After crossing the perilous peak shrouded in gray mist, the grandeur and danger of the secret realm's core region struck them all at once. However, what lay between the alliance's team and that core zone was not a smooth road, but a vast, seemingly endless poison swamp that reeked of a thick, foul odor of death!
This poison swamp resembled a festering scar upon the earth. Dark green swamp mud bubbled like boiling water, each bursting bubble releasing a colorful miasma with strong corrosive and neurotoxic properties. Above the swamp, a thick layer of multicolored clouds formed by concentrated toxic miasma hung perpetually, blocking out sunlight and plunging the entire area into dim, ghostly gloom.
Within the mire, one could vaguely see twisted, grotesque remnants of withered trees and pale skeletons of unknown creatures. Even more spine-chilling were the occasional grating "rustling" sounds from deep in the swamp, and the faint noise of something slippery moving through the mud—clear signs of hidden, unknown dangers.
"Five‑Color Rotbone Swamp…" Senior Sister Mu Yu of the Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land recognized the origin of this deadly place with a grave expression. "Ancient texts record that this swamp's miasma is extremely toxic, capable of corroding bones and dissolving souls. Beneath the mud lurk countless venomous insects and aberrant beasts, making it exceptionally perilous. I never imagined it would be blocking our path here."
Senior Brother Ling Feng of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect frowned deeply, his sword energy instinctively swirling and shredding the few wispy strands of toxic miasma drifting their way. "This swamp is extremely wide. Detouring would likely take too long, and we don't know whether other routes might be even more dangerous."
The eldest senior brother observed for a moment before saying solemnly, "It seems this is one of the inevitable trials on the way to the core area. Since the demonic cultivators were able to cross, we certainly can as well. We just need to be extremely careful."
He turned to Xiao Qi. "Junior Brother Xiao Qi, how effective is your Purification Power against the miasma and toxins here?"
Everyone's attention focused on Xiao Qi. Throughout this journey, his miraculous purification ability had already earned deep trust and had become the team's greatest reliance for dealing with demonic energy and various negative conditions.
Xiao Qi stepped forward a few paces, carefully approached the edge of the swamp, and channeled a thread of Purification Power to his fingertip, forming a soft white glow that probed toward a drifting strand of colorful toxic miasma.
"Tsss…"
A faint sizzle sounded as the white light made contact with the miasma. The colorful toxic mist dimmed rapidly as if encountering a natural enemy, dissipated, and finally vanished without a trace.
"It works!" A hint of joy flashed in Xiao Qi's eyes, but then he frowned slightly. "However, the miasma here is fiercely toxic and endlessly replenished. To sustain the entire team for a long period and over a large area, the drain on my spiritual energy and mental focus would be enormous."
"No matter," the eldest senior brother said decisively. "We will do our utmost to protect you and conserve your energy. Elixirs will also be prioritized for your use. We must pass this trial!"
With the plan settled, everyone sprang into action.
First, Shi Meng led several disciples with formidable physical strength to clear a relatively solid area at the swamp's edge, establishing a safe zone. Meanwhile, Mu Yu directed the disciples of the Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land to employ water‑ and wind‑type spells, attempting to disperse the approaching toxic miasma. Although far less direct than purification, it still alleviated some pressure.
Xiao Qi stood at the forefront of the team, took a deep breath, and pushed the Long Spring Art to its limit. The jade pendant on his chest resonated warmly as he raised his hands and channeled the cool, vast Purification Source within him. A gentle yet resilient pure white light spread from his body, forming an inverted‑bowl‑shaped purification barrier that enveloped the entire alliance team!
The moment the purification barrier took shape, the dizzying, foul‑smelling toxic miasma around them seemed blocked by an invisible shield, unable to infiltrate any further. Inside the barrier, the air was fresh, even carrying a faint, purifying fragrance of grass and trees.
"Forward!" At the eldest senior brother's command, the team maintained a tight formation and stepped into the perilous poison swamp.
Underfoot was bottomless, sticky dark‑green mud; each step was extraordinarily difficult, requiring tremendous effort. Hidden within the mud were sharp bone spikes and poisonous vines that could entangle ankles—any carelessness could lead to injury or being dragged into the abyss.
Even more dangerous were the attacks from beneath the mire.
"Watch the left!" Senior Brother Ling Feng shouted sharply, his sword light flashing like lightning and instantly slicing in half a sinister black fish with a grotesque mouth that shot out from the mud. The fish's blood splattered on the mud, emitting a sizzling corrosive sound.
Immediately afterward, countless fist‑sized, crimson, hairy venomous spiders swarmed out from the withered‑wood remnants, spewing sticky poison webs; enormous poison crocodiles lurking beneath the mud suddenly leaped up, opening their bloody maws to bite; even some translucent, jellyfish‑like bizarre creatures floated within the miasma, capable of releasing paralyzing mental shocks…
The alliance members displayed their various abilities. Shi Meng, like a human‑shaped savage beast, swung his fists with fierce force, pulverizing any venomous insects or aberrant beasts that approached. Ling Feng's sword light crisscrossed with precision, efficiently eliminating threats from the air. Mu Yu continuously cast Heart‑Clearing Chants and healing arts, stabilizing morale and treating injuries. The other disciples also employed their own methods, cooperating seamlessly.
And Xiao Qi became the team's core pillar. He maintained the purification barrier with all his might, resisting the pervasive corrosion of the toxic miasma. The colorful poison mist surged against the barrier like a tide, emitting constant "tsss" dissolution sounds, draining vast amounts of his spiritual energy and mental focus every moment.
His face gradually turned pale, and fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Sustaining such a large‑scale, long‑lasting purification barrier was far more difficult than dispersing demonic energy earlier. He had to frequently consume Qi Recovery Pills and hold spirit stones to replenish his expenditure.
"Xiao Qi, can you still hold on?" Third Senior Sister, guarding beside him, asked with concern while repelling attacking venomous insects.
"No problem!" Xiao Qi clenched his teeth, his gaze resolute. He knew that if he collapsed, the entire team would be exposed to this deadly poison swamp.
He frantically operated the Long Spring Art; its life‑generating, unceasing nature now played a crucial role. Though the drain was immense, it always allowed him to cling to a breath of energy, keeping the barrier from breaking. The jade pendant on his chest also continued to transmit warmth, as if providing some kind of fundamental support.
The team trudged arduously through the mire, advancing slowly. Every stretch of progress felt like a fierce battle.
After an unknown length of time, just as Xiao Qi felt his spiritual sense about to be exhausted, his spiritual energy nearly dried up, and the purification barrier began flickering and swaying perilously—
"I see the other shore!" Shi Meng, leading the way at the front, let out an excited low roar.
Everyone's spirits lifted as they looked up. There, at the dim edge of their vision, the despair‑inducing dark‑green mud finally ended, replaced by solid, faintly glowing black land!
Hope was in sight!
"Charge through!" The eldest senior brother shouted loudly, his earthy‑yellow sword aura swelling dramatically, shaking apart the mud and the venomous beasts within a large area ahead, clearing a path.
With their last burst of strength, protecting Xiao Qi, the team launched a sprint toward the opposite shore.
The moment Xiao Qi stepped onto solid ground and withdrew the purification barrier, his legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to the ground, only to be caught by Third Senior Sister beside him. His face was deathly pale, his entire body drenched in sweat, gasping for breath heavily. He felt waves of dizziness and an unprecedented fatigue washing over him like a tide.
Looking back, that Five‑Color Rotbone Swamp that had devoured countless lives still churned behind them, emanating a deadly allure.
They had succeeded!
Although the process was fraught with peril, and several disciples had suffered significant injuries along the way, the entire alliance team, relying on unity and perseverance—especially Xiao Qi's crucial Purification Power—had forcefully broken through this deadly land!
Setting foot on the solid ground of the core region, feeling the thicker yet more turbulent spiritual energy in the air, and the increasingly clear, heart‑palpitating pressure from the distant Sealed Demons' Land, everyone knew: the real challenge was only just beginning.