The forest was as quiet as a forgotten corner of the world. Without a breath of wind, the air seemed frozen, heavy and oppressive. The usual vitality and energy of the forest was completely gone. The usual clear chirping of birds had vanished, and there was no sign of a single bird flying overhead. Looking up, the branches where birds should have roosted were empty, as if they had never been there. On the ground, there was no rustling sound of small animals darting through the grass. No squirrels hopped from branch to branch, no rabbits poked their heads in the grass, and even the most common insects were nowhere to be seen. Silence enveloped everything, and every step was abrupt and loud, as if it were the only sound in the dead silence. This silence was unsettling, as if the whole world had stopped, leaving Xiao Yi and his companions alone, wandering through this eerie forest. They unconsciously lowered their footsteps, as if they were afraid of breaking the terrifying silence, and as if they were afraid that behind the silence there was some unknown danger that was about to erupt.
In this mysterious forest, a light mist quietly filled the air. It drifted like a veil, silently enveloping everything. It wasn't so dense that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, but it was enough to obscure your vision. The once distinct outlines of trees gradually became hazy and illusory under the mist. The mist seemed to have a life of its own, slowly flowing, gathering and dispersing. Xiao Yi and the others looked forward, only able to see a few meters ahead. Beyond that, a vast, white chaos. They tried to penetrate the mist to see the road ahead, but everything they saw was blurry. Tall trees loomed in the mist, like giant ghosts, giving off a sense of unreality. Even the road beneath their feet was obscured by the fog. Every step required careful attention, fearing tripping over rocks or potholes hidden in the mist. This light mist not only blurred their vision, but also cast a shadow over their hearts. A fear of the unknown quietly spread in their hearts.
Xiao Yi's face was tense, and he walked at the front of the team with steady and cautious steps. His right hand was tightly gripping the slightly rough weapon, and his knuckles were slightly white from the force. His eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings, sharp and alert. Every gently swaying leaf, every shadow looming in the grass, could not escape his scrutiny. He turned his head slightly, and his ears perked up, trying to catch even the slightest sound. Fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead and slowly slid down his cheeks, but he did not dare to distract himself and wipe them away. He raised and lowered his feet lightly, for fear of alerting potential danger. He leaned forward slightly, as if ready to deal with any attack that might come from any direction. Xiao Yi's breathing also became slow and even, trying not to make any unnecessary sounds. His lips were tightly pressed together, his expression serious and focused, and he was completely devoted to observing the surrounding environment, using his caution to pave a relatively safe path for his companions behind him.
Suddenly, without warning, a strange, eerie sound of wind roared through the forest. It wasn't a typical whistle, but rather a low, humming whine, like a mournful lament from an ancient time. Xiao Yi and the others stopped dead in their tracks, their nerves tense to the bone. The wind whistled through the forest, stirring the mist and making the surrounding scene even more hazy and indistinct. They felt an indescribable sense of oppression, as if invisible eyes were watching them from the shadows. Their gazes were cold, sinister, and filled with malicious curiosity. Xiao Yi tightened his grip on his weapon, his eyes darting around, trying to locate the source of this prying feeling. His companions unconsciously huddled together, their bodies trembling slightly, their hearts filled with fear and unease. The wind grew stronger, creaking branches and sending leaves fluttering down like some dire omen. Everyone's heartbeat quickened, their breathing quickened. They didn't know what was in the dark, nor what kind of danger they were about to face, but the feeling of being watched was always there, making them feel like they were facing a great enemy and they dared not relax at all.
The team members' already tense nerves, strained like a bowstring about to snap at the strange sound of the wind, were now strained to the breaking point. Their eyes were filled with fear and alertness, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Everyone's breathing became rapid and erratic, their chests heaving violently. Cold sweat streamed down their foreheads and cheeks, but no one bothered to wipe it away. Their footsteps, once carefully kept gentle, now grew heavier with the fear within them. Each step felt like a tremendous force, thumping against rotting leaves and damp earth. Some felt their legs weaken, their steps faltering, yet they forced themselves to keep up. Their eyes followed Xiao Yi, who walked ahead, as if he were the lone guiding beacon in the darkness. The heavy footsteps echoed in the silent forest, like the cries of their inner fear. Each step was filled with hesitation and uneasiness, as if the next one would plunge into the unknown abyss. This heaviness comes not only from physical fatigue, but more from the pressure on the mind. The extreme fear of unknown danger makes every movement of theirs difficult and slow.
As they continued to go deeper into the forest, Xiao Yi and the others were initially full of confidence, thinking that they could find a way out by relying on experience and intuition. However, reality dealt them a heavy blow. The trees around them became more and more similar, tall and dense, with branches and leaves intertwined, forming an indistinguishable green barrier. The path they thought was clear gradually became blurred, and the places they passed seemed to be exactly the same, without any obvious signs for reference. The sky was completely blocked by the treetops, and the position of the sun could not be seen, and it was impossible to use the sun to determine the direction.
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