Three hundred and twenty-five. Standing at the heart of the swamp.

The most bizarre and grotesque regions were now behind them, Lu Li's path now only stretched through the Banyan Jungle and toward his destination.

He passed by a dark pond, which, unlike the boisterous streams he had traversed, was as silent as an abyss, its depths unseen.

The clearing beside the pond seemed easier to navigate than threading through the banyan clusters, but Lu Li chose not to go near it.

Because the Shadow Figures avoided that place.

The dim glow of the oil lamp moved on, gradually distancing itself from the pond.

Back in the stillness of the pond, faint whispers of resentment bubbled up, unwilling to be silenced.

Traveling in silence through the uncanny jungle, where the sky was hidden from view, it might have been ten minutes, or it might have been several dozen minutes, before she finally felt Lu Li slowing his pace.

Were they nearing the center of the swamp?

Jojo thought to herself, looking forward as she lifted her head.