We continued to move forward cautiously, calling out our companions' names from time to time. After about ten minutes, the fog gradually dissipated, revealing the original appearance of the forest. This forest was very similar to the zombie forest, with large trees spread out and a view that could be seen into the distance. At this time, apart from Ji Lin'an, Song Yi, and Qianliyan, there was no one else in the forest.

We each dialed someone else's number. I called Chen Hu, and he answered after one ring: "Su Yi, where are you?"

I looked around: "We drove slowly in the direction you disappeared for about ten minutes. Now the fog has lifted, and I don't see anyone else."

Chen Hu was silent for a moment: "I guess we may have entered different barriers. After I got separated from you, I only walked less than 200 meters forward. The fog on my side has also dissipated. Logically speaking, it should be easy for me to see you."

I frowned: "Are you alone? Is anyone with you?"

Chen Hu said, "It's just me."

I said, "Try to find the exit and go back. Wait for us at the fork in the road. Be careful and we'll find a way back to meet you."

Chen Hu hung up the phone. Song Yi called Wei Bin, who said he was still where he and Song Yi had just gotten separated. Song Yi relayed the order to meet at the crossroads and then hung up. Ji Lin'an called An Xin, who had run quite far. He ran after Li Song but got separated from the others, estimating he had run about a kilometer ahead. Ji Lin'an also relayed the order to meet at the exit to An Xin. Zhang Funan called Wu Feng, who sounded impatient, as if they had gotten separated because they were too slow. Zhang Funan was both amused and exasperated by Wu Feng's tone, relayed the order, and quickly hung up.

Dai Qiang and Li Song were contacted by An Xin, and the four of us turned back and walked in the direction we came from. After walking for about ten minutes, it felt like we hadn't moved an inch, as the scenery around us remained unchanged. Ji Lin'an took out a dagger and shot an arrow into every tree we passed, but strangely, no two trees were the same.

After walking for another five minutes, Ji Lin'an called us to a stop: "Although the trees are changing, I feel like we're still going in circles."

I nodded: "Yes, it feels like stepping on a treadmill."

Song Yi walked around the tree that Ji Lin'an had marked, stood to the left of the tree, and observed it for a while. I also walked to Song Yi's side. At this moment, Ji Lin'an walked towards an unmarked tree. A strange thing happened: Song Yi and I hadn't moved, but we inexplicably appeared to the right of the unmarked tree next to Ji Lin'an. Meanwhile, Zhang Funan, who had been standing next to us on the left side of the tree, was now standing next to the tree behind us.

I immediately said, "Song Yi, you and I don't move. Lao Ji, you keep walking up one tree."

As expected, Ji Lin'an reappeared to the left of the tree next to us, and Zhang Funan moved to a position two trees away from Song Yi and me. I immediately pulled Song Yi to walk to the next tree. This time, Ji Lin'an didn't move and stood one tree behind us. Zhang Funan was three trees away from us. I immediately clapped my hands and said, "I understand. Based on this tree, the left and right sides of the tree are different paths. The path you are standing on and the tree are moving, just like the treadmill I mentioned. The reason we can't seem to reach the end is because although we are walking forward, the entire path is actually moving backward. We've been walking in place for so long. The path that Song Yi and I are on is the normal path."

Qianliyan immediately ran to Song Yi's side: "So, does that mean we can only go forward this way?"

I said, not entirely sure, "If I'm not mistaken, this is the only way to really move forward."

Ji Lin'an nodded and walked over to us: "Let's go, let's keep going forward and see if we can get out."

Finally, after walking for more than ten minutes, we saw the corner we had entered from. I couldn't wait to run towards the three-way intersection, which was deserted.

I checked the time and it was already past midnight. There were still more than six hours left before the safe house closed. I called Chen Hu, and he answered immediately: "Su Yi, have you guys left yet?"

I said, "Yes, we're out, we're at the crossroads now."

Chen Hu said somewhat dejectedly, "I don't know why, but after hanging up the phone, I kept walking, but I could never reach the end."

I guessed he was in the same situation as us, so I said, "Is there a tree on your right?"

Chen Hu replied, "Yes."

I thought for a few seconds and said, "Then go to the right side of the tree and walk forward."

Chen Hu continued walking forward, but after another ten minutes, he was still nowhere to be seen. Wei Bin, on the other hand, came out first and met up with us. I called Chen Hu again: "Haven't you seen the corner yet?"

Chen Hu said, puzzled, "No, it never ends."

I frowned and looked at Ji Lin'an: "What's going on? This is how we got out, so why can't Chen Hu get out?"

Ji Lin'an thought for a moment and reached out to ask me for my phone. I handed the phone to Ji Lin'an and said, "Chen Hu, now pick up a few more branches and put one branch under each of the three trees on your right."

Chen Hu obeyed the order: "Place it properly."

Ji Lin'an said, "Now walk straight ahead for the distance of one tree."

Chen Hu did as instructed: "We've arrived."

Ji Lin'an continued, "Look back now and see if you can find the branch you just placed there?"

Chen Hu said, "Yes."

Ji Lin'an asked, "Are they behind all three trees?"

Chen Hu replied, "Yes, we have both."

Ji Lin'an said, "Then now put the branches behind the three trees that are parallel to the left."

Chen Hu said, "It's placed properly."

Ji Lin'an said, "Walk forward one tree, then look behind the three trees to see if there are any branches."

This time, Chen Hu exclaimed in surprise, "There are no branches behind the second and third trees on the left."

Ji Lin'an smiled slightly: "Look at the branches behind those two trees, aren't they behind the trees that are parallel to you?"

Chen Hu revealed a hint of joy: "Yes, yes, it's right behind the tree that's parallel to me."

Ji Lin'an said, "Alright, now you should be able to get out by walking to the left of the second tree and going straight ahead."

Chen Hu didn't hang up the phone. Instead, he started running quickly. I could hear panting on the other end of the line. As his breathing became heavier, I soon heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Chen Hu standing behind us. When he saw us, he stood there, bent over with his hands on his knees, and said in a trembling voice, "Finally out. You saved me again."

I laughed and said, "This doesn't count as a rescue. You weren't in any danger. It's just help between companions."

Chen Hu shook his head and slowly walked towards us: "That feeling of never being able to reach the end, of my will being worn down little by little, and of walking step by step toward despair, is really worse than death."

We all exchanged glances; An Xin, Wu Feng, and a few others were still not out.