Standing atop an ancient tree branch, from afar, a sacred tree, complex in its markings and blossoming with white flowers, stood before him. Countless flowers drifted down from the tree, dancing around the sacred wood.

Shu Han was unsure how to determine the age of a Forest Clan sacred tree. Moreover, even if it was a millennium-old sacred tree, most of them couldn't be used directly in medicine. One must extract the precious tree core.

But if he harmed the Forest Clan's sacred tree, could the Forest Clan members quickly find out through their underground network? If they could swiftly be alerted and come after him, given his current condition, Shu Han wasn't bold enough to act rashly.

Lacking sufficient information, Shu Han deliberated and decided not to take direct action. As he pondered, he suddenly noticed a Forest Clan member approaching. Quickly, Shu Han concealed himself.

His Clear Bright Spiritual Eye instantly lit up, scanning the surroundings. He observed that there were no other Forest Clan members around, only this lone individual.

What struck Shu Han as odd was that the individual didn't wear the distinctive attire of the Forest Clan. Instead, he donned the robe of a human cultivator.

Shu Han speculated that this person wasn't particularly powerful. Perhaps he could subdue him and extract information about the Forest Clan, aiding his future endeavors. With that thought, he stealthily approached the stranger.

Relying solely on his physical prowess, the individual seemed unaware of Shu Han's proximity. Suddenly, the person produced a talisman, throwing it toward the sky. The talisman transformed into a beam of fire, shooting upwards.

"The communication talisman of Fiery Cloud Instant Sect! Could he be an imposter from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect?"

Whoosh!

A streak of green light flashed across, intercepting the talisman.

Shu Han thought to himself: There are others around after all. It's best to remain hidden.

Seeing his talisman intercepted, the Forest Clan individual displayed a shocked expression, immediately taking to the air, attempting to flee.

However, in a split second, a streak of dark light shot forth, striking the back of the individual's head. Upon closer inspection, Shu Han realized that what had embedded itself into the man's skull was, in fact, a blackbird.

The blackbird burrowed into the man's brain, and in a matter of moments, his head was blown to pieces. His headless corpse plummeted, and from the ground, the sacred tree's roots surged out, starting to decompose and absorb the body.

Suddenly, a green light flashed from behind Shu Han. It was a female Forest Clan member, holding a black longbow.

The woman bore a striking resemblance to the priest, exceptionally beautiful with a hint of coldness in her eyes. Her aura was incredibly potent, surpassing that of typical advanced cultivators.

Shu Han internally panicked, suspecting that the one who had observed him earlier was this woman.

Considering her formidable appearance and his yet-to-recover vitality, Shu Han thought it best to retreat.

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"Don't run! Come out! Don't force me to act!" The woman's tone was icy, but devoid of killing intent. Not wanting a conflict, Shu Han emerged from the bushes.

The woman's deep green eyes scrutinized Shu Han, "Which tribe do you belong to? Why are you sneaking around in the forest?"

Shu Han retorted, "Which tribe are YOU from? Why did you attack one of your own?"

She glanced at the headless Forest Clan member, puzzled, "One of our own?"

Suddenly, her bow pointed at Shu Han, her voice filled with fury, "Calling him 'one of your own'? Are you admitting you're a lapdog for the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect? Prepare to die!"

"Wait!"

Suspicion flickered in her eyes. Without loosening her grip on her bow, she coldly said, "You have ten breaths to state your tribe and name, or you'll be treated as a traitor!"

"I..."

Deciding he had been exposed, Shu Han braced himself for combat. Recognizing her formidable abilities, he planned to catch her off guard and deliver a lethal strike.

Seeing that Shu Han remained silent, the woman swiftly released an arrow.

The arrow transformed into a speeding blackbird, charging straight for Shu Han's face.

Just as Shu Han prepared to retaliate, a sacred tree flower suddenly descended upon the raven. Its pure, luminous glow instantly dissolved the blackbird.

Immediately after, the sacred tree flowers floating around rushed over, swirling protectively around Shu Han.

Witnessing this, the woman's expression became stunned, her pupils dilated, her longbow slipped from her grasp, and she began to murmur, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

The flowers came closer and closer. Anxious, Shu Han tried to push them away, as they initially left a terrible impression on him.

However, upon seeing this, the woman lunged forward without hesitation, grabbing Shu Han's arm and scolding, "What are you doing?"

She delicately picked up the flower Shu Han had knocked down, revitalizing it with her spiritual power before releasing it to the sky.

Then, turning to Shu Han, the animosity in her eyes magically vanished, replaced by a cautious curiosity.

Shu Han felt uneasy under her close scrutiny. He took two steps back, but she moved closer, leaning in and sniffing him.

Feeling even more uncomfortable, he heard her remark, "You smell unfamiliar!"

In his mind, Shu Han retorted: Shouldn't it be 'you look unfamiliar'? What are you, a dog?

"I'll ask again, who are you? Which tribe do you belong to?"

Seeing her lack of murderous intent, Shu Han decided not to fight. Instead, he fabricated a story about being wounded by a dashing human cultivator and subsequently losing all memories. He then gave her a vague description, causing her to frown deeply.

"It's him! Wasn't he infected with the Mother's ancestral tree parasite technique? No wonder we couldn't find any traces of his body."

Her green eyes roamed suspiciously, while Shu Han carefully observed her reactions. He noted that her initial hostility had vanished, likely due to the sacred tree flowers' affinity towards him.

These were sacred flowers, and the Forest Clan revered the sacred tree. If the sacred tree protected him, then he shouldn't be perceived as an enemy.

Even though his story sounded ludicrous, it was all part of Shu Han's plan. He wanted to gauge her reaction. If she continued to be suspicious, he'd look for an escape opportunity. However, if she accepted his story, perhaps he could infiltrate the Forest Clan and utilize them to find the Millennium Sacred Tree.

As for why the sacred tree protected him, Shu Han had a hunch: he must have been imbued with the essence of the Earth Goddess Celestial Soil, a treasure coveted by all plants.

After examining Shu Han for a long while, the woman reluctantly knelt on one knee and solemnly declared, "With the manifestation of the sacred tree's spirit, even if I do not favor you if you are recognized by the sacred tree, you are acknowledged by the entire Forest Clan. I am Su Wanyi, the sacred maiden of the Liuyue tribe of the Forest Clan, at your command."

Overwhelmed with elation, Shu Han hadn't anticipated that merely attracting the sacred tree's flowers with the Earth Goddess's soil would grant him such a revered status in the Forest Clan.

This was an incredible opportunity to utilize Su Wanyi in his quest for the Millennium Sacred Tree.

Just as Shu Han was about to speak, a sudden green light emanated from the ground below. Su Wanyi's brow furrowed as she swiftly grabbed Shu Han and leaped onto a nearby towering tree, gazing intently in the direction of the sacred tree they had just left.

"What is..."

She quickly covered Shu Han's mouth, whispering, "Please remain silent, sir. A scout reports that a group of Fiery Cloud Instant Sect cultivators is approaching."

What?!