At two in the afternoon, the whole of North Mountain was shrouded in gloom, as if snow were about to fall.
After sliding across the snowy expanse for two hours, the group crossed the glacial stream and finally reached the last place.
On the map, it showed the dense forest of North Mountain.
Following the still-visible footprints, the group successfully reached the vine-choked edge of the dense forest.
“Why are there so many vines?” Xia Chen looked at the plants before him, like a wall.
“The map shows that beyond this wall of vines lies the core of North Mountain. But no one has ever entered this forest—it’s likely full of danger.” Fei Ran looked up at the vines as he spoke.
Strange indeed—what are these people doing here for no reason? What could they want, to risk so much in entering North Mountain?
“There are bloodstains on the ground.” Xia Chen stared at the drops of fresh blood.
The place where the footprints vanished was at the roots of the vines.
“The footprints disappeared here. They must have crossed the vines and entered the forest.” Fei Ran crouched down, staring at the neatly vanished steps.
But these vines are tangled and crisscrossed—how did those people get inside?
Wen Li climbed down from Fu Yuxiu’s back and went to where Fei Ran was standing.
“Isn’t the color of these vines a bit different?”
After she said that, Fei Ran lowered his head to examine the vines.
“It really is different—the color doesn’t look the same. The ones beside seem darker, while these look as if they’ve just grown.”
Wen Li glanced at Xia Chen, understood the boss's intent, crouched down, and walked over with a machete in hand.
Xia Chen raised his hand and struck hard at the growing vines.
Just as he withdrew his hand, he saw the vines growing slowly.
Xia Chen put away the machete, rubbed his eyes, and said, “Is this my illusion?”
For the first time in my life, I saw plants growing with the naked eye—this isn’t a joke.
“The growth isn’t that fast—let’s go.” Fu Yuxiu reached out and pulled Wen Li closer.
No matter what, reaching this place means they’ve arrived at the end. Xia Chen was ahead, swinging the machete with all his strength at the vines blocking the way.
From here, looking up in all directions, there were thorny green vines, growing to heights beyond reach.
“These vines actually have flowers?” Fei Ran looked at the blue blossoms beside him.
Ever since entering this place, all they had seen was endless white—so the color of these flowers was quite beautiful.
After a bout of frantic chopping up ahead, Xia Chen walked some distance and finally emerged from the vines.
He stared dumbfounded at everything before him, raising his hand to rub his eyes hard.
“Damn!”
This place was utterly different from the icy world outside—like spring all year, full of birdsong and blossoms, with lush green trees.
Within the sea of flowers, blossoms of every color bloomed; the sky was azure, and the birds flying above were all so beautiful.
It felt like being in the warmest summer scene—Xia Chen’s knife had already slipped to the ground.
He froze in place, then immediately flailed wildly at the people behind him.
“Boss, we’ve reached paradise!”
Xia Chen crouched down, picked up a fallen wild fruit from the ground, and exclaimed, “This is paradise!”
Before he could eat it, Fei Ran’s slap came flying, landing hard across his face.
That force snapped the person immersed in his own world back to his senses.
Xia Chen looked at the white snow‑worm in his hand, plump and still wriggling.
He cried out and threw the worm away.
Lifting his gaze again, he was still within the vines.
“What just happened to me?” Xia Chen rubbed his head.
Was the summer scenery he saw fake?
“You must be dreaming.” Fei Ran looked at him, speechless.
“The flowers on these vines are poisonous—be careful.” Wen Li reminded him.
If the blue flowers are accidentally touched while blooming, their pollen will cause hallucinations in anyone who inhales it.
It isn’t poisonous, but without an external reminder, the person would remain forever lost in their dream.
Xia Chen rubbed his eyes hard. “I knew it—how could this snowy land suddenly change?”
Xia Chen, now recovered, kept hacking at the vines, while Fu Yuxiu stayed close to Wen Li, holding her protectively with one arm.
From time to time, he reached out and cut with his dagger the vines that slowly grew toward Wen Li.
“I remember you said that going to North City was to meet Wanta.” Wen Li suddenly asked.
“Mm.”
The man beside her gave a lazy hum.
Before setting out, Fu Yuxiu had said he wanted to meet Wanta, about molecular space technology.
“Do you know where he is?”
Fu Yuxiu pulled back the person who was drifting away from him. “Watch it.”
He looked at the light gradually emerging ahead, a faint smile on his lips. “Wanta’s whereabouts are mysterious, and there are many rumors about him. The biggest one is that after returning from Continent S, he chose to settle in North City. But because people kept disturbing him endlessly, he simply moved into North Mountain instead.”
And that is why, up to now, this enigmatic doctor has remained impossible for anyone to find.
“If we keep going forward, maybe we’ll see Wanta.” Wen Li said.
Fu Yuxiu suddenly let out a soft laugh, lowered his head to look at the girl beside him, and answered with great seriousness.
“Perhaps we don’t need to see him after all.”
He looked ahead at Xia Chen, who was swinging his machete with all his strength.
Wen Li stayed silent. This man’s eyes were always sharp—she guessed she couldn’t hide from him for long.
“Tired?” Fu Yuxiu suddenly looked up and lightly tapped the hat she wore. “Just how many strange and curious things can that little head of yours hold?”
The more he stayed with her, the more Fu Yuxiu felt as if he had picked up a treasure.
And this feeling was especially strong.
At the end of the vines, the group looked out. From their vantage point they could overlook the dense forest, like a hidden sanctuary tucked within North Mountain.
It was a typical concave valley, surrounded on all sides by dense wild vines.
It was like a natural cage, with the distant surrounding mountains covered in years of accumulated snow.
In the very center of the forest, the trees showed no trace of snow. Their colors were lush and green, as if it were summertime.
In the very center of the forest, one could see a shimmering lake, its surface steaming.
“There’s a hot spring feeding it, so it hasn’t frozen.” Fu Yuxiu said.
The entire forest was like a hidden paradise, stirring longing and desire.
.........
At the very center of the forest, a small clearing opened in the grass. Three trees were used to hold up a raised platform.
The soldier carefully finished the final step, then looked toward Li Li, who had been placed upon the high platform.
“General, may we begin?”
The compass needle in the man’s hand turned a few times, yet all around there wasn’t even the sound of wind.
“Everything’s hidden. When it’s time to strike, move quickly.”
The soldier climbed onto the platform. Li Li’s heavy clothes had been removed, and she lay there in a sweater.
The soldier who climbed up drew a dagger and deftly cut her elbow—scarlet blood flowed at once.
Gagged, Li Li struggled violently. The wound on her hand hurt so much she nearly fainted.
After completing this series of actions, the soldier nimbly climbed down from the platform.
Everyone hid around the platform, lying flat on the ground to watch for the slightest movement in the wind and grass.
“Mmmph…”
Li Li struggled desperately, but no sound came out. She could only watch as her blood flowed more and more.
Her consciousness grew hazy, her strength fading, and she lay peacefully upon the platform.
The smell of blood spread quickly, slowly permeating the forest.
Just as Li Li was about to drift into unconsciousness, a beast’s roar echoed from afar.
The soldiers lay prone on the ground, waiting with full concentration.
The creature’s roar drew closer. Li Li turned her head, staring as a humanoid white‑furred monster leapt from the trees.
His powerful muscles surged with strength, leaving deep claw marks on the thick tree trunk as he stepped.
“Awooo!!!”
After letting out a roar, the humanoid monster leapt onto the platform.
Li Li’s eyes widened as she stared at the monster before her, so terrified her very soul nearly fled.
It truly was a monster, about two meters tall, with human‑like arms and legs—but covered all over in white fur.
Its fangs jutted from its face, and most terrifying of all—it had three eyes, their pupils a frightening red.
At that moment, the monster crouched on the platform, sniffed at Li Li’s scent, and immediately let out an even more excited cry.
Clearly, it was Li Li’s blood that drew it over.
The leader raised his hand, fixed his gaze on the monster above that was ready to devour Li Li, and swiftly issued the command to attack.
A massive cage descended from above, perfectly enclosing the monster on the platform.
The startled beast turned its head, and in its red eyes reflected the soldiers closing in.
The leader stepped forward, gazing at the monster inside the cage, and raised his hand in signal.
“Wuaaah!!!!!”
The monster opened its maw, its gaping bloody mouth aimed at the leader through the cage’s gaps.
Just as the nearby soldier was about to act, the monster suddenly braced with both hands, shattered the cage, and stepped out by sheer force.
“Open fire!”
“Bang bang bang!!” In the once‑silent forest, gunfire rang out one after another.
But the bullets bounced harmlessly off its body; the monster came forward and, in a flash, tore the soldier nearest the leader in two.
The situation instantly descended into utter chaos.
Li Li lay on the ground, gasping, as the figure hidden in the shadows seized the moment and rushed out.
Holding her tight, he dashed into the forest.
Li Li’s hair was soaked through, and her already deathly pale face now looked as white as paper.
She forced her eyes open, saw the one carrying her, and suddenly broke into a wide grin.
“You’re not dead…”
Xiao Yan’s face was grim; bracing himself, he carried her forward at a rush: “Don’t fall asleep—I’ll get you out right away.”
“Why didn’t you…”
Li Li faltered, leaving the second half of her sentence unsaid.
Since he was still alive, why would he risk saving her—surely fleeing for his life was most important.
Why does this person have to be so foolish.
Behind them came a rush of hurried footsteps, the crack of breaking branches echoing again and again, carried on a fierce, cutting wind.
Li Li glanced back—the monster was already closing in.
Its speed was terrifyingly fast, its agility frightening.
It was drawn by her blood, and of course it would madly follow the trail she left behind.
They watched as the monster’s outstretched hand was about to reach them—suddenly, a force of cutting air struck it, and in an instant it fell from the tree, smashing into the ground with a heavy crash that left a pit.
Xia Chen coolly patted the rocket launcher on his shoulder—thankfully, he’d stuffed it in before heading out.
Li Li lifted her gaze, saw Wen Li appear, and her pale lips curved into a faint smile.
“Wen Li…” Her voice was faint, as fragile as a drifting thread of breath.
Feiran joined Xia Chen in holding the monster at bay; the rocket launchers on their shoulders proved very effective, driving the creature back several meters.
“Why are you here?” Li Li looked at Wen Li, who was tending to her wounds, and suddenly felt the urge to cry.
“Li Ruobing told me you were trapped. We followed your trail here, and that’s how we arrived.”
That soldier struck hard—the wound was large, it damaged a blood vessel, and she lost too much blood.
Wen Li gave her a blood‑restoring pill, then turned to Xia Chen and said, “Hold it off for fifteen minutes.”
Xia Chen was busy firing, and without turning his head, he gave a reply.
Fei Ran moved to stand beside Fu Yuxiu. Everyone’s expression shifted at the sight of the monster—everyone except the young master and Miss Wen Li, whose faces showed not the slightest surprise.
“It seems impervious to blades and bullets.”
The rocket launcher’s impact only made it reel back in pain, without causing any real damage.
If the monster suddenly charged recklessly, they would still be in grave danger.
“Hold it off for now.” Fu Yuxiu stood beside Wen Li, utterly still.
Fei Ran could only nod—no matter what, they must not let the monster come closer.
Wen Li had already gathered everything needed to stitch Li Li’s wound; if it wasn’t treated in time, her hand would be ruined.
The stitching was swift; under anesthesia, Li Li drowsily gazed at Wen Li’s face.
She hadn’t expected Wen Li to come and save her.
How many times has Wen Li saved her now?
She herself had lost count; once they returned, she would have to thank her properly.
After finishing the wound treatment, Wen Li rose; the monster was already hovering on the brink of a rampage.
She lowered her head to look at Xiao Yan. “Take her back—can you do it?”
Xiao Yan braced himself and stood up. “No problem.”
Wen Li noticed the bloodstains on his clothes; he was badly injured himself.
“These are anti‑inflammatories and painkillers; this bag has rations and bullets.” Wen Li handed the items over.
"Get her out of here."
This thing appeared because of Li Li; simply put, if it isn’t dealt with, no one will get out.
Xiao Yan obediently took the supplies, hoisted the person onto his back, and swiftly turned to leave.
Xia Chen was nearly at his limit; as he stepped back two paces to launch the next volley…
A silver chain suddenly appeared, coiling around the monster’s neck and tightening viciously.
Wen Li stepped forward, her gaze falling on the silver chain—its other end gripped by a man in a black cloak.
Sure enough, it was him.
Xia Chen stepped back to Wen Li’s side. “Boss, what do you think?”
Was that man planning to fight the monster hand‑to‑hand? He actually leapt out alone.
Quickly, a soldier rushed out from behind the leader, casting the prepared net to trap the monster inside.
“They want to take it alive.” Fu Yuxiu fixed his gaze on the man, tongue pressing against his lip, bloodlust gleaming in his eyes.
“This is what those people wanted?” Xia Chen was stunned.
He had thought that coming all this way into the northern mountains was to find some gold or jewels.
He never imagined their tastes were this heavy—coming all the way to North Mountain to catch such a freakish monster.
Is the meat really that tasty?
The man’s chain was pulled tight, and the net was made of special material.
A soldier stepped forward and scattered anesthetic powder on the monster, but it only grew more violent, tearing apart the specially‑made net by sheer force.
The soldier beside him was hurled far away, slammed hard against a tree trunk, coughed blood, and lost consciousness.
“Awoo!!!”
The monster charged straight at Wen Li and the others.
Fu Yuxiu leapt into the tree with the person beside him, while Xia Chen seized the moment to fire the rocket launcher.
This time the monster was completely immune, pounding its chest as it charged after Xia Chen.
“Be good and wait here for me.” Fu Yuxiu rubbed Wen Li’s head as he instructed.
Wen Li held his hand tightly, refusing to let go, and said calmly, “I’ll go with you.”
Fu Yuxiu’s lips curved in a smile, carrying a hint of allure. “Relax, your man’s formidable—wait here for me.”
Impervious to blades and bullets, with speed and sense of smell both first‑rate.
To deal with such a monster, it takes the concerted effort of many people.
After the man leapt down from the tree, the monster charged head‑on, but Fu Yuxiu swiftly dodged its attack.
He spun and leapt to another tree, almost at the very instant the monster’s attack fell, Fu Yuxiu agilely sprang to yet another tree.
Splinters flew from the struck tree, filling the air with the scent of wood.
Fu Yuxiu swung his arm back, and the object he threw struck the monster right in the eye.
Clutching its injured eye, it charged wildly, suddenly losing all sense of direction.
Wen Li gripped the dagger, seized the moment, and leapt straight down, landing squarely on the monster’s shoulder.
“Awoo!!!”
With a swift motion, Wen Li drove the dagger hard into one of the monster’s eyes.
Its frenzied struggle flung Wen Li away, and Fu Yuxiu’s expression shifted as he rushed forward to catch her.
After a shriek, the monster turned to flee, with the people behind chasing relentlessly.
“Didn’t I tell you to wait for me in the tree?” Fu Yuxiu’s voice rose.
Clearly, he was anxious.
Wen Li looked at the green blood staining her hand—cold and clammy, unlike anything from a living body.
“Are you hurt? Let me see.” Fu Yuxiu set her down and checked carefully.
After confirming she had no wounds, he drew her into his embrace.
“Boss, are we heading back?” Xia Chen walked over, weapon slung on his shoulder.
Li Li has been rescued too, so they should be able to withdraw from the mountain now.
Wen Li lowered her gaze to the green blood on the ground, as if struck by a thought, unable to return to herself for a long time.
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