Dashing Student-Chapter 1065: Altar Array

Upon hearing news of the Soul Destruction Sand, Divine Calculator clapped his hands in delight, as if the Soul Destruction Sand was already within reach.

However, he quickly noticed Chen Nan nearby, looking somewhat embarrassed, likely realizing that he had swallowed the reward for rescuing Chu Jiaojiao whole.

"Cough, cough, Junior Brother, how about we team up this time and split all gains fifty-fifty?"

"Okay."

Chen Nan did not refuse because he knew Divine Calculator was already captivated, not just by Chu Jiaojiao, but also by the priceless Soul Destruction Sand.

If he did not agree to go forward, Divine Calculator might abandon him.

The Ancient Altar mentioned by Chu Jiaojiao was near Wangchuan Swamp, and to reach their destination, Chen Nan and the others had to cross Wangchuan Swamp.

So, making a detour would not be too far off.

Within two days, they reached Wangchuan Swamp, which looked similar to an ordinary swamp, filled with rotten black mud and withered branches and leaves.

This swamp stretched across the entire Southern Marsh, spanning ten thousand feet wide, and the miasma here was much denser than in other places.

In fact, above the swamp, there was even more concentrated miasma gathered, so vast that it almost hid the sky.

Thus, flying overhead was impractical unless one’s cultivation was strong enough to resist the corrosion of miasma.

"To cross Wangchuan Swamp, we need to find Heartless Wood; let’s first go to the altar and find it later."

Divine Calculator patted Chen Nan’s shoulder and said with a cheerful smile.

Throughout the journey, they talked about how terrifying Wangchuan Swamp was, but Chen Nan couldn’t see any difference between here and other swamps.

Seemingly sensing Chen Nan’s thoughts, Divine Calculator’s face unusually grew more solemn.

"Junior Brother, do not underestimate this swamp. Not only is the miasma denser than other places, but the swamp itself is extremely terrifying."

He casually took a demon beast’s corpse from his storage bag and threw it into Wangchuan Swamp.

Immediately, the corpse quickly sank, black mud surged as if it were alive.

Within a few breaths, the corpse was completely swallowed by the swamp.

More horrifying was that shortly thereafter, a demon beast’s skeleton floated to the swamp’s surface, as if it truly possessed a life of its own.

"Wangchuan Swamp seems older than the Great Swamp, considered as the origin of the Great Swamp, its mud contains ’Bone-Eroding Water,’ silently eroding flesh and even Spiritual Artifacts."

"Additionally, the mud harbors the ’Heart Rotting Miasma’ poison, directly eroding a cultivator’s meridians, incapacitating mana."

Divine Calculator’s face was filled with a heavy expression as he continued, "These two toxins exist in other swamps, but are most intense only here in Wangchuan Swamp."

"It’s the result of poisonous accumulation over years, claiming the lives of countless careless cultivators falling into Wangchuan Swamp every year."

Chen Nan nodded slowly, subconsciously stepping back two steps, finally understanding the terror of Wangchuan Swamp.

"But no need to worry, Heartless Wood can float above the swamp, so as long as we are careful, it’s safe to cross."

Seeing Chen Nan’s worried demeanor, Divine Calculator reassured him.

Subsequently, they, along with Chu Jiaojiao, moved along the swamp’s edge leftward, and within a stick of incense’s time, they arrived at their destination.

They happened to see several cultivators in the distance, standing on hollow wooden logs floating over the mud’s surface, gliding slowly towards the opposite bank.

This was the means to cross Wangchuan Swamp.

Just then, Chen Nan suddenly saw several cultivators on the Heartless Wood breaking into conflict, pushing one of their own into the swamp.

"Help, save me!"

That cultivator frantically struggled, but once fallen into the swamp, the swamp’s suction locks onto them, making escape difficult unless one’s cultivation is strong enough.

Within a few breaths, the fallen cultivator was swallowed, mud surged, churning up a black wave.

Moments later, a naked skeleton floated to the surface. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

If one looked closely, they could see a large number of white bones on Wangchuan Swamp’s surface, both human cultivators and demon beasts, all victims of the swamp.

The cultivators on the hollow wood noticed Chen Nan and the others, glaring fiercely, as if signaling them not to interfere.

"See that? Here, killing someone and silencing them is best done, no need to strike, just deceive them into the swamp," Divine Calculator remarked with deep sentiment.

Chu Jiaojiao had already reached the Ancient Altar, and excitedly shouted, "It’s right here."

Chen Nan couldn’t help turning to look, seeing a dilapidated stone altar, its surface retaining many patterns.

There were even broken columns, suggesting the altar was magnificent when intact.

The two of them went up to the altar, feeling the passage of time, even the stones used in construction had weathered greatly.

On the altar’s central ground was an array, with a unique symbol in its midst, resembling a congregation of several crosses.

After the ancient altar’s discovery, many came to explore, though they identified the engravings as array patterns.

Yet, they couldn’t activate the array.

So, the cultivators gradually lost interest, as the altar was merely a pile of stones.

But at this moment, Chu Jiaojiao held a peculiar iron plate, matching the altar’s central symbol perfectly.

"This woman is indeed well-prepared," Chen Nan thought silently.

Chu Jiaojiao placed the iron plate on the symbol in the middle of the array, fitting snugly.

The next moment, the altar lit up with beams of light, shooting skyward, complex array patterns faintly appearing in void.

Chen Nan also saw a chain condensed from spiritual power, emerging from the altar, piercing the void, its end unknown.

"Has it really been activated? What effect does this array possess?" Divine Calculator expressed deep curiosity, though proficient in arrays, he hadn’t seen these patterns before.

Chen Nan curiously observed the changes around, unexpectedly seeing Chu Jiaojiao stepping beyond the altar’s boundary, smiling coldly at them.

Her smile appeared chilling.

His suspicions now confirmed, this woman Chu Jiaojiao indeed had ulterior motives.

"Haha, Divine Calculator, Jue Mingzi, you brothers go and explore for me, two idiots, think I’d share benefits with you?"

"Bitch!"

Chen Nan waved and released a Wind Blade, but the array’s light grew more intense, Chu Jiaojiao’s figure more blurred, until the light obscured vision.

Both instinctively shielded their eyes.

When the light faded, Chen Nan found they had arrived at another place, seemingly inside an Underground Palace.