Chapter 1096: Chapter 1096: The Swamp
Before Shi Hao could speak, Ji Xueyi interjected, "This is a distinguished guest invited by both the Ji and Feng families."
What?
The Wang Family head, Wang Bin, looked extremely surprised, staring at the heads of the Feng and Ji families: "Gentlemen, don’t you owe me an explanation?"
Ji Tianrui smiled slightly, "This is a joint decision between Brother Feng Zhe and me, so I ask for your understanding, Brother Wang."
Damn, what kind of explanation is that?
Oh, your two families decided, so must my Wang Family obey?
Are you the masters of the Wang Family?
Wang Bin’s face turned extremely grim, and another immortal from the Wang family, Wang Ke, immediately stepped forward and said, "Isn’t such a greenhorn kid following us just going to hold us back?"
"Don’t worry, Daoist Shi is very strong. Not only will he not slow us down, he might even help us," Feng Zhe replied with a smile.
With both family heads saying this, what else could the Wang Family do?
Could they, alone, contend against the other two great families?
Clearly not.
So although the Wang Family was extremely dissatisfied, they could only begrudgingly accept it.
Let’s go.
The parties set out, the Wang Family occasionally glaring at Shi Hao. If looks could kill, Shi Hao would surely be scarred.
They traveled for four days, arriving at a lake.
The entrance to the ancient relic was at the bottom of the lake?
Shi Hao was slightly surprised, and the subsequent actions of the three great families confirmed his suspicion.
Splash, splash, they all jumped into the lake.
Although the Heaven Building Ladder may not be considered strong in the Immortal Realm, diving underwater is certainly not a big deal. They ignored the water pressure, maintaining keen sight to move unhindered in the dark lake.
In no time, they reached the lake bottom.
This was actually an ancient town, likely submerged due to a sudden earthquake.
Though it’s unclear how many years had passed, some structures remained quite intact. If not for the water, one might think they had reached some small town.
The three great families, well-prepared, easily travailed to an enormous structure in the town.
Upon entering, Shi Hao was surprised to find the building enveloped by a mysterious force, leaving it completely dry inside.
The Heaven Building Ladder extended a protective Shield, keeping everyone dry. At this depth, the water pressure wasn’t enough to crush the Shield, so everyone was entirely dry.
Within laid a dark portal.
This should have been hidden within the walls, but due to the building’s submersion, the damaged wall exposed the portal.
"Let’s go!"
The Feng family entered first, followed politely by Shi Hao with the Ji family, and lastly the Wang family.
Buzz, Shi Hao passed through the portal, his nerves extremely sharp. If anyone tried to attack him, he would immediately lash out with a powerful counterattack.
One must always be cautious.
Fortunately, the preceding Feng family hadn’t shown any hostile intent, but Shi Hao remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings.
It was a dim space, not pitch-black, but the lighting was faint, instilling an uncomfortable feeling.
Here, the rules were evidently weaker, as if severed from the normal world and lacking replenishment, the rules dwindled.
"It’s indeed an isolated space," the Purple Gold Rat spoke on Shi Hao’s shoulder, using divine sense to avoid others hearing.
"Oh?" Shi Hao replied nonchalantly, "Any more information?"
"No," the Purple Gold Rat shook its head.
Let’s explore first.
This was an area isolated by an Almighty from the Immortal Realm, and to achieve such, it must at least be a Golden Immortal.
So, if this is an ancient relic, it’s quite possible to find treasures left by a Golden Immortal here.
— Immortal Elixir, Immortal Artifact, Immortal Law, Immortal Technique!
No wonder the Feng family, among others, were so invested; if there are gains here, it can truly be a feast for them.
Of course, it’s also possible this ancient relic was already explored, potentially returning empty-handed.
For now, everything was unknown.
Currently, they were in a swamp, surrounded by small clusters of trees with blood-red leaves, resembling Blood Trees from afar, adding an indescribable eerie feeling to the dim environment.
"Be careful, there are ancient Water Beasts in the swamp, considerably formidable," Feng Zhe cautioned, more likely explaining to Shi Hao.
After all, the three great families had been here before, with only Shi Hao uninformed.
Surely, they hadn’t advanced far when the muddy water surged, and a yet indistinct Water Beast emerged, launching an assault on them.
Its size was massive, a foot stomping down, casting long shadows over everyone’s faces.
"Hmph!" Ji Xueyi made his move, and boom, the Water Beast was forcefully knocked back, crashing into the swamp, twitching, severely injured but not dead.
Shi Hao was slightly astonished, for this Water Beast was at the Heaven Building Ladder level, utterly no match for Ji Xueyi, yet it survived a hit from an Immortal. Its defense was impressive.
He approached, studying closely.
Soon he discovered this Water Beast’s formidable defense came from the mud enveloping it.
— The mud contained Immortal Level rules, forming a defensive layer, disrupting Ji Xueyi’s Immortal Level rule in his strike. Pure force only severely wounded but couldn’t kill the Water Beast.
Even so, its physical toughness was outstanding.
The Wang family sneered, seeing Shi Hao’s curiosity over a mere Heaven Building Ladder-level Water Beast.
How inexperienced you are.
They proceeded, but Water Beasts appeared incessantly, attacking them, each ineffective yet momentarily hindering their steps, keeping progress slow.
They hadn’t traversed a mile when, with a loud splash, a colossal Water Beast appeared, larger than the previous ones, exuding an astonishingly chaotic aura.
Immortal Level!
"Be careful!" At this moment, the six immortals from the Feng, Wang, and Ji families showed caution.
Their first expedition was thwarted by this Water Beast, forcing a retreat.
Of course, it was partly due to the Feng, Wang, and Ji families’ reluctance for a bloody battle, but also because the Water Beast was indeed strong, making them cautious to act without full preparation.
But this time, they were determined.