Chapter 129

At the edge of the White Forest, near Luoxian Sect—

“Break the formation!” someone shouted.

Even though the Luoxian Sect had turned the tide by crippling Chang Lin, it was far from over. Like cutting off the head of one hyena, another soon takes its place—more savage, more ruthless.

The Changshou Sect had brought their formation-breaking specialists, and despite the Luoxian disciples’ efforts to resist, the outermost defensive formation was beginning to falter. The opposing formation masters were clearly exceptional in skill.

“Abandon the first layer—retreat!” Wang Huan commanded without hesitation.

Moments after their withdrawal, the first forest barrier shattered. The Changshou Sect disciples poured in like bandits, ruthlessly chopping down the white trees, while the enemy formation masters immediately began dismantling the second layer of defenses.

“Damn it!” Li Long clenched his fists, growling under his breath. Watching their spiritual trees being seized filled him with rage, yet he was helpless—too weak to fight back.

He wasn't alone. The disciples stationed to defend the forest were all furious and unwilling to accept defeat. But strength spoke louder than feelings, and they could only stew in frustration.

Wang Huan quickly rallied them. “Don’t panic! Senior brother Xiao Long just messaged me—he has a plan. We’re to wait for his signal.”

“Really?”

Hope returned to the disciples’ eyes at once.

Elsewhere, near another woodland under Luoxian’s domain, Xiao Long addressed a group of disciples with a confident smile. “Everyone, don’t worry. Wang Huan’s side is holding the line. We’ll soon drive the Changshou Sect out for good.”

His words reignited morale. Despair gave way to determination.

Meanwhile, in the Changshou Sect camp, Chang Qing lounged on a vine chair, sipping tea and watching the joyful Luoxian Sect disciples within the formation. His eyes were full of disdain.

Still smiling at a time like this?

So what if some prodigy had emerged? In the end, they were still dancing to the Changshou Sect’s tune.

“How are the other forests doing?” he asked casually, taking another sip.

“Senior brother,” a subordinate replied, “all forest fronts are under assault. It won’t be long before we seize all of Luoxian Sect’s spiritual wood.”

“Excellent.” Chang Qing nodded. “Without resources, how will their disciples cultivate? Who would even want to join them anymore?”

The Changshou Sect controlled four forest zones—one superior-grade, two medium-grade, and one inferior-grade.

Han Luo had secretly deployed four of his puppets, each embedded in one of the four zones.

Importantly, he wasn’t directly controlling any of them. He simply monitored all twelve of his puppets, allowing them autonomy. To become truly reliable allies, they needed to learn independent judgment and execution. He would observe and advise when needed—but never interfere directly.

At this moment, near the superior-grade forest of the Changshou Sect, deep in the trees—

A handsome man cornered a young woman against a tree, gazing into her eyes with romantic intensity.

“Junior sister, I know this might be sudden, but I’ve liked you for a long time. I want us to become Dao companions, cultivating and exploring the Dao together.”

The woman, visibly flustered, hesitated. “Senior brother... this isn’t right, is it?”

Her body told her to flee, but the thrill of the moment rooted her in place.

“What’s wrong with it?” the man pressed. “You’re single. I’m single. If we’re together, we won’t be single anymore.”

His words were bold and direct, making her blush furiously and tremble.

“I... I already like someone else.”

“Is it the senior brother?” he asked.

She said nothing, lowering her gaze.

“Sigh... never mind then,” the man said, suddenly deflated. “But since I truly liked you, could I at least have a hug?”

She hesitated again, but seeing his sincerity, she nodded slightly.

As he embraced her, a glint of malice flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth, revealing two sharp fangs, and bit into her neck.

She didn't resist—the venom rendered her unconscious instantly.

“Go meet your beloved in your dreams,” hissed Si She.

With a blank expression, he performed a soul-searching technique and morphed into the woman’s appearance. Then he stood up and walked toward the Changshou Sect’s superior-grade forest.

Han Luo watched from the shadows, impressed by Si She’s execution.

The way he baited his target by confessing love, maintained composure after being rejected, then turned the situation in his favor—it was textbook manipulation.

Old-fashioned? Maybe. But it worked far better than the overly cautious strategies of the other puppets.

“Ah, Sister Qiao’er! What brings you here?” The guards at the forest gate beamed as they welcomed the disguised Si She.

Qiao’er was a renowned formation master in the Changshou Sect—the very one who had laid out the defenses around all the forests. Naturally, Han Luo had fed Si She this identity to assume.

“I heard the Luoxian Sect is giving us trouble. I came to inspect the formations,” said Si She, mimicking Qiao’er’s usual calm.

It wasn’t even a lie—this was Qiao’er’s regular responsibility.

“Always so careful, Sister Qiao’er,” one guard said, grinning as he laid on the flattery.

“Alright, alright, less sweet talk.” She smiled faintly. “Keep watch. If anything happens, I’ll hold you accountable.”

She joked casually, her demeanor matching Qiao’er’s perfectly.

“Don’t worry, Sister Qiao’er. With us on guard, not even a fly will get through!”

They laughed, unaware that their beloved Qiao’er was already lying unconscious somewhere.

Touching the jade pendant at her waist, Si She activated the access token. A green glow enveloped her, allowing her to pass through the formation unhindered.

Inside lay the famed Netherwood Forest, known for its superior-grade spiritual trees of the yin attribute.

Like the White Forest of Luoxian Sect, this forest was also divided into three layers—the deeper you went, the higher the quality of the trees.

Using Qiao’er’s identity, Si She easily passed through two more guards and entered the heart of the forest.

Before him stood a colossal Nether Tree—so dark it shimmered with a purplish hue, its branches blocking out the sky. This thousand-year-old tree was one of the Changshou Sect’s core spiritual assets.

Hundreds more top-tier Nether Trees surrounded it, each at least four to five hundred years old, thriving in eerie silence.

“All of this... such incredible treasure,” Si She muttered, but he didn’t act hastily.

Following his master’s intelligence, he bypassed the outer trees and approached the massive Nether Tree at the center.

Gazing up at it, he called out loudly, “You! The coal miner! Come out—I have business with you!”

There was no response.

“If you don’t come out,” he threatened, turning to leave, “I’ll call that old ghost of Changshou Sect. I’m sure he has plenty to say to you.”

Suddenly, the giant tree trembled.

Then—thud!

A pitch-black rooster, so dark it was almost otherworldly, flapped its sparse wings and crash-landed at Si She’s feet with a loud slap.