Real-time reports

Based on the "real-time reports" from the Cultivation Method in his mind, Su Zhan constantly adjusted his route and speed, precisely avoiding one hidden trap and sentry after another.

This made the White-haired Elder and others following behind even more alarmed. They discovered that Su Zhan seemed to have gained Heavenly Eye, always able to anticipate danger before it even arrived. Several times, they sensed something was amiss ahead, but before they could even warn him, Su Zhan had already led the group around it.

This incredible ability to predict the future deepened their awe of Su Zhan.

The closer one gets to the Ghostly Swamp, the more eerie and sinister the surroundings become. The air is filled with the stench of decay and a faint smell of blood, and the remains of Demon Beast can be seen on the ground from time to time, their deaths gruesome, as if they had been drained of all their life Essence Blood.

Finally, a vast, boundless black swamp appeared before them.

A layer of gray-black miasma shrouded the swamp, obscuring the sky and the sun. Bubbles rose from the swamp from time to time, bursting and releasing a nauseating stench. The entire area was deathly still; not even the chirping of birds or insects could be heard.

"This is the Ghostly Swamp," the White-haired Elder explained solemnly. "The miasma here is poisonous and can even erode one's Divine Sense. It's one of the most Forbidden Land in our Yuan Household's Secret Realm, and normally no one dares to approach it."

Su Zhan remained silent, his gaze fixed on a solitary island in the center of the swamp.

Through his perception of the Cultivation Method, he could "see" a soaring Devil Qi piercing the sky on that isolated island, but it was concealed by a sophisticated Illusion Formation and was completely imperceptible to the naked eye.

That's the lair of the Black Demon Sect.

"Everyone, conceal your presence and prepare to land on the island," Su Zhan ordered. "Yuan Chou, you lead your men to flank from the left. Elder, you lead your men to provide support from the right. Remember, our objective is to destroy the core of the Formation and eliminate the remnants of the Black Demon Sect."

"Clear!"

The crowd responded in unison, their morale soaring to unprecedented heights.

Just as the team was preparing to move, a message suddenly appeared in Su Zhan's mind from [Shadow Thousand Silk Lock].

[Shadow Thousand Silk Lock]: Boss, wait a minute. I sensed a familiar scent in the soil ahead... It's the scent of our Yuan Household's unique 'Soul Chasing Incense'.

Su Zhan's pupils suddenly contracted.

The Soul Chasing Incense is a special incense used by the Yuan Household to track traitors and enemies. Its scent is extremely subtle and can only be detected by those who have cultivated specific Yuan Household Cultivation Method. Generally, only elders of the Lineage's Elder of the Punishment Hall are qualified to use this incense.

How did it end up here?

A terrible thought arose in Su Zhan's mind.

He calmly asked the White-haired Elder, "Elder, do you know Yuan Hong, the elder of the Yuan Household's Elder of the Punishment Hall?"

The White-haired Elder was taken aback, then subconsciously replied, "I know him. Elder Yuan Hong is upright and incorruptible, possesses great strength, and enjoys extremely high prestige within the main branch. He also came to enter the Secret Realm this time, to be in charge of... wait!"

The White-haired Elder stopped abruptly mid-sentence. He remembered that a few days ago, Elder Yuan Hong had said he had discovered an important clue and would investigate it alone, after which there had been no further news! At the time, everyone thought he might have met with misfortune, but now...

Cold sweat instantly broke out on the White-haired Elder's forehead.

Su Zhan understood what was going on based on his reaction.

He slowly raised his hand, pointed to an inconspicuous clump of grass at the edge of the swamp, and said to Yuan Chou, "Go take a look there."

Yuan Chou accepted the order and left. A moment later, he returned, his face pale, carrying something in his hands.