With Zhao Yehan, a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator, among them, this journey into the Poison Swamp seemed almost effortless. Even from a distance, swarms of venomous insects scattered at the oppressive aura emanating from him, retreating without hesitation.
As they delved deeper, there were no attacks, a stark contrast to Chen An and Xiaodao's previous expedition into the swamp. They progressed unimpeded, making it to the territory of the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad in less than a day.
Yet, instead of feeling relieved, Chen An grew increasingly uneasy.
"Doesn't it seem... too quiet here?"
His words, soft but unsettling, sparked doubt among the group.
Xiaodao, especially, sensed the abnormality after hearing Chen An.
But before she could voice her thoughts, Zhao Yehan dismissed it with a sneer, "What you consider a death trap is nothing more than a trivial place for me. The mere presence of my aura sends these creatures fleeing. Are you not used to this?"
His confidence was absolute, but Chen An remained skeptical.
True, Zhao Yehan's power deterred the poisonous creatures, but on their journey here, they still spotted insects retreating. Now, however, the swamp seemed devoid of any life apart from their group.
"Do you hear that strange noise?" Xiaodao asked suddenly, her brows furrowed.
Everyone strained to listen. Sure enough, a deep, droning cacophony echoed from a distance—steady, pervasive, and deeply unsettling.
The eerie sound grew louder as they ventured deeper, heightening the group's tension.
Finally, upon reaching the outer perimeter of the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad's lair, the source of the noise became clear.
"My god... are those all toads? How many? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand?"
The cultivators accompanying Zhao Yehan stared, dumbfounded, at the vast expanse ahead.
The clearing was teeming with toads—smaller ones the size of a palm, larger ones comparable to human heads—all clustered together in a grotesque, writhing mass.
These were newly born offspring of the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad.
The relentless droning sound emanated from the rhythmic puffing of their cheeks. The sheer number of them, combined with the yellowish-brown mucus coating the ground, made the sight sickening. Walking through would submerge one's feet, adding to the hair-raising atmosphere.
Zhao Yehan, however, quickly suppressed his initial shock. Greed flickered in his eyes.
"The information was accurate. The Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad has indeed just given birth and should be at its weakest."
For Zhao Yehan, a Tier-2 beast's heart was valuable but secondary compared to the other treasures he might reap. His gaze locked onto a large pool in the distance, faint waves of formidable energy emanating from its depths—the toad's location was unmistakable.
Yet Zhao Yehan, cautious despite his confidence, refrained from approaching recklessly. He needed someone to test the waters, to gauge the beast's strength before making a move.
Turning to Chen An and Xiaodao, Zhao Yehan's lips curved into a sinister smile.
"You two have been here before. Go investigate the pool and report back on the toad's condition. If the timing is right, we'll strike."
His words were a thinly veiled command to use them as bait.
Chen An and Xiaodao exchanged a tense glance, understanding the peril they were in. The refusal wasn't an option—Zhao Yehan's flying sword hovered ominously at his side, ready to strike down dissenters.
Taking deep breaths, they steeled themselves and began their approach.
As they moved past the countless toadlings, the infant creatures posed no threat, their powerlessness their only saving grace.
"Have you noticed something different about this place compared to last time?" Chen An asked quietly as they advanced.
"Yes," Xiaodao replied. "Last time, even from the outskirts, we could feel a heavy oppressive force. But this time, there's nothing."
"There are only two possibilities," Chen An said gravely.
Xiaodao glanced at him, prompting him to continue.
"The toad might already be dead. Or... it knows it's vulnerable after giving birth, senses our presence, and is deliberately avoiding a confrontation."
The latter seemed far more likely to both of them.
A Tier-2 beast wouldn't simply perish after giving birth. Its survival instincts would compel it to avoid direct combat during a period of weakness, even if it meant abandoning its newborns.
"Wait!"
Chen An abruptly stopped, blocking Xiaodao from taking another step.
"If the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad is indeed avoiding battle, approaching the pool will only provoke it. If it enters a rage, what chance do we have against a Tier-2 beast?"
Xiaodao understood the truth of his words. But with Zhao Yehan watching from behind, retreating without fulfilling their task was equally fatal.
"What do we do, then?" she whispered, torn.
"Zhao Yehan only wants the toad driven out of hiding to assess its strength. We don't have to approach the pool to achieve that."
"You have a plan?" Xiaodao asked, seeing the determined glint in Chen An's eyes.
He nodded, his expression icy. His gaze swept across the writhing mass of toadlings surrounding them.
"Fire attack."