Chapter 61: Miasma Swamp VI

Ben and Morbius continued forward, gradually approaching the source of the energy fluctuation.

The surrounding vegetation had changed considerably.

The trees were becoming fewer, and the ground was covered in a thick layer of dark green moss. Several enormous roots extended across the muddy surface, while dense fumes drifted between them.

Ben could feel the concentration of miasma increasing with every step.

His Leonardo Lament Ring remained active, continuously weakening the poisonous substances around him.

However, the strange corrosive energy was becoming more noticeable.

"Can you tell what kind of creature it is?" Ben asked.

Morbius shook his head.

"Not yet. Its energy signature is mixed with the surrounding miasma. I can only tell that it’s considerably stronger than those creatures you fought earlier."

Ben nodded.

He slowed his pace and carefully examined the surroundings.

A few moments later, he noticed something unusual.

Several enormous footprints were visible in the mud.

Each footprint was considerably larger than his own body, and the surrounding soil had been deeply compressed.

Ben crouched down and examined one of them.

’Whatever made these footprints is quite large.’

He extended his perception toward the surrounding area.

There!

A powerful energy fluctuation came from behind a cluster of enormous trees.

Ben immediately stood up.

"Found it."

Morbius glanced in that direction.

"Be careful. It’s already aware of us."

Ben narrowed his eyes.

Before he could respond, the ground suddenly trembled.

Boom!

A massive tree shook violently as something emerged from behind it.

Ben’s expression changed slightly.

The creature was enormous.

It resembled a giant amphibian, with a thick body covered in dark green scales. Several bony protrusions extended along its back, while patches of black moss and poisonous growths covered its limbs.

Its head was particularly intimidating.

A wide mouth filled with sharp teeth opened slightly, releasing thick streams of greenish fumes.

Two yellow eyes fixed on Ben.

[Species: Corrosive Miasma Toad]

[Rank: F-Rank]

[Realm: Silver Realm - Fourth Stage]

[Level: 68]

[Threat Assessment: High]

Ben examined its status.

’Fourth Stage Silver Realm?’

This was considerably stronger than the creatures he had encountered so far.

Although his cultivation was also in the Silver Realm, he wasn’t going to underestimate an opponent several stages above him.

The toad opened its mouth.

A strange rumbling sound emerged from its throat.

The next moment, its body expanded slightly, and a massive wave of greenish fumes burst outward.

The surrounding vegetation immediately began to wither.

Ben raised his hand.

Ruination Dimensions!

The space in front of him distorted, forming a barrier that prevented the poisonous wave from reaching him directly.

However, the corrosive energy contained within the fumes began eating away at the distorted space.

Ben’s eyes narrowed.

’It’s strong enough to erode my dimensional control?’

He quickly reinforced the spatial barrier with White Ruination.

The two energies collided with the incoming poisonous wave.

A moment later, the attack dissipated.

Ben lowered his hand.

Morbius stood beside him, seemingly unconcerned.

"That’s a Corrosive Miasma Toad. Its body naturally produces a mixture of poisonous and corrosive energy. Be careful of its tongue. It can extend much farther than you might expect."

Ben glanced at him.

"You’ve encountered one before?"

"Something similar. Not this particular species."

The toad suddenly lowered its body.

Its hind legs contracted, and its enormous body shot forward.

The speed was surprisingly high for such a large creature.

Ben immediately activated Mist Walker.

His body blurred as he moved several meters to the side.

A long, dark tongue shot past his previous position.

It struck the ground with tremendous force, leaving a deep mark in the mud.

Ben looked at the tongue.

Its surface was covered in tiny black spikes, and a layer of corrosive liquid dripped from its tip.

’That would have been troublesome.’

The toad quickly retracted its tongue and turned toward him.

Ben raised his right hand.

Several white projectiles appeared around him.

White Missile!

The projectiles shot toward the creature from different angles.

However, the toad opened its mouth and released another wave of corrosive fumes.

The projectiles weakened as they passed through the poisonous cloud, and several exploded before reaching their target.

Ben frowned slightly.

’Its attacks are quite troublesome.’

He needed to get past its poisonous defenses before dealing any significant damage.

A faint white glow appeared around his body.

He extended his left hand toward the creature.

Ruination Dimensions!

The space around the toad began compressing.

Unlike his previous opponents, the creature didn’t immediately struggle against the dimensional pressure.

Instead, several black patterns appeared across its body.

Its scales released a strange energy fluctuation, and the surrounding miasma gathered around it.

The spatial pressure suddenly weakened.

Ben’s eyes narrowed.

’It’s using the surrounding miasma to strengthen its defenses.’

That explained why the creature was particularly dangerous in this environment.

It wasn’t simply releasing poisonous energy. It could also absorb the surrounding miasma and use it to reinforce its body.

Morbius watched the battle.

"Are you planning to keep testing your abilities?"

Ben didn’t look back.

"Not anymore."

A concentrated white flame appeared in his palm.

This time, he intended to finish the fight.

The toad opened its mouth again, preparing another attack.

However, before it could release the poisonous wave, Ben’s figure disappeared.

Mist Walker!

He reappeared above the creature.

A powerful distortion spread around its head.

Ruination Dimensions!

The surrounding space compressed violently, forcing the creature’s head downward.

At the same time, Ben brought his hand forward.

White Ruination Ray!

A concentrated beam of white energy shot directly toward the creature’s head.

The toad released a furious roar.

Its entire body trembled as it gathered the surrounding miasma, attempting to reinforce its defenses.

But the White Ruination Ray had already reached it.

A powerful explosion shook the clearing.

The surrounding trees swayed violently, and thick green fumes spread in every direction.

Ben retreated several meters, maintaining a protective layer of energy around his body.

When the fumes gradually dispersed, the Corrosive Miasma Toad was still standing.

However, a large section of its head had been destroyed, and its defensive energy was rapidly weakening.

’It survived that?’

Ben was slightly surprised.

The creature’s vitality was considerably higher than he had expected.

The toad turned toward him.

Its yellow eyes had become bloodshot, and its body began expanding rapidly.

Morbius suddenly spoke.

"Watch out. It’s preparing something."

Ben immediately became alert.

The black patterns across the toad’s body began glowing.

A powerful energy fluctuation spread through the clearing.

Ben could tell that its next attack would be considerably stronger than the previous ones.

He narrowed his eyes.

’Let’s see how much it can withstand.’

White Ruination gathered around his right hand, while the surrounding space began to distort.

This time, he planned to combine both abilities.