New arrivals

The rate at which messages were flooded on public channels gradually decreased.

After the initial panic subsided, the new survivors stopped just screaming. Many began to calm down, exchanging information about their respective areas, comparing the terrain, and noting where they could find shelter and where danger lurked.

They are scattered across four outer areas: the Withered Reed Plain, the Misty Forest, the Cracked Rock Hills, and the Blackwater Swamp.

Each area has places to search, as well as forbidden zones that must not be entered.

Many people living near the regional border set off for the area where the two terrains meet. Crossing over there, they could indeed find new things.

Those on the edge of the Withered Reed Plain plains can find edible herbs among the rocks on the gentle slopes of the hills, and also collect ores washed down by flash floods. Survivors in the Misty Forest can find fresh water that can be stored near the shallows of the swamp, and gather food that can be stored by the water. These searches are not in vain; they can obtain real supplies to help them survive a little longer.

However, there is a clear upper limit to such gains.

The border area is narrow, and the total amount of things that can be collected is limited. After searching repeatedly, the yield will decrease. Moreover, the border area is also fraught with danger. Wild animals often patrol the boundaries of different terrains, and every time you collect something, you must be wary of surprise attacks from the shadows.

Trying to penetrate deep into the Inner Region of each region is not feasible.

Deep within each outer area lies the long-established territory of creatures, their nests rooted there. Survivors, on their own, simply cannot break in and cultivate it. It's not a danger that can be overcome with a little caution; it's a barrier that cannot be crossed by sheer strength. Having exhausted their resources by searching the existing areas, and unable to break through the forbidden zones, the pressure of survival weighs heavily on each and every one of them.

The five regions are interconnected, with no rigid boundaries separating them.

Some were willing to stay at the border, slowly gathering meager supplies in search of a relatively safe way to survive. But many more set their sights on the center of the entire Plane.

Frost Forest.

It is located at the center of the entire landmass, with its outer perimeter extending in all four directions and connecting with four surrounding areas.

To outsiders, this was a vast expanse of land yet to be extensively explored. Dense forests and abundant vegetation, its potential resource reserves far surpassed those of a few narrow border areas. Without any leader or prior planning, survivors scattered from all directions spontaneously moved towards the outer edge of the forest, probing the terrain.

Not everyone rushes headlong into the forest.

Some people remained on the outer perimeter, searching back and forth, surviving on meager finds. However, those willing to risk searching for more resources all headed towards the center.

They acted cautiously, traveled alone, deliberately kept their distance from each other, and distrusted one another.

Some people stood on the wasteland outside the woodland, observing from afar, not daring to step into the shade of the trees. Others moved slowly along the edge, bending down to examine the ground vegetation and identify usable resources. A few bolder individuals tentatively stepped into the low bushes at the outermost edge of the forest, inching their way in.

More and more unfamiliar footsteps are stepping into the forest boundary, and the once quiet forest area is beginning to stir.

A deep roar drifted from the depths of the forest.

The sound, muffled and heavy, came from behind layers of branches and leaves; it was a warning from the creatures that inhabited this place, sensing the intrusion into their territory.

Those figures who were probing the edge of the area stopped abruptly, many retreating a short distance, hesitant to venture further.

After a brief pause, the probing did not completely stop.

Staying on the outer border yields too little and is difficult to sustain in the long run. Staying put means that existing resources will eventually run out. In comparison, the resources hidden in the forest are worth the gamble.

A few scattered figures moved forward again, continuing to explore along the edge of the forest.

Soon, a second and a third low growl followed in quick succession. They echoed from near and far, layer upon layer. The beasts in the shallow woodlands emitted harsh, short warnings, while long, deep roars came from deeper within, their intimidation spreading with the wind to the entire perimeter of the forest. Sensing the large number of outsiders, the creatures inhabiting the shallow woodlands began patrolling their territories.

There are always people who can't properly control the boundaries.

An outsider survivor, focused entirely on the plants he could pick on the ground, unknowingly ventured deeper and deeper into the heart of the shallow-level wild beasts' habitat.

A dark figure suddenly darted out from under the bushes.

A piercing scream abruptly shattered the silence of the forest, filled with unexpected fear and excruciating pain.

The shout lasted only a moment before abruptly ceasing, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Everyone who was exploring or observing near the edge of the forest froze in place.

The sporadic messages scrolling across the public channel stopped abruptly.

No one typed anything; everyone saw the location notification and understood the ending that scream represented.

The edge of the Frost Forest is not an unclaimed open space.

Every inch of land is inhabited by living beings; crossing the border could cost you your life.

Fear deterred some. They turned away from the forest edge and retreated to the outer border area to continue their less rewarding and less risky search.

But a steady stream of survivors arrives from the periphery to replace those who leave, continuing to explore and cultivate along the entire forest loop.

Only a few died; those who could maintain their composure found far more supplies here than on the outskirts. In this desperate situation, everyone was weighing their options. Some sought a meager harvest and stability, while others were willing to take risks for greater survival resources.

The probing area slowly encroached inward from the perimeter of the entire forest.

Scattered figures stretched along the long border. From the eastern border of the Withered Reed Plain to the western border of the Misty Forest, countless unfamiliar tracks gradually covered the perimeter of the forest.

The tentative waves spread along the mountains and forests, seeping into those remote and unnoticed corners.

Finally, the outward-expanding exploration range reached a secluded corner of the Frost Forest —the outer edge of Moonview Valley.

This mountain forest has been isolated and quiet for a long time, and no outsiders have ever set foot here.

For the first time, a faint, scattered scent of strangers drifted into the air.

It's faint, scattered in different directions; not intense, yet undeniably present.

On the high platform of the Fortress, Lu Heng stood quietly, facing the cold wind blowing from the forest.

He no longer needed to refresh the Wristband channel repeatedly, nor did he need to gaze at the distant woods. The new, unfamiliar atmosphere in the surrounding air had already brought everything happening in the outside world into his perception.

The survivors outside split into two groups. One group stayed in the outer border area, slowly gathering limited supplies. The other group explored and expanded towards the edge of the central forest, constantly pushing forward the boundary under the pressure of survival.

This probing force, which spread Global Region, eventually circled around and finally reached the outskirts of Moonview Valley.

The long-standing peace that had enveloped this valley came to an end.

Deep in the forest, the intermittent low growls still echoed among the trees.

Beyond the boundary line, scattered, unfamiliar figures continued to probe.

The seeds of conflict have already been sown quietly on the fringes.