Teng Qingshan felt a constant ache in his heart because his father, Teng Yongfan, was crippled. Ever since growing up in Teng Family Village, he had sworn an oath in his heart: he would ensure his parents and clansmen lived well. Yet, in the end, his father Teng Yongfan was maimed, and his Uncle tragically died! Teng Qingshan knew...

Gu Shiyou, the Young Island Master of Qinghu Island, had specifically targeted his father when he came to capture him and others; it must have been because of him!

Regret, guilt!

Now, knowing the miraculous effect of the Cloud Dream White Fruit, Teng Qingshan’s heart immediately heated up. Seeing his father stand again was what he had longed for most.

"Qingshan, just help me out and go find that Cloud Dream White Fruit in the Cloud Dream Marsh," the Cloud Dream God of War continued. "Haha, I know you wish to obtain the rock carvings left by the Divine Axe God 'Yu the Great.' My Mu family possesses six of them. I’ll lend them to you to study for a few years, how about that?"

"Senior."

Teng Qingshan considered for a moment, then spoke sincerely, "Qingshan has a request. It might be excessive, but Qingshan still hopes the Senior can lend a hand."

"Oh? Tell me, what is it? As long as I can help, I definitely will," the Cloud Dream God of War boomed generously.

"It’s like this." Teng Qingshan took a deep breath. "When I was very young, I caused trouble and made enemies, which ultimately led to my father being crippled in both legs, unable to stand again! I’ve always felt guilty towards my father. Now knowing the miraculous effect of the Cloud Dream White Fruit... so... I know you also desire this fruit, Senior. However, I must ask if there is a way to achieve both outcomes? I truly wish my father could stand up!"

His father!

That hearty, caring countryman!

Although Father Teng Yongfan wasn't like heroes such as Zhuge Yuanhong, he was his father, even if he was just a village blacksmith.

"Qingshan, how old is your father now?" The Cloud Dream God of War couldn't help but frown.

In the God of War's view, Teng Qingshan should be quite old, meaning his father should be even older. An old man, and he still wanted to waste a Cloud Dream White Fruit?

"My father has at least another hundred years left to live," Teng Qingshan’s gaze was sharp.

The Cloud Dream God of War looked at Teng Qingshan and fell silent.

He understood what Teng Qingshan meant...

"Haha..." The Cloud Dream God of War suddenly laughed. "Your filial piety is commendable, Qingshan. Haha, your father must be delighted to have a son like you. As for wanting your father to stand again, it's not impossible. Although, generally, only one Cloud Dream White Fruit ripens at a time."

Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up: "Senior, you have a way?"

"Mmm."

The Cloud Dream God of War nodded. "The efficacy of the Cloud Dream White Fruit is mystical. Even if half of one's body is severed, eating the fruit allows for rapid regrowth of the missing half! In other words—ordinary injuries do not require consuming the entire fruit. Only a portion is needed."

"It can be like that?" Teng Qingshan rejoiced inwardly. "Senior, how long can this Cloud Dream White Fruit be preserved?"

Teng Qingshan’s greatest worry was that the fruit might rot during the long journey.

"Don't worry at all. As long as the Cloud Dream White Fruit is kept in a sealed jade box, it will be perfectly fine for ten or even a hundred years!" The Cloud Dream God of War was completely confident. "Of course, it must be a jade box, and cutting the fruit must also be done with a jade knife. Using ordinary blades will cause the fruit to be damaged and rot."

Teng Qingshan committed these words to memory.

"Originally, I planned to obtain one Cloud Dream White Fruit, cure this little fellow Yun Ji, and then keep a portion stored for the family, just in case! Since you put it that way, how about this... when the time comes, we will cut it slice by slice. First, we'll use it for young Yun Ji to consume, and once his arms have regrown, we stop feeding it to him. The remainder will all go to you, Qingshan," the Cloud Dream God of War stated.

Teng Qingshan hesitated slightly but finally nodded in agreement.

In truth, Teng Qingshan knew that prioritizing Mu Yun Ji meant there was no telling how much would be left. However, he had no other recourse.

After all, before him... was the Cloud Dream God of War!

"Good, it's settled then," the Cloud Dream God of War laughed loudly. "Qingshan, you probably know very little about the Cloud Dream Marsh, too."

Teng Qingshan nodded: "It's safe to say I know nothing."

"Haha, since you don't even know about the Cloud Dream White Fruit, I could guess. You little fellow must have been entirely focused on cultivation until now." The Cloud Dream God of War chuckled, took out a thread-bound ancient book from his robes, and handed it to Teng Qingshan. "I have it ready. This contains information about the Cloud Dream Marsh, including a rough map, details on various demonic beasts, wild animals, and poisonous insects, as well as some medicinal herbs and spiritual fruits. They are all recorded here."

Teng Qingshan accepted it and quickly flipped through it.

He saw many illustrations depicting wild beasts and medicinal herbs, along with quite detailed descriptions.

"The Cloud Dream White Fruit is also described here," the Cloud Dream God of War mentioned.

"I see it." Teng Qingshan had already turned to that page.

Beside the drawing was a simple depiction: the squat little fruit tree and a single, lonely fruit resembling an infant. Next to the illustration was a very detailed description.

"Oh? Fist-sized? The peel turns white when ripe?" Teng Qingshan absorbed the information, forming a clearer understanding.

"Senior," Teng Qingshan looked at the Cloud Dream God of War, "this Cloud Dream Marsh spans three thousand li. Am I expected to search for the Cloud Dream White Fruit like looking for a needle in a haystack?"

"Certainly not," the Cloud Dream God of War smiled. "The Cloud Dream White Fruit is one of the three Great Spiritual Treasures of the Duanmu Continent; it must grow where spiritual energy is dense! Where rare treasures exist, demonic beasts will surely be guarding them. Precisely because the spiritual energy is concentrated, demonic beasts will be nearby. You only need to look for places that harbor demonic beasts—see if a Cloud Dream White Fruit is there!"

"If there aren't even any demonic beasts, the fruit won't be there," the Cloud Dream God of War affirmed.

Teng Qingshan couldn't help but smile wryly: "That method is indeed simple."

No matter how vast the Cloud Dream Marsh, the number of demonic beasts couldn't be astronomically high. It would be troublesome for the Cloud Dream God of War who couldn't fly, but Teng Qingshan, overlooking from the back of the Gale Eagle, could search much faster.

"But you must be meticulous. The Cloud Dream White Fruit can grow deep in the marsh, among the grasses, or nestled among rocks—it could grow anywhere. Sometimes, even in a vast expanse of marshland, you need to pay attention. Perhaps deep within the waters, there are demonic beasts and the Cloud Dream White Fruit." The Cloud Dream God of War cautioned.

Hearing this, Teng Qingshan understood the difficulty of the search.

"One more thing..."

"The Cloud Dream White Fruit is a unique treasure of heaven and earth. It doesn't grow in the Cloud Dream Marsh all the time. Perhaps there isn't one right now," the Cloud Dream God of War laughed heartily. "Just search diligently, Qingshan. How about this—let's set a time limit of three months. If you haven't found the fruit after three months, we'll give up."

Teng Qingshan frowned. What the Cloud Dream God of War said made sense; if there was no fruit in the marsh currently, further searching would just be a waste of time.

"Agreed, a three-month limit!"

Yet, Teng Qingshan secretly resolved that no matter what, he had to search thoroughly!

"Qingshan, rest for today. Set off early tomorrow morning," the Cloud Dream God of War stood up.

Teng Qingshan also rose: "Senior, there is no time to lose. I will go to the Cloud Dream Marsh now!"

...

By noon that day, Teng Qingshan was already flying away from Cloud Dream Ancient City on the back of the Gale Eagle, entering the vast Cloud Dream Marsh.

The Cloud Dream Marsh stretched for three thousand li.

It consisted mostly of lakes and swamps, with occasional low hills. This marsh was also peculiar: misty vapors often rose from the water surface. Logically, given the temperature of the West Tang Domain, most of the marsh should be frozen solid most of the year. However, in reality, except for a very small section, the Cloud Dream Marsh never froze over, season after season!

In some places, the water was even warm!

This was one of the reasons for the rising vapor.

Since setting foot in the Cloud Dream Marsh, Teng Qingshan realized its inherent danger. Because the depths of many lakes and marshes varied wildly, adventurers entering the marsh could not safely navigate by boat. Walking was even more perilous. Many swamp areas could swallow a person whole with a single misstep.

Most frighteningly, poisonous insects and aquatic beasts would suddenly emerge from beneath the swamps and lakes.

While Teng Qingshan was in the marsh, the Gale Eagle couldn't fly continuously day and night; it also needed rest. It typically flew for about six or seven hours a day. In some areas, Teng Qingshan would explore on foot.

Once—

Teng Qingshan was trekking across a swamp. Given his power, he shouldn't have sunk. But as he moved, a venomous snake suddenly coiled around his ankle, attempting to drag him underwater.

Another time—

While meditating cross-legged at night, he was attacked by a large swarm of spider-like venomous beasts that sprayed venom mouthful after mouthful, trying to poison and devour him.

...

Of course, the outcome of the various situations Teng Qingshan faced needed no elaboration. Any venomous insects or aquatic beasts that provoked Teng Qingshan were truly asking for a swift end.

Entering the eighteenth day in the Cloud Dream Marsh.

Whoosh~~~ Whoosh~~~

The Gale Eagle flapped its wings, soaring hundreds of feet high. Teng Qingshan stood on its back, his sharp eyes scanning below, not missing any unusual activity. Waterfowl, venomous snakes, piranhas—these were common sights. Teng Qingshan recognized all these strange, poisonous creatures, thanks to the detailed book the Cloud Dream God of War had given him.

He paid no mind to the common aquatic beasts he spotted.

However, if he spotted any peculiar or demonic beasts, Teng Qingshan would certainly descend to investigate.

"Eighteen days!" Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.

"Not a trace of the Cloud Dream White Fruit, though I have discovered over thirty demonic beasts!"

In these eighteen days, Teng Qingshan had slain three demonic beasts and injured over thirty others, acquiring quite a few spiritual medicines and fruits in the process. Truthfully, Teng Qingshan was reluctant to kill the beasts, but since many didn't recognize his strength, the consequences for them were dire.

Currently, Teng Qingshan’s bulging pack contained only empty jade boxes and the spiritual herbs and fruits he happened to collect.

"Hmm?" Teng Qingshan looked ahead.

"Caw~~ Caw~~~"

Black, crow-like birds, numbering in the thousands, densely packed, streamed toward him from ahead, instantly obscuring the sky. In mere moments, this flock of birds rushed upon Teng Qingshan, like a vast ocean of fowl threatening to engulf him.

"Strange?" Teng Qingshan frowned.

The Gale Eagle was a first-rate flying demonic beast; ordinary birds tended to steer clear when they approached.