The four followed the trail of aura to Tree Demon Forest. When the Tree Demons guarding the ruins sensed their arrival, they immediately revealed their true forms.
Seeing this, Cang Xiao swung the Secret-Metal Club in his hand and smashed it toward the awakened Tree Demons.
With a thunderous boom, the scene of Tree Demons shattering beneath a single blow never appeared. Cang Xiao's club was caught directly by one of the Tree Demons.
The next moment, several Tree Demon vines shot in from both sides of Cang Xiao, determined to pierce him through.
Cang Xiao moved with agility, dodging the vines' thrusts. He then withdrew the Secret-Metal Club in his hand, intending to retreat first.
Yet how could the Tree Demons let him leave now?
Before he could back away, the Tree Demons behind him had already woven their vines into a massive net, intending to trap him completely.
"Damn it."
Cang Xiao was somewhat enraged. His ferocious visage emerged as he prepared to unleash his Divine Demon True Form and uproot these Tree Demons entirely.
Seeing that the situation had gone far enough, Smog first spoke up to stop Cang Xiao. Then he took a token from his robes and placed it before the Tree Demons.
Upon seeing the token, the great net woven by the Tree Demons instantly unraveled, and they all returned to their original positions.
"Identity verification. Identity verified successfully. Welcome home."
As the Tree Demons spoke, their vines wove themselves into a wooden bridge spanning the ravine, just as before.
"Cross the bridge obediently. Do not step beyond its boundaries. If the gale winds in this canyon blow over, even I won't be able to save you."
Hearing Smog's warning, the others became even more vigilant and followed him across the bridge.
After crossing,