Free Web NovelChapter 80: Chapter 80: Poison Mist Swamp
Poison Mist Swamp greeted them with rot.
The air was green-gray and heavy. Dark water covered most of the ground, broken only by twisted roots, mossy stones, and patches of black reeds. Strange bubbles rose from the swamp surface and popped silently, releasing faint poisonous vapor.
The moment Qin Yuheng’s team entered, their mission panel appeared.
[Floor 8: Poison Mist Swamp]
[Main Mission]
Find the exit gate within 16 hours.
[Side Missions]
1. Collect 10 Clear Spring Lotus Petals.
2. Defeat 15 poison swamp creatures.
3. Keep poison accumulation below 40%.
[Warning]
Poison mist density increases in low-ground areas.
[Current Poison Accumulation]
Qin Yuheng: 2%
Qin Yuchen: 4%
Qin Lian: 4%
Qin Mo: 5%
Qin Mo immediately put on a mask.
"I have learned to respect hostile air."
Qin Yuheng distributed enhanced antidote pills.
[B Grade Hundred Toxin Cleansing Pill]
For this floor, he had also enhanced several swamp-filtering talismans and poison detection stones.
Qin Lian scouted the nearby roots.
"Movement in the water."
Qin Yuchen drew his sword.
Qin Mo activated a poison detection formation.
The first creature attacked from beneath the swamp.
A long, black-green serpent lunged upward, jaws wide.
[Poison Mud Snake]
[Level: 17]
[Type: Poison ambush beast]
[Weakness: head, spine, poison sac beneath jaw]
Qin Yuheng cut its jaw sac before it could spray venom. Qin Yuchen pierced its spine. Qin Lian finished it with a dagger through the skull.
The corpse dissolved into dark fluid, leaving a poison core.
[D Grade Poison Core acquired.]
They moved carefully.
Unlike Burning Grassland, where the danger was open and oppressive, Poison Mist Swamp hid danger under every step. Some ground was not ground. Some roots were sleeping creatures. Some flowers released poison when approached too quickly.
Qin Mo’s formation tools proved invaluable.
He detected unstable mud, poison pockets, and several hidden gas vents. Qin Lian guided them along higher roots whenever possible. Qin Yuchen handled sudden attacks. Qin Yuheng kept overall direction.
The exit gate location was unknown.
But swamp water flowed faintly toward the southeast.
They followed the flow.
After two hours, they found the first Clear Spring Lotus.
It grew in a small pool of unusually clear water surrounded by poison reeds. Pale blue petals floated above the surface, untouched by the green mist.
Qin Yuheng’s panel appeared.
[Clear Spring Lotus Petal]
[Grade: C]
[Effect: Poison cleansing, mild spiritual purification, water clarity.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
His heart moved. freewebnovel.cσ๓
This was useful.
Very useful.
They collected three petals carefully.
The moment the last petal was taken, the surrounding poison reeds moved.
Not plants.
Creatures.
[Poison Reed Strangler]
[Level: 16]
[Type: Plant-beast]
The reeds lashed toward them.
Qin Lian cut through several, but their sap released poison vapor. Qin Yuchen used wind-like sword movements to push the vapor aside. Qin Mo activated a Clear Breath formation. Qin Yuheng used thunder to burn the roots.
The fight raised poison accumulation but remained controlled.
[Poison Accumulation]
Qin Mo: 13%
Qin Mo looked at the number.
"I am always the environment’s favorite victim."
By the fifth hour, they had defeated fifteen swamp creatures and collected seven petals.
Side mission two completed.
They still needed three more petals and the exit gate.
Then they found the lotus field.
It lay in the center of a wide swamp pool. Dozens of Clear Spring Lotuses grew there, their pale light pushing back poison mist. But at the center of the pool rested a massive python with dark green scales and venom-yellow eyes.
[Venom Scale Python]
[Level: 23]
[Floor Boss]
[Optional]
[Danger: Very High]
Qin Mo whispered, "Optional."
Qin Yuheng looked at the lotus field.
The exit gate shimmered faintly beyond the pool.
Of course.
The boss guarded both the resource and the shortest route.
Detour was possible, but poison accumulation would rise.
Fight was dangerous, but rewarding.
Qin Yuheng did not immediately decide.
He looked at team condition.
Poison accumulation manageable.
Resources sufficient.
Retreat tools ready.
The python was alone.
"We collect outer petals first. Avoid waking it."
Qin Lian moved carefully along the left root path. Qin Yuchen guarded her. Qin Mo maintained poison suppression. Qin Yuheng watched the python.
They collected the final three petals.
Side mission completed.
[Clear Spring Lotus Petals collected: 10 / 10]
The exit gate remained beyond the pool.
The python opened one eye.
Its gaze locked onto Qin Yuheng.
The panel flashed.
[Venom Scale Python has detected lotus disturbance.]
[Boss awakening.]
Qin Mo closed his eyes.
"Every flower has a guardian."
The python rose from the pool, poison water streaming from its scales.
Qin Yuheng drew his sword.
"Same rule. No prolonged poison exposure. Strike sacs, eyes, spine joints. Qin Mo, poison field suppression."
The Venom Scale Python hissed.
Green mist spread.
The battle for the lotus field began.
