Liu Lei, now thoroughly engaged by the beast ape, had no choice but to retreat, leaving Rain behind.
Rain, meanwhile, was making swift progress with Xiao Ba. They weaved through dense trees and navigated past a still lake, their surroundings gradually shifting as they delved deeper into the wilderness.
The further they traveled, the more muted and strange the landscape became. The colors grew darker, the forest quieter. Where once there were familiar trees, now stood strange, eerie flora that Rain couldn't name.
It wasn't just the unusual appearance of the trees, though.
The place seemed alive, thriving with an abundance of energy and vitality. The dense spiritual atmosphere in the air was palpable. The oppressive, gloomy feel that typically accompanied places deep within the wilderness was oddly absent here.
Xiao Ba suddenly stopped, pausing in front of a tall, overgrown patch of wormwood.
