Yun Jin offered a helpless smile. "Sorry, I cannot leave."
"Then what are you planning to do?"
"Human, do not push your luck!"
"We are not afraid of you!"
The crowd of spirit beasts immediately erupted into chatter.
"Everyone, calm down! She really is a good person. She is not allied with those bad humans. Several of us were saved by her."
"Really, she is different from other humans."
The Phantom Leopard and the Spike deer, along with other young beasts saved by Yun Jin, all spoke in her favor. But the other spirit beasts would not listen.
"This is the Spirit Beast Forest, not the humans' forest! We are already showing mercy by not attacking her. From now on, this Spirit Beast Forest belongs to us alone. No humans are allowed to enter."
"Exactly, we should reclaim the Spirit Beast Forest for the beasts!"
The crowd of spirit beasts grew increasingly agitated as they spoke.
A trace of worry flashed in Yun Jin's eyes. The conflict between the beasts and humans in the forest had escalated completely. This was about to turn into a major incident. Yet, despite all the commotion, there was no response from the Wushuang Sect. Liu Li Zhēnrén had still not replied.
Something was definitely wrong within the Wushuang Sect.
Yun Jin could not simply watch the conflict escalate. Her mind turned to a certain presence.
The legendary king of the Spirit Beast Forest.
She had originally intended to meet him. Now, she had even more reason to do so. If anyone could calm the conflict, it would be that king.
"This human intends to stay and not leave!"
"Quick, summon the nearby spirit beasts!"
The leading spirit beast howled loudly, apparently signaling the others. Around them, the trees shook, and countless spirit beasts surged forward.
Yun Jin glanced at the scene from midair.
The oncoming beasts were endless! It seemed like nearly all the outer forest beasts were converging here.
Even her Tremor Technique might not be enough to subdue this many. Yun Jin sighed and vanished from sight, choosing to rush inside. In the next instant, she appeared ahead.
"That human is charging in! Quick, pursue her!"
"No humans are allowed in the Spirit Beast Forest! To defend our home, all beasts, charge!"
The stampede of beasts shook the massive forest with its thunderous roar.
Yun Jin ran at the front. She looked up at the sky. High-altitude flight was forbidden in the Spirit Beast Forest, probably to prevent widespread destruction.
Flying low meant weaving through countless trees and vegetation, inevitably slowing her down.
As Yun Jin pressed forward, the plants and trees reached out their branches, attempting to block her.
Green light shimmered across Yun Jin's body, unleashing her Wood-elemental spiritual power.
Feeling this energy, all the plant creatures froze.
Primordial Wood!
This was a cultivator who had mastered the Wood-elemental Law.
Moreover, her Primordial aura was merciful and compassionate, giving every plant a sense of gentle spring breeze.
"Everyone, charge together. The elder plants will help block her!"
"Yes, we can catch up soon!"
The spirit beasts communicated amongst themselves, and then they saw the plant creatures retract their branches, clearing a path for Yun Jin.
Not only that, they even pushed her forward!
The spirit beasts were dumbfounded.
These plant creatures had lived in the forest for so long and often played tricks on them.
Now, they were helping a human?
"Forget these foolish plants. We continue the chase!"
The spirit beasts roared and surged forward.
Branches from either side suddenly shot out, tripping a large group.
"They're insane, these plants are really insane!"
The Spirit Beast Forest had countless plant creatures. After Yun Jin revealed her spiritual power, all these plants became her allies.
Yun Jin shook off this batch of beasts and finally entered the inner forest.
Upon entering, she immediately felt a difference.
The spiritual energy here was far denser than the outer forest. The quantity and quality of plant creatures also surpassed the outer region.
No sooner had she entered the inner forest than she sensed she was being watched.
A massive snow wolf fixed her with a cold gaze. "Human!"
Without another word, it howled toward the heavens.
The inner forest beasts began gathering again.
Yun Jin sighed.
Alright! Keep running!
"Senior Wolf, your voice is beautiful. Next time, I'll invite you to our sect for a tenor performance." Yun Jin waved. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll leave first!"
She waved and leapt over the snow wolf, continuing inward.
Moments later, the wolf roared in anger behind her.
A new wave of spirit beasts charged.
Yun Jin had no choice. She had never been pursued this intensely. In the past, if chased, she could just kill them all. But this time, she could not strike these beasts.
"Let's consider it a workout," Yun Jin said with a wry smile.
In the inner forest, Yun Jin ran at the front, with a horde of beasts behind her.
The plants on both sides continued to block, leaving the spirit beasts flustered. Yun Jin quickly vanished into the distance.
"This human's speed is incredible!"
"Those foolish plants are still helping her!"
"Which side are these plants really on?"
"Alert the elders inside! This woman's cultivation is high. We cannot handle her!"
"This human is so strong, she might be an accomplice of those others. We must capture her!"
Yun Jin continued running, communicating with the plant creatures.
"What happened in the Spirit Beast Forest? Why did all the beasts suddenly revolt?"
Soon, a chorus of plant voices filled her mind.
Listening carefully, Yun Jin pieced together the situation. Higher-ranked spirit beasts struggled more with reproduction. Super spirit beasts, especially, rarely produced offspring; sometimes only once every few centuries.
Half a month ago, a cub was born to the super spirit beast, the Tongtian Hou. It was the first super spirit beast cub in the forest in five hundred years. Other super spirit beasts were also delighted.
The small Tongtian Hou cub was lively and adorable from birth, quickly becoming the darling of a group of elder beasts in the core region.
Just hours ago, humans had entered the core region using a pass granted by the Spirit Beast King.
They sneaked into the Tongtian Hou's territory and forcibly bound the cub. Though still a cub, it was a super spirit beast, proud by nature.
The Tongtian Hou cub resisted the binding with all its might, ending up severely injured, yet the binding could not be broken. The humans had established a master-servant contract. If they died, the cub would die as well.
Now, the humans were all imprisoned.
The Spirit Beast King was furious.
He issued a summon, calling all beasts to the temple to obey his orders.
The temple lay in the core region, so all the spirit beasts were heading there now.