Considering these factors, Xing Liyun didn't see why he should reject this willing guide.
Withdrawing his slight murderous intent, Xing Liyun nodded. Then he reached into his bag and grabbed out a handful of berries, handing them to Ying. Though Ying felt a bit surprised at the sudden offer, he didn't refuse and received the berries, his face remained calm while the momentary spark in his eyes was the only indicator of his thoughts.
"Eat this. We'll set out once morning arrives."
Unknowingly, the originally darkening evening sky was pitched into black with only the blanket of stars and a large bright diamond in the sky to light up the dark night. Although with the thick canopies, it was nearly impossible to see any peeking stars.
Thus the only light that allowed Xing Liyun and Ying to see was nothing.
Yet in spite of this, Xing Liyun could still see. His night vision had been extraordinary ever since his birth in his previous life. Although he had checked with a doctor before to find out the cause, there was simply no explanation found nor was there anything different about his body compared to a normal healthy person---leaving this whole matter in the dust eventually. Additionally, Xing Liyun was already accustomed to it so he forgot about the matter of his inhuman night vision.
So even in the darkest of nights, Xing Liyun could still see his surroundings clearly, although not as good as when there is light, but compared to normal human beings, his night vision exceeds theirs by 1000 times.
In this way, Xing Liyun could clearly see Ying that was right in front of him.
Even night vision goggles paled in comparison to his eyes.
Xing Liyun and Ying planned to find a safe place to sleep in for the night in order to conserve their strength for the upcoming long journey and set off as soon as the sun rises.
However, nights in this forest were significantly worse than daytime. This was a place filled to the brim with danger. Even the beasts themselves plod vigilantly in this uncanny forest, eyeing one another in a trepid manner. Nocturnal creatures and day creatures alike were both wide awake. Although this was a common phenomenon, on this night, all the creatures big and small were on the highest alert level they had ever been. It was like their instincts were severely warning them of an extremely dangerous and lethal beast that had awakened and graced them this very night.
All the beasts and pests of this abnormal forest had grown to be extremely sensitive to their surroundings and can immediately tell if they had encountered something they cannot defeat and thus choose to run away. There was no shame or disgrace. In this place, it's all about the survival of the strongest. If the beast wasn't stronger than its opponent, it would rather escape than fight. As in the end, they were all non-intelligent beasts who give no mind to shame and only care about their survival. If it dared to fight, it was not brave or daring---it was foolish.
This was a hunting ground ruled by a strength hegemony. These behaviors and senses were innate inside this forest. Without their evolved instincts, they would never be able to survive in this hellish place where even the ghosts cry ghosts.
Do not be foolish to believe that the creatures of this forest are the most dangerous group. Because they are not. If it was really that way, this forest wouldn't have stood out so much among the other dangerous forests filled with brutal, ferocious beasts---some of which might even beat this forest's beasts by a notch or two. After all, luck is always present but is gifted to only a few, but even so, there should've been at least one survivor from this forest, right?
What was really terrifying about this forest was not its inhabitants, but its native beings.
Unlike other "normal" forests, this forest appeared "alive." And it really is. However, all forests' plants and trees are alive so what sets apart this "alive" forest from the rest?
Simple. They have intelligence. Although low, the plants and trees all have a mind of their own and can control their "arms" and "legs" as they wish.
Be that as it may, there are a few rare plant organisms that have higher intelligence than the others. They usually live deep in the forest along with the most ferocious and lethal beasts that are basically the rulers of the beasts of this forest. The stronger the being, the deeper and more towards the heart of the forest they gravitate and settle in.
As a result, the center of the forest has become the most deadly area that no living thing will ever want to step into if they value their lives even if just a little. Though it's not like anyone can know when no one that has ever gone into the forest has ever survived.
And ironically, Xing Liyun and Ying were staying right on the inner forest's boundary---the boundary separating the most dangerous zone and the slightly less dangerous part of the forest, the outer part.
Abnormally, tonight was the most shadowy and dark night the forest's residents had ever experienced. It was like all the shadows were coming out to play on this moonless and cloudy night.
Countless beasts were increasingly trembling more and more frequently the longer the night dragged on at the ominous feeling they received---adding onto their already stretched taut agitated nerves from prior---without understanding where it came from.
While all the beasts of the forest, including the low-intelligence plants, were either on high alert or shriveling into itself throughout the night, Xing Liyun had a night of peaceful sleep without any disturbance.
Despite the fact that he did feel from time to time presences that were there, lurking around him, he didn't sense any ill-intent or danger from them so he directly, and subconsciously, ignored them and pretended he was unaware.
Finally morning arrived much to the relief of...everyone and everything.
Xing Liyun and Ying were up and ready to set off on their long journey out of this forest. Thankfully they were not too deep into the forest, not only because of the danger but because of the distance.
This forest that contains both mortal and fatal dangers is very colossal in area. Its expanse rivals that of many kingdoms, invoking many's greed even though it is filled to the brim with deadly danger. The fact that no one has ever made it out of here alive, or dead, alone is a great deterrent to those with scheming minds about owning this great expanse of a forest.
No one dared to conquer this forest because none had the ability to. Whoever goes in NEVER comes out.
There was even a made-up legend trending around, created by people's overly imaginative minds.
That aside, surprisingly Xing Liyun and Ying safely and smoothly traveled through the forest without delay.
Xing Liyun had just come to this world so he did not know of the famous phrase "once in, never out" that was said repeatedly about this dangerous, godforsaken forest. That no one who goes in had ever come out, not even their bodies ever made it out; they were never heard from again, including those who go in to search for them.
With this happening again and again, no matter how much money others were willing to offer to hire someone to find their relative or important person, no one would accept, because they know that there was no chance of that missing person being alive or found and nor was there a chance for them themselves to stay alive if they accept this task.
That aside, Xing Liyun was even more unaware of how strange this happening is in the eyes of others if they knew---it would absolutely cause a sensation!
Twelve days had passed before Xing Liyun and Ying finally reached the end of the forest and out of its domain.
Unknowingly, Xing Liyun did not notice the slight distortion of his shadow on the ground just as he stepped out of the forest.
Looking around him at the surroundings that were not dominated by trees or plants, Xing Liyun was in an open area with a road in front. He did not know where it leads to but, reasonably, he inferred that it probably led to a village or town.
However, what was weird was that the road was untidy and looked deserted. The dirt road was hard and cracked, burnt by the sun and not cared for. It can be clearly seen that rarely anyone walked on it.
Noticing the back of a signboard, Xing Liyun walked to it and turned around to read what it said.
[DANGER!!! Here lies the Forest of No RETURN!!]
And below that in smaller sized letters [Those who enter are seeking death]
Even below that were teeny-tiny words forming a comment that was written with venomous intent [Aetos who come seeking thrill are NOT BRAVE but FOOLISH!!]
Seeing the last line, Xing Liyun thought that the sign-maker must not have liked those so-called Aetos very much.
But who are those Aetos??