Wilderness Survival with Druid System

Chapter 783 - 125: Eerie Forest

Following Chen Wen’s instructions, everyone closely followed behind him.Chen Wen, holding a wooden long spear, cautiously found the route down the mountain.

Soon, under his guidance, the group successfully descended from the small hill with fragile rock layers.

The road was very steady.

"Phew, you’re amazing, Chen Wen!"

Adam looked back at the steep mountain path and couldn’t help but say, "If it were me, haha, I estimate it would take me a whole day to get down!"

Upon hearing this, Dennis bared his teeth: "For me, it would take at least three days."

Fred just shook his head: "If it were me, I might have given up at this point."

Hua Yun was speechless: "Seriously, can you guys even compete over this?"

The others just smiled and didn’t say much more.

At this moment, Chen Wen said, "There are still quite a few trees on the second plain, so we don’t need to rush. Just proceed as normal. However, you need to be cautious of insects and venomous snakes in such places."

"Also, there’s no need to continue traveling today. Next, we’ll find a place to rest, and we’ll exit this valley tomorrow. I feel the vegetation here is too dense, and the overall journey is long. It would be very exciting to stay overnight here!"

Everyone nodded.

They also noticed the difference in the valley ahead.

Unlike the sparse vegetation before, the vegetation here was not only thriving, but there were also many tall trees.

These trees severely blocked out the sunlight.

From the outside looking in, all you could see was a vast expanse of darkness.

This was still the afternoon; by dusk, it would probably be pitch black inside.

Not suitable for traveling or setting up camp.

Thus, the group decisively stopped outside.

Setting up camp, cooking.

These tasks no longer required Chen Wen’s attention.

He calmly sat by the campsite, squinting his eyes and waiting for the meal.

...

The next morning.

After a night of rest, everyone was full of energy, planning to exit the valley ahead today.

Yesterday, from the mountaintop, they had already seen the entire view of the valley.

Overall, the journey through this valley seemed quite long.

Chen Wen calculated that at their normal pace, it would take at least an entire morning.

Therefore, before setting out, Chen Wen prepared everyone psychologically.

Soon, they set out.

Under Chen Wen’s leadership, they headed straight into the dense forest ahead.

...

When they first entered, Chen Wen felt fine.

But after about ten meters in, he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

What’s going on?

Chen Wen scratched his head and carefully looked around.

A moment later, he realized.

This forest was too lush, and the interior too dark, making him feel uneasy inside.

It’s like suddenly entering one of those very eerie buildings, where humans inherently carry a fear of such places.

Added to the forest’s sultry humidity, and seemingly insufficient oxygen.

Making one feel stifled.

Taking a deep breath.

Chen Wen glanced at the others; everyone seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"From now on, once we enter the forest, always watch the direction. It’s easy to get lost in such a place."

Chen Wen said.

As he spoke, Adam took out a machete and marked an arrow on a nearby tree.

"The old method works best."

Adam gave a thumbs-up and said.

Chen Wen smiled and nodded, picking up the long spear and machete, he led the way at the front of the team.

The others followed behind, responsible for carrying the luggage, watching the surroundings, and marking directional guides.

Under Chen Wen’s orderly arrangements, although their speed was slow, they were progressing steadily.

...

As Chen Wen and his team entered the forest.

At the entrance of the Kimberley Plateau, near Leopold’s Domain.

After a difficult trek.

Oleg and his team exhaustedly arrived here.

They chose the same route as Chen Wen, but their fates were completely different.

Oleg and others, while passing through the flood-affected areas, used methods similar to Chen Wen’s team.

Experienced people led the way, moving forward by finding suitable paths.

However, without the help of camels, they ended up with too much load, often needing to take longer routes to avoid mud pits.

Moreover, the high load brought about greater instability.

While walking, Oleg’s team had to be cautious, or they might fall hard.

But no matter what, they still made it through.

But it took five days longer than they estimated.

"We have to hurry from now on!"

Oleg, covered in dust, said, and the other competitors with him showed expressions of resignation.

They were too exhausted, now needing rest the most.

Unfortunately, time did not allow.

As for Hope’s team, who chose to take a detour, their progress was even slower than Oleg’s team.

...

Back to Chen Wen’s side.

About an hour after they started walking through the valley, everyone was feeling overwhelmed.

"Let’s take a break."

Adam said tiredly: "I feel like my lungs are sponges soaked in water. With every breath, it feels like squeezing water out of a sponge!"

"An interesting metaphor."

Dennis smiled bitterly, also saying: "But Adam’s right, we do need a rest, or our bodies won’t hold up."

Chen Wen looked at Fred and Hua Yun, both of whom were at the end of their strength.

Visible exhaustion on their faces.

"Then let’s rest."

Chen Wen said, stretching his sore arms.

Clearing the path had drained a lot of his physical strength and energy, pushing his body to its limits.

Everyone used the tools at hand to clear an area in the forest big enough for them to sit, then flopped onto the ground without any grace.

Next, they all, as if in sync, took out their water bottles and gulped down water like they were facing a nemesis.

"This place, really tough to walk!"

Fred remarked with emotion.

Besides the already taxing high humidity and temperature, the dense forest also added a suppressive and muddy challenge.

After resting for about ten minutes, Chen Wen got up and said: "Strike while the iron is hot, let’s hurry out of here and suffer less. Everyone, follow!"

With that, Chen Wen took the lead again, pressing on.

But behind him, Hua Yun and the others, clearly not in a good state, staggered to their feet.

For some reason, they all felt a bit dizzy.

And their bodies involuntarily swayed.

The main thing was, they felt as if the surrounding trees had come to life.

They extended their branches as if to grab the group and keep them here permanently.

It was very strange!

As for Chen Wen, at the front, even though he felt similar sensations, his symptoms were lighter than the others’.

Continuing onward.

Chen Wen, relying on his experience, constantly sought directions and forged a suitable path.

But after walking for another ten minutes or so.

Chen Wen suddenly felt a bit dizzy.

He immediately stopped, holding his forehead with one hand to assess his condition.

Overall, nothing seemed abnormal, but it was extremely uncomfortable.

Chen Wen looked up at the path ahead.

The layers of trees intertwined, blocking out sunlight; branches like the arms of ghouls intertwined and swayed.

The further he looked, the dizzier and more uncomfortable Chen Wen felt, even to the point of nausea.

At the same time, a sense of fear suddenly emerged in his heart.

What’s happening to me?

Poisoned?

Hallucinating?

After giving himself a forceful slap, Chen Wen suddenly snapped awake: "No! It’s not a physical problem!"

He murmured, suddenly realizing the issue: "This is a psychological problem. Staying in the forest for a long time, in an enclosed, dark environment, makes me feel like the road ahead is endless and increasingly dark and enclosed."

"And then, from deep inside, fear arose. Damn, this place is eerie! It can induce claustrophobia!"

As Chen Wen spoke, he turned around to look at the others.

But then, a chilling scene unrolled before him: Hua Yun and the others, who were following him, had disappeared!