Uncle Jin led the way at the front.
When he noticed that Mu Nujiao wasn't among the group, his expression darkened.
"What about her?"
Mu Lei answered anxiously, "She got separated by the crowd—she's still inside!"
Uncle Jin looked back. The massive tree roots had already spread again, filling the entire area.
Several hunters who had been running toward them were suddenly impaled, blood splattering through the air.
"Jiaojiao!!" Mu Lei's heart clenched as he spotted Mu Nujiao and Song Jie through the chaos—but in the next moment, towering roots blocked them from view.
"Uncle Jin, please! Save Jiaojiao!" Mu Lei begged.
Uncle Jin's eyes flashed. "Everyone! With me! Clear those roots!" he commanded.
But the open space from before was already swallowed by more writhing roots.
No matter how they attacked, the thick forest of roots refused to yield.
"Damn it!" Mu Lei cursed, slamming his fist against the scorched ground.
But brute strength was useless here—the roots were endless.
He clenched his teeth.
He had originally wanted to use Mu Nujiao to get closer to Song Jie, but his plan had backfired—and now, she was in danger because of it.
Meanwhile, Song Jie and Mu Nujiao were surrounded on all sides by the thick, squirming roots.
The ground trembled as more of them burst out from below.
Mu Nujiao looked at the endless tangle closing in on them, her confidence faltering for the first time.
It really seemed like they wouldn't make it out this time.
"If you hadn't saved me just now, you could've already escaped," she said quietly.
"Now's not the time to give up," Song Jie replied firmly.
He raised his hand.
"Glorious Light: Continuous Explosion!"
Golden blasts erupted all around them, blasting the encroaching roots into splinters. For a moment, the pressure eased.
Seeing the situation improve, Mu Nujiao's eyes reignited with determination. She began channeling Plant Element magic.
"Xiaolu!"
Song Jie summoned his Summoned Beast with a flick of his hand, completing the Summoning Star Track.
A rip in space shimmered open before him, and a tiny green creature leapt out with a chirping sound.
"Hold off those roots for us, Xiaolu!" Song Jie commanded.
"Ring, ring, ring!" the creature responded, raising its small hands.
From the ground around them, countless vines sprouted up, wrapping around the incoming roots and holding them in place!
Mu Nujiao stared at the creature for a moment—it was indeed a Summoned Beast.
But in this deadly situation, she didn't waste time asking questions. She focused on survival.
"Mu Nujiao!" Song Jie called out. "Can your plant magic reach the intermediate level?"
"Yes!" she replied immediately.
"Then use it to protect us!"
Though she didn't know what Song Jie was planning, she quickly obeyed.
Meanwhile, Xiaolu was straining to hold the roots back.
It was only a slave-level summoned beast, and controlling this many vines was pushing it far beyond its limit.
"Xiaolu, return!" Song Jie recalled it to the Dimensional Space before it could be harmed.
Even so, its help had bought them precious seconds.
Mu Nujiao closed her eyes, completing the star map in her spiritual world.
"Kun's Forest: Vine Prison!"
Countless thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around them both and forming a defensive dome.
The sound of roots smashing against it echoed like thunder outside.
"Mu Nujiao," Song Jie said calmly, "I need you to keep what happens next a secret."
She blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Just close your eyes. I'll take you out of here."
Before she could ask, a violent cracking noise echoed around them—the roots were already piercing the vine barrier!
Though puzzled, Mu Nujiao clenched her fists and chose to trust him.
Song Jie took a deep breath, focused his energy, and unleashed another spell.
"Glorious Light: Exploding Golden Rain!"
A blinding light burst upward, shattering the vine barrier and exploding in midair.
Golden light rained down like blades, slicing through every root in a wide radius!
Before the dust even settled, Song Jie connected another star track with lightning speed.
"Glorious Light: Exploding Laser!"
A concentrated beam of gold shot forward, tearing open a path through the forest.
For Song Jie, the mana cost of these elementary spells was negligible—so he poured all his power into the attack.
The golden laser exploded forward, vaporizing the roots in their way.
Without hesitation, Song Jie scooped Mu Nujiao into his arms.
His magic shoes flared with light, and he leapt toward the newly opened path at incredible speed!
Mu Nujiao's eyes widened as she suddenly felt herself being lifted off the ground.
She opened her eyes to find Song Jie holding her tightly, racing through the smoke and fire.
When she glanced around, she realized—they had already escaped the encirclement!
Outside, Mu Lei and the others hadn't left yet. When they spotted the two figures emerging from the forest, relief washed over them.
"They're alive!" Mu Lei cried, overjoyed. He turned to Uncle Jin. "Uncle Jin, help them!"
Uncle Jin nodded, still stunned by what he had just seen.
That golden laser—he had watched it tear straight through the roots without leaving a single trace behind.
What kind of power was that? He thought.
Now wasn't the time to ask. He quickly cast more Fire Magic, clearing the remaining obstacles to help Song Jie and Mu Nujiao reach them safely.
Most of the others were nearly drained of magic, yet they still used what little energy they had to assist.
Thanks to Song Jie's enchanted boots, he and Mu Nujiao sped forward, finally breaking free from the deadly jungle.
"Jiaojiao! Are you hurt?" Mu Lei rushed over, eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine," Mu Nujiao replied, shaking her head.
Seeing her unharmed, Mu Lei finally exhaled in relief. Though she wasn't his biological sister, he cared for her as if she were.
At that moment, Mu Lei noticed the way Song Jie was still holding her. He coughed lightly, trying to hide his smirk.
Mu Nujiao blinked, then realized—and her cheeks immediately flushed red.
"Um… can you put me down first?" she said softly.
Song Jie nodded, setting her down. He'd been meaning to anyway but hadn't had a chance to speak earlier.
He couldn't help but think, Her body's really soft… like a marshmallow.
Mu Nujiao didn't know what was going through his head, but she was sure of one thing—if it weren't for Song Jie, she would never have made it out alive.
"Miss Mu, are you injured?" Uncle Jin approached, worry in his voice.
"I'm fine," she assured him again.
Uncle Jin sighed in relief. "Good. I didn't expect that ambush to be so fierce…"
Mu Lei glanced between them. "By the way, Jiaojiao, that golden light just now—what was that? It completely destroyed those tree roots!"
"Golden light?" Mu Nujiao repeated, momentarily startled.
She glanced at Song Jie from the corner of her eye, recalling what he had said earlier.
"My family prepared a demon-slaying magic tool for me," she explained smoothly. "I used it just now."
"I see." Mu Lei nodded, fully convinced.
"Alright," Uncle Jin said, "you've all exhausted a lot of energy. Sit down and rest."
Mu Lei turned to Song Jie with gratitude. "Song Jie, we owe you this one. If not for you, I don't know how I'd have explained things to Jiaojiao's family."
"It was nothing," Song Jie replied simply, walking off to rest by himself.
Mu Nujiao hesitated for a moment, then followed after him quietly.
Mu Lei rubbed his chin, watching the two with a knowing smile.