There was still some time before nightfall! We took advantage of this rare window to refill our waterskins from the pack!
And then, we took some time to familiarize ourselves and our mounts with the surroundings! Ever since entering the swamp, none of us had felt truly clean!
The Ice Wolves and the bigger beasts were splashing and playing joyfully in the lake! However, I kept a cautious eye on the movements around us!
The mist here was much thinner than in other areas, which meant our visibility was relatively clear! The entire warm water lake resembled an elongated, smooth mirror, and in the center of the lake!
Faintly visible were strange bubbles constantly rising, accompanied by a series of gurgling sounds!! That was the spring's source for this warm lake, but it was hard to imagine what kind of geology allowed such clear, sweet lake water to seep out from this utterly murky, swampy wetland!
The far end of the lake sloped gently downward! This caused the lake water to flow towards that end along the lower depressions, appearing like a small river; it was a pity that this river only flowed for a few dozen meters before becoming the foul, muddy water of the swamp!
According to Luoye's introduction, there were no terrifying, fierce monsters in this lake! On the contrary, there were many docile and strangely shaped aquatic creatures!
And at this moment, everyone was completely captivated! By several large fish near the spring in the center of the lake!
These large fish were a vibrant, brilliant golden-red, with tails and dorsal fins extraordinarily large, resembling sheer gauze, indescribably graceful and agile! Their two large eyes were the size of ping-pong balls, looking like goldfish magnified countless times!
"What strange fish," Long Xin exclaimed in awe. "These fish are called Gauze Fish," Wu Feng introduced with a touch of pride!
"Gauze Fish," Mo Cha sighed, "What an apt name; they truly look like strands of fine gauze." Everyone else also marveled repeatedly! Yet, I found it deeply peculiar, and at this moment, I couldn't help but think of fierce sharks!
Perhaps because humans rarely frequented this place, these Gauze Fish paid no attention to our arrival, continuing to chase and play freely in the lake, utterly content. Besides these Gauze Fish, there were also creatures resembling crabs but large enough to match a human being!
They were leisurely swimming around in the shallow water near the lake shore! "Hah, what massive crabs!" I couldn't help but exclaim as well.
"We call them Big Claws," Wu Feng said. "Don't be fooled by their casual appearance now; they have very volatile tempers.
Once provoked, they will use those massive claws to pinch, and their strength is no small matter." "Hehe, what interesting creatures," Long Xin marveled. "None of the life here in the lake are poisonous, are they?" "Of course not; otherwise, the lake water wouldn't be this clear," Wu Yin replied.
As they spoke, a huge vortex suddenly erupted in the center of the lake, sending a massive wave soaring into the sky! A colossal grey shadow shot out like lightning, soaring high into the air!
It then crashed back into the lake with a loud splash! Vanishing without a trace, leaving only the churning whitecaps rocking across the lake surface!
"Ah! What was that!" Mo Hui gasped.
"Such a long, huge snake," I couldn't help but exclaim too. Although it was only for a fleeting moment, I clearly saw it: the thing was long, massive—easily over twenty meters long and as thick as a water bucket!
Its appearance was no different from a snake! "That is the Marsh Giant Python of the lake," Luoye explained.
"Don't let its frightening appearance fool you; its temperament is actually very gentle. As long as you don't provoke it, it won't proactively attack people or other creatures!" Besides that extraordinarily large python, the lake was also home to flying fish that could leap out and glide in the air like birds for a period, and Bubble Fish that could shoot water spheres like cannonballs to attack other prey!
These creatures were bizarre, diverse in form! It was hard to imagine that this lake was like a completely independent ecological world!
Everyone marveled endlessly! However, most of these creatures remained active in the deep water near the lake's center, so the big beasts and the Ice Wolves staying in the shallow areas near the shore were in no danger!
Just as we were marveling at this strange world before us! I felt a faint, unusual fluctuation!
Though very weak, it was a barely perceptible killing intent; if my spiritual perception weren't exceptional, I wouldn't have sensed it at all! "We have company," I murmured softly.
"They've finally arrived," Luoye responded gravely. The others subconsciously scanned their surroundings!
The lake water was clear to the bottom, revealing nothing hidden! The lakeshore was a stretch of grassland, and beyond two small rocky shoals!
There was similarly no place for concealment! The sky above was utterly bare, not even a single bird in sight!
So, where was this faint killing intent coming from! I remained silently watchful!
Luoye, however, drew the strange, handgun-like staff from his waist! Like a gunslinger, he scanned the area, then aimed at a slightly raised mound of earth on the grassland.
Could they be underground! The realization struck me suddenly!
Mo Hui drew his sword and unleashed a blazing streak of fire-attribute sword energy: "Come out." The powerful sword energy shot out like a cannonball, blasting an earth mound not far away. Almost as soon as it hit the ground!
A grey shadow shot out from the exploded earth! Flying toward the distance!
Its speed was simply ghostly! However, Luoye seemed to have anticipated this!
We didn't see him make any move, but we heard a loud bang! The strange staff spat out a hazy, fiery light-ball!
Like a bullet, it shot directly after the grey shadow! "Pfft...
Ah~" A long, mournful scream rang out. Only then did the crowd see that what had burst from the earth mound was a small, child-like dwarf.
Though his speed was fast! Luoye's strange fireball was unbelievably swift!
The dwarf was directly hit the moment he was exposed, tumbling to the ground! "We've been waiting for you for a long time!" A sliver of malicious glee flashed across Luoye's grim face.
"Since you're here, why not show yourselves all at once." Long Xin, Mo Cha, Wu Feng, Wu Yin, and the others also looked around with serious expressions! "As expected of the Hunters of the Grey Mist!" A cold, ruthless voice drifted into their ears like a phantom.
From the grass and the ground, more than a dozen dwarves, all clad in grey, suddenly emerged! "Ah!" Everyone was greatly startled: "They are all dwarves." These dwarves were not only short, but their attire was also very bizarre!
They all wore gloves resembling cat claws on their hands. Not just on their hands, but even their shoes were divided into five sharp tines, exactly like a cat's paw!
Combined with their short, strange stature, they looked like a dozen large felines walking upright! At this moment, their claws were still smeared with mud and grass clippings!
It was clear that these gloves and footwear were their digging tools! No wonder they could so easily conceal themselves in the grass or burrow underground!
"Blood Mist Cat-Men!" Luoye stated grimly. This was my first time seeing dwarves of such a short stature, and I couldn't help but look a few more times!
Everyone else's expression shifted slightly! Although these dwarves were short and strangely shaped, they exuded a potent killing intent!
These people were by no means simple; each one's strength was likely no less than elite warriors like Chen Guang and Long Xiang! Luoye had already introduced the Blood Mist Clan to us in detail earlier!
Among the Blood Mist Clan, there were several types of hunters! And the Cat-Men were the most insidious and mysterious among them!
These individuals underwent extremely brutal training from childhood, and drugs were used to inhibit their growth—this was the reason for their short stature. However, no one dared to underestimate these dwarves!
The prey targeted by the Cat-Men had never escaped! The dozen or so dwarves slowly took their positions, sizing us up with meticulous scrutiny: "It seems you anticipated our arrival." The leader, though equally short, possessed a strangely aged, withered face, clearly indicating seniority!
To his right was a silver-haired little girl whose appearance was as doll-like and lovely as a child's! I couldn't tell if she was a girl or a stunted dwarf!
What intrigued me was the very strong magical fluctuation surging around her, but this fluctuation didn't originate from within her body; it came from a very strange cylindrical tube in her hands! It was about a meter long but had peculiar handguards and a rest, feeling very much like a rocket launcher!
She held it resting on her shoulder! Her posture was exactly like the standard firing stance for an anti-tank rocket launcher!
This surprised me somewhat! It also made me remain highly cautious!
Could this thing really fire rockets! I mumbled to myself!
Luoye, however, looked grave: "Did Yue Che send you here." "Yue Che!" The leader revealed a hint of disdain, "He doesn't have the qualifications yet." Beside him, another dwarf covered in scars appeared impatient but stared at me with a sinister look: "Black hair, black eyes, and that strange armor—you must be Jiu Yao Shen Zhen." "Indeed," I replied calmly. "Very good." The Scar-Face seemed somewhat excited.
"Once we kill you, our Blood Mist Clan can reassert our dominance over the world." "Dominance," Chen Guang scoffed mockingly. "I think 'destruction' would be more accurate." "Where did this idiot come from," Long Xiang added with a strange look.
"It's not hard to conquer the world." "Just kill them in one chop, wouldn't that do it," Wu Yin chimed in playfully. "Fool," Long Fei scolded.
"If you chop them in one go, what kind of conquest is that." These few spoke without restraint, thoroughly angering the Cat-Man with the scars. "Insolent things, I'll tear you apart." Without any visible preamble!
The small figure lunged forward like an afterimage! He aimed a claw strike directly at my chest!
And the other dozen or so dwarves sprang forward without warning! Their target was also me!
"Interesting." Before I could make a move! Chen Guang and the others, who had been standing ready, stepped forward to meet them.
"Leave these scoundrels to us," Chen Guang took the lead! Long Xiang, Long Fei, Wu Yin, and Wu Feng were equally unwilling to be left behind, each lunging toward a Cat-Man!
The only ones remaining unengaged were myself, the leading old dwarf, and that strange dwarf, or girl, beside him! Clearly, the old man had no intention of fighting, but his gloomy eyes never left my figure for a moment.
Likewise, the girl stared at me unblinkingly! Though she looked innocent and harmless!
My intuition screamed that she was the truly dangerous element! Especially since the strange cylinder in her hand was constantly and deliberately aimed at me, confirming my suspicion!
That cylinder was problematic! As for myself, I also had no intention of making the first move!
Though the dwarf elder before me was strong, he was still a tier below Yue Che Xiang Tian! As for the girl, I dared not let my guard down either!
Even without engaging in formal combat, one at my level of cultivation could easily distinguish another's strength based on aura and feeling! Perhaps the old man also sensed this, which is why he hesitated to act!
What puzzled me, however, was why these Cat-Men dared to obstruct us when they clearly stood no chance of victory! Did they truly possess some trump card they hadn't revealed yet!
In the blink of an eye, the twenty-plus figures clashed! Magic surged, battle aura flew, and the scene became chaotic!
But the most astonishing confrontation was the duel between the violent dinosaur Wu Feng and the scarred Cat-Man known as Mao You! I had personally experienced Wu Feng's immense strength!
But what shocked me was that the scarred Cat-Man, Mao You, seemed utterly fearless! He treated Wu Feng's massive battle-axe as if it were merely decoration!
At that moment, Wu Feng's Ghost Axe swept out in a ground-level 'Thousand Armies Sweep'! The sheer size of the battle-axe almost completely blocked all paths of evasion!
Yet, Mao You had no intention of dodging! His iron claw extended and retracted in a strange manner, instantly transforming from a claw to a fist, striking the broad surface of the Ghost Axe fiercely!
"Boom..." A dull, heavy clang! Wu Feng, whose monstrous strength was evident, couldn't stop his momentum—both man and axe were driven back five or six paces before he managed to stabilize himself!
As for Mao You, he was sent flying sideways over ten meters! Clearly, in terms of sheer power, Mao You was at a disadvantage!
However, to be able to repel the immensely powerful Wu Feng by such a distance! This dwarf, Mao You, could indeed be called divinely strong!
After being thrown back, he performed several continuous aerial flips before landing gracefully! His expression was extremely relaxed and casual.
This greatly surprised me! I knew exactly how heavy Wu Feng's Ghost Axe was!
To think that Mao You could neutralize her force! This guy was strong!
His speed, power, footwork, and technique were all flawless, especially his movement skills, which were outstanding! And Wu Feng's expression also shifted slightly!
When an expert makes a move, their caliber is immediately known! And Wu Feng was undoubtedly a rare master!
But Mao You's effortless demeanor clearly infuriated her! "Take this—'Gale Falling Leaves'!" she roared, spinning her battle-axe rapidly like a windmill toward Mao You!
Mao You sneered coldly! Clearly, he didn't hold the girl Wu Feng in high regard!
His elusive figure danced like a phantom through the blizzard of axe shadows Wu Feng created! And those iron claws were unpredictable and strange!
They pierced through the openings in Wu Feng's offense with astonishing speed! Several times he managed to close the distance and strike at vital points!
Fortunately, Wu Feng's reaction time was also top-notch! And her battle aura cultivation was shockingly high!
Relying purely on her protective battle aura, she managed to deflect Mao You's attacks! But with Mao You constantly evading and harassing her with quick strikes, the volatile Wu Feng was already cursing angrily!
It must be admitted that Wu Feng's strength was amazing, and her techniques favored broad, aggressive movements! This style of fighting would be an astonishing iron war machine in a massive battlefield engagement!
Unfortunately, Mao You's speed was simply too fast! Combined with his small stature, he was extremely agile!
He always managed to dodge Wu Feng's attacks at the crucial moment and launch counterattacks! This dynamic actually forced Wu Feng into a defensive retreat!
She looked quite disheveled! It was clear that Mao You's style perfectly countered Wu Feng's!
And with extreme ease! In an instant, Mao You's grey form seemed multiplied, his two claws attacking Wu Feng's vital points from all directions like a violent storm!
"Damn it!" Having been repeatedly frustrated, the Violent Dinosaur finally lost control! Letting out a heaven-shaking roar!
The gigantic Ghost Axe suddenly erupted with thick battle aura, which then began to whirl around her body with astonishing speed! "Take this—'Thousand Snows, Thousand Waves'!" The fiery figure, whirling the surging battle aura dragon, carved out streaks of sword energy that filled the sky!
Battle aura torrents, like waves, surged higher and higher, piling up one after another, endless like the Yangtze River. It was actually a supreme technique from the 'Blizzard Spear Art' once demonstrated by Xiang Tian!
Although Wu Feng was not mounted, and the weapon in her hand was a battle-axe instead of a dragon spear! Yet, executing 'Thousand Snows, Thousand Waves' with the giant Purgatory Battle-Axe, it was equally fierce and overbearing!
The distinct layers of surging battle aura waves seemed to freeze space itself! In an instant, they completely enveloped Mao You's ghost-like, darting figure!
Ah! Mao You's expression changed drastically!
His strange movement skill flashed like a streak of lightning, trying to pierce through the myriad of sword energy, but every time he charged halfway, he was blocked by the thousand layers of energy waves! Wu Feng's battle aura cultivation was definitely monstrous!
She actually managed to lock Mao You down tightly using her battle aura field! No matter how Mao You struggled left and right, he could not break through the encirclement!
Then, within the countless streams of battle aura, a massive golden dragon materialized! "Azure Dragon Breaks the Waves!" This breathtaking sword energy dragon finally slammed violently into Mao You, who was trapped by layers of confinement!
"Boom... Waah..." Amidst the muffled roar!
Mao You was finally struck squarely by Wu Feng's axe and sent flying far away! Blood spewed uncontrollably from his mouth!
It had to be admitted that Mao You's speed was incredible! However, facing the berserk Wu Feng launching a large-area battle aura bombardment technique, 'Thousand Snows, Thousand Waves'!
He was inevitably caught within its grasp! Following that, he was struck dead-on by Wu Feng's follow-up ultimate move, 'Azure Dragon Breaks the Waves'!
But this guy was truly formidable! He actually endured the blow of Wu Feng's axe by relying on his strong protective battle aura!
And then used that terrifying impact force to propel himself backward! Unfortunately, the blood-crazed Wu Feng would never let Mao You go!
Almost the instant Mao You was thrown back! "Ghost Axe Soul Chaser." Wu Feng spun her massive battle-axe in a huge circle, then used the centrifugal force from the strong waist rotation to send the battle-axe flying!
Whoosh! The detached, rapidly spinning battle-axe emitted a heart-stopping shriek!
Like a fiery meteor, it shot directly toward Mao You's retreating figure! Even before Mao You could hit the ground!
The violently spinning battle-axe instantly cleaved Mao You's small body in two! Mist of blood sprayed mid-air!
Fragments scattered! And the rapidly spinning battle-axe carved out a strange arc before flying back into Wu Feng's hand like a swallow returning to its nest!
"Ah!" No one expected it! Wu Feng, who had previously been at a disadvantage, had somehow managed to instantly kill Mao You in her rampage!
The contrast between the beginning and the end was unbelievable! "What strongest Cat-Man," Wu Feng said dismissively.
"Utterly fragile." The dwarf elder's jaw dropped in shock! This outcome was definitely beyond his expectations!
And on the other side, screams echoed constantly! Mo Hui and Mo Cha, having merged their dual swords, had simultaneously killed two Cat-Men!
Wu Yin, Chen Guang, Long Xiang, and the others were also clearly dominating; defeating their opponents was only a matter of time! At this moment, the morale of the group soared, and their momentum swelled!