The monkey-bird hybrid flew for more than 3 hours, covering tens of thousands of miles. Every flap of its wings boosted its speed even more.
Hao Xuan had to duck down for cover past a certain point and couldn't even sit up straight due to the air pressure. Whereas Du Xun stood atop the creature's head like a straight sword, not even bending an inch.
During this short journey they were attacked several times by groups of flying beasts. Most of them could be outflanked and "outran" but there were two instances where they had to make detours.
Du Xun didn't explain the dangers to Hao Xuan but he could feel a strong pressure from them even from dozens of miles away.
By the time they reached their destination, it was around 4 p.m.
Hao Xuan jumped down and fell down to his knees. It felt like he had been on a roller coaster ride for 3+ hours non-stop.
"We're here," Du Xun's voice came from the front. He waved his hand and the beast vanished.
Hao Xuan looked up hoping to see the First standing there but was disappointed.
They were on a small mound of earth surrounded by thick green water on all sides. The sun was in the middle of the sky and the humid air of the swamp made it hard to even breathe.
Hao Xuan got back up on his feet with some effort and examined the surroundings in detail.
All around were massive, over 150-meter tall, trees sparsely located. The trees were home to numerous beasts of small to medium size.
The swampy waters slowly moved on their own. Every now and then an eye, a nostril, a tentacle, or some other body part would emerge from the water before disappearing back down with a small splash.
The entire swamp was alive. Every single branch and leaf looked like it was moving on its own, and many of them were. There were gigantic mosquitos the size of cats flying around.
Hao Xuan met Du Xun's gaze who was just smiling back at him, "A-Are you sure? This is it?"
He nodded once, "Yes," and waved his hand.
The space in front of them rippled and a red gate materialized out of thin air. It didn't "appear", but actually materialized out of nothing.
"Wha-"
Hao Xuan's eyes opened wide. He could feel copious amounts of spacial energy emanating from the gate. It was gushing out of like a broken dam.
Du Xun walked up to the gate and flashed his military badge. Without making a single sound, the gate opened and the scenes from the other side came into view.
The first thing Hao Xuan saw were the rows of tents placed in a perfect square. In the middle of these tents was a wide ring with dozens of soldiers fighting one another.
People could be seen moving back and forth between the tents as well which made the entire area look very lively.
"After you," Du Xun bowed slightly and waited for Hao Xuan to enter.
As Hao Xuan walked up to the gate, he got a similar feeling from it as from the rift. He went around the gate once but there was nothing else there. It was just that single gate floating a few meters above the ground.
"What the hell is this?" he mumbled absentmindedly.
"It's one of the Red Legion's defining treasures, a pocket of space much like a storage ring," Du Xun walked up to Hao Xuan and spoke while caressing the gate's frame.
"The only difference is that there cannot be anything inside it when it is being moved. Other than that it can contain living beings as well."
Hao Xuan was even more surprised by his explanation. So things like this actually existed??
"But how does it work? Does it have its own environment? How can this thing contain living beings while a storage ring cannot?"
"The gate is connected with the environment around it. It takes in the air and the spiritual energy from the surroundings whenever it is put down. That's why there can't be anyone inside it when it's being moved because they would die when the gate's connection is cut off from the outside world."
"Mhm," Hao Xuan nodded and entered the gate without delaying any further.
As he stepped inside, it felt like he had walked into a thin film of water. And as soon he appeared on the other side a wave of thick spiritual energy hit him head-on.
It felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he could breathe normally once again. Du Xun walked in after him and the gate closed on its own.
He led Hao Xuan through the right side and to the biggest tent in the back.
"First Captain is waiting for you," and left after giving another salute.
Hao Xuan walked in and saw First sitting behind a desk, looking at a glass screen. Upon hearing the footsteps he looked up and welcomed Hao Xuan with a beaming smile.
"Ninth brother!"
They talked for a while in there. Hao Xuan passed on Anya's video message that she had recorded for him and told him of the things that had happened in Fortuna and the Kingdom.
First wasn't surprised upon hearing that someone had tried to kill Hao Xuan twice, but a scowl did appear on his face. He then explained his current mission.
"Brother, we are tracking the people that abducted Third and Fourth. We know they are somewhere in the area in front of us, within 50 miles to be exact. Soon we should have the exact coordinates and at that time we will launch an attack to bring them back."
He told him that this swamp was one of the danger zones that connected several hundred kingdoms. And right now they had already crossed into the Jia Kingdoms territory.
Hao Xuan told him about his own condition as well, that he was ready to break through to Spirit realm, which made First's eyes gleam.
"Alright, I'll set something up to help you break through faster!" First grinned from ear to ear, giving Hao Xuan a bad feeling.
