Shu Han and Su Wanyi stood on distant treetops, watching from afar as the eight Forest Clan warriors burned amidst the flames.

Su Wanyi's gaze was solemn, and tears poured down like rain. Yet, her expression didn't waver in the slightest.

Though Shu Han was an enemy of the Forest Clan, seeing these warriors sacrifice themselves so valiantly for their homeland filled him with respect.

Catching Shu Han's reverent look, the last shred of doubt in Su Wanyi's mind melted away.

"He might smell unfamiliar and claims to have lost his memories, which is suspicious. But the eyes don't lie. For the first time in thousands of years, the ancestral tree has shown its spirit. Perhaps the fate of the Forest Clan lies with this man."

Suddenly, Shu Han's pupils constricted as he saw the eight burning warriors being suppressed by some unknown force, their vital flames quickly snuffed out.

He looked up and spotted a beautiful woman standing next to Elder Zhong Erle.

She held Elder Zhong's ear in one hand and activated a purple ring with the other. The light from the ring swiftly suppressed the eight Forest Clan members who were trying to sacrifice themselves.

"Elder Zhong's Core Formation partner, Elder Yang Xu..."

Witnessing the warriors being suppressed, failing in their attempt to burn themselves for their tribe and becoming prisoners of Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, Su Wanyi couldn't help but cover her mouth. Her unyielding face finally showed signs of pain and sorrow.

Choking back her tears, she looked up, composed herself, and quietly led Shu Han away, whispering, "With two at the Core Formation stage... we need to leave this place at once..."

Above them, Elder Yang Xu was scolding Elder Zhong while pinching his ear, "Old Zhong! What's the matter with you? The sect leader clearly wanted the Forest Clan members alive! Do you understand? If you can't meet the quota, do you still dream of advancing further as an elder?"

Elder Zhong tried to hug her appeasingly, but she tightened her grip, causing him to yell, "Wife! Be gentle! The disciples below are watching. Give me some face!"

Elder Yang Xu scoffed, "You still care about face? If I hadn't come to help you personally, God knows when you would return to the sect. Do you not understand how important this is to the sect leader and our promotion? Mess this up, and you can forget about getting close to me in the future!"

With that, she raised a hand, capturing the eight Forest Clan warriors with a powerful force. With her other hand, she effortlessly uprooted the thousand-meter tall divine tree.

...

Shu Han was quickly led through the forest by Su Wanyi. The terrain of the forest was complex, but Su Wanyi navigated it with ease, nimbly leaping between various plants.

She remained silent, but Shu Han could feel her delicate palm trembling. Even though the Forest Clan was in dire straits, it wasn't Shu Han's place to pity them. He thought it best to focus on his own objectives.

Stopping Su Wanyi, he asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"To the ancestral land to see the ancestral tree!" she replied.

Ancestral land? Ancestral tree?

Shu Han pondered. The Heart-Seeker Holy Petal that Wei Haolong required indeed grew on the Forest Clan's ancestral tree. However, now that the Forest Clan had turned against the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, if he were taken to the ancestral land and his identity was somehow exposed, it could be troublesome.

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Thus, Shu Han instructed, "Let's not go to the ancestral land for now. Take me to a nearby divine tree that's over a thousand years old."

Su Wanyi looked surprised and said, "After the manifestation of the ancestral spirit just now, it surely means the ancestral tree has beckoned. Why shouldn't we hurry to the ancestral land?"

Caught off guard and unable to think of a suitable explanation, Shu Han retorted, "Didn't you say you'd follow my lead?"

Su Wanyi frowned, "But, sir, there are almost no thousand-year-old divine trees left in the Forest. For the past two years, we've been offering them to the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect to feed their Earth Dragon Fire. After the recent wars, aside from the ancestral tree, no divine tree has survived for a millennium."

What?

Shu Han felt a pang of urgency. It seemed that if he wanted the heart of a thousand-year-old divine tree, he would have to go to the Forest Clan's ancestral land.

He was confident in his Heaven-Earth Transformation technique, believing that unless confronted with a unique eye technique or a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, his disguise would hold.

However, the methods of the Forest Clan were unpredictable, and his Heaven-Earth Transformation might not be foolproof. But if he declined now, Su Wanyi would become suspicious. If he came back later, he might not get another chance.

Without the wood-elemental sacred medicine, the progress of the Five Elements True Essence Pill would be hindered. Who knew when he would finally complete it? If he missed the Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky because of this, his chances of reaching Core Formation would decrease further.

After a moment's thought, Shu Han asked, "There are only three priests left in the tribe. How many are in the ancestral land now?"

Su Wanyi replied, "None. All the priests have led the tribespeople to skirmish with the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect cultivators."

"None?"

Shu Han frowned deeply, "The ancestral land is of utmost importance. Why wouldn't any priests stay to guard it?"

Su Wanyi chuckled, "Your memory seems to be quite faulty, but it's okay. Once we reach the ancestral land, the ancestral tree will heal you. Our ancestral land exists in another dimension. If one doesn't know the location and method, it's impossible to find. Priests used to guard it in the past, but these are extraordinary times."

Another dimension!

Doubts rose in Shu Han's mind.

Could the tiny Forest Clan really open up another space? Wasn't that something only behemoths like the Sky Palace Sect were capable of?

Moreover, the Forest Clan priests were capable of spatial transportation. By logic, those at the Core Formation stage shouldn't possess such profound abilities!

Connecting all the dots, Shu Han concluded. The opening of space and spatial transportation were related to the Forest Clan's ancestral tree! Given this, he absolutely had to visit the ancestral land.

Shu Han nodded, "Alright, take me to the ancestral land quickly."

Su Wanyi nodded in agreement and jumped onto the nearest branch, heading south.

Chasing after her, Shu Han couldn't help but ask, "Why not fly directly? How long will this method take?"

Su Wanyi replied, "Sir, it's not safe here. It's better to be discreet. If we were spotted in the air by a Fiery Cloud Instant Sect Core Formation stage cultivator, I might not be able to ensure your safety."

Shu Han sighed inwardly. He had been cautious of the Forest Clan pursuing him, and now he had to be wary of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect too. It felt like he was caught between two fires!

For three days, Shu Han followed Su Wanyi, leaping through the forest. As they neared the core territory of the Forest Clan, they finally took to the air.

After flying for less than half an hour, another group from the Forest Clan joined Su Wanyi.

The group consisted of four individuals, all exuding the aura of the Foundation Establishment stage or above. They were escorting a female cultivator, tied tightly with vines and blindfolded with leaves.

"Greetings, Holy Lady!"

Su Wanyi nodded, looking at the beautiful woman and asked, "What's the matter?"

The escort replied, "Holy Lady, this Fiery Cloud Instant Sect female cultivator was captured by the Second Priest and ordered us to bring her to the ancestral land."

Su Wanyi frowned, "Captured by the Second Priest? Why didn't he kill her on the spot? What use is she in the ancestral land?"

The escort responded, "She seems to have a high status within the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. The Second Priest believes that having her as a hostage will give us an advantage in negotiations."

Su Wanyi nodded, "I see. Bring her with us to the ancestral land."

Shu Han stared in surprise at the female cultivator, muttering to himself.

A female cultivator? Guys, if you lift her skirt, I bet there's a big surprise waiting for you!