After traveling for more than ten minutes, a large blue insect appeared on Brooks’ shoulder, emitting sharp chirping sounds intermittently.
“Everyone, this way,” Brooks said, receiving the insect’s message and guiding the group in a new direction.
Two hours later, they had ventured deep into the Azure Dragon Mountains.
The view ahead opened up, revealing rugged rocks and clear streams.
“Everyone, we need to be extra cautious here. There are many demon beast groups nearby, and some might have Demon King-level beasts. We should all restrain our auras,” Brooks warned, pulling out a map from his lotus seat.
Human cultivators feared encountering demon beast groups in the Azure Dragon Mountains. These groups could range from hundreds to thousands, even tens of thousands of beasts, often led by Demon Sect or Demon King-level creatures, making them formidable opponents.
Everyone restrained their auras, including the Thunder Wing Beast and Howling Moon Golden Wolf.
The four streaks of light continued forward, albeit at a slower pace.
After some time, they reached the central area of the Azure Dragon Mountains, where Demon General-level beasts appeared sporadically.
Some traveled in groups of three to five, while others numbered over a dozen. They attacked the human cultivators intruding on their territory without hesitation.
The battles were swift, and the group quickly dispatched the lower-level beasts they encountered.
“Everyone, let’s move quickly!” Brooks urged after each skirmish, knowing the scent of blood would attract more beasts.
After flying out of a forest, the view ahead became wide open. In the distance stood a range of mountains, one towering over a thousand feet high, its peak and midsection covered in snow.
The blue insect on Brooks’ shoulder fixated on the highest peak, its wings fluttering and emitting sharp chirps.
“It should be that peak. The Gold Horned Kirin Leopard should be there,” Brooks said with a gleam in his eye.
“Master Brooks, what are we waiting for? Let’s go,” Brody said eagerly.
Brody patted the Howling Moon Golden Wolf, which howled and dashed toward the peak. The other three streaks of light followed closely behind.
After traveling two or three kilometers at low altitude, they encountered a vast red swamp ahead.
“Everyone, wait!” Leo commanded, stopping the Thunder Wing Beast.
The group halted, including Brody at the front.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Bloomer?” Brooks asked, puzzled.
Leo stared at the red swamp with a serious expression. “This swamp is strange.”
Everyone became alert and looked toward the red swamp. It stretched far into the distant forest, its red soil appearing fertile and soft, dotted with numerous water patches.
They instinctively released their divine senses but found nothing unusual. Confused, they turned to Leo.
“Mr. Bloomer, what’s strange about it?” Brooks asked on behalf of the group.
“Don’t you find it too quiet around here?” Leo asked solemnly.
They looked around again. It was indeed very quiet-no insect or bird calls, no signs of any creatures.
“It is unusually quiet,” Brooks admitted after a moment of silence.
“Mr. Bloomer, have you noticed something?” Beau asked from the Green Spirit Wind Travelling Boat, squinting his eyes.
“I think this swamp is eerie and dangerous,” Leo replied gravely.
Seeing Leo’s apprehension, Brody grew impatient. He raised his right hand, gathering dazzling golden light in his palm.
Brody swung his hand toward the red swamp. A massive golden blade of light slashed down, creating a long fissure in the swamp before being filled by the soft red soil within seconds. The swamp returned to its original state within ten seconds, remaining eerily quiet with no signs of disturbance.
“What’s so strange about this swamp? If you don’t want to go, stay here. We don’t have time to waste,” Brody sneered at Leo coldly.
“Mr. Bloomer, the Gold Horned Kirin Leopard is just ahead. Though this swamp is formidable, we should be able to cross it quickly by flying low,” Beau suggested.
Hearing Brody and Beau’s words, the twin sisters nodded in agreement.
“We should be able to cross it in less than fifteen minutes if we fly fast. Taking a detour would take much longer and make it harder to deal with the Gold Horned Kirin Leopard,” Keira said.
“My sister is right; a detour would be too far,” Holly agreed.
The mysterious man in the gray robe glanced at Leo and then at the red swamp without saying a word.
“Hmph! Even if there’s something strange here, I’m not afraid. If you don’t go, I will!” Brody scoffed arrogantly and urged his Howling Moon Golden Wolf forward into the swamp.
Seeing Brody venture hundreds of meters into the swamp unscathed, Beau said to the four on the boat, “Let’s go too!”
He cast a spell, and the Green Spirit Wind Travelling Boat flew into the swamp.
“Amitabha. Mr. Bloomer, let’s go too. We can cross this swamp quickly,” Brooks said with a single-handed salute before his white jade lotus seat glowed brightly and transformed into a streak of light entering the swamp.
“Leo, should we take a detour?” Violet asked, looking at Leo as their teammates entered the swamp. She trusted Leo’s judgment implicitly.
“Let’s go too. Just be careful; there’s something strange underground,” Leo decided as he saw the others moving farther away.
“Alright!” Violet nodded firmly.
Leo patted the Thunder Wing Beast. It transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot into the red swamp.
Two minutes later, they caught up with the three streaks of light ahead.