Chapter 603: The Gloomy Forest
"Look!" Lin Xiao's excited voice startled the depressed group and they raised their heads and looked ahead to where he was pointing. The time spent in this sandy landscape was truly dreadful, and during the last couple of hours, a strong wind had been blowing, causing a sandstorm to increase the troubles they faced in their advance.
"That's a forest. Look, it is so different. It is as if this sandy area and the forest are two completely different worlds, not to mention that the border between the two areas is so distinct and clear that it seems fake."
The rest of the group had noticed the phenomenon that he was talking about. In front of them was the border between the sandy areas and a strange forest unlike any they had ever seen before. The forest was, as any others, dominated by trees, but these trees were all crooked and their bark was covered in grime.
Green leaves were at the very top of the trees, but instead of the majority of trees with countless leaves on each branch, these had fewer leaves but their sizes were also many times bigger than ever seen before.
In fact, each of these leaves was double the size of Xue Wei.
"Although I am tired of these scorpions and the sand, I feel that our current area is many times more peaceful and less dangerous than that forest."
Bai Tianyi could not help but gulp as he spoke. Although he had heard many things about this No Man's Land before, what had met them after their arrival was much more dangerous and terrible than he had ever expected.
"Indeed. The sandy area seems pretty comfortable right now. In fact, I wouldn't mind, even if the sandstorm continues to blow."
Luoluo and Bai Tianyi were the ones most sensitive to the aura around them. Although the sandy areas had been gloomy and depressing, it was much more manageable than this forest in front of them that made their hearts palpitate just by looking at it.
"The forest is naturally more dangerous. Not only due to the plants we have never seen before, but also since, most likely, a wider variety of beasts live within.
"Not only will we be likely to encounter more beasts, they will also be much more camouflaged, so we have to constantly be alert when moving. We don't even know if the plants are carnivorous too."
Xue Wei was not as sensitive as Luoluo and Bai Tianyi, but even he felt a strong resistance towards this forest. The trees were gloomy and the dim light that breached through the leaves was not enough to release a gentle light.
Even the grime on the trees made him painfully aware that the further into this No Man's Land they got, the more dangers they would encounter. Instead of succumbing to this danger, they had to keep fighting and move forward together.
"Understood."
Xue Wei was the youngest in their group, but he was also their moral support. He had brought them to see a much vaster world than they had ever known, or taught them the important things in life. Luoluo even felt that he was the reason for her to gain her freedom, so all of them were willing to listen to this young man as he spoke.
Although they all knew about the dangers they were to face, none of them mentioned the option of going back. To them, there was only one way; to keep moving forward.
The most intriguing thing was that they had walked for so long. The sandy area was not full of hills and dunes, and although the sandstorm had limited their view a little, they should have noticed this forest way sooner than they did.
By the time Ling Xiao had called out, the forest was only a few steps away from them, so they did not have much time to gather their thoughts.
"Should we rest here before we enter, or go straight away?" Hei Gou looked at the forest in front and the sandy landscape behind. His eyes were dim, and he was feeling somewhat troubled. It seemed that no matter which option they picked, they would suffer and be unable to rest properly.
"The sandstorm will not allow us any rest."
Although Xue Wei would have liked to gather strength before entering a new area, he understood that it was not possible. The sandstorm had become more and more fierce as they approached the border, and they would be unable to benefit, even if they took a few moments to sit down.
"In that case, let us give this new area a try." Hei Gou naturally respected Xue Wei's decision. He, too, understood the reason for this decision, but still felt that the dangers ahead could not be belittled.
"Wait!"
Just as they got ready to enter, Luoluo called out. "I am not the most familiar with these various realms, but if this realm was merged with our world, could it, perhaps, be a realm made from different pocket dimensions? Then, each of these smaller realms has their own rules and regulations?
"If that is the case, then, maybe this forest has other secrets and traps waiting? Some of the pocket dimensions I entered before getting caught had the habit of splitting apart groups when entering.
"I am not sure if this is possible here, but I would rather ensure that we do not get split than to take a risk."
As Luoluo finished speaking, the others felt somewhat fearful. Amongst their group, only Luoluo had entered more than a few pocket dimensions, so she had a better background knowledge than the rest. Even Bai Tianyi had not experienced this before, but he could already feel fear upon imagining what would happen if they got separated from one another.