The fine, drizzling rain arrived quietly in the dead of night. The gentle drops landing on the Yunmeng Marsh remained as still as ever. With the coming of the (Sì Yǔ - Sudden Rain), even the chirping of the (Chóng Nǎi) subsided, leaving Zhou Bo in a silence that was frighteningly deep.

As expected, the greenish-brown toxic smoke shrouding the swamp ahead began to flow like water, slowly drifting toward the distance, gradually revealing large swathes of the marshland.

Zhou Miaoshan, Zhou Qiangwei, and the others erected tents, sheltering inside to escape the rain and catch a brief rest. Ye Youshan and a few members of the Ye family positioned themselves around the tent in different directions, vigilantly monitoring the flow of the greenish-brown toxic smoke ahead, preventing any sudden incident from disrupting their plans.

Ji Changkong sat nestled in the crossed branches of a towering ancient tree, his eyes slightly narrowed. He gently stroked the Long Yao in his hand, infinitesimal, dull glints of light seeping from under his fingernails into the blade of the long saber.

Suddenly, Ji Changkong, who had been wholly absorbed in playing with the saber, felt an acute discomfort, like sitting on pins and needles. He frowned, paused his movements, and looked up toward the swampy area ahead, which was swirling with mist.

His Divine Soul, like smoke, quietly drifted out of his mind. Once free, Ji Changkong seemed to gain a pair of keen eyes capable of piercing all obscurity. He swept through the area surrounding the swamp, his expression shifting abruptly before he leaped down from the ancient tree.

Behind the swamp area, nearly a hundred Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers suddenly materialized. Their auras were steady, each holding their breath in concentration—a clear sign they were about to strike!

These Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers were separated from Zhou Miaoshan’s group by the toxic, smoke-filled marsh. They seemed somewhat fearful of the soul-confusing vapors above the mire, so they stopped at a distance.

Descending like a night bird gliding through the void—unable to soar freely—Ji Changkong’s descent was light, as if he weighed nothing at all. He dropped directly toward the tent where Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei were resting.

“What are you doing?” Ye Youshan cried out suddenly, noticing the movement. The nearby Ye family servants immediately adopted hostile stances, watching Ji Changkong’s descent toward the tent with cautious expressions.

Bang!

Ji Changkong’s agile body pierced the tent like a sharpened sword, landing directly onto the cotton mat where Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei were resting.

“You, what do you want to do?” Zhou Miaoshan stammered, her clothes disheveled, her creamy chest partially exposed, her beautiful face pale with fright.

Zhou Qiangwei’s delicate eyebrows shot up, indignation clear in her bright eyes. Her two jade-like arms, smooth as lotus roots, tightly clutched a thick outer robe, covering her chest securely.

Since entering the Yunmeng Marsh, Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei had known no proper rest. Although both were practitioners dedicated to the Heavenly Path, the prolonged tension had worn them down considerably. Now that Ji Changkong was nearby to guard them, the mother and daughter had finally been able to relax for one night. Naturally, they had no desire to endure the constraint of tight clothing; thus, both wore only their undergarments.

Ji Changkong, barging in unexpectedly, was about to shout something when he suddenly froze upon seeing the sudden glimpse of the mother and daughter’s exposed charms. His mouth hung open in a strange expression.

Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei’s jade arms revealed their creamy chests slightly; one radiated mature allure, the other brimmed with youthful vitality. Though they sat half-reclined in a state of panic, the beauty they displayed was impossible to look away from—one longed to linger their gaze upon their mesmerizing flesh and take a good, long look.

“Madam! Miss!” Ye Youshan shouted loudly from outside, wanting to rush in but hesitant, only able to shout repeatedly.

Snapping back from his moment of stunned silence, Ji Changkong’s face sobered. “There is danger!”

Zhou Miaoshan bit her lip lightly, her eyes hostile. She spat, “What danger? You, you aren't just making an excuse to bully us, are you?” Zhou Qiangwei said nothing, but the look she gave Ji Changkong was filled with disappointment.

“Madam! Miss! Are you, are you alright? Do you need us to…” Ye Youshan was still shouting outside.

Zhou Miaoshan gritted her teeth, glaring hatefully at the slightly frowning Ji Changkong, unsure what to do. Call them over? What use would it be if they came? They’d just be fodder for death too! What idiots! Zhou Miaoshan knew that even combined, they were no match for Ji Changkong, and a sudden surge of weak frustration overwhelmed her. She inwardly sighed at her terrible luck.

“Get out!” Zhou Qiangwei snapped.

His face visibly awkward, Ji Changkong nodded. “I’ll go out, but you must dress immediately. Danger could strike at any moment, you…”

Swish, swish, swish! Swish, swish, swish!

Before he could finish speaking, the sharp whistle of arrows tearing through the sky abruptly rang out. The whistling was incredibly sharp, one after another—nearly a hundred arrows shot in unison.

The expressions of Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei shifted; they suddenly realized they had wrongly accused Ji Changkong. But recalling the abruptness of his actions, the mother and daughter felt they couldn’t entirely blame themselves. However, even if his behavior was inappropriate, he was now their lifeline; if he didn't act now, wouldn't they and the Ye family all perish here?

Thinking this, Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei’s faces grew anxious. They pursed their lips, intending to say something to Ji Changkong.

“I cannot protect so many people. I can only ensure the safety of you two. Hurry and dress, retreat immediately!” Ji Changkong didn't dwell on it. He instantly exited the tent.

Seeing rows upon rows of dense arrows slicing through the air, he swung the Long Yao saber toward the sky, and a dazzling crimson rainbow light flashed. Dozens of incoming arrows were all severed.

“Everyone, stay clear!” Ji Changkong couldn’t protect everyone, but he still offered a warning.

Regrettably, even as he spoke, several Ye family members were already pierced by arrows—some pinned to the towering ancient trees, others having their legs struck and nailed to the ground. Blood streamed from them incessantly; they had already breathed their last.

The Ye family servants who had followed Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei were few to begin with. With these deaths, only three remained lucky enough to be alive.

Ye Youshan dodged far away, agilely maneuvering beneath the dense branches of an ancient tree. This man was smart, knowing the thick foliage could intercept the incoming arrows.

Swish, swish, swish! Swish, swish, swish!

As one wave of arrows subsided, another, even fiercer volley sliced through the air. It was unclear by what means the Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers opposite had identified the location of Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei, but this new barrage was still aimed precisely at their tent.

The Long Yao's crimson light flashed in the air again. Nearly a hundred arrows were broken once more amidst the pervasive scent of blood. The broken shafts continued to fly wildly. Coincidentally, one of them struck a Ye family servant fleeing toward the tree where Ye Youshan hid, piercing his neck. A gush of hot blood sprayed from his throat; he clearly wouldn't survive either.

Finally, Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei emerged from the tent in distress. They looked around, their faces etched with the desolate grief of utter devastation. These Ye family servants had accompanied them all the way to the Nanyi lands, shielding them from countless dangers along the way. Alas, they could not escape the fate of death and were all left behind in the Yunmeng Marsh.

The sound of whistling arrows rose again!

Rows upon rows of arrows were like the light, drizzling rain, dense and thick. They carved graceful, brilliant arcs across the void like streaks of crimson and purple light. Someone unaware, glancing from afar, might be mesmerized by the arrows' beauty.

However, this time Ji Changkong was on high alert. He roared immediately, “Get close to me!”

These colorful, multi-hued arrows were clearly different from the previous two rounds. This time, the enemy was exerting full power; every single arrow was imbued with Origin Energy. The colorful arrowheads were mixed with terrifying powers from the Four Symbols, Five Elements, Seven Stars, and even the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Realm!

This volley of archery was the true killing move!

Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei’s delicate faces were filled with horror. At this point, they couldn’t afford to mourn; they rushed to stand on either side of Ji Changkong, nervously watching the hundreds of arrows streaking toward them.

A beam of arrow light, as bright as a falling meteor, shone dazzlingly bright among the hundreds of shafts. Its speed wasn't particularly fast, but as it flew closer, it grew brighter and brighter. Its brilliant radiance dimmed the light of all surrounding arrows. This was an arrow imbued with unparalleled sharpness, carrying the essence of moonlight.

This must have been fired by a master of the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Realm!

His expression solemn, Ji Changkong took a deep breath. A sharp light flashed in his eyes. The Long Yao long saber in his hand suddenly flew out. The crimson light twisted and snaked, resembling a great dragon yearning to ascend to the heavens.

Long Yao spun continuously in the void, slashing every incoming arrow into flying debris. As arrow after arrow vanished, the final, dazzling arrow shot by the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Soldier arrived last, striking toward him.

That single arrow was not only brilliant but also continued to grow larger as it approached. By the time it was directly over Ji Changkong’s head, the steadily expanding arrow suddenly erupted with astonishing moonlight. The single arrow instantly split, fragmenting into dozens of fine arrows of varying lengths, descending like a fine, misty drizzle.

The archer’s skill was supreme; one arrow could split into nearly forty, transforming into a dense rain of tiny projectiles at the moment of impact, each carrying lethal force.

The Long Yao saber circling overhead was momentarily unable to deal with the fragmented arrows shooting everywhere. The crimson light spread out, managing to sever only about ten of the nearest shafts.

A large portion of the arrows, carrying intimidating sharpness, traced dazzling bright lines, plunging down toward Ji Changkong and the trio of Zhou Miaoshan.

Zhou Miaoshan’s expression turned ashen. She suddenly regretted insisting on coming to the Nanyi lands. She knew she could never evade that dense rain of arrows. Seeing Ji Changkong’s Long Yao saber suspended in the air while he stood empty-handed, looking up at the incoming shafts, made her feel this ordeal was insurmountable.

But fate is always unpredictable!

Just as the sky-filling arrows were about to arrive, a semi-circular, five-colored halo appeared as if from thin air, bizarrely blocking the space above Zhou Miaoshan and the others. The five-colored image resembled a deep, bottomless black hole, slowly rotating. Arrow after arrow fell into that abyss, vanishing without a trace, as if disappearing into another world.

An extremely faint ripple flowed out from Ji Changkong’s body, merging with the five-colored halo above his head, controlling the trajectory of the light circle, allowing him to manipulate it as he pleased.

If they hadn't been standing so close to Ji Changkong, Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei might never have noticed the connection between him and the five-colored halo overhead. Surprise dawned in the mother and daughter’s eyes as they focused their gaze on him.

“It’s nothing,” Ji Changkong replied calmly, his gaze cold as he looked up at the sky. He then suddenly beckoned. The Long Yao saber hovering in mid-air became a blood-red thread, instantly returning to his palm and disappearing.

At that moment, the entire sky of arrows vanished.

“Go, retreat further back!” Ji Changkong grabbed Zhou Qiangwei with one hand and Zhou Miaoshan with the other, rapidly retreating backward.

His thick arms gripped the mother and daughter by the shoulders. He could feel the smooth, supple curve of their shoulders and the heat radiating from them. A strange ripple stirred in his heart; Ji Changkong couldn't help but recall the exquisite feeling of his lower body sinking into Zhou Qiangwei’s full hips a few days prior...

“You!?” Zhou Miaoshan’s delicate face flushed with panic. Being touched by a man other than her husband for the first time stirred an intense sense of humiliating shame within her, especially with her daughter nearby.

Zhou Miaoshan twisted her waist slightly, trying to break free from the restraint of Ji Changkong’s large hands. Unfortunately, his grip was like an iron hook; no matter how she struggled, she couldn't shake the hand off her shoulder.

Just as Zhou Miaoshan’s anger intensified, she felt the pressure on her shoulder suddenly ease. She glanced over and saw that Ji Changkong had already let go. He was frowning, staring ahead, murmuring softly, “How did those Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers know we were on the other side of the marsh? And why were they able to aim so accurately when they shot?”

The greenish-brown toxic smoke swirling above the marsh had a peculiar power to confuse the Divine Soul. Even Ji Changkong’s soul struggled to see the Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers clearly through the haze. Yet, it was as if they possessed an extra pair of eyes on this side, as every arrow was aimed precisely at a member of the Ye family.

In the subsequent two rounds of shooting, the aim was so precise toward Zhou Miaoshan and her daughter’s tent, without the slightest margin for error—this level of accuracy was terrifying, greatly alarming Ji Changkong. Even with his mastery of the Tai Xu Secret Record, he couldn't see the situation on the other side clearly under the influence of the toxic smoke, so how could they be so familiar with the locations of Zhou Miaoshan and the others? Furthermore, how could they pinpoint the Ye family and select such an advantageous location?

The Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers attacked them separated by the toxic marsh. Due to the distance, the Ye family on this side could not strike back. With that toxic smoke present, they couldn't cross it to reach the Nanyi forces either. However, these bow-wielding Nanyi experts could shoot at them at will from across the dark green smoke, without any apparent concern.

No matter how one looked at it, the Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers held a significant advantage—an advantage that, upon closer inspection, seemed somewhat artificially engineered...

“Ah?” Zhou Miaoshan, who had been preparing to confront Ji Changkong, let out a small cry of surprise, looking at him, “What are you trying to say?”

“Mother, what he says makes some sense. Our movements… seem to have been exposed,” Zhou Qiangwei was calmer, thinking for a moment before nodding silently.

“How is that possible?” Zhou Miaoshan didn't quite believe it, shaking her head slightly. “Some people might know the news of our journey. But we ourselves didn’t know the exact route beforehand; how could they pinpoint it?”

“Perhaps someone among your Ye family leaked your information…” Ji Changkong said lightly.

“You, how can you say that?” Zhou Miaoshan erupted in fury, pointing hysterically at the corpses ahead, shouting hoarsely, “Look at them! They died tragically for us! If they betrayed us, why would they suffer the same fate?”

“But some people are still alive, aren't they?” Ji Changkong glanced at Ye Youshan, who was hiding beneath the ancient tree, his tone indifferent.

“You, you are being unreasonable!” Zhou Miaoshan raged.

Shaking his head, Ji Changkong didn't press the issue further. He walked to the side alone, putting some distance between himself and the mother and daughter, watching the agitated Zhou Miaoshan coldly.

Perhaps realizing their target was gone, the Nanyi Heavenly Soldiers across the marsh ceased firing.

After a while, Ye Youshan and the other surviving Ye family servant slowly approached from a distance, glancing back at every step. As soon as Ye Youshan arrived, he shouted loudly, “Madam, Miss, are you, are you alright? Your old servant is useless and could not protect you; this old servant deserves death...”

“It’s good that you are alive; you don’t need to blame yourself. I never imagined that after only a few days, only you and Wang Zheng would remain by my side. Alas, if I had known… if I had known it would be like this, we should have given up sooner…” Zhou Miaoshan shook her head repeatedly, her eyes glistening with mist.

“It’s good that Madam and Miss are safe,” Wang Zheng said quietly without much talk, standing silently by the side with his hands hanging down.

Ye Youshan maintained a sorrowful expression, constantly shaking his head and sighing, occasionally offering words of comfort to Zhou Miaoshan to restrain her grief.

“Madam, Miss, you, you haven't been… treated inappropriately by him, have you?” After a round of lamenting, Ye Youshan snorted and lowered his voice to ask, casting a suspicious glance at the indifferent Ji Changkong from afar.

A flicker of panic crossed Zhou Miaoshan’s eyes, but she decisively shook her head. “Don't jump to conclusions. If he hadn't intervened just now, my daughter and I would likely not have survived those arrows. He is young, and sometimes his actions are rash, but he meant well...”

“Oh, it’s good that nothing happened, it’s good that nothing happened…” Ye Youshan nodded and said no more.

“Continue resting. We set off at dawn,” Ji Changkong said coldly from a distance. He leaped up and sat down again where the branches of an ancient tree crossed, dangling his legs nonchalantly, frowning down at the four people below.

Zhou Miaoshan and Ye Youshan spoke in low voices, occasionally glancing up at Ji Changkong in the tree. Wang Zheng remained silent, quietly finding a relatively dry spot to sit, seemingly meditating to recover his strength.

Zhou Qiangwei frowned, gazing into the distance. With a calm demeanor, she walked to the base of the tree beneath Ji Changkong, took out a cushion, placed it on the ground, and sat down, staring blankly up at the leaves. Two zhang above her head, Ji Changkong’s legs dangled occasionally.

As he swayed slightly, the water droplets clinging to the leaves rolled down, falling one by one onto Zhou Qiangwei below, dotting her hair and face with crystal-clear beads of water.

Ji Changkong clearly saw Zhou Qiangwei approach, yet he continued to sway his body, deliberately shaking the water from the leaves onto her.

Zhou Qiangwei frowned and let out a short, noncommittal huff, annoyance flickering in her eyes. She muttered to herself, “Some people, whether their actions are truly rash or deliberately provocative—if it’s the latter, then that person’s character is truly despicable. The principle of men and women not touching is common knowledge, yet some act as if they know nothing at all...”

He glanced down, Ji Changkong replied coolly, “If we truly adhered to the principle of men and women not touching, some people might have already withered away, having no chance to offer their sarcastic remarks up there.” Zhou Qiangwei choked, secretly biting her lip, glaring fiercely up at him.

After a moment, Zhou Qiangwei took a gentle breath and whispered in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, “Regardless, thank you anyway.”

“What?” Ji Changkong poked his head down, looking genuinely puzzled.

“Thank you,” Zhou Qiangwei repeated.

“What? I can’t hear you?” Ji Changkong called out, a wicked, faint smile touching his lips.

"Forget it if you can't hear me! Hmph!" Zhou Qiangwei turned her head away, shifting her delicate body to sit on the other side, staring blankly at Zhou Miaoshan and Ye Youshan speaking in the distance. After a long moment, she seemed to whisper to herself, "Could someone truly have ill intentions and leak our whereabouts? Otherwise, how could those Southern Barbarians target us so accurately?"

With a sigh in his heart, Ji Changkong realized that despite her young age, Zhou Qiangwei worried far more than her mother accounted for.

"There is still a stretch of road ahead, neither too long nor too short. Whether someone deliberately released the news, I think we will know slowly," Ji Changkong said calmly.

Zhou Qiangwei nodded lightly. Saying no more, she closed her eyes and rested against the tree trunk.

A silent night passed, and the sun rose early the next day.

The greenish-brown poisonous smoke lingering over the swamp ahead had indeed vanished without a trace. The four members of the Ye family on this side had not slept all night, remaining cautious and vigilant, fearing that Ji Changkong might act rashly, but even more afraid that the Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers, separated by the smoke, would swarm over once the mist cleared.

Fortunately, nothing happened. Neither Ji Changkong nor the Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers made any move.

When dawn broke, Ji Changkong opened his eyes, glanced far ahead, and allowed his divine soul to drift out. Without the obstruction of the greenish-brown smoke, his soul traveled unimpeded, quickly sweeping through the area where the Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers had been camped the previous night.

The Southern Barbarians had vanished without a trace!

Frowning, he leaped down from the tall tree, landing precisely next to Zhou Qiangwei. Dust flew up, and Zhou Qiangwei angrily moved aside, harboring resentment in her heart. "Can't you be considerate of others?"

With a casual smile, Ji Changkong scratched his head and laughed, "I completely forgot someone was under the tree. My apologies." He glanced at Zhou Miaoshan, whose eyes were slightly red and swollen. "The Southern Barbarians have retreated; can you depart now?"

After last night's battle, only Zhou Miaoshan, her daughter, Ye Youshan, and Wang Zheng—four people—remained of the Ye family. Zhou Miaoshan nodded firmly despite her somber expression. "Let's go."

While Ji Changkong rested the previous night, he knew that Ye Youshan, Wang Zheng, and Zhou Miaoshan had worked together to bury the bodies of the fallen Ye family members in the front. Though his eyes were closed, Ji Changkong was perfectly aware of their actions.

Uneven mounds of earth were piled up nearby. In front of each grave, a simple wooden marker stood, bearing the name of the deceased. The markers were made from thick branches, clearly sourced on the spot using dried wood found everywhere.

When she reached the mounds, Zhou Qiangwei's gaze grew distant, her beautiful eyes lingering over the small graves. Then, her sight shifted to the backs of Ye Youshan and Wang Zheng. Zhou Qiangwei frowned slightly, pondering something unknown.

In silence, they carefully traversed the swamp, arriving at the place where the Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers had gathered yesterday.

Although it had rained the day before, there was not a single footprint left behind by those men here. Clearly, these Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers were extremely cautious, leaving not the slightest clue.

Zhou Qiangwei observed for a while, then gently shook her head. Even with her careful attention, she could gather no useful information, leading her only to sigh internally.

"Let's hurry. In five days at most, we can leave the Yunmeng Marsh. Once outside, it's level grassland, and we won't have to worry about ambushes. Perhaps the people you are waiting for are there," Ji Changkong said.

Zhou Miaoshan nodded, her mood somewhat low. They proceeded in silence. Ye Youshan walked ahead of Zhou Miaoshan, leading the way for everyone, occasionally murmuring a few words of comfort to Zhou Miaoshan, doing his utmost.

Wang Zheng, the Ye family servant, remained quiet, speaking little. Unless someone asked him directly, he rarely opened his mouth.

They traveled safely for three consecutive days. Those sudden Southern Barbarians seemed to have vanished into thin air; the Heavenly Soldiers never reappeared during these three days, nor did they show any sign of their presence.

Ye Youshan gradually relaxed, the tension in his face quietly easing. When speaking to Zhou Miaoshan, he kept repeating that the journey should be safe now and that they would meet their waiting party in two more days.

Perhaps his words had some effect, as Zhou Miaoshan's expression gradually improved. She stopped looking utterly heartbroken and began to thank Ji Changkong proactively, apologizing for her extreme emotional state the other day and hoping he wouldn't hold a grudge.

Ji Changkong responded to Zhou Miaoshan's thanks with a gentle smile, saying nothing much in return.

Another day passed. They crossed a slope where the bushes reached waist-high and arrived at a lake with crystal-clear water under the blazing midday sun. The lake surface was smooth as a mirror, and fish darted happily at the bottom. Under the bright sunlight, the water stretched vast and shimmering with blue waves.

After such a long trek, suddenly encountering such a clean, transparent lake significantly lifted the spirits of Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei.

A woman's desire for cleanliness is natural. Seeing the pristine lake, mother and daughter could no longer restrain themselves and headed towards it, wanting to wash their faces and wipe the dirt from their arms and nails with the water.

As Zhou Miaoshan and Zhou Qiangwei reached the lakeside, they suddenly found a person standing there, blocking their path.

"What is it?" Zhou Miaoshan asked, startled.

Ji Changkong, who was standing in front of them, raised his hand in a gesture to stop. He glanced back at the clear, bottom-revealing lake, shook his head slightly, and said, "Do not touch the lake water!"

"Why?" Zhou Miaoshan's eyes were full of confusion. She stared at the lake for a moment, then exclaimed, "There are live fish swimming in the lake; it shouldn't be a problem, right? You aren't being too nervous, are you?"

"I lived in the Yunmeng Marsh for several years and explored every corner of it with the Heavenly Turtle-winged Dragon. I know everything about this place. I have never seen fish existing in this lake before. On the contrary, even some ferocious beasts avoid bathing in this seemingly clean water," Ji Changkong explained.

"Mother, this lake is indeed a bit strange. The fish swimming inside have fine, sharp teeth like knives when they open their mouths. Such fish are very rare. Moreover, look, there is only this one type of fish in the entire lake—isn't that very peculiar?" Zhou Qiangwei also sensed something odd.

Hearing what Ji Changkong and Zhou Qiangwei said, Zhou Miaoshan also realized the lake's strangeness. After watching it for a while, she nodded gently. "Since you both say so, this lake must be peculiar."

"These fish are not only vicious but also poisonous all over their bodies. They must be bred by people from the Southern Barbarian Myriad Poisons Sect. They can only live in highly toxic water!" A flash of electric light crossed his mind, and instantly, Ji Changkong identified the origin of these fish.

Zhuanchishi Ji (Special-Toothed Crucian Carp). Fish cultivated by the Myriad Poisons Sect using special toxins. They feed on poisonous insects and live in highly toxic water, possessing a ferocious nature. Upon sensing the scent of blood in the water, they will attack the target wildly; when very hungry, these Poison-Toothed Crucian Carp will even turn on and kill each other.

With a sudden movement, Ji Changkong realized that when he obtained some primal energy from the Heavenly Origin Orb, he had also acquired some of Qu Le’s memories. As the leader of the Myriad Poisons Sect, Qu Le knew even the most secret matters of the sect intimately. He had even cultivated some of these Poison-Toothed Crucian Carp himself, so he knew them clearly.

Those memories regarding poison arts from Qu Le were usually deeply buried in the furthest reaches of his mind, unnoticed when not needed, yet surfacing mysteriously at critical moments.

Zhou Qiangwei's beautiful eyes showed clear astonishment. She hadn't expected Ji Changkong to be so learned as to know the nature of these fish so clearly. In her mind, Ji Changkong grew ever more mysterious.

"So, this lake is also highly toxic?" Zhou Miaoshan's face turned pale. The thought that she might have been poisoned to death had she carelessly washed her hands in it made her tremble with lingering fear.

"The farther away from this lake, the better," Ji Changkong nodded.

Suddenly, an extremely faint and bizarre fluctuation erupted from the bottom of the nearby lake.

Boom! A deafening explosion suddenly occurred at the bottom of the lake right next to them. The water, affected by the blast, sprayed outward violently in all directions, the droplets dense and heavy, drenching Ji Changkong and the two women.

"Be careful!" Almost the instant the explosion sounded beneath the lake, Ye Youshan, who was farther away, shouted a warning and even made a move as if to rush over and help.

His expression changed drastically. Without thinking, Ji Changkong pushed forward with both hands using yielding force. Zhou Miaoshan’s body suddenly floated up lightly and was directed toward Ye Youshan.

His body shifted, and Ji Changkong reappeared beside Zhou Qiangwei like lightning. Without a word, he spread his large hand and tightly enveloped Zhou Qiangwei's beautiful body, slamming her forcefully to the ground.

Zhou Qiangwei was pressed with her back to Ji Changkong. Her plump lower abdomen was held tightly by his large hand again. Her delicate body was prone on the ground, her back held down firmly by Ji Changkong.

A powerful masculine aura instantly flooded Zhou Qiangwei’s senses. Ji Changkong’s heavy torso pressed against her tightly, making it hard for her to breathe. Because of the suddenness, Zhou Qiangwei’s knees were slightly bent, causing her ample buttocks to stick up high. Ji Changkong’s firm lower abdomen happened to press right into the crevice of her rear.

Zhou Qiangwei bit her lip, her cheeks and neck flushing scarlet, overwhelmingly mortified.

Splat, splat, splat!

The sound of raindrops suddenly reached her ears. Zhou Qiangwei abruptly realized that all the toxic water sprayed from the lake was being blocked by Ji Changkong with her in this shameful posture, using his back as a shield.

Looking up quickly, a feeling of inexplicable emotion and panic filled Zhou Qiangwei’s heart. She understood that in the urgency of the moment, Ji Changkong had taken this manner to shield her from the poisonous water, not thinking twice. How could she not be moved that this man used his own body to block the torrential poison?

Moved and flustered, Zhou Qiangwei stopped minding the hardness pressing into the groove of her ample hip and gasped softly, prone on the ground, "Ji Changkong, are—are you alright?"

Ji Changkong, lying atop her, remained silent, his breathing faint.

The explosion at the bottom of the lake happened in the flash of an eye—coming quickly and ending quickly. It was just one blast, and then calm returned.

Zhou Miaoshan, having been pushed away by Ji Changkong and escaped danger, turned around to see that all the incoming lake water had landed on Ji Changkong's back. Realizing her daughter was still under him, Zhou Miaoshan rushed over in a panic, shouting from a distance, "Ji Changkong, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

Ji Changkong’s breath was weak, wisps of white smoke curling from his back, carrying a thick, acrid stench of burning. Zhou Qiangwei struggled slightly. The Ji Changkong on her back suddenly flipped over, collapsing limply onto his back, eyes tightly shut, his face as pale as paper, even his breathing gone.

"Qiangwei, are you alright?" Zhou Miaoshan rushed forward to grab her daughter's arm when she saw her stand up, weeping with relief.

"I'm fine, but he... he, he might be... he might be beyond saving," Zhou Qiangwei replied, her expression complicated. She went over and carefully turned Ji Changkong onto his back again. White smoke rose from his back, and the foul, fishy smell grew stronger.

"Ah!" Zhou Miaoshan gasped, covering her mouth as she looked at Ji Changkong lying on his back. "What—what should we do? Qiangwei, you surely have a way to cure the poison he took? Though his actions were rash, he was poisoned while saving us!" The blush on Zhou Qiangwei’s face had not yet faded. Hearing this, she shook her head slightly. "Mother, I have never seen the poison in the lake water; I have no way to save him. Furthermore, he has stopped breathing; even if I acted now, I fear it would be too late..."

"He is finished. The poison in the lake water penetrates the flesh instantly, contaminating all internal organs in a second. Unless Qu Le, the master of the Myriad Poisons Sect, is reborn, no one can save him," Ye Youshan said as he slowly walked over, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Wh-what should we do then?" Zhou Miaoshan looked utterly dejected.

"How do you know the toxicity of the lake water so clearly? And how would you know that only the rebirth of Qu Le can save him?" Zhou Qiangwei's face darkened, and she suddenly looked at Ye Youshan.

Ye Youshan stopped his approach with a slightly awkward smile, explaining, "When I was traveling years ago, I heard about a lake in the Yunmeng Marsh called the Dead Water Pond. I assume this is the place. It's just that when I arrived, I saw fish swimming in it and didn't recognize it."

"How do you know there's a lake called Dead Water Pond in the Yunmeng Marsh? We came this way because you were leading the way... Uncle Shan, why?" Zhou Qiangwei looked at Ye Youshan, adopting a stance as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Why what?" Ye Youshan looked astonished.

"Why did you betray us?" Zhou Qiangwei sighed softly. "Ji Changkong is dead. I imagine it won't be long before those Southern Barbarian Heavenly Soldiers hiding in the shadows emerge one by one, right?"

At this point, Zhou Miaoshan also realized the strangeness. "The explosion just happened, and you immediately warned us to be careful—how could you react so promptly? Unless you knew an explosion would occur there beforehand! Also, when the explosion sounded, you shouted loudly, but you were slowly retreating..."

"Uncle Shan, why?" Zhou Qiangwei pressed.

Ye Youshan froze, then suddenly nodded and sighed. "Miss is indeed sharp-witted; I didn't expect you to guess it was me so quickly."

Jie jie!

A sinister laugh echoed from a distance. In a short time, the robust youth of the Huang Yi tribe strode over with a group of Heavenly Soldiers. He glanced at Ye Youshan, nodding repeatedly. "Good, you did well."

"That bothersome fellow is finally dead. Now I can properly enjoy myself with you mother and daughter," the youth said with a lecherous grin. After laughing, he turned to Ye Youshan. "Don't worry; after I've had my fun with them, I will certainly follow our agreement and let you have your turn too."

Ye Youshan smiled reservedly and nodded lightly.

"You, you..." Zhou Miaoshan pointed at Ye Youshan, her face ashen, her eyes filled with disbelief and deep sorrow.