Amidst the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, Ji Changkong and Zhou Qiangwei moved along with the Ye family retainers, unhurried, their pace measured, the atmosphere around them strangely placid.

Along this path, the Ye family members, including Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei, were extremely cautious; their expressions guarded. The closer they drew to the direction of Venom Dragon Pool, the tenser they became. The surrounding ferocious and bloodthirsty beasts gradually grew more numerous. These beasts, possessing immense size and startling power, did not hold Zhou Miaoshan and the others in particular awe. They would intermittently flash into view in the distance, sometimes even staring greedily at the group with wide, savage, bloodthirsty eyes.

To the beasts of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, all humans who entered were prey, though they were discerning enough to know which prey was delicious and which was merely bone-stuffing. The deeper beasts of the Great Marsh possessed a certain spirituality, always preferring to hunt cultivators whose realms were extraordinary.

For those who followed the Heavenly Cultivation Path, their flesh and blood contained vast primordial energies. Beasts consuming this not only found it delicious but also gained strength. Therefore, to them, those who cultivated the Heavenly Path were far more valuable than ordinary people.

Of course, the relationship between prey and hunter was relative. While beasts enjoyed hunting cultivators, cultivators with profound realms often harbored their own avarice for the beasts. The hides, flesh, and tendons of beasts were rare materials for forging divine weapons, and the flesh of some beasts could be consumed directly to grant cultivators of the Heavenly Path a specific kind of primordial energy.

The beasts in the outer reaches of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng would instinctively fear cultivators of high realm. However, those beasts that had dwelled deep within for centuries were inherently savage and bloodthirsty, possessing hides as tough as iron or potent poisons, thus holding no fear for powerful cultivators.

Beasts and the cultivators who ventured deep had always been mortal enemies, their slaughter never ceasing. Cultivators sought the tendons and bones of beasts to forge divine artifacts and increase their cultivation, while the beasts viewed the flesh of cultivators, rich with primordial energy, as the most delectable delicacy. Between them existed an irreconcilable conflict.

The most savage and powerful beasts in the depths of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng naturally congregated near Venom Dragon Pool. Yet, there were also solitary, extraordinary beasts that were now constantly shadowing Zhou Miaoshan and her group, seemingly regarding them as targets.

However, they had clearly sensed the unusual power emanating from Zhou Miaoshan’s party, which was why, despite observing them secretly from afar, they had not yet rushed forward to engage in reckless combat.

They were still slowly observing.

With beasts lurking nearby, their savage, bloodthirsty eyes piercing through the dense foliage, watching coldly, the Ye family retainers grew increasingly uneasy, filled with apprehension that the beasts might suddenly erupt in a frenzy of attack at any moment.

Zhou Qiangwei, however, maintained a composed, delicate appearance, showing no sign of panic in such a situation, as if entirely unaware of the beasts lurking in the shadows. For the past two days, she and her mother, Zhou Miaoshan, had been constantly probing Ji Changkong with conversation, attempting to uncover his identity.

Unfortunately, Ji Changkong intentionally or unintentionally deflected the mother and daughter’s inquiries, remaining tight-lipped. After questioning him for a long time, they had managed to glean nothing concrete, increasing their conviction that Ji Changkong was exceptionally mysterious.

“That—Ji Changkong,” Zhou Miaoshan called out softly.

Ji Changkong, who deliberately walked at the very front of the group, turned his head slightly, glancing back at her indifferently. He asked, without being overtly cold but certainly without warmth, “What is it?”

“The beasts are circling nearby; it looks like they are about to make a move soon. What should we do? If these beasts surround and attack, we will all become their tasty morsels, leaving no bones behind!” Zhou Miaoshan frowned, posing the question to Ji Changkong.

Upon hearing the possibility of becoming the beasts’ next meal, the Ye family servants were struck with dread. Sometimes death was not terrifying, but being torn apart by beasts was too cruel a fate for them to contemplate.

“We’ll deal with the soldiers as they come, and the water as it rises. If the beasts dare to attack, I will naturally make them retreat,” Ji Changkong smiled, appearing utterly unconcerned about the beasts.

The Ye family servants regarded him with half-belief, not truly reassured by his guarantee, thinking to themselves: if he cannot hold them off, he will retreat alone and certainly won't care about our fate.

Zhou Qiangwei gazed at Ji Changkong with beautiful eyes, remaining silent.

Rustle… rustle…

The sound of beast footsteps came again from the shadows beneath the nearby trees. Judging by the sound, they were clearly right beside them, and certainly more than just one or two creatures.

A few timid Ye family servants looked horrified, instinctively clutching their clothing tighter, as if chilled by an unseen cold.

Ji Changkong’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. His sharp eyes swept over the hiding places of the lurking beasts. He thought: when I roamed the Great Marsh of Yunmeng with the Heavenly Winged Dragon, what kind of beast hadn't I seen? Back then, he relied on the Heavenly Winged Dragon to dominate.

Today, without needing anyone’s aid, he could still do as he pleased in the Great Marsh of Yunmeng!

“Since you are afraid, I shall drive them away now,” Ji Changkong murmured thoughtfully. “Originally, having this pack of beasts lurking in the shadows could at least deter the Southern Barbarians who might dare to invade. If the beasts leave, perhaps those people will also appear. That would be fine too.”

With that, Ji Changkong vanished with ghostly swiftness.

Zhou Miaoshan was stunned. She opened her mouth as if to say something but then shook her head and sighed softly, ultimately saying nothing.

“Madam, who exactly is this young man? As far as I know, there shouldn't be such a young master of his caliber in this world. He agreed to escort us out of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng—is he truly benevolent, or does he harbor some dark plot?” Ye Youshan’s face was gloomy, filled with suspicion.

Though Ye Youshan shared the surname Ye, he was not originally a member of the Ye family; it was merely a coincidence of name. Because of this shared surname, he had pledged allegiance to the Ye family, but as he was not true kin, he held only the status of a retainer within the family.

“Mother, who could he be?” Zhou Qiangwei also harbored doubts, asking blankly while gazing in the direction Ji Changkong had disappeared.

“So familiar with every blade of grass and tree in the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, and so young…” Zhou Miaoshan murmured, perhaps already sensing Ji Changkong’s identity. However, she chose not to elaborate to Ye Youshan and the others. “No matter who he is, we must trust him now, or we will absolutely not survive leaving the Great Marsh of Yunmeng.”

Ye Youshan nodded indifferently.

“So intimately familiar with every part of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, he must frequently visit. Such formidable strength—this seems…” This seemed to align with a certain rumor. Zhou Qiangwei was exceptionally intelligent and, following her mother’s words, pondered deeply, perhaps finding a clue as well.

Ji Changkong had not actually left the vicinity of the pool.

Several two-headed pythons were coiled in the dense undergrowth, their triangular eyes gleaming with a cold, dark green light, watching him with icy indifference. Not far from those pythons, several other spiritual beasts, large and small, lay in wait, all of them fixated on Ji Changkong.

The powerful surge of primal energy radiating from Ji Changkong alerted these spiritual beasts that this person was absolutely not easy to deal with. Thus, they merely watched him but dared not make any rash moves. However, the cold, fiery hatred burning in their eyes was slowly intensifying.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong sensed only an unquenchable flame of hatred emanating from these beasts. He was startled. Though he knew beasts generally disliked intruders disturbing the cultivators behind them, he never expected such deep-seated animosity.

What was going on? Puzzled, he could not understand why these beasts were acting so abnormally. Despite his intentionally released vast primal energy, they did not scatter in fear but instead adopted a confrontational stance.

Slightly annoyed, Ji Changkong thought: since you insist on being ungrateful, don't blame me for being impolite.

Just as Ji Changkong was about to strike, suddenly, a monstrous creature with nine heads slowly materialized in the distance. The moment this behemoth appeared, the savage intent in the eyes of the beasts confronting Ji Changkong grew even fiercer; they seemed eager to surround and attack him under the protection of this powerful reinforcement.

“Hah!” Ji Changkong let out a light cry, then burst into hearty laughter, flying toward the nine-headed behemoth without a trace of fear. As he walked, he laughed, “Nine-Headed Bird, do you still remember me?”

This sudden giant appearing there was, indeed, one of the ferocious beasts of Venom Dragon Pool: the Nine-Headed Bird.

Sometimes beasts understood loyalty better than men. Ji Changkong had been away from the Great Marsh of Yunmeng for several years, yet the Nine-Headed Bird recognized him instantly by his scent upon his arrival. It circled him happily for a moment and then chattered animatedly toward the pack of beasts besieging Ji Changkong nearby.

Beasts emerging from Venom Dragon Pool generally held some prestige among their kind. The Nine-Headed Bird was a fearsome beast in the pool, second only to the Heavenly Winged Dragon. The nearby two-headed pythons and other beasts, seeing it call out, gradually lessened the bloodlust and hatred in their eyes, eventually departing one by one, albeit reluctantly.

“Who?” Ji Changkong, happily embracing one of the Nine-Headed Bird’s necks, suddenly turned and swept a cold glance toward the dense thicket.

Zhou Qiangwei, who had covered her red lips, emerged from the bushes, her face contorted in horror as she stared at the terrifying beast playfully interacting with Ji Changkong. The Nine-Headed Bird was enormous, far more savage and frightening than any ordinary beast she had ever seen.

She had heard the beast roars coming from this direction and, fueled by curiosity about Ji Changkong, had wanted to see what was happening. She never expected that upon arriving, she would see all the surrounding beasts leaving while he intimately hugged an unusually massive, frightening creature.

Zhou Qiangwei’s mind reeled. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Ji Changkong, filled with confusion, she murmured, “You, what is this?”

“Oh, it’s Miss Zhou,” Ji Changkong replied, his expression unchanged and calm. “Those beasts will no longer trouble you; rest assured, they have left.”

“Why would those beasts obey you? Why… why isn’t this behemoth attacking you? Could it be—could it be that all the beasts gathering around us were mobilized by you?” Zhou Qiangwei bit her lip, her gaze complex.