Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 71 Snatching the Lotus from the Crocodile's Mouth

The mist over Black Wind Ridge gradually dissipated under the light of the Buddha's relics.

Moonlight filtered through gaps in the clouds, spilling onto the mountain path and illuminating the way ahead.

Zhou Ning quickened his pace and left Black Wind Ridge before dawn.

South of Black Wind Ridge lies a vast plain.

The plains were covered with green grass and wildflowers, and the air was fresh.

This stands in stark contrast to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere of Black Wind Ridge.

Zhou Ning found a stream, washed his wounds, ate some dry rations, and then lay down on the grass to rest with his eyes closed.

The sunlight felt warm and cozy on my skin.

The fatigue of the past few days was relieved at this moment.

"How far is the Flaming Mountains?"

He took out the map and examined it carefully.

South of Black Wind Ridge lies a miasma-filled swamp.

Further south of the swamp lies the Blazing Canyon.

At the end of the canyon lies the Flaming Mountain.

"It will take another ten days."

Zhou Ning sighed, put the map away, and continued on his way.

After walking for about two days, he arrived at the edge of the miasma swamp.

The swamp stretched as far as the eye could see, overgrown with aquatic plants, and a green mist floated on the surface, emitting a pungent stench.

The mist contains a highly toxic substance; even a single breath can cause dizziness or coma in an ordinary person.

Zhou Ning covered his mouth and nose with a cloth and circulated his true energy throughout his body to form a protective aura that isolated him from the poisonous fog.

Then, he carefully made his way forward along a path through the swamp.

The swamp is full of traps.

Some places may seem solid, but when you step on them, they turn into mud.

In some places, aquatic plants grow abundantly, but underneath they hide crocodiles and venomous snakes.

As Zhou Ning walked, he used his Qingfeng sword to probe the way, proceeding cautiously step by step.

After walking for about two hours, an open area appeared ahead.

Several tall banyan trees grow in the open space.

Under the banyan tree stands a dilapidated wooden house.

As Zhou Ning approached, he noticed that the door to the wooden house was ajar.

He pushed open the door and went inside.

The cabin was empty, with only a wooden table and a few chairs.

There was an oil lamp on the table, but the oil had dried up.

A painting hangs on the wall, depicting an old man in a Taoist robe, holding a whisk, and smiling.

"Someone has lived here." Zhou Ning looked around but found nothing unusual.

He was about to leave when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

Zhou Ning gripped his Qingfeng sword tightly and hid behind the door.

The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man wearing a tattered Taoist robe walked in.

He was pale, with sunken eyes, and walked unsteadily, looking as if he had suffered a serious injury.

"Is anyone there?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

Zhou Ning stepped out from behind the door, looking at him warily: "Who are you?"

When the middle-aged man saw Zhou Ning, he was first startled, then his face lit up with joy.

"You...you are a cultivator?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "My name is Zhou Ning. May I ask your name, Daoist Master?"

The middle-aged man cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble Taoist is Xuanchengzi of Qingfeng Temple."

It's Qingfeng Temple again.

Zhou Ning frowned: "Master Xuanzhenzi, who are you to me?"

Xuan Chengzi asked in surprise, "He's my senior brother. You know him?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "We've met once before. Daoist Xuanchengzi, what are you doing here? Are you injured?"

Xuan Chengzi sighed and recounted what had happened.

It turns out that he was also ordered to go to the Flaming Mountain to find the Earth Core Fire Lotus.

An elder of Qingfeng Temple needed the Earth Core Fire Lotus to refine elixirs, so he sent him here.

Unexpectedly, they encountered a monster in the miasma swamp and were severely injured. They barely managed to escape to this place.

"That monster was a giant crocodile, three zhang long, covered in iron armor, impervious to swords and spears." Xuan Chengzi's eyes were filled with fear:

"I am no match for it at all."

Zhou Ning asked, "Where is the crocodile?"

Xuan Chengzi said, "It's in a pool deep in the swamp. Beside that pool grows a Fire Lotus from the Earth's Core."

Zhou Ning was overjoyed: "Earth Core Fire Lotus? Are you sure?"

Xuan Chengzi nodded: "Confirmed. That fire lotus has already bloomed, its petals are fiery red, and it's radiating heat. It should be the Earth Core Fire Lotus."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Daoist Master, you stay here to recover. I'll go and deal with that crocodile."

Xuan Chengzi hurriedly said, "Young Master Zhou, it's too dangerous for you to go alone. That crocodile is no match for even a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have a way."

He left the cabin and walked into the depths of the swamp.

Deep within the miasma swamp, the fog is thicker and the poisonous gas is more potent.

Zhou Ning carefully walked forward in the direction Xuan Chengzi had indicated.

The ground beneath my feet was soft, wet mud, and I sank deeper with every step.

Green duckweed floats on the water's surface, obscuring what lies beneath.

Occasionally, a few water snakes would dart out from the grass, flicking their tongues, before quickly disappearing back into the water.

After walking for about half an hour, a wide expanse of water appeared ahead.

It was a huge pool of water, dark green in color, with bubbles rising to the surface and a pungent sulfur smell.

In the center of the pool, there is a small rock, on which grows a peculiar plant.

The plant was about half a person's height, with a bright red stem, thick leaves, and serrated edges.

At the top blooms a flower the size of a bowl, with fiery red petals and golden yellow stamens, radiating a faint warmth.

Earth Core Fire Lotus.

Zhou Ning was overjoyed, but he did not approach rashly.

Xuan Chengzi said that there is a giant crocodile guarding the Fire Lotus here.

He looked around, searching for any trace of the crocodile.

The water was calm and still.

Zhou Ning picked up a stone and threw it into the pond.

"thump!"

A stone falls into the water, splashing up a spray.

The water remained calm.

Zhou Ning frowned, then picked up an even larger stone and threw it into the pond.

This time, the water began to churn.

A huge black shadow slowly rose from the bottom of the water.

It was a crocodile, three zhang long, covered in black scales, like a small mountain.

Its eyes are golden, with vertical pupils, radiating a cold light.

Its mouth was open, revealing two rows of sharp teeth, each as long as a finger.

"What a huge crocodile!" Zhou Ning gasped.

The crocodile seemed to sense Zhou Ning's presence, slowly turning its head and staring at him with its golden eyes as if it were eyeing prey.

Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng Sword tightly and poured his true essence into it.

The crocodile suddenly opened its mouth and let out a deep roar. The sound was deafening, and ripples spread across the water.

Immediately afterwards, it leaped out of the water, opened its blood-red maw, and lunged at Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the crocodile's attack with a swift movement.

At the same time, he slashed out with his sword, the cyan sword energy heading straight for the crocodile's head.

"Ding!"

The sword energy struck the crocodile's scales, sending sparks flying.

Only a faint white mark remained on the crocodile's head.

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine; this crocodile's defense was even stronger than the giant snake of Cangmang Mountain.

The crocodile missed its attack, then lashed out with its tail, sweeping towards Zhou Ning.

Its tail was as thick as a tree trunk, accompanied by a whistling sound in the wind.

Zhou Ning used his lightness technique to leap into the air and avoid the tail.

Its tail struck a large tree, snapping the trunk instantly and sending wood chips flying.

Zhou Ning landed on the crocodile's back and thrust his sword into its eye!

The crocodile suddenly swung its head, sending Zhou Ning flying.

Zhou Ning did a somersault in the air and landed steadily.

"No, a head-on confrontation is not the way to go."

While dodging the crocodile's attacks, Zhou Ning pondered a countermeasure.