Zhang Nu felt that the situation was far more complex than it appeared. Even if the Tree YaoGuai had lived for a hundred years, how could it resort to devouring its own kind? Still, aside from Liu Hai's theory, he couldn't think of any other explanation.
"It seems like that's the only possibility," Zhang Nu said. "Let's rest for a moment, replenish our water supplies, and then keep going."
Liu Hai nodded in agreement. With Zhang Nu by his side, he felt confident he could continue advancing step by step. Without him, he likely wouldn't have made it past the second level.
Zhang Nu took out his canteen, drank a few sips of water, and filled it again from the stream. He didn't realize the potential danger in consuming this water without checking it first---a mistake that would bring trouble in the future. Zhang Nu hadn't noticed this detail, and Liu Hai, who trusted him completely, followed suit and filled his own canteen.
After the two finished resting, they packed their things and prepared to move on. However, the Tree YaoGuai, hiding nearby, overheard their entire conversation. It knew that if they didn't kill it, they wouldn't be able to proceed any further. But what the pair didn't realize was that the Tree YaoGuai could call upon the Illusion YaoGuai and trap them in a beautiful dream, making it easier to control them.
The Tree Guai grinned at the thought of finally turning the tables on the two who had injured it earlier. Now it had the chance to repay them in full.
Soon, the Tree Guai contacted the Illusion YaoGuai. However, when the Illusion Guai received the message, it felt nothing but disdain for the Tree Guai, seeing it as nothing more than a failure, incapable of handling two ordinary humans. Now, the Tree YaoGuai had the audacity to ask for help to deal with them, a request that seemed laughable, even delusional.
Still, the Illusion YaoGuai knew it couldn't afford to openly break ties with the Tree YaoGuai. The tree's roots spanned across the entire mountain, and if they had a falling-out now, survival would be difficult in such a hostile environment. So, with thinly veiled contempt, the Illusion YaoGuai responded with a simple "fine" and agreed to collaborate with the Tree YaoGuai to set a trap.
Meanwhile, Zhang Nu and Liu Hai remained oblivious to the danger awaiting them. They continued to march forward with confidence, as if the path ahead held something wondrous for them. Their focus was entirely on the journey forward, paying no attention to their surroundings, unaware that they had already fallen into the trap prepared by the Illusion and Tree YaoGuai.
As they pressed on, they reached the third level of the mountain. Upon arrival, they noticed that the sunlight was no longer as strong, casting the area in a strange dimness. The mountain had a total of six levels, and they had just reached the halfway point."Zhang Nu, don't you feel that the atmosphere here is oppressive? It's like something is lurking around," Liu Hai asked, his voice tense.
Zhang Nu nodded in agreement, sensing that the third level held much greater danger than the previous ones.
The heaviness in the air was palpable, and the faint sunlight barely reached them, casting eerie shadows across the terrain. "Be on guard. I have a feeling that whatever's here is far more formidable. Look at how the sunlight can't even penetrate through," Zhang Nu warned.
Liu Hai glanced upward, noticing that the sun barely filtered through the dense canopy above. He realized Zhang Nu was right---they couldn't afford to be careless, especially after their close call with the Tree Guai on the lower level. If it hadn't been for the strange power of Zhang Nu's blood, they would've been killed by now.
As they continued forward, their steps became more cautious. Neither of them knew what awaited, but the tension was unmistakable. The creatures on this level were different---far more resilient and aggressive.
The third level was teeming with life, particularly snakes. These creatures, quick and evasive, were known for their deadly attacks and their ability to avoid detection. The snakes were coiled in the shadows, silently observing Zhang Nu and Liu Hai's movements, though the pair remained oblivious to their presence, pressing on into the unknown.