I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but a tense atmosphere already pervaded the plaza in front of the Qingyun Dao Sect's mountain gate. Over a hundred figures, clad in the uniform azure attire of the Qingyun Dao Sect, some carrying longswords, others wielding various magical artifacts, stood in orderly ranks, their auras deep and their eyes sharp. Among them, the lowest cultivation level was Qi Refining Stage 7, most were at Qi Refining Stage 8 or 9, and more than ten Foundation Establishment stage deacons and elders, their auras far exceeding Qi Refining, stood at the head of the ranks. This was the vanguard elite of this purge operation—a mixed force composed of members from the Inner Sect's Enforcement Hall, War Hall, and some elite Inner Sect disciples, personally led by Elder Yun and Elder Tie Xing.

Lu Zhao stood at the back of the group, dressed in a slightly oversized cyan outfit (his cultivation hadn't reached the late stage of Qi Refining, so he wasn't qualified; Elder Yun had given him special permission), his aura restrained. His gaze calmly swept over the powerful auras of his fellow disciples ahead, feeling little tension, only a calm anticipation of stepping into an unknown battlefield and facing a true life-or-death struggle. His experiences in the secret realm, especially the brief confrontation and desperate escape with Foundation Establishment cultivators before the "Nine Nether Altar," had given him a deeper understanding of danger and honed a will far beyond his peers.

To his left stood Hou San. This kid, whether by sheer luck or Elder Yun's deliberate arrangement, had managed to infiltrate the group with his peak Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation (he had also made breakthroughs in the secret realm). He was currently nervously rubbing his hands, occasionally stealing glances at the powerful seniors. To his right was Wang Tie, this simpleton was carefree and excited, seemingly treating this operation as a large-scale "monster-hunting" mission. Huang Ling'er was also there. Her aura was cool and aloof, at Qi Refining Level 6. She stood quietly beside Wang Tie, like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, somewhat out of place yet strangely harmonious with the surrounding somber atmosphere. Liu Feng, Shi Yong, and the others, either due to their cultivation level or their mission assignments, were not among them.

Lu Zhao also spotted Li Mu and his two accomplices. They were also in the group and seemed to be getting close to several inner sect law enforcement disciples. When Li Mu's gaze met Lu Zhao's, an undisguised coldness and a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes, as if to say: You'll see what happens when you get to a dangerous place like the Blackwater Swamp.

Lu Zhao withdrew his gaze, his expression unchanged. Inwardly, however, he sneered. If the other party dared to trip him up during the operation, he wouldn't mind making the "Qingfeng Squad" a thing of the past.

"Silence!" Elder Tie Xing's cold shout, like the clang of metal, silenced all other noises. He was tall and imposing, his face as hard as iron, radiating the undisguised pressure of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, causing all the disciples to shudder. "The target of this operation is the 'Corrupted Poison Cult' stronghold deep within the Blackwater Swamp. This cult, colluding with the Blood Fiend Cult and remnants of the Nine Netherworld Path, is plotting a blood sacrifice in the secret realm—a crime deserving of death! Our mission is to wipe out the stronghold, capture and kill its leader, collect evidence, and investigate clues related to the 'Soul-Devouring Demon Lord' and the 'Nine Netherworld Evil Dragon'!"

"The Blackwater Swamp is a treacherous environment, rife with poisonous miasma and teeming with monstrous beasts, further compounded by numerous traps and restrictions laid by evil cultivators. Everyone must absolutely obey orders, no one may act without authorization, no one may desert, and no one may hoard spoils! Violators will be punished according to military law!" Elder Tie Xing's gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over the crowd. "Now, check your equipment. We will depart in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices resounding through the heavens. Immediately, they all checked their magical artifacts, talismans, and pills. Lu Zhao also checked again: His [Human Skin Pouch] was well-stocked with talismans (especially the improved Five Elements Talisman Sword and various auxiliary and offensive talismans), and his pills were complete (healing, energy replenishment, and detoxification). His [Azure Edge Sword] and [Mysterious Turtle Shield] were in perfect condition, and his [Mysterious Yin Soul-Slaying Needle] was concealed and ready to be used. He had completely concealed the dragon-shaped mark and the Demon Lord's mark between his brows using the [Return to Nothingness Concealment Technique] and the methods of the *Nine Netherworld Annihilation Scripture*. As long as he didn't actively attract or approach any beings of the same origin, they shouldn't be easily detected.

After a stick of incense had burned, led by Elder Yun and Elder Tie Xing, more than a hundred streaks of azure light soared into the sky, like a cloud of azure, and sped toward the southeast of the sect.

The Blackwater Swamp, located on the southeastern border of the Qingyun Dao Sect, borders the "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range," a vast and boundless wasteland shrouded in gray-black poisonous miasma year-round, filled with swamps and fraught with danger. Ordinary cultivators, even those in the Foundation Establishment stage, are unwilling to venture deep into it.

The group flew for about two days, passing through several cultivation markets and sect strongholds along the way, where they rested briefly. The closer they got to the Blackwater Swamp, the thinner and more turbid the spiritual energy in the air became, mixed with an unpleasant chill, dampness, and a faint stench of decay. The landscape below gradually changed from green mountains and clear waters to gray wetlands, mudflats, and stagnant, black, bubbling water.

At noon on the third day, a vast, hazy, and seemingly merging-into-the-sky "curtain" appeared on the horizon ahead—it was the unique "swamp miasma" of the Blackwater Swamp, a mixture of poisonous miasma, water vapor, and some kind of sinister energy! The miasma blotted out the sun, making it difficult for spiritual senses to penetrate and obstructing vision. Within it, distorted shadows and eerie howls could be faintly heard, sending chills down one's spine.

"Ahead lies the outer edge of the Blackwater Swamp. Everyone, land, take the 'Miasma-Avoiding Pill,' activate your protective aura, conceal your presence, and prepare to enter on foot." Elder Yun's cool voice rang in everyone's ears.

Following instructions, the group landed on a relatively dry, gray-black mound. They all took the miasma-avoiding pills distributed by the sect, and a faint, fragrant aura of spiritual light covered their bodies, temporarily isolating them from the poisonous miasma. Then, led by two elders and several Foundation Establishment deacons, they formed a defensive formation and carefully stepped into the hazy, seemingly all-consuming miasma.

Upon entering the poisonous miasma, the light dimmed abruptly, as if stepping from daylight into dusk. All around was a swirling, dark gray fog, reducing visibility to less than ten feet. Beneath the feet lay soft, slippery, and unfathomably deep black mud; every step required careful probing, lest one fall into a deadly swamp trap. The air was thick with a pungent stench of decay and a sweet, foul odor, along with a strange poison that could erode spiritual energy and cause dizziness. Even with miasma-repelling pills and protective spiritual light, one could still sense a chilling, foul aura, relentlessly trying to penetrate.

"Watch your step! There's a quicksand trap on your left!"

"Watch out above! There are 'carrion flies' in the poisonous miasma!"

"There's an unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy on the right-hand rock wall; it might be a trap or ambush!"

Within the group, experienced Foundation Establishment deacons and inner sect elites issued warnings from time to time. Everyone was highly focused, and Lu Zhao, whose [Refining Spirit Technique] had been raised to its limit, extended his perception to the maximum, combining it with the [Return to Nothingness Concealment Technique], acting like the most sensitive radar, detecting every abnormality in the surroundings.

"Hiss..." Suddenly, from the thick fog to the side, came a faint sound, like something crawling rapidly in the mud. Immediately afterward, several dark figures, like arrows released from a bow, leaped out of the mud, their mouths filled with sharp teeth and dripping with foul-smelling slime, lunging at the disciples at the edge of the group!

That's a Bone-Rotting Crocodile! A common first-tier mid-to-high-grade demonic beast in the Blackwater Swamp. It has thick skin and flesh, immense strength, and is adept at stealth and ambush. Its sharp teeth and saliva contain potent poison and strong corrosiveness!

"You beasts are courting death!" A Battle Hall steward in the early Foundation Establishment stage sneered, wielding his longsword. A sharp blade aura swept out, instantly cleaving several bone-rotting crocodiles that were pouncing at the front in two, their foul-smelling blood and entrails splattering all over the ground.

However, even more bone-rotting crocodiles surged out from all directions and the depths of the swamp, seemingly attracted by the commotion and the smell of blood, and frantically pounced on the group! Among them were even a few exceptionally large "bone-rotting crocodile kings" with an aura that reached the peak of the first tier!

"Form a defensive formation! Qi Refining disciples, take charge of the flanks; Foundation Establishment disciples, launch the main attack!" Elder Tie Xing calmly ordered.

The team quickly changed formation, with Foundation Establishment cultivators taking the initiative to attack from the front and flanks, while Qi Refining disciples relied on formations and talismans to assist in the attack and defense against any stragglers.

Lu Zhao remained calm amidst the formation. He didn't rush to show off, but instead observed calmly. When a Qi Refining Level 7 Bone Crocodile, dodging the attack of the Foundation Establishment cultivator in front, suddenly leaped out of the mud on the side and pounced towards Hou San and his group, a cold glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes.

With a light tap of his feet using the [Flowing Cloud Step], he shifted half a step to the side like a ghost, perfectly blocking Hou San's path. At the same time, he raised his left hand, activating a [Thick Earth Stone-Piercing Talisman], and a thick earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the path of the Corpse-Rotting Crocodile's attack.

"Bang!" The bone-rotting crocodile slammed into the earthen wall, causing it to shake violently, but successfully stopping it. The crocodile was somewhat dazed by the impact.

Now! Lu Zhao's right hand formed a sword shape with his fingers together, a wisp of condensed spiritual power carrying a gray-black aura of annihilation emanating from his fingertips. He did not use the most powerful and energy-consuming "Annihilation Finger," but instead moved forward again, avoiding the crocodile's wildly tearing teeth. His fingers moved like lightning, precisely striking the relatively vulnerable junction between its jaw and neck!

"Touch of Deathly Silence!"

The annihilating spiritual power erupted from his fingertips in an instant, mixed with the Daoist principles of "decay" and "erosion," like the most potent poison, frantically invading the body of the Bone-Rotting Crocodile through the wound! In a flash, the tough flesh of the Bone-Rotting Crocodile, centered on the point of contact with Lu Zhao's fingertips, rapidly turned gray, withered, and lifeless! The blood and spiritual power within its body also rapidly decayed under the erosion of the annihilating power!

"Roar..." The Bone-Rotting Crocodile let out a painful and weak hiss, its movements instantly stiffening, the ferocity in its eyes rapidly dimming, its massive body swaying before crashing into the muddy swamp, splashing up a cloud of filthy mud. With a single strike, this Qi Refining Level 7 demonic beast, whose defenses were not weak, was instantly killed by Lu Zhao with minimal effort and the most precise method!

"Hiss..." Hou San gasped, his gaze towards Lu Zhao filled with shock and admiration. He knew his senior brother Lu was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this powerful! That was a seventh-level Qi Refining Bone Crocodile!

Lu Zhao remained calm, as if he had only done something insignificant. He quickly collected the valuable materials from the Bone-Rotting Crocodile (poisonous fangs, some tough leather), then warily scanned other directions. His attack just now had been deliberately concealed, minimizing the outward manifestation of his annihilation power; it appeared to be merely a cold, sinister finger technique that shouldn't attract much attention.

The battle continued. The Foundation Establishment cultivators were incredibly powerful, quickly eliminating most of the Bone-Rotting Crocodiles. The few crocodile kings were also easily dealt with by Elder Tie Xing and Elder Yun. The team only suffered minor injuries to a few members.

"Clear the battlefield and get through this area quickly! The smell of blood here will only cause more trouble!" Elder Tie Xing ordered.

The group quickened their pace, traversing the poisonous miasma and swamps. Along the way, they encountered several more attacks from demonic beasts and makeshift traps set by evil cultivators, but all were thwarted without serious harm. Lu Zhao displayed composure in battle, his attacks precise and ruthless, and he seemed to possess an extraordinary adaptability and insight into the poisonous miasma environment and the habits of the demonic beasts (thanks to the [Refining Spirit Technique] and his experience in the secret realm), gradually attracting the attention of some Foundation Establishment deacons and elite disciples. Even Li Mu's group looked at Lu Zhao with a more solemn and wary gaze.

They traveled for about half a day, penetrating nearly a hundred miles into the swamp. The poisonous miasma grew increasingly thick, and the environment became increasingly harsh. Strangely bubbling, multicolored pools of poisonous mud began to appear in the swamp, and invisible poisonous miasma that could corrode magical artifacts and erode the soul drifted in the air. Even the effects of miasma-avoiding pills were weakening, and many Qi Refining disciples were already feeling their spiritual energy stagnate and experiencing dizziness.

"Stop!" Elder Yun suddenly raised her hand. She stood at the edge of a relatively dry area filled with strangely shaped, gray-black stalagmites, her beautiful eyes fixed on the churning poisonous miasma ahead, her brows slightly furrowed. "The poisonous miasma ahead is strange; spiritual senses are severely blocked, and... there are fluctuations from a highly concealed, man-made defensive and attack formation. We've probably already approached the outer perimeter of the target area."

Everyone's spirits lifted, but they also became more vigilant. Were they finally about to reach the "Corruption Cult's" stronghold?

Elder Tie Xing stepped forward and whispered a few words with Elder Yun before turning around and saying in a deep voice, "Everyone, rest here for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, recover your spiritual energy, and check your condition. After that, Elder Yun will lead the array masters to attempt to silently break the array ahead. The rest of you, prepare yourselves; once the array is broken or triggered, immediately launch a full-scale attack!"

The order was given, and everyone sat down to meditate and take pills. The atmosphere suddenly became tense and deadly. The real battle was about to begin.

Lu Zhao also sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. However, the perception of the [Refining Spirit Technique], like invisible tentacles, quietly probed towards the eerie, poisonous miasma area ahead. He vaguely sensed that deep within the dense fog, not only were there dangerous formations, but also an extremely repulsive, subtly repulsive, sinister, bloody, and fanatical aura flowing slowly...