Translator: CinderTL
Under great reward, there must be brave men!
Song Wen had assumed that someone would step forward after he announced the conditions.
However, only two or three cultivators showed interest, but they hesitated to commit due to the dangers of the mission.
Song Wen's expression darkened, and his voice turned cold.
"If none of you volunteer, then this Sect Leader will have to assign someone."
"Reporting to the Sect Leader," Zhou Siyi suddenly stepped forward. "This subordinate is willing to go."
Song Wen frowned slightly before his eyes lit up with approval. "Excellent! Elder Zhou Shuang, your courage is commendable. This Sect Leader is deeply impressed. I bestow upon you a Mid-Grade defensive magical artifact. Are there any others willing to go?"
As he spoke, Song Wen tossed a scroll-shaped artifact to Zhou Siyi. It was the Ten Directions Map, a Mid-Grade Magic Treasure he had used during his Golden Core Stage.
"Thank you, Sect Leader," Zhou Siyi said, accepting the Ten Directions Map with a grateful expression.
The other cultivators watched the Ten Directions Map in Zhou Siyi's hands, their eyes filled with longing. For most Golden Core cultivators, a Mid-Grade defensive magical artifact was an extremely rare treasure, capable of saving their lives in critical moments.
"This subordinate is willing to go!"
"This subordinate is willing to go!"
Two male cultivators bowed and clasped their hands in salute.
The first, Xin Bai, was a Golden Core Stage cultivator in the late stage. The second, Liu Qi, was a Golden Core Stage cultivator in the middle stage.
Two more cultivators volunteered to enter the Evil Marsh Secret Realm. Song Wen, initially pleased, now wore a troubled expression.
"Elder Xun, Elder Xin, since you two are willing to go, this Sect Leader naturally grants your request. However, I only possess one Mid-Grade defensive magical artifact. But I won't show favoritism. I'll bestow these two Low-Grade defensive magical artifacts upon you both."
With that, Song Wen tossed out two shields.
These shields were spoils of his past killings.
Low-Grade defensive magical artifacts held no value for Song Wen anymore, so he decided to use them to win favor.
Xin Bai and Liu Qi were visibly disappointed, but with Song Wen present, they dared not reveal their true feelings. They could only bow and say, "Thank you, Sect Leader, for your generous gift."
Song Wen reconsidered, feeling something wasn't right.
With their cultivation levels, they were unlikely to survive the Evil Marsh Secret Realm, let alone retrieve the Seven Lives Mushroom for him.
A thought struck Song Wen. Suddenly, a heavy Corpse Coffin crashed to the ground with a dull thud.
"Xin Bai, I see you're a Corpse Dao Cultivator. I'll bestow this Third-Tier Peak-level Corpse Puppet upon you. I hope you'll make good use of it."
Xin Bai's face flushed with barely suppressed excitement.
A Third-Tier Peak-level Corpse Puppet was far more valuable than a Third-Tier Mid-level defensive magical artifact.
He immediately bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Sect Leader, for this precious gift. Xin Bai will not disappoint you!"
Song Wen said, "Put it away. We'll refine it when we get back. Don't disappoint this Sect Leader."
After dismissing the Golden Core cultivators, Song Wen had Yu Wen stay behind to report on the Asura Sect's recent developments.
Then, Song Wen returned to Qingluo Mountain alone.
Having been delayed at Tiancang Mountain, Zhou Siyi was already waiting for him at the summit when he arrived.
"Senior Sister, were you waiting for me?" Song Wen asked.
Zhou Siyi replied, "Junior Brother, I plan to enter the Evil Marsh Secret Realm to investigate."
"Why?" Song Wen asked, puzzled.
He had assumed Zhou Siyi was merely playing along, putting on a show for others. He hadn't expected her to genuinely want to enter the Evil Marsh Secret Realm.
"Does the Evil Marsh Secret Realm contain something you need, Senior Sister? If so, there's no need for you to risk yourself. I can order Xin Bai and Liu Qi to retrieve it for you," Song Wen offered.
Zhou Siyi knew Song Wen's true purpose in searching for the Seven Lives Mushroom. She shook her head.
"The Evil Marsh Secret Realm holds nothing I need. I'm worried Xin Bai and Liu Qi might fail to obtain the Seven Lives Mushroom successfully."
"Ah, I see," Song Wen said with a slight smile, a hint of malice in his eyes. "Senior Sister, there's no need to worry. Even if Xin Bai and Liu Qi fail, we still have the people from the Profound Yin Sect, don't we?"
Zhou Siyi looked at Song Wen, slightly taken aback.
A year passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Song Wen arrived at Tiancang Mountain, where Xin Bai and Liu Qi were already waiting.
Song Wen summoned a medium-sized Giant Flying Ship, had Xin Bai and Liu Qi board, and prepared to leave.
"Sect Leader, Elder Zhou Shuang hasn't arrived yet. Shouldn't we wait for her?" Xin Bai suddenly asked.
"She was seriously injured recently and can't participate in this expedition to the Evil Marsh Secret Realm," Song Wen replied.
As he spoke, the Giant Flying Ship soared into the sky, heading toward the vast horizon.
The ship's speed was considerably slower than Song Wen's escape technique. Nine days later, they finally reached a swamp shrouded in ominous, evil energy.
Another Giant Flying Ship was already hovering in the sky.
Seeing Song Wen's ship appear, an old crone stepped out from the other vessel.
She wore a long, dark robe, surrounded by an aura of chilling cold. Her face was gaunt, her eyes sunken and gleaming with an unnatural light that didn't seem human. They were fixed intently on Song Wen at the bow of the opposing ship.
"I thought only our Profound Yin Sect would be participating in the opening of the Evil Marsh Secret Realm this time. To my surprise, the Nine Palaces Sect didn't come, but Fellow Daoist Yin Shuo is here instead."
Song Wen recognized the old crone before him.
Her name was You'e, one of the two Nascent Soul cultivators who had once belonged to the Crimson Blood Sect. After Xue Cangqiong's death, she had been left to fend for herself and was forced to join the Profound Yin Sect.
Song Wen clasped his hands, a friendly smile on his face. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist You'e. The Nine Palaces Sect has been preoccupied with recent matters and couldn't participate in this expedition to the Evil Marsh Secret Realm. They've graciously gifted their entry qualification to my Asura Sect."
A cold sneer curled You'e's lips. "I suspect Hao Kong and Tong Hua were too afraid to come. But, Fellow Daoist Yin Shuo, your courage is truly admirable."
Hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Song Wen's eyes.
Why was You'e being so polite to him?
Could it be that she didn't know he was involved in Xue Cangqiong's death?
Though doubts lingered in his mind, Song Wen didn't want to provoke a conflict right now. After all, if You'e were to die at this moment, the Profound Yin Sect would surely find out.
If Gui Ni arrived by then, the Seven Lives Mushroom would likely be lost to him.
"Fellow Daoist You'e," Song Wen said, "your sect has many disciples. Once we enter the Evil Marsh Secret Realm, I hope your sect's Golden Core juniors will look after my disciples."
Behind You'e on the Giant Flying Ship stood ten Golden Core cultivators from the Profound Yin Sect.
"Of course, of course," You'e replied, forcing a smile that looked particularly sinister on her gaunt face.
She glanced at Xin Bai and Liu Qi behind Song Wen and continued, "However, the Evil Marsh Secret Realm is fraught with danger. Sending only two Golden Core cultivators from your sect seems rather understaffed."
"Precisely why we need your sect's juniors to lend a hand," Song Wen said.
"Junior Chang Yin greets Senior Yin Shuo," a young female cultivator suddenly emerged from the Profound Yin Sect's Giant Flying Ship.
Dressed in practical combat attire, she was clearly at the Third-Tier Peak of the Golden Core stage.
"Exploring secret realms is always a near-death experience. If Senior Yin Shuo is worried about his disciples' safety, why not withdraw them now?"
(End of the Chapter)
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