Jingyi hoped to gather information about the nearest cultivation sect, but her attempts to strike up conversations with the locals were met with suspicion and reluctance.
As she walked through the village, Jingyi felt a sensation of hunger gnawing at her stomach. She realized that she had no money and no means to buy food. The only items she currently possessed were the sword she had taken from Lian and Lian's spatial ring, which she couldn't open without cultivating.
Jingyi knew she had limited options at this moment. She could either try to sell the sword or the spatial ring to obtain some money, go out of the town and attempt to hunt a wild animal for food, or beg for food from the villagers. Each option had its own challenges and potential consequences.
Her analytical mind quickly assessed the situation. While selling the sword or ring might provide her with immediate sustenance, it could also draw unwanted attention and questions about their origins. Hunting was unrealistic as she lacked the physical strength to take down a wild animal without expending her limited energy and risking injury. Begging for food was the safest option, but it was also uncertain and depended on the villagers' willingness to help.
Jingyi considered her situation carefully. She realized that she could craft a simple trap to catch small animals, like rabbits or squirrels, for food. She recalled the trap-making techniques she had observed from the hunters and used her knowledge to create a basic snare using vines and branches she found in the forest near the village outskirts.
After setting up the trap, Jingyi waited patiently, hoping for a successful catch. As time passed, she felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. Her life had taken a drastic turn, and she was now faced with the challenge of survival in a world completely different from what she had known.
Eventually, her trap yielded results, and a small rabbit was caught. Jingyi's heart raced with a mixture of relief and accomplishment. She thanked the animal silently for providing her with sustenance in this unfamiliar world.
However, her relief was short-lived. Just as she was about to finish off the rabbit, a low growl reached her ears. Jingyi's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see a large black bear watching her. Instinctively, she cut the vine holding the rabbit's leg and swiftly ended its life. With a quick throw, she sent the rabbit toward the bear and wasted no time in running.
The rabbit landed on the bear's head, angering the beast. It roared in fury and started to chase after Jingyi. She could hear the bear's heavy footsteps behind her, the ground shaking with each thud. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she sprinted, her mind racing for a solution to escape this deadly pursuit.
Jingyi's analytical mind kicked into high gear, calculating her options as she ran. She needed to find a way to evade the bear, to outmaneuver it and escape its reach. As she darted through the dense forest, her surroundings a blur, she spotted a large fallen tree up ahead.
With a surge of energy, Jingyi changed her direction, making a beeline toward the fallen tree. She had a clear plan in mind – to use the tree as an obstacle to slow down the pursuing bear. As she reached the fallen trunk, she leaped onto it and scrambled up, using her agility to her advantage.
The bear, consumed by its blind rage, crashed into the fallen tree with a thunderous impact. It let out a roar of pain and frustration, thrashing about as it struggled to disentangle itself from the twisted branches. Jingyi seized the opportunity to put as much distance between herself and the trapped bear as possible.
She dashed through the forest, her breath ragged and her heart hammering in her chest. The adrenaline coursing through her veins gave her a temporary burst of speed, allowing her to cover ground quickly. The sounds of the bear's roars eventually faded into the distance, giving Jingyi a glimmer of hope.
After what felt like an eternity, Jingyi finally slowed down. Her body ached, and her energy was drained from the intense escape. She took a moment to catch her breath and assess her situation. The rabbit she had thrown at the bear had covered its face with blood, hampering its sense of smell and reducing its ability to track her down.
However, as Jingyi took in her surroundings, she realized that she was now lost in an unfamiliar part of the forest. The sky was growing dark, and it would be unsafe to travel through the dense woods during the night. With a sigh, Jingyi resolved to find a suitable hiding place to spend the night.
Using her limited energy, she searched for a secure spot, eventually finding a small cave nestled within a rocky outcrop. The cave seemed to be unoccupied, and Jingyi cautiously entered, taking refuge from the elements and potential predators.
As night descended and the stars emerged, Jingyi found herself relieved to have a chance to assess her situation and figure out her next steps. She had been meticulous in observing the placements of the stars whenever she discovered a new location during her journey. Using this knowledge, she managed to determine the general direction of the small village she had encountered earlier.
With a sense of purpose, Jingyi marked a nearby tree with a distinctive pattern to remind herself of the direction she needed to travel in when morning arrived. It was a simple yet effective way to ensure she wouldn't lose her bearings.
After taking care of this, Jingyi turned her attention to her immediate surroundings. She explored the cave more thoroughly, noting its layout and possible exits. Satisfied with her assessment, she positioned herself at the back of the cave, using the rocky walls to her advantage. She held her sword at the ready, prepared to defend herself if any danger should arise.
The forest outside was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, their calls and rustlings creating a symphony of the night. Jingyi's senses were heightened as she remained vigilant, every sound and movement alerting her to potential threats. The absence of large leaves to conceal the cave entrance meant she had to rely solely on her watchful eyes and heightened instincts to stay safe.