A forest had grown from the barren Gobi wasteland, its trees swaying ostentatiously beneath the night sky.
No matter how one looked at it, the sight carried an indescribable air of eeriness.
"Pick a few Human Lightnings and have them take a look."
To guard against an ambush or traps, the Eastern Wilderness cultivators accompanying the army gave the order, sending three Human Lightning death warriors inside.
The three cautiously approached and roughly made out the situation within.
Though the woodland was not deep, spanning only several dozen zhang, its roots and vines intertwined in a tangled mess, while thorns and barbs carpeted the ground, making passage exceedingly difficult.
They tried to hack a path open with the weapons in their hands, but the plants within this forest were as hard as iron and stone.
Their blades left only shallow marks. With any more force, sparks flew everywhere. After only a few strikes, the shock had left their arms aching.
"These trees are no ordinary things. They must be the handiwork of an Immortal Master."
"Indeed. With our strength, I fear we cannot break through them."
After failing to clear a path, the three put away their weapons.
But just as they were preparing to return and report, several trees closest to them suddenly seemed to come alive. Their branches twisted and bent down, wrapping the three men in their embrace.
The Eastern Wilderness soldiers and cultivators in the distance were startled by the sight. Then they witnessed something that made their scalps go numb.
The flesh and bones of the three Human Lightning death warriors began to be absorbed and fused into the trees!
"Waaahhh!!!"
Their miserable screams tore through the night sky, sending a chill through everyone who heard them.
Living flesh and bone being fused away—merely imagining