The surrounding "trees" grew denser and denser, and countless "branches and leaves" blocked out the sunlight like umbrellas, making it incredibly dark even though it was noon.
A long time had passed since the initial scream, and Jiang Ran could now barely hear anything. The strange insects on the ground had also returned to hibernation, only moving away in disgust when Jiang Ran approached with the water bottle in hand.
As he walked from the starting point to this point, the number of skeletons in the soil increased dramatically, making it even more chaotic than a mass grave. Jiang Ran would never believe that these skeletons were those of travelers who had strayed into this place, because the sheer number was terrifying.
Could this place have once been a city, which was eventually overrun by insect swarms, and these remains be those of the city's former inhabitants?
So, is this the Lost City?
While this possibility cannot be ruled out, we cannot place too much faith in this speculation. Jiang Ran needs to find sufficient evidence to confirm that this place is indeed the Lost City.
The "lawn" finally came to an end, and ahead was a different kind of black soil. Jiang Ran stretched out his arm, the water bottle swayed, and the black "soil" began to writhe, extending countless legs. This scene made Gwen's scalp tingle!
How much longer will Jiang Ran have to walk through this insect nest? In this endless and meaningless journey, apart from seeing more types of insects, he seems to have gained nothing of value.
Insects fear plants, but there are no plants around, and the only thing we can use is the herbal soup we have.
Jiang Ran kept moving forward, but the stone path that had guided him was long gone. In this enormous insect nest, Jiang Ran could be said to be lost.
"It's alright, let's just consider it a trial and error process."
With at least five chances to "return from the dead," since the road ahead is unknown, let's make it known!
Jiang Ran stepped forward again, entering the swarm of insects that wriggled like centipedes. The swarm immediately parted to the sides, making way for him.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake, and a giant centipede emerged from the ground. The length of the centipede protruding from the ground was no less than seven meters. Its eyes looked at Jiang Ran, and Jiang Ran did not feel that it was an insect creature without much intelligence.
Jiang Ran moved forward again, walking directly in front of the giant centipede. The centipede simply lowered its head and did not dodge, seemingly unafraid of the herbal soup in Jiang Ran's hand.
"Human, this is not a place for you. Stop moving forward, or death will be your only fate."
The centipede spoke in a human voice and used its enormous body to block Jiang Ran's path.
"After walking for so long, we've finally met someone we can talk to." Jiang Ran smiled. "Sorry, I've heard far too many threats in my life. Your casual remark to make me stop isn't very intimidating."
"After all, I have no way out."
“You have a way out.” The centipede lowered its body again, the distance between it and Jiang Ran was less than a meter. Jiang Ran could clearly smell the disgusting stench on it. “You can turn back whenever you want. There is nothing here that can hold you back.”
“I don’t recall there being any affection between us,” Jiang Ran said, meeting its gaze. “Mr. Centipede, what made you so kind as to come out and remind me? The death of a mere human is utterly insignificant to you.”
"Or is it that if I continue on this path, it wouldn't be good news for you?"
The centipede was silent for a few seconds, then raised its head: "To get this far, you're quite good for an adventurer; at least you didn't get caught on the tree worm's antennae."
"But you are not the first adventurer to come here. None of your predecessors left here alive."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't change the subject, big guy."
"Besides, how do you know I can't be the first?"
“You’re arrogant, kid. That’s right. Anyone who chooses to come to this place for adventure is arrogant. It’s a pity you chose the wrong place.” The centipede swung its legs. “If I wanted to, I could kill you easily. And there are countless beings like me in the deeper parts.”
"If you can kill me so easily, why don't you do it? Mr. Centipede, is it because you don't want to?"
“You’re right, I don’t want to.” The centipede raised its voice. “I don’t want human blood on my body. Killing people is something only low-level insects without intelligence would do.”
"Oh? Haven't you killed enough people here?"
Jiang Ran opened his arms, gesturing for him to look at the piles of white bones in the soil.
The centipede glanced at it casually: "You know nothing. This is our glorious evolution. These bones are a monument, marking the end of the old era and our formal entry into a new eternal life!"
Jiang Ran found the centipede's words quite interesting. He had thought these skeletons were humans who had perished at the hands of the insect swarm, but judging from these words, it seemed that this was not the case.
"You mean to say that you were once human beings?"
From the information revealed by the centipede, Jiang Ran could vaguely guess what had happened here.
However, given the size of the swarm, if every single insect were transformed from humans, the sheer number would be terrifying. Therefore, it's possible that the first generation of "insects" didn't number that many, and that most of the insects were bred later.
"Entering into eternal life?" Jiang Ran continued to ask, "Becoming an insect and eternal life are probably not the same thing."
"The eternal will is the eternal life."
"If that's the case, does that mean the human body can't bear the weight of will?"
“No, you don’t understand.” The centipede shook its head. “The human race and the insect race are worlds apart. A race can only have one will, and that is the only will that must never be violated!”
"Ah—I see." Jiang Ran walked around the centipede's body and continued forward. "You know, your mind doesn't seem like an independent life form."
"Kid, what are you trying to say?"
“You’re more like something else.” Jiang Ran turned around, “a pre-programmed part in some giant machine.”
On the centipede's carapace, there is a huge letter—
"T!"
Mist? A thin fog? Does it represent a future as unclear and uncertain as fog?
“If the tribe needs me, I can be this cog, kid. This is your last chance. Stop.”
"What, Mr. Centipede, are you trying to stop me?"
"You can't stop me."
Jiang Ran walked forward.
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