Vine Demon

Three days later, it was the fifteenth. A full moon hung high in the sky, spilling down a wash of cold, clear moonlight. Beneath it, the Spirit-Devouring Forest appeared all the more gloomy and terrifying.

Two li outside the Spirit-Devouring Forest, Yan Chihuo took out the stub of incense and lit it. After several days of consideration, he had ultimately decided to make contact with the Vine Demon Clan. Even if there was danger, with his Undying Body and the Earth-Traversing Golden Light Technique, escaping with his life should not be a problem.

A wisp of smoke rose from the incense stub, yet drifted toward the Spirit-Devouring Forest. Though fierce winds howled, the wisp did not disperse in the slightest. Instead, it grew several degrees more solid.

Yan Chihuo spread his mana across his entire body and stared intently toward the Spirit-Devouring Forest. About an hour after the smoke drifted into the forest, the incense burned out. Yet Yan Chihuo still saw no change in the Spirit-Devouring Forest, and could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. But just then, he heard a faint rustling from the ground, and his vigilance immediately surged.

The rustling was extraordinarily faint. If not for his Spiritual Ear, he would never have heard it. In an instant, several muffled bursts rang out as countless vines drilled from the ground and lashed toward him.

Yan Chihuo shot into the air. The Giant Spirit Divine Sword unfolded, and a Sword Fiend containing Sword Intent of earth, wind, and fire guarded his entire body. Amid a string of crackling impacts, countless vines shattered and flew apart.

Yan Chihuo heard a surprised "Eh?" As the vines writhed through the air, they formed a human face, then transformed into a humanoid figure. Its entire body was emerald green, with no feet