Chapter 56: Miasma Swamp

Ben put away his information device after confirming his exploration token.

He had already decided to enter the Miasma Swamp, but there was no reason to rush. He still needed to prepare his equipment and understand the realm’s environment before setting out.

"Are you going to enter it alone?" Daniel asked.

Ben looked at him.

"Probably. Why?"

Daniel shrugged.

"Nothing. I was just wondering. Exploring a secret realm alone sounds dangerous."

"That’s true," Alice added. "Most students prefer entering in groups, especially when the realm contains dangerous creatures."

Ben smiled.

"I’ll consider it."

He didn’t explain further.

With his current abilities, he wasn’t particularly worried about exploring alone. Having other people around could sometimes make things more complicated, especially when he wanted to keep certain abilities hidden.

After browsing the remaining missions for a while, the three of them decided to leave the Resource Department.

Daniel checked his information device.

"I should probably head back. I still need to check my cultivation schedule and register for a few training sessions."

Alice nodded.

"Same here. I also want to look through the available courses before registration opens."

Ben looked at them.

"Alright. I’ll see you both later."

"See you!"

They exchanged contact information through their student accounts before going their separate ways.

Ben watched them leave before opening the academy map.

He had one more thing to do.

Since he had already obtained the exploration token, he wanted to check the available entry sessions and choose a suitable date.

He opened the secret realm section.

[Secret Realm: Miasma Swamp]

[Exploration Token: Confirmed]

[Available Entry Sessions:]

[Session 1: Tomorrow, 08:00]

[Session 2: Three Days Later, 08:00]

[Session 3: Five Days Later, 08:00]

[Maximum Exploration Duration: 7 Days]

Ben examined the available dates.

He could enter tomorrow, but he preferred to spend some time preparing.

Although the Leonardo Lament Ring offered considerable protection against harmful substances, he didn’t want to rely entirely on a single artifact.

He also needed to prepare suitable weapons, recovery items, and storage equipment.

After thinking for a moment, he selected the second session.

[Entry Session Selected]

[Secret Realm: Miasma Swamp]

[Entry Date: Three Days Later]

[Entry Time: 08:00]

[Please arrive at the designated transportation facility thirty minutes before departure.]

Ben confirmed the selection.

He then closed the interface and headed toward the residential district.

It took him around fifteen minutes to return to his mansion.

As soon as he entered, he noticed Morbius lying on the sofa.

The large black dog opened one eye when Ben approached.

"Back already?"

"Yeah."

Ben sat down nearby.

"How was your little tour?" Morbius asked lazily.

"It was fine. I visited several departments and checked the available missions."

"Did you find anything interesting?"

"I’m planning to explore a secret realm."

Morbius raised his head slightly.

"Oh?"

"The Miasma Swamp. It’s a Silver Realm exploration zone filled with poisonous creatures and concentrated miasma."

Morbius looked at him for a moment before speaking.

"And you intend to enter such a place?"

Ben nodded.

"That’s the plan."

Morbius let out a low snort.

"Humans really enjoy making simple things complicated. Why bother entering a poisonous swamp when you can find plenty of resources elsewhere?"

"Because I might find something useful there."

"Or you might get poisoned and die."

Ben gave him a look.

"I have the Leonardo Lament Ring."

Morbius paused looking at it.

"What is this supposed to do with the Miasma Swamp poisons?" He asked.

"This artifact provides immunity against harmful substances."

Morbius looked at the ring and then at Ben, " I supposes this thing also come from you secret vault of treasures?" he asked as Ben nodded.

"Hmph. At least you aren’t completely unprepared."

Morbius lowered his head again.

"Still, don’t assume that a defensive artifact will protect you from everything. Dangerous environments often contain things that can’t be dealt with through ordinary resistance."

"I know."

Ben wasn’t planning to underestimate the secret realm.

He had already read its available information, but the academy itself had warned that its records might not cover every danger.

That was why he intended to prepare properly.

Ben opened his inventory and examined his equipment.

The Leonardo Lament Ring was still stored among his previous sign-in rewards. He decided to equip it before entering the secret realm so that he could become familiar with its effects.

A faint flash of light appeared on his hand.

A simple silver ring with a dark green gemstone materialized around his finger. Several intricate patterns were engraved along its surface, and a faint energy fluctuation spread from it.

[Leonardo Lament Ring]

[Rank: Epic]

[Type: Defensive Accessory]

[Effects:]

[High Resistance to Poison]

[High Resistance to Toxins]

[High Resistance to Corrosive Substances]

[Moderate Resistance to Environmental Contaminants]

[Passive Protection: Lament’s Barrier]

[Description: An artifact created by Leonardo Lament after the tragic loss of his daughter. Through years of research, he developed an accessory capable of protecting its wearer from various harmful substances and environmental effects.]

Ben examined the ring.

A faint protective energy surrounded his hand, although it was almost impossible to notice without carefully sensing it.

’This should help.’

He had received the ring through one of his previous sign-in rewards, but hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to use it until now.

He then checked the rest of his equipment.

His Knight of Ruination armor and Epic-grade swords were already stored in his inventory. He also had several recovery items, Celestial Stones, and other useful resources.

However, there was one more thing he wanted to prepare.

Ben turned toward Morbius.

"Are you interested in coming with me?"

Morbius looked up.

"To the swamp?"

"Yes."

The black dog stared at him for a moment before speaking.

"Do you really need to ask?"

Ben smiled.

"Just making sure."

Morbius stood up and stretched his body.

"I suppose watching you wander around a poisonous swamp might be entertaining. Besides, if something troublesome appears, I can deal with it."

Ben nodded.

That was another reason he wanted Morbius to accompany him.

Although Morbius was currently in the Silver Realm, his combat experience and Death Flames made him considerably stronger than an ordinary cultivator at the same level.

His Death Flames could also deal with many creatures that relied on physical strength or regeneration.

Ben glanced toward the familiar space.

Lumi was still resting after absorbing the Celestial Crystals.

He decided not to disturb her.

’I’ll bring her along if there’s a suitable opportunity.’

For now, Morbius would be enough.

Ben returned to his information device and opened the Miasma Swamp database again.

He wanted to study the creatures and resources found in the realm before entering.

The available information included several recorded species.

There were Miasma Crocodiles, Poisonous Marsh Serpents, Swamp Stalkers, and several varieties of toxic insects.

Some creatures possessed natural resistance to poison, while others could release concentrated miasma from their bodies.

There were also reports of unusual plants growing in the deeper regions.

One particular material caught his attention.

[Miasma Heartroot]

[Type: Rare Resource]

[Properties: Poison, Miasma, Life Energy]

[Known Uses: Alchemy, Poison Resistance, Cultivation]

[Location: Deep regions of the Miasma Swamp]

Ben studied its description.

The Heartroot was a rare plant that absorbed the surrounding miasma and converted part of it into a concentrated form of life energy.

Despite growing in an extremely poisonous environment, it possessed unusual regenerative properties.

’Interesting.’

It wasn’t necessarily suitable for his next breakthrough, but it was worth investigating.

He continued browsing.

There were several other materials, including Miasma Crystals, Toxic Beast Cores, Corrosive Mudstone, and Death Marsh Flowers.

Some were commonly found near the entrance, while others only appeared in the deeper regions.

Ben carefully memorized the information.

He didn’t expect to find everything listed in the database, but knowing what to look for would save him time.

After spending another hour studying the realm, he finally closed the interface.

Morbius had already returned to the sofa.

"Finished?"

"Almost."

Ben glanced at his equipment one last time.

He had three days to prepare.

During that time, he planned to improve his combat condition, gather additional supplies, and familiarize himself with the ring’s defensive effects.

The Miasma Swamp was supposed to be suitable for Silver Realm cultivators, but its danger classification was still High.

He wasn’t going to treat it like an ordinary training ground.

Ben leaned back in his chair.

’Three days should be enough.’

He had already chosen his destination.

Now, he only needed to prepare for the expedition.