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A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, and the ashen swamp was illuminated for a split second.
Qi Lin blinked. Then, he trekked deeper into the marsh, where the thunderbolts increased in number and peals of lightning constantly interwove in the sky. A lightning flash struck the surface of the swamp, instantly making a section of the water arc with blinding electricity.
As expected, the Thunder Swamp was a Savage Region. The power of such ordinary lightning was equivalent to a Tier Five or higher ability. This signified that a Primordial Infant cultivator would not last a single blow while Golden Core Bagua cultivators would be destroyed after several. Consequently, those that dared to appear in the Thunder Swamp were generally only God Transformation Realm or higher in cultivation, but even so, Gold Transformation cultivators could circle around the outskirts of the Thunder Swamp in search of precious treasures.
After entering the Thunder Swamp’s inner ring, there was Nine Firmaments Astral Thunder above, and each Divine Thunder had God Transformation Realm power. Below, there was a seven chi Thunder Pond. These Thunder Ponds were like a bog; after a cultivator fell in, even their Primordial Spirit would be entirely destroyed unless they possessed formidable magical energy. Astral Thunder above, Thunder Pond below. This practically made a cultivator unable to advance even an inch, deterring many.
Qi Lin killed many Demon Beasts in the Thunder Swamp, but while these Demon Cores were far from comparison to Immemorial-level Strange Beasts, they were still better than nothing for refinement into the Ten Thousand Beasts Unbounded Banner.
Today.
The group advanced through the Thunder Swamp when they suddenly heard the rumbling of thunder. Upon a careful listen, this thunder was like the beating of a drum, extremely rhythmic, slow and drawn-out.
Bang.
Bang, bang.
Bang, bang, bang.
Qi Lin almost could not help but clap along. “This doesn’t seem like normal thunder.”
“All manner of oddities happen in the Thunder Swamp.” Xian Zhen also felt this was strange but did not pay it much mind.
After walking for several more hours, the rhythmic thunder rolls slowly abated, and the Thunder Swamp regained its calm. At this time, Qi Lin finally caught sight of the Heavenly Decree Palace’s people.
The Heavenly Decree Palace’s cultivators wore their signature robes, and their Flying Swords glinted with dark lights around them. They were organized into teams, each with numerous members.
But they did not stop and flew into the Thunder Swamp.
In the midst of these cultivators, Qi Lin noticed the Divine Name, Wei Hu.
There was also a woman surrounded by a formation of a hundred cultivators, and Wei Hu also followed after her. This woman was very impeccable, with an extraordinary temperament, and an immaculate face. She held her hands behind her back as she moved about.
“That is the Daoxing Tianzun.” Xian Zhen’s expression slightly changed.
The Daoxing Tianzun’s magical energy was immense, already surpassing High Ancient Divine Realm. On orders from the Yuanshi Tianzun, she established their sect in the Northern Continent and became its ruler. Judging from her imposing style, she was worthy of the name. Qi Lin practically had no chance at victory.
“I know her. In the past, she did not have such a large entourage when she came to seek out Master.” Nezha recognized the Daoxing Tianzun’s appearance.
“Your Master knows her?”
“Yeah.”
Qi Lin thought for a moment. It would be very normal for the Taiyi Zhenren to be aware of their sect.
“How is their relationship?”
“I feel that she’s quite scared of Master, hee, hee.” Nezha giggled.
Qi Lin suddenly had an idea, “Nezha, I fear I have something to trouble you with.”
“This Great Deity doesn’t do trouble.” Nezha pursed her lips.
“How about this, after you do it, I’ll accept one request from you.”
“Any request?” Nezha thought for a moment. “Then can you give me Qi Qi.”
“Just hurry up and agree with Big Brother!” Qi QI glared at her. Nezha stuck out her tongue in fright.
“Fine, what is it.”
Qi Lin whispered into the girl’s ear. Nezha’s expression was flushed, but she could not easily resist. After listening, her brow adorably furrowed. “Then you have to keep your promise. Nezha is not willing to do this.”
“Of course.”
“Fine.”
…
“Hm?”
The Daoxing Tianzun suddenly narrowed her eyes and stared in Qi Lin’s direction.
The place Qi Lin was at had a large and lush wetland forest, muddled with swamp gasses and electricity. Even with expert concealment of their forms and breathing, the Daoxing Tianzun still sensed something. She opened her palm and sent a ball of light hurtling towards the swamp.
This is bad.
Qi Lin was shocked. If they were discovered, then everything would be for naught.
Just at the last moment, Nezha stood up.
Little Nezha thrust her Fire-tipped Spear through the ball of light, then shot straight up into the air on her Wind Fire Wheels.
The Daozing Tianzun grunted.
The disciples of the Heavenly Decree Palace immediately surrounded her. In the instant that Nezha revealed herself, those hundred disciples split apart into a formation. The dark lights surrounding their bodies shot forth and gathered into a net, surprisingly arranging into a constellation pattern. In an instant, Nezha was trapped inside.
Nezha was astonished. She wanted to charge out, but when she touched a gap, those hundred dark lights gathered together and unleashed powerful magical energy. Little Nezha had no choice but to step back.
“Don’t be impulsive.”
Qi Li held back the listless Qi Qi as they stared into the sky.
“Enough scheming. You cannot escape this ‘Heaven And Earth Duel Number Star Array.'” The Daozing Tianzun was instantly above Nezha. When she saw the girl in the net, she showed a slightly surprised expression.
She had thought that abnormal aura she sensed in that swamp forest just now was a cultivator spying on her; she did not expect it to be a girl.
“You are…” The Daoxing Tianzun was shocked when she looked closer at Nezha. “Nezha.”
“Hurry up and let This Great Deity out, so annoying.” Nezha sprouted her three heads and six arms, wanting to stab her way out of the Duel Number Star Array.
“The disciple of the Taiyi Zhenren.” Wei Hu was surprised.
The Taiyi Zhenren was also of their sect, one of the Golden Immortals under the Yuanshi Tianzun. In terms of position, the Daoxing Tianzun needed to address the Taizi Zhenren as “elder sister.”
“Nezha, I heard you committed a blunder at Tianjing,1 but that stupid Elder Sister Tai’er used a “One Life Lotus” to rescue you. Why have you run to here.”
“Hmph, This Great Deity heard the Thunder Swamp was dangerous and came. Can’t I?” Nezha scoffed.
Last time at Yunmeng Lake, Wei Hu’s group was defeated in practically an instant by Qi Qi’s Jingu Bang. They did not spot Nezha then and were unaware she was with the Great Sage Equal Of Heaven. Wei Hu listened to the explanation and saw no one else was around, leaving her quite convinced; even she was aware that Nezha was training. That she was at the Northern Continent’s Savage Region for the Thunder Swamp would not be odd except for the timing.
“Are you going to kill me?” Nezha asked.
The Daoxing Tianzun gave a signal.
The Heavenly Decree Palace’s disciples retracted the Star Array. Nezha wanted to leave when she was stopped by one of the Daoxing Tianzun’s fingers.
“Since you are the disciple that Elder Sister Tai’er treasures most, This One ought to take good care of you.” The Daoxing Tianzun faintly smiled.
“Pervert, what are you doing.” Nezha was terrified, her expression a bit flustered.
“Outrageous, to actually dare blaspheme against the Tianzun.” Wei Hu furiously said.
The Daoxing Tianzun did not mind. She clenched her fist, and a ray of light wrapped around Nezha, slowly reverting her to her original appearance, “You will come with This One to see the Daydream together.”
“Go away, damned pervert. Ah.”
“Nezha has made a mistake.”
The Daoxing Tianzun laughed, not minding Nezha’s struggle as she brought her along.
“Let us go.”
Wei Hu looked around and commanded everyone to follow.
After the Heavenly Decree Palace left, Qi Lin, Qi Qi, and Xian Zhen finally emerged from the depths of the marsh.
“This is bad, Nezha has been taken by the Daoxing Tianzun.” Xian Zhen said.
“Brother, will you go rescue her?” Qi Qi asked.
“No need. Nezha is the Taiyi Zhenren’s disciple. Look at the situation. The Daoxing Tianzun won’t make things difficult for, but she is afraid of Nezha causing trouble, which is why she took her. THis is good. Nezha being with the Daoxing Tianzun means she can monitor their location, which is good for us.”
“This is what you made Nezha help you wiht?” Xian Zhen asked.
“En.”
The Heavenly Decree Palace was the greatest enemy in forging the Divine Cauldron. Although their goals were differnet, from a safety perspective, QI Lin needed to know the Heavenly Decree Palace’s every move. Completely grasping the Daoxing Tianzun’s whereabouts this way was thus easily arranged, and Nezha was the best spy.
However, Qi Lin was more concerned about the blunder that the Daoxing Tianzun had mentioned. What offense could that spry and lively Nezha have done?
…
Thunder Swamp Inner Circle.
“Feng Wuji, are you certain this is it?”
A group of people arrived at the swamp. The marsh stretched as far as the eye could see, with countless wisps of murky qi and sparks of thunder above.
A beautiful girl parted her red lips ever so slightly, faintly asking.
“Answering Your Highness, you will be able to enter the Thunder Swamp’s center region after crossing this area. Wuji can guarantee that.” A thin young man with listless eyes stepped forward, trembling.
This young man was Feng Wuji, the son of the Feng Clan’s third uncle. On the basis of age she should be addressing him as big brother, but in terms of cultivation, this big brother truly lacked any talent to speak of and thus was not viewed as particularly valuable in the family. The Feng Clan disciples willing to venture to the Thunder Swamp were not numerous. That Feng Wuji dared to come here with only God Transformation cultivation made her give him a new level of respect.
According to Feng Wuji himself, he had come to the Thunder Swamp in the past for arduous training and cultivation. He knew a shortcut that could avoid the Thunder Ponds and advance into the center of the Thunder Swamp.
He absolutely could not deceive her with his shallow cultivation. Feng Huang’er and the other disciples of the Feng Clan unanimously agreed to sally forth. This allowed them to avoid some dangers and directly reach the Thunder Swamp’s central region.
But upon reaching this swamp, Feng Huang’er could not help but frown deeply when she saw the environment in front of her.
There appeared to be no way out at all.
“Then you shall lead the way, Feng Wuji.” A Feng Clan disciple sneered and arrogantly ordered him about.
“Alright, alright. I hope that brothers and sisters can distribute a bit of the benefits to Wuji when the time comes.” Feng Wuji submissively said.
“Of course, you will be allotted a share.” Everyone jeered.
Feng Wuji walked in the front. Because this swamp hid the Thunder Ponds, everyone was cautious. They did not dare tread one foot into a Thunder Pond. Feng Wuji deftly advanced unobstructed, allowing everyone to greatly ease their minds.
Seeing there was cannon fodder leading the way, the Feng Clan’s disciples relaxed.
“Feng Wuji, you said you received so many cultivation medicines from the clan, yet you are only God Transformation Middle Stage right now. Are you a cripple or not?”
“In any case, you are of the direct line. How are you so useless.”
“He lives with his head in the clouds all day, shaming the Feng CLan’s face.”
Everyone laughed.
“Compared to Little Sister Huang’er, you truly are accomplished.”
“How fortunate that our Feng Clan has a genius like Little Sister Huang’er, otherwise we would truly have no face.”
As they mocked Feng Wuji, they sang Feng Huang’er’s praises. All along, Feng Huang’er said nothing. The girl merely watched this Big Brother Wuji, looking for how he would react. Although the Feng Clan disciples mocking him were Void Return cultivation, they were not even from the branch families. According to status, they should be below him, but Feng Wuji still wore that repulsive grin.
“Silence. You mock a young master, do you want to die? I can punish you all on behalf of the Clan.” Feng Huang’er rebuked them. The girl’s brows were knit together in anger.
The disciples immediately stopped speaking.
“Apologize to Big Brother Wuji right now!”
“Apologies, we went too far.”
“Little Sister Huang was correct to chide us.”
Everyone was insincere, their apologetic expressions brimming with disdain.
Feng Wuji chuckled.
Feng Huang was truly repulsed. Although that Big Brother Feng Wuji lacked talent, he was never cowardly. At some point in time, he became an indescribable yes-man, as if he was afraid of offending someone.
As she thought this, the swamp under Feng Huang’er suddenly softened, and a black python flew out from the marsh. One Feng Clan disciple was caught off-guard and immediately lost his head, his face still maintaining his complacent expression of ridicule.
Whoosh-whoosh.
That black python brought with it a foul wind as it split into nine, winding around the group like nine anacondas.
Upon careful inspection, that was not snake but a Flying Dagger forming dagger-lights.
The Feng Clan disciples were caught off-guard by the sudden change, and those flying python dagger-lights were vicious, giving them no chances.
“Wuji!” Feng Huang’er was startled.
In front of her, Feng Wuji stood atop a swamp, nonchalant. This yes-man changed from his previous listlessness, and his eyes were full of greed.
“Very good, I did not possess this body in vain. Killing you will not only restore my cultivation but even advance it. This is splendid, ha, ha.”
A woman burst out from the the swamp, raising a foul wind, like a large snake.
She was none other than Xiang Liu!
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