Translator: Cinder Translations
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Song Wen and Guo Tao quickly left the vicinity of the Alchemy Hall.
As they walked, Song Wen silently pondered how to cross the Poison Miasma Swamp.
Although the swamp was only over two thousand miles from the Corpse Demon Sect, this distance was as the crow flies. Between them lay towering mountains, cliffs, and steep peaks.
Before the Foundation Building stage, flying was not possible. Crossing these extensive mountain ranges spanning over two thousand miles was not easy, especially with potential dangers along the way.
Initially, Song Wen thought the sect would provide special mounts to help them traverse the swamp, but Elder Shen hadn't mentioned anything about traveling.
As Song Wen pondered, Guo Tao lightly patted his waist storage pouch.
A palm-sized wooden boat flew out, swelling in the wind, instantly expanding to about two meters in length, hovering in the air.
Song Wen looked dumbfounded at the flying boat before him, involuntarily recalling the scene when Shi Shou had brought him to the Corpse Demon Sect on a much more impressive flying ship than the single wooden boat before him.
Even so, Song Wen was still surprised. As an inner disciple, Guo Tao actually owned a flying boat. It seemed that the strength behind Guo Tao's family couldn't be underestimated. Otherwise, how could Guo Tao, with only the cultivation strength of the Seventh Stage of Qi Refinement, afford a flying boat worth thousands of spiritual stones?
Flying boats were not only expensive but also consumed spiritual stones due to the flying arrays onboard. Therefore, traveling on a flying boat was an extremely costly endeavor.
"Junior brother Ji Yin, what are you staring at? Come aboard," Guo Tao said lightly, leaping onto the flying boat.
"Senior brother Guo, you actually have your own flying boat," Song Wen's tone carried envy, like a university graduate worried about finding a decent job, suddenly discovering his classmates were sitting on a gold mine at home.
Guo Tao replied smugly, "A flying boat is just a trifle."
Song Wen jumped onto the flying boat and ran his hands over the array patterns on it. His eyes gleamed as if he were handling a rare treasure he had never seen before.
Guo Tao grinned broadly, clearly pleased with himself.
"Junior brother, take your seat. We're setting off."
The flying boat soared into the sky, speeding towards the distant vast mountains and forests.
"With Senior brother Guo's flying boat, we'll probably reach the Poison Miasma Swamp in just a few hours," Song Wen continued to praise.
"My strength is weak, and I've only been in the sect for a year, so my understanding of the cultivation world is limited. I'll have to rely on Senior brother Guo a lot for this mission."
Guo Tao seemed genuinely flattered by Song Wen's praise, patting his chest proudly.
"Junior brother, rest assured. This mission is extremely simple, just a formality. When the time comes, leave everything to me, and you can treat it as a sightseeing trip. Besides, who knows, maybe we'll even get some benefits from the Yan family."
"Benefits?" Song Wen looked somewhat naïve, surprised.
"The Yan family will give us benefits?"
Guo Tao said confidently, "That's natural. We represent the sect. If the Yan family wants a smooth inventory, they will naturally treat us well with good food and drink. When we leave, they may also give us some rewards."
"After we finish at the Yan family, leave everything to me, Junior brother. Just wait for the benefits."
Song Wen clasped his hands, "I'll leave it to Senior brother. I will definitely look up to Senior brother."
Although Song Wen said this, he felt something was off.
Guo Tao's eagerness seemed a bit exaggerated, like an older brother looking after a junior who had just entered the sect.
Song Wen couldn't help but feel that the other party wouldn't be so kind without reason.
Within the Corpse Demon Sect, disciples were typically cold and ruthless, full of deception and treachery. Warm-hearted senior brothers among fellow disciples simply did not exist unless there was something they coveted about you.
Amidst Song Wen's flattery, their relationship quickly grew closer.
The flying boat soared through the air, directly crossing over mountains, much faster than traveling on the ground. Before the sun set, they arrived at the Poison Miasma Swamp.
Looking from above, the swamp waters weren't deep, about the depth of a person. It was dotted with deep pools and small islands.
Even in the evening, a grim green mist hung over the swamp, likely the source of its name, the toxic miasma that lingered year-round.
Guo Tao didn't rush into the miasma but circled around the edge of the swamp for dozens of miles before finally stopping above a small island.
As soon as they landed, four Qi Refinement Stage cultivators rushed out from the woods.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Yan Family's territory!"
Facing the aggressive approach of the four, Guo Tao smiled and stepped forward.
"We greet the senior brothers of the Yan Family. We are disciples of the Corpse Demon Sect here to carry out sect missions."
As he spoke, Guo Tao presented his disciple identity token.
The leader carefully examined the token and, after confirming its authenticity, spoke up.
"So you are disciples from the Corpse Demon Sect. Please follow me."
Led by this person, Song Wen and Guo Tao quickly crossed the small island and arrived at a wooden-built pier.
The pier was long and winding, stretching endlessly out of sight.
Once on the pier, Song Wen soon noticed that there was no toxic miasma around it, as if it had been sealed off by an array.
The three walked along the pier for over twenty miles until they finally saw a vast island.
The island was dotted with numerous buildings, especially the central complex, which appeared grand and imposing, likely the core area of the Yan Family's residence.
Upon reaching the island, the three quickly entered a large hall.
Seated at the head of the hall was a man with slightly graying hair, the patriarch of the Yan Family, Yan Zhengping.
After exchanging pleasantries, Guo Tao directly stated their purpose.
Yan Zhengping spoke loudly.
"Young friends, it's already late today. Please rest at my Yan Family's place tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to take you to the Spirit Field to inventory the Rainbow Grass. How about it?"
Glancing at the sky, where the sun had already completely set, leaving only a faint glow illuminating the earth, Guo Tao nodded.
"We will follow the arrangements of the Yan Family."
Yan Zhengping nodded. "I have already prepared excellent guest rooms. Let someone take you there to rest."
Guo Tao and Song Wen stood up, preparing to follow the servant to their rooms.
"Grandpa."
A clear female voice suddenly rang out in the hall, and a youthful and beautiful figure appeared at the door.
The newcomer had bright eyes and brows, red lips, dressed in a light blue long dress, exuding a lively charm unique to young girls.
(End of the Chapter)