I Can Use Myriad Divine Abilities-Chapter 223: Great Dream Marsh

The river splits into two paths here.

One continues to surge southeast, flowing towards the Southern Barbaric Land.

The other flows into the vast and endless marshlands.

The Great Dream Marsh!

No one really knows how large the Great Dream Marsh truly is.

Since ancient times, this great marshland has always been a wilderness region beyond the reach of the Dynasty’s power!

For hundreds of years, many people who fled from the Xia Ruins settled in the Great Dream Marsh, gradually forming a large and loose settlement.

It’s said that there are hundreds of thousands of people living in the Great Dream Marsh, estimates ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand.

But regardless of the population size, the impression that the Great Dream Marsh leaves is one of unpredictable danger!

As the fast boat Zhang Yuan was traveling in entered the marsh, its speed abruptly slowed down.

He had to increase the frequency of his rowing.

Although it was Zhang Yuan’s first time visiting the Great Dream Marsh,

with the high-altitude guidance of the Red-eyed Crow, he always stayed on the correct waterway.

He did not lose his way.

As darkness fell, a thin mist appeared over the river.

In the distance, faint lights appeared, hazy and indistinct.

During the boat journey, it felt as if he was entering a dream.

Soon, a line of high-stilted boathouses came into Zhang Yuan’s view.

These were buildings he had never seen before.

The boat-shaped houses were built over the marsh using thick bamboo poles for support, with rope ladders hanging down to the water, often accompanied by one or two small boats tied nearby.

Upon reaching this area, it suddenly became lively.

Under the eaves of every house hung lit oil lamps.

The oil was likely some kind of rendered fish oil, with bluish-gray smoke curling up from the wicks, diffusing the orange glow through the mist, and leaving a faint scent of grease in the air.

The boathouses, high or low, big or small, formed a gigantic maze with crisscrossing waterways between them.

Of course, these waterside houses all had owners.

Most of the people living here were scantily clad, some wearing only shorts, and living conditions were quite rudimentary.

Even primitive!

Women cooked dinner in the boathouses, while men gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing; occasionally, mischievous children would suddenly jump into the river, splashing water everywhere.

Some boats were just returning from fishing, creating a bustling scene.

But Zhang Yuan’s arrival inevitably drew much attention, if not wariness.

A small boat silently crossed over, blocking Zhang Yuan’s path.

A man standing on the boat’s bow, bare-chested and barefoot, gripping a fish spear, with taut, muscular, dark skin, shouted deeply, "Who are you? Where have you come from? What do you want here in the marsh?"

Zhang Yuan stopped his boat and stood up, clasping his fists, "I am Zhang Liao, from the Xia Ruins, newly arrived in this respected land. I ask for your convenience."

"Zhang Liao?"

The bare-chested man snorted, tightening his grip on the fish spear, and asked, "Do you know the rules here?"

Zhang Yuan chuckled, "May I ask you to enlighten me? I would be most grateful!"

"Very simple," the bare-chested man turned his head and spat into the water, saying offhandedly, "To pass by here, leave some passage money!"

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Sure."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a piece of broken silver, then flicked it towards the man.

This half-tael of silver shot through the air like a swift gleam of light!

Smack!

The bare-chested man had no time to react; he only felt a great shock in the tiger’s mouth of his right hand, almost losing his grip on his weapon.

Reflexively, he glanced at his fish spear and saw a silvery white piece of metal at the upper end of the handle.

His face changed drastically.

His eye twitched slightly, forcing a smile, "Pardon my offense!"

The man, previously so arrogant, now bowed respectfully to Zhang Yuan.

His change in demeanor was entirely due to the display of strength Zhang Yuan had just shown, which exceeded the Entering Force level!

The bare-chested man had guarded the waterways for years and had met countless people; he had some discernment.

Realizing he underestimated Zhang Yuan’s abilities, he immediately reassessed his posture.

He stepped aside to clear the way.

"Please, go ahead!"

Zhang Yuan, not bothering with the man, said "Thank you" and continued onward.

The information Han Zixun provided showed that currently, there were four major powers in the Great Dream Marsh.

The Jing Min, Great River Gang, Golden Sand Gang, and Flying Fish Alliance!

The Jing Min were considered semi-natives of the Great Dream Marsh.

It’s said they came from the Southern Barbaric Land, a group of people from the Jing Clan fled to the Great Dream Marsh to escape war.

They settled and took root here, renaming themselves the Jing Min.

Among the four factions, the Jing Min not only had the most people but were also the most united.

But they had no high-tier strongmen,

so they were never able to dominate the other three.

The Great River Gang, Golden Sand Gang, and Flying Fish Alliance were all organizations founded by outsiders.

Although the three powers had numerous frictions and disputes with one another,

they maintained a fragile balance to survive in the Great Dream Marsh!

Zhang Yuan didn’t know which faction the toll-collecting guy belonged to; he wasn’t afraid, but as a newcomer, there was no need to cause a commotion.

So, he subtly let the man know not to mess with him.

Unhurried, he rowed his small boat, weaving through rows of high-stilted boathouses.

The Great Dream Marsh was entirely unfamiliar to Zhang Yuan, and the surrounding sights were nothing he had ever seen before.

But here, Zhang Yuan felt very much at ease,

safer than he felt at the Xia Ruins!

Because all around was water.

As long as Zhang Yuan slipped underwater, never mind warriors of his tier,

even Tier Five or Tier Six experts couldn’t do anything to him!

Splosh!

Suddenly, ten paces away from the small boat, the water surface erupted, revealing a hairy head.

This sudden appearance was not a Water Ghost,

but a teenager in his teens!

He raised his arm high, holding a large, flailing turtle in his hand.

He cheerfully solicited Zhang Yuan, "Sir, interested in a freshly caught turtle? Quite nourishing for Qi Blood."

Zhang Yuan chuckled silently.

He slowed the boat and asked, "How much?"

Seeing Zhang Yuan’s interest, the boy in the water instantly brightened, answering quickly, "One tael, just one tael of silver, and this Qi-nourishing, blood-enhancing turtle is yours!"

Zhang Yuan smiled, "Alright, if you guide me to Great Chen Island, I’ll buy this turtle."

Actually, a turtle like this, over at the Xia Ruins, could easily sell for three to five taels of silver.

But Zhang Yuan believed that selling it here for even one tael was a high price!

He reckoned he could get it for half a tael by bargaining.

However, at that moment, Zhang Yuan needed a guide to lead him to his destination,

so he didn’t haggle over the price.

"Deal!"

The boy’s joy was immediate, "Follow me!"

He dove underwater with a splash and surfaced ahead of Zhang Yuan,

leading him forward with lightning speed.

The boy’s swimming skill was remarkable, moving through water as freely as a fish.

Guiding Zhang Yuan’s small boat, he swam several miles in one go.

Until they approached the sight of a Land Island ahead!