overheard the conversation. Yang Feng and Mo Hancheng returned inside, and the trio headed to the river to wash their sleep-laden faces.

Yang Feng explained the situation at the Valley of the Wild People to Mo Hancheng and Xue Ying, who felt a pang of guilt upon realizing they might be connected to the strange occurrences there.

"What?"

Xue Ying reacted strongly, remembering that she'd eaten the sacred fruit of the Elephant Tribe. She was shocked to learn that almost all the valley's creatures had died.

"Ah!"

The trio walked to the old chieftain's hut, greeting tribe members along the way with polite smiles.

"Old Chieftain~"

"Let's go."

The trio entered the hut and respectfully greeted the old chieftain. He gestured for them to sit, and they did so without hesitation, taking seats on wooden chairs beside him.

"The Valley of the Wild People has faced a significant event. We might need you to investigate."

"We were planning to go there anyway."

"Much appreciated."

Leaving the hut, the trio realized the old chieftain's intentions aligned with their own. They found Kalantu, had a hearty meal, and fully armed, they set off towards the valley.

"Swish, swish, swish~"

Their figures sped through the sky, leaving only afterimages. Smaller animals scattered, frightened back to their nests.

"This… this…"

The wild person's words rang true. The valley was strewn with dead creatures, vultures pecking at the remains, and some places left only with white bones. The trio was frightened by how quickly all life had perished.

"Let's go!"

They approached the cave at the heart of the valley, where the wild person awaited, his heart swelling with hope upon seeing them.

"Enter."

For some reason, they trusted him implicitly at that moment. They stepped up and into the dark cave, where torches ignited themselves along the stone walls, lighting the way.

"Best of luck!"

Cautious, they navigated the winding paths of the cave, reaching a fork with three passages, each for one person.

"I'll take the right path!"

"I'll take the left path!"

Xue Ying chose the right, Mo Hancheng the left, leaving the middle path for Yang Feng.

Each pursued their own road, wary of potential traps hidden within the stone walls, each moment wary of sudden hidden mechanisms.

"Maybe we're scaring ourselves for nothing."

The paths seemed endless, but the torches' light kept them from total darkness. Without it, the way would have been terrifying.

"Just as feared!"

An unexpected wind blew through the passages, extinguishing the torches and plunging them into pitch blackness.

Bearing separate routes, they were unaware that all three paths led to the same destination. Their sole thought was to escape the dark tunnel.

"Hmm!"

"What did I find?"

In the darkness, Yang Feng picked

 Prev. P 71/318 next