59: Chapter 59: The Swamp of Shadows

Inside the Frozen Canyon, a cold mist filled the air.

Xiao Ran and the other four meditated for three days, and their injuries were mostly healed.

Although the White Bone Scholar had not fully replenished the Essence Blood he had lost, his aura had stabilized, though his face remained somewhat pale.

"It's time to move."

He stood up, lightly fanning his bone fan as green ghost fires flickered in his eyes.

"The Ghost Soul Swamp is four thousand miles from here. According to the token's resonance, the third complete fallen immortal token is there."

"We don't know when it will emerge, so we must arrive early to set traps."

This was what they had previously agreed upon; in the upcoming battle for the token, they would only be responsible for snatching the finished product.

After all, the moment a token becomes complete, it releases a terrifying suction force. Without a specific Sealing Technique, even a Nascent Soul Great Perfection Cultivator wouldn't dare to approach it recklessly.

This was their advantage.

After all, so far, Xiao Ran was the only one who knew the Sealing Technique.

"The Yin Qi in the swamp is heavy; my Poison Arts will be able to exert 120% of their power there."

Upon hearing this, the Poison Lady laughed charmingly, colorful smoke swirling around her fingertips.

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Ran at the back, an unnatural expression flashing in her eyes.

After these few days of cooperation, the Poison Lady had fully realized Xiao Ran's potential.

A Genius with both brains and talent.

Even a fool would know what to do.

The Poison Lady was constantly calculating in her mind how to win over Xiao Ran.

On the other side.

Yin Jiuyou's black robes stirred slightly. "The Nine Nether Cold Qi shares the same origin as the swamp's Yin Qi. I can use the environment to set up a Nine Nether Cold Domain."

"Within the Cold Domain, my strength can reach 120%."

The Blood Slaughterer grinned, shouldering his giant axe.

"Who cares about the environment? Just hack them down."

Xiao Ran didn't speak, only sensing the clear guidance coming from the two tokens in his bosom.

The fluctuations from the third token were growing stronger; it was indeed nearing completion.

The five of them delayed no longer, turning into five streaks of light as they swept out of the Frozen Canyon and sped toward the Ghost Soul Swamp in the southwest.

Along the way, the White Bone Scholar laid out a detailed deployment.

"According to information compiled by the Sect over generations, the terrain of the Ghost Soul Swamp is complex, filled with Miasma, and Divine Sense is obstructed."

"Furthermore, a large number of ghosts, corpse puppets, and Poisonous Insects inhabit the swamp, making it extremely dangerous."

"Once we arrive, we will first set up the Nether Immortal Trapping Array on the outskirts of the swamp. This Formation is based on Yin Qi and can trap a Nascent Soul Great Perfection for the duration of an incense stick."

"When the token emerges and the various parties fight for it, we will activate the Formation to trap the strongest individuals, then join forces to quickly seize the token."

"After seizing the token, we will immediately escape into the depths of the swamp."

"The dense Yin Qi there can mask our aura, making it difficult for pursuers to track us."

The plan could be said to be quite meticulous.

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

Xiao Ran's heart stirred slightly; this pretty boy's familiarity with Formations, environments, and tactics far exceeded that of an ordinary Demon Seed, as if he had already thoroughly studied the Ancient Battlefield.

This Second Demon Son likely had grander ambitions.

The four-thousand-mile journey took less than half a day at their flying speed.

When the Ghost Soul Swamp appeared in their field of vision, even though Xiao Ran was prepared, he still felt a tremor in his heart.

It was a boundless stretch of grayish-black swamp.

A layer of sickly green phosphorus fire floated on the water's surface, and a heavy, putrid stench wafted toward them.

Dead trees reached toward the sky like ghostly claws, with tattered strips of cloth and bone fragments hanging from their trunks.

From the depths of the swamp, shrill wails could be heard faintly, sounding like the weeping of ghosts.

Even more eerie was the layer of gray mist shrouding the entire swamp; Divine Sense entering it was like a clay ox entering the sea, only able to extend less than ten feet.

"Such heavy Yin Fiend..."

The Poison Lady frowned, but excitement flashed in her eyes.

This kind of environment was practically a natural hunting ground for a Poison Cultivator.

Yin Jiuyou took a deep breath. The coldness surrounding him resonated with the swamp's Yin Qi, causing his aura to rise faintly.

"This place... is suitable for my cultivation."

The Blood Slaughterer grinned.

"It's so gloomy, it's not pleasant at all."

The White Bone Scholar observed for a moment and said in a low voice, "Quite a few people are already here."

He pointed to various parts of the swamp; though obscured by mist, flashes of light from flying techniques were faintly visible, and small-scale battles had even broken out in several places.

"As planned, set up the Formation."

The five dispersed, and the White Bone Scholar took out thirty-six black Formation Flags and distributed them.

Xiao Ran took the Formation Flags and, following the Formation Mnemonic taught by the White Bone Scholar, inserted them into the swamp mud at designated positions and injected demonic essence.

The moment the Formation Flags sank in, green runes appeared on their surfaces, and they automatically absorbed the surrounding Yin Qi to hide themselves.

An hour later.

The Nether Immortal Trapping Array was complete, covering a three-mile radius around the swamp's periphery.

"The Formation Eye is here."

"When activating it, all five of us must inject demonic essence simultaneously. I will give the signal at the critical moment."

The White Bone Scholar pointed to a dead giant tree at the edge of the swamp.

Everyone nodded and went to find hidden spots to lie in wait.

Xiao Ran hid in a half-submerged tree hollow, using the Guixu Demonic Light to mask his aura.

Then, he began to contact Li Changsheng.

The Soul Link was quickly established.

"Xiao Ran, have you reached the Ghost Soul Swamp?"

"Our Dao Palace people just arrived too. Eldest Senior Brother is currently discussing a joint operation with the people from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Xuan Yin Cult."

"They've learned their lesson this time; they plan to surround and annihilate your Eternal Night Demon Sect first before dividing the tokens."

Li Changsheng's voice came through.

Xiao Ran's eyes narrowed.

"What is his specific plan?"

"The three Sects will each provide three people to form a nine-man Hunting Squad specifically targeting the five of you, while the rest will be responsible for pinning down other forces."

"The timing of the attack is set for the moment the token emerges and your positions are exposed."

Li Changsheng paused before continuing.

"However... I could 'accidentally' leak their positions. Then you can relocate in advance and leave the Hunting Squad with nothing."

"No, doing that would make you a suspect for exposure."

Xiao Ran thought for a moment.

"We'll beat them at their own game. The other four Demon Seeds and I will hide in the Rotten Bone Forest at the southeast corner of the swamp and set up a Fake Formation to lure them into a trap."

"Hehe, you're the ruthless one. So where's the real Formation?"

"Near the Ghost Cry Pond in the northwest. When the token emerges, the Dao Palace should try to move toward that area. I'll 'accidentally' let the token fly in your direction."

"Understood."

Li Changsheng nodded repeatedly.

After all, the task the System gave him this time was to collect a complete token, so the ownership of this token had been decided by the two of them from the start.

This time, the token would go to Li Changsheng.

The two quickly finalized the details and disconnected.

Xiao Ran closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, quietly waiting for the right moment.

...

Two days later.

The Yin Qi in the depths of the Ghost Soul Swamp suddenly surged violently!

Within the gray mist, a dark green pillar of light shot into the sky.

In the center of the light pillar, a token with a complete "Fallen" character appearing on its surface rose slowly!

The third complete fallen immortal token had emerged!

"Move!"

Almost simultaneously, three sharp shouts rang out from different directions.

From the direction of the Rotten Bone Forest in the southeast, nine figures shot out like arrows from a bow.

It was the Hunting Squad formed by the three Sects, led by Ling Jianxin, Jian Wuchen, and Fairy Youyue!

The nine of them formed a Battle Array, with Sword Qi, cold air, and Xuan Yin Mirror Light intertwining as they pounced toward the Rotten Bone Forest!

But what awaited them was only an empty Fake Formation and a little gift left behind by the White Bone Scholar.

Nine Nether Exploding Bone Talismans!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!!"

The bone talismans exploded, and Nether Ghost Fires swept through.

Although the nine of them defended in time, they were still left disheveled and covered in dust, their blood and Qi churning.

"We fell for a trap!"

Ling Jianxin's face turned ashen.

Meanwhile, the true battlefield erupted at the Ghost Cry Pond in the northwest!

The moment the token emerged, the various forces that had long been lying in wait nearby all struck at once.

The remaining Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, others from the Xuan Yin Cult, the Hehuan Sect, the Loose Cultivators Alliance... more than fifty Golden Core Cultivators were embroiled in a chaotic brawl.

Ghosts and corpse puppets were also disturbed, crawling out from the depths of the swamp to attack all living things indiscriminately.

The scene was even more chaotic than the Lava Hell!