Chapter 128: Black Flame Swamp

  The Black Flame Marsh is a desolate and rarely visited wasteland, where wild grasses and puddles of water are everywhere. Many areas appear flat, but if you accidentally step on them, the whole person will sink immediately, sinking deeper and deeper, the more you struggle, the faster you sink, until the whole person is swallowed up.

  In the marsh, a black fog lingered year-round. Every dusk, the fog spread throughout the marsh, and in dense areas, it burst out of the water pits like flames, burning fiercely. If one stayed in contact with this fog for too long, their skin would break out in transparent blisters, about the size of beans, which itched unbearably, making one want to scratch uncontrollably. However, once these blisters were scratched open, a toxic liquid flowed out, causing even more blisters to form. The more one scratched, the itchier they became, until eventually, their entire body was covered in scratches and they died from severe skin ulcers.

  All these are not the most terrifying, but the harsh natural environment can still be overcome with familiarity and caution. However, the most dangerous thing is a kind of demon beast that grows in the swamp. This demon beast looks like an ordinary water snake, except for a red tumor on its head. When this demon beast attacks people, the red tumor will emit various water system magic spells. Although they are low-level magic spells, there are many such demon beasts and they appear in groups. You can imagine low-level ice arrows falling from the sky like rain, and even mages may not be able to withstand it. Due to the existence of this demon beast, the Black Flame Swamp has almost become a forbidden place for humans.

  Of course, it's not that this swamp is completely useless. Legend has it that a plant with extremely high medicinal value grows in the swamp, which is said to be a panacea for healing wounds. The leaves of this plant can be used to stop bleeding, and adventurers who are injured only need to chew on its leaves and apply them to their wounds to stop the bleeding immediately. Moreover, the roots of this plant can be sliced into pieces, brewed in water, and consumed over time to prolong one's lifespan for ordinary people. For magicians, directly consuming the roots can rapidly replenish their magical powers and restore their spiritual energy. It is truly a wonderful thing. As a result, this plant is extremely valuable and highly sought after in all empires, with countless adventurers risking death to venture deep into the swamp, sometimes dozens of miles or more, to harvest it. Although nine out of ten may not return, the enormous economic benefits continue to drive them to take risks.

  In the swamp, there is a kind of magical creature that is also very valuable. This creature has a crystal inside it, which can be dug out and looks like a gemstone. It's extremely hard and can be made into various accessories by high-level alchemists. If ordinary melee classes or archers wear these accessories, they can increase the wearer's movement speed. Larger crystals can also be used as gems on magic wands for mages, greatly increasing the power of water-based magic. However, this creature is usually found in groups and has a very high alertness level, so once it detects humans, it will often launch a group attack. As a result, it's even harder to obtain. The smallest crystal can be exchanged for enough gold coins to support an ordinary family of four for five years in the major empires.

  "Brother, what are the names of this monster and this plant?" Xilu asked with great interest after listening to Evan's introduction.

  "The plant is actually called 'Snake Fruit', because it's the food of a snake-shaped monster, and this snake-shaped monster can release ice arrows due to its shape resembling a snake, so people here call it 'Ice Snake'." Evan said patiently to his sister.

  "This time we go in, we must get a few of these ice snakes and pick some snake fruit to make more money..." Xilu said very greedily.

  "We're lucky to have made it through alive, and you're still thinking about getting rich? Don't be greedy!" I joked.

  Furei sighed and said with some worry: "Yes, how can we get through this swamp?"

  Evan smiled and said, "It's okay, this swamp has existed for so many years, of course, there have been people who have crossed it before, and those who crossed the swamp left behind maps. However, these maps are extremely rare to circulate, but most royal families in various countries have collections, and I was fortunate enough to get a copy of such a map. If no one can really cross this swamp, do you think the beastmen who arrived at our human country came from nowhere? And how did we humans reach the Beastmen Empire and interact with them? It's just that these maps are generally only suitable for a small number of people to cross, and cannot pass through large armies. Therefore, the Beastmen on the Aichen continent and humans have never had wars. The Black Flame Swamp and the permanently snowy Krite Mountains are the greatest contributors, but because of this, the Beastmen Empire and human empires occupy both sides of the Aichen continent, yet rarely exchange or come and go."

  "In that case, why so much nonsense? Let's just lead the way and get through this swamp quickly. The road ahead is still long." I urged somewhat impatiently.

  Aidan looked at me and smiled, saying: "Are magicians also so impatient? Although I can take you through the swamp, do you know that the lair of the undead magician is actually in here too?"

  I stared at Evan with wide eyes and asked incredulously, "What did you say? So the Wraith Mage Guild is here? Then aren't we just delivering ourselves to their doorstep?"

  Aidan nodded and said: "That's possible, but don't forget that they're in internal turmoil right now. Maybe they won't have time to bother with chasing you."

  I smiled wryly and said, "You know what? Aren't you curious why the undead mages always come after me? Actually, I've already been branded with a soul mark by an undead mage. All undead mages can detect that I've killed one of their kind before, no matter which faction they're from. As soon as they see this mark, most likely they'll come after me without distinction."

  Ayr nodded thoughtfully and said, "So, are you still planning on crossing the swamp?"

  I rolled my eyes and said irritably, "Of course I'll pass."

  Evan burst out laughing and said, "What's the point of saying all this? Besides, with your current strength plus ours, how many undead mages can confidently take us down in one go? Can't have the entire Undead Mage Guild doing nothing but gathering a large team to look for trouble, right?"

  I thought about it, and I'm afraid of what? These days have been haunted by the undead wizard, hearing the undead wizard has almost become a natural reaction. I couldn't help but mock myself harshly in my heart.

  I took a deep breath and waved my hand saying: "In that case, let's set off!"

  Our little group of four finally stepped into the Black Flame Marsh at dawn, this legendary place of terror.