The rest of Cao Yun's travel went without any problem. Unfortunately, he was forced to rein in his cultivation. In order to cultivate to his fullest abilities, Cao Yun had to completely release the seals on his asura cultivation. However, he couldn't really spend several days to weeks each time just setting up array formations and then cultivating for a meager day. Despite making several array formation plates to help on the way, the young man simply couldn't go all the way each time. That being said, he didn't slack in his cultivation. He went as far as he could without risking revealing himself.

All the way, he kept on improving his newly created 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura'. Now that he was limited, he even worked on that aspect as well. In fact, Cao Yun was wondering more and more about creating a comprehensive cultivation method. Right now, only Qi cultivation had a comprehensive manual, the 'Universal Law of Immortality' left by Emperor Nuwa. But there was no universally accepted reference on mind and soul cultivation. In fact, Cao Yun was thinking about creating a reference in general cultivation, not just one specific aspect. Of course, his current cultivation was only allowed by his Drop of Wrath. But he could still find ways to emulate some of its aspects in humans, just like he could find ways to emulate his Dantian and meridians in demons.

Cao Yun didn't want to reinvent the wheel, but he had really been toying with that idea. For now though, he simply didn't have any time. However, working on such a project might help him get a more global view of all of cultivation. Anyway, he kept that thought in a corner of his mind.

After two more weeks, Cao Yun finally reached the Lunar Marsh. On the way, Cao Yun had learned that the Huogu and Kai Provinces' disaster had also caused the Lunar Marsh to slightly change. After all, one shift in the environment could cause many other transformations. Indeed, that swamp was as described. The place had always been gloomy, but now it was absolutely sinister. Death Energy and Evil Qi were not present everywhere. In fact, Cao Yun could barely feel any of those, just small traces here and there. Obviously, for average cultivators, this was already something big. What truly had changed was the overall atmosphere. Cao Yun could almost feel despair and depression coming out of this small patch of land.

Before Cao Yun and Hongyu stood the large and majestic Heidai Peak. Finally, Cao Yun was back in his Wubei Sect. He might get to meet his brothers again. Of course, he wasn't sure whether Sun Liao would be here, and the same for Mei Hua. However, Ren Chao had to be there, according to everything he had heard.

Cao Yun decided to go slowly. Maybe it was out of respect, out of nostalgia or out of apprehension. Honestly, even he wasn't too sure about that. Instead of trying to sort through his emotions and thoughts, Cao Yun just enjoyed the maelstrom in his mind and heart. Sometimes, it was just better to let his emotions run wild without trying to understand them. Thus, he flew above the Lunar Marsh with Hongyu, spreading his spiritual senses all over the place while staying stealthy. He didn't want to disturb the area.

As he was randomly flying around, Cao Yun sensed three young cultivators. They were two women and a man. Most likely, they had to be somewhere between sixteen and eighteen. Considering their clothes and their behaviors, Cao Yun recognized that they were second-years from the Wubei Sect. Besides, he saw a very familiar emblem on them, the emblem of the Heavenly Swallow Faction. Immediately, many memories surged in his mind. His faction, well Zhi Yin's faction to be precise, had survived for more than a decade. Besides, those three young cultivators were clearly competent so the faction had to be in a good situation.

The woman leading the group was the oldest, she was probably eighteen. She had red hair and very pale skin. Although her face looked feminine, she had a powerful aura all around her. Even some overly masculine early Mortal Warriors would have paled in comparison. Of course, to Cao Yun, her aura wasn't very strong, but for her cultivation, it was pretty good with some fierce killing intent. Considering the current date, the end of the year had to be very close, so she would soon become a third-year and one could tell. She was a 9th-grade Mortal. There was no doubt that she would break through to the Mortal Warrior realm before she became a fourth-year disciple.

By her side, the other woman had black hair and somewhat dark skin. She was also taller and reminded Cao Yun of Yun Ping. Unlike her sister disciple, she had a weaker presence and seemed uncertain of herself and her abilities. Although she was around a year younger, she was still a second-year disciple. But her cultivation was weaker as she was merely a 7th-grade Mortal. That being said, she did look familiar to Cao Yun. Maybe it was just her general appearance that reminded him of the Subei Province. They had much more demon blood in them and it showed.

Finally, the man was the youngest with a 7th-grade Mortal cultivation as well. He had long silver hair, longer than both women in fact. Besides, he also had exaggerated mannerisms and kept on complaining about the swamp. It was undignified for him to walk in such mud. Honestly, even being far away, Cao Yun found him unbearable very fast. No matter what happened, he kept on pestering his other two companions, complaining about every single little thing that annoyed him. Despite his attitude, his comrades didn't mind. To be fair, they simply didn't listen to him. In fact, he completely appeared to talk to himself, most of the time. But he acted as though his words were precious and his companions were listening to absolutely everything he was saying. Being able to keep a conversation alive when you were the only one speaking was impressive indeed.

"Why is there mud everywhere?! Couldn't the sect just build paved roads here?! Well, I guess they don't care since they can fly. You do realize that this rancid air is already soiling my robe?! Sisters, you might not care about your hair as much as I do, after all you don't have the chance of having such lustrous hair like I do, but I assure you that this place is terrible. After we're done, I'll have to go to the Coiling Silk Faction for some care. Maybe, that's their doing. I bet they bribe the sect to keep this place in such a poor state so they make money when poor travelers like us go take their care... Dirty old men seduced by beautiful women... You would never see me lose myself in such lustful pleasures, right, Sisters?"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Cao Yun was quite amused by this trio. After a few minutes, he realized that this young man, despite his idiotic constant talking, was the one navigating the Lunar Marsh. Although the other two women were leading the way, they were following his instructions. And he was good. He made them stop each time they were getting too close to a place with Death Energy or Evil Qi. Even if it was very faint, he seemed to always sense it and avoid it. Maybe it was just instincts, but he was very talented nonetheless, probably why they put up with his constant babbling.

Even in such a dangerous place, the young man kept caring about his appearance first and foremost.

Honestly, Cao Yun began to find that young man's quirk endearing. After a few minutes, he even began to smile at his stupid rant. He could go on and on for several minutes on a single topic before completely changing the subject and sometimes even saying the opposite of what he was arguing against just one instant prior.

Suddenly, he froze and gave a signal to his two sisters. They immediately stopped moving and readied their weapons. The leader had a sword while her sister had a spear. Their weapons were quite good, nothing too impressive for Cao Yun, but a great quality for their current cultivation. Obviously, Cao Yun had also seen the reason why they had stopped. Right in front of them was a couple Mirror Back Ancient Alligators. They were hiding in a small pond, very difficult to find in that muddy water, but the young man had perceived them nonetheless. Then, Cao Yun admired as the two women attacked first. They didn't leave any chance to their enemies and struck them down.

What truly shocked Cao Yun was the black-haired woman's technique. She was using 'Azure Dragon's Seven Piercing Stars' and she had mastered the Tail Star, only the Winnowing Basket Star was missing for her to achieve Perfection. At least, it was what was perceived as Perfection since no one but Cao Yun had tried to form the Constellations and the Manors for a very long time. Considering her proficiency, she might try to form those as well. Honestly, Cao Yun was surprised. She wasn't as talented as he had been, but she was very close to it. With a few pointers, she might be able to achieve greatness in the spear. In the future, she might even be able to condense a Spear Heart, or a Spear Spirit.

The two Mirror Back Ancient Alligators didn't stand a chance. In a matter of seconds, they were both dispatched. Although they had been laying in ambush to attack their prey, the two 2-core demonic beasts had been found out and sneak attacked themselves. The two women had used all of their strength in a single attack, aiming directly for their weak points. Indeed, the young man had been able to give them all the details they needed. Clearly, their group had great synergy.

"Brother Gua, please help us with their bodies."

"Seriously?! Now, I have to dirty my perfect hands?! And since both of my aesthetically disadvantaged sisters lack any skill or knowledge, I'll have to cut them open and dirty myself on those putrid beasts... What a life! What a tragedy to be as beautiful and intelligent as I am! How cruel are the Heavens..."

Just as he was complaining and complaining, the young man rolled up his sleeves and walked toward the two ladies. Without much of his assistance, they took the bodies out of the water. After all, they were physically stronger than he was. But then, they let him work his wonders. To be fair, he was extremely good with a knife. Despite his complaints, not a single drop of blood spilled on him. With Cao Yun's understanding of alchemy, he could easily tell that this man knew his stuff. He only took what was truly important. Since they didn't have spatial rings, they couldn't travel with too much weight after all.

As he was observing this group and relaxing, Cao Yun felt another presence in the air. For an instant, he was alert. But this presence wasn't threatening the group at all. In fact, Cao Yun recognized another member of the Wubei Sect. And this wasn't a man he was too glad to meet again. After all, the last time they had met, he had tried to violate Cao Yun's soul. Indeed, this presence was former Chief Elder Bian Gui. Back when Cao Yun was still a first-year, Bian Gui had been Chief Elder of the disciplinary pavilion. He was too arrogant, and stupid, so he had been easily manipulated to go on a personal vendetta against Cao Yun. Without support, like Xiao Xuefeng, Cao Yun might have truly suffered back then.

For some time, Cao Yun observed Bian Gui. The old man was sincerely observing the group down below. Cao Yun could tell that he was ready to act at a moment's notice if things went poorly. Honestly, the Lunar Marsh was more dangerous than when Cao Yun and his brothers and sister had visited it, so he could understand that. But Bian Gui had been a Chief Elder, this wasn't the kind of job a Chief Elder would do.

Once the trio was done with the Mirror Back Ancient Alligators, the young man put the materials he had cut apart in a large bag. Then, he complained some more.

"And now, I'm being used as a mule. I keep being harassed by my two sisters. Because they're jealous of my beauty and talent, they make me pay. Earlier I was their butcher and now I'm their mule. What a fate! May the Heavens have mercy upon my poor sisters! You rejected them beauty, but you could at least offer them kindness. What man would desire my poor sisters?! Are they doomed to live, wither, and die alone?! Do not worry, Sisters, I will lessen your burden. Look at my generosity as I help you in your ordeal. I might try and introduce you to not too hideous men. Maybe they'll settle for you in a few centuries..."

At last, the trio was leaving the Lunar Marsh and Bian Gui lessened his intent. That was when Cao Yun decided to introduce himself. After all, he had not wanted to disturb the group or their flying guardian. But now, with his senses, he could tell that there was no threat around them for quite some time. Besides, he was confident he could watch over them while talking to Bian Gui. Earlier, he had simply not wanted to surprise Bian Gui at any important moment.

Before releasing his stealth, Cao Yun sent a telepathic message to the former Chief Elder.

"Sir Bian Gui, this humble one presents his greetings. I am Young Sect Master Chen Guo. How should I address you?"

As he spoke, Cao Yun released some of his stealth. The trio on the ground couldn't sense him but Bian Gui could see him without any problem.

"Chen... Chen Guo?!"

Obviously, Bian Gui was surprised, but he quickly recovered. He cupped his fists and bowed slightly in Cao Yun's direction. Then, he hesitated, but lowered himself and quite literally kowtowed in midair.

"This unworthy one presents his greetings to the venerable Young Sect Master Chen Guo. This pathetic one is now a humble instructor. Venerable Young Sect Master Chen Guo may call this one Instructor Bian."

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