Despair spread. As time passed, the nightmare-like scene worsened, with more and more team members becoming increasingly ill. A heavy air of despair permeated the warehouse, a despair so heavy it seemed to crush the very soul. Team members who had once managed to hold on collapsed one after another, their scales growing wildly and breaking at an ever-increasing rate. Some began to suffer from persistent fevers, their bodies burning like charcoal, their consciousness gradually blurring, their mouths uttering incoherent words. Others, unable to stand due to the excruciating pain, lay on the ground, groaning in agony, their voices pitiful and desolate. Xiao Yi rushed back and forth between the team members, his eyes filled with helplessness and despair. He tried to comfort each one, assuring them that everything would be fine, but he knew how feeble these words were. The team, once vibrant and full of fighting spirit, had become lifeless. The glimmer of hope was gone from the team members' eyes, replaced by deep fear and despair over an uncertain fate. Every time he saw a new team member's condition worsen, Xiao Yi felt like a sharp knife stabbing his heart. He felt immensely guilty, believing he had failed to protect everyone. And the mysterious disease, like a ruthless demon, wreaked havoc on the already battered team without the slightest mercy. Despair spread through the team like a plague, devouring every soul.

In the cramped space, the atmosphere within the squad grew incredibly heavy, as if an invisible boulder weighed down everyone's heart. The team members' gazes lost their former brilliance, becoming dim and lost. No one spoke, a deathly silence enveloped the entire team. Every breath felt labored, every subtle movement a burden. Despair, like a plague, began to spread within each of them. Their once steadfast faith began to waver at this moment. The hope they once held was now like a candle in the wind, vulnerable to extinguishing at any moment. The captain clenched his fists, his knuckles white from the exertion, his eyes revealing a deep sense of helplessness and pain. Some of the team members lowered their heads, while others stared into the distance, their eyes empty, as if their souls had left their bodies. Time seemed to freeze, the heavy atmosphere suffocating, as if the end of the world was approaching, and they were powerless to resist, only to allow despair to consume them.

Xiao Yi's brow furrowed, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead. He felt an unprecedented pressure, as if a towering mountain were bearing down on his shoulders. His eyes were filled with anxiety and exhaustion, his usual calm and resolute spirit replaced by a deep worry. Every breath felt heavy, as if a huge rock were pressing down on his chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe. He knew that if a treatment wasn't found soon, the entire team would face catastrophe. This thought swirled in his mind, like a relentless blade, piercing his heart again and again. He paced back and forth, his thoughts tangled like a tangled web. The trusting, expectant faces of his teammates kept appearing before his eyes, only heightening the weight of his responsibility. Every passing moment felt like a sharp knife cutting into his heart. Xiao Yi felt as if he were trapped in a dark abyss, surrounded by endless fear and uncertainty. And the glimmer of hope for a cure seemed to grow fainter and more elusive.

So, he took a deep breath, his eyes rekindled with determination, and he resolutely decided to set out again. Xiao Yi tightened his bag, which contained only the bare necessities and hope. His steps were steady and powerful, each one laced with resolute determination. The wind whipped the hems of his clothes, but it couldn't shake his resolve. He looked up into the distance, the unknown road fraught with danger, but his gaze held no fear. He knew this might be his last chance. For the survival of his team, for the sake of those who fought alongside him, he must forge ahead. The possible antidote or expert was their only hope, and no matter how slim the hope, he would try. Throughout the journey, his mind was completely absorbed in his search. Various possible clues and locations constantly surfaced in his mind, pondering how to find the antidote or expert more quickly. His pace remained steadfast, his figure moving further and further across the desolate landscape, filled with endless courage and perseverance.

This time, their journey was even more arduous, like walking through an endless abyss of darkness, with no glimmer of hope. Along the way, they maintained constant vigilance, for danger lurked everywhere. Steep cliffs, turbulent rivers, deep swamps—every step forward was fraught with unknown risks. The howling wind threatened to blow them down; the torrential rain lashed down, pounding them mercilessly. Not only did they have to dodge sudden natural disasters, but they also had to be constantly on guard against predatory beasts and enemies lurking in the shadows. Every unfamiliar sound sent their hearts racing, their nerves straining to the limit. Meanwhile, physical fatigue, like a heavy yoke, held them tightly in place. The long trek left their legs feeling heavy as lead, and every step required immense effort. Blisters formed on their feet, and every step was accompanied by excruciating pain. Worse still, the torment of illness was a constant companion. A high fever made their heads groggy, and coughs resonated. Their weakened bodies seemed to be overwhelmed, yet they gritted their teeth and persevered. Hunger and thirst frequently struck, tormenting both their bodies and their spirits. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, their eyes shone with determination, a desire for survival and a determination for victory that fueled their continued arduous journey.

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