Seeing that Zhuo Chun remained stubborn, Su Wanyi quickly grabbed her longbow from her back. Concentrating her spiritual power, she nocked an arrow and aimed it straight at Zhuo Chun's head, shouting angrily, "Zhuo Chun, get out of the way! If you obstruct the connection with the ancestral spirit, I will never forgive you! Don't think I won't shoot!"

Zhuo Chun, seeing Su Wanyi's determination, said helplessly, "Wanyi, rules are rules. Apart from the High Priest, no one from our tribe can trespass on the Spirit Altar without permission. If I, Zhuo Chun, must die to protect the rules of the Forest, then so be it. If you want to shoot, then do it."

His words struck Su Wanyi to the core, making it impossible for her to release her arrow.

Seeing her hesitation, he advised, "Don't rush. Why not wait for the High Priest to return and decide then?"

Turning his attention to Shu Han, there was a faint but unmistakable murderous intent in his eyes.

Shu Han chuckled internally, thinking, 'This man plays the role of a loyal watchdog a bit too well, doesn't he? Not only does he try to stop me from connecting with the ancestral spirit at every turn, but he also seems intent on finishing me off while we wait for the High Priest. What exactly did the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect promise you that you're so loyal? Sadly, your efforts are misguided; we should be on the same side.'

But Zhuo Chun's interference was indeed troublesome. Shu Han needed to try and connect with the ancestral tree before the High Priest returned; otherwise, it would be difficult to escape afterward.

Shu Han glanced at Wei Haolong, thinking that it was finally time for him to be of some use. If he revealed his identity to Zhuo Chun, the latter would surely not believe him. But Wei Haolong was different. He bore the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's distinctive Mark of the Earth Dragon. Moreover, the second-in-command of the sect, Elder Heavenly Fire, was his father. Surely, he could persuade Zhuo Chun.

Thus, Shu Han quickly whispered his plan to Wei Haolong. Then he turned to Su Wanyi, trying to calm her down, "Let it go. Zhuo Chun has a point. We don't need to rush at this very moment. Let's wait for the High Priest to return and then decide."

Hearing Shu Han say this, Su Wanyi reluctantly agreed.

Shu Han brought Wei Haolong before Zhuo Chun, who eyed him warily. Shu Han smiled and said, "Relax, we're all on the same side. This is a captured female cultivator from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, reportedly related to its upper echelons. Since you, Zhuo Chun, are so dedicated to the tribe, why not take custody of such an important prisoner?"

Zhuo Chun glanced at Wei Haolong, then turned to Shu Han with a grateful smile, "Brother, you truly understand the greater good. When the High Priest returns and verifies your identity, I'll make sure to apologize in person."

With that, he whispered a few commands to the guards nearby and then took off with Wei Haolong into the surrounding forest.

Su Wanyi gazed with some regret at the towering Spirit Altar. Shu Han comforted her, "There's no need to hurry. Take it slow."

She nodded, replying, "In that case, please come with me to the treehouse to rest. Our High Priest is out battling and we're unsure of his return. I truly can't fathom the purpose behind Zhuo Chun's obstructions."

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As they flew through the forest, Shu Han couldn't help but ask, "Who exactly is this Zhuo Chun? He seems to hold quite a significant position."

"Zhuo Chun is the son of the Fourth Priest, who died at the hands of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect two years ago. Since then, Zhuo Chun has been... different."

Following Su Wanyi, Shu Han found himself amidst a grove where each tree bore an exquisitely crafted treehouse. Su Wanyi led him into one, which was fragrant and beautifully adorned with floral decorations made from ancestral tree seeds. The room was simple but elegant.

Shu Han queried, "Is this your room?"

A blush spread across Su Wanyi's face as she nodded.

Shu Han hesitated, "Perhaps it's inappropriate for me to be here. I should meditate outside."

Su Wanyi was taken aback. Given Shu Han's usual demeanor, she expected him to be thrilled. Quickly, she tried to stop him, "My Lord, there's no need for that. I wouldn't want to neglect you. Let me stay outside instead."

Shu Han, seeing her genuine nature, felt torn.

Should he reveal to her the infiltration of Zhuo Chun?

If someone as high-ranking as Zhuo Chun from the Forest Clan had been compromised, it indicated that the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect had major plans for the Forest Clan, possibly leading to its downfall.

Revealing this information would certainly disrupt the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's plans. But Shu Han bore no loyalty to the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect—after all, he was still on their hit list.

However, sharing this news with Su Wanyi would surely cause an uproar in the Forest Clan. All Shu Han desired now was to peacefully collect the herbs and leave discreetly, without getting involved in any complications.

Moreover, given the current circumstances, even if the traitors were exposed, it would merely delay the impending doom of the Forest Clan, not resolve the core issue.

Seeing the conflict in Shu Han's eyes, Su Wanyi, her face flushing, said, "If... my lord... wishes me to serve by your side... can we discuss it after you've communicated with the ancestral spirits?"

Shu Han was speechless. 'Has she labeled me a pervert? Damn Wei Haolong, I should've given him a harder beating.'

Decisively, Shu Han chose to keep the news about Zhuo Chun's betrayal to himself. Though he felt sympathy for the Forest Clan, it seemed pointless to water and nourish a dying tree.

With Song Jinglun around, the Forest Clan was inevitably doomed by the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

Eager to divert the topic, Shu Han touched a cluster of flower chimes, asking, "All along the way, our people have been weaving these flower chimes. What are they for?"

Su Wanyi chuckled, "My lord, have you forgotten about our tribe's annual Ancestral Worship Festival?"

Shu Han responded, "The Ancestral Worship Festival? Now that you mention it, it does ring a bell."

Standing by the window, Su Wanyi gazed at the distant ancestral tree, "Every year during the festival, our people return to the ancestral tree space to pay homage. This year, the number of participants may be the fewest. With only four months left, I wonder how many of our people will return safely."

Upon hearing this, Shu Han sighed internally. He suspected that the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect had spies planted in the ancestral tree space, likely planning to ensnare the tribe during the festival.

He calculated in his heart: four months was ample time for him to make his exit. With his limited power, he did not wish to get caught in the showdown between the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and the Forest Clan.

He then began to meditate in the hut. Seeing this, Su Wanyi respectfully bowed and exited the treehouse.

Now everything depended on Wei Haolong. Shu Han wondered if Wei could handle Zhuo Chun. If not, he would have to discreetly eliminate Zhuo Chun himself.

...

Meanwhile, Zhuo Chun escorted Wei Haolong to the Forest Clan's wooden prison. Being of a gentle disposition, the Forest Clan had not used these specially-made prisons in a long time, and they were unguarded.

As he opened a cell to throw in Wei Haolong, Zhuo Chun's mind was preoccupied with plotting against Shu Han.

"If Su Wanyi says the ancestral spirit has descended, she must be right. I cannot allow that young man to ascend the Spirit Altar. I must seize an opportunity to eliminate him; otherwise, if any mishap arises, all my efforts will be in vain."

Lost in these thoughts and feeling frustrated, Zhuo Chun paid little attention to Wei Haolong. However, Wei Haolong suddenly leaned in, whispering into his ear.

"Blazing fire clouds above, roaring earth dragon flames below! Youngster, your loyalty is commendable, but you've landed in a mess!"

Zhuo Chun: !!!