Dead tree with vines

Xiao Feng did not reply; his gaze was drawn to a withered large tree not far away.

The trunk of that tree was covered in countless nameless plaques, each engraved with a name; the writing was blurry but exuded a strange aura.

"These names..." Sima Yan approached the large tree, carefully deciphering the writing on the plaques.

Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically, and his voice held a trace of excitement: "Xiao Feng, look at this! This is the name of the girl who went missing back then!"

Xiao Feng's heart sank sharply, and he quickly walked to Sima Yan's side.

His gaze swept over the plaques, and indeed, he saw that familiar name.

His fists clenched tightly, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes.

"Could it be that this place is the burial ground of those women?"

Sima Yan's voice held a tremor; his gaze fell upon the large tree again, and he suddenly discovered that countless human faces were sealed on the trunk.

Those faces were all in a state of sleep, their expressions peaceful.

"These women... are all sealed inside this tree?"

Sima Yan's voice held a hint of disbelief; his gaze swept over the trunk, his heart filled with shock.

He reached out a hand and gently touched those plaques.

The moment his fingertips made contact, a bone-chilling coldness spread from his fingers throughout his body.

The plaque suddenly emitted a faint hum, and then a memory scene popped up.

The first segment of memory surged into Xiao Feng's mind like a tide.

In the scene, a young man and woman were arguing fiercely.

The woman was in tears, her voice choked: "You don't care about me at all! Let's break off the engagement!"

The man's face was full of impatience, and he waved his hand, saying: "Break it off then! Do you think I care about you?"

Immediately after, the second segment of memory emerged.

A middle-aged couple stood in front of a dilapidated house; the wife's face was full of exhaustion, and her eyes held deep disappointment: "You gambled again? All the money at home is gone, how are we going to live?"

The husband lowered his head, not daring to look his wife in the eye, and stammered: "I... I just wanted to win some money back..."

The wife gave a bitter smile, turned and left, her retreating figure appearing particularly desolate.

The third segment of memory followed closely.

A young mother held her young child, standing on the edge of a cliff.

Her eyes were full of despair, and she murmured to herself: "I can't take it anymore... My in-laws need care, the child is still young, but all he knows is gambling... What should I do?"

Her voice became lower and lower, finally turning into a sigh as she jumped off the cliff.

Xiao Feng's heart sank sharply; the women in these memories had all been driven to a dead end by the heavy burden of life and the breakdown of their relationships.

Just at this moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed in the air: "I didn't expect you to break the illusion."

Xiao Feng suddenly looked up, only to see a red figure descending from the sky, appearing before him like a ghost.

The Red-Clothed Woman's long hair was loose, and her face was as pale as paper; her appearance seemed to freeze the surrounding air, and a powerful oppressive feeling rushed forward.

Sima Yan's cry of alarm came from behind, but it was already too late.

The tree's vines suddenly grew wildly, coiling around Sima Yan's body like venomous snakes.

He struggled desperately but couldn't break free, his face filled with fear and despair.

Xiao Feng's heart tightened, and just as he was about to step forward to rescue him, the Red-Clothed Woman lightly waved her hand.

A red light flashed, and Zhao Yuwei's figure suddenly appeared beside her, bound tightly.

"Xiao Feng, don't move recklessly." The Red-Clothed Woman smiled coldly, her voice holding a hint of mockery: "If you dare to act rashly, I will kill her."

Her finger lightly traced Zhao Yuwei's neck, and a cruel glint flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Feng's heart sank sharply, his fists clenched tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

He knew that the situation before him was extremely unfavorable, but he absolutely could not stand by and watch Zhao Yuwei fall into danger.

"What exactly do you want?"

The Red-Clothed Woman chuckled softly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes: "What do I want? Now, put down your sword and obediently listen to me, otherwise..."

Her finger applied a little force, and a bloodstain immediately appeared on Zhao Yuwei's neck.

Xiao Feng's heart trembled sharply, and a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

"Xiao Feng, don't worry about me!"

Zhao Yuwei suddenly struggled and shouted, her eyes full of determination: "You can't listen to her! She's a demon!"

The Red-Clothed Woman's face instantly darkened, her fingers tightened sharply, and Zhao Yuwei's face immediately turned pale, her breathing becoming rapid.

"Shut up!"

The Red-Clothed Woman coldly snapped, a trace of killing intent flashing in her eyes: "Say one more word, and I'll make you shut up forever!"

Xiao Feng's heart sank sharply.

"Alright, I'll put down my sword."

Xiao Feng slowly raised his hands, gently placed the long sword on the ground, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "But you have to promise not to harm her."

The Red-Clothed Woman chuckled softly, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes: "That's right, be obedient, and everyone will be better off."

Her finger loosened slightly, and Zhao Yuwei's complexion eased a little, but the fear in her eyes had not dissipated.

Xiao Feng stared at her, not daring to relax for a moment.

The Red-Clothed Woman's long hair moved without wind, dancing in the air like a living thing.

"I want to see the ugliest side of human nature, to see you kill each other to survive."

Before her voice fell, she lightly waved her slender finger.

Zhao Yuwei and Sima Yan's bodies suddenly shot up, suspended in mid-air.

Vines drilled out from the void, coiling around the limbs and torsos of the two like greedy tentacles.

The vines glowed with a strange red light, emitting a rotten smell.

Zhao Yuwei and Sima Yan struggled in terror, but the vines coiled tighter and tighter, almost strangling into their flesh.

The Red-Clothed Woman turned to Xiao Feng, her eyes sparkling with morbid excitement: "If you want to live, kill him."

Her voice was full of disregard for life.

Xiao Feng clenched his fists, gritting his teeth and saying: "What if I refuse?"

The Red-Clothed Woman chuckled softly, her voice like a cold blade cutting through the air: "Then, you will be the one chosen."

A cruel glint flashed in her eyes: "Are you really willing to die for her?"

Xiao Feng fell silent, struggling fiercely internally.

Seeing this, the Red-Clothed Woman turned her gaze back to Zhao Yuwei.

She lightly waved her hand, and Zhao Yuwei suddenly opened her eyes.

Zhao Yuwei's eyes were full of fear and confusion; she blinked hard, trying to understand the current situation.

The Red-Clothed Woman's voice sounded in her ear: "Zhao Yuwei, do you want to live?"

Zhao Yuwei looked at the Red-Clothed Woman warily, secretly on guard.

She could feel the evil aura emanating from this woman, knowing she had no good intentions.

As expected, the Red-Clothed Woman continued: "If you want to live, then kill your lover!"