Chapter 1433: Longevity and Splendor of the Wild

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue silently repeated the words, "Chouhua Wilds, Zaochi..." Despite their extensive knowledge, they had never encountered any information about them.

Yu Yanluo recalled the recent conversation with a troubled expression. "The Chouhua Wilds is also known as the Shouhua Wilds," she explained. "As for Zaochi, Xiunai's tone was very odd when it referred to it as a fierce beast, but it refused to elaborate."

"It doesn't matter; we'll find out once we get there," Yun Jianyue said, her confidence bolstered by her greatly restored cultivation. "I'm actually more concerned about Xiunai. While a universally happy ending is nice, Shun instructed us to retrace Yi's heroic journey. Yi killed it in the past. If we bypass this area now, will the trial ultimately be considered a failure?"

She quickly added, "Little Sister Yu, this isn't directed at you, so please don't overthink it."

Yu Yanluo offered a faint smile, her face etched with worry.

Yan Xuehen glanced at Yun Jianyue in surprise. This demoness had always been self-centered and reckless; it was uncharacteristic for her to suddenly change her demeanor and specifically offer an explanation to Yu Yanluo.

Just then, Zu An said, "It shouldn't be an issue. We couldn't have left the Dongting Great Marsh without Xiunai's consent, which implies that successfully navigating the marsh is the true mark of completion, not necessarily slaying Xiunai. Furthermore, based on the reactions of the local people, they deeply respect Xiunai, indicating it's not a monster that preys on the populace."

Yu Yanluo agreed, "That's right. Although it has a fierce appearance, its heart is quite kind, and it truly cares for the people of this land."

Yan Xuehen also nodded in agreement. "This is much better," she said, "it saves us from unnecessary fighting and killing."

Although they hadn't heard terms like "pass the level" before, the meaning was not difficult to grasp.

Yun Jianyue pondered for a moment and conceded to Zu An's judgment. Naturally, a thought also crossed her mind: if they later discovered this approach wouldn't work, they could always return and dispatch the snake.

As the leader of the Demonic Cult, she was naturally not one to be soft-hearted.

Guided by Yu Yanluo, the group weaved back and forth through the various waterways of the Dongting Great Marsh.

The group secretly marveled at the intricate, labyrinthine waterways. Many times, what appeared to be a dead end—a menacing reef—would, upon direct approach, surprisingly open up into a new path and another waterway.

These passages were clearly Xiunai's creation; it would have been virtually impossible to leave the marsh without guidance.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the surrounding miasma gradually thinned, and the waterways and mud began to recede, revealing solid, flat ground.

Knowing they had exited the Dongting Great Marsh, they abandoned their boat and disembarked.

"Is this the Shouhua Wilds that Xiunai mentioned?" Yan Xuehen surveyed her surroundings. After encountering sea monsters, the Weak Water, and complex marshes, she had developed a slight aversion to water. Now, seeing vast grasslands and lush valleys, this vibrant mountain wilderness brought an inexplicable sense of comfort.

"Did Xiunai mention how to find the Zaochi?" Yun Jianyue asked Yu Yanluo.

Yu Yanluo shook her head. "It didn't specify, only saying that it would be easy to find."

"What does 'easy to find' mean?" the group wondered. They pondered for a long time but couldn't deduce its implication.

"Look, there's smoke up ahead, suggesting people are living there. Let's go ask." Zu An suddenly noticed a wisp of smoke rising from a distant valley. It clearly wasn't from a forest fire; it resembled smoke from a campfire or outdoor cooking.

"Let's be cautious this time," Yun Jianyue advised. "Let's not immediately reveal that we're looking for the Zaochi, in case it's a local totem and we incur the hostility of the inhabitants."

Recalling their previous encounter in the Dongting Great Marsh, the group nodded in profound agreement.

As they hurried towards the smoke, they gradually caught the aroma of roasting meat. The group instantly felt a pang of hunger; they hadn't eaten much since entering this unknown land.

Although their cultivation had reached a level where abstaining from food was a basic ability and not eating for a period had little impact.

However, they were not immortals; they were still flesh and blood, and their appetites could not be entirely suppressed.

"Let's buy some meat from the locals to eat later," Yun Jianyue said, her stomach rumbling audibly.

Yan Xuehen, however, frowned slightly. "But why does this meat smell so strange?"

"It does smell a bit unusual; I haven't encountered it before," Yun Jianyue said casually. "But this uncharted territory is full of creatures we've never seen. Perhaps we'll get to taste something no one else ever will."

Yan Xuehen considered this and her heart filled with anticipation.

Soon, they spotted figures ahead: several ragged individuals with their backs to them, gathered around a bonfire. A large leg was roasting over the fire, sizzling and glistening with fat.

The group, initially eager to approach, froze as they witnessed the scene.

Yu Yanluo's voice trembled slightly. "That... that looks somewhat like a human leg?"

"That is definitely a human leg!" Yun Jianyue's face turned ashen.

Yu Yanluo and Yan Xuehen could no longer contain themselves and bent over, dry heaving nearby.

The commotion quickly drew the attention of the figures by the bonfire. They turned around and looked in their direction.

Only then did Zu An and the others get a clear look at their appearance. They were not human at all; though their bodies were human-like, their heads were bestial, especially their mouths, which bore two chisel-like teeth.

Upon seeing the group, their eyes instantly gleamed—the unmistakable look of having found food. They grabbed their wolf-tooth clubs, wooden sticks, and other makeshift weapons, letting out strange cries as they charged towards the newcomers.

The group naturally showed them no quarter. Having witnessed the previous scene, they struck without mercy and quickly dealt with them.

Initially, seeing that they appeared to be intelligent beings, the group had considered interrogating them for information. Unfortunately, they only knew a few simple syllables and words, which the group couldn't understand, so they had no choice but to send them on their way.

Approaching the bonfire, they discovered the remains of a man. This time, even Yun Jianyue couldn't help but dry heave nearby.

Zu An dug a pit and buried the remains, reflecting on how harsh human survival must have been in ancient times if such fierce creatures were ubiquitous.

The group then continued their search across the vast Shouhua Wilds, discovering many more creatures like the ones they had just encountered.

They even had established camps and villages. Some adult monsters were dancing bizarrely around bonfires, uttering various indescribable guttural sounds.

Other monster children were chasing and playing.

They even observed a male and female monster sitting shoulder to shoulder under a tree, seemingly engaged in a romantic moment amidst the flowers and moonlight.

Had they not witnessed their kind roasting a human leg earlier, they would have simply perceived this as a harmonious primitive monster tribe.

"These creatures certainly live carefree lives," Yun Jianyue snorted, pulling out her Changxin Palace Lantern. With a gentle breath, the small flame inside instantly transformed into a towering inferno that swept towards the monsters.

Yan Xuehen's face remained impassive; she did not object to Yun Jianyue's actions.

Only Yu Yanluo's brow furrowed slightly. After all, she possessed snake-tribe blood and was, to some extent, regarded as an anomaly by humans. Yet, remembering the monsters' cannibalistic acts, she ultimately remained silent.

Soon, the previously peaceful village was engulfed in a sea of flames, and the monsters screamed and scattered in disarray.

Some monsters discovered Zu An and the others, howling and charging with weapons. However, they couldn't get within striking distance and were quickly incinerated by the true fire emanating from the Changxin Palace Lantern.

Just then, an earth-shattering roar erupted from deep within the village. A colossal figure burst forth, seemingly having smashed through a mountainside.

The group got a clear look at its appearance: it was a monster dozens of times larger than the others, with a green face, tusks, and a mouth full of chisel-like teeth, two of which on its lower jaw were particularly long and fearsome.

It wielded a shield in one hand and a gigantic wolf-tooth club in the other.

Seeing the village engulfed in flames, it roared and charged out, blocking with its shield. Astonishingly, it managed to force back the flames from the Changxin Palace Lantern!