Seeing his teammate about to be dragged away, Cao Chenfeng immediately swung his sword to slash at the verdant branches. Wei Zhengrong tossed out a handful of talismans, while Jin Liuli flung out a black rope that wrapped around Zhang Xuefeng's waist and forcefully pulled him back.
Once the verdant branches wrapped around Zhang Xuefeng's limbs were severed by sword light and talismans, Jin Liuli quickly yanked him out. Even though the vines were cut, they still writhed like living creatures.
Jian Dan summoned Verdant Flame without hesitation. In an instant, the verdant branches crumbled into yellow powder that scattered into the air. She then used her round fan to sweep the powder toward the edge of the valley.
At that moment, all the verdant branches ceased attacking, although they continued to slither cautiously toward the center of the valley where the Yan Fruit trees were located.
It was already the second day. If they remained trapped any longer, they risked failing to complete the task within the allotted time. Without delay, Jian Dan summoned Verdant Flame once more. The fire transformed into a blazing whip that she lashed at the nearest Yan Fruit tree. Within seconds, the tree turned to ash.
She did not stop. With another sweep of her hand, a second strike of the flame whip incinerated the entire outer row of Yan Fruit trees. The verdant branches, like snakes that had their tails stepped on, began thrashing violently. Yet they retracted their exploratory limbs.
Cao Chenfeng and Jin Liuli, seeing Jian Dan destroy the Yan Fruit trees, quickly pulled the other two into the safety zone within the grove. Although relatively secure, they kept a wary eye on the ground and remained alert, occasionally glancing at Shan Zhēnrén's movements.
Jin Liuli stuck out her tongue and whispered, "My goodness, Shan Zhēnrén is really ruthless. If the alchemists of Dan Zong saw this, they'd go mad."
"So what? Your life or the herbs? If it were me, I'd blow the whole place up," Wei Zhengrong replied.
"Do not corner a dog in a blind alley," said Cao Chenfeng.
"Hmm?" The two looked at him in confusion.
"Ahem, Uncle-Master Cao means we shouldn't push them too far. It might backfire," Jin Liuli clarified.
While they spoke, Jian Dan destroyed two more rows of Yan Fruit trees. Then, with a final empty strike of her flame whip, she withdrew her spell.
"Will you let us leave now? If not, I don't mind burning this place to the ground." The flame whip in her hand rested on the ground as she waited for the verdant branches' response.
The verdant branches seemed to understand. After a moment of agitation, they opened a path leading out of the valley.
Before Jian Dan even looked back, the four others had already gathered behind her. Each had affixed a defensive talisman to their body. Zhang Xuefeng reluctantly pulled out one from his storage pouch, stuck it to himself, and nodded along with the others, signaling their readiness.
Seeing the verdant branches still shifting restlessly, Jian Dan gave a cold snort. She pinched a hand seal, and four rings of fire appeared above the group, descending to envelop them entirely.
Cao Chenfeng, reassured by this added protection, took the lead and sprinted out of the valley.
Once they had left, Jian Dan conjured two long flame whips in both hands and struck the ground hard. The verdant branches retreated even more, widening the path. Jian Dan spun and exited the valley.
Outside, she saw her teammates being surrounded by an eight-person squad. Leading them was a female cultivator at mid-stage Golden Core, who was standing by and hadn't acted yet. However, the moment she spotted Jian Dan, her eyes lit up and she lunged forward.
Jian Dan was not surprised to encounter another team. After all, being trapped for half a day would have drawn attention. But charging in so aggressively was quite bold.
The attacking cultivator was Qi Hua Zhēnrén, an inner disciple of Tian Du Peak. Her name was beautiful, and she had delicate, picturesque features, but she was undeniably violent. Her mastery of staff techniques, enhanced by her wind spiritual energy, allowed her to dominate the space around her.
The past few teams they encountered failed to pique her interest. She hadn't even bothered to fight. But now, seeing another Golden Core Zhēnrén, she was thrilled. Wielding her Ruyi Staff, she leaped into the air and brought it crashing down on Jian Dan.
Jian Dan didn't retract her fire whips. She merged the two into one and held each end in her hands, raising them above her head to block the blow. The strike, bolstered by fierce wind energy, forced her back a full pace, leaving a deep gouge in the earth.
Seeing the two Zhēnrén engage, both teams sprang into action. Two cultivators ganged up on each of her teammates, leaving only one to deal with the weakest, Zhang Xuefeng. In an instant, the small area rang with the clash of sword qi.
Jian Dan and Qi Hua Zhēnrén exchanged fierce blows. One wielded fire whips with graceful precision, the other a brutal staff with sharp wind currents.
Qi Hua had infused sword techniques into her staff forms. Combined with her unique wind spiritual power, she was a whirlwind of relentless strikes.
Jian Dan, sensing her opponent's direct, aggressive approach, responded with flexible counters. Her fire whip danced like a serpent, snapping, circling, deflecting, and striking to unravel each wave of force.
"Come again!"
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