"Run!" Ning Yu roared, shoving Mu Xue behind him. The roar of the giant bear made his eardrums ring, and the overwhelming stench almost suffocated him. He instinctively raised his arm, his supernatural power surging, ready to meet this fatal blow.

However, the giant bear's attack did not land. It simply stood there, its massive body like a small mountain, looking down at Ning Yu with eyes filled with...curiosity?

Ning Yu was stunned. He cautiously lowered his arm and carefully observed the giant bear's behavior. It did not roar again, nor did it show any signs of attack; it simply watched him quietly, as if examining a novel toy.

"What...what is it going to do?" Mu Xue peeked out from behind Ning Yu, her voice trembling slightly. She gripped Ning Yu's clothes tightly, her eyes fixed on the giant bear, afraid that it would suddenly attack and hurt them.

Ning Yu didn't answer; he was also trying to figure out the giant bear's intentions. This beast had previously shown a friendly attitude, leading them to this place, so why had it suddenly become so aggressive? Had they misunderstood it?

He tried to communicate with the giant bear, expressing his goodwill and gratitude for its help in simple language. But the giant bear just stared at him silently, its huge eyes devoid of any emotion, as if it couldn't understand what he was saying at all.

The tense atmosphere was suffocating. Ning Yu felt his palms starting to sweat. He had to figure out the giant bear's intentions as soon as possible—whether it genuinely wanted to help them or had ulterior motives—otherwise they would be in grave danger. At the same time, he also had to be vigilant about his surroundings to prevent another attack from the wolves and giant rats.

Time ticked by, and Ning Yu and the giant bear remained locked in a standoff, neither making the first move. The surrounding air seemed to freeze, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and their tense breathing.

Mu Xue emerged from the cave and cautiously approached Ning Yu from behind. She was also curious about what the bear was trying to do, and why it was just watching them without attacking.

“It…it doesn’t seem to have any ill intentions,” Mu Xue said softly. “The way you look at it, it seems like it’s just…curious?” She paused, as if searching for the right word, “just…curious?”

Ning Yu noticed this as well. The giant bear's eyes were indeed no longer as fierce as before; instead, they held a hint of doubt and inquiry. Could it really just be curiosity?

Suddenly, the giant bear moved. It didn't attack them, but turned and walked in one direction. After taking a few steps, it looked back at Ning Yu and Mu Xue, as if signaling them to follow.

"Where...where is it taking us?" Mu Xue asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with unease.

Ning Yu didn't speak, but simply held Mu Xue's hand tightly, gesturing for her to follow. He didn't know where the giant bear was taking them, nor what would happen next, but he knew they had no choice.

They followed the giant bear, step by step, into the unknown darkness... "Wait." Ning Yu suddenly stopped.

Ning Yu stopped in his tracks, a strange unease gripping his heart. The giant bear's behavior was too abnormal; the shift from previous hostility to the current "invitation" was baffling. He gripped Mu Xue's hand tightly, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with vigilance.

"Do we... really have to follow them?" Mu Xue's voice was soft, trembling slightly. She could sense Ning Yu's hesitation and understand his worry. They had witnessed the giant bear's power firsthand; if this was a trap, they would be utterly helpless.

Ning Yu didn't answer immediately. He narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the giant bear's actions. It didn't urge them, but simply stood there, occasionally glancing back, its eyes seemingly carrying a hint of...expectation? Ning Yu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this giant bear truly meant them no harm?

“If we don’t follow,” Ning Yu said slowly, his voice low, “we might face attacks from wolves and giant rats again. It’s not safe here; we must find a safer place.” He paused, his gaze resolute, “Besides, I have a feeling that this bear might not be as dangerous as we think.”

Mu Xue bit her lip; she understood Ning Yu's meaning. Rather than waiting to die, they might as well take a risk. Perhaps, this giant bear really could lead them to a safe haven.

“Okay,” Mu Xue took a deep breath, her tone firm, “Let’s follow them.”

Ning Yu nodded, took Mu Xue's hand, and carefully followed behind the giant bear. The giant bear moved slowly, as if deliberately accommodating their pace. The surrounding trees towered into the clouds, blocking out the sun, with only dappled sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, forming bizarre and colorful patterns on the ground.

They walked slowly, each step filled with vigilance. Ning Yu constantly paid attention to their surroundings, listening intently to any sounds, fearing that some danger might suddenly appear. Mu Xue followed closely behind Ning Yu, not daring to relax her guard for even a moment.

As time passed, the surrounding environment gradually changed. The trees became sparser, and the ground became flatter. An open space appeared ahead, and under the moonlight, the outlines of some buildings could be vaguely seen.

"What place is that?" Mu Xue asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with surprise.

Ning Yu didn't answer; he didn't know what that place was either. But he had a vague premonition that this place might be the refuge they had been searching for.

The giant bear stopped, glanced back at Ning Yu and Mu Xue, and then continued walking. It reached the edge of the open area, stopped, and let out a low roar.

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