One thought after another echoed in Shen Heng's ears.
After a long pause, his gaze narrowed slightly.
They didn't hear Qin Yu, Stone, or the Two-Horned Lizard's thoughts from the surrounding area. If they were nearby, they would be terrified even without thinking, given the current situation.
but...
No.
All Shen Heng heard were weary voices.
There's a lot, but it's still empty; I haven't thought about anything.
So, are Qin Yu and the others outside the range of my current hearing? Or were they not transported to this world at all?
Shen Heng frowned, his figure silently following the Shadow Wolf upwards.
Suddenly, the surroundings darkened.
He looked up and glanced around.
What was once a spacious and bright view had turned into a narrow tunnel.
Ahead, one after another, gleaming minerals stood silently on the cliff face.
The image exudes a unique aesthetic.
However, the surrounding Calamity Beast seemed to have long been accustomed to it, and they strode heavily deeper into the tunnel.
The Shadow Wolf, too, led the way deeper into the area.
Shen Heng followed beside him, walking forward.
Finally, after advancing for a while, seemingly believing they were out of the Black Rat Overseer's sight, the Shadow Wolf leading the way suddenly let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Then she turned to look at Shen Heng and said in an annoyed tone:
"What were you doing just now? Lord Black Rat has already finished speaking, and you're still standing there without moving!"
Shen Heng also looked at Shadow Wolf, his gaze lingering for a moment on the other's brownish-yellow pupils.
Due to the lighting, it wasn't very clear, but you could still roughly make out the reflection of Fang's hard face.
"The Coiling Mountain Beast?"... Shen Heng's mind raced for a moment before he replied:
Sorry, I was momentarily stunned!
"Stunned? What are you thinking? You can't just stand there!" Shadow Wolf frowned.
"I was just wondering if we could change what we're eating today," Shen Heng replied casually.
"Huh? Change? You're dreaming! We're lucky we have anything to eat, and you want to change?" Shadow Wolf's eyes widened suddenly.
"I can't change it, but I can at least think about it!" Shen Heng manipulated his body, looking over with a hint of helplessness.
"Uh, this..." Shadow Wolf hesitated for a moment, then said, "That's true!"
As it spoke, it turned its head to look at the obstacle in front of it, avoided it, and then looked at Shen Heng again and said:
"But you should still be careful in the future. Although you'll be slower and won't be killed, you'll still inevitably get a beating. That blood whip..."
As if recalling something, Shadow Wolf shuddered.
The Blood Whip, that dark green whip?... The image of the Black Rat holding the whip he had just seen outside flashed through Shen Heng's mind. He nodded.
"Yes, I know!"
"Of course I know you know, after all, you've been through it several times yourself. But you still need to be careful about these things, it's not pleasant for anyone to suffer like this!" Shadow Wolf walked a little ahead.
Shen Heng paused, looking at the Shadow Wolf was leading the way a little ahead with some surprise.
I... have been subjected to this several times?
He seemed to have thought of something, his eyes flickered, and he spoke:
"By the way, we know each other..."
"Huh? You've forgotten all that?" Shadow Wolf turned and looked over.
There was no direct response, but it seemed to provide an answer nonetheless.
Shen Heng lowered his eyes and replied:
"No, of course I remember, I just don't remember how long it's been since then!"
Hearing this, Shadow Wolf nodded in satisfaction.
"That's more like it, wait, let me think..."
As it spoke, it continued to walk deeper into the tunnel.
Shen Heng followed beside him, watching Shadow Wolf with a thoughtful expression.
The question I just asked was intentional.
After the initial understanding, the text is drawn out and doesn't end.
so.
Someone who doesn't know them might think he's asking if they know each other.
If you know them, you'll assume they're asking how long you've known each other.
Although Shadow Wolf's reply didn't mention how long they'd known each other, the content of his reply undoubtedly pointed in that direction.
This is also why Shen Heng said those things later.
He needs to cover up the lie!
but...
We've known each other for a long time, which means this body has actually always been there?
So, is this fake? Or is it that one's own consciousness has been compressed into this body?
Shen Heng was somewhat uncertain, but there was no doubt that the conversation just now meant that his chances of turning back into a human had increased significantly!
"... Uh, we've known each other since the day you came in! From then until now, from then until now..."
Shadow Wolf walked forward, lost in thought.
Suddenly, its eyes lit up, and it abruptly stopped and looked at Shen Heng.
"Ah, I remember now, we've known each other for over ten years!"
"Has it taken that long?" Shen Heng echoed.
Shadow Wolf spoke up, "Of course! Otherwise, who do you think would have warned you in that situation? Let me tell you..."
Seemingly because of the conversation about their friendship, Shadow Wolf was quite excited and kept talking, while Shen Heng occasionally chimed in to agree.
The two beasts continued their descent in this manner.
Finally, the Shadow Wolf stopped.
"Alright, let's hurry up and start our task for today, otherwise if we don't collect enough Dull Star Stone by tonight, even we won't survive!"
Shen Heng nodded, his gaze lingering on the dark mine wall ahead.
Along the way, he had already seen the Calamity Beast that had gone ahead of him mining along the road.
There's no special method, no special tools; they just lift their claws and keep striking the rock face to collect the knocked-off rocks.
What he needs to do now seems to be the same.
but...
Shen Heng paused, his gaze fixed on the dark rock wall ahead.
Was he here to mine?
Of course not!
But is it okay not to mine?
Hmm... this doesn't seem to need further explanation!
When the Black Rat mentioned the punishment while they were still outside, it seemed to have explained everything.
Should you steal from other Calamity Beast? Or have other Calamity Beast help you gather resources and share some with you? Or should you gather them yourself?
Shen Heng pondered for a moment.
The first two methods are not entirely impossible, but they are quite risky.
Even setting aside the fact that he's only Tier 2, he's not among the top-tier of all the Calamity Beast captured for mining.
Even for Third Tier, choosing the first two methods is somewhat risky.
After all, if something happens, he'll likely be finished.
In this situation, the first two methods are not very good choices.
It's not that you absolutely can't choose it, but at least for now, that's certainly the case!
Compared to that, what's more important right now is to first understand the specific situation here.
Thinking of this, Shen Heng walked towards the rock wall and asked:
"Do you think Lord Black Rat will come looking for us later?"
"Huh? Looking for us?" Shadow Wolf turned around in surprise.
"Yes, or rather, you should come to me!" Shen Heng nodded in confirmation.
"Uh... are you worried about Plague Rat outside, because of what just happened, that he sent Calamity Beast to find you?" Shadow Wolf asked.
"Plague Rat, is that the name of that Fourth Tier Calamity Beast we just encountered?"... Shen Heng's thoughts raced, and he nodded.
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Shadow Wolf pondered for a moment.
Seemingly reminded by Shen Heng's words, it also became somewhat worried, but after looking at Shen Heng, it still comforted him:
"Don't worry, it's just a small matter, nothing serious. Plague Rat isn't that petty!"
Shen Heng nodded slightly, looking at Shadow Wolf and asking:
"So, the situation for the other Black Rat Lords coming here will still be the same as before?"