Yun Xi did not see Yu Su Zhēnjūn's figure. Her brow furrowed, giving her a very bad feeling.
At this moment, Yun Chen Fózǐ was surrounded by a layer of golden light, shielding Han Lian Zhēnjūn beside him from the bamboo leaf attacks. Countless sharp leaves wrapped tightly around Yun Chen, so he did not notice Yun Xi's arrival.
The moment Yun Xi appeared, the bamboo forest rustled again. Leaves flew from all directions, attacking her. The deep ink green leaves carried a faint gray aura, making Yun Xi feel uncomfortable.
Yun Xi already held the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella in her hand. The black dragon on its surface seemed to sense the threat and slowly moved, appearing ready to strike. Yun Xi twirled the umbrella handle, and sharp wind blades shot from the umbrella, colliding head-on with the incoming bamboo leaves and shattering them instantly.
The bamboo leaves seemed endless, surging forward endlessly, attacking her defenses continuously. Each step Yun Xi took was slow. She released wind blades to counter the leaves while holding a superior spirit stone in her other hand, replenishing the rapidly depleting spiritual energy.
At this moment, Dian Dian transmitted: "Master, be careful. Dian Dian smells that disgusting scent again. Evil cultivators must have been here."
Yun Xi felt a sense of confirmation. After entering the giant bamboo area, Zhu Sheng, who had been silent, suddenly transmitted:
"Master, I cannot sense Grandfather."
It seemed about to cry.
Yun Xi knew the little bamboo spirit's grandfather was in great danger, but she comforted him:
"Do not worry. Try again. I will reunite with my companions first, then check on your grandfather's true body."
"Okay, Master!"
Zhu Sheng obediently replied and continued to try to summon his grandfather using his primordial power.
As Yun Xi approached, Yun Chen Fózǐ finally noticed the weakening attacks. He immediately formed hand seals and threw the 108 beads hanging around his neck. Each bead carried golden light and struck the bamboo leaf swarm. Within two breaths, the attacking leaves turned black and crumbled to ash.
With the obstacles cleared, the 108 beads returned to Yun Chen Fózǐ's hands. He finally saw Yun Xi holding the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella and asked cautiously:
"Feng Xiaoyou, is that you?"
Yun Xi smiled slightly:
"Senior Yun Chen, it is Feng Xiyun. Do you know where Uncle Master Yu Su is?"
Yun Chen Fózǐ remained alert:
"After entering the bamboo forest, I was separated from you. I was able to find Han Lian Zhēnjūn only because she sought my help. But when I arrived, she had already fallen into unconsciousness."
Yun Xi frowned:
"Did Han Lian Zhēnjūn call for help using the Buddhist bead you gave her brother?"
"Yes."
Yun Chen Fózǐ seemed to finally confirm Yun Xi's identity and chanted a Buddhist phrase:
"Amitabha! Feng Xiaoyou, please enter the barrier I have set."
Yun Xi nodded and spun the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella again. Countless wind blades flew out, shredding the bamboo leaves that tried to surround her, and she entered the barrier created by Yun Chen Fózǐ.
The barrier temporarily blocked the bamboo leaves. However, once Yun Xi entered, countless bamboo leaves surrounded the barrier again, blocking everything outside. Even spiritual sense could not penetrate.
Yun Xi's gaze swept over Han Lian, sitting cross-legged, Yun Chen Fózǐ, whose face was pale, and the massive bamboo behind them, too wide for three people to hug.
If she guessed correctly, this was Zhu Sheng's grandfather's true body. The huge bamboo was a dark green with a faint rotten smell.
Yun Xi sat cross-legged, holding a superior spirit stone to restore her energy, and asked in a deep voice:
"Yun Chen Fózǐ, what happened to Han Lian Zhēnjūn?"
"Amitabha! Han Lian seems to have entered a mystical obstruction," Yun Chen Fózǐ replied helplessly.
His expression was strange, making Yun Xi suspect the situation was not simple. She continued:
"How can we wake Han Lian Zhēnjūn?"
Yun Chen Fózǐ looked at the massive Bamboo King behind them:
"As long as this bamboo is destroyed, Han Lian should wake up."
Before Yun Xi could reply, Zhu Sheng anxiously transmitted:
"Master, do not harm Grandfather's true body. If you damage it, that female cultivator's soul will dissipate with Grandfather's consciousness, and he will never wake!"
Yun Xi immediately closed her mouth and sent her spiritual sense to the giant bamboo while asking:
"Zhu Sheng, explain clearly what happened."
"Master, this female cultivator has obsession in her heart. She inhaled the Green Bamboo Miasma, and as a Water Spirit Body, she could not escape Grandfather's illusion. Her soul was drawn into Grandfather. If she cannot free herself, Grandfather will consume her, and her body will nourish the bamboo forest."
Yun Xi's eyes narrowed:
"Your grandfather cultivates by devouring living beings' souls."
"No, Master, you misunderstand. Grandfather never consumed human souls. He changed because of that bad influence."
By the end, Zhu Sheng was crying, sobbing as he continued:
"I connected to Grandfather's consciousness with my primordial power. He was furious, telling me to leave and even tried to swallow me."
Yun Xi raised an eyebrow and asked:
"What is your grandfather planning by trapping us here?"
"I do not know."
"Zhu Sheng, you must understand, I am your master. If I die, you will dissipate too. Do you understand?"
"Zhu Sheng understands, but I really do not know. Grandfather has never done this before."
Yun Xi rubbed her temple. Zhu Sheng truly did not know anything. With only courage, he had found her to save his grandfather. She did not know whether to marvel at the little one's luck or pity it.
Yun Chen Fózǐ noticed Yun Xi studying the giant bamboo. His brow furrowed tighter. Rubbing his temple, his expression became serious. Pausing while twisting his beads, he asked:
"Feng Xiaoyou, have you discovered something?"
Yun Xi nodded:
"Yun Chen Fózǐ, do you smell the rot from this bamboo?"
Yun Chen shook his head:
"I do not. Have I been here too long and ignored it?"
Yun Xi shook her head:
"No, the closer I get, the stronger the smell. You really do not smell it?"
Yun Chen Fózǐ frowned and shook his head again. He swallowed a pill and said:
"If there is a problem here, we should leave quickly. Once I recover, I will destroy this bamboo. You just need to watch over Han Lian Zhēnjūn."
Yun Xi wanted to protest. Destroying the bamboo would harm Han Lian's soul, but she stopped herself. She could not reveal how she knew this.