"I can't believe that the heavenly spirits chose the Poisontree Marshes." Qian Ziyi said.

Xue Xinling patted her on her shoulders. "The Heavenly spirits choose what they want to choose, and remember, you're part of that choice."

Ziyi frowned at what Xinling implied. Yuanfang joined the two girls. "It's not that bad, Ziyi. Trust me." Ziyi wasn't sure she wanted to smile, because there was a dirty look on Yuanfang's face.

Uncle Gui said. "Your three girls are getting along well."

Huang Lu didn't reply, as they approached the edges of the Poisontree Marshes. Here, grass gave way to mud, and murky waters. There was an old path, made of ancient wood resistant to the erosion and poison of the Poisontree Marshes. Zhui Gui, the ancient master, quickly explained. "I haven't been through the Poisontree Marshes for ages."

Toh Gen nodded. "Well, I've never been through it. But from what I hear, the Blackearth Gators that lurk in the waters are 3rd realm beasts."

The girls looked a little uncomfortable. Lady Xue walked a little closer to Huang Lu. Yuanfang immediately proposed a formation. "Both Toh Gen and Master Gui should be the vanguard and the rearguard. The three of us girls will stick to Huang Lu."

Toh Gen smiled. "Sure. How bad can it be?"

Uncle Gui immediately responded. "The first trick to crossing the Poisontree Marshes, is don't touch anything. Stick to the wooden path. Second, is to suppress your Qi. The Gators are drawn to creatures with Qi, and because they are blind, they will think anyone with Qi as food."

"Oh." Toh Gen agreed. "Well, let's go."

The wooden path cracked.

"Or... maybe not." Toh Gen looked. "Maybe this isn't a good idea."

Uncle Gui frowned. "Foolish. Don't you know how to use 'light foot'?" The Master Zhui Gui walked nimbly, and he seemed to float.

"We don't know how to do that." All the girls said.

Toh Gen checked his inventory. "Maybe I could just use my Thousand-Winds Gourd-"

Uncle Gui had immediately turned and slammed into Toh Gen. "You stupid fool! Do you mean to attract the beasts that lurk within the marshes?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"The Gators?"

"Well, yes, but there are more hidden beasts than you know. Places that are normally safe, are not safe when you use powerful artefacts like that!"

Too late, as the water of the marshes began to bubble, and a giant snake appeared. It spoke. "Is that a present for me, mortals?"

Toh Gen looked upset. "Who the hell-"

"That is not how a mortal should address the Grand Serpent of the Poisontree Marsh." Huang Lu vaguely sensed that the Qi-Beast was probably a peak-6th realm creature, and looked at Zhui Gui. Zhui Gui immediately snuck over.

"I may be higher realm that the beast, but that doesn't mean I can win." Uncle Gui whispered. "Realms are not always an indicator of strength. All I can guarantee, is we can leave this alive."

The serpent flared its power and aura, and it clearly signified it's level of strength. 6th realm, and even more than that, it was pure poison Qi. The girls cowered and hid behind Huang Lu, and somehow, the Qi bounced off Huang Lu's body like nothing.

Poison? That's nothing before the heavenly density of Huang Lu's muscles!

Yet, as the serpent flared its Qi, it also revealed its weakeness, Huang Lu immediately sensed an unusual energy from the Serpent. It was likely to be injured, and he looked at Uncle Gui. Uncle Gui seemed to have detected it too. There was vulnerability, in spite of its tough act.

The Grand Serpent, at least, immediately realised the strange looks both Huang Lu and Zhui Gui gave each other. Toh Gen, immediately bowed. "Oh Grand Serpent of the Poisontree Marsh, surely you wouldn't be interested in this little trinket."

The Grand Serpent's two snake-eyes stared at Huang Lu. The serpent's aura touched Huang Lu's heavenly presence, and the serpent shivered. "The Grand Serpent knows better than to meddle with the Heaven's Chosen."

It immediately turned, and sank back into the marsh. A moment of silence later, Toh Gen looked at Huang Lu.

"Did your heavenly powers just scare the snake away?" Toh Gen said.

Huang Lu shrugged. Uncle Gui laughed and tapped Huang Lu on the shoulder. "That's my boy! Even the snake fears you! Come, I think we will have a smooth journey now."

The path was cracked, and broken at my parts, but indeed, Master Zhui Gui was right.

Not a single Gator came to harass them. If even the Grand Serpent left them alone, would the Gators try their luck?

As they walked through the marsh, eventually they came to a small 'island' in the marsh, where the water was crystal clear, and the Poisontrees gave way to normal trees.

"We should rest here." Uncle Gui said. "This is one of the many Island of the Marsh. Each of these islands have clear water and normal trees, filtered by the Poisontrees."

Huang Lu immediately placed his gourd into the water. The gourd immediately sucked the water.

"Still no water?" The girls asked.

[Gourd will take two days to process and refine the water]

"Darn. Some of us should keep watch." Xue Xinling said. "Or find another island."

At that point, Uncle Gui pulled Toh Gen. "You know what we have to do?"

Toh Gen looked at the pool, the girls, and Huang Lu. He then turned to face Uncle Gui, and then nodded. "Absolutely."

They both left. Both Yuanfang and Xinling smiled. "Clever boys!"

Qian Ziyi stared at Huang Lu. "What about him?"

Yuanfang gave Ziyi a devilish smile, and then took off her own dress. "Huang Lu can join us, of course."

"But!" Ziyi seemed to protest a little, but then, Xinling had already walked to Huang Lu, and started to take off his robe. He sighed, and asked the heavens for approval.