They sped along, and about an hour later, Chen Zheng estimated they had flown over a thousand kilometers.

"We've arrived!" came Yue Gao's voice.

Chen Zheng came to a gentle stop. The True Qi within him flowed like a placid stream, automatically circulating until it calmed completely.

He looked down at the swath of lush greenery that spread out before him like a painted scroll.

"Where are we?" Chen Zheng couldn't help but ask.

"We need to delve deeper to unveil the secrets hidden beneath this sky!" Yue Gao replied, shaking her head.

Chen Zheng nodded and slowly descended into the forest.

The moment he set foot in the forest, he truly felt the mystical aura of the Southern Barbarians. Dense vegetation immediately surrounded him, completely blocking his view.

Yue Gao looked around, searching for a clue to their direction. After a moment, she released her Gu insects, letting them soar freely. They returned shortly after.

Yue Gao's voice echoed through the air. "This way, my warrior!" She darted off in one direction like a bolt of lightning.

Chen Zheng followed closely behind, his gaze resolute and his steps steady.

About twenty minutes later, a white mist appeared before Chen Zheng—the first sign of the miasma.

"This is the miasma. A bit further in, we'll reach the most concentrated area!" Yue Gao said, panting, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and tension.

"Remember, you can always go to the Nanhai Stockade to get the antidote!" Chen Zheng said with a nod. In a flash, his form blurred and he dashed into the mist like a cheetah.

"Wait—" Yue Gao reached out, about to call after Chen Zheng, but he had already vanished into the white mist.

Stepping into the miasma-shrouded domain, Chen Zheng activated his mysterious power. His perception spread like invisible tentacles, exploring every inch of land within a one-kilometer radius. No subtle change could escape his notice.

He moved steadfastly toward the most concentrated area of the miasma, as if guided by destiny.

The miasma coiled around him like snakes, attempting to invade his body. However, under the protection of the Nine Yang Divine Skill, it was like a harmless shadow, unable to affect him in the slightest.

A dozen or so minutes later, the Great Elder of Gu Qing descended from the sky like a deity. Guided by a heavenly silkworm, he landed quietly beside Yue Gao.

"Great Elder!" Yue Gao greeted him respectfully.

"How does he fare?" the Great Elder asked softly, a glint of concern in his eyes.

Yue Gao nodded slightly, her voice as clear as spring water. "He has entered that mysterious realm. I can follow no further."

A ripple of complex emotions surged through the Great Elder's heart. He didn't know how to express what he was feeling. He could sense that Chen Zheng's power had already surpassed his own, and by a considerable margin.

"In that case, we'll search from the sky. Perhaps we can find a trace of him there." The Great Elder shook his head gently and flew toward the heavens with Yue Gao.

Just as the Great Elder and Yue Gao soared into the sky, a voice pierced the air. "Chao Gu!"

They turned to see a figure approaching like lightning. In just a few seconds, it stopped before them.

"Shi Xun," the Great Elder, Chao Gu, greeted with a slight bow.

Shi Xun returned the gesture, then asked, "Is what your Gu Qing lineage's message said true?"

Shi Xun was the Great Elder of the Gu Yun lineage. In the tradition of the Gu Masters, the title of Great Elder designated the leader of a lineage.

"What did the message say?" Chao Gu was unaware of its contents.

Shi Xun frowned. "It's rumored that a warrior has cracked the secret of the Quanhuang Gu Poison. What's more astonishing is that he's resolved to take on the Gu Chi lineage, hidden deep within Mount Insect King, all by himself."

Chao Gu was about to nod in agreement when another, mocking voice rang out.

"What an arrogant fool. It's doubtful he can even survive in this miasma, let alone exterminate the Gu Chi lineage by himself. He's simply daydreaming!"

As the voice faded, a burly man appeared. This was Qing Pan, the Great Elder of the Gu Hei lineage, and also the youngest Sky Control realm expert in the Gu Master tradition.

After the three exchanged courtesies, Chao Gu shook his head and said, "The exact situation is still unclear. Let's just wait and see!"

The other two said no more, turning their gazes toward the dense forest below.

Chen Zheng had reached the area where the miasma was thickest. Here, the pure white mist had transformed into a deep green, ruthlessly obstructing all vision. Fortunately, Chen Zheng's extraordinary perception was entirely unaffected. Otherwise, he might have gotten lost in the vast miasma. And without the ability of Sky Control, he might have been trapped here forever. However, getting lost was a trivial matter compared to the life-threatening toxins in the miasma.

Pushing his perception to its limits, Chen Zheng bravely stepped into the verdant miasma.

Before long, his perception revealed a valley. The miasma within it was even denser, verging on black-green, and a suffocating, corrosive stench permeated the air.

Even someone fully equipped with a gas mask and hazmat suit would find it difficult to withstand the miasma here! Chen Zheng mused in awe as he continued deeper.

His footsteps came to an abrupt halt. "Show yourself!" his voice, as cold as ice, challenged the air around him.

SKITTER! SQUEAK!

An ear-piercing noise suddenly erupted as countless Gu insects appeared like black phantoms, swiftly encircling Chen Zheng.

"Jye jye! How surprising that you could walk right through the miasma's assault without fear!" a sinister voice echoed from the darkness.

Chen Zheng clearly perceived that the man's attire bore the mark of the Gu Chi lineage.

"Sword Aura Cyclone!" he whispered, as if reciting a mysterious incantation.

Instantly, a vortex of black sword aura whirled around Chen Zheng like a tornado.

HISS! HISS! HISS!

The sword aura shot out like lightning, its sharp whistle echoing as it tore through the air.

"You—" The Gu Chi clansman's face twisted in terror, and he turned to flee.

However, the sword aura was as fast as a tempest, utterly unstoppable. In a mere instant, it was upon him. He was shredded to pieces before he could even finish turning around.

POP!

After the man fell, all of his Gu insects dropped to the ground, dead.

"An intruder!"

"What's going on? How could someone get this deep into Mount Insect King?!"

In the depths of the valley, the Gu Chi lineage members watched in shock as one of the Fate Gu kept in their sanctum instantly burst. Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.

Great Elder Xiu Mu's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he shot to his feet.

"Go out and check if it's the people from Gu Qing, Gu Hei, or Gu Yun!" he ordered.

"Yes!"

The Gu Chi clansmen within the mountain fortress immediately rose and went out.

Meanwhile, Chen Zheng, having slaughtered the Gu Chi clansman, ventured deeper into the valley. His perception was as sharp as a hawk's, and he quickly located the clansmen who were emerging.

A slight smile touched his lips as his figure shot forward like lightning, rapidly closing in on the group.

Through the thick, green miasma, the approaching clansmen saw only a black shadow, sharp as a sword's edge.

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