System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 346 - 204: Cover Your Ears_2

"Come down."

His voice echoed as several figures descended into the valley.

With just a glance, he noticed that Tie Xiaoyang was missing.

Chu Qing briefly explained the situation:

"We need to pick up the pace. No matter what, we can’t let anything happen right under our noses."

Beitang Zun nodded repeatedly.

Tie Lingyun wanted to argue but thinking of the life and death of Tie Xiaoyang, he couldn’t be that heartless.

Being able to say such words to Chu Qing was already his limit.

He clasped his fists immediately:

"If that’s the case, thank you all."

No more words were exchanged as they moved forward along the planned route.

This path was far less navigable compared to the previous route across Ghost God Gorge.

Occasionally, poisonous miasma filled the air, leaving only a narrow path through.

Coupled with the poor visibility and hard-to-discern terrain, it made traveling much more challenging.

From time to time, a startled cry was heard as someone would get trapped in the swamp.

Fortunately, there were many skilled individuals present, so rescuing someone who got stuck was still relatively easy as long as everyone didn’t fall in at once.

As they proceeded, Tie Xiaofeng, having experienced the early trials, began to calm his spirit and grew curious:

"How exactly is this poisonous miasma formed?"

Seeing his son’s confusion, Tie Lingyun explained:

"The poisonous miasma often forms from piled leaves rotting over time, becoming toxic.

"Initially, these toxins are not particularly potent and are often referred to as miasma.

"Miasma might at most cause dizziness... but when forest animals stumble into this place, they get dizzy and eventually die here.

"The decay of plants, combined with the decay of animal corpses, mixes with plagues and diseases.

"All of it stirs together and lingers indefinitely, eventually fostering into poisonous miasma."

Beitang Zun commented:

"The Grand Hall Master is truly knowledgeable, Little Master Tie should know that once poisonous miasma forms, these areas become increasingly desolate.

"The mountain winds fail to disperse it, fallen leaves continue to accumulate, and animals often perish here... causing the miasma to grow more intense.

"Of course, the potency of the miasma in Ghost God Gorge likely has other elements mixed in.

"Though the specifics are beyond most people’s knowledge.

"It’s the result of accumulation over hundreds, if not thousands of years, certainly not something achieved overnight."

Tie Xiaofeng nodded:

"I see."

Chu Qing furrowed his brow, rubbed his nose, and glanced at Gentle:

"Are you okay?"

Besides the poisonous miasma, there was something else unpleasant about this place.

The odor lingering in the air.

Years of decay left a foul smell that was hard to ignore.

For Chu Qing and others, it was as if they were stuck in a foul pit.

But for someone with sense as keen as Gentle’s, it was practically a purgatory.

Still, Gentle remained composed, looking puzzled as she met Chu Qing’s gaze:

"What’s wrong?"

"Don’t you find the smell here unbearable?"

Chu Qing asked.

Gentle pointed to her nose:

"I knew it would be terrible down here, so I stuffed something in."

"...Are you breathing through your mouth now?"

Gentle nodded.

Chu Qing’s lips moved, tempted to ask more, but decided otherwise.

It seemed like a choice:

Which is more bearable, inhaling the stench through the nose or swallowing it into the stomach?

Chu Qing, not having a sense as acute as Gentle’s, found the former tolerable.

But for Gentle... perhaps the latter?

Or maybe she just hadn’t considered it that way?

Chu Qing pondered silently; not pointing it out kept her stable. Mentioning it could shatter her composure and make her face hell.

Apart from falling into the swamp and the foul odor surrounding them.

Along the way, they encountered numerous ’pawns’.

These figures freely roamed the gaps between miasmic clouds, harboring malice toward all.

At the first sight of the group, they struck ruthlessly.

Yet, aside from Tie Xiaofeng and Gentle being slightly less skilled, the rest were all experts.

Without needing Chu Qing to act, Cao Qiupu’s "Seven Rhymes Celestial Sound Sword Technique" easily dispatched these ’pawns’.

Thus, the group quickly approached the marked spot on the map.

Breaking through the miasma to reach it, they found no path ahead, only swamp.

This entire swamp wasn’t shrouded with miasma; instead, massive clouds floated above, reducing visibility.

It was impossible to discern what lay hidden in the middle of the swamp.

"This desolate area beneath Ghost God Gorge has been rarely visited for hundreds of years.

We are perhaps the only visitors besides the Celestial Evil Cult."

Tie Lingyun’s eyes were stern:

"Everyone needs to be careful and support each other; don’t get trapped in the swamp."

The group nodded, and Chu Qing grasped Gentle’s wrist.

Though she mastered the Floating Snow and Mist Technique, making her Lightweight Technique incomparable to the average, unexpected accidents could still occur. Chu Qing supported her to prevent such mishaps.

Carefully, the group stepped into the swamp, seeking a path amid the mire.

Swamps are not ponds; stepping in doesn’t cause immediate sinking. Given the chance of leverage, they posed little threat to the skilled warriors.

The group advanced step by cautious step toward the marked location on the map.

Halfway through the swamp crossing, Nianxin suddenly grew furious:

"Who touched my foot!!"

Tie Xiaofeng found this absurd:

"Besides questioning who would touch your foot while walking, just look at everyone here—each of us has muck-covered feet, grimy with decay.

"Who on earth would be so deranged as to touch your foot?"

But before he finished, Nianxin had already kicked.

With naturally great strength, her kick sent a figure soaring from the swamp, disappearing into the mist.

Tie Xiaofeng’s eyes widened:

"There’s actually someone hiding in the swamp, touching your foot... what kind of kink is that?"

Tie Lingyun, face dark, slapped his son for his nonsensical words.

Nianxin’s kick, however, seemed to stir a hornet’s nest.

Low growls echoed around the swamp.

Through the mist, though unclear, figures emerged from beneath, coming from all directions, surrounding them.

"It’s ’pawns’! In a massive number!!"

Beitang Zun’s face turned grim.

Tie Lingyun called out:

"Stay calm; the path here is unclear. Beware of the miasma and your footing."

Running recklessly could lead to the poisonous miasma, leading to poisoning and death.

One could also sink into the bog and perish on the spot.

In that fleeting moment, a voice came from afar:

"Dad, save me!!"

"Xiaoyang!!"

Tie Lingyun instantly recognized the voice, tension gripping his heart, he told Chu Qing:

"I have to go ahead!!"

His son couldn’t be left to die miserably. Having no choice earlier, now that they caught up, he wouldn’t let this chance slip.

Paying no mind to others, Tie Lingyun rushed towards the sound.

Chu Qing couldn’t stop him in time...

Watching shadows closing in, Chu Qing sighed deeply:

"How can a Grand Hall Master of Iron Blood Hall be so disorderly... such a hard group to manage."

With that, he stepped forward.

Chilling frost blossomed beneath his feet, spreading over the swamp.

In that instant, it seemed even the mist froze, endless cold aura spreading... one zhang, two zhang... ten zhang... dozens of zhang!

The chill swept over an area of dozens of zhang in every direction.

Even the mist floating in the air froze, falling from the sky.

Suddenly, the swamp was free from mist, revealing a group of pawns frozen in place in various poses.

Though not ordinary poisoned people, they still struggled within the ice.

Unfortunately, Chu Qing didn’t intend to give them the chance.

He looked back at everyone and softly said:

"Cover your ears."

...

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