Hearing Kun Shao's words, Xu Que fell into deep thought. Logically speaking, blacksmithing was a skill that C-rank transcenders could not even begin to learn.
Although he had never practiced blacksmithing in his previous life, he had acquired the skill in this one. To advance to the next rank, one needed thirty Star Points...
And if one also considered array formations...
Xu Que couldn't even fathom how terrifying the future would be. After all, each level-up required vast amounts of Star Points!
In other words, cultivation was synonymous with Spirit Crystals and Spirit Stones, and absorbing these required significant time...
Noticing Xu Que lost in contemplation, Kun Shao hurriedly asked, "Xu Ge, what's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. I just feel the pressure of some things is overwhelming," Xu Que waved his hand and said.
"What do you mean?" Kun Shao asked, completely puzzled, not understanding Xu Que's words.
"When you get blacksmithing techniques or other instructional books, you'll understand," Xu Que replied meaningfully, patting Kun Shao's shoulder.
"Ah?" Kun Shao was now even more confused. Xu Ge already knew all of these things, so what was the point of learning them?
Ignoring Kun Shao's confusion, Xu Que whispered a few words to Zhao Xian and continued leading the team through the marsh, searching for the stone path.
The "Withered Bone Marsh" was vast, and they were only in a small section. After an hour of searching with Zhao Xian and the others, they still hadn't found the stone path.
"Xu Ge, do you really think the path is here?" Kun Shao asked in front of Xu Que.
Xu Que didn't answer directly. Instead, he picked up a rock and tossed it into the marsh.
Watching the rock quickly sink into the swamp, Xu Que said, "If we just charge in, what do you think our chances of survival would be?"
Kun Shao's lips twitched. He had initially thought they could just cross the swamp, but after watching the rock disappear instantly, he decided to stop questioning.
As they continued searching for the path while fending off the emerging demonic toads, Xu Que's gaze was drawn to a narrow path.
"This is it!" Xu Que pointed to the path.
Upon hearing Xu Que, the group immediately turned to look at it.
They approached the entrance of the small path, cautiously observing their surroundings as they ventured deeper.
"Step only on the stone slabs," Xu Que reminded them.
The group nodded, quickly following Xu Que deeper into the marsh.
After walking for about half an hour, Kun Shao muttered in confusion, "Strange, we've been walking for so long and haven't encountered a single toad!"
"Yeah, are we sure we're on the right path?" Huang Bo chimed in.
"We should be fine. Didn't you notice the yellow dust by the path?" Zhao Xian pointed out.
"What…" Kun Shao was about to bend down to touch the powder when Xu Que immediately shouted, "Don't touch that!"
"Huh?" Kun Shao quickly withdrew his hand, asking curiously, "Is this powder poisonous?"
"It's probably a type of fungus," Zhao Xian speculated.
"Yes, it's a spore. Although not fatal, it can poison you," Xu Que explained.
"And after being poisoned?" Kun Shao asked, his voice tinged with fear.
"Your strength will drain, your spirit will fade, and eventually, you'll be too weak to move, dying right here in the marsh."
Hearing this, the group looked shocked. They hadn't expected the yellow powder surrounding the stone slabs to be so dangerous!
"Xu Ge, your [Eye of Detection] is amazing. You can see everything," Kun Shao remarked enviously.
"If you want it, I'll let you be number one on the [Territory Leaderboard] for two days, then you'll know how annoying it is to have this ability," Xu Que teased.
"Ah? Can you really do that?" Kun Shao asked excitedly.
"This is a temporary talent, just like your temporary ability to enhance your breathing techniques," Xu Que explained.
"Oh, I thought it was permanent…" Kun Shao said, somewhat disappointed.
"There is a technique called [Observation Art] that works like this, but I don't recommend you learn it. It's just like [Eye of Detection]; it reveals so much information, and you can't turn it off," Xu Que continued.
At this, the group became curious. They had indeed wanted such an ability, but the fact that it couldn't be turned off caused them to lose interest.
In truth, Xu Que deliberately referred to [Eye of Detection] as [Observation Art] for a reason.
In his previous life, Xu Que deeply regretted learning [Observation Art], as it allowed him to see the basic attributes of those around him at all times, but it couldn't reveal more crucial data, particularly the most important one—people's hearts!
As the group ventured deeper, two branching paths suddenly appeared before them.
"Which way?" Huang Bo asked, staring down the two paths.
"We need to take both, but let's start with the right path," Xu Que said as he headed down the right path.
"Xu Ge, didn't you say we should stay outside? Is this the way?" Kun Shao asked.
"No, this path should hold some opportunities," Xu Que answered.
At the mention of "opportunities," the group's eyes gleamed. What they lacked most at this moment was opportunity.
After walking for another half hour, they came upon a large platform.
Upon reaching the platform, Xu Que surveyed the surroundings before stepping onto the massive structure. "You all go inside to cultivate. No matter what happens outside, do not leave."
"Xu Ge, are you facing this alone?" Zhao Xian asked.
"Yes, only when you all reach B-rank can I safely enter the underground mine," Xu Que replied.
Upon hearing this, the group understood Xu Que's intentions, so they didn't hesitate. They entered the underground chamber beneath the platform.
As the stone door to the underground closed, the eight firepots surrounding the platform ignited. The yellow powder slowly sank into the ground.
"Is it coming?" Xu Que warily scanned the area.
The next moment, a series of "croak" sounds echoed from the marsh.
More than ten demonic toads emerged from the swamp, rapidly crawling toward Xu Que, as if they had seen something terrifying.
Xu Que gave them no chance for survival. Tightening his grip on his longsword, he swiftly cleaved through two of the demonic toads.
As the toads fell, Xu Que turned his gaze toward the firelight. Hundreds of warriors clad in broken armor slowly emerged from the marsh.
They didn't roar in terror nor growl in fury; only the scraping of their damaged armor could be heard.
The clanking grew louder and closer.
Xu Que cautiously watched the nearest group of armored soldiers, gripping his longsword tightly, awaiting their move.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The sound of the rusted armor was deafening, and then, the long-dead soldiers charged at Xu Que.
After evading the first wave, the dead soldiers, propelled by inertia, skidded several meters before finally stopping. They turned and locked their sights on Xu Que again.
The rusted swords raised once more, and they began charging again.
Seeing the second charge, Xu Que immediately dashed toward one of the soldiers.
"Slash!"
With a flash of swordlight, the soldier's armor shattered, followed by a puff of black smoke as it let out a painful shriek before vanishing.
Xu Que had no time to waste. He quickly sidestepped to the right, slashing down two more soldiers.
Just as he eliminated three of the undead warriors, another soldier from the left rushed at him.
Xu Que quickly leaned back.
Clank!
Clang!
The rusted sword of the undead soldier struck the stone platform, sending sparks flying and shattering the blade.
"…"
Xu Que took a few steps back, repositioned himself, and charged forward, slashing his longsword at the undead warrior.