Favorite of the Beast-world: I Got Rich Through Farming-Chapter 217 - 159: Mi Yin and the Death Swamp & a Purple Crystal Core
After An Jin provided a comprehensive analysis of the surrounding terrain, the Beastmen nodded, only half-understanding. They shifted into their beast forms and carefully clambered over branches and rocks to traverse the higher ground of the swamp.
The little fox, taking advantage of her small frame and light weight, padded across the thick carpet of moss as if it were solid ground. Her soft paws made only a few ripples in the mire with each leap.
She tilted her head, her gilded fox eyes glancing back at the Beastmen who had been left far behind, then vanished in a flash.
The Beastmen, who had always revered brawny and robust physiques, couldn’t help but envy the Witch Doctor’s petite beast form.
Besides, the huge swarm of menacing crocodiles saw the scrawny fox and paid her no mind at all, their red eyes fixed instead on the plump, sturdy Beastmen, drool dripping from their jaws.
The supplies and carts were carried away in waves by the Flying Beastmen, who could soar high above the swamp.
The Land Beastmen transformed and traveled in groups to cross the swamp.
As wave after wave of Beastmen departed, Ling Hong and An Jin found themselves at the rear of the party.
Even though they had a method to cross the swamp, her agility and jumping power were no match for a Beastman’s. An Jin clenched her fists as she gazed at the boundless, bubbling marsh before her.
’What’s there to be afraid of?’
She took a sharp breath, just about to take a step.
"Get on. I’ll carry you."
Ling Hong crouched down, his back to her, and held out his strong arms. His voice was low and alluringly cool. "These crocodiles bully the weak and fear the strong. The moment your foot touches the ground, they’ll swarm you."
"...Alright."
An Jin swallowed and, without any coyness, turned and climbed onto his back.
Her world suddenly rose higher, and her field of view widened considerably. Ling Hong was already carrying her away, his long legs leaping methodically into the distance.
’So this is what it’s like to be this tall? It’s amazing.’
The scenery blurred past them. The swamp and thickets on both sides receded like a fast-ebbing tide, and the harsh, foul-smelling wind whipped her hair wildly about her face.
An Jin couldn’t help but tighten her grip around Ling Hong’s long neck, resting her head on his broad, muscular shoulder. She narrowed her eyes. "How long will it take to cross this huge swamp? Can we make it all the way through tonight?"
"What is it?"
Ling Hong’s wolf ears twitched, sensing the urgency in her voice. He paused for a moment before continuing, "This swamp is huge—about the size of three of our cities. If we try to push through it at full speed, no one will get any rest tonight."
"Look at those bubbles. They’re going to explode."
An Jin kept one arm around his neck and pointed with her other hand at the numerous bubbles popping in the swamp below.
Swamps often release bubbles of swamp gas, a mixture of methane and other gases.
This gas is highly flammable and explosive. If the Beastmen were to stop and light a fire to rest, it could easily trigger a massive chain reaction of explosions.
"Alright. I’ll let them know. We won’t stop to rest. We’ll push through in one go!" Ling Hong agreed with a nod.
"Right."
After a long night of trekking, the inky black sky began to pale at the horizon. A faint ray of dawn pierced the dim clouds, illuminating the land.
The edge of the Death Swamp was finally in sight.
The swampland gave way to flat, solid ground, and vast plains and forests unfolded before them.
"AWOOOO!" The Beastmen’s eyes lit up, the exhaustion from their all-night trek instantly vanishing. They roared and charged forward.
Ling Hong, still carrying An Jin, guarded the rear of the party, remaining vigilant against the red-eyed crocodiles that were constantly looking for a chance to attack.
With a Sixth Rank Beastman to keep them in check, the cunning crocodiles didn’t dare make a reckless move. They simply trailed the party, hoping to pick off a straggler.
But the Beastmen were too well-disciplined, giving the crocodiles no such opportunity. By the time dawn broke, the poor, hungry crocodiles hadn’t gotten so much as a taste of flesh.
The crocodiles were finally furious.
They hadn’t come all this way just to be spectators.
The crocodiles no longer cared about the Sixth Rank Beastman’s suppression. All they knew was that if they didn’t eat now, they would starve. They swarmed forward, hissing and snapping at the two people at the rear of the party.
However, when they saw the blood-red snake tattoo on An Jin’s arm, a flicker of something akin to human recognition and fear flashed in their savage, red eyes. Their massive bodies, half-submerged in the mire, froze solid.
’It’s that Snake Beast’s female?!’
’Forget it. Skipping one meal won’t kill us. Besides, this female doesn’t have much meat on her bones anyway.’
’We don’t want to get ourselves killed right after dinner.’
And so, an astonishing scene unfolded: the once-menacing swarm of crocodiles shot her a fearful look before their massive, boulder-like bodies submerged into the mire and vanished from sight.
"That’s strange. What just happened?"
An Jin was completely baffled. Suddenly, the snake tattoo on her wrist grew scorching hot. She couldn’t help but touch it, her thoughts turning to Gu Yin, who was back home molting.
’Could it be because of him?’
’But what connection could he possibly have with the crocodiles of the Death Swamp?’
Ling Hong was equally puzzled, but there was no time to dwell on it. Fearing the crocodiles might return, he hurried her to safety.
"We have less than half a day’s journey left. Once we cross this small forest, we’ll be able to see the walls of Beast Gathering City."
Before they were even halfway there, the sky suddenly darkened and a torrential downpour began, soaking everyone to the bone.
The ground turned to mud and puddles, making it impossible for the carts to move. The Beastmen had no choice but to hastily find a cave, squeezing into the cramped space to shelter from the rain.
Through the curtain of rain, several pitch-black beasts emerged from time to time. They moved in packs, their dark noses twitching as they searched for prey.
—With their savage forms and scarlet eyes, they were undoubtedly Demon Beasts, creatures that inspired both revulsion and fear.
’For so many Demon Beasts to appear even on the city’s outskirts... the situation in Beast Gathering City must be truly dire.’
"Grrrr?" The Demon Beasts seemed to have caught a scent. Greed flared in their scarlet eyes as they surrounded the cave entrance, closing in step by step.
"ROAR—!"
With a ferocious roar, several Beastmen in their animal forms charged out of the cave. Ling Hong led them into a chaotic battle with the Demon Beasts in the pouring rain.
In just a few moments, the sounds of battle outside the cave died down. Ling Hong and the others returned, drenched in blood and rain, their fur matted and soaked through.
They stepped out of the rain, bringing a wave of damp air into the cave, and crouched before the bonfire to warm themselves.
For the rest of the day’s journey, they encountered an increasing number of Demon Beast packs, each stronger and of a higher rank than the last.
They even dug a Purple Crystal Core from the brain of one of the dead Demon Beasts!
This type of Crystal Core was exceedingly rare. The powerful Energy contained within it far surpassed that of an ordinary white Crystal Core. It was the exact material Ling Hong needed to advance in rank.
It was a pleasant surprise.
