Stepping in
The Off-Road Motorcycle moved steadily forward on the new forest road.
The forest was unsealed overnight, and the entire area expanded outwards, with large tracts of land appearing, vegetation growing wildly, and the environment much better than before. Winding paths suddenly appeared in the forest, with thick layers of decaying leaves covering the ground, extending along the undulating terrain, without any rocks or fallen trees blocking the way. The motorcycle that had been stored away in the Wristband finally had a place to be ridden.
Lu Heng kept the accelerator steady, his gaze sweeping over the receding trees on both sides. The air was damp, and new shrubs were sprouting from the soil, giving the entire forest a sense of new life. The territory had expanded, and the old territorial boundaries had become invalid. The wild animals that inhabited this place were all re-familiarizing themselves with and redefining their own territories.
Not long after we started riding, several gray figures appeared in the gaps in the woods.
It's a gray wolf.
It wasn't the Wolf Pack pack that usually fought alongside him. During the Insect Tide, this same pack of wolves also hunted insects and beasts in the forest. They had met from afar and could barely recognize each other's scents, but they didn't have a deep cooperative relationship.
They were also patrolling along the new boundary. A dozen or so gray wolves spread out, with the Alpha Wolf leading the way, its nose close to the ground, constantly sniffing and its ears twitching to detect any movement around it. As the forest grew larger, their range of activity expanded outward as well.
Lu Heng slowed down.
The Wolf Pack stopped moving. The Alpha Wolf raised its head, its eerie green eyes piercing through the bushes and landing on him. There was no arching of its back or bristling of its fur, no growling in a show of force; it simply quietly confirmed the identity of the newcomer.
A man and a pack of wolves stared at each other for a few seconds across the trees.
Both sides understood that they were merely surveying newly expanded territories and had no intention of fighting.
The Alpha Wolf withdrew its gaze, gently swished its tail, and the Wolf Pack continued its slow advance along the edge of the forest. Lu Heng also twisted the accelerator again and continued to explore ahead, without interfering with each other.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the birdsong grew louder, with large numbers of birds flitting back and forth in the treetops, their wings beating incessantly.
At first, Lu Heng thought that after the forest was unsealed and expanded, many unfamiliar new creatures had arrived. He became more vigilant and carefully examined the footprints, droppings, and scratches on the ground to check for traces of unfamiliar creatures. After searching all the way, he found that there were no signs of new large beasts on the ground.
The noise is just an illusion.
The only increase is in birds. The forests have reopened, more land has been created, and the trees have become more lush, providing more nesting places for birds. This has led to a surge in bird populations, creating the illusion of a large influx of new neighbors.
Lu Heng knew that with the forest expanding so much, the ecosystem was being reshaped. Although there were no outside monsters, the increased territory meant more resources to compete for, and the conflicts between species within the forest would only gradually increase. Moonview Valley was his chosen permanent residence, so he couldn't let his guard down and had to pay close attention to his surroundings.
He continued riding his motorcycle along the path, silently memorizing the terrain and marking suitable observation and surveillance positions.
Not long after, a ferocious wolf howl suddenly erupted from the depths of the dense forest. The sharp howl, mixed with suppressed growls, pierced through layers of tree trunks and was filled with boundless rage.
Lu Heng immediately stopped.
With a flick of his wrist, the Off-Road Motorcycle was stored in the Wristband. He continued to approach on the vehicle, the engine noise easily giving him away. He kept his body low, using tree trunks and bushes for cover, and quickly crept towards the source of the sound.
The further they went, the clearer the wolves' howls became. The pack of gray wolves had been circling a huge ancient tree, their fangs bared, leaping at the trunk time and again, only to retreat again, too afraid to charge up to the top.
Lu Heng parted the low branches and saw the demonic creature in the tree.
A cuckoo, seemingly of Bronze Tier, had its massive claws hooked onto a thick tree branch, its claws pressing down on a still-warm wolf cub. It lowered its head and took a few bites, then released its claws, and the wolf cub's carcass fell straight down into the middle of the Wolf Pack.
The Raven Cuckoo tilted their heads, looking down at the enraged Wolf Pack below the tree, their wings flapping lightly as they emitted piercing cries—a blatant provocation.
Lu Heng hid behind a tree and observed quietly.
He'd side with his own people, regardless of right or wrong. Although he wasn't exactly an ally of these wolves, they had fought alongside him against the Insect Swarm during the plague, making them old neighbors in this forest. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
With a thought, the King Snake slithered out of the shadows. Its black scales clung to the bark, making almost no sound, as it climbed upwards along the cracks in the trunk. The cuckoo's attention was entirely focused on the Wolf Pack below, completely unaware of the threat silently approaching from behind.
The King Snake suddenly exerted its strength, its body leaping into the air and instantly coiling tightly around the large bird's neck. Its muscles tightened, locking its throat, Poison Fang pierced through the thick feathers and dug into the flesh. At the same moment, Mind Spike erupted, a sharp mental impact piercing the consciousness of the Raven Cuckoo.
The large bird struggled violently, its broad wings flapping wildly, sending countless Withered Branch branches and leaves rustling down. Its mournful cry was cut short by the tightening snake's body. It desperately thrashed its body, trying to pull the King Snake off, but the snake's body coiled tighter and tighter, the mental shock relentlessly tearing at its mind.
A few seconds later, the cuckoo stiffened, its wings drooped limply, and it fell to the ground from the tree branch along with the King Snake.
The Wolf Pack under the tree stopped howling, looked up at the fallen bird carcasses, and then turned to look at the bushes where Lu Heng was hiding. They couldn't see the man, but they could smell his presence, along with the cold, fishy stench of the King Snake.
The Alpha Wolf took a step forward and let out a low growl towards the bushes. It wasn't a thank you, but rather a way of memorizing the scent. In this forest, whoever makes a move is remembered.
Lu Heng did not appear.
There was no need to approach them; offering a helping hand was enough. He watched quietly as the Wolf Pack surrounded Dujuan's corpse, then turned and stealthily retreated into the dense forest.
The reopening of the forest brings greater living space, with lush vegetation and an increase in prey. However, competition for resources will also arise. The old balance has been broken, and friction between different groups in the Frost Forest will only become more frequent.
He continued on foot, exploring along the edge of the woodland, memorizing the terrain of the newly expanded area.
The vegetation along the roadside was thriving, with many new saplings taking root in the newly acquired land. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, falling onto the ground covered with decaying leaves. Life was abundant, yet beneath this vitality, the struggle for survival never ceased.
Lu Heng carefully observed the surroundings, looking at the animal trails on the ground and smelling the lingering scents of various wild beasts in the air. The forest had expanded, and many old hunting routes had become obsolete. All the creatures that inhabited this place needed to readjust to this revitalized Frost Forest.
He walked a long way before stopping, making sure there were no other large herds of beasts moving around in the area. He raised his hand to summon his Wristband, and the motorcycle unfolded again and landed at his feet.
He got into the car and turned it around. Lu Heng planned to return to Moonview Valley. Today's patrol had revealed a lot of information: the new territory boundaries, the location of the Wolf Pack, and the predators lurking in the forest. This information was enough for him to organize and plan the security arrangements around Moonview Valley.
The engine hummed again, the wheels crunching over decaying leaves, moving along the winding path towards the valley entrance. Birdsong continued to fill the forest, and the wind rustled the leaves. In this revitalized forest, a new struggle for survival had just begun.