242: Old trees pave the way

"Rock Armor." The Wood Spirit's silhouette began to fade, and its final command came through clearly. "Escort them personally via the 'Ancient Shaded Path' until you reach the outskirts of Old Crow Ridge, then point them on their way. You must ensure their safety throughout the journey, free from any disturbances."

"By the Mother Goddess's decree! Rock Armor shall not fail this task!" The giant treant responded with a booming voice that shook the forest.

The Wood Spirit's silhouette gave Qin Feng and the others a final slight "nod" before transforming into a sky full of emerald light specks and dissipating into the forest. That grand will receded like a tide, and the forest returned to "normal," but the gratitude and goodwill seemed to linger in the air.

"Benefactors, please follow me!" Rock Armor's voice remained thunderous yet filled with friendliness. It carefully used several vines to gently pick up its sleeping offspring and place it in a hollow cavity on its main trunk, ensuring its stability. Then, it took a step with its massive feet made of countless knotted roots and rumbled toward a certain direction in the forest.

"This way! The Ancient Shaded Path!" It took the lead to clear the way.

Qin Feng and the others looked at each other, seeing relief and a hint of joy in each other's eyes. The group quickly followed the giant treant's pace.

The so-called "Ancient Shaded Path" was not man-made; it was more like a forest passage "trodden" out over countless years by massive beings like Rock Armor or some natural force. It was relatively wide, with the canopy above interlacing into a corridor—the light was dim, but the path was clear.

Rock Armor led the way like a moving mountain. It didn't even need to deliberately release its pressure; the mere vibrations caused by its massive form walking, along with its undisguised ancient and powerful aura—far exceeding that of an ordinary Martial Emperor—were enough to make any creature in this area flee in terror.

The next part of the journey could be called the most "comfortable" stretch since Qin Feng and the others had entered the Ancient Wood Deep Forest.

Wherever they passed, birds fell silent and insects went into hiding. All kinds of Yao Beasts that sensed Rock Armor's aura from afar—whether it was packs of Gale Wolves, Venom-Spittle Giant Pythons lurking in the marshes, or fierce Yao birds nesting in ancient trees—were all frightened to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. They either collapsed on the spot, shivering and unable to move, or let out cries of extreme terror, scrambling and fleeing toward the deeper parts of the forest in a pathetic state. They only wished their parents had given them two more legs (or wings), fearing that if they ran too slowly, they would be stepped on like an eyesore pebble by this forest guardian—after all, the "example" of that Martial Emperor-level Mountain-Moving Violent Bear being crushed into a meat patty had only just been set.

The path was completely unobstructed, without even the slightest harassment. Occasionally encountering some natural poisonous miasmas or illusory formations, Rock Armor would simply disperse them with its vast Wood Spirit power, as it knew this forest like the back of its hand.

Xia Ya, carrying her giant shield, looked at the towering back clearing the way and couldn't help but grin. "Man, look at this treatment... I guess we're experiencing what it's like for a 'Forest Prince' to go on an inspection tour, huh? If I'd known there was a way like this, why did we even bother hiding from those wolf packs earlier?"

A rare trace of relaxation appeared on Ji Ruxue's cold face as she said softly, "It is indeed worry-free." Not having to keep her nerves taut to scout the surroundings was a rare rest for her as well.

Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom also relaxed their guard significantly. They were mostly admiring this rare and peculiar journey escorted by a forest overlord; even the Valley Master probably didn't get this kind of treatment.

Xiaochun leaned close to Qin Feng, recovering her Origin Qi. She toyed with a spirit fruit gifted by the Wood Spirit, shaped like a vermilion fruit, feeling the surging gentle spiritual power within it with a faint smile on her face. At her heart, that wisp of heart of the wood spirit essence was still slowly circulating, continuously nourishing her body and maintaining that layer of natural camouflage.

While traveling, Qin Feng silently memorized Rock Armor's route and the prominent landmarks around them. This "Ancient Shaded Path" and Rock Armor's guidance were undoubtedly extremely valuable experiences for traversing the forest.

With a terrifying existence like Rock Armor clearing the way, the dangerous deep forest terrain that would have originally required careful navigation and potentially several days to cross was traversed in just over half a day. The trees ahead began to thin, the light gradually brightened, and a breeze carrying the scent of mountain air—different from the stifling atmosphere inside the forest—blew toward them.

They had reached Old Crow Ridge.

Rock Armor stopped before a relatively open, gravel-covered ridge, turned around, and gazed at Qin Feng and the others with its lava-like eyes, which were now relatively gentle.

"Benefactors, from here forward, cross this mountain ridge, and you will reach the edge of the forest. Follow the direction of the stream at the foot of the ridge for about a hundred miles, and you will find the official road leading to the human kingdoms. That road is relatively stable, with few powerful Yao Beasts appearing."

It paused, its massive body leaning forward slightly in a gesture resembling a bow, its voice booming yet sincere:

"On behalf of my offspring and this woodland, Rock Armor thanks you all once again for saving our lives! May the blessing of the forest always accompany your journey! If fate brings you back to the Ancient Wood Deep Forest in the future, Rock Armor shall sweep the path in anticipation of your arrival!"

After speaking, it said no more. It took one last deep look at everyone, especially Xiaochun, then slowly turned around. With heavy, rumbling steps, it re-entered the dark and deep Ancient Wood Deep Forest, its figure soon swallowed by the dense trees.

The forest's gift and the guardian's promise had been fulfilled.

Standing on Old Crow Ridge, Qin Feng and the others looked back at the boundless sea of trees that looked like a crouching giant beast, then turned to look at the gradually opening mountain fields and the faintly visible distant road, their hearts filled with a myriad of emotions.

The generous gifts from the Medicine King Valley were still with them, and now they had the unexpected help and gains from the Ancient Wood Deep Forest. Although powerful enemies still lurked in the shadows, at this moment, they had not only successfully evaded the initial death trap but had also obtained the precious heart of the wood spirit and a batch of spirit fruits.

"Let's go," Qin Feng withdrew his gaze, the sharp intent reappearing in his eyes. "The road ahead is still long. The Imperial Capital... is still waiting for us."

Everyone nodded, their morale high as they headed in the direction guided by the stream at the foot of the ridge, embarking on a new journey.