"Very well. I’ll await your good news."

Chen Qing nodded, left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, and blended into the flow of people.

’Liu Chengzong needs time, but I can’t just wait around. Although the conflict within my Five Elements True Qi is temporarily suppressed, the underlying danger is still there. I have to resolve this as soon as possible.’

The sense of urgency in Chen Qing’s heart didn’t fade after he left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Liu Chengzong needed time, but the Five Elements True Qi in his body could erupt into chaos at any moment.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he changed direction and headed toward the Old Blade Master Inn in the western part of the city.

Jiang Bohong had spent years navigating the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp; perhaps he would have some leads.

He easily found the private courtyard Jiang Bohong was renting and knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door opened, revealing Jiang Bohong’s aged face.

"Young friend Chen? What a rare guest! Please, come in!"

Jiang Bohong was somewhat surprised but enthusiastically welcomed Chen Qing into the courtyard.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Qing cut straight to the chase. "Elder Jiang, I’ve come today to ask about the whereabouts of an item. I was wondering if you might know where I can find the Essence Blood of a hundred-year-old Red-eyed Poison Python?"

"The Red-eyed Poison Python?"

A grave look flashed in Jiang Bohong’s eyes. "That creature is one of the most notoriously ferocious beasts in the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp! Even experts at the Late-stage of Embracing Pill will go out of their way to avoid it, unwilling to provoke it lightly. What do you need it for?"

Chen Qing, of course, wouldn’t reveal the true reason, merely saying vaguely, "It’s required for refining an Elixir. The Essence Blood is a key medicinal catalyst. Do you know where to find this beast, Elder?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Jiang Bohong stroked his short, grizzled beard and mused, "I’ve spent more than a decade knocking about the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. I wouldn’t dare say I know the outer terrain of that godforsaken place like the back of my hand, but I’ve got a solid grasp of it. The Red-eyed Poison Python is an extremely territorial creature, so its range of activity is relatively fixed."

"As far as I know, in an area on the northern edge of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, there’s a place called the Ghost Wail Swamp. It’s perpetually shrouded in a Bone-Eroding Poisonous Miasma that can corrode one’s Protective True Qi. A Red-eyed Poison Python over a century old might just be holed up there."

Chen Qing thought to himself, ’If the Liu Family comes up with nothing, the Ghost Wail Swamp is another option.’

But from Jiang Bohong’s description, the place sounded exceptionally treacherous.

Seeing Chen Qing’s pensive expression, Jiang Bohong warned him, "Young friend Chen, the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp is no welcoming land, especially a place like the Ghost Wail Swamp. Even at the Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power, if you go deep inside alone, your chances of survival are slim to none. The Poisonous Miasma, venomous insects, Exotic Beasts, and those Assassins who live life on a knife’s edge... it’s filled with deadly traps. Are you thinking of going alone?"

Chen Qing answered frankly, "I’ve already commissioned Steward Liu of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to make inquiries for me, to see if any ready-made Essence Blood is available for purchase in other regions. If I can buy it, there will be no need to risk my life."

Jiang Bohong, however, shook his head dismissively. "Essence Blood? That stuff is incredibly delicate. Without special containers and preservation methods, its medicinal properties dissipate rapidly after being extracted. It’ll be useless in three to five days, tops. What’s more, the Red-eyed Poison Python is rare to begin with. Even if someone manages to hunt one down, they either use the Essence Blood themselves or it’s immediately snatched up at a high price by some desperate Sect or Noble Family. It would never make its way to a place like the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. As for the Liu Family... I’d say there’s a ninety percent chance you’ll come up empty."

Chen Qing’s heart sank. Jiang Bohong was a veteran of the Jianghu; his judgment was right nine times out of ten.

’It seems the path through the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is truly a dead end.’

Seeing Chen Qing’s furrowed brow, Jiang Bohong said, "In a little while, I happen to have a trip planned to the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. My destination isn’t far from the Ghost Wail Swamp region. If you truly need that Essence Blood, why not accompany me? We could watch each other’s backs. It would be much safer than you charging in there all by yourself."

Chen Qing’s heart stirred. This was an opportunity.

With an old hand like Jiang Bohong to lead the way, the risks would undoubtedly be much lower.

"When do you plan to set out, Elder?"

"No rush. I’ve got a few minor things to take care of first. It’ll be about half a month."

Jiang Bohong said, "I’ll contact you when the time comes. How does that sound?"

"Excellent! I’ll be troubling you then, Elder. I’ll go back and make some preparations and await your message." Chen Qing cupped his fist in gratitude.

This half-month buffer would give him the perfect amount of time to prepare thoroughly.

And if news came from the Liu Family, he could avoid a trip to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp altogether.

After returning from Jiang Bohong’s, Chen Qing began to wait for news.

He cultivated behind closed doors daily. Soon, he had consumed all of the Centennial Earth Core Milk, and he was now just one step away from opening his Eighth Orthodox Meridian.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and there was still no word from the Liu Family.

’Looks like a trip to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp is my only option.’

Chen Qing knew there was no hope left from the Liu Family’s side.

If he wanted to obtain the Red-eyed Poison Python Essence Blood, he would have to go to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp himself.

He knew this expedition to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp would be fraught with unknown dangers, so he had to be fully prepared.

Through his connections with Shen Xiuyong and the Internal Affairs Hall, Chen Qing paid a high price to acquire a large stock of high-quality Antitoxic Pills (effective against various miasmas, insect toxins, and snake venoms), Qi Recovery Pills (for rapidly restoring True Qi), and Healing Elixirs (for both internal consumption and external application).

The sheer quantity was enough to supply a small-scale war.

He returned to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and spent a fortune on the latest, most detailed map of the outer Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. It was a special edition that marked the Ghost Wail Swamp area, its surroundings, known danger zones, and water sources.

At the same time, he bought an intelligence dossier from the Mist Rain Tower on the habits and weaknesses of the Red-eyed Poison Python. He studied it repeatedly until every detail was seared into his memory.

Next, Chen Qing inspected his equipment. The Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor was worn snugly against his skin, his Cloud-Coiling Spear gleamed with a cold light, and he confirmed that the brocade pouch and custom case for his Nine Luminaries Starlight Needles were in place.

He even meticulously sorted and packed all the tools he might need: ropes, flint strikers, special insect-repellent powder, and more.

Two days later, Chen Qing finally received word from Jiang Bohong: Gather at the Old Blade Master Inn in the western city at dawn tomorrow to depart.

.....

In a secluded cove deep within Dingbo Lake.

He Yuzhou sat cross-legged on a smooth, blue-green stone, holding a mottled fishing rod angled toward the lake. Its tip was perfectly still.

Sang Yanping’s figure emerged from the thin mist, stopping a few yards behind He Yuzhou. He stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, not daring to make a sound, simply waiting in silence.

After a long while, He Yuzhou finally spoke.

"Speak."

Only then did Sang Yanping step forward and say in a low voice, "Sect Leader, both of them have left the mountain."

"Oh?"

He Yuzhou chuckled.

Sang Yanping spoke in a measured tone. "Nie Shanshan has gone to the territory of Qixia Manor to visit one of Chu Jinyun’s old friends, Mei Yingxue, the ’Luomei Sword’."

"Mei Yingxue?"

He Yuzhou nodded slightly. "Chu Jinyun is certainly willing to invest heavily in her."

"Indeed."

Sang Yanping nodded. "Miss Nie’s objective is clear. Chu Jinyun must have arranged this opportunity for her to seek guidance from Mei Yingxue on the Sword Path. It seems she’s determined to obtain that drop of Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk and is going all out to increase her strength."

He Yuzhou smiled. "It’s good that Miss Nie has such ambition. When Xiao Bieli returns, she should be able to put up a fight."

Sang Yanping continued, "There’s one other matter. Chen Qing of the Cyan Wood Institute reported to the Internal Affairs Hall today. He stated that he needs to leave the mountain for a while to handle some personal affairs. His return date is not set."

This time, He Yuzhou finally turned his head slightly. "That boy... ever since he joined the Sect, aside from carrying out the Sect mission at the Fishery and that business with the Ye Family, I’ve almost never seen him leave Lake Heart Island of his own accord. He’s either in seclusion at Langya Pavilion, on the Transmission Square at the Cyan Wood Institute, or holed up in his own little courtyard. He actually filed a formal request to leave the mountain this time? Now that’s a rare sight."

A playful smile spread across Sang Yanping’s face. "Isn’t that the truth? The boy is usually nailed to the island, so diligent he’s practically an ascetic."

"For him to go out now, which is completely out of character, and even go to the trouble of filing a report... it seems these ’personal affairs’ are quite important to him. I just wonder what he’s really after."

He Yuzhou’s gaze returned to the surface of the lake. "Just keep an eye on this matter. Do not interfere."

He couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of curiosity and anticipation for this Chief Disciple who had come from such humble beginnings.

Hearing this, Sang Yanping replied in a low voice, "I know what to do."

....