Chapter 527 – The Tribe in the Tar Swamp

The Tar Swamp earned its name primarily due to the vast reserves of petroleum stored within its muddy layers. These pitch-black oils often surge to the surface under subterranean pressure, forming pools of dark, bubbling liquid in depressions on the ground. Simultaneously, the putrid stench of decaying animal carcasses rises from underground alongside these dark bubbles, making the entire Tar Swamp exceptionally “aromatic.”

Moreover, due to the unique reactions in the swamp—where excessive earth elements absorb water elements and an overabundance of water elements cluster together—the entire area remains perpetually damp. Even the skies above the Tar Swamp are blanketed with gloomy clouds year-round.

With such an environment being highly unsuitable for ordinary plant growth, the Tar Swamp is undoubtedly a barren wasteland. Although it harbors vast quantities of tar underground, the oils within contain a mix of earth and water elements, rendering them unusable as fuel and instead making them a breeding ground for various pathogens.

What’s more terrifying is that this filthy, foul-smelling Tar Swamp is home to many dangerous magical plants and creatures. Thus, the mysterious Tar Swamp remains largely isolated from the outside world. Aside from a few exceptionally daring merchant caravans, accompanied by professionals, who cautiously venture deep inside for profit, ordinary people dare not even approach the outermost edges of the “Tar Jungle.”

However… the visitors this swamp is about to receive—Punk, Kane, and their companions—are clearly not ordinary people.

With ease, they used “Kinetic Blast” to carve an opening through the Jungle surrounding the Tar Swamp. Punk and Kane then floated mid-air and flew into this pitch-black land. Of course, “Smile,” who followed behind Punk, was carried along by a magical breeze he summoned.

The interior scenery of the Tar Swamp can actually be described as quite distinctive. The primary plant here is the “oilwood,” a tree with slender trunks but remarkably tall stature. Soaked in oil, these trees take on a grayish sheen, and even their leaves appear greasy.

It is precisely for this reason that “oilwood” earned its name.

Around each oilwood, there are often several small plants with broad leaves. Whenever petals, which seem harder than wood, open and close with the breeze, faint yellow gases slowly seep out from between them.

These gases have a slight hallucinogenic effect, but due to their minimal dosage and rapid dissipation, only small insects fall prey to these flowers.

Supported by the dense earth and water elements, the Tar Swamp has developed a rich ecological structure. If one could ignore the persistent stench in the air, this gloomy swamp might even evoke a sense of a “lost forest.”

Of course, the mingled odors of corpses, excrement, and decaying plants are rather difficult to overlook. At the very least, Kane, who followed closely behind Punk, was already pinching his nose and complaining.”Oh damn, must swamps be closely related to dung heaps? Why does it smell so awful here? I can’t keep using Battle Aura to disperse the air and stop breathing…”

“Quiet, Kane! This swamp happens to be relatively peaceful for now. Don’t disturb my Divination Spell!”

Punk had no intention of acknowledging Kane’s complaints. On one hand, he was genuinely busy casting one Divination Spell after another to probe the swamp’s dangers. On the other hand… he maintained a “Formal Alchemy Spell—Gas Filtration” around himself…

It was precisely because he saw Punk breathing calmly within that thin energy barrier that Kane couldn’t help but exclaim jealously:

“I’m starting to regret coming to this swamp for hunting. With convenient spells at your disposal, you spellcasters will never understand the struggles of us miserable combat professionals.”

After speaking, the pale-faced Kane gritted his teeth and took another breath before quickly circulating his Battle Aura again to disperse the stench around him.

As a Master-Level combat professional, Kane couldn’t go without breathing for too long—holding his breath for two or three hours was already his limit. Continuing beyond that would require using Battle Aura to circulate his blood, a discomfort far worse than enduring some foul odors.

Unlike the “pampered” knight, neither the Magical Raven Vector—who had spoken little since accompanying Punk—nor “Smile” following behind Punk complained. The Magic Raven didn’t need to breathe, while “Smile”…

Sniff~ “I actually find this tar scent quite refreshing. It’s not that hard to endure at all.”

Savoring the faint tar aroma in the air, “Smile” showed no trace of displeasure.

Well, some people simply don’t dislike the smell of oil—there’s no helping that. Even Kane could only mutter under his breath, “Looks like I’m the only unlucky one here.”

While they were talking, Punk’s Divination Spell had already yielded results. Thus, Punk calmly addressed the knight enveloped in golden Battle Aura:

“The ordinary Divination Spells I used couldn’t obtain precise information about Master-Level magical creatures in the Tar Swamp. However, according to the divination readings, there are three intelligent creature communities living in this swamp. I believe they might know something.”

“Intelligent creatures? Not many intelligent creatures could settle in a place like this. Could three communities coexist in one swamp?”

Hearing Punk’s words, Kane was slightly taken aback, while “Smile” also showed a curious expression.

Since Punk specifically mentioned “intelligent creature communities,” it meant the inhabitants weren’t human. In such a barren swamp, three underdeveloped communal societies would struggle to survive—there might even be powerful individuals among these intelligent creature communities.

However, Punk’s response soon clarified Kane’s confusion:”I don’t think we need to worry. They’re just three small settlements on the outskirts of the swamp – one Mushroomfolk Village, one Snakemen Tribe, and one ‘demi-human’ Rabbitfolk Tribe. I doubt there are any Master-Level powerhouses among them. At most, they might have two Formal-Level shamans, and that would be their limit.”

“I see,” Kane nodded carelessly and said, “As long as there’s no one to cause trouble, that’s fine. Though speaking of which, it would be quite nice to encounter another one of those dim-witted Master-Level powerhouses. After all, having one more prey wouldn’t be bad.”

Punk naturally didn’t comment on Kane’s statement, so he didn’t respond to Kane’s remark. After casting several more spells to confirm their direction, Punk started walking again while calling out to Kane and Smile who were lagging behind:

“The closest one to us is a Mushroomfolk Village. If there are no objections, let’s make the most of our time and set off now!”

Cutie Little Dawn is here again asking for votes~

(End of Chapter)