n

n

n

"Should we go through?

" asked Miko, unsure of what to do.

n

"We'll, we'll have wasted quite a bit of time by returning to where we came from. I don't see anything dangerous in the swamp, what about you? Do you sense any danger?

" John asked Miko. Miko's senses were much sharper.

nMiko shook his head.

"Nothing yet.

"

n

"Well, let's head through then. Maybe there are opportunities inside as well. The cave was an unknown area, but look at what it gave us. Maybe the swamp is the same.

"

nMiko nodded his head and started walking into the swamp. Based on his stronger cultivation and more refined divine sense, Miko was more than willing to lead the way. The two of them entered, and stayed on a small land bridge that seemed to snake its way through the swamp.

nThe sound of insects chirping and frogs croaking filled their ears, while dead trees everywhere held various forms of life that stared directly at the two of them. Everything in the swamp seemed to be drowned in a slight darkness, and an aura of death lingered in the air, giving the swamp an eerie and foreboding feeling.

nSplash!

nThe murky water next to them exploded outwards, revealing a bizarre looking creature pouncing directly at them. The creature looked like a hybrid between a frog and a salamander, and was several feet large. Its tongue quickly extended out of its mouth, piercing directly towards the two of them.

nSlice!

nWith a wave of his sword, Miko cleanly bisected the strange creature in two. Its two halves fell back into the swamp, and John and Miko watched as many creatures swarmed towards the carcass for a free meal.

n

"Hmph, a mere Mist Creation beast dares to attack us? It's head must be screwed on wrong!

" Miko spat out in annoyance.

n

"Haha, I'm sure humans are uncommon sights here, and so it probably thought we were a free meal,

" John responded while laughing.

nThe two of them continued to venture further into the swamp, and were ambushed time and time again by creatures looking at them as prey. However, each one was felled with a single attack.

n

"How large is this swamp? We've been walking for over a day and the only thing we've seen in this place are the creatures dumb enough to attack us. Even the sunlight seems to avoid this place. Is there anything actually worthwhile here?

" Miko complained while walking.

nEven John was starting to question whether taking this route was the best idea. So far, it had been a waste of time. Just as John was about to respond, both him and Miko managed to spot something through the thicket of dead trees.

n

"What's that?

" Miko asked as he strained his eyes to see.

n

"I don't know, lets get closer,

" responded John.

nAfter several more minutes of walking, John and Miko came to an open clearing in the swamp. Green grass flowed in front of them, flowers bloomed, and birds sang, a complete opposite of the dead swamp behind them.

nIn the center of the several hundred yard wide clearing was a single tree. Its branches, vibrant with green leaves, towered hundreds of feet into the sky.

n

"Thats! That's an Undying Vitality Tree. They're said to grow in places of death and dying, and thrive off the decay and death,

" John responded with excitement.

nHe had read many books in his clan's library, including ones on both real and potentially mythical vegetation. This tree had existed in the mythical section, but included detailed drawings about what it looked like, as well as descriptions of where it grew.

nJohn looked towards the top of the tree to confirm his suspicions, and was quickly elated to find out he was right.

n

"See, there!

" John said as he pointed to the top of the tree. Miko followed his fingers' direction and soon spotted what John was pointing at. On the very top branches, four massive blood red fruits with black spots on them could be seen.

n

"Those are the fruits of the Undying Vitality Tree, and what makes it so valuable. Directly consuming one of those fruits will increase one's vitality, making their lifeforce stronger, as well as increase their cultivation a bit.

"

nMiko's eyes widened in surprise and happiness as he stared at the fruit.

n

"What happens if you eat more than one?

" Miko couldn't help but ask.

nJohn shook his head as he responded.

"From what I read, directly consuming one is beneficial, but after that, its effects no longer work. However, there are some amazing pills that can be created using these fruits, which we would be able to eat on top of having one of the fruits. We should try to get them.

"

n

"Then what are we waiting for,

" responded Miko as he took out his sword and prepared to send an attack out to cut down those branches at the top of the tree.

n

"Wait!

" shouted John as he quickly dashed to stop Miko.

n

"What?

"

n

"These fruits are very delicate. The force of your attack would destroy them. We need to climb up the tree and pick them ourselves,

" responded John as he sighed a breath of relief. If he had been a step late, Miko's attack would have destroyed these valuable treasures.

n

"Oh, sorry. Lets climb then,

" responded Miko.

nJohn and Miko started walking through the paradise like field towards the tree, but Miko quickly dashed backwards, grabbing John's arm and bringing him with him. John also felt the danger at the last moment, but was a step later than Miko.

nBoom!

nThe two of them came to a halt, and stared directly at the beast that had attacked them from one of the branches above.

n

"A Qi Condensation beast, huh?

"

n