The group set out in the morning light, following the safe route Shi Dashan had scouted to skirt the danger-ridden swamp.
Everyone remained highly vigilant along the way. The ten squads spread out in a fan, staying within sight of one another so they could provide support without clustering so tightly that they could all be caught in a single net.
Chen Ming walked near the front of the group's center, extending his spiritual sense to its greatest range and monitoring every stir in their surroundings.
The swamp looked especially peaceful in the morning sunlight. Rippling light shimmered across the water, and a few waterbirds occasionally skimmed past, trailing strings of ripples. Just as Shi Dashan had observed, the Giant Crocodile Beasts lurking deep in the mud were all asleep during the day, with no sign of emerging.
The group passed quietly and swiftly through the narrow passage along the swamp's edge, reaching the firm ground on the far side with a scare but no mishap.
Beyond the swamp, the terrain gradually began to rise. The low shrubs and weeds gave way to tall trees and dense vines.
The branches and foliage blotted out the sky and sun. Sunlight could only filter through gaps in the overlapping leaves, scattering mottled spots of light and leaving the forest dim. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting, fermenting vegetation. A thick carpet of fallen leaves lay soft beneath their feet, as though they were walking on a layer of sponge.
"Watch your footing, everyone, and keep an eye on your surroundings," Chen Ming cautioned quietly. "Dense forests like this are perfect hiding places for venomous insects and traps."
His words had barely faded when a startled cry rang out ahead.
The ground suddenly vanished beneath a disciple