This part of the mountain was covered in a dense forest.
Being located in the southern region, the area was shrouded in heavy morning fog, adding an air of mystery to her surroundings.
Ash followed the route the old man had described, walking upstream along the creek after entering Azure Bay Mountain to avoid getting lost in the dense forest.
Perhaps it was precisely because the fog obscured her vision that she hadn't seen any creatures in the forest?
As she speculated, Ash continued making her way upstream.
Whenever she got tired, she would find a dry rock by the creek to sit on and rest.
When she was hungry, she ate some carrot pancakes she had made the night before.
This kind of brief wilderness survival was quite simple for Ash—so much so that she navigated it with ease.
As time went on, Ash followed the creek deeper into the heart of Azure Bay Mountain.
The surrounding trees seemed to grow taller and taller.
Judging by the density of the foliage, it would be nearly impossible for an ordinary person to climb trees of this height.
Ash stopped beneath the shade of a towering ancient tree, setting down the heavy backpack she had been carrying on her shoulders.
She began preparing to set up camp.
Although it was still quite early in the day, Ash decided to rest here for the night.
She planned to set out again at dawn to continue her search for the Ripple Fruits the old man had mentioned.
Ash's physical condition was just too poor!
She had only been walking for half a day, and her stamina was already running low.
She couldn't help but wonder if she would even have the strength to continue her journey tomorrow.
Sitting on a fallen tree trunk, Ash massaged her calves, which were sore from walking for so long.
With a bitter smile, she recalled a phrase she had once read in a magazine: The most tragic thing isn't when your ability can't match your ambition, but when your body can't support it.
It wasn't as if Ash had never lived on her own in the wilderness before.
Back on Earth, she often spent her summer vacations in July and August foraging for wild mushrooms in the mountains near her hometown to save up money for her college expenses.
Back then, it was normal for her to traverse several mountain ridges in a single day to find valuable wild mushrooms.
But now, after climbing for just half a day, she was already so exhausted she could barely keep going.
It seemed she really needed to strengthen her physical fitness once she got back!
Otherwise, with her current state, how could she even think about embarking on a journey of adventure like the heroes she admired?
Ash sighed deeply.
Once the soreness in her legs subsided a bit, she stood up and decided to gather some dry firewood to start a fire.
Ash had to quickly set up her temporary shelter before nightfall.