123: Chapter 123 Falling Star Swamp, Danger Lurks in the Dark

In the blink of an eye, it had been nearly three months since the new batch of Outer Sect Disciples entered the Sect.

According to the Liuli Xuan Sect's custom, a trial mission for the new Disciples would be held, aiming to test their cultivation progress and hone their combat abilities.

The location for this trial was set at the Falling Star Swamp, eight hundred li northeast of the Sect.

This place had a treacherous environment, filled with miasma and venomous insects, and it was also home to many hidden Yao Beasts. However, for Disciples in the Ningyuan Realm, there was basically no danger as long as they did not venture deep into the core area.

The trial mission required Disciples to form teams and travel there to collect three specific Spiritual Plants native to the swamp within the allotted time: "Star Moss Orchid," "Rotten Bone Flower," and "Poison Toad Cloak," as well as hunt at least one second-tier or higher Yao Beast, with the proof of the kill counting towards their contribution points.

On the day the mission was announced, the new Disciples were both excited and nervous, and they hurriedly began looking for familiar companions to form teams.

In the crowd, two figures were particularly eye-catching.

Liu Ruyan, dressed in a goose-yellow dress, had already reached the Middle Stage of the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation, making her a standout among the new Disciples.

She was surrounded by several familiar female Disciples, chatting in low voices, her gaze occasionally sweeping across the crowd as if looking for something.

On the other side, Leng Feng stood alone, making people afraid to approach him. His aura was restrained yet sharp, and his cultivation had reached the Peak of the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation!

His eyes were cold and stern; he turned a deaf ear to the surrounding clamor, standing aloof from the world.

Ye Tian also arrived at the plaza.

He was still wearing a simple green robe, his aura maintained at the Peak of the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation.

He had no intention of participating in this kind of group trial, but according to Sect regulations, new Disciples must participate in their first trial, and the contribution points for the trial were quite substantial.

"Junior Brother Ye!"

Seeing Ye Tian, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes lit up, and she waved with a smile.

After several encounters, she had a favorable impression of this Junior Brother.

Ye Tian nodded slightly and walked over.

Leng Feng also glanced at him and nodded.

The three of them were considered some of the most outstanding among the new Disciples, naturally forming an invisible connection.

"Junior Brother Ye, Senior Brother Leng, the dangers of this trial are unknown. Why don't the three of us form a team? We can look out for each other."

Liu Ruyan suggested, her mind delicate and meticulous, well aware of the importance of teamwork.

Leng Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded.

Although he was aloof and arrogant, he was not a conceited person.

Ye Tian didn't really care.

For him, it made no difference whether he teamed up or not, but since she had extended a warm invitation, he had no reason to refuse, so he said: "Alright."

Thus, the three of them formed the strongest team in this trial, drawing side-glances from the surrounding Disciples.

Soon, the Sect deacon announced the rules, distributed maps and anti-miasma Medicinal Pills, and the trial officially began.

Hundreds of new Disciples, either riding on flying Yao Beasts tamed by the Sect or utilizing their movement techniques, marched toward the Falling Star Swamp in a massive procession.

Ye Tian and the other two chose to walk, and relying on their movement techniques, their speed was not slow compared to the others.

Liu Ruyan's movement technique was agile, Leng Feng's Sword Qi was latent, and Ye Tian appeared to have energy to spare.

The journey was silent, and half a day later, they arrived at the edge of the Falling Star Swamp.

A whiff of miasma with the scent of rotting plants rushed toward them, causing dizziness.

Looking out, the swamp was boundless, with crooked dead trees and dense fog.

Each team followed the map's instructions, scattering as they entered the swamp.

Ye Tian and his two companions also chose a direction.

The swamp was fraught with hidden dangers, including toxic marshes, sinkholes, and even camouflaged Yao Beasts.

Fortunately, the three of them had impressive strength, and their coordination was becoming increasingly tacit.

Leng Feng's sword technique was sharp, and he was responsible for clearing the path.

Liu Ruyan was meticulous and skilled in observation and support.

Ye Tian quietly released his Divine Sense, and every time he struck, it was a one-hit kill.

In just half a day, they had collected enough Star Moss Orchid and Rotten Bone Flower, and successfully hunted a Middle Stage second-tier Poison-Scaled Crocodile, leaving only the hardest to find "Poison Toad Cloak."

"The Poison Toad Cloak must be skinned from a third-tier Yao Beast, the Green-Eyed Poison Toad. This beast usually lurks in the toxic pools in the deepest part of the swamp; it is extremely cunning and not easy to deal with."

Liu Ruyan said while looking at the map.

"No matter, we shall just go find it," Leng Feng said concisely.

Ye Tian nodded in agreement.

A third-tier Yao Beast was equivalent to a Martial Artist at the fifth or sixth stage of the Ningyuan Realm, which was a fatal threat to an ordinary team of new Disciples.

Just as the three were heading deeper into the swamp, they did not notice that not far behind them, in the mist, several pairs of cold, sinister eyes were watching them.

These were five men dressed in gray, and they were not Liuli Xuan Sect Disciples!

They used the swamp terrain and the miasma to conceal their figures and aura.

The leader had a fierce look in his eyes, and his cultivation had reached the Ningyuan Sixth Stage!

The other four were also between the fourth and fifth stages of the Ningyuan Realm.

"Brother Ma, is the target that one wearing the green shirt?"

A thin, small man asked in a low voice.

The man named Brother Ma licked his lips and revealed a cruel smile: "That's right! The employer said the main target is that kid named Ye Tian, dead or alive doesn't matter!

As for the other two, they are also Genius Disciples of the Liuli Xuan Sect; we can just kill them while we're at it and sell them for a good price! My Iron Eagle Gang always does things cleanly and efficiently!"

"Hehe, three fat sheep! Especially that little lady, she's really juicy..." another man with a face full of flab leered.

"Shut up! Getting the job done is what matters!" Brother Ma snapped, "According to intelligence, that Ye Tian is a bit strange; he might be hiding his strength.

Everyone, keep your spirits up! Wait until they and the Green-Eyed Poison Toad are both exhausted, then we strike! We must kill them in one blow!"

"Understood!"

These five men were exactly the desperadoes hired by Zhao Qian through secret channels, assassins from the Iron Eagle Gang!

They were lurking here specifically to assassinate Ye Tian during the trial!

Ye Tian and his two companions knew nothing of this and continued to advance through the swamp.

The deeper they went, the thicker the miasma became, and the Yao Beasts became increasingly difficult to deal with.

Finally, beside a massive toxic pool shrouded in dark green poisonous mist and bubbling with gas, they found their target.

A giant toad, as robust as an ox, entirely emerald green, with green fire burning in its eyes, was lying on a piece of driftwood, exhaling and inhaling toxic mist!

A third-tier Yao Beast, the Green-Eyed Poison Toad!

"Careful! It has discovered us!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed.

The Green-Eyed Poison Toad suddenly opened its green eyes and let out a croak; the toxic pool instantly boiled, and countless green water lines shot toward the three of them!

"Sword Screen!"

Leng Feng reacted extremely quickly, drawing his long sword, which transformed into a dense sheet of sword light, blocking all the toxic water!

Ye Tian's figure flickered, appearing on the flank of the Poison Toad, and he pointed with his fingers, shooting directly at its bulging cheeks!

It was the Starfall Finger, which had reached the Minor Achievement Realm!

The finger wind hit its mark; the Poison Toad, feeling pain, let out an angry roar, and its massive tongue lashed out at Ye Tian!

The battle erupted instantly!

Leng Feng took the lead in the attack, his sword technique sharp, pinning down the front of the Poison Toad.

Liu Ruyan employed an agile movement technique, constantly harassing it, and sprinkled anti-venom powder to resist the toxic mist.

Ye Tian wandered around the perimeter, looking for flaws, his finger wind and fist strength erupting, causing significant damage to the Poison Toad.

The three of them coordinated tacitly, actually firmly suppressing this third-tier Yao Beast.

However, the Green-Eyed Poison Toad had thick skin and dense flesh, and its poison was fierce, so it was difficult to take down for a moment.

The main reason was that Ye Tian did not want to expose his strength; if he wanted to, he could instantly erupt with the cultivation of the Seventh Stage of the Ningyuan Realm and easily kill the Poison Toad with one blow.

The Iron Eagle Gang assassins hiding in the dark were secretly shocked by what they saw.

"These two kids, and that little lady, are certainly not simple! Especially that Ye Tian, his finger technique is remarkably powerful!"

"Brother Ma, the time is almost right! Once they kill the Poison Toad, they will surely be exhausted; it's the perfect opportunity to make a move!"

A cold light flashed in Brother Ma's eyes: "Prepare to move! Focus all firepower first, and take out that Ye Tian!"

After the battle beside the toxic pool continued for some time, under the combined efforts of the three, the Green-Eyed Poison Toad was finally covered in wounds, and its movements slowed down.

Leng Feng seized the opportunity and pierced its throat with his sword!

Because its throat was pierced, the Poison Toad let out a strange cry and then flipped over and fell to the ground.

Liu Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief, her pretty face slightly pale; her cultivation was the lowest, and she was clearly over-exhausted.

Leng Feng also panted slightly, standing with his sword.

Ye Tian's aura was steady; his True Qi was profound, and the consumption from the battle just now was like a drop in the bucket for him.

However, just as he was about to step forward to skin the Poison Toad for its cloak, his feet suddenly paused.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Five figures shot out from the surrounding mist!

Before the people appeared, the killing moves had already arrived!

Three poisoned throwing daggers aimed directly at Ye Tian's heart, throat, and Dantian!

The other two lunged at Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng respectively, their blade light vicious, aiming directly for vital points!

An ambush!

And it was one that had been premeditated for a long time!

"Careful!"

Liu Ruyan's face turned pale with fright, and she cried out!

Leng Feng's eyes turned cold, and his long sword instantly swung around, blocking the blade light slashing toward him, but in his haste, he was also shaken, his blood and Qi churning!

As for Ye Tian, who was at the center of the attack, the moment the Killing Intent reached his body, his pupils suddenly constricted!

He had been vaguely feeling uneasy, and now that the crisis had erupted, his reaction was extremely fast!

Facing the three poisoned daggers that sealed off all angles, he did not panic and decisively utilized the Taixu Star-Shift Steps!

Two of the poisoned daggers grazed past his right arm!

And the one aimed at his Dantian was firmly caught between his two fingers!

Everything happened too fast!

By the time Ye Tian caught the poisoned dagger, Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng had only just managed to block the first wave of attacks!

"Who are you!"

Leng Feng shouted sharply, the Killing Intent in his eyes surging.

Ye Tian slowly turned around, looking at the five murderous men in gray before him, his gaze cold.

Seeing that the ambush had failed, Brother Ma was shocked, but relying on their superior numbers, he sneered: "Kid, you really are strange! However, even if you have skin of bronze and bones of iron, you will die today! Attack! Leave none alive!"

The four desperadoes at the Middle Stage of the Ningyuan Realm lunged at the three of them simultaneously!

Killing Intent instantly enveloped the entire toxic pool!