Free Web NovelChapter 317: Escaping Danger
The silver light shuttle transformed into a burning streak of silver light, tearing through the thick air above the Yin Sha Swamp like a meteor. Its speed reached the extreme, even leaving a long trail of silver flames behind it.
Fang Hao poured all his spiritual power into the core of the shuttle without reservation, not even hesitating to damage the Origin of the silver light shuttle, all just to escape that terrifying region as quickly as possible.
The earth-shattering, terrifying roar and the vast pressure that could freeze the Soul seemed to still echo in his ears.
He did not know what had happened deep within the Ghost Cry Forest, nor did he know why the red-robed old man had not pursued him, but he was clear that whatever that existence was, it was definitely not something he could contend with at his current level.
The pressure from that split second made him feel as small as an ant, as if the other party only needed a single thought to make him Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.
"Late Nascent Soul Stage... No, that pressure is likely above the Nascent Soul! Could it be... Soul Transformation?" A stormy sea churned in Fang Hao’s heart.
The Soul Transformation Stage was a legendary existence capable of establishing a sect and becoming an ancestor, a tycoon truly standing at the pinnacle of the Western Region’s cultivation world!
How could such an existence appear in a "backwater" like the Yin Sha Swamp? Moreover, looking at the red-robed old man’s reaction, he seemed extremely wary of the existence deep inside, not even caring to pursue him...
Various questions flashed through Fang Hao’s mind, but he did not pause for even a moment, nor did he dare to look back to investigate.
Under his full-force activation, the silver light shuttle moved at an astonishing speed, flying hundreds of miles in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, completely distancing himself from the range of the Ghost Cry Forest.
Only when the heart-palpitating, terrifying pressure and roaring sounds behind him completely vanished did he breathe a slight sigh of relief. However, he still did not dare to be careless, continuing to manipulate the shuttle to speed along at a low altitude while spreading his Divine Sense to its full extent, staying vigilant of his surroundings.
After fleeing for another half an hour or so, and confirming there were no pursuers behind him and sensing no abnormal aura, Fang Hao slowly reduced his speed, finding a remote, desolate, and elevated rocky beach to land on.
Putting away the silver light shuttle, Fang Hao immediately set up several layers of concealment and protective Formation around him, perfectly masking his aura and the surrounding environment.
After finishing all this, he felt a wave of intense exhaustion wash over him. Activating the silver light shuttle to escape had consumed a massive amount of spiritual power, and coupled with the terrifying pressure he had endured when facing the red-robed old man earlier, the drain on his mind was also not small.
He took out a Medicinal Pill to restore his spiritual power, swallowed it, and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, before his pale complexion regained a hint of ruddiness.
"That was close..." Fang Hao opened his eyes, a trace of lingering fear still remaining in them.
If not for the sudden turn of events deep within the Ghost Cry Forest that startled the red-robed old man into retreating, he would likely have been in grave danger today.
Even if he used all his trump cards, facing an existence suspected to be at the Late Nascent Soul Stage or even stronger, he had almost no chance of winning, and even his chance of escaping would have been minimal.
"That red-robed old man seems to Cultivate some kind of extremely sinister Cultivation Technique that is highly compatible with the environment of this Yin Sha Swamp; he has likely been operating here for a long time. The gang of robbers under him are merely tools for him to seize resources and collect blood food."
Fang Hao recalled the red-robed old man’s cold aura and the eerie "Blood Fiend Soul-Extinguishing Seal," feeling a chill in his heart. Such a Devil Head acts without any scruples, and possesses formidable strength; he is definitely not someone he can provoke right now.
"As for that more terrifying existence deep within the Ghost Cry Forest..." Fang Hao frowned tightly.
That roar and pressure carried an ancient, barbaric, and almost primordial aura, not like any common Demon Beast or Cultivator. Moreover, to be able to make that red-robed old man so wary, even causing him to give up on chasing him, one could imagine the extent of its terror.
"This Yin Sha Swamp is truly not as simple as it appears on the surface. Not only are there various dangerous places and evil Cultivators, but it also hides such a terrifying existence."
Fang Hao warned himself inwardly. It seems his previous choice to take a detour along the northern edge was not absolutely safe either; in this cultivation world, there are crises everywhere.
He stopped thinking about that incomprehensible existence and turned his attention back to himself.
Due to the extreme activation just now, the spiritual light of the silver light shuttle was slightly dim and would need some time to be nurtured to recover. However, the shuttle was of extraordinary quality, so it had not suffered any fundamental damage.
As for Liu Feng... Fang Hao shook his head.
The recent turn of events must have affected the vicinity of the Ghost Cry Forest, and the abandoned Immortal Cave where Liu Feng was located was not far away. In his state of not having recovered from his severe injuries, he was likely in grave danger.
He was not a Saint, and at that time, he could barely protect himself, so naturally, he could not and was unable to care for someone he had only met by chance. The path of cultivation is inherently cruel; life and death are fated, and each relies on their own Opportunity.
"This place is not suitable for a long stay; I must leave the range of the Yin Sha Swamp as soon as possible." Fang Hao made up his mind.
Although he had temporarily shaken off the red-robed old man, there was no guarantee that the other party wouldn’t pursue him after resolving the trouble, or that there were other unknown dangers in this place.
He re-planned his route. Originally, he had planned to detour along the northern edge, but after the incident at the Ghost Cry Forest, he began to doubt this "relatively safe" route.
Who knew if other places also hid terrifying existences similar to that red-robed old man?
"It seems I have no choice but to risk crossing the center of the swamp." Fang Hao took out the map Jade Slip, his gaze falling on the route crossing the center of the swamp marked with "Danger! Occupied by the Bone-Rotting Crocodile King!"
Compared to unknown and potentially more terrifying existences, the known Fourth-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast actually seemed "safer."
At the very least, no matter how strong the Bone-Rotting Crocodile King was, it was still just a Demon Beast, and its habits and territory were relatively fixed. As long as he carefully avoided it, or with the golden puppet in hand, it was not impossible to fight.
"Bone-Rotting Crocodile King... Fourth-Stage Late Stage, equivalent to a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, thick-skinned and fleshy, extremely poisonous, and with a very strong sense of territory, skilled in concealment and sneak attacks; it is indeed a tricky opponent."
Fang Hao recalled the information about the Bone-Rotting Crocodile King. But compared to the unfathomable red-robed old man and the terrifying existence deep in the Ghost Cry Forest, it seemed less scary.
"I have the golden puppet, which can hold it off head-on, or even not fall into a disadvantage. I also have the Earthly Fiend Golden Flame, which might be able to suppress its extreme poison. As long as I don’t fall into its nest and get surrounded by a large number of crocodiles, I should have a chance to escape, and even..."
A glint flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. A Fourth-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast is a treasure from head to toe; its Demon Beast core, leather, bones, and poison glands are all extremely precious Materials for Artifact Refining and Alchemy, and are worth a fortune.
If he could slay it, he would not only clear the obstacles on his path forward but also gain a huge harvest.
Of course, the risk was equally huge. The Bone-Rotting Crocodile King was, after all, equivalent to a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, and it occupied the geographical advantage; the slightest carelessness would lead to total destruction.
Weighing the pros and cons, Fang Hao finally made up his mind. Compared to unknown and more terrifying risks, he would rather face a known, powerful Demon Beast.
"Adjust my state, repair the silver light shuttle, and then cross the center of the swamp; target—Black Water Ravine!"
Fang Hao no longer hesitated, put away the map, and began to concentrate on regulating his breathing, while simultaneously taking out several Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to replenish the spiritual power of the silver light shuttle and nurture its damaged spirituality.
Several hours later, Fang Hao’s state had recovered to its Peak, and the silver light shuttle had once again become radiant with spiritual light.
He withdrew the Formation, summoned the shuttle again, identified the direction, and then transformed into a streak of silver light, speeding away towards the depths of the Yin Sha Swamp, into that even more dangerous and mysterious region.
The path ahead was treacherous, but he had no other choice. The path of cultivation is inherently a Heaven-Defying journey, competing with heaven, competing with earth, and competing with people.
Only by cutting through thorns and thistles, and advancing with courage and vigor, can one tread out a path to the heavens that belongs to oneself.
Behind him, in the marginal area of the Yin Sha Swamp, in the direction of the Ghost Cry Forest, there seemed to be a faint, low, and angry roar echoing, but it was quickly swallowed up by the eternal miasma and Yin winds above the swamp, leaving no trace.
