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Yang Fan had only slept for a little over two hours when Liu Qi abruptly kicked him awake.
Zhang Jie had dismantled their makeshift shelter, crushing the rotten fruit to further conceal any traces of their stay.
Once everything was sorted, Liu Qi and Zhang Jie sandwiched Yang Fan in between them.
As the second objective was initiated, they received a hint that the Qilin Lair lay in the northwest direction.
With their tasks completed, the trio continued their journey towards the northwest.
“I wonder how many people are still alive now,” Zhang Jie muttered as they walked.
After some thought, Liu Qi replied, “Those without wits probably didn’t make it through today. Those who have survived this long must at least know how to evade wild beasts.”
“If one can survive a day, the probability of lasting nine days will significantly increase!”
Liu Qi smiled faintly at Zhang Jie. “However, these details are inconsequential. The most crucial aspect is that those who can achieve the goal, I believe, can be counted on one hand.”
Yang Fan was inwardly astonished. Liu Qi’s analysis was remarkably accurate, almost mirroring his own thoughts.
Moreover, Liu Qi had been subtly hinting to Zhang Jie that they were among the top performers in this introductory assessment, a suggestion that could firmly grasp Zhang Jie’s attention.
Liu Qi was definitely not the type to charge headfirst without thinking. On the contrary, his mind was sharp and agile.
Not only did he possess exceptional judgment, but he also knew how to win over people, how to make them wholeheartedly follow him, maintaining a strong grip on control throughout!
Most importantly, he was willing to use any means necessary to obtain what he desired.
Unfortunately, it is often these individuals who are more likely to become leaders, more likely to succeed!
In any case, this guy is not someone to be trifled with!
“Surviving under his watch won’t be easy!”
Just as Liu Qi had speculated, those who can make it through a day significantly increase their chances of survival thereafter because they have already learned some survival skills and know how to avoid danger.
Liu Qi and Zhang Jie had been cautiously mapping out their route, having already completed one objective. They no longer needed to take risks in searching for juvenile exotic beasts, greatly reducing their exposure to potential dangers.
However, unexpectedly, one person among the three seemed unusually at ease.
Following Liu Qi and Zhang Jie, Yang Fan didn’t even need to nervously observe his surroundings; he simply walked alongside them.
If exotic beasts were to appear, that would be Liu Qi and Zhang Jie’s problem, not Yang Fan’s. When the time came, Liu Qi and company would likely unhesitatingly offer him up to the beasts, hoping his slender frame could satisfy them.
Whether or not the exotic beasts arrived, the outcome would be the same. Why waste energy on guarding against them?
Yang Fan had long since activated the second objective. It was just that the situation was complex at the time, and he didn’t think it through properly. Later, he was taken captive and had been trying to turn Zhang Jie, which proved unsuccessful.
Subsequently, his cultivation with the Orb also delayed it.
During this serene period to contemplate matters, he finally had the time to consider the second objective thoroughly.
The second objective entailed investigating the source of pollution in the Qilin Lair, finding the Crimson Qilin Fruit, and achieving a physical breakthrough.
Interestingly, the Qilin Lair’s location was also in the northwest direction!
The enigmatic Orb had indicated the northwest direction long before Yang Fan initiated the second objective, aligning perfectly with the location of the Qilin Lair.
“The Qilin Lair harbors a source of pollution, and the Orb’s upgrade requires impurities. Perhaps this is no coincidence!” Yang Fan pondered internally. “Could it be… that the Orb is pointing to the Qilin Lair?!”
Another issue weighed heavily on Yang Fan’s mind.
Why did the Rank 1 Exotic Beast Spirit Flesh contain impurities?
Could it be due to contamination?
In other words, could the source of pollution even affect all the exotic beasts here?
If so, could the pollution source affect humans as well?
These questions, it seems, can only be answered once they reach the Qilin Lair.
“What exactly lies within the Qilin Lair? Could there truly be a Qilin in there? If so, even a hundred lives wouldn’t suffice for me to meet my end,” Yang Fan mused.
However, he quickly dismissed this possibility.
After all, this was just an introductory assessment they were undertaking. If a mythical beast like a Qilin were to appear, not only would they be in trouble, even the veteran Scavenger Team members might not survive such an encounter.
The likelihood of a real Qilin’s presence was slim, but there could be other dangers lurking. After all, this was the second objective; it wouldn’t be as simple as a casual visit to locate the pollution source and call it a day.
Yang Fan was certain that there would be dangers within the Qilin Lair.
“So, my current situation is…”
Disadvantages: Firstly, being at the mercy of others, and secondly, having a frail body.
Advantages:
Sharp senses!
Primary Divine Condensation!
Also, there’s the mysterious Orb, which can assist in purifying impurities and might even be effective against the pollution source.
If Zhang Jie kept his promise, Yang Fan could also rely on a Grey Pine spear coated with hallucinogenic poison.
These were all the cards he had up his sleeve.
To live or die, everything would become clear once they reached the Qilin Lair.
The trio moved at a slow pace. Liu Qi and Zhang Jie remained cautious throughout. However, there were benefits to moving slowly. By late afternoon, around three or four o’clock, they hadn’t encountered any exotic beasts.
After walking for several hours, they found a secluded spot to rest.
This time, Zhang Jie took out the rag Yang Fan had mentioned and fed him a Mountain Peach fruit.
Liu Qi observed but didn’t intervene, simply remarking with a smile, “Looks like you two are getting along well. Give him some more to eat; it’ll come in handy later.”
At that moment, Yang Fan suddenly felt as if a particular thread in his mind had been gently tugged.
Suddenly, he inexplicably felt his heart rate quicken, experiencing a mix of nervousness and excitement.
There existed a certain conscious connection between Yang Fan and the Orb. To some extent, he could sense the Orb’s “feelings.”
He immediately realized that this surge of excitement stemmed from the mysterious Orb.
The Qilin Lair was now close!
Yang Fan mustered all his energy. The imminent moment of life and death was just around the corner!
Simultaneously, a mysterious voice sounded in their ears.
“The Qilin Lair is five hundred meters ahead.”
Since all three had completed the first objective, Liu Qi and Zhang Jie hadn’t considered that the voice wasn’t directed solely at them but to all three of them together.
This revelation startled Yang Fan. If Liu Qi were to find out that he had also completed the first objective, he surely wouldn’t be able to keep the Level 1 Beast Essence Pill he possessed.
That item was crucial for breaking through to the next level of physical cultivation.
Quietly, he stole a glance at Liu Qi, relieved to see that, apart from excitement, there was no other reaction from him.
“We’ve finally found it!” Liu Qi exclaimed, looking at Zhang Jie with excitement. Suppressing his emotions, he continued, “Let’s not rush. Take half an hour to rest and get into the best state!”
“Check your weapons and ropes.”
Zhang Jie nodded, inspecting his bow and arrows. “All good.”
Afterward, Zhang Jie turned to Yang Fan, who was standing beside them.
The approach to the Qilin Lair marked the culmination of Yang Fan’s life, signifying that his journey was about to reach its end.
However, suddenly, Zhang Jie noticed that the seemingly doomed individual was actually meditating with his eyes closed at this critical moment?
How could he be so composed at a time like this?
What Zhang Jie didn’t realize was that Yang Fan wasn’t simply meditating; he was cultivating with the Orb.
During this half-hour of cultivation, while Liu Qi and Zhang Jie were preparing themselves, he was also adjusting his state as much as possible.
Half an hour of cultivation wouldn’t yield significant improvements, but it could keep his mind highly alert!
In the Qilin Lair, life and death would be decided in an instant.
“Xiao Fan, Mom knows you will wake up. Mom believes in you!”
The voice echoing in his mind had already sounded countless times. Yang Fan felt as if he could see his mother sitting beside him, gazing at him with tender affection.
Taking a deep breath, he now held one thought in his mind.
“I will not die! I cannot die! I will live and walk out of the world of Shan Hai Jing!”