Seeing their Saintess captured, Clone and the others panicked, rallying their clanspeople to rush forward together.
Slung over Chen Hao's shoulder, Xiang Wencun beat at him and shouted, "Let me go, Chen Hao! What are you trying to do? If you don't put me down, don't blame me for getting rough!"
"Getting rough with me? Go on, try it!" Chen Hao teased.
Xiang Wencun's beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed. With a gentle wave of both hands, a surge of spiritual energy spread across the ground.
The fallen leaves carpeting the road flew into the air and swept toward Chen Hao.
Watching the dense mass of leaves swarm around him like bees, Chen Hao frowned. He gathered his spiritual power and punched the ground beneath his feet with all his strength.
Spiritual energy burst outward like a gushing spring, scattering the entire cloud of leaves.
Xiang Wencun seized the opportunity to wrench herself free of Chen Hao's hold, executing a perfect backflip in midair as she tried to escape.
But Chen Hao reacted just as quickly, catching her by the ankle.
"Chen Hao, if you keep fooling around, I really will fight you!" Xiang Wencun snapped, her face flushed with anger.
"Come out of the mountains with me, and I'll stop!" Chen Hao insisted.
"Then don't blame me for being merciless!" As Xiang Wencun spoke, she raised both hands. Countless vines shot out of the surrounding woods toward Chen Hao like an octopus's tentacles.
Chen Hao spun on the spot, the Golden Cudgel already in his hands. One sweeping strike knocked aside the entire first wave of vines.
The second wave followed immediately, binding his arms, legs, and body all at once.
Chen Hao activated the Giant Spirit Art. His body swelled, snapping the vines one after another.
Seeing the two suddenly