After five minutes, the cries for help ceased, suggesting that those trapped had resigned themselves to despair.

The timing of these cries was likely triggered by hearing the laughter and chatter of the others, realizing someone had ventured inside, and thus they called out for rescue.

Normally, most people would immediately go to investigate the situation, but they faced Xiao Feng, a man who defies common logic!

During a break when everyone was resting, Xiao Feng walked towards Lin Zhiyan.

"Ahem..."

Xiao Feng coughed lightly, touching his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed about having just yelled at her.

Before he could utter his opening line, Lin Zhiyan cut him off, asking, "Have you already guessed who those people calling for help are?"

"Hmm." Xiao Feng nodded. "You must have guessed too?"

Lin Zhiyan pondered, "I suspect it's Darcy's group, because according to Hu Zhenqing, not counting the deceased, there should be at least ten people alive. With so many people, even if someone died, there should be some trace left behind."

"I think so too." Xiao Feng agreed. "Remember Darcy once mentioned giant spiders spinning webs, and it turns out, after spinning webs, giant spiders need some time to recover.

Perhaps they were lucky enough to stumble onto the path forward during this recovery period.

Then they escaped one danger, only to fall prey to another, ultimately triggering a trap."

After finishing, both fell silent, as the atmosphere grew awkward.

It's often in moments like this that people's thoughts run wild.

Lin Zhiyan looked at Xiao Feng, who neither left nor spoke, feeling a bit annoyed.

She had a fair idea of why Xiao Feng approached, and had already given him an easy out, so whether he apologized or not was irrelevant.

However, from Xiao Feng's perspective, not apologizing after doing something wrong felt shameful; even a mere gesture was better than pretending it never happened.

But the question was, how should he apologize?

This conundrum troubled Xiao Feng, who rarely made mistakes.

A long while later, Lin Zhiyan asked with exasperation, "Do you need something?"

"Yes." Xiao Feng scratched his head. "It's just, I shouted at you earlier..."

"I understand." Lin Zhiyan replied calmly. "In that situation, it's normal to be anxious, I won't take it to heart."

"That's good, that's good."

However, Lin Zhiyan noticed Xiao Feng still had no intention of leaving, prompting her to ask, "Something else?"

Xiao Feng felt a bit displeased immediately. He came over to apologize, worrying whether his attitude was sincere enough, yet here she was, impatiently questioning his presence.

With that thought, all notions of apology were cast aside.

He stepped forward, speaking seriously, "Can't I just talk to you when there's nothing wrong?"

Lin Zhiyan instinctively stepped back, appearing slightly flustered, "Talk, talk about what?"

A girl's mind is always sensitive, and even Lin Zhiyan, who once led a large assassin organization, was no exception.

If not for Xiao Feng's sudden compliment earlier, Lin Zhiyan wouldn't have been so perturbed.

But since then, inexplicable thoughts occasionally bubbled up, especially when facing Xiao Feng alone, becoming harder to control.

This was why Lin Zhiyan twice asked Xiao Feng if there was anything else.

Xiao Feng stepped forward again.

Lin Zhiyan didn't retreat further, as there was a wall behind her.

She took a deep breath, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Seeing her this way, Xiao Feng found it amusing, and with a mischievous heart, he whispered, "Remember when I said you were quite pretty? Well, that was true."

He then abruptly turned and walked away, showing the kid the video he just recorded of the Red-eyed Toad battling the giant spider.

Lin Zhiyan watched Xiao Feng, clenching her fists, seething with anger.

This was the second time, the second time already.

Not knowing when to stop was one thing, but teasing her repeatedly? What was he thinking?

Just then, a voice echoed in her mind: Fool, can't you see? He clearly likes you!

"Boom!"

Lin Zhiyan felt her mind go blank, stumbling back a couple of steps, bracing herself against the wall.

Lin Jiaxuan and Lu Yao quickly came to support her, offering concerned words of comfort.

"It's nothing, probably just too tired. A little rest will help."

Using any excuse to placate the two, Lin Zhiyan felt her mind was a chaotic mess, unable to focus on anything, with only that phrase, "He clearly likes you," echoing endlessly.

Uncertain how much time passed, a gentle voice spoke beside her, "Are you alright? Would you like to rest a bit longer?"

Lin Zhiyan looked up to see it was indeed Xiao Feng, instinctively frowning, shaking her head, she stood up saying, "I'm fine, let's keep going."

The group gathered their things and moved on, each wearing a somber expression, burdened with heavy thoughts.

When busy, such worries didn't surface, but during rest, they reflected on scores of unresolved questions.

Such as, how to find the way back?

Handling the Red-eyed Toad that treated giant spiders like a common meal, as well as the snakes deliberately allowed to climb by the Hornbill, was no easy feat.

No one could guarantee that exiting would be as fortunate as entering.

Just then, Xiao Feng shouted, "Who cried for help earlier? Are they already dead?"

Out of sight, the ones who had called for help were taken aback, then their expressions darkened, realizing Xiao Feng had purposely ignored them though he heard them.

Why speak now?

Changed your mind and decided to save us?

Regardless, they quickly responded, "Not dead, not dead, still alive here!"

By gauging the volume, Xiao Feng and the others estimated a rough distance and direction, the voice coming from just ahead, but shining the flashlight revealed no one.

"Stay alert, everyone."

Xiao Feng signaled for heightened vigilance, slowing their pace, cautiously advancing while watching for suspicious elements around them.

After less than a minute, Zhao Guo'an pinched his nose with a disdainful look, "Why does it smell like crap?"

"..." Xiao Feng and the others were rendered speechless.

Everyone noticed the smell, but after Zhao Guo'an's remark, whether due to psychology or not, the odor seemed to intensify.

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