Chapter Sixty-One: The Strange Vines

Chapter Sixty-One: The Strange Vines

"Of course," Shen An replied with a smile.

As the two conversed, Bai Weiwei entered the room.

"Master Ji, I've verified it. Most of their identities are genuine, without any issues." She glanced at Shen An, her gaze tinged with a sense of mystery towards the man before her.

"Alright, now I have a task for you. You are to obey Shen An's orders."

"What?" Bai Weiwei could hardly believe her ears.

...

On the drive back, Shen An reclined with his eyes closed, feigning sleep. Bai Weiwei was at the wheel, her mood sour.

Why should I have to listen to him?

She had no idea what the two had discussed in her absence, but whatever it was, she was not pleased.

"Hey, slow down. I'm not in any hurry," Shen An said, feeling the car speeding and sensing her agitated emotions.

"Mind your own business. That map you gave me is atrocious," Bai Weiwei couldn't help but complain about the map Shen An had provided.

"It wasn't me who drew it; it was a hunter," Shen An replied softly.

"A hunter?" Bai Weiwei recalled the recently registered information and pictured the man dressed like a farmer she had seen at Shen An's hotel, drinking tea. "That guy at your hotel?"

"Yes, that's him."

"No wonder," Bai Weiwei muttered and continued driving down the narrow road.

The car sped along.

"Too much information at once is exhausting," the voice of Shen An's future self sounded in his mind.

"Oh? Are you about to fall asleep?" Shen An asked with concern.

Earlier, to obtain certain information, the future had told him a great deal. These memories did not simply surface; many were hazy, requiring careful recollection. This was why he could only remember major events. The future, in its soul state, was not omniscient; it could only advise Shen An on things it had experienced or understood.

"I need to rest for a while. Before that, I'll tell you about the changes in the remaining locations. Memorize them carefully. Once these changes occur, this world will truly usher in great upheaval."

Shen An took these words to heart.

Soon after, the future Shen An explained the events about to unfold in the coming days. Once he had memorized these, the future faded away, evidently depleted and gone to rest.

"It seems I must strive harder," Shen An mused.

After two hours, the car finally reached the mountains.

The roads here were steep, making it impossible to continue by car. Shen An and Bai Weiwei got out and proceeded on foot.

They traversed a mountain pass, crossed a small stream, and climbed a tall peak, eventually arriving deep within the forest.

By then, the sun was slanting westward, and the evening glow had appeared at the horizon, prompting them to quicken their pace.

"Looks like we'll have to spend the night here," Bai Weiwei grumbled, casting a sidelong glance at Shen An.

It was all his fault; even at this hour, he insisted on coming here to search for something. Now it was so late, and they hadn't even found the place.

"The destination seems to be just ahead," Bai Weiwei said, remembering the map and looking forward. Indeed, the area matched the route depicted.

Shen An quickened his steps.

As they advanced, the thicket grew denser. Branches and vines blocked their path entirely.

Shen An frowned.

"This is the route, but something seems to have happened here. Why are there so many vines?"

He gazed at the tangled mass ahead.

The vines were as complex as a spider's web, sealing the way.

With a thought, a black iron blade appeared in his hand.

Bai Weiwei, long past her initial surprise at Shen An's conjured items, didn't react this time. She had wanted to ask where he got them, but decided against it. Shen An recognized her curiosity, but said nothing. Even if she did ask, he wouldn't answer; she could speculate all she wanted—she'd never guess he had a spatial pocket.

"One stroke," he said.

With a single sweep, countless vines were severed, opening a straight path.

At the end of the path stood a peculiar fruit tree.

Bai Weiwei, instead of looking at the road ahead, stared curiously at the black iron blade in Shen An's hand.

Shen An laughed, "What do you think? Isn't it as dark as your own body?"

"Ugh," Bai Weiwei quickly averted her eyes, ignoring him.

Her ability allowed her to transform her body into iron, and seeing the black iron blade made her curious.

Though Shen An's remark carried a double meaning, upon reflection, he wasn't wrong.

"Come on, the fruit tree is just ahead. I wonder if its fruit can awaken someone," Shen An said.

As the two prepared to move forward, Shen An suddenly halted and pulled Bai Weiwei back.

She retreated at his tug, noting his solemn expression and sensing the shift in atmosphere.

"What is it?" Bai Weiwei asked.

Shen An pointed to a bone ahead.

It was the bone of a demon beast.

He called it a demon beast because he felt the energy emanating from it; its bones were far thicker and tougher than those of ordinary animals.

Bai Weiwei's expression changed slightly as she examined it.

There were many such bones scattered on the ground, most concealed beneath leaves and barely visible without a careful look.

He pointed ahead.

The vines he had just cut were now gone, as if they had never existed.

"Something's wrong here," Shen An murmured.

Bai Weiwei, her expression grave, transformed her body into iron and scanned the surroundings.

Just then—

Rustling!

Vines suddenly surged from all directions, forcing the pair to retreat.

As they fell back, Shen An's black iron blade flashed, slicing through the approaching vines.

Yet in the blink of an eye, the severed vines regenerated, sprouting anew from their broken ends. Those cut on the ground vanished, as if absorbed by the earth.

These vines possessed infinite regenerative power.

Shen An frowned, glancing over to see Bai Weiwei tearing at the vines with force.

She ripped them apart with her hands, but as soon as one snapped, another grew in its place.

The vines were too numerous; Bai Weiwei couldn't keep up and was soon entangled, dragged across the ground toward the distance.

"Shen An!"

Bai Weiwei called out for help.

Shen An continued to slash, his gaze fixed on her. He didn't rush to act, but after clearing the vines around him, he stepped forward.