The Golden Marsh was renowned for its Golden Fruits.
Originally, it had been a barren wasteland. But once the Golden Fruits were discovered, the marsh became famous throughout the entire Ancient Region. At the very least, within the first tier of the Ancient Region, virtually everyone knew of it.
Swamps stretched out in every direction, interspersed with sparse patches of solid ground where people could stand. However, such firm ground was scarce and spaced far apart, dotting the area around the Golden Fruit Tree.
The Golden Fruit Tree stood directly in the center of the Golden Marsh. It was a massive tree, towering over a dozen zhang high! Its umbrella-shaped canopy was enormous, bearing fruits scattered across its branches. Each fruit radiated a bright golden luster, looking like pure gold from afar—hence the name Golden Fruit.
"We've arrived. The Golden Marsh."
Liu Yuan halted.
The Tianlin Squad had finally reached the Golden Marsh.
Lu Changsheng looked up into the distance. He could see the colossal Golden Fruit Tree and the Golden Fruits hanging from its branches. However, their golden luster was still rather faint; they clearly were not fully ripe yet, and it would likely take some time.
Meanwhile, the solid ground encircling the tree within a radius of roughly ten li was almost completely occupied by martial artists. Anyone who had spent some time in the Ancient Region could recognize most of these squads. Not a single one was weak; all were widely renowned.
"The Golden Marsh is extremely dangerous—it isn't an ordinary bog," Liu Yuan said with a grave tone. "Once a martial artist falls into the marsh, without outside help, even a top-tier Divine Gang Realm martial artist will be swallowed whole and die. Even a Shift Talisman is useless. So whatever you do, do not fall into the Golden Marsh."
He specifically emphasized the Shift Talisman, clearly directing the warning at Lu Changsheng. After all, Lu Changsheng had obtained a Shift Talisman from Xu Haoran. While a Shift Talisman was miraculous and a life-saving treasure, it was not omnipotent. Plunging into this terrifying marsh meant death even with one.
Lu Changsheng gazed into the distance. With his naked eyes, he could only hazily make out the Golden Fruit Tree. However, with his Perception Domain, he could clearly sense the situation around it.
"There are no martial artists where the Golden Fruit Tree stands," Lu Changsheng suddenly remarked.
"Of course there aren't. They're all waiting for the Golden Fruits to ripen. If someone took up a position right by the tree before they ripened, wouldn't they be making themselves an open target? Lu Changsheng, you didn't actually think we'd expect you to hold off countless top squads for an entire month, did you?"
Liu Yuan shook his head with a wry smile. From Lu Changsheng's expression, it seemed he had genuinely thought so.
"Once the Golden Fruits ripen, harvesting them will take about one shichen," Liu Yuan continued to explain. "One shichen is actually plenty of time. Most of the Golden Fruits will fully ripen within a single day. That's why these people are all waiting for them to ripen before fighting for them. When the time comes, holding out for just one or two shichen will basically be enough to reap all the Golden Fruits."
Lu Changsheng understood. He swept his gaze across the martial artists occupying the patches of firm ground across the marsh, safe from being swallowed.
"So position is crucial! Right now, we're ten li away from the Golden Fruit Tree. When the fruits ripen, we won't be able to reach it immediately. If someone picks them clean or takes a portion before us, it would be a huge loss. We need a spot closest to the tree."
Lu Changsheng grasped the unwritten rules of the contest: secure an advantageous position first, then quietly wait for the Golden Fruits to ripen.
"Indeed. We must secure an advantageous spot, preferably as close to the tree as possible," Liu Yuan said, his expression turning solemn. "However, the closer a squad is to the Golden Fruit Tree, the stronger it is. And every single spot near the tree has already been claimed."
Clearly, they had arrived late.
"No matter. We'll simply drive those squads away and take their place!"
Lu Changsheng's eyes immediately settled on a particular spot. It was only about a dozen zhang away from the Golden Fruit Tree; a single leap would bring someone right beneath it. It was the prime position!
Following Lu Changsheng's gaze, Liu Yuan saw the spot as well. His face abruptly changed. "That's... the Lingshu Squad? Lu Changsheng, why not reconsider and choose another location? The Lingshu Squad is extraordinary. Even if their strength isn't the absolute pinnacle of the Ancient Region's first tier, they have an illustrious battle record. They once ran into a Divine Treasury Realm martial artist and managed to retreat completely unscathed after a direct clash! Though they might have used some treasures from the immortal path, withstanding the attacks of a Divine Treasury powerhouse is enough proof of how terrifying they are. They've claimed the best position in the Golden Marsh, and the other top squads have tacitly accepted it."
Whether the Lingshu Squad was the strongest squad in the first tier was unclear. However, the other top squads plainly acknowledged their strength. Deeming a head-on clash unprofitable, they had simply let the Lingshu Squad occupy the premier spot.
"A single step behind means falling behind at every step," Lu Changsheng said firmly. "Who knows what treasures those top squads possess? What if they sweep up every Golden Fruit in an instant? I won't take that risk. We must take the best spot. Once the Golden Fruits ripen, I must ensure I can reach the tree immediately. Besides, our goal is to harvest all the Golden Fruits, so a battle with the Lingshu Squad is inevitable sooner or later."
Liu Yuan fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. Since you've decided to seize the Lingshu Squad's position, the Tianlin Squad will naturally advance and retreat with you!"
Liu Yuan's words represented the resolve of the entire Tianlin Squad.
By now, more and more squads were arriving at the Golden Marsh. They all halted at the perimeter, their eyes glinting sharply as they eyed the positions already occupied across the marsh, clearly scheming to claim advantageous ground of their own. Even though the Golden Fruits had not yet ripened, the contention and slaughter had long since begun.
Many squads recognized the Tianlin Squad. After all, the Tianlin Squad had been active for a long time. While not considered a top-tier squad in the past, it was still a veteran group. However, ever since they had wiped out the Five Peaks Squad, everything had changed. They had practically leapt into the ranks of the top squads overnight.
Even so, some remained skeptical. It was simply too unbelievable. Previously, the Tianlin Squad had been utterly suppressed by the Five Peaks Squad and nearly wiped out. Now they had turned the tables and annihilated them? Without seeing it with their own eyes, people naturally retained a sliver of doubt.
"Is that the Tianlin Squad?"
"I recognize Liu Yuan. That's definitely them."
"Liu Yuan was once a prominent figure and an outstanding talent of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, but he was still far inferior to Xu Haoran. How could a squad led by him wipe out the Five Peaks Squad?"
"Your news is out of date. The Tianlin Squad didn't destroy the Five Peaks Squad because of Liu Yuan—it was because of Lu Changsheng! Rumor has it that this Lu Changsheng is a true disciple seed from the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. His strength is astonishing; he wiped out the Five Peaks Squad single-handedly, and even Xu Haoran failed to escape."
"A true disciple seed from the Northern Region Heavenly Sect? That truly is rare. There have been very few true disciple seeds from the Five Regions in recent years, right? One only emerges every decade or more."
"Lu Changsheng killed Xu Haoran? I still find that hard to believe..."
Murmurs and discussions broke out among the martial artists. Lu Changsheng's fame was immense, yet very few had actually laid eyes on him. Most people gathered here had never seen him before. Consequently, all eyes fell upon Lu Changsheng within the Tianlin Squad.
No matter how sensational rumors were, they remained mere rumors. Many still found it difficult to accept that he had slain Xu Haoran. After all, Xu Haoran had been an absolute pinnacle among Divine Gang Realm martial artists in the Ancient Region's first tier; his reputation was simply too grand! Now that Lu Changsheng had killed him, everyone was intensely curious and wanted to witness his prowess firsthand.
And now, they might just get the chance.
"I wonder which squad's position the Tianlin Squad will target?"
Everyone knew the Tianlin Squad was currently selecting a foothold. With their current strength, they could easily take a far better, more forward position. Ten li out? That was out of the question!
Under the gaze of the crowd, the Tianlin Squad finally made their move.
*Whoosh!*
Lu Changsheng sprang into the air, landing instantly on the closest patch of ground.
"Hmm?"
The squad occupying the spot immediately grew tense. Of course, they were not terrified. After all, any squad capable of holding ground within ten li of the marsh was no pushover; their strength was at least comparable to the Five Peaks Squad, with little disparity between them.
"Does the Tianlin Squad want our spot?" the squad leader asked in a deep voice.
Lu Changsheng glanced at the leader—a fierce-looking, dark-skinned Divine Gang Realm martial artist.
"Just passing through," Lu Changsheng said indifferently.
The leader's gaze instantly calmed. They were only passing through, not targeting them.
"Please, go ahead."
The squad showed remarkable courtesy. After all, they were well aware that if the Tianlin Squad genuinely intended to seize their ground, they most likely would not be able to defend it.
Lu Changsheng leaped again, landing on a second patch of ground.
There were scattered positions throughout the Golden Marsh, but the Lingshu Squad was still ten li away. Lacking dharma artifacts, Divine Gang Realm martial artists could not fly; they had to advance step by step across the marsh by leaping between solid patches of land.
Upon reaching the second spot, the martial artists there remained silent, merely watching Lu Changsheng and his companions warily. But Lu Changsheng did not pause, continuing forward.
Once, twice, three times...
Leading the Tianlin Squad, Lu Changsheng passed one position after another, each time merely passing through. They drew steadily closer to the Golden Fruit Tree.
Nine li, eight li, seven li, six li, five li...
Many onlookers kept their eyes fixed on the Tianlin Squad and Lu Changsheng. Seeing them advance closer and closer to the tree, their astonishment only grew.
"They're already at five li, and the Tianlin Squad still looks down on those spots?"
"Any squad holding ground within five li of the tree is an absolute elite. Those are already prime spots, yet they aren't interested? Where are they heading?"
"Could it be that the Tianlin Squad is aiming for the positions within three li?"
"Within three li, the squads occupying those spots are not to be trifled with."
The observing martial artists grew increasingly shocked.
*Whoosh!*
Just as Lu Changsheng reached a patch of land roughly three li away, an unfamiliar voice suddenly boomed in his ears.
"This path is blocked. Back off!"
The voice carried a spiritual secret method meant to intimidate, rumbling violently within his mind.
"Hmm?"
Lu Changsheng stopped, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the speaker.
At this spot roughly three li from the tree stood a tall, burly martial artist blocking Lu Changsheng's way.
Lu Changsheng did not recognize him. Given the Tianlin Squad's current fame, he had not expected anyone would dare actively provoke them when he hadn't even initiated trouble. Had this man lost his mind?
"Lu Changsheng, that's Dong Mao, a disciple of the Ancient Region Yellow Heaven Sect!"
Liu Yuan stepped beside Lu Changsheng, speaking coldly, "Dong Mao, are you trying to stand up for the Five Peaks Squad? Aren't you afraid of getting your entire squad killed?"
Dong Mao replied coldly, "Liu Yuan, you guessed wrong. I have no intention of sticking my neck out for the Five Peaks Squad. Xu Haoran is dead, and that's that; the Five Peaks Squad was simply inferior, and their destruction was well-deserved. However, I am a disciple of the Yellow Heaven Sect. Your Tianlin Squad built its fame over the corpses of my sect's disciples, and that displeases me. This path is closed. Take another route, and I shall let bygones be bygones."
Liu Yuan understood Dong Mao's intent. The man was not seeking revenge for the Five Peaks Squad; he simply disliked the Tianlin Squad and refused to grant them passage. As a Yellow Heaven Sect disciple, he had been constantly mocked by top squads from other sects over Xu Haoran's demise during this period, leaving him thoroughly enraged. Naturally, he bore a grudge against the Tianlin Squad and Lu Changsheng.
Yet he was not foolish enough to fight the Tianlin Squad to the death right here, as there was no point. He merely refused to let them pass—it was that simple.
"Lu Changsheng, should we..." Liu Yuan asked hesitantly.
Taking another route was possible, but doing so would create a false impression—that the Tianlin Squad was soft, or too timid to fight. This was a battleground for the Golden Fruits, where one had to face attacks from countless squads. Showing weakness was unacceptable. Besides, if Dong Mao refused passage here, would squads in other directions willingly oblige?
Instead of answering Liu Yuan, Lu Changsheng fixed a razor-sharp gaze onto Dong Mao, speaking coldly: "I'll give you two choices. Either step aside, or I'll send you down to keep Xu Haoran company."
The moment those words fell, an uproar erupted across the area, while Dong Mao's face turned utterly grim.
"Domineering! Lu Changsheng is truly domineering! As expected of a rare true disciple seed from the Northern Region Heavenly Sect—that's the kind of arrogance one should have!"
"Didn't Dong Mao want to block the path just now? Hahaha, I'd like to see how much stronger he is compared to Xu Haoran!"
"Dong Mao and Xu Haoran are about neck and neck. In fact, in a one-on-one duel, Xu Haoran might have been stronger."
"Dong Mao's edge lies in his teammates, who are stronger than those of the Five Peaks Squad, making his squad's overall strength greater. Let's see if he still dares block the way! Did he think that being a Yellow Heaven Sect disciple and a top Divine Gang Realm martial artist meant everyone had to yield to him? Doesn't he realize who is standing before him?"
Mocking jeers rained down upon Dong Mao from all sides. His squad had never enjoyed a good reputation in the first tier of the Ancient Region. In truth, none of the top squads did; competing for resources inherently required slaughter, so how could anyone maintain a pristine reputation?
"You..." Dong Mao glared at Lu Changsheng, his face flushing crimson.
A breath of time passed, and Lu Changsheng saw that Dong Mao still had not moved.
"Then I'll send you down to keep Xu Haoran company..."
The moment Lu Changsheng's words left his lips, Dong Mao's pupils constricted violently.
*Boom!*
Dong Mao released his domain almost instantly, layering four tiers of Divine Gang over his body.
"Attack!" he roared to his teammates.
His squad members unleashed their strikes without hesitation. A multitude of varied domains instantly descended, engulfing both Lu Changsheng and the Tianlin Squad. Concurrently, a deluge of blade and sword lights rained down from all directions. A preemptive strike! Dong Mao's squad had evidently prepared for this moment.
Many watching martial artists fell silent. The strength of Dong Mao's squad was indeed formidable. With such rapid reaction speed, formidable strength, and an overwhelming barrage of attacks crashing down upon Lu Changsheng, virtually any Divine Gang Realm martial artist would find themselves in dire peril.
*Boom!*
Yet in the very next instant, a vast expanse of starry sky abruptly enveloped all their domains. Beneath the dark celestial canopy, those varied domains instantly shattered, crushed as though by an unfathomable force.
*Clang!*
While Dong Mao and his men were still reeling in shock, Lu Changsheng drew his saber.
A beam of blood-red blade light surged to the heavens, slashing directly toward Dong Mao.
"How could your domain be this terrifying?! Block his blade light...!" Dong Mao cried out in sudden panic.
He realized that every single attack from his teammates paled into insignificance before this strike. The slash sheared through their combined offensive and descended with overwhelming momentum straight onto Dong Mao.
*Crack!*
The four tiers of Divine Gang upon Dong Mao's body granted him a mere seventyfold boost to his physical strength—substantially less than what Xu Haoran had possessed. How could such defensive power withstand the burst of a hundred thousand tripods of force behind Lu Changsheng's blade?
The four tiers of Divine Gang shattered instantly under the blade light. In the same breath, the blade sliced down from above, cleaving Dong Mao clean in two.
*Splatter!*
Without so much as a cry, the two halves of Dong Mao's corpse collapsed to the ground.
Silence fell.
The entire Golden Marsh turned dead quiet, plunged into a tomb-like hush.
Shock! Sheer, unadulterated shock!
For these martial artists from across the Five Regions, none had ever seen Lu Changsheng in person, let alone witnessed him fight. But now, they saw it with their own eyes. With a single slash, Lu Changsheng had slain Dong Mao. Just how terrifyingly fierce was that?
"Dong Mao's four tiers of Divine Gang were like paper before him! Just how immense is the power behind Lu Changsheng's blade?"
"Lu Changsheng possesses four tiers of Divine Gang! And every single tier is superior Divine Gang! Heavens, he has most likely comprehended four domains!"
"That strike easily exceeded a hundred thousand tripods of force. Coupled with four domains—especially that starry sky domain that crushed Dong Mao's entire squad's domains in a flash—what domain could possibly be that powerful?"
"That is a perfected domain! I once sensed the perfected domain of a Divine Treasury powerhouse; an unmaterialized domain in its perfected state is precisely like that, capable of crushing any lesser domain!"
"Terrifying, simply too terrifying. Dong Mao did not die an unjust death, nor did Xu Haoran. A hundred thousand tripods of force, four domains, and even a perfected domain... How could any Divine Gang Realm martial artist fight such a monster?"
Seeing once was worth hearing a hundred times. The disciples gathered in the Golden Marsh now felt the truth of that adage deep in their bones. Previously, regardless of how wildly the rumors had spread, they only believed what they saw, thinking that no matter how strong Lu Changsheng was, he couldn't possibly be formidable enough to fell Xu Haoran with a single blow. But now that they had witnessed it themselves, they were convinced.
There truly existed a Divine Gang Realm martial artist capable of felling Xu Haoran in a single strike. And not just Xu Haoran—Dong Mao had suffered the exact same fate.
With Dong Mao dead, his teammates were overcome with sheer terror.
"Mercy—"
Before the words could even leave their mouths, Lu Changsheng's blade light split into four, flashing across them.
*Thud, thud, thud, thud.*
Four elite Divine Gang Realm martial artists collapsed to the ground, their severed heads rolling across the earth.
*Snap.*
Lu Changsheng sheathed his saber, his demeanor completely calm as though he had done nothing more than an everyday chore.
"Another squad from the Yellow Heaven Sect gone. They're going to hate us to the bone now..." Liu Yuan said with a wry smile.
He knew that whenever Lu Changsheng acted, this was the inevitable result. Once he made a move, he always killed his foes. In Lu Changsheng's view, the moment hands were raised, they were enemies. Mercy? There was no question of mercy! Why spare them only to wait for their vengeance later?
Lu Changsheng waited quietly. The Tianlin Squad was already well-practiced at looting corpses. Within a few breaths, Liu Yuan nodded to him, having thoroughly searched the bodies.
"Lu Changsheng, this spot is actually quite good..." Liu Yuan hesitated.
"No, we proceed according to the plan," Lu Changsheng shook his head.
They were still roughly three li from the Golden Fruit Tree. Three li was far too distant!
"Wait, looking at Lu Changsheng, does he plan to keep moving forward?"
"The spot Dong Mao held was already exceptional."
"If they keep advancing, the Tianlin Squad's goal must be within one li!"
"Lu Changsheng looks down on Dong Mao's spot, but that's a prime position..."
In an instant, several squads began to stir with ambition. Just because Lu Changsheng disdained it did not mean others would. Now that Dong Mao and his team were dead, their ground was left vacant. Such an excellent position naturally tempted many.
However, that no longer had anything to do with Lu Changsheng.
"Let's go!"
Lu Changsheng stepped forward again, leaping toward the next patch of land. Having witnessed Dong Mao's fate, how could any of the squads occupying the forward spots dare stand in their way? As long as it was merely passing through, they kept their mouths shut and silently allowed Lu Changsheng and the Tianlin Squad to pass.
Three li, two li, one li...
Finally, they breached the one-li threshold. Lu Changsheng could now clearly see the Golden Fruit Tree with his own eyes. Yet he continued to draw closer, his objective now glaringly obvious.
The Lingshu Squad!
Lu Changsheng's target was none other than the renowned Lingshu Squad!
Chapter 156