Xu Xing fell into confusion while hunting beasts, asking herself in her heart: "What kind of identity as a great hero am I pursuing? Did I do something wrong? But isn't a great hero someone who helps the weak?"
In the beginning, Xu Xing's idea of becoming a great hero was actually related to novels. At a young age, she saw fighting scenes on television and was immediately captivated by the demeanor of a great hero, inevitably developing admiration. A great hero defies prohibitions with their martial prowess, using their strength to help others. What could be wrong with that?
Therefore, Xu Xing was different from other girls from a very young age. Other girls wanted to become gentle and virtuous women, but in Xu Xing's view, she wanted to become a respected great hero. However, this idea was stifled by her parents from a young age. Now, when Xu Xing wants to help others, she also encounters obstacles.
In Xu Xing's opinion, a great hero should help others without reservation. Yet, with Shen Feng, he only saved people halfway and then chose to give up. What was that supposed to mean?
However, Xu Xing couldn't refute Shen Feng's decision. Even though she discovered many flaws in Shen Feng, he was still the person Xu Xing admired the most. Perhaps it was because she saw the still very weak Shen Feng dare to keep ringing the bell under the siege of zombies. Xu Xing would never forget that scene.
Ultimately, Xu Xing could only be torn between Shen Feng's orders and her inner sense of justice. Although she was leaving tomorrow, Xu Xing still wanted to do what she could, which was to leave as much food as possible. Perhaps with this food, these people could live longer.
The next day, Shen Feng and his group set off, escorting the captured Si Kailani Fu. The others watched them leave with anticipation, perhaps still fantasizing that as long as Shen Feng went into the forest, he would find the miners and soldiers who had left Qiu Ming, and then they could rebuild Qiu Ming.
During the day, the beast tides gradually returned to the forest. The city was not a place where wild beasts should live; the forest was their natural habitat.
Shen Feng looked at the city that had been ravaged for a long time. Some bold mutated rats were still scurrying on the streets, but they immediately fled upon seeing humans. These rats had undergone mutation and were as large as rabbits. One rat was enough to feed one person.
Currently, the concentration of the zombie virus in mutated animals had become very low, indicating that the viral protein content was decreasing. It used to be that eating tens of kilograms of mutated beast meat could turn one into an evolver, but now, even eating hundreds of kilograms might not be enough. As time passed, the influence of the zombie virus was gradually diminishing.
"The humans in the steel factory, if they dared to go out hunting during the day, they wouldn't have ended up like this. Always waiting for help from others, they are merely a burden," Shen Feng remarked with emotion.
Normally, people would not be a match for ferocious mutated beasts, especially when facing a beast tide charging from all directions. Not to mention ordinary people, even ability users would be a little intimidated. Unless they possessed exceptionally powerful abilities, others would only be able to turn and run upon seeing a beast tide.
However, if they couldn't deal with powerful mutated beasts, catching some weaker ones could always fill their stomachs, such as rats or marmots. As long as they could catch them, they could have a hearty meal. But the people in the steel factory had given up on going out, all waiting for help from others. In the end, it was due to fear and laziness, with no initiative whatsoever.
Soon, Shen Feng and his一行人 followed the scruffy man into the woods. As they entered the woods, the man couldn't help but look around nervously, as if worried about wild beasts appearing nearby. If any beasts did appear, they would have to be dealt with by the four people behind him.
Si Kailani Fu led the group deeper into the forest, passing the oil well area and continuing to venture further. At this point, Shen Feng also noticed huge footprints on the ground. Amidst the snow and fallen leaves, there were many enormous footprints. Upon seeing these footprints, everyone was somewhat surprised because they had never seen such large footprints. What kind of colossal creature could have such massive feet?
The footprints, about 1.5 meters wide and reaching 2 meters in length, were deeply imprinted on the ground. With such enormous footprints, anyone stepping on them would be crushed into a pulp, with no chance to fight back.
Lu Xian and Qi Lingshan became somewhat apprehensive upon seeing this, as both felt the enemy was very powerful. This was just one monster, and it already had such huge feet. If countless giant monsters appeared before them, could they still be a match?
Compared to their solemn expressions, Xu Xing's face showed excitement. At this moment, she suddenly felt motivated. She had never fought a powerful enemy before. Even when facing the wolf king on the grassland, the wolf king only attacked sneakily and never engaged in a direct battle. If it were a true confrontation, Xu Xing didn't believe she would lose.
"Just watch, no matter how powerful the enemy is, I will cut them down with a single strike!" Xu Xing said excitedly.
"Stop bragging. Even Guo Pinming couldn't break through their defense back then. What makes you think you can?" Shen Feng retorted mercilessly. Based on the footprints he saw, Shen Feng was certain that these were the footprints left by a treant. And when he faced the treant before, Shen Feng himself couldn't break through its defense. The treant was incredibly tough all over and not easily killed.
Xu Xing said seriously, "Mr. Guo couldn't break through their defense, but that doesn't mean I can't!"
Xu Xing was very confident at this moment. She believed she couldn't lose. No enemy had ever been able to withstand her strike, and she believed the treant would be no exception.
Shen Feng felt helpless. Young people nowadays didn't listen to advice. He had clearly stated that treants were very powerful, yet Xu Xing didn't believe him. It seemed he would only know how powerful treants were by actually trying.
"It's a pity we didn't bring a purple light lamp. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to worry about the treant," Shen Feng lamented.
When heading to Siberia, Shen Feng hadn't expected to encounter treants. Otherwise, bringing a purple light lamp would have allowed him to eliminate them.
Suddenly, Shen Feng remembered something and quickly took out a small pouch from his person. He found a seed and handed it to Xu Xing, saying, "Take this with you. If you're in danger, use it directly. It can break through your abilities and grant you immense power."
Xu Xing quickly accepted it and kept it close. It was a life-saving item, and she couldn't ignore it.
Next, Shen Feng gave one to Lu Xian and Qi Lingshan each, so everyone had a means of self-preservation.
"You all must save it for the last moment. The plant that produces this seed has already been killed. The enemy shattered the Century Plant with an air cannon. These are used one by one and become fewer. You must save them. Moreover, if you use it and cannot resolve the crisis within half an hour, most of the stored energy will be consumed," Shen Feng said worriedly, fearing that the three people accompanying him might be captured by the treant, so he earnestly reminded them.
After receiving the Century Plant seeds, the group finally felt relieved. Having a life-saving item was reassuring. They had heard that the City Lord and Yue Hengyi escaped by relying on Century Plant seeds when they were attacked at sea, which indicated that the Century Plant seeds were indeed valuable.
Following this, the four ordered Si Kailani Fu to continue leading the way, and they steadily approached the cave. At this point, a thick fog suddenly appeared in the forest, making the woods very dim. Everything beyond five meters was completely invisible.
Seeing this scene, Shen Feng felt it was all too familiar. He had encountered such a situation three years ago, and now the fog had reappeared.
Shen Feng explained to them, "Don't worry, this fog is not poisonous. It only blocks sunlight. Treants are afraid of ultraviolet radiation. This is a drawback caused by their evolution. If I'm not mistaken, there must be many towering trees in the forest that are continuously releasing this fog."
Lu Xian nodded, but for him, the fog did not affect his abilities. Even in the fog, Lu Xian could accurately discern directions and know if anyone was around.
Qi Lingshan then approached Xu Xing and whispered to her, "Once we find the cave, you can kill that scumbag. Do you understand what I mean?"
As he spoke, Qi Lingshan pointed at the man leading the way. Since he was undoubtedly a scumbag, killing him would not cause any psychological burden. Instead, it would give Xu Xing the satisfaction of punishing evil and promoting good. Shen Feng had actually planned this long ago, but he hadn't explicitly stated it, as the enemy still had some utility.
Upon hearing this, Xu Xing immediately became excited, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword, as if ready to draw it at any moment.
After walking for two hours in the fog, the forest became increasingly dark. The sky was gloomy, and no animals could be seen in the fog, as if they had already fled the area. Many giant footprints appeared on the ground, indicating that they were getting closer to the cave.
However, at this moment, Si Kailani Fu, who was leading the way, suddenly accelerated his pace. It was evident that Si Kailani Fu did not trust Shen Feng at all. He had no opportunity to escape before, so he couldn't execute his escape plan. Now that they had entered the foggy forest, his chance had come.
Seeing the other person flee, with a clang, Xu Xing drew her faintly glowing long sword and chased after him, shouting, "Scumbag, where do you think you're going?"
Xu Xing was determined to kill a scumbag with her own hands. Such a villain who betrayed his brothers and ate human flesh must be killed, otherwise, public indignation would not be appeased. Although only two hundred people remained in Qiu Ming to voice their indignation, they were not to be ignored.
"City Lord, look, these footprints are all extending in that direction. This means the cave must be located there," Qi Lingshan said to Shen Feng, pointing at the footprints on the ground.
The giant footprints on the ground were indeed extending into the distance. This could only mean one thing: the enemy's lair was nearby.
However, at this moment, Lu Xian's expression changed. His abilities sensed something, and he said in disbelief, "City Lord, that scumbag's thermal signature has disappeared. Wait, Xu Xing's thermal signature has also disappeared. Let's go check quickly!"
After speaking, Lu Xian immediately led Shen Feng and Qi Lingshan towards the direction where the thermal signatures had disappeared. If only one person's thermal signature had disappeared, Lu Xian would have assumed that Xu Xing had already killed the scumbag. But now that Xu Xing's own thermal signature had also vanished, Lu Xian had to suspect that Xu Xing had met with misfortune.
"City Lord, there's a cave here, sloping downwards. What should we do?" Lu Xian finally found a dark cave entrance leading downwards. Nothing could be seen below, and both of their footprints disappeared here. It was clear that Xu Xing and the scumbag had entered the cave.
"Take out your notebook and leave a note. Tell Xu Xing to come out and hide in the nearby trees. She's an ability user, and after the pursuit ends, she'll surely come up," Shen Feng said. Shen Feng knew that Xu Xing's strength was considerable and he didn't need to worry about her safety. The only trouble was the contact method, and Shen Feng couldn't rashly go down into the cave.