In most cases, for a lower-tier servant like this mythical creature, one encounter is enough to develop an "antibody." Subsequent face-to-face encounters with this creature result in a lesser reduction of SAN (Sanity) points, or possibly none at all.
This is why Liu Xing suggested that he and Tina should take charge of scouting the Formless Offspring's location. They aimed to prevent Akira Akashi and others from seeing the Formless Offspring, thus preserving their SAN. After all, Liu Xing and Tina, upon encountering the Formless Offspring, could lose 3+1d6 SAN points if they failed the SAN check. This risk was partly due to witnessing the transformation of Nan Xiaoniao's mother. Liu Xing speculated that seeing the Formless Offspring would cost at least 1+1d6 SAN points, which meant a high risk of Akira Akashi and others falling into a temporary state of madness.
Moreover, Li Ming had just recovered from a temporary madness state and was in a latent phase of insanity. Losing even 1 point of SAN would plunge him back into madness. The fact that the 1d10 madness latency check hadn't occurred suggested that KP Cao was planning a secret roll. Therefore, for safety, Li Ming should avoid encountering the Formless Offspring until the promotion game ends.
Li Ming understood this and said, "That's for the best. You've seen my current state. If that creature finds me, I'm surely doomed. Let me stay here and take care of Nan Xiaoniao."
Tian Dao and Akira Akashi nodded in agreement, deciding to stay inside the temple. They would be ready to join Liu Xing and Tina if needed.
Liu Xing and Tina left the temple, looking down from Crane Temple at the foot of the mountain. They didn't spot the Formless Offspring but noticed the traces it left behind. Given its massive size, the Formless Offspring's weight was substantial, and its slime-like body left behind depressions and black, unknown liquid along its path...
"Did that creature go to the bamboo forest?" Liu Xing pondered, noticing the trail of the Formless Offspring disappearing into the bamboo grove on the mountainside.
Tina nodded but remained silent, lost in thought. Liu Xing shared her contemplation.
The Formless Offspring's behavior was abnormal. It should have headed straight for the temple, so why divert to the bamboo forest? It made no sense.
Liu Xing looked disheartenedly at the dense bamboo grove, unable to spot the Formless Offspring.
"Wait, Liu Xing, that creature's body is like slime, similar to the slimes and slime monsters in games. I think it might be composed of liquid. So, it could probably pass through narrow gaps!" Tina suddenly spoke up.
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. Tina was right. The Formless Offspring could liquefy itself to move through narrow passages. This meant that its purpose in entering the bamboo forest was to deceive, using crevices within to infiltrate the temple!
After all, the intelligence of the Formless Offspring was on par with that of a normal human. Realizing its pitifully slow speed, it knew it couldn't just barge into the temple. So, the Formless Offspring decided to exploit its racial talent and enter the temple by transforming into a liquid state and sneaking through a crack in the bamboo forest.
Truly, a cunning Formless Offspring.
With this in mind, Liu Xing and Tina exchanged a look and immediately returned to the temple.
"Uh, why are you back so soon? Has that creature already made its way up here?" Akira Akashi was surprised to see Liu Xing and Tina return, as they had left the temple less than three minutes ago.
Liu Xing nodded, explaining, "Yes, that creature is likely on its way up. We noticed its trail leading to the mid-mountain bamboo forest, which seemed odd. Tina then realized that its body structure resembled the slimes from some games, and surmised that the creature might have already transformed into liquid to infiltrate the temple. So, we rushed back."
Hearing Liu Xing's explanation, Akira Akashi and others frowned, amazed at the Formless Offspring's cunning tactics – akin to a strategy of openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Wei River.
"Let's leave this place now," Tian Dao suggested, frowning and ready to evacuate the temple.
At that moment, Li Ming shook his head, saying, "Then you go. I'll stay here. My mobility is limited due to my leg, and my mental state isn't great. I suspect that seeing that mythical creature would drive me insane. I can't be a burden to you anymore."
Liu Xing and others silently nodded in agreement. As Li Ming said, he was of no use at the moment.
However, Liu Xing believed that the Formless Offspring's primary target must be Nan Xiaoniao. If Liu Xing's group took Nan Xiaoniao away, the Formless Offspring would likely follow Nan Xiaoniao and not trouble Li Ming.
Therefore, Li Ming stayed behind in the temple alone, while Liu Xing and others, with Nan Xiaoniao, went to the grape arbor. They planned to find grapes and then return to offer this final tribute at the temple.
Without lingering in the temple, Liu Xing's group, with Tina carrying Nan Xiaoniao, promptly left.
"Tina, remember to cover Nan Xiaoniao's eyes with your hands later. Don't let her see that creature," Liu Xing said, leading the way. But just as he mentioned it, as if on cue, the Formless Offspring burst through the ground at the temple's entrance, where Alger had fallen, writhing its massive body.
"Damn it, run! And don't look back!" Liu Xing shouted in anger.
Tian Dao and Akira Akashi, aware of the Formless Offspring appearing behind them, kept moving forward without turning back to avoid losing SAN. Despite their apparent panic, they were calm inside, knowing the Formless Offspring, despite its desperate efforts, couldn't possibly catch up with them due to its slow movement.