"Let me ask you this: you don't know why we came, you don't know our identities. So how did you decide that we were after your spiritual energy and demonic power? And how did you conclude that we would be like that cultivator, coveting your strength?"
"Use that head of yours, bigger than a millstone, and think about it. If we were like that cultivator, how could we have startled you awake? How could we not have a way to restrain you again? Do you know why you are able to move freely now? How did you not notice that your restraints had disappeared? Have you thought about any of this?"
Jiang Wen's series of questions left the Huai spirit somewhat dumbfounded. She stood blankly in front of Jiang Wen, frowning as she pondered.
But Jiang Wen didn't give her a chance to think, and continued to say to the Huai spirit, "You were able to wake up and gain freedom. You should thank me for that. Because I helped you burn those embroidered shoes that were binding you."
As Jiang Wen spoke, he took out a bottle from his robes. The bottle was pure white and flawless, extremely beautiful.
He opened the bottle, poured out a little powder, and held it out for the Huai spirit to see: "It seems this is the evidence. But the best evidence is yourself. Haven't you noticed that you've broken free from your restraints? You don't think you achieved this through your own efforts, do you? You wouldn't!"
"To think that you, a demon, claim to understand gratitude, and say that humans are all inferior beings. But now your heart is more venomous than theirs, and you don't understand how to repay kindness. I rescued you from this dark place, but you want to kill me instead. You are truly a heartless and ungrateful creature."
"Don't say any more," the Huai spirit said, somewhat ashamed and angry at Jiang Wen's words. She took the ashes from Jiang Wen's hand and discovered that they indeed had the essence of embroidered shoes.
Realizing that she had misunderstood her benefactor, the Huai spirit didn't know what to do for a moment.
"Fortunately, you still have some good qualities and didn't strike a fatal blow. Seeing that you still have a kind heart, I'll let you off this time, considering that you've been hurt before. As long as you release us from this prison and answer a few of our questions, this matter will be settled," Jiang Wen said, coaxing her. Seeing that the Huai spirit's expression had softened, he thought to himself that he had a chance.
"You bald donkey, this Daoist will show you sooner or later!" Jiang Wen cursed loudly. It was the first time he had lost his composure like this.
"What you say… is also true. It seems that my escape from these restraints is also related to you…" the Huai spirit said gently, and unlocked the cage that confined them.
The vines showed no sign of receding, but instead poured down like a waterfall. Each vine was harder than metal and stone, and even Jiang Wen's Flying Frost found it extremely difficult to cut through them.
However, beneath the rubble, the Four象 Formation still steadily protected Jiang Wen, preventing him from being harmed.
The two great demons were locked in a fierce battle, their power even more intense than before. Even the entire underground world seemed to be on the verge of collapse.
Jiang Wen stroked his chest with lingering fear, his brow furrowed as he pondered a way to break the situation.
The other two were also affected, but not as dangerously as he was. Especially the backlash from his earlier verbal attack, the Huai spirit was chasing after him to beat him up. Ignoring even the monk, she only had eyes for him.
"So, you had such intentions? You humans always have such malicious hearts."
Before the monk could reply, a hand struck like lightning, landing squarely on the Four象 Formation, sending Jiang Wen flying out for several miles like a fly.
Jiang Wen crashed heavily into the mountain, shattering half of the peak. The hundreds of meters high mountain collapsed with a roar, falling like dominoes. Even with the protection of the sturdy Four象 Formation, he was still inevitably buried under the rocks.
Jiang Wen had a thick face and didn't feel ashamed of his behavior at all. After all, he was taking what he deserved based on his own abilities, so how could he not want it?
The mountain collapsed and the rocks shook, and countless vines attacked Jiang Wen. Stepping on his flying sword, he took out the talismans from his storage bag and threw them out frantically.
Instantly, thunder and fire followed one after another, creating a violent roar.
Although the Huai tree had cultivated for five thousand eight hundred years, it had only lived for a few decades in the human world. Usually, it was taken care of by meticulous people, so its temperament could be considered pure. Unknowingly, it was persuaded by Jiang Wen, and a few traces of regret flashed in its eyes.
Afterward, she looked at Jiang Wen and said softly, "I also need to thank you for saving me."
Immediately, he intensified his efforts, using various words to praise the Huai tree's previous behavior. Then, he compared its previous behavior with its current behavior, highlighting a process of PUA.
Having said that, he opened his sleeves and flung out a golden figure.
The wooden spears riddled the mountain peak, and even the hard rocks turned into powder.
"Die!" the Huai spirit said coldly, looking at the tiger spirit's clone and attacking without another word.
Suddenly, he seemed to think of something and shouted loudly at the Huai spirit, "Brother Tiger, save me!"
But before the figure could finish calling out, countless vines surged towards it. Immediately, there was a thick and angry roar from the figure: "Who dares to sneak attack your Tiger Lord! Where is that treacherous brat!"
"What other means can I use?" Jiang Wen felt that this matter was a bit tricky after throwing out all the talismans in his storage bag.
"As the saying goes, the kindness of saving a life should be repaid with one's own body. Although I don't need you to go that far, I will have some needs. Why don't you see if you have anything valuable to give me?"
"…I @#￥%%, you dead bald donkey!" Jiang Wen's whole body stiffened when he heard this. Then, he glared angrily at the monk, feeling indignant at his act of stabbing his teammate in the back. What is this? Is this me saving your life, but you stabbing me in the back instead?
Just as Jiang Wen's anger rose, the Huai spirit's cold voice came from beside him.
At this time, the other two were also released from their restraints. Hong Luan looked at Jiang Wen with displeasure, while the monk had a smile on his face.
"You are really a kind person, thank you. Please forgive me if I was rude just now," the Huai spirit's expression became more and more sincere, and she even extended a branch to welcome Jiang Wen to approach. "How should I repay you, benefactor?"
"It's still Benefactor Jiang who is powerful," the monk sighed, and then said loudly with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, what are you waiting for? Didn't you see that this Huai spirit is defenseless? Quickly capture this Huai spirit, and we'll split the demon power equally after it's done."
Although the Huai spirit wasn't a demon skilled in fighting, it was still a great demon who had cultivated for five thousand years. This tiger spirit was just a clone, and it slowly fell into a disadvantage, and it looked like it wouldn't be long before it was beaten to death.
Seeing this, Jiang Wen quickly fled, taking advantage of the Huai spirit and the tiger fighting each other, he had to escape from here quickly.
But when he passed by the giant tree, he found the monk swinging an axe to chop the tree.
