The Forest Tribe members blocking the way were engulfed in a vast sea of thunder. Many of them couldn't withstand the power of the thunderstorm and fell into the forest below.
Shu Han took note of this. The Thunder Tribulation talismans weren't particularly powerful, only possessing the strength of the early Foundation Establishment stage. The fact that many of the Forest Tribe members couldn't endure it even for a moment suggested they were just at the Qi Refining stage.
It seemed that the majority of the Forest Tribe members hunting him were Qi Refining Cultivators.
Instantly, the tension in Shu Han's heart eased considerably.
However, the formidable life force from behind still loomed. Without hesitation, Shu Han tossed another Thunder Tribulation talisman behind him.
Given that the Forest Tribe's priestess was at the Core Formation stage, he wasn't sure if the Thunder Tribulation talisman could harm her. All he hoped for was to slow her down so he could escape.
As expected, after the thunderstorm erupted behind him, Shu Han felt the life force start to move away from him.
He couldn't help but smirk, thinking, "After all, I am now a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with mastery in escape techniques. Catching up to me at the early stage of Core Formation might be a challenge!"
But given the Forest Tribe's intent to kill, his plan to inquire about the wood-element spiritual herbs was utterly ruined.
Wei Haolong and Song Changyi, seeing Shu Han boldly toss out two Thunder Tribulation talismans, looked astonished.
Wei Haolong exclaimed, "I always knew you had some tricks up your sleeve, but I didn't expect such extravagance! Those two talismans must be worth tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones. Truly, the rich are different!"
"Psh!" Shu Han retorted, "I did this to cover our escape! You better compensate me for this in the future!"
"I have neither the spirit stones nor will I offer my life! Deal with it!"
Once they evaded their pursuers, the atmosphere lightened.
Song Changyi inquired, "Given the circumstances, I suppose we won't be able to obtain the Heartseeker Holy Blossom. Wei, what about your mother's situation?"
Wei Haolong sighed deeply, "We can only take it one step at a time. My mother has been like this for years. We must proceed with patience. We must first ensure our own survival before we can think of ways to cure your mother."
...
The stunning priestess waved her hand, causing a spring rain that instantly dissipated the vast thunderstorm.
Realizing that the trio had extremely fast escape speeds and that pursuing them now would be futile, she grew frustrated. Her vine-like hair swayed violently, resembling agitated snakes, with all the pure white flowers at the tips blossoming in her rage.
One of the Forest Tribe members, who possessed considerable strength, stepped forward and confessed, "I have failed in my duty and allowed these individuals to shatter our defenses. I beg for your punishment, priestess."
The alluring priestess raised her hand to help him up, saying, "It's not your fault. These three are no ordinary individuals. You must continue the pursuit. They've walked right into our trap and we cannot allow them to escape."
"Yes, lord priestess!"
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Subsequently, the stunning priestess flew alone to the side, soon landing in front of an ancient tree adorned with snow-white flowers.
This old tree had intricate patterns, flowing with cryptic and profound mysteries.
Flowers drifting down from the tree resembled living jellyfish, floating in the air like ethereal sprites.
These flowers naturally fell upon the beautiful priestess, instantly calming her fury.
She gently placed her slender hand on the tree, murmuring sincerely, "Respected Ancestor Tree, please forgive me for approaching with anger in my heart. My people are being hunted down by the treacherous humans. I need your power to punish them. Ancestor Tree, please reveal your spirit!"
Suddenly, a peculiar force emerged from the ground, causing the space around the ancient tree to warp. With a calm heart, the priestess stepped into the ancient tree. Ripples formed around the tree's space, and she vanished in front of it.
Meanwhile, Shu Han, sensing no pursuers behind, slowed down his pace.
The vast Southern Forest wasn't their original path. Continuing at this speed would soon exhaust them. It was time to pause, observe the terrain, and strategize.
Shu Han thought that the Forest Tribe, who attacked them without any warning, would likely persistently search for them even if they lost track temporarily.
They needed to escape from this perilous environment quickly, given every tree potentially acted as the Forest Tribe's eyes.
Suddenly, the scene ahead shimmered as if reflecting in rippling water.
The trio exchanged glances, not understanding the phenomenon, and halted, not daring to charge ahead blindly.
Shu Han's Clear Bright Spiritual Eye scanned the area but couldn't detect anything unusual.
However, the world in front of them was indeed distorting in a strange manner.
Song Changyi's voice sounded somewhat parched as he said, "This... this seems like a spatial fluctuation!"
Spatial fluctuation!
Both Wei Haolong and Shu Han were deeply alarmed.
Yet, in the next moment, their already taut nerves nearly snapped.
The stunning Forest Tribe priestess unexpectedly emerged from the distorted space!
Gracefully stepping on air, her watery eyes brimming with murderous intent, her long vine-like hair, with its pristine white flowers, aimed straight at the trio, reminiscent of a group of venomous snakes hissing at them.
Upon her appearance, the surrounding spatial distortions immediately vanished.
Shu Han and his companions immediately became highly vigilant, sensing the hostility of the newcomer.
The ravishing priestess, wielding a long wooden staff, looked at Shu Han and his group, coldly declaring, "Despicable cultivators from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, today I, the third priestess Xigu of the Forest Tribe, will claim your lives! You are merely worthy of being fodder for our Ancestor Tree!"
"Wait!"
Wei Haolong hastily produced a token, stating, "Honorable Third Priestess Xigu, I am Wei Haolong, who has an appointment with Priest Changfeng. We have no grudge against your tribe. Why are we suddenly enemies? Where is Priest Changfeng? If he comes out, all misunderstandings can be clarified!"
"How dare you mention Changfeng! Die!"
Whoosh!
With a wave of Xigu's staff, an illusion of a colossal spirit tree rose behind her, an overwhelming oppressive aura charging forward.
Song Changyi had no choice but to reveal his identity, "Hold on! I am Song Changyi, the son of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's leader. Do you dare harm us and incite a war between the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and the Forest Tribe?"
Upon hearing Song Changyi's declaration, murderous intent flashed in Xigu's deep green eyes. With a fierce shout, the ancient tree behind her blossomed with countless white flowers. Under her command, these flowers detached and flew directly towards the trio.
Through his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, Shu Han saw the remarkable and terrifying power within these flowers. Drawing the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, he immediately channeled its most profound technique, transforming into a radiant golden statue, swinging the colossal sword in defense.
A delicate flower landed on the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted from the sword. Shu Han shuddered, and the golden spiritual form started to waver. Yet that was only one flower!
Numerous flowers lunged forward, with their fragile white petals reminiscent of the beckoning hand of death.
Shu Han shouted, "Do not hold out hope for a truce; the more she listens, the more she wants to kill us! Fight with everything you've got!"
Roar!
Thunder poured from the sky, absorbed by the golden spiritual form. It transformed into a towering gold and thunder entity, with the formidable Chaos Thunder circulating around. Not wasting any moment, Shu Han activated both the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword and Chaos Thunder to its full extent, showcasing even more strength than when he had dueled Wei Haolong.
Wei Haolong gazed at Shu Han, laughing, "Sly boy, you were hiding your true strength during our spar!"
Shu Han retorted, "Nonsense! Was I supposed to strike you down for real?"
Wei Haolong swiftly summoned thirty-six Fire Dragon Platforms, eight more than the twenty-eight he used before.
He laughed heartily, "Just as I thought! Let me show you the pinnacle of my Heavenly Fire Dominating Break Technique!"