Yu Guodong and Zhao Qiang formed Gui Shu's group, Changfu Shu and Xiao Si Yi were also in the group. The remaining group consisted of Quan Shu and Zhao Lao Liu. Zhao Lao Liu was skilled in trap-setting, but traps are best set in sparsely wooded areas. In this dense forest, especially in the height of summer, their effectiveness was much limited.

However, Uncle Quan alone with just a gun was a bit weak; with Zhao Laoliu there, they could look after each other. The remaining seven men were divided into four groups: one was assigned to cook, and two others to guard the riverbank. The other four were further divided into four teams, with an extra person in each team for support. They might come in handy later.

"Our group doesn't need anyone to follow us anymore, let's go to Qiangzi's group!" Uncle Xigui said as soon as the group assignments were completed.

He guessed that the combination of Zhang Guodong's and Zhao Qiang's marksmanship was a powerful duo, greatly increasing their chances of a successful hunt. Having an extra person meant they could bring back more prey.

As I just mentioned, there are now herds of argali sheep in this area. We don't need to hunt many; just one or two is enough for everyone to enjoy absolutely delicious wild sheep meat.

Progress and cessation. Hunting. Hunting for tradition, hunting for exhilaration. The final result is secondary.

"Since Xigui says so, it's decided then. Guodong, Qiangzi, we'll have to see what you do next. Everyone's pinning their hopes on you two to hunt this big guy, haha!" Uncle Quan joked.

Zhang Guodong did not object, only offering a wry smile.

It seems that after showing some skills, everyone's approval has increased.

The groups were formed. Everyone moved out. Zhang Guodong's group had the most people, but they were also the fastest. They directly took the side road, leaving the ditch area to the others.

"I feel like we've made things difficult for ourselves. The area along the ditch is where we have the most prey and are the easiest to encounter. Now we're stuck in the forest, and hunting in the forest is going to be much harder!" Zhao Qiang said with a wry smile as he parted the branches.

In the dense forest, the tough branches sometimes had thorns, making passage difficult. Furthermore, they had to constantly be aware of hidden dangers. In just ten minutes, the four encountered danger three times.

An unidentified little red spider nearly crawled into Zhao Qiang's neck as he cleared the way. Zhang Guodong pulled him aside and killed it with the back of his knife. A little sap from its tiny body dripped onto a leaf, instantly turning it half-withered. This little red spider was poisonous.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Qiang's face turned pale. Luckily, Zhang Guodong pulled him away; otherwise, if he had been bitten, and given the limited medicine they had in the mountains, it could have been fatal.

Another time, Zhu Ben from the logistics team had his bare arm suddenly become sore and swollen. Upon inspection, it turned out to be caused by the downy hairs of a caterpillar. These hairs might carry trace amounts of toxins, and if they get on a person's arm, they can cause allergic reactions or similar irritations.

After these two minor encounters, the four met a small black and white snake. However, having learned from their previous experience, they were all more cautious and discovered it.

Many people say that dense forests are the best place to hone one's wilderness survival skills and alertness, and that's true. Not only do they broaden one's horizons, but they also impart a wealth of experience.

Zhao Qiang was originally from a field army. Although he wasn't a main force soldier, he had participated in jungle survival drills.

They have knowledge and experience. However, even the most vigilant ordinary person can encounter danger.

It's clear that surviving in the dense forest is no easy feat.

After several encounters, Zhang Guodong, Zhao Qiang, and their companions were now two kilometers away from Shuiliangou, having reached a gentle slope. Along the way, they encountered some small animals, but they all disappeared before they could even get close.

That's very disrespectful to everyone.

Zhao Qiang's wry smile seemed to have hit the nail on the head. Hunting in a ditch was manageable, but in a dense forest, visibility was severely obstructed, making it extremely difficult to see the prey itself.

Zhang Guodong kept a low profile and didn't fire a shot along the way. Although he could spot the prey behind trees or at the edge of the woods, being too conspicuous would be counterproductive. "We've heard that larger prey like to come here, and the view is wider. We can spot danger in time. I think we should hunt here!" Zhao Qiang said to Zhang Guodong.

That was indeed the case. They didn't have any better hunting grounds nearby, unless they went around to the lower reaches of the ditch. But they were already this far, and no one would go back now. It was a matter of face.

"I'll go take a look over there!" Zhang Guodong nodded in agreement. He walked off alone in one direction.

This gentle slope is relatively large, so the two of them split up, each guarding one of the openings; that way, their chances of success are higher.

Zhang Guodong treated the dense forest like flat ground. Soon, Zhao Qiang could no longer see him.

As he was walking, suddenly, an extremely dangerous feeling appeared behind him. This danger arose out of nowhere and appeared suddenly, causing Zhang Guodong's pores to tighten instantly. He didn't have time to turn around and was shot straight to the side.

"Who goes there?" Zhang Guodong's reaction was incredibly fast. He didn't dodge forward, but instead moved to the side, where a large tree could provide some cover. So, once he was in place, he immediately shouted in that direction.

All of this happened in an instant.

A startled exclamation rang out. With a whoosh, the spot where Zhang Guodong had just been standing was enveloped by a large green net, which then rapidly contracted. The branches and stones inside were quickly reduced to powder.

If someone were inside, they'd probably be a pile of minced meat.

Zhang Guodong's expression changed drastically. This net was incredibly vicious, and this person was utterly ruthless, resorting to such a sneak attack. If he hadn't had his mental energy protecting him, even a level 30 plant cultivator would have had a hard time escaping.

"Not bad. I hid very well underground, how did you find me? Only an eighteenth-level plant cultivator, yet you managed to escape the 'Heavenly Net'?" A figure flashed out, dressed in camouflage. A bald middle-aged man, his hooked nose ruining his appearance.

"The Heavenly Net is a magical artifact, and Zhang Guodong can tell that it is a low-level magical artifact. Net-shaped magical artifacts are quite special, but they are the best magical treasures for trapping people. Of course, it is also more difficult to refine than ordinary low-level magical artifacts."

But none of these are the most important.

The life force aura emanating from this person was incredibly powerful to Zhang Guodong. It instantly restricted his movements, as if the other party could deliver a fatal blow at any moment. The sense of danger was almost as intense as that of Xuan Qingji.

Level 30!

Zhang Guodong gasped. But he was more puzzled. How could a level 30 plant cultivator have appeared in the outside world in such a short time?

He knew how difficult it was to leave the world of plant cultivation. Those who emerged should be top-tier experts; how could there be a level 30 plant cultivator?

"How did you know I'm a Plant Cultivator? Were you waiting here specifically for me?" Zhang Guodong tried to calm himself down, staring intently at the other person. He retorted, his entire body tense, constantly on guard.

This person was hiding underground, and I didn't even notice. It's safe to assume they're skilled at ambushes!

"Kid, stop talking nonsense and hand over your storage bag obediently, so I can leave you a whole corpse!" The bald man ignored Zhang Guodong's words. His face contorted with rage, the murderous intent in his triangular eyes undisguised. "Damn it, just a level 18 brat."

Low-level plant cultivators. They usually don't have anything good on them. But Baldy hasn't had any business in a long time, not even in this Bird Mountain for a very long time. So Zhang Guodong is really unlucky.

Zhang Guodong naturally couldn't hand over anything, and this hesitation left the other party with no room for negotiation. They actually attacked! An object was thrown at him, seemingly with wings, moving with lightning speed, faster than Zhang Guodong at full speed!

Damn it. Another sneak attack!

Zhang Guodong sensed a tremendous threat emanating from that small object; a chilling aura rushed towards him—it was a talisman with the attribute of cold.