??.???
Dense branches and leaves overhead blocked out the sunlight, leaving the Rainforest's interior dim.
Hazy light filtered through the gaps like prisms, revealing dust and spores drifting in the air.
Rustle~
An agile figure slid down through the branches, then landed on the ground and told the people waiting below, "We seem to have gone off course, but I spotted signs of another Settlement. There seem to be several tall buildings that way. It might be the Settlement of survivors we ran into before..."
The speaker looked young. He wore a set of Great Qi martial attire beneath a straw rain cape. Several bloodsucking leeches hung from his neck, but he had no time to remove them.
All six members of the group bore traces of blood. Though each held a weapon, exhaustion showed on every face.
"We have no choice. In our current state, I'm afraid we can't reach the school. We can only go there, try our luck, and beg for help..."
Feng Cheng glanced at the brothers following him, a trace of sorrow appearing on his face.
Their Settlement had failed the Earth Will's assessment, and its protection would be withdrawn in three months.
He had originally thought that, with twelve Bright Force experts, ample food, and weapons, they should be able to cross the Rainforest by following the guiding red smoke.
Someone among them had crossed the Aotai Line before and possessed extensive wilderness survival experience.
Besides, every one of them had a physique beyond that of an ordinary person, and they all carried equipment and supplies. In theory, there should have been no problem.
They had indeed been fairly lucky over the first dozen kilometers. Though the leeches and mosquitoes were irritating, their straw rain capes, tightly secured cuffs, and bamboo hats had allowed