As Zhang Nu and Liu Hai continued walking, they gradually noticed something felt off. They had been traveling for quite some time, yet there wasn't a single monster in sight. It was puzzling---had all the creatures on the third level moved up to higher levels, or had someone else cleared them out?
"Zhang Nu, don't you think this is strange?" Liu Hai asked, his voice filled with unease. "We've been walking for so long, but haven't encountered a single creature."
Zhang Nu nodded in agreement. It was indeed baffling. After so much time, it didn't make sense that they hadn't encountered at least one creature, even a low-level one.
"You're right. Something is definitely off. Stay alert," Zhang Nu replied. "I also have this feeling that something or someone is watching us from the shadows."
A chill ran down Liu Hai's spine. He hadn't sensed anything, yet Zhang Nu seemed sure of it.
"Are you sure, Zhang Nu? I haven't sensed anything. Could there really be someone watching us?" Liu Hai asked nervously.
Zhang Nu didn't rule out the possibility. He didn't know who or what might be keeping an eye on them, nor their intentions. However, for now, that wasn't the priority. They needed to either find these creatures or keep moving upward in search of others.
"If they haven't attacked us yet, it likely means they don't mean us harm---for now," Zhang Nu advised. "Let's keep moving upward, and unless absolutely necessary, don't act rashly."
Liu Hai nodded in agreement, and the two continued cautiously on their journey.
At this moment, several snakes were quietly following Zhang Nu and Liu Hai, seemingly curious about what these two would do next. Before long, Zhang Nu could hear the distinct hissing sounds from the surroundings. Zhang Nu, being particularly sensitive to such noises, had missed it earlier due to the smaller number and quieter volume. But now, the sound was unmistakable, growing louder and more numerous, as if they were being surrounded.
"Hold on," Zhang Nu said cautiously. "I think something is approaching us."
Liu Hai, now alert, scanned their surroundings, yet saw nothing. He wondered if Zhang Nu was being overly cautious. "Zhang Nu, could you have misheard? I don't see anything coming toward us."
Shaking his head, Zhang Nu closed his eyes, extending his spiritual sense to probe the area around them. Though there were no signs of humans or other creatures nearby, he knew that didn't mean the danger wasn't there. The thick grass and dense trees provided ample cover for whatever might be lurking.
Once Zhang Nu extended his spiritual sense further into the underbrush, a chilling sight met his awareness---countless snakes were slithering toward them. It was as if they had become prey, and the snakes were the hunters. Seeing this mass of serpents, Zhang Nu felt a wave of unease wash over him, triggering his trypophobia. He had never seen so many snakes in his life. It seemed clear that the creatures dominating this third level were indeed these snakes.
"I know what's coming toward us! It's snakes," Zhang Nu said, his voice tense. "There are thousands of them heading in our direction. We need to get out of here immediately."
Upon hearing this, Liu Hai felt his skin crawl. He was terrified of such slimy creatures, especially in such overwhelming numbers.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get out of here!" Liu Hai urged, his voice full of revulsion. "There's nothing more disgusting than a horde of wriggling snakes."
Zhang Nu nodded in agreement, and they quickened their pace. However, the faster they moved, the quicker the snakes seemed to slither after them. These creatures were far more familiar with the terrain and knew how to close in on their prey.
Before long, Zhang Nu sensed that the snakes were surrounding them from all directions, drawing closer by the second. They were too late to escape now.
"Stop," Zhang Nu said suddenly. "We're not going to outrun them. I can feel it, they're less than ten meters away from us, and they're coming from every direction."
Liu Hai's heart raced as fear set in. The thought of being surrounded by thousands of snakes made his skin crawl even more. If what Zhang Nu said was true and they were completely surrounded, there was no telling how many of these creatures they would have to face.