Chapter 2741  The Swamps Of Goose Burrow

Nestled beneath the overlapping leaves, clusters of tiny brown flowers clung to the undersides of the branches. Their curled petals resembled miniature fingers, each tipped with a fine dusting of pollen.

"The pollinators carry this pollen from tree to tree," Lin Mu elaborated, "and when they land on the sap, the sticky substance holds the pollen in place. Over time, the dried sap cracks, and the pollen naturally falls onto the hidden flowers beneath the canopy, ensuring successful pollination."

Daoist Chu let out an impressed chuckle. "Nature truly has ingenious ways of ensuring survival."

Meng Bai stared in awe at the peculiar ecosystem. "So, the birds and bugs don't even know they're helping?"

"Exactly," Lin Mu affirmed. "They're just following their instincts, but in doing so, they assist the trees. It's a perfect example of mutual benefit."

The group spent a few more moments admiring the Chalice Top Mahogany Trees before continuing their journey, marveling at yet another of Jui World's unique wonders.

Having taken a look at the Chalice Top Mahogany Trees, Lin Mu also collected some of the trees along with their materials. His collection grew once more, and they continued their journey forward.

A hundred kilometers ahead, they reached a region where the sky had darkened, and the rhythmic drumming of raindrops filled the air.

RUMBLE

Thunder arced through the dense storm clouds, casting jagged streaks of light over the horizon. The rain was relentless, falling in thick sheets upon the Chalice Top Mahogany Trees.

"They're so full. It looks like it has been raining for a long time," Meng Bai observed, watching as the cup-like treetops brimmed with water.

"Yeah, their cups help collect as much water as possible for their growth. It helps them compete but also prevents other plants from growing around them," Lin Mu explained.

"Is that why the ground seemed so dry when we stopped earlier?" Meng Bai asked.

"Exactly. The Chalice Top Mahogany Trees are adapted to this dry soil and dominate the ecosystem here," Lin Mu replied.

This unique adaptation was also why Lin Mu had selected it as one of the potential forests to practice the Litany of the Verdant Forests. However, he had already gained significant insights earlier and knew that progressing further would not be easy.

Even if he tried, it might take him a year or more to see any noticeable effects. Unfortunately, time was a luxury they could not afford to waste.

Another two hundred kilometers later, Lin Mu and his companions finally reached the most dreaded region of the Chalice Top Forest.

"The Swamps of Goose Burrow," Lin Mu muttered as he took in the eerie landscape before them.

The area was a stark contrast to the beautiful forest they had passed through. Instead of vibrant greenery, the swamp resembled a festering wound on the land. Its waters were a murky black, thick and sluggish like oozing pus, while the dead trees stood like skeletal remains, their twisted forms resembling scabs on the rotting earth.

"Ugh~ It reeks!" Meng Bai groaned, pinching his nose as the overwhelming stench hit him.

They were still a kilometer away from the swamp's edge, yet the foul odor was already unbearable.

"We shouldn't get any closer," Lin Mu warned. "The swamp gas here can restrict our Qi and poison us."

"Yeah, with Meng Bai here, we can't afford to take any risks," Daoist Chu agreed.

If even immortals were vulnerable to the gas, Meng Bai—who was merely at the Peak of the Core Condensation realm—wouldn't last a second in such an environment.

"Yeah… I already feel… nauseous," Meng Bai admitted, his face turning an alarming shade of green.

"Little Shrubby, take the long route around," Lin Mu instructed, opting for caution.

They had been flying for an hour when an unexpected sound pierced through the oppressive silence.

CAWWWWWWW~

Their gazes snapped toward the lone bird soaring through the swamp's sky.

"Unfortunate bird," Lin Mu commented, shaking his head.

"Why?" Meng Bai asked, curious.

"Because it's about to die," Daoist Chu replied grimly.

"Due to the swamp gas? But isn't it quite high above it?" Meng Bai pointed out. The gas seemed to be concentrated no higher than two hundred meters above the swamp's surface.

"Not the gas," Lin Mu responded darkly. "The other danger of the swamp."

SPLASH

As if on cue, a grotesque creature erupted from the swampy depths, sending waves of filthy water and mud flying in all directions.

Meng Bai's eyes widened in horror. The monstrous entity was the size of an elephant, its head grotesquely oversized compared to its body. It resembled a nightmarish fusion of a catfish and a goose, with two enormous, writhing whisker-like tentacles extending from its cavernous mouth. Its body, despite its bulk, bore the unmistakable form of a goose—two stubby, feathered wings that could never hope to grant it flight and webbed feet that looked more suited for dragging than waddling.

GULP

With a single snap of its gaping maw, the monstrous Swamp Gulper Goose devoured the hapless bird whole.

THUD

The behemoth crashed back into the swamp, sending another foul spray of mud into the air, leaving nothing but eerie ripples in its wake.

Meng Bai swallowed hard, his throat dry. "What… was that?" he whispered, barely able to process what he had just witnessed.

"The Swamp Gulper Goose," Lin Mu stated. "The apex predator of the swamp and the reason for its name."

"Damn, it really was good that we took the long route," Meng Bai muttered, still shaken.

Even from a safe distance, the sheer presence of the Swamp Gulper Goose exuded an aura of undeniable danger. The thought of being anywhere near such a creature sent shivers down his spine.

Meng Bai was absolutely certain—if that thing swallowed him, there would be no escape, regardless of how skilled his master and companions were.

"Speed up, Little Shrubby," Lin Mu ordered, wanting to put as much distance between them and the swamp as possible.

"On it!" Little Shrubby roared as he stomped through the air, unleashing a burst of speed.

WHOOSH

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