42: Chapter 42 Swamp Mist, Deep Within the Poisonous Fog

The Mist Swamp lived up to its name.

With the very first step into this region, Lin Yan felt a different kind of extreme peril, one completely unlike the Lava Cave.

The sky was perpetually shrouded by a layer of grayish-white, viscous mist; sunlight could not penetrate directly, only managing to cast a few bleak halos of light at midday. Beneath his feet was no longer solid ground, but a muddy swamp of varying depths, covered in thick layers of rotting leaves and slippery moss.

The mud was a dark, ink-green color. From time to time, viscous bubbles would rise and burst with a "pop," releasing a nauseating stench of decay and pale green poisonous gas.

The air was thick and heavy with an inseparable mixture of dampness and a sickly, cloying sweetness. It was not merely the scent of decay; it was mixed with the complex toxins released by countless poisonous plants, venomous insects, and the miasma itself.

With every breath, it felt as if countless tiny, venomous insects were burrowing into his lungs, bringing waves of numbness and stinging pain. If not for the fact that practitioners could filter the air with Dou Qi, an ordinary person stepping foot here would die from poison within half a day.

The resonance of the ancient soul scale became exceptionally clear and restless here; the pitch-black scale in Lin Yan's hand grew slightly warm, pointing unwaveringly toward a certain direction deep within the swamp.

Even the "Pure Corrosion Soul Seal" deep within Lin Yan's soul seemed to feel a trace of faint... excitement toward this extreme environment filled with negative energy (deadly poison, deathly aura, and miasma)?

"The poison here... is so complex, and also... so abundant." Xiao Yi Xian stood beside Lin Yan, taking a deep breath, her emerald eyes shimmering with a strange luster in the dim light.

Far from feeling uncomfortable, she felt as at ease as a fish in water. The Calamity Poison Body power within her, like a glutton having sniffed out a feast, automatically accelerated its circulation, greedily absorbing and converting the free-floating toxic energy in the air, causing a sickly flush to rise to her pale cheeks.

In this environment, the "Seven-Colored Poison Manual" was as if it had been injected with a catalyst. She didn't even need to deliberately cultivate; her poison power was steadily increasing, and her perception and control over toxins were becoming even keener.

Chi Rong, however, appeared restless and uneasy. Its massive body was mired in the soft swamp, and every step was exceptionally difficult.

Most fatally, the ubiquitous moisture and chilling toxins in the air were severely suppressing and eroding it, a fire-attribute magical beast. The luster of its lava carapace grew dim, and the breath it exhaled carried painful white smoke.

If not for its Soul Contract with Lin Yan, which allowed it to share a sliver of the Void Swallowing Flame's resistance to negative energy, and Xiao Yi Xian's occasional use of her poison power to help disperse the cold toxins invading its body, it likely would have collapsed long ago.

"Chi Rong, your condition is too poor; it is not suitable for you to go deeper." Lin Yan stopped and frowned as he looked at the giant beast, whose aura was clearly wilting. "The miasma and poison ahead will only grow thicker. You should stay on the outskirts, find a relatively dry highland to hide and recuperate, and wait to support us. If you encounter danger, immediately send a warning through the Soul Contract or retreat on your own."

Chi Rong let out a low growl. Though there was reluctance in its eyes, it understood that it had become a burden. "Master, be careful. This place... gives me a very bad feeling. Besides the poison, there seems to be something else... lurking in the depths." After transmitting this final mental fluctuation, it dragged its heavy body and retreated with difficulty toward a low hillock that protruded from the water in the direction they had come.

Only Lin Yan and Xiao Yi Xian remained.

"Follow closely." Lin Yan tucked the ancient soul scale into his lapel, close to his heart (for easier sensing), and circulated his Dou Qi. A thin protective barrier formed on his skin, infused with the warm aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame, dispersing the encroaching damp cold and some of the miasma.

Xiao Yi Xian had no need for this; the grayish-purple poison power around her body automatically formed a barrier, absorbing and converting harmful toxins, which instead became her nourishment.

The two moved one after the other, heading toward the depths of the swamp.

The deeper they went, the harsher the environment became. Thick fog almost completely obscured their vision, with visibility less than ten zhang.

In the mud beneath their feet, various strange and colorful poisonous creatures began to appear: "Ghost-Faced Poison Spiders" the size of a palm with human-face patterns on their backs; "Bone-Corroding Arrow Frogs" that were entirely emerald green and could launch themselves like arrows through the mud; "Seven-Ring Corrosive Snakes" coiled on twisted dead trees, flicking their scarlet tongues... Most were merely low-level venomous insects, but they were numerous, and their toxicity was bizarre and impossible to guard against completely.

Xiao Yi Xian became the best "cleaner." Her poison power had a natural suppression over these venomous creatures; often, just a glance or a wisp of poison gas released was enough to make them scurry away in panic, as if they had encountered a natural predator.

Occasionally, if one was foolish enough to charge at them, it would be instantly killed by a poison needle or poison powder she flicked out, and its corpse would be quickly swallowed by the swamp.

Lin Yan was responsible for vigilance and dealing with emergencies. His soul perception was significantly restricted by the thick fog and the complex energy field, but it could still cover a radius of about a hundred zhang.

The Pure Corrosion Soul Seal's sensitivity to negative energy allowed him to detect some dangerous auras lurking deep within the mud or in the mist in advance.

After traveling for about two hours, the resonance of the ancient soul scale reached a peak; it began to vibrate slightly, emitting a low hum. In the mist ahead, an unusual shadow vaguely appeared.

Was that... a ruin?

Pushing aside the thick mist that had almost condensed into water droplets, the two saw a patch of broken walls and ruins soaked in dark ink-green muddy water.

The architectural style was extremely ancient, built with a certain pitch-black giant stone, covered in bioluminescent poisonous moss and vines.

On the stone walls, some twisted, non-human runic marks were vaguely visible; the style was somewhat similar to the patterns on the ancient soul scale, yet wilder and more sinister.

This was clearly the destination guided by the ancient soul scale, an Ancient Ruins related to the "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Scales" or the Hun Clan!

However, the environment surrounding the ruins made Lin Yan's heart sink.

The ruins were situated on a relatively dry piece of black land, but surrounding the land was a ring of even darker, viscous mud that was almost like ink.

On the surface of the mud, a dense, seven-colored miasma continuously rose! This seven-colored miasma was eerily beautiful, yet it emitted a terrifying toxicity that even made Xiao Yi Xian change her expression!

And at the entrance of the ruins, in front of the half-collapsed archway, three strange plants were growing!

They were not rooted in the soil but had "grown" directly from the ink-like mud. Their stems were like twisted black crystal, and at the top of each bloomed a basin-sized, sinister flower.

One was blood-red, with golden, lava-like veins flowing along the edges of its petals; one was ice-blue, emitting a cold aura that could freeze the soul; one was purple-black like ink, and from its stamen, viscous black poison continuously dripped, making a "sizzling" corrosive sound as it fell into the mud.

What was even more heart-palpitating was that in the center of each flower, a blurry, sleeping... infant-like phantom was curled up?

The phantom's features were unclear, yet it radiated resentment, pain, and... a powerful soul fluctuation that made the soul tremble!

"Seven-Emotions Soul-Corroding Miasma... Three-Poison Demon Infant Flower!" Xiao Yi Xian gasped, her voice carrying a rare tremor. This was a supreme poisonous object recorded in the "Seven-Colored Poison Manual" that existed only in legends!

"It is rumored that it requires extreme negative emotions (the poison of the seven emotions) as a catalyst, combined with at least three top-tier, mutually generating and restricting poisons, and must be nurtured in an extremely yin, deathly land for a thousand years to take form!

The 'Demon Infant' in the center of the flower is an evil spirit created by the combination of toxicity and soul power. Once disturbed, it fears no physical attacks and specializes in devouring souls, and its toxicity is enough to kill a Dou Wang powerhouse instantly!"

Lin Yan's gaze was solemn. This seven-colored miasma and the Three-Poison Demon Infant Flower were clearly there to guard the entrance to the ruins. Their existence also confirmed the close connection between this place and the Hun Clan (who were adept at soul power and negative energy).

The ancient soul scale in his bosom vibrated even more intensely, pointing toward the depths of the collapsed archway.

To enter, one must pass through this layer of deadly miasma and the guardianship of the evil flowers.

Forcing one's way in was suicide. Even with Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Body, facing such a legendary composite poison and soul-poison evil spirit, she might not be able to escape unscathed.

"This miasma and the demon flowers seem to form a natural poison formation." Xiao Yi Xian observed carefully for a moment, suppressing the fear in her heart, and analyzed, "The seven-colored miasma is responsible for large-scale erosion and confusion, while the Three-Poison Demon Infant Flower acts as the core and the final means of slaughter. Their auras are interconnected and form a seamless whole; to move one is to affect the entire body. Unless there is a way to simultaneously suppress or break all three, otherwise..."

"Simultaneously suppress..." Lin Yan's gaze fell upon the vibrating ancient soul scale in his bosom, and he felt the faint restlessness of the Pure Corrosion Soul Seal between his brows, as well as the "appetite" of the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame within his body for that rich negative energy. A bold idea gradually took shape.

"Perhaps... we don't need to suppress all three at the same time." Lin Yan spoke slowly, his voice appearing exceptionally clear in the silent poison swamp. "Since they are a whole, then we... will 'join' this whole."

"Join?" Xiao Yi Xian was puzzled.

"Yes, join." A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yan's eyes. "Your Calamity Poison Body is inherently the supreme carrier of 'poison' in the world. My Pure Corrosion Soul Seal has a natural attraction and suppression power over soul power and negative energy. And the ancient soul scale is the 'key' to entering this place. We will not use brute force to break it, but instead... infiltrate it as 'one of their own.'"

"You mean... disguising ourselves as part of this poison formation? Using my poison body and your soul seal to simulate a similar aura and deceive the formation?" Xiao Yi Xian immediately understood Lin Yan's meaning, her eyes widening slightly. This idea was too crazy, but... it seemed there was a sliver of possibility?

"It's not entirely deception." Lin Yan shook his head. "It's 'assimilation' and 'guidance.' Your poison power will contact, analyze, and even temporarily 'merge' with that seven-colored miasma; we don't seek to control it, only to ensure it doesn't repel us. My soul seal will attempt to communicate with and soothe the soul-power evil spirits contained within the Three-Poison Demon Infant Flower, using the same source of 'Pure Corrosion' and 'ancient soul' auras to make them view us as 'their own kind' or 'superiors.' And the ancient soul scale, as the true token, will provide 'legal' passage at the critical moment."

This was an extremely delicate, dangerous plan that required perfect cooperation between the two. Once it failed, they would immediately face the most violent backlash from the poison formation.

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath, her emerald eyes shimmering with a firm light: "I will try. My poison power has been tempered by the Xuanming True Water and nourished by this place, so I have a certain ability to adapt to and analyze this kind of composite toxicity."

"Good, let's begin. I will first use the soul seal to attempt to communicate with the spirits of the demon flowers; you follow after, and pay attention to my rhythm." Lin Yan did not hesitate further and sat cross-legged at the edge of the miasma. He closed his eyes, and the pale flame pattern between his brows slowly lit up. A pure, ancient, and cold soul power fluctuation cautiously probed toward the three sinister flowers.

At the same time, he took out the ancient soul scale from his bosom and held it in his left hand, allowing that ancient aura of the "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Scales" to also mix into the soul power fluctuation.

The soul power touched the edge of the seven-colored miasma; the miasma rolled slightly, seemingly puzzled. When it touched the blood-red Demon Infant Flower, the infant phantom in the center of the flower suddenly trembled and let out a faint, shrill scream filled with pain and resentment! A violent, scorching soul power, carrying a frenzied desire for destruction, suddenly counterattacked!

Lin Yan let out a muffled groan, his soul feeling a stinging pain. But he steadied his mind and continued to release the coldness of the Pure Corrosion Soul Seal and the ancient majesty of the ancient soul scale, like a stern elder attempting to suppress the crazed "young child."

"Quiet... I am... the returned..." Lin Yan transmitted a thought mixed with the auras of the soul seal and the ancient scale.

The shrill scream of the red demon infant paused, as if it were identifying him. The violent soul power attack weakened, but it was still filled with vigilance and chaotic hostility.

Just at this moment, Xiao Yi Xian moved. She walked to Lin Yan's side, sat cross-legged, and formed a strange hand seal. The grayish-purple poison power was no longer contained but surged out like a tide; its color began to change, simulating the luster and toxic fluctuations of the seven-colored miasma, slowly infiltrating the miasma. The essence of her poison power was extremely high, and having been assimilated by the environment here, the simulated miasma was remarkably 80-90% similar!

The seven-colored miasma reacted to this "same kind" but purer poison power, rolling even more violently, but it did not launch an attack; instead, it seemed to be "tasting" and "communicating."

Time passed bit by bit. Cold sweat seeped from Lin Yan's forehead; his soul was like walking a tightrope, as he had to both resist the erosion of the Demon Infant's soul power and continuously release an aura of soothing and majesty. Xiao Yi Xian's face also grew increasingly pale; simulating and merging into such a massive and complex miasma was a huge test of her poison power and control.

The red demon infant's hostility, under the continuous suppression of the Pure Corrosion Soul Seal and the faint attraction of the ancient soul scale, began to weaken bit by bit, and its chaotic soul power gradually became calmer, even... revealing a trace of confusion and dependence?

The other two demon infant flowers (ice-blue and purple-black) also seemed to be affected; they began to sway slightly, and the phantoms in the centers of the flowers were no longer sleeping but opened their "eyes," looking toward Lin Yan's direction.

Now!

Lin Yan suddenly opened his eyes and held the ancient soul scale high in his left hand! The dark golden patterns on the pitch-black scale suddenly erupted with intense light! A clear fluctuation of authority, belonging to the "owner" of this place, swept out!

"With the scale as proof, open!"

Hum—!

The seven-colored miasma surrounding the ruins was pushed aside as if by an invisible hand, automatically parting to both sides to form a narrow passage! The three demon infant flowers simultaneously emitted a submissive, soft sound; the flowers drooped as if bowing, and the phantoms in the flower centers curled up again, falling into a deep sleep.

The passage, was opened!

Lin Yan and Xiao Yi Xian exchanged a look, seeing the exhaustion and relief in each other's eyes. The two dared not delay; they immediately stood up and, along the parted miasma passage, walked quickly toward the collapsed archway.

Passing through the archway, they entered the interior of the ruins. The thick fog and miasma outside were blocked off; inside, it was instead exceptionally dry and cold. There was a smell of stale dust in the air, as well as... a more intense, lingering aura of ancient soul power.

The interior space of the ruins was not large, like an abandoned sacrificial hall. In the center of the hall, there was a dried-up black blood pool. On the edge of the blood pool, some broken bones were scattered; the bones were pitch-black, clearly having been poisoned before death.

And directly above the blood pool, suspended in the air was a scale the size of a fist, entirely deep dark purple in color, its surface covered with twisted, eerie patterns that seemed to be wriggling!

The form of this scale was similar to the ancient soul scale, but its color and aura were completely different! It emitted a nauseating, sweet, fishy smell, and a terrifying toxicity that seemed capable of corroding the soul and eroding all things! Just by glancing at it, the poison power within Xiao Yi Xian instantly boiled and cheered, as if it had encountered its origin!

This was precisely the final target of the ancient soul scale's resonance—the "poison" attribute origin ancient soul scale!

However, just as their gazes were attracted by the poison scale and they were preparing to step forward to examine it, from the shadows at the edge of the blood pool, a hunched, gaunt figure, seemingly draped in a layer of tattered black scale-skin, slowly and silently... stood up.

It raised its head, revealing a face like a dried corpse, covered in tiny black scales, with two faint green ghost fires burning in its eye sockets. Its shriveled lips parted, emitting a hoarse laugh like sandpaper rubbing:

"Hehehe... finally... waited for the 'key'... and the 'vessel'... to deliver themselves to my door..."