Lunch consisted of a whole chicken and some taro leaves. To make sure we were full, the chicken and taro leaves were in equal proportions.

After finishing our meal, we didn't rest and immediately set off again on this swampy path.

With the added protection of the widened insoles, there were several times when I encountered muddy areas and was about to sink in, but I could simply run across without any problem.

The wider insoles increase the contact area with the mud, so even if you run a little faster, the mud won't sink as quickly as you do.

However, the swampy area we were walking through seemed to be much farther than we had imagined. We started walking at noon and hadn't left the swamp by the time it was almost dusk.

As dusk approached, I couldn't help but feel a little worried again. This vast grassland was mostly marshland, so there was no need to worry about large predators coming in.

However, the trees here are so rare that they are almost like protected plants. Even if you do come across one, it is a small, underdeveloped tree that is not even as thick as an arm.

If it weren't for the trees to build a hammock today, I would have had to sleep on this cold ground.

The weather is still very cold. If you sleep directly on the ground, you won't be able to retain your body heat at all, and you're very likely to catch a cold or get sick.

Secondly, there's the problem of firewood. There's plenty of thatch here, but it burns extremely quickly, disappearing after just a short while; it doesn't last long at all.

This empty grassland is giving me a real headache. How am I going to keep warm tonight?

Amidst a wave of anxiety, night fell. Lacking firewood, Top and I could only use thatch to light a fire and slightly heat up some dried pheasant meat to fill our stomachs.

Finally, having no other choice, they cut down some tall thatch and planted it in the ground in an A-shape, then sealed both ends with thatch to keep out the cold night winds.

As for the ground, we can only continue to use thatch to insulate it. Although the cut thatch is somewhat damp, it is still better than sleeping directly on the ground.

Tonight, I'm destined not to be able to light a fire for warmth, because once I fall asleep, I worry that if even a single spark were to fly onto my dwelling, Top and I would likely not see the sun rise tomorrow.

We set off early the next morning, and just when I thought I could walk out of the meadow in one go, reality once again devastated me.

We walked on this meadow for three whole days without seeing a way out. It wasn't until around 3 p.m. on the fourth day that Top and I finally emerged from that maddening meadow.

Emerging from the swamp, I found that the insoles I had made were almost completely worn out. I gave a wry smile; perhaps this was a case of making the best use of something.

This new location brought about another change in the environment. The palm trees that I had been longing to see were now everywhere here.

Moreover, the palm trees here are different from those in my hometown; each one is over three meters tall and as thick as a bowl.

Not only palm trees, but also banana trees, mango trees, longan trees and other tree species can be seen everywhere here.

These trees don't exist in my hometown. I've been working in Guangdong for a while, so I recognize some of these common tree species.

But as far as I know, aren't these tree species found only in subtropical and tropical regions?

I remember the place I lived in before was in a temperate climate, and the plants there were also plants that are typical of temperate climates.

But how come these tropical plants are growing in this temperate region?

What's even more outrageous is that there are ferns here that are several meters to tens of meters tall. What the hell is that?

If I remember correctly, the largest existing fern in our world is the tree fern from Liupanshui.

But even the giant tree fern, a species of fern, can only be called a younger brother in front of these ferns.

My mind is a bit confused; how can these things grow together so seamlessly? But then again, it's not so strange after all.

After all, the place I lived before was also inhabited by tigers, prehistoric sand monsters from millions of years ago, and those terrifyingly large ants.

It's quite reasonable to include some prehistoric plants here, just like the tree fern, which is also a prehistoric plant, yet it grew alongside modern plants.

Perhaps because we hadn't lit a fire for warmth on the grassland these past few days, the environment was slowly changing as Top and I moved forward, and I hadn't even noticed.

The temperature here is no longer as cold as where I used to live; now it can even feel a bit warm.

At first, I thought those few tropical plants were just isolated cases, but as I walked further, the tropical plants sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

I couldn't help but marvel at the magic of this land; just a few days' journey apart, the climate and vegetation were completely different.

However, what I didn't know was that the nightmare had only just begun, and I was destined to pay the price for my arrogance and ignorance.

After walking for a while, Top and I started to feel warm.

It was only then that I suddenly realized that it was still winter, and the word "hot" shouldn't be used. Could this be the tropics?

The thought startled me a little. Had I really gone from the temperate zone to the tropics in just a few days?

I tried to explain this problem using my common sense; perhaps the place I started from was located at the junction of temperate and subtropical zones.

This area may not be tropical yet, but rather subtropical, and these species also fit the characteristics of subtropical species.

Yes, that's right, that must be it.

I came to a stream and felt the water temperature with my hand. Although the water was still cold, it was definitely not as cold as the water where I had stayed before.

Some common fish are still swimming leisurely in the water.

Top seemed to be seeing these novel trees for the first time, and it climbed around most of them, probably to see if they bore fruit.

It's just a bit warmer now, since it's still winter here. If mangoes and other fruits could grow in winter, that would truly shatter my worldview.

However, we also need to consider the clothing issue, since this isn't my area, and it's likely to get even hotter here in a while.

"Squeak!"

I was deep in thought when I heard Top scream from ahead.

Hearing Top's cry, I couldn't help but frown, wondering what strange thing the monkey had encountered this time.

I quickly followed and went to investigate. There, I saw a huge wild boar drinking water by the stream. Its size was like a small mountain, and I estimated it weighed over 400 pounds.

In the past, I would have definitely run away, but now I have a crossbow in my hand. If I shoot from the right spot, I still have a chance to kill a wild boar weighing several hundred pounds with one shot.

Wait a minute! I suddenly realized something. Top has seen wild boars before. Even if this wild boar is bigger, it shouldn't be this terrified, right?