Mu Siyue explained why she had come.

It was just as the divination had foretold.

Many years ago, her parents had been exploring a Secret Realm when they met with disaster. Pursued by a Demon Beast, they had no choice but to flee into the Ghost Vine Forest to save their lives, using its Ghost Vines to fend off their pursuer.

While the Demon Beast was successfully held back, her parents both perished within the Ghost Vine Forest.

Because the forest was so terrifying, she had yet to retrieve her parents’ belongings.

"Daoist Li, I heard you are skilled at self-preservation. Is this true?"

"Indeed."

Li Chang’an nodded slightly, not denying it.

His nickname, "Turtle," had already spread far and wide. Many knew how much he prioritized his own safety.

"Daoist Li, I have three drops of Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid. If you’re willing to enter the Ghost Vine Forest and retrieve my parents’ belongings, I’ll give all three drops of the Spirit Liquid to you. What do you say?"

"Done!"

Li Chang’an agreed immediately, without hesitation.

Not long after, the three of them left Changqing Mountain together and headed for the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

Along the way, Mu Caiwei secretly sent a Sound Transmission to Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, my cousin Siyue didn’t actually plan to invite you. She had already invited several others, but I heard she planned to use Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid as the reward, so I had her invite you as well."

"I see. Thank you, Daoist Mu!"

Li Chang’an immediately thanked her.

Mu Caiwei had secured this opportunity for him.

If not for her, he would have not only missed out on the three drops of Spirit Liquid, but also the Enlightenment Treasure.

He decided on the spot.

After this trip was over, he would give Mu Caiwei some extra cultivation resources as a reward.

...

「Several hours later.」

The three arrived at the entrance to the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

Three other people had already been waiting there for a long time.

Mu Siyue introduced them to Li Chang’an one by one.

"Daoist Li, this is Daoist Zhang Qingfeng from the Talisman Zhang Family. Although he is from the Zhang Family, he does not participate in the conflict between the Zhang Family and the Mo Family."

Mu Siyue knew Li Chang’an had a good relationship with the Mo Family, so she was reassuring him.

Li Chang’an looked at the tall, thin man before him, cupped his hands, and said, "Daoist Zhang."

"I’ve long heard of the great Daoist Li!"

Zhang Qingfeng smiled and cupped his hands in response.

He had been invited because his Spirit Root Attribute was Wind, which was outside the Five Elements, and he was skilled in the Wind Escape Technique.

This type of Escape Technique would allow him to last longer in the Ghost Vine Forest than an ordinary Cultivator.

Mu Siyue then introduced the second person to Li Chang’an.

This man’s name was Shi Lei, a Loose Cultivator.

He was also skilled in Escape Techniques, with his Earth Escape Technique being particularly astonishing.

"Daoist Li, I plan to use my Earth Escape Technique to go underneath the Ghost Vine Forest and avoid those dense Ghost Vines. What do you think?"

"Daoist Shi, I’ve heard that the Ghost Vines’ root systems are also difficult to deal with. You must be careful."

"Haha, don’t worry, Daoist Li. I’m confident!"

Shi Lei was all smiles, looking completely self-assured.

Next, Mu Siyue introduced the final person to Li Chang’an.

Her name was Mu Xiaoxiao. She was a Mu Clan Member, petite in stature, and looked very inconspicuous.

But her strength and talent were the greatest among the three.

"Xiaoxiao’s Spiritual Root is not outstanding, just an Inferior Spirit Root. At first, she was judged to have no talent for cultivation, but her cultivation speed far surpasses that of many geniuses in the clan."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an’s heart stirred, and he carefully sized up the young woman before him.

’An Inferior Spirit Root with a cultivation speed that surpasses so many geniuses... Could she be another Mo Qingkuang?’

Mu Xiaoxiao was also sizing him up.

After a while, she took the initiative to speak. "Daoist Li, the reason my cultivation speed far surpasses the rest of my clan is that I have awakened the Cyan Wood Spirit Body."

"I see."

Li Chang’an understood.

There were various special physiques in the Cultivation Immortality Realm, and the Cyan Wood Spirit Body was one of them.

A Cultivator with this Spirit Body, even with just an Inferior Spirit Root, could have a cultivation speed exceeding that of many geniuses with Top Grade Spirit Roots. They were also born with a natural affinity for all kinds of Spirit Plants.

’These three each have their own unique skills. No wonder they were invited.’

Compared to these three, Li Chang’an seemed somewhat mediocre.

Rumor had it that he was a "Turtle," skilled at self-preservation.

But...

At the Foundation Establishment level, basically everyone had life-saving measures.

These three, as well as Mu Siyue, all doubted whether his so-called life-saving measures would be effective against the dense Ghost Vines in the Ghost Vine Forest.

Not long after, the group of six entered the Ancient Wood Secret Realm together.

After avoiding a few dangerous spots, they successfully arrived outside the Ghost Vine Forest.

As far as the eye could see, the entire forest was a dense mass of countless Ghost Vines, stretching all the way to the horizon.

The difficulty lay in the fact that none of them knew where in the Ghost Vine Forest Mu Siyue’s parents had died. They could only search slowly.

"Fellow Daoists, let me go first."

Shi Lei was the first to act.

He used his Earth Escape Technique, burrowed into the ground, and entered the Ghost Vine Forest.

His aura flickered in and out of existence; he was clearly surfacing from underground from time to time to check if Mu Siyue’s parents’ belongings were in the area.

"Daoist Shi’s Earth Escape Technique is incredibly potent. He might actually succeed."

Mu Siyue grew hopeful, her eyes fixed on the vast Ghost Vine Forest.

However, not long after, Shi Lei emerged from the Ghost Vine Forest, appearing before everyone covered in wounds.

His face was bitter. He swallowed a few Elixir Pills and shook his head. "Daoist Li was right. The roots of those Ghost Vines are even more poisonous than the vines themselves!"

With that, he slumped to the side and circulated his power to purge the Ghost Vine poison from his body.

Seeing him in this state, the others exchanged grim glances.

Mu Siyue sighed to herself, her hopes now resting on the other three. Her gaze lingered on Mu Xiaoxiao in particular.

’The one with the Cyan Wood Spirit Body is probably our best hope.’

"Let me give it a try."

Zhang Qingfeng transformed into a wisp of wind and entered the Ghost Vine Forest.

He searched for a longer time within the Ghost Vine Forest but ultimately had to retreat. The Wind Escape Technique consumed too much Magical Power, and he had to return before it was half-depleted.

Otherwise, he might be trapped inside forever.

"Sigh, Daoist Mu, I am also powerless in this matter."

Zhang Qingfeng sighed.

With his Magical Power, he could only search the outermost perimeter; he didn’t dare to go any deeper.

Li Chang’an asked, "Daoist Zhang, you are a Talisman Master. Do you know of the Hundred Withering Talisman?"

"Of course I do."

At the mention of Talismans, Zhang Qingfeng immediately perked up.

He and Li Chang’an were both Talisman Masters and had a lot to talk about.

"Daoist Li, the Hundred Withering Talisman can indeed deal with Ghost Vines. But if we want to completely clear out this Ghost Vine Forest, I’m afraid we would need thousands upon thousands of Hundred Withering Talismans. With our financial resources, we simply can’t afford it."

"That’s true."

Li Chang’an looked at the dense Ghost Vines before him and secretly did the math.

’Actually, I can afford it.’

’But there’s no need.’

Next, Mu Xiaoxiao’s expression was calm as she walked toward the Ghost Vine Forest.

She didn’t use any Escape Techniques or cast any other Magic. She simply activated her Cyan Wood Spirit Body to its fullest extent.

Everyone noticed that the Ghost Vines in the forest seemed to hesitate, making no move to attack her.

Those poisonous vines, like countless turquoise vipers, coiled and slithered around her but never touched her.

After another moment, the many Ghost Vines actually parted in unison, opening a path for Mu Xiaoxiao deep into the forest.

"It worked!"

Seeing this scene, Mu Siyue’s heart thumped with excitement and joy.

The others were also surprised.

"As expected of the Cyan Wood Spirit Body. It’s even effective against a demonic Spirit Plant like the Ghost Vine."

Zhang Qingfeng couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Li Chang’an, however, was doubtful. ’Can Mu Xiaoxiao really succeed?’

’But if that’s the case, it doesn’t align with what the divination foretold.’

His gaze was grave as he watched the parting Ghost Vines. Perhaps due to the unique nature of his Ancient Wood Evergreen Technique, he faintly sensed a trace of malice, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

"Daoist Mu, be careful! I suspect these Ghost Vines are parting intentionally to lure you deep into the forest."

Li Chang’an spoke a solemn warning.

Mu Xiaoxiao let out a light laugh.

"Don’t worry, Daoist Li. The Ghost Vines’ reaction is all within my expectations."

With that, she walked into the Ghost Vine Forest without a backward glance.

The Ghost Vines along the path retreated before her.

She walked further and further away, disappearing from everyone’s sight.