Free Web NovelChapter 349: Chapter 230: Second-Grade Opportunity
’This Golden Core Dao Skill is being handed to me on a silver platter. I have to find a way to get my hands on it.’
Qin Xuan rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
After all, every single one of his cultivation techniques was from the Demon Dao. Using any of them would expose him instantly.
However, Zhong Ling’s move had solved his most pressing problem, personally delivering a decent trump card to him.
’It’s practically tailor-made for me. How thoughtful of her.’
Zhong Ling took in everyone’s reactions, feeling smug inside.
’Under the pretext of these Demon-slaying and Magic Duels, I can observe everyone’s true strength and methods and find the Cyan Cloud Taoist who might be hiding among them!’
Ye Qingxuan, disguised as Lin Feng, stood in the crowd, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
She seemed uninterested in the Golden Core Divine Techniques, but a flicker of vigilance flashed in the depths of her eyes.
After a moment’s thought, she deduced Zhong Ling’s true intentions.
’Alas, trying to be clever, but only outsmarting yourself. Since I’m out for training, why would I be lacking a single Golden Core Dao Skill? This Vice Palace Master Zhong... no wonder she’s spent her whole life as a deputy.’
Ye Qingxuan couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh.
Zhong Ling, however, felt she had made a brilliant move. Her gentle smile widened, and she grew even more pleased with herself.
"Since no one has any objections, we will set out for the Black Water Pool in three days. I hope you all... perform well."
The crowd was abuzz with excitement, everyone eager for a chance to prove themselves.
...
「The Cloud Dream Marsh, southwest of the Daqian Dynasty.」
It was a true wetland kingdom, vast and boundless.
As far as the eye could see, a hazy mist veiled the horizon where water met sky. Floating islands were scattered about like stars, and treacherous undercurrents lurked beneath the surface.
The pavilions of the Water Mirror Palace were nestled in just one small corner at the edge of this vast marshland.
The group traveled aboard a Water Crossing Shuttle, a unique Tier Two Spiritual Artifact of the Water Mirror Palace.
The shuttle’s hull cut through the dark green water, leaving a long wake of ripples behind it.
Zhao Yan stood at the prow of the shuttle, his crimson robe looking somewhat dull in the humid air.
Gazing at the seven-colored mist in the distance, which seemed to connect heaven and earth, Zhao Yan couldn’t help but remark:
"This damned place... I heard a Nascent Soul Peak Demon Monarch is sleeping in there. No idea if it’s true or not."
"But this mist is really something else. I heard a Golden Core senior once refused to believe the tales and forced his way in. He ended up wandering around for three months. By the time he got out, he was practically starving, and he still hadn’t managed to find the path leading deeper inside."
The Cloud Dream Marsh was perpetually shrouded in a seven-colored mist.
This mist was said to contain the very laws of heaven and earth, capable of confusing one’s Divine Sense. Even Golden Core True Monarchs who entered would often lose their way.
They would wander in circles only to end up back on the outskirts, which only added to the marsh’s mystique.
Shi Jian of the Thick Earth Sect nodded honestly, his voice as dull as stone. "Our Sect’s records mention it too. The core of Cloud Dream can only be entered by those with the right fate."
A faint starlight twinkled in the eyes of Muuu Yu from the Celestial Secret Tower. She seemed to be trying to divine something, but then her True Essence seized up. Her expression soured, and she said no more.
Leng Ningshuang from the Profound Ice Cliff simply stared at the water’s surface, looking every bit the part of an ice queen.
Qin Xuan and Liu Yiyi stood side-by-side, seemingly admiring the marshland scenery, but in reality, his Divine Sense was on high alert.
They had already traveled over a hundred miles deep into the marsh. According to their intelligence, they should have found traces of the Profound Water Poison Flood Dragon by now.
Yet everything was eerily calm. Even Low-Tier Demon Beasts were rare. When things are this abnormal, something is definitely wrong.
Liu Yiyi whispered, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, "Sister Xuan’Er, it’s a little too quiet in this marsh. Do you think the Profound Water Poison Flood Dragon knows we’re coming and has gone into hiding?"
Qin Xuan shook his head without a word.
’The more I talk, the more likely I am to slip up. I can’t be bothered with this speculation anyway.’
...
However, deep within a seemingly ordinary patch of reeds in the Cloud Dream Marsh, a Bone Boat lay hidden in the shadows beneath the water. Its surface was covered in a dense array of Concealing Runes.
"...I wonder how Qingyi’s arrangements are going over at Cyan Wood Valley."
Two Cultivators stood silently on the Bone Boat.
The one in the lead was an old man dressed in a dark red Blood Robe. His face was gaunt, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s. A goatee adorned his chin, and he faintly emanated the oppressive aura of a Golden Core expert.
Behind the old man stood a burly man built like a mountain.
His skin was the bronze color of one who had spent years as a blacksmith. His features were rugged, his gaze was fierce, and his Cultivation had reached the Late-stage Purple Mansion.
His vitality was immense, making him seem less like a typical Demon Cultivator and more like a village blacksmith.
If Qin Xuan were here, he would have recognized him at once: Wei Qingyi’s brother, Wei Qingshan!
Wei Qingshan clenched his massive, fan-like hands, his knuckles letting out a soft CRACK. He spoke in a low voice, "Elder Jiang, do you think the Cyan Cloud Taoist is among the group from the Water Mirror Palace?"
Jiang Hai stroked his goatee, his eyes as deep and dark as a pool.
"The Cyan Cloud Sect’s Taoist is no pushover. They’re undoubtedly hidden very deep. All we need to do is wait and watch. The moment they reveal an opening, we strike to kill."
"Don’t worry. That woman, Zhong Ling, suddenly arranging these Demon-slaying and Magic Duels has already saved us a lot of trouble. It’s the perfect opportunity to see if there’s a big fish among these juniors worth our time."
"As for the depths of this Cloud Dream Marsh..."
Jiang Hai glanced toward the terrifying, seven-colored mist in the distance.
"There is indeed a Nascent Soul Demon Monarch lying dormant in there. It’s beyond our ability to probe. We’ll operate on the outskirts and prioritize caution. If it becomes necessary, we might be able to slip inside."
"Understood!" Wei Qingshan took a deep breath. His muscles bulged, stretching his simple, coarse linen clothes taut.
’Qingyi must become the Demon Child.’
’Otherwise, our Old Ancestor will lose his footing in the Holy Sect!’
...
「Meanwhile, aboard the Water Crossing Shuttle.」
Just as Qin Xuan was leisurely enjoying the scenery, the orb of light in his mind suddenly began to flicker.
Three Ancient Bamboo Sticks suddenly shot out.
’The Golden Finger is giving another warning!’ Qin Xuan’s expression tensed, and he became fully alert.
[Middle-Upper Draw: Go ten miles southeast of the Black Water Pool, find the underwater current, and obtain a Fourth-Grade Opportunity. No disasters or hardships. Auspicious.]
[Middle-Lower Draw: Continue searching for the Profound Water Poison Flood Dragon along the original northwest path. You will be ambushed by a swarm of flood dragons and a hidden Golden Core Blood Demon. A bitter struggle will allow for escape, but there is a risk of death. Inauspicious.]
