CHAPTER 1003: CHAPTER 196: OLD FRIENDS

The waves pushed and rocked the small boat, causing it to run aground.

Like snakes mating, the twisted roots interlocked, blocking their path deeper into the swamp.

As is the case with all areas influenced by the weird powers, the temperature of the twisted and dark forest exceeds 0 degrees, untouched by the grip of winter.

Lu Li stepped into knee-deep water, entering a cold and dark forest, different from the chill outside.

The Shadow Cultists were left on the large ship.

Following the traces through the roots and trunks into the forest, crowns formed by strangely shaped dead trees blocked out daylight. Upon closer inspection, they still survive on the alkaline soil reaching the sea, creating impenetrable crowns with sharp branches that tilt and claw southwards.

Long ago, during the Old Era, Lu Li knew of North Shadow Swamp’s invasion of the South Shadow Swamp. At that time, the Mother of the Marsh was barely resisting. It was uncertain if she still stood twenty-four years later, if the North Shadow Swamp occupied the south, and the current status of the Mother of the Marsh.

Crash—— crash——

Endlessly deep, floating fragments, the muddy water stirred, creating ripples that would hit the roots and return, dissolving into an incessant stream. Yet, some fortunate ripples would dodge all roots and spread afar, until they reached unseeable depths or vanished entirely.

Lu Li lifted the oil lamp, illuminating the dark, lightless swamp surroundings.

Ophelia held onto Puxiu, the crack flickering slow and dark red due to her emotions. She disliked it here, not only because of being submerged in icy waters, but also due to the uncomfortable oppressive atmosphere of the forest.

As they ventured deeper, Lu Li’s hand, no longer warm, indicated to them that they had gotten very close.

Hastening along the traces, within minutes, they glimpsed silhouettes flashing through the forest shadows, observing the waves bouncing back from the depths.

"Puxiu... call Him," Ophelia shook Puxiu.

"God of the Deep Sea!"

Puxiu’s thin big-boy voice echoed through the forest.

The distant ripples disappeared, and as they approached, northern sea water surrounded them, revealing shadows beneath a curtain-like cloak within the forest. The shadow under the hood watched silently.

"Can you sense the position of the body?"

Lu Li skipped the unnecessary parts of joining and accepting.

"...it’s right here."

"Can’t sense the exact location?"

"Yes."

Darker than the forest, black eyes fell towards the depths. North Shadow Swamp probably adheres to the law of deeper center equals greater chance. But the sky-blocking tree crowns make it hard to discern their position. The Compass lost its function since entering the forest, same as in Insmouth Town.

"How much power do you have left?" Lu Li asked.

"This evil spirit attacked me..." The Divinity exemplified with Ophelia.

"My name is Ophelia, Divinity." Ophelia reminded.

"...I barely manage to escape."

This way of communication should not belong to a Divinity.

Lu Li’s gaze swept over Puxiu, being held by Ophelia and giving a guilty grin: "Then I suggest retreating from the swamp to observe."

"I am a Divinity."

The God of the Deep Sea murmured, articulating a reality that did not allow Him to retreat.

"A Divinity not yet recovered its strength," Lu Li added for Him.

After a brief silence, the Divinity floated towards Lu Li, the supportive water descending, allowing them to become parallel.

"Find my body for me."

"It’s too late... now."

Suddenly, Ophelia tossed Puxiu to Lu Li, standing alert and facing the depths of the forest.

"Something... is approaching!"

The emerging torrents further testified Ophelia’s detection, as an unidentifiable waterline swiftly closed in.

Ssss——

Lava flowing through the crack evaporated seawater, condensing and surging towards the approaching silhouette.

The God of the Deep Sea controlled water snakes, also rushing towards the enemy, but collided with the magma before reaching, ear-piercing surging hot steam enshrouding them, obscuring vision.

Lu Li stepped back from the hazardous high-temperature steam range, halting the God of the Deep Sea’s attack: "Let Ophelia handle it."

As the words fell, arrow-like enemies pierced through the steam, winding around the God of the Deep Sea’s body, revealing their essence: tree roots.

More roots emerged from the steam, entwining Ophelia’s body, igniting flames in an instant.

All roots struggled, writhing as they released, plunging into the water.

The freed Ophelia and God of the Deep Sea withdrew to Lu Li’s side, dripping magma blocking the enemy’s assault, quickly retreating from the northern swamp, returning to the wooden boat away from the coast.

"The enemy is... the forest."

Boarding Andrea, Ophelia recalled the tentacle-like roots that attacked them: "What is your... plan?"

"Observing from the perimeter, and investigating the Southern Marsh."

Andrea sailed east, dropping them outside the swamp.

This time, the Shadow Cultists followed, as Lu Li headed south.

They traversed a ruined shadowy Shadow Town, everything remained as it was twenty years ago. Only the dividing Marsh Road had vanished, overtaken by crowns invading the Southern Swamp.

"Keep going south."

This southward journey was longer than anticipated. Nearing dusk, nearly hearing the sound of waves from the South Coast, the only unspoiled land of the swamp emerged.

As Lu Li approached, he saw Shadow Figures behind the trees.

The Mother of the Marsh was still there.

Then Puxiu strangely saw the shy Shadow Figures hiding behind trees, crawling, following curious Six-legged Monsters, swaying branches welcoming Banyan Trees.

"Do they know you?" Puxiu asked curiously.

"Yes."

Under the guidance of Shadow Figures, Lu Li and the others reached the "sanctuary" center, an open space.

No longer were there gigantic hundred-meter-high Banyan Trees, only a two-story wooden house.

Lu Li saw two adjacent tombstones at the edge of the wooden house, gazing at the inscriptions in the dim light.

[R.I.P]

[Lilia Toyalagon]

[21st offspring of the Toyaragon Family]

[——Guardianship is the greatest honor]

[R.I.P]

[Roland Toya Aargon]

[3rd offspring of the Toyaragon Family]

[——People remember her beauty, even if the flowers wilt]

"Because the human part of me has died."

Gentle and airy words resounded, a figure beautiful and grotesque, half-human, half-insect adorned in light gauze, spoke to Lu Li who closed his eyes: "I have controlled my strength... you may gaze upon me now..."

When Lu Li reopened his dark eyes, the God of the Deep Sea whispered of the Mother of the Marsh’s identity: "Alien God."

The significantly smaller Mother of the Marsh’s eyes turned towards the God of the Deep Sea: "Indeed, orthodox divinities call me Alien God, and... who are you?"

"Master of the ocean domain, ageless ancient Divinity, world’s Guardian God, God of the Deep Sea."

This time, He added two more titles compared to the initial declaration.

"Small yet respectable divinity... greetings," the Mother of the Marsh pressed lightly on her chest in salute.

Her gaze withdrew from the God of the Deep Sea, returned once more to Lu Li, tenderly caressing her white belly beneath the gauze with human-like gentleness: "I can feel your existence... I know... you still live... after bearing your bloodline."