Zanxing

Chapter 34 - Gufeng Mountain (2)

The Gufeng Mountain is vast, and seeking a specific herb within it is no easy task, except for the Night Vine Branch.

The Night Vine Branch grows at the edge of the Black Marsh, where miasma continuously bubbles up from the bottom of the marsh. This miasma gradually disperses, poisoning the trees within a ten-mile radius. Therefore, as long as you head toward the most barren part of the mountain, you are sure to find it.

After bypassing a clear stream and climbing a few hundred steps up a cloud ladder, a golden light suddenly appeared among the distant cliffs and trees.

This golden light resembled mist and clouds, enveloping the treetops. Upon looking closer at the grove, the trees appeared scorched, faintly emanating a damp and moldy odor. Zanxing knew she must have found the right place.

She took a deep breath; who would have thought that a person who spent all day sitting in an office, now transported into a book world, would become a hiking enthusiast? Cultivating immortality required not only mental prowess but physical strength as well.

After resting for a moment, Zanxing continued forward. The closer she got to the grove, the heavier the humid air became, and even her azure gauze robe was dampened by the mist. A stream wound out from the grove, half of it red and half green—bright yet filthy, making one feel uneasy just to look at it.

The further she ventured, the more pronounced her discomfort became. She took out a prepared pouch of realgar and inhaled deeply, alleviating some of the unpleasant, rancid smell, but she still felt heavy in her chest and nauseous.

This place was indeed not suitable for humans.

After struggling to walk a few more hundred steps, the red and green stream reached its end, revealing a pool of black marsh.

This marsh seemed alive, forming a swirling vortex at its center, as if it wanted to suck everything nearby inside. Looking around, there wasn't a single blade of grass; golden miasma continuously rose from the vortex, its vibrant color making it appear more dangerous.

On the slanting edge of the black marsh, a tree grew. This tree wasn't tall, about a person's height. It grew at an angle, the trunk as thick as an arm, and at the end of the trunk, a blood-red slender branch dangled over the black marsh.

This was the Night Vine Branch.

The Night Vine Branch has branches but no flowers; each tree only produces one branch, once a year. Once you pick one branch, you must wait until the next year for it to grow again.

Zhanxing assessed the distance between herself and the tree, feeling it might be a bit challenging.

To pick the Night Vine Branch, she could only climb the tree. Whether the tree was sturdy or not, and whether she could climb steadily, was uncertain, but getting near the source of the miasma's vortex was quite difficult.

She patted her chest, hoping the Xiao Yuan Pearl would provide her with some inspiration. However, ever since she triggered the "Mirage Flower, Water Moon" last time, the pearl had erupted briefly, but it had since fallen silent as if it had died, leaving her wondering if it had entered a dormant phase.

Left with no choice, Zanxing tied a cloth over her face to cover her mouth and nose, popped a few coix seeds into her mouth, and then approached the Night Vine Branch, pushing off to start climbing the tree.

She had to admit that since she began cultivating, her physical condition had improved quite a bit. Climbing the tree went smoothly; the tree looked slender but was quite stable. Zanxing climbed to the tip of the branch but dared not go further. Even so, the miasma rushing toward her made it hard to breathe, and her clothes were instantly drenched in sweat.

She gripped the trunk tightly with one hand and drew a small knife from her waist with the other, intending to cut the branch down, but after a couple of strikes, not even a mark was left. Zhanxing was stunned and decided to wrap her knife blade with her spiritual energy and swung down with force.

With a "clang," the knife was deflected back, the blade suffering a chip.

"Is this branch made of iron?" Zanxing stared in disbelief.

She swung a few more times with all her might, but the branch remained unmoving as if mocking her incompetence.

Zanxing was flabbergasted; she had found the item, but what could she do if she couldn't take it?

Just as she was thinking, she suddenly felt a strong wind rushing from behind her. Zanxing furrowed her brow, and a sword light swept across her chest. She stepped back, but behind her was the Night Vine Branch, only the length of a finger. Her feet slipped, and she was about to fall into the black marsh when, at the last moment, she grasped the Night Vine Branch, hanging suspended in mid-air.

Below her was the black marsh bubbling with miasma, and in front of her stood a man in a golden gauze robe, holding a long sword, looking down at her with disdain.

"Hua Yue?" Zanxing was shocked. "What are you doing?"

Hua Yue stood on the tree trunk, looking down at Zanxing with a dark tone, "What do you think?"

Zanxing frowned, "I have no enmity with you; why are you trying to harm me?" A thought crossed her mind: "Are you trying to defend Duan Xiangrao?"

"Pfft," Hua Yue played with the ring on his finger, "I have no interest in disputes between women; just hand it over."

Zanxing was taken aback. "What?"

He took a step closer, his eyes revealing unmasked greed. "You're hiding a treasure."

"Treasures?"

"In just a month, you've gone from a beginner in Qi Refinement to early Foundation Establishment, advancing three levels and even defeating Xiangrao. If you didn't have treasure to assist you, how could that be possible?" He chuckled, his tone chilling, "If you obediently hand it over, I might spare your life. Otherwise..." He gestured to cut the Night Vine Branch.

Zanxing's heart sank.

Hua Yue had guessed almost everything. In the original story, the conflict between Hua Yue and Mu Chengxiao had indeed not occurred yet. However, the plot meant for Mu Chengxiao had now played out in her own life. But the original text did not mention this black marsh. Would she also stir up some demonic beast next, leading to a beast hunt?

"What are you spacing out for?" Hua Yue frowned. "Hand it over already!"

Zanxing steadied her mind and replied, "I don't have any treasures. I don't know where you heard these rumors. But don't you fear getting exposed for scheming against a fellow disciple and being expelled from the sect?"

Hua Yue smiled nonchalantly, "This black marsh is rarely trodden; all the fellow disciples are busy harvesting spirit herbs on the other side, so it's just you and me here. But..." His smile faded, "You're really clueless. Since that's the case..." He suddenly drew his sword forward, causing Zanxing's heart to stop for a moment.

Feeling a chill, she realized that her robe had been cut open by the sword's edge. Hua Yue, wary of the black marsh, dared not approach but used the sword wind to shred her robe. Zanxing's Qiankun bag flew into Hua Yue's hand. He then swept his spiritual energy over her body, and his expression suddenly darkened, "How could there be nothing?"

"I told you long ago," Zanxing clutched the branch with both hands, hanging in mid-air. "I don't have any treasures. Pull me up!"

Hua Yue stared at her, and after a moment, he laughed, "You hurt my woman during the sect examination; now you've wasted my trip and time. It's already a grace that I don't kill you. Yang Zanxing, how can you still have the face to ask me to save you?"

Zanxing said, "You plotted against me first."

"And what of it," Hua Yue stepped back, "If you're capable, then climb up by yourself. But I assume you won't get that chance anymore."

Zanxing followed his gaze and her eyes suddenly narrowed; she saw the previously unbreakable Night Vine Branch, hard as iron, suddenly develop a crack at its tip.

"No way?" Zanxing murmured. "Is this a game?"

In the next moment, there was a crisp snap, and the Night Vine Branch broke in half, plunging along with the person hanging from the branch into the miasma-filled black marsh.