Chapter 20 The Ferocious Hooked Serpent

Dawn brought thicker fog.

Gu Pinglin extinguished the campfire and prepared to bid farewell to the Six Paths Sect group. Unexpectedly, Zhang Lian changed her mind. She turned to her fellow disciples: "Since we still have time, why not stay a few more days? Let's travel with Junior Brother Gu and explore further."

The junior disciples, eager to extend their adventure, readily agreed. Seeing Gu Pinglin remain silent, Zhang Lian smiled. "Don't worry, Junior Brother—our collection bags are full. We're just here for camaraderie. Besides, my fellow disciples are all at the Minor Heavenly Circuit realm. They might even be of help."

Since she framed it as assistance without claiming spoils, the Spirit Heart disciples couldn't refuse. They thanked her warmly. Gu Pinglin, aware of her true motive—likely tracking Duan Qingming—merely smiled without comment.

The merged group pressed onward.

Gu Pinglin deliberately led from the front, guiding them away from Swallow Marsh. Yet Zhang Lian soon suggested: "We've already scavenged this area. Why not try the marsh? Better odds there."

Gu Pinglin frowned.

As the strongest cultivator present, Zhang Lian commanded respect. The group nodded in agreement. Unfazed, Gu Pinglin countered: "Senior Brother Duan mentioned heading that way." He pointed northwest.

Zhang Lian's eyes lit up. "Oh?"

"Swamp terrain slows us down," Gu Pinglin pressed. "This path may lead us to Duan Qingming. Isn't that better?"

"True," Zhang Lian conceded. "The marsh does look treacherous. Lead the way, Junior Brother."

Duan Qingming's charm strikes again, Gu Pinglin mused wryly. But just as he turned to advance, a desperate cry pierced the fog:

"Help! Someone, help!"

Zhang Lian spun toward the sound. "From the marsh! We must investigate!"

Gu Pinglin's voice cooled. "Demonic cultivators sabotaged the Barren Wilds' seals—this could be a trap. We lack the strength to meddle."

Zhang Lian laughed dismissively. "Not every shadow hides evil! If fellow cultivators are in danger, aiding them builds alliances." This woman thrives on chaos, Gu Pinglin thought but stayed silent.

A figure stumbled through the mist.

Fueled by youthful bravado, the group shouted: "Who's there? What happened?"

The man raced toward them, gasping: "I'm Wei Yongyuan of the Mysterious Abyss Sect! Please help!"

His sect's name drew scowls—both Spirit Heart and Six Paths disciples held grudges against Mysterious Abyss. Only Zhang Lian and Gu Pinglin kept neutral expressions.

Recognizing Wei Yongyuan and guessing the crisis, Gu Pinglin demanded sharply: "Where are the others? Are you the only survivor?"

Wei Yongyuan paled, sweat drenching his brow. "Y-yes! A beast trapped us in Swallow Marsh! Please—" He bowed frantically.

Zhang Lian's smile vanished. Wei Yongyuan surpassed her cultivation; his team's plight meant true danger. Yet abandoning them violated righteous principles. Regret flashed in her eyes.

Wei Yongyuan suddenly recognized her. "Sister Zhang! Qu Lin—Junior Sister Qu—is trapped! Aunt Yan will owe you a life debt!"

Qu Lin. Yan Feixiu's beloved niece. Zhang Lian hesitated theatrically: "Junior Brother Wei, even our combined strength may not suffice..."

Wei Yongyuan turned to Gu Pinglin's group. "And you are?"

"Spirit Heart Sect," Wang Yu replied coldly.

To their shock, Wei Yongyuan laughed. "Our sects have neighbored for millennia! Would you abandon Mysterious Abyss kin?"

Wang Yu sneered. "We lack the face to—"

"I'll go," Gu Pinglin cut in.

Qu Lin. His past-life guilt left him no choice.

Zhang Lian gaped. Before she could protest, Wei Yongyuan added: "Ah! Your Duan Qingming is trapped too!"

The Spirit Heart disciples froze. Duan Qingming was family.

Gu Pinglin exhaled sharply. "Move. Now."

Deadly mist shrouded Swallow Marsh.

The water seemed tranquil, but Wei Yongyuan grimly demonstrated its peril: a cloth scrap sank instantly into the sludge.

"Barren's Deadly Water," Gu Pinglin identified. "Who led you here? Why bring Qu Lin?"

Wei Yongyuan flushed. "She objected... but Duan Qingming found traces of a high-tier beast nearby. We thought numbers would suffice..."

Gu Pinglin's smile was icy. Qu Lin had heeded his warning—but Duan Qingming lured them with false prey. He used them as bait.

Zhang Lian pressed: "What is the creature?"

Wei Yongyuan hesitated. "I... don't know."

Panic flickered in the group. Could it be a Ferocious Beast?

"Perhaps not..." Wei Yongyuan stammered weakly.

"Enough talk," Gu Pinglin snapped. "Forward."

They flew over the suffocating water—no fish, no insects, only silence. After half an hour, marked "solid" patches appeared for rest. Gu Pinglin halted them at one such spot.

"The mark's carving is flawed." He tossed a stone. It sank instantly.

Wei Yongyuan blanched. "Impossible! We checked—"

"An outsider altered it," Gu Pinglin stated.

As tension mounted, a guttural roar shook the sludge. Water leapt like panicked spirits.

"They're alive!" Wei Yongyuan cried.

Through the fog, four figures fled a colossal serpentine monster. Half-submerged in muck, its body spanned six zhang above the surface. Where it moved, sludge dissolved into toxic mist.

Zhang Lian gasped. "What—"

"Hooked Serpent (Gōushé)," Gu Pinglin said flatly. "A Ferocious Beast."

Furious eyes locked on Wei Yongyuan, who forced a smile. "I truly didn't know! Junior Brother Gu is remarkably learned—"

"How many were you?" Gu Pinglin interrupted.

"Eight." Wei Yongyuan's face darkened. Only four remained.

"Duan Qingming! Are you there?" Zhang Lian flew toward the fray.

"Stop!" Gu Pinglin shouted.

Too late. A forked tail[*citation:3] erupted beneath her, hooking her waist, dragging her down. Gu Pinglin's sword flashed—the tail recoiled into the sludge.

Zhang Lian stumbled back, trembling.

Before anyone reacted, a figure hurtled through the air—Qu Lin. Gu Pinglin caught her.

"You!" Recognition lit her terrified eyes.

Gu Pinglin nodded.

"Junior Jian!" Wei Yongyuan yelled.

The serpent's tail had snared another disciple. Suddenly, a white figure descended like a comet—Duan Qingming. His Shadow Reflection Sword sliced purple light through the fog.

Clang!

The serpent released its prey, attacking Duan Qingming. He dodged fluidly, weaving sword-auras into "Swift Swan's Passage."

He's refining the move, Gu Pinglin realized. Using the beast as a whetstone.

Blood sprayed—one fork of the tail fell. The serpent shrieked, thrashing wildly. Duan Qingming retreated into the mist, leaving Wei Yongyuan to rescue the wounded disciple.

"Brother Wu and the others... gone," the man wept. "Without Duan Qingming, we'd all be dead..."

Gu Pinglin's gaze hardened. Duan Qingming's energy is spent. He'll sacrifice another shield.

As predicted, a disciple sprinted toward them, pursued by the enraged serpent. "Senior Brother Wei! Save me!"

Wei Yongyuan cursed inwardly—honor demanded rescue before witnesses. The serpent closed in.

Gu Pinglin shoved Qu Lin at Wei Yongyuan. "Take them. I'll draw it away."

Wei Yongyuan clasped his hands. "Mysterious Abyss won't forget this!"

"Senior Brother Gu, no!" Wang Yu cried.

Qu Lin grabbed Gu Pinglin's sleeve. "It's suicide!"

He was already airborne.

By the time the Spirit Heart disciples lunged forward, Gu Pinglin and the Hooked Serpent had vanished into the hungry fog.