In just a short day, Zhang Hao and the others saw no fewer than twenty people swallowed by the swamp.
In many places, there were even piles of bones like mountains. It looked like they had been there for quite some time.
Zhang Hao and the others had also faced many dangers before this. Dou Bi and Ying Da were almost sucked into the mud several times. Fortunately, Zhang Hao was quick-witted and rescued them.
"Boss, I suspect this place... this is the Ninth District!" Dou Bi broke out in a cold sweat.
Zhang Hao and the others didn't have much of an idea about the so-called Ninth District. After all, they weren't native Hualong Empire people like Dou Bi. Therefore, many pieces of information weren't very clear to them.
"Dou Bi, what is the Ninth District?" Zhang Hao asked, looking at Dou Bi.
Dou Bi gave Zhang Hao a bitter smile and said, "This Ninth District is the most dangerous area in the assessment ground. In the thousand years since the Ten Directional Mountain became an assessment ground, the Ninth District has buried countless examinees. It is the most dangerous assessment ground in the Ten Directional Mountain. Later, based on its danger, the Academy Alliance finally closed the Ninth District. I just don't know why it would be reopened now."
Zhang Hao's brow furrowed. He looked at Dou Bi and asked seriously, "Dou Bi, how are you sure that the place we are in is the Ninth District?"
Dou Bi smiled bitterly and said, "Boss, of course I know. To pass this assessment smoothly, I did my homework on the various assessment grounds in the Ten Directional Mountain. While I wouldn't say I know them like the back of my hand, I am quite familiar with them."
Hearing this, Zhang Hao thought of a possibility in his heart.
Is it against me again? Zhang Hao's expression was extremely gloomy.
"Damn it, if Young Master finds out who is plotting against me, I will definitely make him wish he were dead." Zhang Hao gritted his teeth, and a killing intent emanated from him.
The group advanced cautiously. During this time, many Martial Warriors were swallowed by the swamp. Some of the swallowed Martial Warriors were even within five meters of Zhang Hao and the others. It was as if terrifying giants were hidden beneath the black mud on their side. Zhang Hao also tried to rescue them, but ultimately failed. There was nowhere to exert force in the swamp mud, and the suction force was extremely strong. It was simply not something Zhang Hao's strength could resist.
Fortunately, after half an hour, the group finally escaped the swamp.
"Dou Bi, since you've done your homework, you should be quite familiar with the Ninth District, right?" Zhang Hao asked, looking thoughtfully at Dou Bi.
Dou Bi shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Boss, I'm more familiar with the other areas. Since I was sure I wouldn't enter this place, I only got a general understanding of the Ninth District."
Zhang Hao nodded and said, "That's still more than we know. We can't be on the road all day. The task of finding a safe area to rest for the night is up to you."
Dou nodded. He just said to Zhang Hao with some difficulty, "Boss, although I have some understanding of this Ninth District, there are many places that I can only remember when I arrive there."
"Alright! Just do your best." Zhang Hao patted Dou Bi's shoulder.
Zhang Hao and the others found a flat area, built a fire, and ate. After traveling all day, the four of them were also a bit hungry.
Suddenly, more than thirty Martial Warriors appeared ahead. Leading them was a youth who looked to be in his early twenties. He was tall and handsome, with refined features. However, he exuded an air of arrogance.
However, he had the capital to be arrogant. Great Martial Master Sixth Level. In the assessment ground, he was considered a master.
When the youth saw Zhang Hao and the others, he was slightly taken aback. After a brief look, his gaze fell upon Yun Qiuyu. His eyes lit up, a smile appeared on his Face, and he stepped forward.
"Are you also examinees for this time?" the youth walked up to Zhang Hao and the others and smiled faintly. However, his gaze remained on Yun Qiuyu's Face from beginning to end.
Zhang Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. This guy was really full of bullshit. If not examinees, who would come here? Because he didn't have a good feeling about the youth, he ignored the other party and ate by himself.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, the youth also felt he had lost Face. His expression darkened slightly, and he said to Yun Qiuyu, "Miss, I am Huo Xiu. Greetings!"
"Hello!" Although Yun Qiuyu found the other party extremely annoying, she still maintained basic courtesy on the surface.
"Miss, this Ninth District is full of dangers. Why don't you come with us! With more people, there will be more care."
Huo Xiu's gaze was only on Yun Qiuyu's body. He completely ignored Zhang Hao and the others.
Zhang Hao also didn't speak. He believed Yun Qiuyu would handle it well.
"Sorry, I already have companions." Yun Qiuyu's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Oh, your companions' cultivation is too low, not enough to protect you. Miss, you should consider it more! Perhaps Miss doesn't know how terrifying this Ninth District is..."
Yun Qiuyu immediately became a bit unhappy. This guy's constant chatter was very annoying.
"I know about the Ninth District. You should leave. I won't leave my companions." Yun Qiuyu's tone was not very good.
Huo Xiu frowned and looked disdainfully at Ying Da, who was a Da Wu Shi First Level, saying, "Just them? They can't protect you. There are many Ferocious Beasts nearby. Miss, you must be careful!"
Even with Yun Qiuyu's good temper, she was angered at this moment. She snorted and said, "Whether they can protect me or not is my business. It has nothing to do with Ge Xia."
"Zhang Hao, let's go!"
Yun Qiuyu signaled to Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao and the others had just finished eating at this moment. Hearing this, Zhang Hao glanced faintly at Huo Xiu and smiled dismissively. The four of them left together.
"Stupid bitch, you don't know what's good for you!"
A trace of anger flashed across Huo Xiu's Face.
"Brother Huo, should we go teach him a lesson?" a dark-faced youth asked with a cold smile.
Huo Xiu waved his hand and said faintly, "No need. We are in the Ninth District together. We will meet sooner or later."
After resting for a night, Zhang Hao and the others continued their journey early the next morning.
"Ahead is the grassland, Boss. We must be careful. In this kind of place, there might be man-eating trees or man-eating flowers," Dou Bi said with a solemn expression.
"Are there really man-eating trees? And man-eating flowers?" Yun Qiuyu asked, somewhat shocked.
Dou Bi nodded and said with a solemn expression, "I've checked the information. I'm not very clear about other districts, but there are indeed such things in the Ninth District, and quite a few of them."
Zhang Hao's expression also became solemn. He said faintly, "Then everyone must be careful. There are trees everywhere here. If we encounter man-eating trees, we will be caught off guard. Unless absolutely necessary, never separate."
Dou Bi, Yun Qiuyu, and the others all nodded.
Suddenly, Zhang Hao discovered that there were many Martial Warriors ahead, gathered in groups of three to five. In the middle, the largest group had several hundred people.
Dou Bi pulled over a young Martial Warrior nearby with some doubt. He smiled, pointed at the group, and asked, "Brother, who are those people?"
The Martial Warrior glanced at Dou Bi and smiled faintly, "Those are people from the Seven Stars Alliance."