166 Wilderness Survival
◎Look what Xiaohua brought you!◎
The towering crowns of ancient trees block the sunlight, dark green moss is everywhere, and the wildly growing vines connect the branches with the bushes on the ground, forming green walls, making the already dim jungle even darker.
The strange cries of unknown birds can be heard from the depths of the dense forest from time to time.
The mountain wind did not blow into the dense forest. The air was damp, hot and turbid. A rotten, slightly fishy smell mixed with rotten soil, rotten leaves and animal remains lingered. There was also a faint gray fog trapped in the forest.
The sound of rapid and heavy breathing came from far away, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps trampling on dead branches, rotten leaves and moss-covered rocks. Every movement seemed to be infinitely magnified in the silent atmosphere, echoing in the mountains and forests.
As a bunch of branches and leaves shook, a thin girl with a terrified look on her face came into view as she hurriedly jumped over a tree root as thick as a thigh that protruded from the ground.
Her face was pale, and her pupils were constricted, as if she was in deep fear.
She ran forward in a panic, looking back from time to time. Even when the fine cold sweat on her forehead flowed into her eyes, causing soreness, she didn't even think to wipe it off.
The girl's heart was beating like a drum, as if it was going to burst out of her chest with every beat. Fear was like a maggot clinging to her bones, almost suffocating her. She didn't know how long she had been running, nor did she know that she was running deeper and deeper into the jungle. Her mind was blank, and only the instinct for survival kept her running forward with all her might.
Her feet stumbled along tirelessly like a machine.
Although she saw nothing behind her, that creepy aura surrounded her, following her like a shadow.
She knew that she was being targeted by something in the jungle, and she had become the prey stuck in the spider web. No matter how she struggled, she could not escape the other party's control.
In the crevice of the rock where the girl hurriedly ran, a dark beetle stretched out its antennae, as if catching some signal, and then quickly crawled out.
Rustling——
More and more insects crawled over the dead branches and leaves, and over the moss-covered rocks.
The leaves in the forest swayed without wind, as if something had passed by.
The jungle was apparently very quiet, yet there was a creepy liveliness to it.
The girl running in the jungle didn't dare to stop at all. Her face became paler and her fear became more obvious.
She looked around frantically, trying to find the right path, but everywhere she looked, there were ancient trees that looked like they had been copied and pasted, and she couldn't tell which was the right direction.
She was completely lost in the jungle.
But she didn't dare to stop. She went wherever there was a gap in front of her. There was no road in front of her. Under her feet were thick dead branches and rotten leaves, entangled vines, and tree roots and slippery rocks that popped up from time to time. She stumbled and her pale face was covered with several red marks, and bright red blood oozed out.
The faint smell of blood caused more movement in the mountains and forests, and she seemed to feel that many things were approaching her.
The unknown existence and the threat to her life made her mouth open unconsciously, as if she was so frightened that she wanted to scream, but no sound came out.
She was not paying attention and was tripped by a raised tree root. Her body fell forward involuntarily with a dull thud and rolled twice on the ground.
She seemed not to feel any pain, and then she quickly got up and continued to run forward.
But the girl didn't notice that the moment she fell, the movement behind her seemed to have suddenly pressed the pause button and disappeared without a trace in an instant.
The forest was unusually quiet, with birds singing and insects chirping silently.
She ran for a long time, the only sounds in her ears being her own heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat.
She had reached her limit, her legs felt like they were filled with lead and she could no longer run, and yet she was still in the jungle.
The girl leaned against an old tree, like a drowning person suddenly touching the air, and struggled to breathe. She really couldn't run any longer. If she continued like this, she would die of exhaustion before she was killed by the beasts in the jungle.
After realizing that she couldn't escape, the fear in the girl's eyes dissipated a little, and she thought sadly that maybe it would be better to die like this.
Anyway, in this world, no one has ever expected her existence, and no one likes her.
She is just a superfluous person, it would be better if she just disappeared...
Her heartbeat was still much faster than normal, and her breathing was still rapid, but it was slowly easing. The girl turned around. She was about to die. She would see what kind of mouth would swallow her.
It was noon when the girl got lost in the jungle. She searched and ran all the way, but before she knew it, the sun had set and the light in the forest became dimmer.
The temperature was slowly dropping, the fog was getting thicker, the shadows were hazy, and the surroundings were plunged into deathly silence.
Her heartbeat, which had just calmed down, started beating faster again, her heartstrings tightened, and her pupils were filled with fear again.
She was not a very brave person. In the ghostly forest, she seemed to be the only one there. She—
The girl's gaze slowly fixed on one direction, her pupils constricted.
Not far in front of her, on a towering ancient tree, a giant python thicker than an adult was coiled around the trunk. It moved its tongue silently, its cold eyes looking down at her.
She only felt a chill spreading from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, and her whole body was so stiff that she dared not move.
snake……
What a big python!
The giant python crawled, its thick and long body squirming silently. It had already discovered her presence and was crawling towards her.
Her mind was blank, and she couldn't even think of running away. Her feet were frozen in place, and she watched the giant python's head approaching her.
Hiss——
The scarlet snake's tongue moved silently in front of her. From a close distance, the python looked even thicker.
Her pale face turned red, then her eyes rolled back, and she fell straight down in an instant, lying on the ground with a thud.
She forgot to breathe and suffocated herself to death, perhaps because she was too frightened.
hiss?
Xiaohua's snake head probed forward, and then the tip of its thick and long tail came forward and poked.
Nothing on the ground moved.
But it smelled a scent similar to the things that the cub often rummaged through, which was the same as those bones.
But this one is alive.
The snake's instinct seemed to urge it to swallow her quickly, as this prey should not exist in the jungle.
Such a rare thing should be given to the baby.
hiss!
Xiaohua was very happy. The snake's tail swung flexibly, then it rolled up the person on the ground and quickly disappeared into the depths of the jungle.
It was long after the python's scent had faded away that the animals in the jungle began to move.
As the last ray of afterglow faded, the entire jungle fell into pitch-black darkness.
On the edge of a flat and open jungle in the neighboring mountain forest, across a hill, many flames were rising.
A dozen huge tents were pitched closely in the middle of the open space. A dozen tall and strong men were holding some kind of powder and spraying it around the edges of the tents. They were wearing tight dark tactical clothing, helmets and goggles on their heads, jungle boots on their feet, and flashlights hanging around their waists. A lot of knives and weapons could be vaguely seen between their legs and waists.
At this time, beside the brightly lit tent, there were equally well-equipped bodyguards patrolling at all times. At the same time, there were many figures moving around in the distance. It can be said that there were three layers of protection inside and outside the tent for the people.
At this time, in one of the huge tents, six young men and women in camouflage uniforms were gathered around a campfire, eating meat.
The young people were laughing and joking, and it was very lively.
"This jungle isn't that scary!" a young and energetic male voice rang out. "We've been here for two days and haven't seen any danger."
"The elders actually repeatedly told us not to set foot here and refused to find connections for us to have fun. Only Qiongyu did you find a way and found other connections."
"Yes, thanks to our Qiong Yu's wide network of contacts!"
"Of course, our Qiong Yu is so outstanding that no one can compare to her." The coquettish female voice was filled with pride.
In the firelight, Lin Qiongyu's fair cheeks flushed slightly as she was surrounded by flattery and a glittering smile filled her eyes. "You think I'm all good, but I'm actually not that great. Dawson is just a friend I made abroad. I don't know him that well. I was just trying to ask, but I didn't expect he could actually help."
The jungle camping site where they are now is located between the bases of Eagle Country and Rabbit Country.
The mercenary guild affiliated with Eagle Country has developed a special tourism project in recent years. They built a jungle camping adventure base deep in the jungle, which is very close to the jungle boundary that humans can reach.
This project is very popular among the thrill-seeking children of wealthy people.
Many people have to use connections to get a spot.
Of course, such dangerous things are absolutely prohibited in their own country. Their country does not encourage ordinary people to come to this jungle, and the quota and requirements for people coming to this side of the country are very strict.
Because this jungle is too mysterious and dangerous, even the soldiers with the best physical fitness are not sure they can get out of it.
They had always been yearning for this jungle, and after finally finishing their college entrance exams, they hit it off and agreed to come here for an adventure.
However, their parents were not happy about them coming here and were unwilling to use their connections to facilitate their visit. In the end, Lin Qiongyu used her own connections to get a lot of places from her friends in the Eagle Country. The graduation activity for a group of wealthy kids who had just reached adulthood was ostensibly an overseas trip, but in reality it was an adventure in this jungle.
This group of rich kids were ignorant of the immensity of the world and were more daring than ever before. The place where they stayed had already exceeded the planned cordon.
As if looking for excitement, he ran into the deep jungle.
They felt they had made all the necessary preparations. Not only did they have the project's own mercenaries for protection, they also spent a large sum of money to hire two guides who frequented the jungle all year round, and also hired a group of foreign bodyguards who were willing to risk their lives for money.
In their eyes, being able to take a walk deep into the jungle is something they can brag about in the future.
They followed the guide during the day to see some of the amazing life in the jungle, and returned to the safe camp at night.
Little did they know that they had already attracted the attention of the jungle beasts.
"Qiong Yu, you're too modest! I heard that Dawson is a very cold person. The fact that he's willing to help you shows that he considers you a friend."
"Some people are so shameless. They shamelessly follow me. They're clearly benefiting from your help, but they're so ungrateful and give you the cold shoulder!" At this point, Huo Jianjian's voice was full of anger and disappointment for his friend. "You're just too easygoing, that's why you're being bullied."
Lin Qiongyu's eyes darkened, and then she said lightly, "That's not the case. After all, my sister is my parents' biological daughter. And I promised my parents that I would help my sister integrate into our circle. Naturally, I can't break my promise. In the final analysis, I am the one who is sorry for her..."
Cui Mingxiao immediately complained, "What's this got to do with you? You didn't do it. You're also a victim, okay? Besides, how can blood ties compare to living together day and night? You've been enjoying your life for so many years, your uncle and aunt shouldn't have let you suffer any injustice."
"That's right! Don't worry, Qiongyu, we are good friends who grew up together. We won't let you be bullied in vain."
Lin Qiongyu was naturally warmed by the protection of her friends. She comforted them, "Don't worry, I'm fine. Sister is a very good person. You will know it after you get to know her more."
Seeing her friend was about to continue complaining, Lin Qiongyu immediately changed the subject and asked, "By the way, where's my sister? Hasn't she come out yet?"
Cui Mingxiao's eyes flashed, "Who knows."
"Are you acting like a spoiled brat?" Huo Jianjian raised his brows coldly. "You have such a bad temper that you have to keep asking her to have dinner."
Thinking of her sister staying alone in the tent, Lin Qiongyu could no longer sit still. She stood up and said, "I'll go find my sister."
Before leaving, Lin Qiongyu worriedly warned, "When sister comes over, don't be so rude!"
The men and women sitting around here clearly had unfriendly expressions, but facing Lin Qiongyu's gaze, they reluctantly dragged out their responses, "I understand."
Cui Jianjian was afraid that his friend would suffer, so he immediately stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
Lin Qiongyu wanted to say no, but seeing Huo Jianjian's insistence, she didn't refuse.
Lin Qiongyu walked to a small tent at the edge and called out, "Sister?"
"Is it time for dinner?"
Seeing this, Cui Jianjian was about to make a sarcastic remark, but Lin Qiongyu glanced at her lightly, so she had to shut her mouth and muttered in dissatisfaction in her heart that Qiongyu was just too good-tempered.
Lin Qiongyu didn't hear a response, so she softened her voice, "Sister, can I come in?"
Lin Qiongyu waited a little longer, then opened the tent and walked in. "Sister?"
Who would have thought that there was no one in the tent.
Lin Qiongyu's face turned pale immediately, "Where's my sister?"
Huo Jianjian curled his lips, "Who knows where he ran off to?"
Lin Qiongyu walked out anxiously and asked the bodyguard. Sure enough, she learned that her sister had never come back after she went out. She looked at the already dark forest and her face became even paler.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"Miss Qiongyu, we've already informed her, and Miss Lin went out with Master Cui. Master Cui said Miss Lin wanted to be alone, so we didn't go looking for her."
"Mingxiao?"
At this time, the four young boys in the tent heard the noise outside and came out. Facing Lin Qiongyu's questioning eyes, Cui Mingxiao felt a little guilty at first, but then he said confidently: "I thought Lin Duoyu came back after me, who knew she was so bold as to stay in there!"
"I didn't do anything to her. Lin Duoyu followed us here eagerly and kept targeting you. I just couldn't stand it!"
Lin Qiongyu didn't know what to say. "I've said it many times. It was me who invited her here." However, her childhood friends acted as if she had been greatly wronged.
Lin Qiongyu didn't care to ask for accusations. She was so anxious that her eyes turned red. "Where is my sister? Can you find her?"
"Ms. Qiong Yu, I hope you understand that you have all signed a life-and-death agreement. Once you enter the jungle, all actions must be under our command. If you act on your own, we will not be responsible for any accidents that occur."
"But the mountains and forests are so dangerous, you should stop her!"
"We've already reminded him. It was Master Cui who asked us to leave."
Cui Mingxiao said confidently, "I just wanted to teach her a lesson and scare her a little. Who knew she wouldn't come back on her own?"
"I want to go find my sister!" Lin Qiongyu didn't care about anything else. She was very regretful at this moment. If she had known earlier, she would not have followed Jianjian's temper and would have insisted on staying in the same tent with her sister.
There were seven of them, four men and three women. The tent they lived in was for two people. Because there was one extra person, she originally wanted to share a tent with her sister, but Jianjian refused to stay alone. She couldn't persuade him, so she had to stay with Jianjian.
If she had shared a tent with her sister, she would have noticed something was wrong sooner.
She had always thought that her sister was alone in the tent. She knew that her sister had always disliked her, so she wanted to stay away from her for a while to let her calm down. Who would have thought that this would happen.
"It's dark now, and the jungle is so dangerous..."
Huo Jianjian looked at the dark forest with some fear in his eyes, "How about we look for it tomorrow?"
They stayed in the tent at night for the past few days and did not take a close look at the forest at night. Unexpectedly, the jungle was so dark that it looked like a monster that wanted to devour people.
"You have an obligation to protect our safety." Lin Qiongyu looked at these tall men without a trace of fear in her eyes. "Go find someone right now, and I'll give you ten times the price!"
The mercenaries exchanged glances, ultimately moved by the generous reward. Furthermore, they knew Miss Lin wasn't far away, so they said, "We'll only escort you to where Miss Lin is."
They didn't dare go deeper.
Compared to these overly curious and ignorant rich kids, the mercenaries who have been in the jungle for years are well aware of the dangers of the jungle. If the rewards were not really generous and they were outnumbered, they would not accept such a mission.
In their view, anyone who ran into such a deep jungle to experience it was undoubtedly seeking death.
However, the rich employers have the most power. The mercenaries were fully armed. They immediately picked up flashlights of all sizes and led Lin Qiongyu and others who were also dressed into the depths of the jungle.
Seeing that the large group was heading deep into the jungle, Huo Jianjian hurried to follow.
The place Cui Mingxiao and Lin Duoyu went to was indeed not far from the camp, but they were following a guide in the unfamiliar mountains and forests. Cui Mingxiao called Lin Duoyu out, left him outside, and took the guide and bodyguards away, leaving him alone.
Once they encounter danger, the other party doesn't know the way and naturally cannot go back.
Cui Mingxiao took it for granted that Lin Duoyu had already walked this route once and she already remembered the way back.
Cui Mingxiao naturally had no intention of letting her die, and he did not think it was his fault. Instead, he felt that Lin Duoyu was too angry and so bold that he dared to stay in the jungle to make others worry about her. He was willing to come back only when they risked their lives to find her.
Cui Mingxiao had already thought about how to ridicule people when he saw them.
However, when they followed the bodyguards and guide to the valley where they had been during the day, there was only the sounds of birds singing and insects chirping, and no one was there. They called out names for a while, but there was no response.
Only then did everyone panic.
This Lin Duoyu is really going to cause trouble for them.
He wouldn't run off into the jungle, would he?
Lin Qiongyu did not hesitate and immediately asked to continue searching. However, neither the mercenaries in the guild nor the bodyguards and guides she hired wanted to go any deeper at this moment.
Even if they are willing to risk their lives for money, they don't want to seek death even though they know it is a suicidal act.
Their guild dared to launch a project here specifically to make money because they were quite familiar with this area and had cleared out dangers many times, but they did not want to go deeper into the mountains, especially at night.
But Lin Qiongyu was determined to continue searching.
"Qiong Yu, calm down. Maybe someone is hiding near the camp and deliberately putting us in danger! Let's go back first!" Huo Jianjian advised.
"It's so late..."
The mercenary who had been walking outside vigilantly, his expression becoming increasingly serious, suddenly interrupted, "We need to leave immediately!"
The other mercenaries and bodyguards were more vigilant.
Affected by the atmosphere, Lin Qiongyu and others also stopped talking, while in the dark forest, an unknown existence lurking somewhere was staring at them.
The mercenaries did not linger any longer and immediately gave the order to retreat. Lin Qiongyu's eyes were struggling, but her companions beside her grabbed her arms on the left and right without saying a word and forcibly pulled her away.
They quickly returned to the tent camp.
However, they found that even in the camp, it was no longer safe.
The existence of the camp attracted many creatures from the mountains and forests. In the darkness, there were pairs of bright animal eyes and huge shadows, as if they were no longer afraid of the many humans. It was as if a tide of beasts was forming, slowly surrounding them.
The leading mercenary captain made a prompt decision and evacuated overnight.
Rustling——
The jungle didn't let go, following silently behind...
Xiaohua crawled almost in a straight line with an unconscious human wrapped around her, and her snake-like speed was so fast that in just one day and one night, Xiaohua quickly ran to a familiar place.
Xiaohua became even more excited when she smelled Ye Zhizhi's scent. The shadow of a snake in the jungle flashed by so fast that it seemed like she was dazzled.
When Ye Zhizhi first noticed that Xiaohua's scent was not nearby, he didn't pay much attention to it.
There was nothing in this jungle that could threaten Xiaohua's existence, so she didn't have to worry about its safety.
Ye Zhizhi walked around the forest. According to her pace, she could run to the next hill. With the cave as the center, she went back and forth in all directions for a day and finally got to know several nearby hills.
The direction Ye Zhizhi was looking for was not quite right. She was indeed moving further out, but the direction she was heading was not the direction she was originally thrown in.
It can be said that it went a little off track.
But she is not clear about this yet.
Ye Zhizhi ran a little further that day, crossed two hills, and then smelled the scent of small flowers coming from afar.
Xiaohua is in this forest?
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a swish sound and a giant python suddenly appeared in front of Ye Zhizhi.
hiss!
Look what Xiaohua has brought you!
hiss--?
Ye Zhizhi was about to ask when he saw Xiaohua revealing a human with a curled tail, as if presenting a treasure?!
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