The Golden Swamp was naturally known for its Golden Fruits. Originally, it had been a barren wasteland, but after the Golden Fruits were discovered, the Golden Swamp became renowned throughout the Ancient Region. As far as the first layer went, everyone was familiar with that name—an area filled with swamps, with just some sparse patches of land around the Golden Fruit Tree.

The tree itself—enormous, towering over ten zhan—stood in the middle of the swamp. Its umbrella-shaped canopy spread wide, with fruits hanging sparsely among the branches. Each one gave off a golden sheen, and from afar, they actually looked like lumps of gold, hence the name of the fruit.

"We're here."

The Heavenly Lin Squad had finally arrived at the Golden Swamp.

Lu Changsheng gazed into the distance toward the enormous tree, observing the Golden Fruits hanging on its branches. He noticed that the fruits' golden sheen was still somewhat pale. They were clearly not yet ripe. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The land within roughly ten li around the Golden Fruit Tree was almost completely occupied by martial artists. Moreover, anyone who had spent some time in the Ancient Region could probably recognize these squads. Every one of them was well known and certainly not weak.

"The Golden Swamp is extremely dangerous, and it's not an ordinary swamp," Liu Yuan remarked with a grave expression. "Even supreme Divine Fortification martial artists could get swallowed whole by the swamp and die. So whatever you do, just don't fall into it."

He even mentioned the Teleportation Talisman, which Lu Changsheng had previously abstained from Xu Haoran. Though that treasure could miraculously save one's life, it was far from absolute. In a place as dreadful as the Golden Swamp, even a Teleportation Talisman would be useless.

Lu Changsheng looked into the distance. From where he stood, the Golden Fruit Tree was only as a vague outline on the horizon. Yet with his Sense Domain, he could clearly perceive everything happening around the tree.

"There are no martial artists at the tree itself," he remarked.

"Of course. They're all waiting for the fruits to mature. If someone occupies the tree before its fruits ripen, wouldn't they just become a target for everyone? Lu Changsheng, you don't seriously think we'd let you hold off countless supreme squads for an entire month, do you?"

Liu Yuan gave a wry smile and shook his head. From Lu Changsheng's expression, it seemed like he had actually considered that option.

"After the Golden Fruits mature," Liu Yuan went on, "it takes around two hours to harvest them, which isn't bad at all. Most of the fruits will mature within a single day. That's why everyone waits until they ripen before fighting over them. When the time comes, as long as you can hold out for two or four hours, you can basically harvest all the fruits."

Lu Changsheng nodded. He swept his gaze across the Golden Swamp, scanning the martial artists standing on the scattered patches of solid ground.

"So positioning is extremely important. Right now, we're ten li away from the Golden Fruit Tree. When the fruits mature, we won't be able to reach them immediately. By the time we get there, someone else might have already picked all the fruits or at least taken some of them. Either way, that would be a huge loss. We need to position ourselves as close to the tree as possible."

Okay, so first seize a favorable position, then quietly wait for the fruits to ripen.

"With that being said, we need to remember that the squads who managed to get closest to the tree are probably incredibly strong. Also, it looks like all the spots close to the Golden Fruit Tree have already been taken."

Liu Yuan's brow furrowed. Clearly, they had arrived too late.

"It doesn't matter. We can drive them away and take the spot ourselves," Lu Changsheng argued. He had already set his sights on one position: just about ten zhang away from the Golden Fruit Tree, from where he could reach the tree in a single leap. It was the ideal position.

Liu Yuan followed Lu Changsheng's gaze and also saw the position. "Those guys over there... Is that the Lingshu Squad?"

His frown deepened. "Perhaps we should consider another position. The Lingshu Squad is tough to deal with. They may not be the strongest squad in the first layer of the Ancient Region, but they once pulled off something incredible.

"The Lingshu Squad once ran into a Divine Treasury martial artist and fought him head-on, and they actually walked away, unscathed. Maybe they relied on treasures from the Immortal Dao, but the fact that they survived an encounter with an opponent of that level says enough about their strength. They've already taken the best spot in the Golden Swamp, and it looks like the other supreme squads have accepted that."

Whether the Lingshu Squad was truly the strongest squad in the first layer of the Ancient Region remained unclear, but one thing was clear enough: the other squads respected their strength. No one thought it was worth clashing with them over that position.

"No. If we fall behind now, we'll remain behind for the whole thing," Lu Changsheng retorted. "Who knows what treasures those squads might have? What if they sweep up all the Golden Fruits? I'm not willing to take that risk. We need to secure the most advantageous position. Once the Golden Fruits mature, I must be able to reach the tree immediately. Don't forget that the harvest is why we came here. And besides, we'll have to fight the Lingshu Squad sooner or later anyway."

Liu Yuan pondered his words for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright. If you really want to go after their position, we'll back you up."

His assertion represented the stance of the entire squad.

In the meantime, more and more squads had made it to the Golden Swamp, stopping right at the edge. Their gazes flickered with sharp light as they looked at the positions of various squads in the swamp. Clearly, they were also thinking about seizing advantageous positions. In a way, the struggle had already begun, even though the fruits had not yet ripened.

Many squads recognized the Heavenly Lin Squad. They had been active in the Ancient Region for a long time. Although they had never ranked among the very top, they were still regarded as a veteran squad. Of course, everything changed after they wiped out the Five Peaks Squad that day. That astounding victory pushed them to the ranks of supreme squads.

Even so, not everyone believed it. The Five Peaks Squad had always kept them in check, nearly wiping them out once. And now, people were saying that the tables had turned and somehow the Heavenly Lin Squad had destroyed their longtime rivals. Indeed, it was not the kind of story you would believe without seeing it with your own eyes.

"Hey, isn't that the Heavenly Lin Squad?"

"Yeah, it's definitely them. I know Liu Yuan."

"He's quite the figure, huh? One of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's elites. Still, he could never compare to Xu Haoran. So how could his squad actually wipe out the Five Peaks Squad?"

"Hah, you're behind on the news. The Heavenly Lin Squad didn't destroy the Five Peaks Squad because of Liu Yuan. It was thanks to Lu Changsheng. They say he's a true scion disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. He's incredibly strong. He wiped out the entire Five Peaks Squad by himself. Not even Xu Haoran himself managed to escape."

"A scion disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect? That's rare. The five regions haven't produced many scions in recent years. Usually it takes more than ten years for one to emerge."

"Lu Changsheng actually killed Xu Haoran? Damn, I still find that hard to believe..."

Many martial artists were discussing the matter among themselves. Lu Changsheng's reputation was widespread, yet very few had actually seen him. Most of the people present only knew his name. As a result, many gazes gradually settled on him within the squad.

Rumors were still only rumors. Even now, many found it difficult to believe that Lu Changsheng had killed Xu Haoran. In the first layer of the Ancient Region, Xu Haoran had been recognized as one of the most formidable Divine Fortification martial artists, and his death had caused a stir.

In light of the news that Lu Changsheng had slain Xu Haoran, everyone was extremely curious about him. Many people wanted to witness his strength for themselves. Perhaps this time, they would finally have the chance.

"I wonder which squad they'll go after."

Everyone was aware that the Heavenly Lin Squad was choosing its position. With their current strength, they could easily claim a better spot closer to the Golden Fruit Tree. They obviously could not afford to remain ten li away from the tree.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the squad finally made its move.

Whoosh...

Lu Changsheng leapt up and instantly arrived at the nearest position.

"Hmm?"

The martial artists holding that position tensed up, but they were not afraid. After all, no weak squad could hold their position within ten li of the Golden Swamp. Surely, they were no weaker than the Five Peaks squad.

"You seek our position," the squad leader asked in a deep voice. He was a fierce-looking, dark-skinned Divine Fortification martial artist.

"Just passing through," Lu Changsheng said calmly.

The man's expression immediately eased. "Then please."

The squad reacted with courtesy, as they were aware that the Heavenly Lin Squad could probably take their position if they wanted to.

Lu Changsheng leapt again and landed at the second position. Squads were still scattered throughout the swamp, and the Lingshu Squad were still far from reach.

Divine Fortification martial artists did not possess enchanted artifacts that allowed flight. They could only advance step by step through the Golden Swamp, using the scattered patches of solid ground as footholds. When Lu Changsheng reached the second position, the squad stationed there said nothing. They merely watched him and the others with wary eyes.

Lu Changsheng pressed forward, leading the Heavenly Lin Squad without slowing down. They kept passing over the patches of solid ground and moved on. And just like that, the distance to the Golden Fruit Tree steadily shrank.

Many people were watching them closely, and as their squad got closer to the Golden Fruit Tree, their astonishment only grew.

"They're already within five li, and yet they're still going? Talk about greedy."

"Within five li from the Golden Fruit Tree, only supreme squads can hold their positions."

"The positions there are already pretty good, but they're choosing not to hold any of them. What are they trying to do?"

"Don't tell me they're aiming for the spots within three li? Why would they provoke the squads there?"

Naturally, everyone was perplexed by how the Heavenly Lin Squad moved.

When Lu Changsheng came within three li away from the tree, a strange voice suddenly rang out. "That's as far as you go. Turn back now."

There was a peculiar resonance to the voice. It felt like it echoed inside the mind, shaking the spirit.

Hmm? Lu Changsheng stopped and narrowed his eyes. They were three li away from the Golden Fruit Tree, and a tall martial artist was blocking their way. He did not recognize the man, but what surprised him was the audacity to provoke the Heavenly Lin Squad, given their recent reputation.

Is he mad?