The sun hung low on the horizon as Li Yuan and his group finally arrived at the lake. Its surface gleamed under the fading light, rippling gently with the cool evening breeze. The surrounding forest, dense and shadowed, stood as a natural barrier around the water's edge, while the area near the lake was unexpectedly quiet.
Li Yuan glanced around warily, sensing the silence. "Strange... shouldn't there be more activity here?" he muttered to himself.
Lin Su, their team leader, stepped forward and gestured to the lake. "The area around the lake seems undisturbed," she said, her tone relieved but cautious. "This might be a safe place for us to rest, at least for tonight."
Junior Brother Wu, known for his sharp instincts, frowned as he walked closer to the lake. "Isn't it odd that there are no beasts around? A water source like this would usually attract them—especially at dusk."
