Lost in the Forest

This was the first time in their lives that the disciples had killed so many people.

Some disciples felt utterly disgusted by the piles of corpses.

The scene was extremely bloody.

"Compared to looking at a pile of corpses, or becoming one of those corpses, which do you find more comfortable?"

Chen Ning finished speaking.

The disciples were shaken.

His gaze gradually hardened.

Yes, no matter how unbearable it may be, at least you are the one who survives.

Instead, they did not become victims of the enemy's blade.

However, the female disciples were still unable to calm down; their faces turned pale, and they vomited incessantly.

Chen Ning walked over, handed her a bottle of water, and gently comforted her, "You'll get used to it after a while."

The disciples were somewhat bewildered, finding their sect leader's way of comforting them rather unconventional.

But regarding the sect leader's teachings.

They all agreed.

Especially after today's lesson.

This day will be one they remember.

Three more days passed.

Today is the last day of the trial mission.

The disciples have improved significantly since they arrived.

Whether in terms of practical experience or mentality, they are worlds apart.

Chen Ning felt that the team-building activity was quite successful.

Moreover, not a single person was missing.

In fact, even without the system's requirement to die in battle, Chen Ning would not have remained indifferent to the danger his disciples faced.

These are all living, breathing people.

Everyone is at their best age.

The future holds infinite possibilities.

Chen Ning couldn't bear to sacrifice their lives because of his own ridiculous mission and selfish desires.

Naturally, it must be protected thoroughly.

But now, another major problem is troubling us.

They got lost.

"Sect Leader, in my opinion, we should go this way. The trees over there are lush and green, and it looks like the path we came from."

"Sect Leader, let's go this way. The air here is humid, and there might be water; perhaps we'll find an exit there."

"Sect Leader, all our Voice Transmission Spirit Stone have stopped working, and we can't contact the sect. What should we do?"

Looking out at the vast, boundless forest.

Everyone was at a loss.

The miasma grew thicker, causing people to lose their way and constantly circulate their Essence Power to resist it.

Extremely difficult.

Chen Ning is also terrible with directions, and he's currently trying to figure out a solution.

"Oh dear, I should have let Luo Qingqing lead the way..."

Chen Ning felt a little regretful.

Without a guide, it would be quite difficult to get out of this miasma-filled forest.

Every year, countless explorers and hunters get lost in the Forest of the Dead.

Some say it's Curse from the Forest of the Dead.

It is a miasma maze set up by countless dead souls.

To hold onto those who have passed through.

This is also the most terrifying part of the Forest of the Dead.

In the past, they could have searched for the traces of spirit beasts and followed them, perhaps finding a way out.

But now, there isn't a single living creature to be seen around.

Visibility was decreasing, and everyone had to proceed cautiously, taking it one step at a time.

Proceed with caution.

Some disciples who practiced fire-attribute Cultivation Method became the team's guiding lights.

It guides everyone forward.

Thump!

A sound suddenly came from the front of the group.

Then a disciple was heard shouting, "Help! I've fallen into a pit!"

The group stopped and looked ahead.

All that could be seen was a deep, collapsed pit.

The disciple only fell about half a person's height and was not in danger.

What are you yelling about?

Lu Ping snorted irritably and pulled him up.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Lu."

The disciple expressed his gratitude, realizing he had overreacted.

However, Chen Ning discovered that there was a square opening at the bottom of the pit.

The disciple's fall just now seems to have disturbed some creature in the cave.

A rustling sound began to come from the cave entrance.

"Sect Leader, I'm scared. Could it be a ghost?"

A delicate female disciple clung to Chen Ning's arm.

Chen Ning felt a soft touch, but at that moment he was also focused on examining the opening.

The disciples were all on high alert.

They drew their swords and stood ready.

Time slips away little by little...

A short while later, a figure crawled out of the cave.

Looking at Chen Ning and the others, he first took a half step back timidly, then seemed to have mustered up a lot of courage.

Mustering his courage, he asked, "Are you... are you lost?"

Upon seeing that it was a person crawling out, the disciples secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The person in front of me is at least alive.

It can be judged by common sense.

As long as it's not some kind of vengeful spirit seeking revenge, those ghost stories are the truly terrifying things.

Chen Ning glanced at the other person and replied, "We were indeed a bit lost. Sorry to have disturbed you."

Seeing that the other party spoke with goodwill, the figure that emerged from the cave finally lowered its guard.

They took off the fur hat they were using for disguise.

A slightly immature face was revealed.

This is a round-faced boy.

He was about the same age as the disciples behind him.

He looked to be in his teens.

He chuckled sheepishly and said, "It's alright, I'll go tell the elders at home, and then I'll see you out."

After a moment, he felt something was amiss, and scratched his head, saying, "By the way, are you hungry? Why don't you come in with me, have something to eat before you leave, consider it as visiting."

Chen Ning hesitated for a moment, then said, "No need. If you can really help us get out of the Forest of the Dead, I will definitely reward you."

Unexpectedly, the round-faced boy shook his head and said, "No need, no need. Grandpa said that we should be willing to help others without expecting anything in return, so that we can accumulate blessings and live longer."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ning suddenly became interested in the grandfather he mentioned.

He couldn't help but ask, "You said you were inviting us in for a meal, but can your cave accommodate a hundred of us?"

"Yes, the underground space is vast; our people have lived there for hundreds of years."

The round-faced boy was delighted to hear that Chen Ning had agreed to come for dinner.

"In that case, I'll go in with you first to pay my respects to the elders of your clan. It would be too presumptuous and impolite if everyone went in."

Chen Ning decided to go in first and find out what was going on.

If the disciples rush in rashly, and if the other side has a trap, they could easily be wiped out all at once.

With his superior first-grade Protective Talisman and the Immortal-Trapping Talisman, even if there was a powerhouse several levels above him, he could trap them for a while and at least escape unscathed.

The round-faced boy also felt that Chen Ning's words made sense, so he turned around and led the way.

Lu Ping said worriedly, "Sect Leader, why don't I go with you?"

"It's alright, you stay here and take good care of your junior brothers and sisters."

Chen Ning nodded to Lu Ping, and then followed the round-faced boy into the cave entrance.

The entrance to the cave was narrow.

However, after a certain distance...

The space suddenly opened up.

The underground world was surprisingly spacious and open, a hidden paradise.

Who would have thought that such a pristine place existed beneath the terrifying Forest of the Dead?