Yinshan Marsh, to the northwest of Jingcheng.
Duan Chen and his two companions gradually entered its territory.
The mist grew heavier, and the land that could be called a 'road' beneath their feet became scarcer. Wild grass grew in abundance, the ground was muddy and impassable, and withered, rotten trees were scattered across the water's surface, with the corpses of birds and fish floating among them.
And everywhere, there were piles of white bones and a pungent, nauseating stench of decay.
A village could be seen faintly on the mountainside.
"What kind of hellhole is this?"
Duan Chen inhaled a good amount of miasma, his lungs aching. He had to deploy some spiritual energy to shield his heart and lungs, which temporarily alleviated the dizziness caused by the lack of oxygen.
Bai Ye directed the dark crows to scout from high above, otherwise, the eerie mist and grotesque trees would have caused them to lose their way completely.
"Careful."
As they passed through a shallow area, the muddy ground quickly gave way, and weeds repeatedly coiled around their ankles, attempting to drag those passing through into the depths to 'devour' them.
"We're being watched."
Duan Chen looked into the depths of the misty forest. A faint green light reflected from behind a tree – a characteristic light reflection from human pupils.
Immediately after, behind two trees, then five, then ten... behind dozens of trees, fluorescent green lights flickered on.
A sense of danger emanated from all directions.
"Oh my, we're surrounded," Bai Ye said with a light, airy chuckle.
A crow flew back and landed on his shoulder, cawing a few times in a hoarse voice.
It seemed to be conveying some message, but Duan Chen couldn't understand it.
"Let's go, head for the village first."
Duan Chen took the lead, forging ahead.
Wu Suowei cast a detached glance at the trees. The green lights had strangely receded.
"Mighty Mo Shen, you're so powerful that even mysterious entities fear you," Bai Ye said with a light, airy chuckle.
"Heh, are you sure they're not fearing Duan Chen's gun? Or your flock of crows that you've set loose to frolic?"
Wu Suowei looked at Bai Ye calmly. "You should like this place. Stop pretending to be weak and helpless, or what use are you?"
Bai Ye smiled. "Yes, Mo Shen is indeed prescient. Nothing escapes your eyes."
He stretched languidly, like a fish returning to the sea, a wild horse galloping across the plains. Bai Ye wore an expression of extreme comfort and took a deep breath of the decaying demonic energy.
Myriad crows pierced the mist, flapping their wings and soaring high, their hoarse cries echoing through the swaying tree shadows.
Darkness intertwined and circled.
The少年's crimson eyes glowed like brilliant gems. All evil spirits retreated before him, even submitting.
"Hmm, quite effective."
Wu Suowei nodded and followed Duan Chen's steps. To his surprise, he froze.
"What's wrong, Great God?"
"Duan Chen is gone."
............
Duan Chen, who had been scouting ahead, took a couple more steps and forcefully pushed aside a patch of weeds taller than a person. A winding path leading to the village came into view.
"Found the way."
Duan Chen's eyes showed a flicker of surprise.
"Great! We can finally get out of this place."
Wu Suowei followed from behind, an expression of relief on his face.
*Click.*
A dark gun barrel was pointed at Wu Suowei's forehead. He froze.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
Duan Chen grinned sinisterly and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
*Bang!*
"Wu Suowei's" forehead exploded, dissolving into a pool of mud that fell into the marsh.
Duan Chen shook his head. "That poker-faced Wu Suowei wouldn't make such a varied expression."
"Then you're too quick. What if it was really me?" Another Wu Suowei emerged from behind the weeds, looking at Duan Chen with a blank expression, his eyes carrying a hint of melancholy.
*Bang!*
The newcomer, with another gunshot, once again dissolved into a puddle of mud.
"...No nesting dolls, please." Duan Chen frowned.
Something stirred behind the weeds, accompanied by rustling sounds.
"Don't shoot, it's me!"
A head poked out from behind the weeds. Wu Suowei hesitated cautiously before leaning closer.
"You can see through the disguise of demons and ghosts. You've got some skill, but this gun feels a bit like a personal vendetta."
*Bang!*
Duan Chen fired at Wu Suowei without hesitation, but Wu Suowei seemed prepared. He tilted his head, managing to dodge the bullet.
"Stop messing around. The gunshot will attract more demons and make it harder to leave."
Wu Suowei glared at him and walked to Duan Chen's side.
*Swish—!*
A sharp blade flashed through the air. Wu Suowei's head flew towards the sky, his eyes wide with shock.
"Why......"
The head exploded, splattering mud and water. The body swayed twice before crashing to the ground.
Duan Chen flicked his blade, a grin of exhilaration on his face.
"Real or fake, whoever survives is the real one."
"Are there more Wu Suoweis? Come on, all at once, let me kill to my heart's content."
Duan Chen looked around expectantly, even rolling up his sleeves.
Silence.
"Not coming anymore? I haven't killed enough."
Thinking of Wu Suowei's annoying face, Duan Chen felt eager.
Still silence.
After waiting for two minutes and no one else appearing, Duan Chen shook his head in regret.
He looked into the distance. Even Bai Ye's crows had disappeared.
Duan Chen was certain he was only about two steps ahead of them. There was no way they could have gotten "lost." They were merely separated by this patch of weeds, which were over two meters tall.
At this distance, they should have been able to hear each other talking, let alone the gunshots. If they were nearby, there was no reason for such silence.
The mist thickened, greatly reducing visibility.
Duan Chen took two steps back to his original position, but Wu Suowei and Bai Ye were still nowhere to be seen. The footprints of the three were still visible on the marsh.
Duan Chen crouched down to examine them closely. Wu Suowei's and Bai Ye's footprints stopped here. Surrounded by deep marsh pools, they had no other path to take.
How did their footprints disappear here?
"Tsk, separated by this bizarre marsh forest."
A chill snaked up Duan Chen's neck. He shivered and decided to follow the small path towards the village.
After all, with the abilities of those two, it would be difficult for them to die.
......
On the mountainside, a wooden signpost stuck by the roadside bore the crookedly written characters:
【Wawa Village】.
Duan Chen glanced at it and headed towards Wawa Village.
The mist gradually dissipated, and the miasma thinned. However, the densely packed, oddly shaped trees, ancient vines, and scattered bones gave the village an eerie and mysterious atmosphere.
A short, stout old woman carrying a shoulder pole passed by the village. She eyed Duan Chen with caution.
Duan Chen noticed that the old woman's ears, neck, and arms were adorned with many strangely shaped ornaments, some made of bone, others of gold.
There was no sign of life from the old woman. A neatly cut round hole in her chest distinguished her from a sea monster that had devoured humans.
She seemed to be some kind of living dead, moving in a human body.
Suddenly, the old woman grinned at Duan Chen, revealing a mouth full of blackened teeth that sent a chill down Duan Chen's spine.
"Grandma, do you know how to get to the altar?"
Duan Chen offered a friendly smile.
The old woman's eyeballs darted to the black gun at Duan Chen's waist. She cackled, "It's right in the center of Yinshan. Go if you have the life for it."