Chapter 705: 428: Even the Relic Decays_1
“What about using Spirit Stones to construct an array and teleport over?” Logan asked curiously, but someone next to him rejected the idea. If spatial methods could be used, it wouldn’t matter whether an array was constructed or not. Was there anyone among the Strong Ones present who didn’t understand the methods of space? The key issue was that some kind of oppressive force made it inoperable.
“This swampic land, what exactly does it corrode? Is it cultivators with cultivation or all things? For instance, what would happen if we used an ordinary, unremarkable stone?”
Logan continued to press with questions, which baffled the people around him. Indeed, it was a good question that no one had considered before.
The Blackwood City Master sighed and answered Logan, “I have researched this before. It should be everything; even the most ordinary stone would corrode, even without any spiritual power!”
“That’s strange then. If all things are corroded, why hasn’t the scenery around this swamp been corroded? Could it have some unique properties?”
Since everything would corrode, the surroundings of the swamp should be no exception. However, to their astonishment, the place where they stood was untouched, and the swamp had remained the same size for many years. If its corrosive ability was that strong, the entire Immortal Realm shouldn’t exist.
“That statement has indeed awakened me!” exclaimed the Blackwood City Master, a gleam in his eye. He had people dig up some soil from the side and then threw it into the swamp, wanting to see if it would corrode.
The moment the soil entered the swamp, it vanished into nothingness in an instant. This scene made the Blackwood City Master frown. Why was it completely different from what he had expected? The swamp was too eerie.
The other hundred or so people also shook their heads. They had originally thought they had found a way to break the deadlock, but it was still ineffective. It seemed there was indeed no easy way through this swamp. One either needed heavens-defying strength, or it was a matter of luck. It seemed inevitable that a large number of the hundred-plus people would be lost.
Compared to the disappointment of the others, Logan wasn’t surprised at all. He appeared to be thinking deeply, almost touching upon the crux of the matter, yet still missing that final piece. He paced back and forth around the swamp, wondering what it was swallowing. Was it really not allowing anyone to cross?
“There is a suppressive force above the swamp, so we cannot fly over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t cross from the air, like building a bridge!”
Logan suddenly had an epiphany, and said to the people around him, “If we have a bridge, we don’t need to walk through the swamp; we can just cross over the top, safe and sound!”
“You’re dreaming!” No sooner had he spoken than the crowd erupted into laughter, mocking Logan’s fanciful idea, even the Holy Daoist by his side touched his forehead in disbelief.
“Can a bridge be built out of thin air? Don’t we first need to reach the other side of the swamp? Can a bridge be completed that way? Or are we just building this half and disregarding the other?”
In the face of the ridicule from the crowd, Logan spread his hands. “You guys lack comprehension. We don’t actually need to build a real bridge; it doesn’t need to last a hundred years, just enough to get us across this time!”
“To put it simply, we build a framework of a bridge and then lay it on the swamp. We walk over it, and that’s that, right?”
This time, the crowd understood and stopped laughing; they felt it might be worth a try since they were at an impasse anyway.
The Blackwood City Master had no objections; with his own strength, he could easily cross the swamp. Even if there was no framework, he could still be a great help in building the bridge.
Logan, an Array Master, naturally took on the task of bridge-building. It was not difficult for him; using the mud around the swamp, he quickly completed the construction.
The Blackwood City Master lifted the bridge, which was tens of meters long, using the strength of the nine layers of the Holy See, quickly reached above the swamp, and secured the bridge on both sides.
After everything was done, everyone was filled with trepidation, hoping that it wouldn’t be swallowed up. This was the only somewhat reliable method left.
After a long wait, seeing the bridge remain intact, everyone burst into cheers and then crossed the swamp one by one.
Just as everyone was feeling relieved, a surge of energy suddenly emerged from the swamp, and a Demon Beast soared into the sky, attacking the people about to leave.
The Demon Beast was dozens of meters long and covered in scales, with claws sharp as swords, blood-red eyes that were utterly terrifying, and fearsome fangs.
An elder, filled with horror, took several steps back. “The Swamp Crocodile? We’re done for now. Perhaps we’ll all perish here!”
“The Swamp Crocodile is an Ancient Mythical Beast, usually with the strength of a Quasi-Saint. After a thousand years of cultivation, they can usually reach the level of the Holy See with ease. Due to their extremely strong bloodline and the source of the Rule, they often can fight multiple opponents at once, ranking among the King of Demon Beasts!”
Everyone was petrified. The swamp in Cloud Valley had existed for no less than ten thousand years? One could imagine how powerful this Demon Beast was, possibly even reaching the ninth layer of the Holy See. Moreover, with the laws of Cloud Valley pervading the sky, just the thought made everyone shudder.
“Everyone retreat. I can feel that this Demon Beast is powerful, not much less than myself, especially since there may be other Demon Beasts around,” said the Blackwood City Master, preparing for battle and pulling out a Half-step Emperor Weapon. With a loud shout, he charged at the Swamp Crocodile, engaging in combat.
The others were afraid but wanted to help in some way; however, they were stopped by several elders. The Blackwood City Master was fighting to buy time for everyone. If they didn’t hurry and retreat now, they would only be letting down the Blackwood City Master’s goodwill.