producing a crisp "ding ding" sound; though they did not pierce immediately, the extreme cold spread, instantly slowing the lizard demons' movements.

Shi Ran reacted extremely quickly. At the instant Gu Yusheng shouted, her mind stirred—the Patrol Heaven Order hovered before her, and a layer of pale gold, transparent shield instantly unfolded, enveloping the three—precisely the Patrol Heaven Shield!

"Puff puff puff!" Several Bone-Corroding Magic Vines that slipped through struck the shield, like hitting copper walls and iron bars, unable to advance an inch, only futilely twisting and beating. The black juice splashed onto the shield, making a "hiss hiss" corrosive sound, yet could not move the golden light in the slightest.

Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue both flashed a hint of surprise in their eyes. They could feel the shield's solidity, as well as its pure yang and righteous aura that subdued demons.

"Excellent technique!" Gu Yusheng praised, his hand unceasing—his sword light split, weaving like a swimming dragon, shredding the remaining Bone-Corroding Magic Vines. Mei Ruoxue seized the moment the lizard demons were slowed by ice, changed her sword tactic, and a fiercer ice crystal storm swept out, instantly freezing several lizard demons into ice sculptures, followed by her sword qi crushing them into powder.

The first wave of attack was easily resolved.

Gu Yusheng sheathed his sword, looking at Shi Ran's Patrol Heaven Order and the steady shield before her, his eyes gaining a few more degrees of approval: "With this protective treasure, our journey's safety is greatly increased."

Mei Ruoxue also smiled faintly, her icy intent lessening by two parts.

Shi Ran put away the shield, her expression normal: "This order is sensitive to demonic qi and may give early warning."

Indeed, during the subsequent journey, the Patrol Heaven Order trembled multiple times, emitting warning-like fluctuations, allowing the three to detect hidden demonic beasts in the mud or miasma in advance, or to avoid naturally formed toxic trap barriers. Shi Ran also gradually tried using "Purifying Evil Golden Light," condensing the purification halo's power into a beam to deal with smaller, agile demonic beasts—significant effect, often the golden light flashing and the beasts melting like snow under the sun.

Her performance made Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue completely set aside their worries about her injury, beginning to truly regard her as a reliable teammate.

The deeper they went into the marsh, the thicker the demonic qi became, and the demonic beasts grew stronger and stranger. There were flying demon bats that spat corrosive venom, giant crocodile demons lurking in the deep mud that launched sudden attacks, and bewitching heart-demons flowers that released mental shocks to confuse the mind.

The three's coordination grew ever more seamless. Gu Yusheng's swordsmanship was exquisite, broad and bold, mainly responsible for frontal assault and containment; Mei Ruoxue's ice-system spells were immensely powerful and strongly controlling, often instantly changing the battlefield, freezing or slowing enemies; Shi Ran relied on the Patrol Heaven Order, taking on primary defense, purification, and auxiliary attack duties—her presence greatly eased the pressure on Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue from resisting demonic qi erosion.

After two consecutive days of travel and battle, all three were considerably drained, but gains were substantial—large numbers of demonic beasts cleared, and they collected special materials that only grow in demonic qi environments, usable for refining antidote pills or specific magical tools.

At night, they found a relatively dry temporary campsite formed by several large black rocks. Gu Yusheng set up a simple warning and aura-isolating array, while Mei Ruoxue released cold air to drive away surrounding poisonous insects and moisture.

The three sat in meditation to recover. Shi Ran held the Patrol Heaven Order, absorbing its pure energy to restore spiritual power, while silently sensing the beacon pointing toward the Corrupt Poison Pool. That polluted aura seemed to grow clearer, carrying a throbbing unease that made the heart palpitate.

"At this speed, we should reach the Corrupt Poison Pool area by tomorrow afternoon." Gu Yusheng wiped his long sword, speaking solemnly: "According to reports from earlier scouting disciples, the demonic beasts near the Corrupt Poison Pool are not only numerous but also seem catalyzed by some power, becoming exceptionally ferocious, possibly even including late Foundation Establishment or even False Core level demonic beast leaders. We need to devise a detailed plan."

Mei Ruoxue spoke coldly: "Priority is to eliminate the source. If there is an anomaly in the pool, I can use Profound Ice True Qi to temporarily freeze the pool surface, creating an opportunity."

Shi Ran thought, then said: "My Patrol Heaven Order senses demonic qi sources most strongly—it may pinpoint precisely. Its purifying power might directly harm the source."

Gu Yusheng nodded: "Good. When the time comes, we will act according to circumstances. If the situation is hopeless, preserving ourselves comes first—we will retreat immediately and seek aid from the sect."

After the discussion was settled, the three fell silent again, seizing the time to recover.

The next day, when the morning sun barely penetrated the thick miasma, casting mottled, dim yellow light and shadow, the three set out again. The closer they got to the Corrupt Poison Pool, the worse the environment became. The mud turned into sticky, black oil-like substance; when bubbles burst, they no longer released stench but visible traces of black demonic qi. The surrounding plants were completely demonized, twisted into grotesque shapes like grinning ghostly shadows.

The frequency and intensity of demonic beast attacks also surged. Some previously unseen varieties appeared, such as the "Weeping Demon" formed from countless fragments of resentful souls, whose piercing shriek could directly attack the soul; and the "Marsh Mud Monster," capable of splitting and regenerating, extremely difficult to deal with.

Combat became extremely arduous. Gu Yusheng's sword light remained fierce, but consumption was enormous; Mei Ruoxue's ice seal range was constantly eroded and compressed by the thick demonic qi; Shi Ran's Patrol Heaven Shield, after enduring several powerful attacks, began to ripple, and spiritual power consumption intensified.

Finally, in the afternoon, the three broke through a large swarm of flying demon bats and marsh mud monsters' mixed encirclement, and before them opened up—a vast poison pool surging with dark green bubbles appeared before their eyes.

The Corrupt Poison Pool!

The pool water was black as ink, exuding a nauseating stench and thick demonic qi. Around the pool lay piles of white bones—human and various demon beasts alike. In the center of the pool stood a small island, on which something seemed to be built, faintly flashing with dark red light. And the strongest polluted beacon sensed by the Patrol Heaven Order pointed precisely to that small island!

"The source is on the island!" Shi Ran affirmed.

Gu Yusheng's expression turned grave: "The demonic qi in the pool water is even stronger—there may be a major entity hidden there. We cannot recklessly fly across."

At this moment, the water of the Corrupt Poison Pool violently churned!

"Roar—!"

Accompanied by an earth-shaking roar, a colossal creature broke through the pool water, revealing its form. It was a gigantic monster serpent, its entire body covered in black scales, its head triangular, bearing a single horn, its scarlet snake eyes filled with violence and cruelty, demonic qi rolling around it, its aura reaching the False Core level!

"It is the Horned Demon Viper! Beware its venom and demonic sound!" Gu Yusheng's face changed, and he shouted sharply.

At the same time, from the mud around the pool, dozens of variously shaped powerful demonic beasts emerged, including several late Foundation Establishment level beings, encircling them completely!

The situation was critical!

"I will hold back the demon viper! Ruoxue, clear the minions! Shi Ran, protect us and look for a chance to purify the source!" Gu Yusheng instantly decided, leaping into the air without hesitation, his sword light swelling into a shocking heavenly rainbow, straight for the horned demon viper's head!

Mei Ruoxue's eyes turned icy, she formed seals with both hands, her body's cold qi surging—the ground instantly froze, countless ice spikes burst from the earth, stabbing toward the surrounding demonic beasts, while heavenly ice crystals shot like arrows toward the late Foundation Establishment demons.

Shi Ran took a deep breath, pushing the Patrol Heaven Order to its utmost! Majestic power spread outward, the pale gold Patrol Heaven Shield unfolded again, enveloping the three, while the purification halo expanded from her center—though its range was small, wherever the golden light passed, demonic qi melted like snow in boiling water, greatly weakening the demonic beasts' strength, especially low-level ones, with significant effect.

"Hiss—!" The horned demon viper was struck on the head by Gu Yusheng's sword light, its scales shattered, and in pain it let out a sharp hiss—this hiss actually carried a spiritual attack effect, causing Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue's movements to stagnate momentarily.

It opened its massive mouth and spat out a jet of black-as-ink, foul-smelling venom straight at Gu Yusheng!

"Careful!" Shi Ran's mind raced—the Patrol Heaven Shield instantly condensed before Gu Yusheng, while a refined "Purifying Evil Golden Light" struck first, hitting the venom jet.

"Hiss—!"

The venom collided with the golden light, violently melting—though not completely neutralized, its power was greatly reduced, allowing Gu Yusheng to easily dodge it.

Gu Yusheng glanced gratefully at Shi Ran, then changed his sword technique, becoming even fiercer as he entangled the demon viper.

On Mei Ruoxue's side, ice-element spells were unleashed to their utmost, freezing and shredding large swathes of demonic beasts, but the beasts were too numerous; among them, several late Foundation Establishment hard nuts also required her to expend considerable effort.

The battle fell into a stalemate. The Single-Horned Demon Viper had tough hide and thick flesh, abundant demonic essence; Gu Yusheng could not slay it in a short time. Meanwhile, the surrounding demonic beasts seemed endless; Mei Ruoxue's spiritual power was draining rapidly. Shi Ran simultaneously maintained the barrier, the purification halo, and occasionally cast the Evil-Breaking Golden Light to assist; the burden on her divine soul and spiritual power was also immense.

This can't go on!

Shi Ran's gaze turned toward the dark red glow on the islet at the pool's center, then looked at the demonic beasts continuously weakened under the purification halo yet replenished by the demonic qi surging from the pool; she understood — without severing the source's demonic qi supply, these beasts were virtually inexhaustible!

"Gu Yusheng, Senior Sister! Buy me time! I'll try attacking the source directly!" Shi Ran shouted loudly.

Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue heard this, their spirits lifted.

"Good!" Gu Yusheng let out a long whistle; his sword light suddenly became dense as a net, tightly entangling the Single-Horned Demon Viper that wanted to pounce on Shi Ran.

Mei Ruoxue, sparing no spiritual power, released vast expanses of "Polar Frost Domain," freezing solid all demonic beasts within several dozen zhang, temporarily clearing a safe zone!

Shi Ran sat cross-legged, hands clutching the Xuntian Token, sinking her entire mind into it. She no longer divided her strength to maintain the barrier and halo, but poured all her spiritual power, divine sense, even that trace of origin power born from life-bound cultivation with the Xuntian Token, entirely into it, guiding the vast, supremely yang and upright, myriad-evil-purifying power within!

The Xuntian Token trembled violently; on the dark gold token's surface, those ancient profound runes lit up one by one, emitting unprecedented brilliant golden light! A majestic pressure far surpassing before spread out, causing even that False Core realm Single-Horned Demon Viper to feel instinctive fear; its offensive slowed.

Golden light gathered above Shi Ran's head, gradually condensing into a shaft composed purely of light, inscribed with countless stellar runes — the Xuntian Demon-Slaying Arrow!