Sorry about yesterday, work and school took my attention from six in the morning to ten at night and I have school today as well. This means I might be able to only post on Sundays. Anyways, this is yesterday's chapter and I will post today's later. See you!

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He Zhi was about to head back to the underground cave but heard some rustling in the trees. One of the Apprentices threw him a cloak and he quickly donned it, covering his features. Exiting from the direction of the swamp came several soldiers, but they all looked different from the usual Marshall Family soldiers.

All of them had a familiar smoky smell and had unkempt features. There was five of them, and they all had hoods, so to keep their identities hidden. The difference from the cloaks and robes the Froglings had was that the hooded apparel had armor over it and little straps that held vials of multicolored liquids.

The leader, someone who actually had gloves on, which was different from the other four, walked forward and questioned the Intermediate trio.

“What are you doing out here? This place belongs to the Illusion Seeking Sect!”

Darius yelled back, “We could ask you the same thing!”

The Immortal Cauldron Sect pulled out some daggers and used a purplish liquid to coat the blade.

“That’s poison, but we don’t know if it will paralyze us or kill us. Still, try your hardest not to get hit.”

He Zhi spoke, catching the other Mages off guard. They knew what poison was, why tell them?

“Thank you, Elder Brother.”

Of course! The Froglings hadn’t fought people like this! They wouldn’t have known what poison was!

One man leaped at one of the Apprentices who fell back in fear. Before his very eyes, a weird blue mirror sprung up and slowed the blade down. Then, the blue started turning white and the dagger stopped altogether.

Everyone looked over at He Zhi who was using the Ice Saber. The Poison Master released the dagger and threw a vial of poison at He Zhi. He was still wearing the cloak, so the Cauldron Sect member didn’t know who he was. However, when a small whirlwind picked up and slung the vial back at the Poison Master, he had an inkling.

A short person who could use magic without an incantation? A whirlwind? This had to be the frog!

He tried to dodge the vial, but it shattered in midair, Thanks to He Zhi, splattering its contents in many directions, landing on the poor bastard. But it wasn’t liquid anymore. Upon coming into contact with the air, it had turned into gas. The Cauldron Sect member chuckled before throwing another vial and rushing in close after it. Instead of retreating, He Zhi brought up another water mirror, freezing it with the saber. The vial shattered, eating away at the ice. The Cauldron Sect member kicked the ice mirror in, shattering it to pieces.

However, He Zhi wasn’t there. The leader of the Immortal Cauldron members yelled out, “Behind you!”

Unfortunately, it was too late. An orb of water surrounded the man, before being encased in ice. Thankfully, he wasn’t dead, just trapped. He threw another vial of the acid, and it started to eat away the ice bubble. But he couldn’t move as several ice cones had covered the hole in an instant.

“Why did you attack us?”

Seeing the techniques their brother could now do, the Froglings were amazed, but a little sad. How come Elder Brother is so strong? Why couldn’t they get as strong? They decided they would use the Sects to their advantage, aiming for the final hurdle known as He Zhi!

The Intermediate Mages were astonished since these people felt like Intermediate Mages like themselves! But why didn’t they use their magic?

This was because the immortal Cauldron focused more on creating things, not fighting. Their spells were used to refine materials and cook the ingredients. Sure, their bodies were tough, but if they couldn’t fight, they had no place on the battlefield.

Seeing as how one of his men was being held hostage, the Immortal Cauldron leader was furious!

“Let him go!”

“Answer my question.”

“Because you all benefitted while my brother lost his life! There is no mercy for you bastards! Why do you get the glory and good fortune by standing on the corpse of our brethren?!”

“So you hate us enough to kill us? How childish. You are only asking for more trouble. Was it our fault they died? Or was it because they angered something they shouldn’t have?”

“Shut up! You know nothing!”

“Do I? Whatever. Just leave and don’t come back. Otherwise, I will be forced to cut you down myself.”

The Immortal Cauldron members left, glaring as they did. From what he saw, He Zhi noticed face masks. So that was how he dealt with the gas.

Acid, poison, paralysis, that gas might have been sleeping powder.

After making sure the other guys were gone, the Mages all went back to the Illusion Seeking Sect. Unfortunately, the He Wu, Lily, Little Sister, and Hu Lao went with them. Instead of immediately going back down inside the cave, He Zhi went to go talk to Mr. Black.

Along the way, which was long since he was evading detection, He Zhi thought about his current troubles.

His siblings were actually happy to be working with the Sect as if it was all some big misunderstanding that was changed into a game. Sure, each Sect fit really well for them, but they were allying themselves to the killers and murderers of their siblings! Why?!

Plus, their little family was reduced to only about 17 frogs, and that included the regular ones! Sure, He Wu and Lily might get down and dirty again, but if the Froglings were going to survive, they would need loads of powerful members.

He Zhi was a hopeless romantic and didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. However, if he were to sleep with one of the four girls back in the cave, it wouldn’t be with love, but a necessity. And he didn’t want to downgrade the girls’ feelings from that.

He may like them, but he didn’t get the feeling of wanting to grow old with them. Hell, he didn’t want to grow old period. From his past life, He Zhi found tolerating someone difficult. They were never constant people, and all he had to do was look at himself.

There was no telling when the girls might switch to another male, seeing as how they are merely animals and He Zhi would be off getting stronger. He knew he shouldn’t be so grabby, especially with someone he truly didn’t treat as a lover.

It was at this time when He Zhi wandered over to Mr. Black’s hideaway.

So they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves, they communicated using Soul Transmission.

‘Mr. Black, what should I do?’

He had spent several moments explaining what was on his mind.

‘Well, if they don’t work, maybe you can try that Hu Lao.’

‘I don’t think you understand. I don’t like them like that. Even Kuroda is more like a little girl. I can’t do that!’

‘Kuroda? Is that the snake you were talking about?’

‘Yes, she happens to be the daughter of the previous Guardian of the Swamp.’

‘WHAT?!’

Mr. Black was so loud, He Zhi thought the turtle had yelled out loud.

‘She…she had a daughter?! I have a niece?!’

‘Huh?’

‘Oh…well, I guess I can tell you. Did you know there are other worlds out there?’

‘Yeah, I come from one.’

‘Oh, then that makes this easier…wait, what?’

‘Yes, I reincarnated as a frog. I knew I couldn’t have been the only one!’

‘Wow, imagine the chances. Anyway, my sister and I died in a car crash. When we awoke, we were eggs in the same nest.’

‘How does that work?’

‘Well, we were being raised by Mages to become a powerful creature.’

‘Ah, the black tortoise that has the snake.’

‘Indeed. We fled when an accident happened, and we traveled ever since. Eventually, we came across this mountain after a really dangerous fight and sister found a strange snake that seemed “cute” to her. So she stayed with him. That meant I was to stay as well. I eventually became the Guardian of the Lake. And here we are!’

‘Wow. But what happened to make your sister and Kuroda’s father die?’

‘That...could have been my fault. I angered a passing noble because he wanted to take my sister away. He used the excuse that there was already a Guardian, so it wouldn't matter if he took one. I fought back, but in my anger, I lost sight of what mattered. My sister died from the aftershocks of one of our colliding spells. In his frustration, the noble Mage killed the Guardian and ran off.’

‘Shit.’

‘Yeah, so my advice to you is to not forget what you are trying to protect. Don’t let that hatred blind you. Hey, when things calm down, can I see her? I mean…since she is my niece, after all.’

‘Of course. I am sure she would be happy to meet you. By the way, she likes furry things.’

‘Ah, good to know. Anyway, have a safe trip home!’

‘Bye!’

It didn’t take long to once again reach the cave at the waterfall. But a dangerous scene was unfolding before his eyes.

“You idiots! How did you not check behind the waterfall?!”

“The water is directly up against the stone cliff. We had no idea since a shadow would be easy to notice!”

“Don’t give me that! Get in there!”

“Ye…Yes, sir!”

Shit. It seemed that cheek scar’s men were bullying the brat’s men. Fortunately…

“Sir, it doesn’t lead anywhere! It just ends!”

He Zhi had Kuroda block the entrance using her earth power.

He snickered to himself, but that caught the soldiers’ attentions.

“You there, halt! Remove your hood!”