I had absolutely no idea the expanse of the swamp within the great hall would be this vast. Advancing perhaps two or three hundred meters on the Marsh Turtle-Shrimp, propelled by the Noodle Worm, not only did the swamp show no edge, but its area continued to grow larger.

At this point, recalling what Xiaobai had warned about danger, I asked, "Although this swamp is huge, it’s utterly lifeless; there shouldn’t be any real danger, right?" Xiaobai snorted, "The Turtle-Shrimp is the hegemon of the swamp—thick-skinned and tough, highly aggressive. If we hadn’t managed to deal with it, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly; many other creatures wouldn't dare approach now." He had barely finished speaking when I saw several enormous bubbles rising from the mud ahead, suggesting something was about to emerge.

Xiaobai also looked somewhat tense, staring fixedly at the bubbles. Then, with a sudden pop, one bubble burst, spewing out a greenish, smoky substance.

I frowned and asked, "What is that? Swamp gas?" Xiaobai shook his head and explained, "Those are the larvae of the Green Rice Mosquitoes.

They favor breeding their eggs in the swamp. The tail section of the Green Rice Mosquito secretes a special ** that constantly generates heat and can form a sturdy bubble.

By depositing their young within these bubbles and burying them deep in the swamp silt, they ensure enough warmth to hatch the larvae. This is an ability evolved during the Ice Age, the very reason this species has survived." I nodded and inquired, "So, are these mosquitoes dangerous?" Xiaobai replied, "Of course.

They secrete digestive fluid from their mouths that can dissolve any organic matter. If you're targeted by a large swarm, you are certainly doomed." "Kaka-kaka...

Kaka-kaka..." As we were talking, a strange sound started up, not far ahead of us. Xiaobai then commented, "But no need to worry; the unique sound waves the Turtle-Shrimp produces by rubbing its front claws can disperse the mosquitoes." True to his word, as soon as he finished speaking, those Green Rice Mosquitoes that had been flying everywhere scattered instantly.

I thought to myself what a marvelous biological world this was; if not for the urgent mission, I would insist on staying here for a long time—a single paper written casually could shock the world. Although the Turtle-Shrimp could repel insects, it seemed quite wary of them; as it swam through the swamp, it deliberately avoided areas where mosquitoes congregated.

Watching the mosquitoes buzz past not far overhead, I was admittedly on edge, but thankfully, being a mobile repellent myself gave me some confidence. However, things were not proceeding as smoothly as imagined.

As we continued forward, we noticed more bubbles emerging not far ahead. This time, the bubbles were significantly larger than the previous ones.

More critically, even our Turtle-Shrimp stopped moving, watching the front alertly, refusing even to eat the Noodle Worms. I stared anxiously ahead and asked, "What is it this time?" At that moment, Xiaobai fell silent, frozen in place.

After a pause, he murmured to himself, "That’s not right. The Turtle-Shrimp should have very few natural predators.

Could it be that thing? If so, this is going to be troublesome!" I urgently asked, "What exactly is it that even you are so nervous about?" Xiaobai was already lost in his own thoughts, muttering, "No...

no... Could I have made a mistake..." Then, he suddenly seemed to realize something: "Right!

It might be their breeding season now!" I was stunned for a moment, realizing that if that were the case, the strange animal blocking our path could be none other than a female Marsh Turtle-Shrimp. The mating process of arthropods is generally similar to that of many insects—often brief and brutal; for instance, some spiders or mantises will devour the male after copulation.

This occurs because, during mating season, insects secrete large amounts of sex hormones, placing them in a state of inexplicable excitement. However, due to their simple nervous systems, they cannot inhibit this excitement, leading to extreme brutality.

Of course, the female praying mantis eating the male is also instinctual, as the male's body provides sufficient nutrients for egg incubation. And perhaps even more terrifying is that female insects are usually larger and more aggressive than their male counterparts (mosquitoes excepted).

Thus, what is nominally described as mating is actually a fight to the death. I desperately hoped Xiaobai was wrong, but when a turtle shell far larger than the one beneath our feet slowly emerged from the swamp ahead, my heart sank into complete despair, and I started scouting for escape routes.

But looking around, I realized we were right in the center of the swamp; unless I sprouted wings and became a bird, we would inevitably be dragged into this deadly battle. At that moment, Xiaobai shouted, "Quick!

Get down, lie flat on the Turtle-Shrimp's back!" I looked up and saw the enormous shell hurtling toward us. The first impact was only seconds away.

With no other option, I quickly lowered myself and flattened onto the Turtle-Shrimp's back. Seconds later, I heard a loud thud as two heavy masses collided, sending thousands of specks of mud flying; we were instantly covered head-to-toe in muck.

(Though I wasn't sure if Xiaobai counted as a person.) My vision immediately went pitch black, plastered over with mud. Immediately after, I felt my body continuously sinking, the swamp mud closing in from all sides, threatening to swallow us whole.

Then Xiaobai said, "Not good! The female Turtle-Shrimp is trying to drag the male under the mud pit—now we're truly in trouble." Panic rising, I had no recourse and asked, "What do we do now?" Xiaobai commanded, "Climb up!

Get onto the female's back!" I wiped the mud from my face and managed to force my eyes open, only to see the female Turtle-Shrimp gripping the male's back tightly. Looking up, I saw numerous shrimp legs kicking wildly; several times, I was nearly struck by these hard appendages.

While fending off the attacks from those limbs, we also faced the danger of slowly sinking, thrashing helplessly in the thick mud—the scene was chaotic beyond description. Struggling, I asked Xiaobai, "How are we supposed to climb up?

There’s no solid purchase!" Xiaobai didn't have time for me, retorting, "It's no use! They'll lock together soon, and we'll be crushed to death.

Do you prefer being crushed or drowning? Choose one!" I cursed him, "You alien deceiver!

You promised to help me unlock the glass bead and fight monsters with me, and now you tell me this?" Xiaobai burst into laughter, "I am truly sorry; I didn't anticipate this situation either. My mission seems more important than yours, doesn't it?" I was speechless, merely sighing, "We might have a better chance jumping into the swamp.

Let's go!" Just as I finished speaking, a shrimp leg swept toward me with immense force. I had no choice but to gather my psychic energy, using the momentum of the sweeping leg to propel myself outward.

Upon falling into the mud pit, I didn't sink immediately. I saw Xiaobai lying on his back, his numerous paired appendages kicking frantically, struggling to break free.

With no other option, I tried to pull him out using my psychic energy. However, when I activated it, I found it had no effect whatsoever.

It suddenly struck me: I had run out of the Mirage Beads I carried. At this most critical moment, I had reverted to being an ordinary person.

Though my body hadn't sunk beneath the swamp yet, my heart was already deep in the mire. What on earth could I do now?

I considered that while I had prior experience activating my abilities without the Mirage Beads, it was utterly unstable and not something I could trigger on demand. Losing my superpower now left me inwardly frantic, but I knew panic was useless.

If I thrashed around, I would sink quickly in the swamp; if I remained still, the rate of descent would be minimized. So, I held my breath, forcing myself not to move, holding both hands up high, watching Xiaobai's situation.

Though Xiaobai wasn't receiving external aid, he possessed considerable brute strength. Under his wild kicking, he managed to roll off the Turtle-Shrimp's back.

However, he didn't jump as far as I did, landing just beside the pair of Turtle-Shrimp. I observed the violent movements of the pair; even these cumbersome creatures seemed to be thrashing wildly, baring their mouths and claws as if crazed.

I couldn't tell if one was trying to resist, one was trying to attack, or if they were merely engaging in a pointless warm-up driven by hormones, but the intensity was terrifying. The female Turtle-Shrimp now firmly pressed down on the male's back, driving him fiercely toward the deepest part of the mud pit.

However, their positioning was not vertically symmetrical; they were tilted toward our side. This meant it was highly probable they would soon topple over and crush Xiaobai underneath them.

Being pinned beneath such a massive weight in this swamp meant certain death. But I was currently struggling for my own life and had no way to rescue anyone else.

At this moment, Xiaobai communicated telepathically into my mind, "Quick! Use your psychic energy to pull me over!" I replied helplessly, "My psychic energy is gone, used up." Xiaobai was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say.

I stated, "It seems we both are just waiting to die now. Even if we aren't crushed, we will drown in the swamp." Xiaobai sighed and remarked, "Ah, you are such a jinx.

If you hadn't come, I would still be guarding my plant base, not trapped in this predicament." I responded resignedly, "Yes, I ruined things for you, but what use is saying that now?" As I spoke, the male Turtle-Shrimp pinned underneath seemed to make a final struggle, managing to violently thrust the female up. But this sudden effort caused the already unsteady female Turtle-Shrimp to slip, and she tumbled off its back, landing squarely on top of Xiaobai.