Absorption, Panic

A hidden valley lay a hundred thousand li from the army's battlefield.

In the valley, ancient trees soared into the sky, blocking out the sun. Their trunks were so thick that several people had to wrap their arms around them, while their rough bark was covered in the wrinkles of time. Every line seemed to whisper stories of the past. Sunlight struggled through the gaps between the branches and leaves, scattering mottled shadows that sketched ever-changing patterns across the ground. The earth beneath their feet was soft and damp, covered by a thick layer of fallen leaves that crackled underfoot, as though playing a tranquil melody of nature.

Following the winding path onward, the sound of trickling water gradually grew clearer. Chasing the sound, they soon saw a crystal-clear stream. It flowed slowly along the terrain of the valley, its stones and gravel polished smooth and round by the current. Colorful little fish and shrimp darted freely through the water, occasionally leaping playfully above the surface and splashing strings of sparkling droplets. Lush wildflowers grew along the streambank. The red ones blazed like fire, the yellow ones were bright and charming, and the purple ones were elegant and noble. They bloomed recklessly, their fragrance spreading through the air and mingling with the damp mist into wisps of fresh sweetness.

Continuing deeper into the valley, the scenery grew increasingly strange. At the center lay a broad meadow, dotted here and there with mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. Some resembled delicate little umbrellas, while others looked like plump, adorable lanterns. Their colors were vivid yet carried an air of mystery. These mushrooms were an indispensable part of the valley's ecology. They depended on the surrounding plants and microorganisms, and together they formed a subtle, complex ecosystem.

At the end of the