Without Old Lu's protection, Mo Wen had to rely on himself in times of danger. If he were to encounter another battle with Toe Bear, his fate would likely be to become a meal for other Demon Beasts or serve as nourishment for a Chimera. Therefore, he and Xiao Hei traveled with great caution. In stark contrast to Mo Wen's anxiety, Xiao Hei was unusually excited, darting ahead one moment and circling back around him the next. Watching Xiao Hei's playful antics eased Mo Wen's tense mood considerably.
As the mottled sunlight filtered through the trees, it gradually turned golden. Mo Wen knew that night was approaching, and they needed to find a place to rest soon. Once the sun set, the forest would plunge into darkness. After some exploration, he spotted a Stone Mountain ahead; it would be the best place to spend the night. The summit was free of trees, allowing for a wide view of the surroundings. If danger approached, they could escape easily, and the barren mountain would not harbor any Demon Beasts or Chimeras. However, it was impossible for them to reach the mountain before dark. They had no choice but to find a nearby tree to spend the night.
While searching for a suitable spot on the ground, Mo Wen also looked for a tree that would be safe for resting. He led Xiao Hei to a large tree he had previously chosen and carefully checked the surrounding area to confirm there were no powerful Demon Beasts or Chimeras nearby. Satisfied with his assessment, he settled under the tree and took out the Symbol Array that Old Lu had prepared for him, setting it up around the base of the tree.
"Xiao Hei, this is our first night camping in the wild together; I hope nothing goes wrong," he said. The branch they sat on was thick; even though they were higher than the surrounding treetops, it still measured about three feet in diameter. Sitting on the branch, Mo Wen patted Xiao Hei's head and took out some dried food, offering some to Xiao Hei, who looked at it with disdain. "Just make do with it; we can't cook here since it would attract Demon Beasts and Chimeras," he added before eating without waiting for Xiao Hei.
After finishing their meal, Mo Wen sat on the branch and recalled Old Lu's battle with his junior sister. He still felt a shiver of fear at how much destruction one strike could cause. However, his reflections quickly shifted to thoughts about Old Lu's embarrassing antics—sneaking a peek at his junior sister while she bathed. Not only did he spy on her, but he also got caught and ended up being chased all over the place without being able to fight back. No wonder Old Lu had such a rich collection of items; it seemed he had been on the run while plundering along the way. The relationship between Old Lu and his junior sister appeared more thrilling than mere love-hate dynamics. The thought nearly made Mo Wen laugh aloud. If Old Lu knew that Mo Wen was currently thinking about him like this, he would surely hang him from that very tree and admonish him not to read such stories in the future.
Bringing his thoughts back in line, Mo Wen began preparing for the night—though preparation was more about finding a comfortable position than anything else.
"I never expected such beautiful scenery!" Leaning against the tree trunk and gazing at the view before him, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Mo Wen was captivated by what lay ahead; this was his second time looking down at a landscape from above. However, this scene was vastly different from that atop a snowy mountain peak. Being immersed in nature now felt more genuine than before; although it lacked that initial thrill, it brought him a sense of reality that resonated deeply within him. "The scenery changes with each season," he mused, reflecting on these two contrasting experiences while acknowledging how much his own mindset had evolved as well.
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