Five days after the trio left the solitary mountain, a towering figure flew out of the dense fog that surrounded the mountain.
The man had sharp brows, bright eyes, a flowing beard, and a demeanor of authority. His stern face exhibited an aura of silent dominance. Without regard to the sealing formation, he directly entered the cave.
The cave was pitch black inside. Frowning, the man waved his hand and lit dozens of candles on the walls with flames.
The candles illuminated the entire cave, releasing a refreshing fragrance.
Under the glow of the candles, one could see the cave in disarray, with exquisite clothes and furniture torn to shreds.
Heavenly Fire Madam, upon seeing the man, let out a sharp scream. She cowered into a corner, her eyes filled with terror.
The man approached her, and as Heavenly Fire Madam trembled in fear, she muttered, "Don't hurt my child! Don't harm my child!"
A trace of sorrow appeared in the man's eyes. He slowly crouched down, gently combing her disheveled hair, carefully trimming her long nails, and softly comforting her, "I've been busy lately and haven't visited you in a while. Just endure for eleven more years. After that, the sect leader will use the Nascent Soul Regeneration Technique to heal you completely..."
...
The trio continued flying south. It took them a full seven days to reach their destination.
The Fiery Cloud Instant Sect was nowhere in sight now. Before them lay a vast expanse of forest. The forest stretched to the horizon, with densely packed tree crowns swaying in the wind, resembling the surface of water rippled by a breeze. Inside the forest, trees reached heights of over 120 meters, with some isolated ancient trees towering even over 300 meters scattered throughout.
Shu Han, looking at the endless forest, exclaimed, "I never imagined there could be such a magnificent forest in this world. And the wood-attribute spiritual energy here is so rich that I can hardly sense any other energies."
Song Changyi said, "Indeed, the Southern Forest is the place with the densest wood-attribute spiritual energy in the north of Great Cloud. It's a paradise for cultivators with wood-attribute techniques. Although we from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect primarily cultivate fire techniques, 'wood feeds fire.' So, even if this place isn't as ideal as the Fire Cloud Peak, our cultivation here would still be highly effective."
Shu Han asked, "Would there be thousand-year wood-attribute spiritual herbs here?"
"Thousand-year spiritual herbs are quite rare. However, when it comes to the north of Great Cloud, only the Southern Forest has a higher probability of producing thousand-year wood-attribute spiritual herbs."
Song Changyi then turned to Wei Haolong and asked, "It is said that the sacred tree of the Forest Tribe grows in the heart of the Southern Forest, their core territory. Brother Wei, how do you plan to obtain the Heartseeker Holy Blossom? Breaking in forcefully is not feasible. The Forest Tribe already has a strained relationship with our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. We can't recklessly instigate conflict."
Shu Han inquired, "Why is their relationship with our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect strained?"
Song Changyi explained, "The Forest Tribe can connect with the branches of the sacred tree to accelerate their cultivation. However, this sacred tree has significant benefits for the Heavenly Fire. Every year, the Forest Tribe, in acknowledgment of the might of our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, offers us the sacred trees they cultivate in exchange for peace in the Southern Forest."
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Wei Haolong added, "This sacred tree is called the Spirit-communicating Sacred Tree. The main tree is what the Forest Tribe worships as their Ancestral Tree. All other sacred trees are branches of this tree. This sacred tree not only benefits their cultivation but also represents their faith. That's why they hold such animosity towards our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. The Heartseeker Holy Blossom that I need grows on this tree."
Song Changyi remarked, "That complicates matters. The Forest Tribe never allows outsiders near their Ancestral Tree, considering it a desecration of their deities. We can't even locate this tree."
Wei Haolong said, "I didn't decide this on a whim. Over the past fifty years, I've been to the Southern Forest no less than a hundred times. I've offered countless benefits during their ceremonies, persuaded countless times, and finally found a feasible way."
"And what would that be?"
Wei Haolong explained, "Their chief priest promised me. If I can withstand a hundred moves under her hand, she would lead me to their sacred grounds."
"That's impossible!" Song Changyi exclaimed, "The chief priests of the Forest Tribe are all Core Formation cultivators! You wouldn't last ten moves against them, let alone a hundred! She's clearly trying to trap you!"
"However," Wei Haolong added, "she told me I could bring up to two helpers."
Shu Han and Song Changyi exchanged glances. So that's the plan.
Shu Han commented, "The three of us working together should be able to withstand a hundred moves against a Core Formation cultivator. However, after doing so, our spiritual power will likely be depleted. If the Forest Tribe goes back on their word, we won't even have the strength to flee."
"That doesn't matter!" Song Changyi stepped forward, declaring with pride, "If they dare to betray us, my father will surely lead the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's cultivators to annihilate these deceitful individuals!"
Wei Haolong said, "You need not worry about that. Although the Forest Tribe is wary of us, having lived in isolation within the Southern Forest for so long, they are, in fact, simple and straightforward, rarely breaking their word."
Thus, the trio continued flying toward the core of the Southern Forest. After three days, they found themselves amidst an endless sea of trees. They landed on a towering ancient tree that stood more than 150 meters high, akin to birds resting after a long flight.
Wei Haolong produced a token that emanated a greenish glow and pressed it against the tree's bark.
In an instant, the green light from the token sank into the trunk, traveling along its vast branches before seeping quickly underground, spreading in all directions through the tree's intricate root network.
Using his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, Shu Han peered beneath the ground and saw that the entirety of Southern Forest looked like layers upon layers of interwoven webs.
The root systems of the ancient trees were interconnected, transmitting spiritual power and information among them. The intricate network was truly a sight to behold.
Shu Han couldn't help but comment, "You mentioned earlier that the Forest Tribe can connect with their sacred trees. Now that's truly terrifying. Every tree in the Southern Forest seems to be their informant."
Wei Haolong chuckled, "Indeed, that's the case. The token I just used was to notify their chief priest. They can trace our location swiftly. In the Southern Forest, no one can play hide and seek with the Forest Tribe. Let's patiently wait here, and their priest will come to us."
Song Changyi, eager and excited, exclaimed, "I can't wait to face a Core Formation cultivator of the Forest Tribe!"
Contrary to Song Changyi's enthusiasm, Shu Han began scanning the surrounding area with his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye. He was pondering on the best escape route should the Forest Tribe prove untrustworthy. He couldn't entrust his life solely on others' promises!
Using the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, Shu Han discerned the direction of the wood-elemental spiritual power. The eastern side was the most concentrated, while the north was the least dense.
He figured that whether it was the Forest Tribe or human cultivators, they would likely gather where spiritual power was abundant. If things went awry, he'd flee northward, where the least number of Forest Tribe members would likely reside.
As this thought crossed Shu Han's mind, he noticed the rapid transmission of the green glow through the underground root network.
In less than an hour since Wei Haolong's message, the roots began to intensely transmit various forms of green lights. These lights radiated outwards from the roots of the tree they were on.
Shu Han instantly felt a sense of foreboding. Upon analyzing the transmission paths, he quickly arrived at a concerning conclusion.
They were quietly surrounded by no fewer than sixty members of the Forest Tribe.