C210 Deadly Situation

Billowing miasma clouds drifted closer from the distance, their presence felt long before they actually arrived as the pungent stench filled the air.

Before the clouds even reached them, everyone, including Bai Shenshen, felt a weight in their chests and struggled to breathe smoothly.

Young alchemists who hadn't attained the Penetrating Stage, with their Spiritual Sense yet to be refined, failed to detect the anomaly.

But for Bai Shenshen and Yu Yuan, whose souls were unique, the encroaching miasma cloud brought a suffocating oppression, as if a malevolent entity had marked them as prey, or worse... as food.

Chills ran down Bai Shenshen's spine as she stared at the advancing miasma cloud, her voice trembling, "Why... why is the miasma moving?"

She had been monitoring the cloud hovering over the swamp, especially since Jin Fann and his disciples from the Ghoul Glyph Sect had been seen in the vicinity.

The Medicine Sect had long declared that region off-limits, forbidding their disciples from venturing there.

This decree came about because, over the past century, numerous sect members had succumbed to fatal poisoning while gathering herbs in that treacherous area.

The miasma there was not only acidic and terrifying, but the swamp itself was perilous, teeming with venomous creatures.

For disciples dedicated to the pure art of alchemy, the toxic insects and deadly flora offered no advantage, and the sect did not engage in crafting poison pills.

Even seasoned alchemists who ventured into the swamp spoke of its eerie atmosphere and a strange, naturally occurring formation that concentrated the toxins.

Thus, the swamp was designated as one of the forbidden zones within the Jade Peak Mountain Range.

Bai Shenshen was well aware of the dangers and oddities there, watching Jin Fann and his sect's activities with a wary eye, secretly wishing them ill.

She had hoped they would meet their downfall within its bounds and subsequently retreat from Jade Peak.

Little did she expect that Jin Fann's departure would cause the miasma clouds to drift their way.

"Everyone! Flee to the Medicine Sect immediately!"

Regaining her composure after the initial shock, Bai Shenshen urgently directed the young alchemists from various empires, "That miasma cloud is deadly poison! The Medicine Sect has lost over a dozen people to it in the last century! Your cultivation levels are low, and you're still so young. Don't let this be the end of you!"

She glanced at Yu Yuan, her eyes urging him to hurry up and leave.

"Take care, everyone!"

"Leave quickly!"

A group of young alchemists from various empires, none of them old, sensed that something was amiss.

Ignoring Jin Fann's threats, they spoke briefly with Bai Shenshen before scattering in a sudden dash for escape.

Jin Fann smirked, "I didn't say you could go. Stay put."

"Whoosh!"

Nine banners, each emblazoned with dense runes, burst forth from the back of Jin Fann's neck.

Upon closer inspection, the banners bore images of lizards, centipedes, scorpions, spirit snakes, and giant pythons with dragon horns, along with bizarre insects and unknown spirit beasts from other realms.

The banners snapped in the wind, casting an eerie glow in shades of green, blue, and deep purple.

The myriad lights unfurled like a resplendent sea of luminescence above their heads.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

Most of the young alchemists who attempted to flee slammed into the barrier of light and were repelled.

Only one, a Third Grade Spirit Level alchemist with three medicinal herbs etched on his chest, managed to escape when a silver spike appeared in his hand.

The object pierced the light screen, allowing him to pass through in an instant.

A triumphant smile spread across his face as he prepared to sprint to freedom.

Jin Fann let out a low chuckle.

One of the banners transformed into a spear of purple lightning and impaled him from behind.

The bloodied banner, having claimed a life, fluttered back effortlessly to rejoin the other eight.

The young alchemist's lifeless body, now bleeding profusely, was pulled up by an unseen force and drawn towards the slowly drifting miasma cloud.

As the corpse floated beneath the cloud, it was abruptly snatched and swallowed up.

Crack! Crunch!

The sound of bones being gnawed echoed from within the miasma cloud, yet not a single drop of blood fell from it.

Witnessing the alchemist's escape, the others, now pale and uncertain, hesitated with their tools in hand.

The swift death had made one thing clear to them—Jin Fann could kill them as easily as turning his hand.

"What's your name?"

With the younger ones subdued, Jin Fann's eyes flickered with curiosity as he turned to Yu Yuan. "Everyone else is fleeing; why aren't you moving?"

Yu Yuan's response was exceedingly out of the ordinary.

As the young alchemists dispersed in a rush, planning to abandon the Medicine Sect, Yu Yuan stood firm as a boulder, showing no inclination to flee.

His gaze was clear, his eyes lively; it was evident he wasn't foolish.

Given that, why didn't he run, knowing full well that danger loomed?

Jin Fann found it odd and couldn't resist casting additional glances, keeping Yu Yuan under close observation.

"The disparity in our realms is vast. You've made it clear that no one is permitted to leave, so fleeing is futile," Yu Yuan said calmly under his watchful eye. "I realize that whether I run or not, the outcome will be the same. I might even end up like that unfortunate fellow, meeting a swifter end. Might as well behave myself."

His words caused the few who were still wavering to lose heart and abandon all hope of escape.

"Esteemed elder of the Ghoul Glyph Sect, we bear no ill will towards you, please spare our lives."

"Or perhaps you could take me prisoner? My family's elder holds me in great affection. We even have a collection of rare spirit insects on our family's mountain that could aid in your cultivation of the Ghoul Glyph Sect's spiritual spells!"

"Elder, I have a knack for talismanic arts as well! The Ghoul Glyph Sect is the sacred place of cultivation I've always aspired to join! Why not assess my proficiency in talismans to see if I meet the criteria to catch your eye and become your disciple?"

Those with quick wits, seeing no escape, swiftly sought alternative routes, desperately pleading for mercy.

Jin Fann let out a low chuckle, his eyes mocking as he surveyed the young alchemists wracking their brains for mercy. "Truth be told, among you, only the descendant of the Mighty Spirit King I released is worth a second glance. Your alchemy and talismanic skills might stand out on the Profound Sky Continent, but here on the Quietus Continent, they're nothing special."

"Save your efforts. You're not fit to be my direct disciples, nor to join the ranks of my Ghoul Glyph Sect."

"Moreover, my three personal disciples were just inadvertently sent into the miasma cloud by my own hand, consumed by that entity. I didn't shed a tear for their demise, so why would I care about yours?"

With these words, the crowd was stricken with despair, as if mourning the loss of their loved ones.

"You've got an eye for it," Jin Fann remarked with another glance at Yu Yuan. "Unfortunately, your cultivation level is quite modest. It seems you're not an alchemist yet, which likely means limited potential." He shook his head gently, a hint of disappointment in his gesture.

"Senior, I sincerely hope you'll handle that item with care. Don't play with fire and get burned," Yu Yuan said with a sardonic smile. Then he began rummaging through the pouch at his waist and the inner pocket against his chest for something he had prepared in advance of his journey to the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

​