The forest was lush and green. Jiang Wen took a deep breath, and a sweet fragrance filled the air. This was the natural scent of the forest, and a symbol of the vibrant vitality of this sacred tree forest.
"So comfortable!" The ginseng sprite sat on his shoulder, feeling refreshed all over. This place was even more suitable for mountain spirits like it to live than the outside world. If it could survive here for a thousand years, perhaps the ginseng sprite would have a chance to become a great immortal.
"Changyin said that killing is forbidden here, and she calls this place an illusion. So, where is the illusion?" Jiang Wen was somewhat puzzled, as he had experienced quite a few illusions. For example, the illusionary formation in the Feather Cloud Clan's temple. If he hadn't been alert, he wouldn't have been able to wake up from it.
But such a bland illusion as this was rare, just an endless forest.
"'Do not harbor malice,' what does that mean?" Jiang Wen was puzzled and could only continue forward with the ginseng sprite.
Bypassing the bushes, rare and exotic treasures appeared one after another. Because it was more suitable for the growth of spiritual objects than outside the cave dwelling, there were more heavenly materials and earthly treasures here.
Jiang Wen was dazzled, unsure whether he should harvest them all. If he were to take all the heavenly materials and earthly treasures here, wouldn't the Hundred Herb Garden of the Quiet Void Temple become rich instantly? At that time, even if they recruited disciples widely, they wouldn't have to worry about lacking resources.
"'Do not harbor malice,' could this malice be related to greed? If picking heavenly materials and earthly treasures is considered taking the lives of these spiritual objects, wouldn't that be considered murderous intent?" Jiang Wen pondered the meaning of Changyin's words. Although she didn't specify the exact meaning of "malice," being comparable to the Eight Dragons Heavenly Fire Grand Formation of the Heavenly Fire Palace, this sacred tree forest must be extraordinary.
"Do not act rashly or be greedy, let's observe further." Jiang Wen put away his thoughts and continued to walk deeper into the forest. On the way, Changyin had told him that the Sacred Tree Palace was more mysterious than the Heavenly Fire Palace, and its grand formation was elusive and ethereal, requiring a stroke of luck to break. As for how to break the formation specifically, she only said that each person had their own opportunity.
"What a riddler, is this formation broken through willpower?" Jiang Wen wondered, crossing the stream in the forest.
Pushing aside the dense jungle in front of him, he saw a small hut in the forest.
This small hut in the forest was exquisitely built, with a courtyard covered in bamboo. Wind chimes hung on the bamboo building, tinkling in the breeze.
There was actually a hut in the forest, which was truly surprising.
Walking to the front of the small courtyard, he knocked on the door, holding the wooden whip in his hand. No matter how tranquil this forest was, he couldn't let down his guard.
"Are there any big guys here? Yin Yin wants to ask," the ginseng sprite called out.
But the next moment, his mind cleared, and he recalled Changyin's words. He restrained the desires in his heart, suppressing his masculine nature.
"'Do not harbor malice'... greed is also considered malice." Jiang Wen thought to himself, and respectfully saluted the girl.
"This poor Daoist is Jiang Wen, the master of the Quiet Void Temple, greetings to the female layperson."
"Oh, an outsider?" The girl blinked her pure eyes, sizing up Jiang Wen, a hint of novelty appearing on her lips.
"I accidentally entered the forest and came to the female layperson's place," Jiang Wen said.
"A guest is a guest, please come in." The girl opened the courtyard gate, letting Jiang Wen in. Leaving her slender back to him, she talked about herself as she entered the house.
"I live here alone, and it's been too long since I've seen anyone."
"Layperson lives alone? Has no one ever come here?" Jiang Wen asked.
"Never." The girl shook her head, leading Jiang Wen into the house.
The decoration inside the bamboo building was simple, with only a few chairs and a table besides a bed.
There were fruits on the table, and the bed was also made of bamboo. It looked quite uncomfortable, and it certainly wouldn't be comfortable to sleep on.
The girl asked Jiang Wen to sit down and turned to get him some fruit.
This kind of unguarded appearance would be unbearable for any man to see. After all, they were alone in the mountains, and the girl was as beautiful as a celestial being, like a forest sprite. In this kind of situation, how many people could stand firm?
But Jiang Wen kept Changyin's words in mind and treated the girl with courtesy. He even gave her clothes and jewelry as a thank you for her care.
Looking at the colorful, crystal-clear fruits that the girl brought, even the ginseng sprite couldn't resist, jumping down from Jiang Wen's shoulder, hugging a fruit, and sucking it into its mouth.
Although this little guy didn't seem to have a mouth, it didn't hold back when eating. In just a whoosh, only a thin skin of the crystal fruit remained.
Jiang Wen also picked up a fruit, wiped it, and ate it. He felt dizzy, and the bamboo building in front of him disappeared.
He looked at the girl again and saw a four-legged auspicious beast with silver scales standing in the forest, watching him.
The auspicious beast resembled a lion, with deer antlers. It had feathered wings on its back and hooves like a horse. Its body shimmered with silver light, gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It spoke to Jiang Wen, its voice like the sound of the Dao.
"I am the ancient auspicious beast Qilin. The fact that you can see me today is fate. Just now, I tested you and know that you are a virtuous gentleman, so I grant you one wish, which I can fulfill." The auspicious beast spoke, its voice resounding.
Jiang Wen stared at the Qilin, not taking his eyes off it.
What was a Qilin? He naturally knew. He never thought that there would actually be such an auspicious divine beast as a Qilin in this world.
It also said that it could fulfill one of his wishes because he had just passed its test.
Jiang Wen was naturally delighted at this good thing. He had heard rumors of the Qilin since he was a child. He knew of the Qilin's great power and thought that perhaps it could really fulfill his wish. After all, he had indeed passed the test just now.
Just as he was about to say his wish, the wooden whip in Jiang Wen's hand vibrated.
His whole person suddenly woke up, and he looked at the Qilin with a vigilant expression.
"I have no wish," Jiang Wen shook his head and said.
"Really?" The Qilin asked again.
"Naturally." Jiang Wen nodded, and the Qilin stared at him. Then, a burst of light shone behind it, and the surrounding environment changed again.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Wen saw that he was in a tree. Countless vines tightly bound him, slowly pulling him into the tree.
And where was the immortal, pleasant scenery, or the small hut in the forest? Everywhere was covered with thorns and vegetation, and the sharp wooden thorns were enough to pierce anyone.
"Humph." Jiang Wen snorted lightly, and his body trembled.
He broke the thorns binding his body and looked into the terrifying, twisted jungle.
Not far away, Changyin and the tiger were bound in mid-air by thorns. When the two saw Jiang Wen coming, joy appeared on their faces.
"Brother Jiang!"
"Daoist friend!"
"Come and save us!" Changyin and the tiger shouted loudly.
Jiang Wen frowned and sized up the two, then asked, "How did you get bound here?"
"It's all that demon tree, it bound us. As long as you kill it, we can get away," Changyin quickly explained, struggling to point to an old tree with a huge human face growing on the side.
After hearing this, Jiang Wen stared at the giant tree. He summoned the wooden whip in his hand and leaped towards the old tree.
