“Master He has never said that such a thing would happen in the ancient forest sea of old trees!”

Outside the mysterious mirror, a man in white robes stood up angrily. “With such a commotion now, I’m afraid that forty percent of the people will be lost there!”

Someone sighed and said, “Not to mention that the Xiaochongshan Secret Realm only allows Golden Core stage cultivators to enter. We can’t intervene at all; we can only wait for the Secret Realm to close on its own in two days and send the disciples out. How can we deal with such danger?”

He Xiaochen frowned, no longer as calm and composed as before, staring intently at the mysterious scene in the ancient forest sea of old trees reflected in the mirror. “The Xiaochongshan has opened many times, and this has never happened. That ten thousand-year-old Dragon Blood Tree doesn’t seem to have become a spirit; it looks like… it’s been possessed by a demon.”

The situation fell into a deadlock for a moment, and in the midst of the silence, a woman’s leisurely and gentle laughter suddenly rang out. “Elders, do you lack confidence in your own disciples? Even though the changes in the ancient forest sea are dangerous, the ones sent into the Secret Realm are the most outstanding young talents from various sects. If they can’t handle this, how will they find their place after leaving the sect and descending the mountain in the future?”

The one speaking was none other than Niguang Island’s Qu Feiqing.

Her voice was lazy, and her right hand, as smooth as condensed fat, played with her flowing long hair without a trace of panic in her expression.

The female cultivator smiled and raised an eyebrow, saying, “The disciples who are trapped are currently not in any life-threatening danger. We might as well calm down and see how others handle it. I’ve seen quite a few interesting kids, and I’m curious to see how they’ll perform next.”

The world of cultivation is full of mysteries and uncertainties, with opportunities and dangers often lurking side by side. In the process of cultivation, everyone is bound to encounter life-threatening situations, and how to deal with them and escape depends on individual luck.

The changes in the ancient forest sea are just another part of this.

With these words, the expressions of the people showed a hint of hesitation.

“But, as soon as she heard the news that her junior brother was killed, Ning Ning entered the forest regardless of her own safety.”

Qu Feiqing nonchalantly popped a grape into her mouth, leaned back lazily in her chair, and glanced at Tian Xianzi. “The disciples under Senior Brother Tian Xianzi’s care seem to get along well.”

Tian Xianzi smiled and had the same expectant look. “Ning Ning, we can’t expect her to act according to common sense.”

The female cultivator agreed and made a soft “Hmm” in agreement.

—–

Inside the ancient forest sea, blood was in the air.

The thick red blood mist hung in the air like smoke, shrouding the quiet atmosphere. The vegetation that once emitted faint blue or light green radiance now appeared drenched in blood. While still emitting dim light, it had turned into a somber crimson.

Ning Ning continued to try to communicate with the system in her mind, but it seemed to be blocked and didn’t respond at all.

The deeper she went, the more bizarre and terrifying the scenery became.

Vines flew up and down, and the thick branches, as thick as a child’s arm, cast wild and frantic shadows, like the grim fingers of evil spirits continuously whipping the earth.

Not only the vines, but even the flowers and grass seemed to have gained self-awareness. Petals opened and closed recklessly, bathed in the crimson light, reminiscent of red eyes peering from the shadows.

After the battle between the immortals and demons, the demon race was severely weakened, and there had been no news of them for a long time. But now, the ancient forest sea, which was a gathering place for spiritual energy, was emitting a continuous stream of demonic energy… The reasons behind this were deeply puzzling.

Ning Ning swung her sword again, cutting off a vine that had attacked from behind.

Around her, she occasionally saw disciples from various sects fleeing in a hurry, but she was the only one heading deeper against the flow. The young girl’s figure was slender yet determined, like a sharp sword, cutting out a path in the red mist that was entirely different from the others.

Wait, there was another female cultivator walking alongside her.

That was a girl dressed in the attire of the Wanjian Swords Sect. Her appearance was ethereal, as cold as frost. Under her icy brows and piercing eyes, her thin lips formed a straight line, revealing no emotions.

She clearly noticed Ning Ning and turned her head without expression. “Wanjian Swords Sect, Su Qinghan.”

This was their first meeting, and the introduction was somewhat abrupt, but considering Su Qinghan’s character, Ning Ning wasn’t particularly surprised.

As the daughter of an elder in the Wanjian Swords Sect, this young lady had been destined to be a standout talent since birth, and she had naturally developed an arrogant demeanor.

She was a very typical sword cultivator, a person of few words who drew her sword at the slightest provocation and loved one-on-one duels.

Her interactions with others were straightforward. She didn’t spare a second look for those she didn’t like, and if she wanted to make friends, she would approach them without hesitation.

Now, while everyone else was fleeing, only the two of them dared to go against the tide. Regardless of the opponent’s sword skills, Su Qinghan was willing to befriend anyone who could do this.

Ning Ning smiled at her and said, “Xuanxu Sword Sect, Ning Ning. Hello.”

Su Qinghan nodded and said, “It turns out to be Junior Sister Ning Ning, who is under Elder Tian Xianzi’s. I wonder why Junior Sister entered the forest this time?”

“I heard that a junior brother was trapped by the ten thousand-year Dragon Blood Tree, and I want to rescue him.”

She touched her nose somewhat awkwardly. “It’s a personal matter; there’s nothing much to say. Senior Sister Su must be here to exterminate demons, right?”

Su Qinghan shook her head. “Junior Sister Ning Ning, there’s no need to belittle yourself. To be willing to brave danger for the sake of a fellow disciple is an extraordinary act.”

This girl spoke in a refined manner, and she didn’t seem much like a sword cultivator.

“Now that the ancient forest sea has undergone a sudden change and is overflowing with demonic energy, I heard that the Dragon Blood Tree was the first to harm people, and this incident is likely related to it.”

Su Qinghan continued, “You’re here to save people, and I’m here to exterminate demons. It seems that we are heading in the same direction, both towards the Dragon Blood Tree.”

Ning Ning nodded and said, “Yes.”

As the forest grew deeper, the demonic energy grew thicker.

By the time the two of them could see the sturdy branches of the Dragon Blood Tree, the oppressive feeling brought by the demonic energy had become so dense it felt like a physical weight, as if a heavy boulder was pressing down on their chests, making it difficult to breathe.

Compared to the forest’s previous appearance, this place had turned into a hellish nightmare.

The wriggling tree branches resembled thick snakes, some stealthily lurking underground, others boldly suspended in mid-air. The blood-red mist gathered, giving Ning Ning the illusion that she was immersed in a crimson sea.

Several cultivators were entangled by the vines, completely sealed off from the outside world. Su Qinghan quietly told her that this was the method the demons used to absorb spiritual energy. Those trapped wouldn’t die but would become a continuous source of nourishment.

As for the central Dragon Blood Tree,

Ning Ning had never seen a tree this massive.

It reached for the sky, its canopy covering the heavens, and the verdant foliage seeped a strange deep red from the tips of its leaves, as though it were bleeding. The dense leaves didn’t let in any moonlight, and beneath the cracked tree trunk were the ancient and robust tree roots, like enormous claws slowly spreading out and gripping the bloody soil underneath the tree.

The intensity of the demonic energy exceeded her expectations.

Ning Ning furrowed her brow. With the tree’s cultivation, even if she and Su Qinghan joined forces, they might not necessarily be a match for it.

After all, it was over ten thousand years old and likely had quite a few tricks up its sleeve.

Holding her breath, Ning Ning was taking in the scene when she suddenly jumped with surprise. Not far from the Dragon Blood Tree, a young man dressed in black was still resisting, his entire body covered in blood as he gritted his teeth.

It was really Pei Ji.

Pei Ji’s current situation was far from good; he had been pushed to the brink. The vine tendrils kept coming at him relentlessly, like an unending wave, even though most of them were cut by his long sword. A few, however, ruthlessly cut his skin, leaving behind a series of gruesome bloodstains deep enough to see the bone.

His features were unclear in the blood mist, and Ning Ning could only see his silhouette in the inky darkness and the blood that spurted out as his body was torn open, which was even thicker than the blood-red color spreading in the forest.

Pei Ji should have been running low on physical strength, and his spiritual energy was almost depleted. Nevertheless, he continued to fight desperately, with sword light flying all around him, and his back remained straight, reminiscent of a slender yet erect pine tree.

Several serpent-like vines attacked from all directions, but Pei Ji’s remaining spiritual energy wasn’t enough to produce sword light to counter them.

His arms, legs, and neck were tightly entwined by the vines, and the thorns on the branches pierced his skin. He gritted his teeth without making a sound, still gripping the sword tightly in his hand, while blood vessels surged in his eye sockets.

He was almost completely surrounded by the vines.

“Senior Sister Su.”

Ning Ning contemplated for a moment and sent a voice transmission: “Dealing with the Dragon Blood Tree requires careful consideration. Before that, can you help me with something?”

She pondered for a moment more and added, “Senior Sister, these naturally-formed creatures with intelligence not yet awakened, are they not very smart?”

—–

The Dragon Blood Tree was leisurely dealing with its fresh catch.

The winding branches penetrated deeply into the flesh, and more vines continued to surge, like a hungry wolf that hadn’t eaten in a long time, rushing towards the prey.

The injured youth had almost turned into a bloodied mess. The long sword in his hand emitted a low hum, but he no longer had the strength to resist.

As more and more vines came at him, about to engulf Pei Ji, a flash of white sword light suddenly pierced through the blood mist, tearing it apart.

The coiling branches hesitated for a moment, then collectively turned towards it.

The Dragon Blood Tree had been alive for ten thousands of years and required an extraordinary amount of spiritual energy, which is why there weren’t many other trees growing around it, to avoid having their nutrients stolen. In a circle of pale green grass, a young girl who didn’t seem too old was standing.

Ning Ning raised her chin and smiled arrogantly. “I thought it was a remarkable monster, but it turns out to be just a tree. Will the anomaly end if I kill you?”

Impudent child!

The crawling branches and vines suddenly rose and formed an attacking stance. Ning Ning had become the target of their collective assault, but surprisingly, she showed no fear and drew her sword with a calm expression.

Most of its patience had been consumed in its struggle with Pei Ji. This time, instead of attacking one by one, the vines gathered into a massive web and rushed directly at her.

As they were about to make contact, to their surprise, Ning Ning smiled, and her clear voice resounded firmly: “Sister Su, it’s now!”

—It’s a bluff!

The vines abruptly halted their movements and, without thinking, abandoned her and quickly turned away.

Sure enough, another female sword cultivator, wielding a long sword, was swiftly heading in a certain direction. Her destination…

Was the prey it had just captured!

This trick of luring the tiger away from the mountain wouldn’t work for it!

Dozens of long vines surged out like unsheathed blades, attacking the newly arrived sword cultivator. Su Qinghan’s expression remained unchanged, and as she silently recited sword techniques, a burst of qi erupted, and her sword light split into six faint blue phantoms that surrounded her.

The cold wind emerged, and the sword light rose.

The sword qi surged like a river, and wherever the sword wind passed, it created a shimmering water-like reflection, resembling the rising of a water dragon. However, in an instant, it had cut off most of the vines.

The Dragon Blood Tree was thoroughly infuriated, and the blood-red hue on its leaves became even more pronounced.

However, just as it was about to exert all its power to teach this audacious young sword cultivator a lesson, it suddenly felt a sharp sword wound without any warning.

It came from the direction of the new prey.

The branches swiftly sliced through the air, turning to face the source of the pain and letting out a screech akin to a roar of anger.

—Ning Ning had appeared beside Pei Ji at some point, and her Xinghen sword sparkled in her hand.

The Dragon Blood Tree finally understood.

Thinking it had cracked the plan and had concentrated all its attention on the new sword cultivator who appeared later, it abandoned the bait without realizing…

The bait was the one who had directly broken through the layers of restraint on Pei Ji.

This was Ning Ning’s strategy, taking advantage of the common cognitive bias everyone had.

And the slight lack of intelligence in these natural creatures

Judging by the overwhelming demonic energy permeating the area, the Dragon Blood Tree’s power was immeasurable. These vines were probably just a simple appetizer. If there were a direct confrontation, the story would need a new title.

“Survival of the Unfittest: A Side Story in the Ancient Woodland.”

So she initially acted as the bait in the “lure the tiger out of the mountain” plan. When the time was right, she shouted loudly on purpose, diverting the Dragon Blood Tree’s attention to Su Qinghan.

The Dragon Blood Tree thought it had taken the bait, considering itself in a position of control. This way, the Dragon Blood Tree would be fully convinced of the deception.

Unfortunately, the Dragon Blood Tree had never played e-sports, so it would never know that this move was called “you guys hold them back; I’ll rob their base.”

—–

Pei Ji bit his tongue hard, and his scattered consciousness finally cleared somewhat.

The vines had already covered both his eyes, and everything within his field of vision was pitch black. In his ears, there was a long and deafening roar, and he couldn’t hear anything.

The pain from the wounds inflicted by the vines was unbearable, and every breath caused a sharp, tearing pain. The youth’s dark pupils were as deep as a black hole, showing a hint of resolute determination.

Pei Ji never showed mercy to his enemies, and he was just as ruthless with himself.

The current situation was desperate, and to break free from the restraints, he had to make a desperate attempt, concentrating all of his remaining strength to break the vines.

But his body was already overwhelmed, and if he used that method, his internal organs would inevitably suffer severe damage, and whether he lived or died would be up to fate.

The taste of rust in his mouth grew stronger, and Pei Ji gave a bitter and self-mocking smile.

He had no other choice.

With no family, friends, or secret techniques to rely on, he was used to struggling between life and death on his own, barely holding onto his tattered life.

Just like when he encountered a wolf pack in the deep mountains as a child, was locked in a dark room by his mother without food or water for three days and three nights, or encountered a demonic beast on the way to the Xuanxu Sword Sect to apprentice himself as a disciple. He had no choice but to use an iron sword to fight for his life.

In this life, even if he died, no one would care. There was no salvation or miracle in the world, and he could only rely on himself.

The blood vessels in his eyes grew thicker, like spider silk, covering his entire pupils. Pei Ji’s expression turned icy, silently reciting his incantations in his heart, feeling the spiritual energy gradually surging and passing through his broken meridians and skin.

His whole body burned with pain, and he was losing feeling.

The sea of consciousness trembled, and the cold and ruthless young man’s fingertip twitched slightly, about to activate his spiritual energy when he suddenly saw a flash of white light in front of him.

It was a majestic sword light.

—The snow-white sword light resembled the flowing silver streams of the Milky Way, and the sequenced star points shone like pearls, breaking the tight bonds of the vines that had held him captive. It also dispelled the silence and darkness that had surrounded Pei Ji.

A strong gust of wind caused the shattered vines to rise up one by one. The wind, the blood light, and the starlight harmoniously intermingled. In his blurred vision, he saw the black hair lifted by the wind on the young girl.

And her eyes are even brighter than moonlight.

Pei Ji’s silent heart, which had been calm for a long time, suddenly jumped.

“Ah, little junior brother.”

Ning Ning looked up at him, inwardly relieved but still maintaining her character setting as a wicked female lead. She raised a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, saying, “You’re not dead yet with a breath to spare, right?”

“Yes, it’s Ning Ning, wuwuwu!”

Cheng Ying, hidden in his heart, almost cried out excitedly. “She actually came to save you, Pei Ji! She, she, she actually!”

She——

Pei Ji had a splitting headache. How could she be here?

Clearly, when the anomaly occurred earlier, he didn’t see the figure of this senior sister nearby.

Before this thought had completely dissipated, the youth suddenly stared wide-eyed—

Ning Ning placed her hand on his back and pulled him into her embrace.

Although it was an entirely perfunctory and business-like action, it made Pei Ji instinctively hold his breath.

The gruesome blood stains on his wounds had completely transferred to her chest. Ning Ning, however, didn’t show any signs of disgust. Instead, she said in a straightforward manner, “Hey, I didn’t come here specifically to save you. I just happened to see a pitiful guy who looked so familiar and decided to lend a hand—got it?”

She carried a scent of osmanthus flowers that was completely out of place with the blood.

As she spoke, her clear and slightly warm breath fell on his ear like a gentle electric current, running from his earlobe all the way to his chest.

Pei Ji lowered his eyelashes and softly responded with a “Mmm.”

The Dragon Blood Tree, sensing the movements on Ning Ning’s side, realized it had been fooled and was furious.

For a moment, the wind roared in the forest, and even from the tree trunks, blood-red resin seeped out as if weeping blood, creating an eerie sight.

Hundreds of vines rose into the air, no longer targeting Su Qinghan but vowing to put an end to the sword cultivator who had toyed with them.

However, she wouldn’t just stand there and wait to be beaten.

Realizing that she had been found out after robbing the tree, the Dragon Blood Tree would definitely give up on Su Qinghan and attack her again.

Ning Ning had already thought of this, which is why she entrusted Su Qinghan with the task of leading the monsters away as far as possible when drawing their attention, buying time for her and Pei Ji to escape.

“These moves may be a bit chaotic, so be careful and hold on tight.”

Ning Ning exchanged a glance with Su Qinghan in the distance, then placed her hands on Pei Ji’s back, and her voice, cheerful and spirited, said, “Let’s go.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a burst of white light appeared under her feet.

Fortunately, the vegetation around the Dragon Blood Tree was sparse, allowing for effortless sword flight.

The sound of the wind and the girl’s voice filled his ears as Pei Ji heard her say in a matter-of-fact tone, “Don’t get sentimental and think I’m being kind to you. I save people for a fee, so consider how many spirit stones you’ll pay.”

Ning Ning was still diligently upholding her character, and another sword light quietly appeared beside her. Standing on the sword was Su Qinghan, who quickly made his escape.

The young swordsman took a quick glance at her and Pei Ji and showed a knowing look, saying, “So, this is the junior brother you’re willing to risk your life to save?”

The Xinghen Sword trembled for a moment.

However, the senior sister from the Wanjian Sword Sect, being a straightforward woman, didn’t notice that something was amiss with Ning Ning’s complexion.

She continued with a hint of envy, “I was wondering why Ning Ning, in spite of all the hardships, came all the way here to save him. Now, looking at it, it’s clear that the two of you have a great relationship. Unlike my junior brother, who is always mischievous and quite a handful.”

Then, she suddenly raised her voice in confusion and said, “Strange, why is your face so red, junior sister? Could it be you’re poisoned or something?”

Ning Ning made an effort to force out an awkward yet polite smile.

She just wanted to wave goodbye to this beautiful world.

Senior Sister Su, you know?

In fact, you, this annoying little goblin, are the most poisonous.