Volume One: The Soul-Guiding Gourd and the Soul-Burning Lamp Chapter 97: The Scorching Rainforest

Page 1/3

The Emerald Wilderness stretched endlessly, shrouded in thick white mist. Before their eyes, the stifling heat and dampness of the rainforest pressed down, fraught with unseen dangers. A complex, unsettling scent drifted freely through the air.

Min Wenhua found a concealed hollow in a nearby tree and placed the ant-like armor inside. It was clear—the man nicknamed “Midnight Orange Cat” was truly formidable! Afterward, the iron-willed warrior lifted his spiked spear cautiously, stepping carefully at the forefront.

Li Hetang gripped a specially crafted dagger in his right hand, vigilantly scanning their surroundings. While these two moved with tense caution, Xiao Yulou, dressed in a flowing black Taoist robe, glanced left and right with a childlike innocence, utterly untroubled.

Even as he carried the unconscious Gu Mo, Xiao Yulou’s steps remained leisurely. It was as if this ethereal Taoist was merely sightseeing in a four-star scenic spot, utterly devoid of fear or worry.

After a few steps, Li Hetang’s ears twitched at a faint sound from behind. On high alert, he turned to investigate.

To his surprise, Xiao Yulou, still carrying Gu Mo, had brought a bright red fruit to his lips.

Seeing this, Li Hetang immediately shouted to stop him.

“Hairy brat, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

At this, Xiao Yulou raised an eyebrow, frozen in place with a peculiar expression.

“Brother Hetang, whatever do you mean?”

Li Hetang’s frustration surged at the naïve reply. He strode forward and knocked the vibrant fruit from Xiao Yulou’s hand.

“How can you just eat whatever you find in the rainforest?”

Xiao Yulou turned his face away with disbelief, scoffing.

Just as the two were about to argue, Min Wenhua hurried over.

“Master Taoist Xiao, that thing is indeed poisonous. Far more toxic than the ‘Love Seed.’ One bite and you’d be dizzy and violently vomiting!”

Hearing this, Xiao Yulou merely nodded slightly, brushing off Li Hetang’s warning as if it were mere wind.

Then, that sly Taoist strode forward as if nothing were wrong.

Seeing this, Li Hetang frowned deeply, preparing to give this wild Taoist a serious lesson. If he ate or touched the wrong thing again, it could delay them all.

Suppressing his anger, Li Hetang forced a stiff smile and began.

“Master Taoist Xiao…”

Xiao Yulou slowly turned to face him and softly asked, “Brother Hetang, what is it?”

Li Hetang smiled faintly, then gestured at the vast rainforest before them.

“Tropical rainforests—also called the forbidden zones for humans—are truly perilous. Humans here are nothing but prey for countless creatures. Even large animals that have lived here for years struggle to survive.

“The unique geography makes the rainforest warm, humid, and drenched with rain, filled with swamps and lakes. It’s truly a paradise for wild flora and fauna!”

Xiao Yulou was momentarily stunned, then looked at Li Hetang, their guide, and softly replied, “No wonder this place is so lush, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and so beautiful!”

At these words, Li Hetang’s face darkened, utterly baffled by the carefree phrase that slipped out.

Page 2/3

“Master Taoist Xiao, did you hear me clearly? The scenery isn’t what I’m emphasizing!” Li Hetang said sharply.

Xiao Yulou’s black robe-clad figure regarded him with a curious look. “Brother Hetang, are you not talking about the scenery?”

Snapping back to seriousness, Li Hetang cleared his throat and met Xiao Yulou’s eyes.

“This rainforest rivals the Amazon. Many seemingly insignificant creatures here are deadly.

“Take the needlefish, for example. This creature is only about ten centimeters long, transparent and slender. It loves to burrow holes, making it impossible to defend against. It can enter your eyes, ears, nose, and throat—anywhere you can imagine!”

Li Hetang deliberately gave Xiao Yulou time to imagine, causing the latter to shudder, his body tense.

“Once inside, the needlefish plays, sucks blood, and reproduces—and it never willingly leaves. So, never drink the water here.

“Needlefish are just the most common of the rainforest’s horrors. There are far scarier creatures.

“Piranhas can devour a cow to bones in minutes.

“Electric eels can discharge 600 to 800 volts, easily knocking out a crocodile. The forest is also home to the world’s largest snake—the anaconda.

“In short, none of the creatures here are kind!”

Li Hetang licked his cracked lips and continued.

“The terrain is complex, with many rivers on the surface—easy to get lost. Underground, countless hidden rivers span even larger areas than those above, full of dangers.

“The abundant rain causes rivers to frequently change course, so losing your way is common. If you fall into a hidden river, death is almost certain.

“In the heart of the forest, plants grow wildly from the rich moisture. To compete for sunlight, shrubs, trees, and vines entwine in a frenzy, monopolizing nearly all the light.

“Beneath them lies eerie darkness, where walking is a deadly gamble.”

Min Wenhua smiled at the young man before him, thinking it no surprise he made it into the 749 Subsidiary Company.

For a moment, Li Hetang was like a walking encyclopedia, vividly describing the rainforest’s perils to Xiao Yulou.

“Almost every creature here is poisonous.

“The 1.5-centimeter poison dart frog’s toxin is lethal—heart failure follows infection. And it has no predators!

“The wandering spider is among the deadliest spiders. If disturbed, it strikes immediately, causing heart paralysis and death!

“Don’t even think about provoking ants or other critters here…”

Xiao Yulou’s face turned pale and then flushed; it seemed this sly Taoist was finally feeling fear.

Seeing this, Li Hetang pressed on.

“Yet, primitive tribes live here. If we encounter cannibals, there’ll be no one to mourn us!

“Not to mention malaria, dengue fever, and other rampant diseases—the rainforest is practically a moving virus reservoir!”

Stunned, Xiao Yulou fell silent.

Li Hetang, reassured his warnings had taken hold, relaxed somewhat.

After all, Xiao Yulou still carried the unconscious Gu Mo. Any further loss would leave even Li Hetang uncertain how to proceed.

In this way, Li Hetang’s vivid account painted the rainforest as an extraordinarily dangerous place, though he had not exaggerated one bit.

A deep breath escaped Min Wenhua as he laid a hand on Li Hetang’s shoulder.

“Brother Hetang, I didn’t expect you to be so experienced in the wild!”

Li Hetang gave a bitter smile, then seriously asked, “Brother Cat, is there any shortcut through this rainforest? We’re carrying an injured man, and we can’t afford delays.”

Hearing the reasonable request, Min Wenhua’s face showed hesitation.

“There is one, but…”

Li Hetang frowned, growing anxious.

“Brother Cat, why the hesitation?”

After a few seconds, Min Wenhua bit his lip and finally spoke.

“If we stick to the boundary between two zones, there’s no danger… but the detour back to the cave would take six times longer than crossing the forest directly!”

Li Hetang frowned, weighing the pros and cons.

Leaving aside the fate of the unknown Code O, Gu Mo’s severe injuries surely wouldn’t allow such a long journey!

While Li Hetang pondered, the ethereal Taoist Xiao Yulou smiled slightly and strode boldly forward.

Seeing this, Li Hetang’s expression darkened as he softly called, “Master Taoist Xiao…”

Xiao Yulou only offered his broad back in response.

“Let’s go.”

Where most would hesitate before such treacherous terrain, Xiao Yulou knew no retreat. Perhaps this Taoist didn’t even possess the word in his vocabulary.

At this point, Li Hetang could only look to Min Wenhua with pleading eyes.

Min Wenhua shrugged with a faint smile, grasped his spiked spear, and strode to Xiao Yulou’s side.

Li Hetang tightened his brow, gazing over the perilous rainforest. An ominous feeling crept over him.

After some time, the ground beneath the three grew muddy and treacherous.

Li Hetang knew they had entered the forest’s edge. Against nature’s might, humans seemed so small. An inexplicable dread swept over them.

All around, vegetation thrived wildly in heat and moisture. The air carried a complex, indescribable scent only those who have truly been in a rainforest could understand.

A few steps further, a deep, green-glowing river barred their path.

Min Wenhua, as guide, strode to a peculiar tree and pushed aside thick bushes.

A small bamboo raft appeared before them.

Upon closer inspection, the raft resembled a magnified half-cylinder bamboo tube, long and slender. Though faded gray with age, it could easily seat five. It was clear this raft was crafted within the microcosm of the forest.

The three said nothing and boarded the raft in order.

Min Wenhua naturally took the bow as guide. Xiao Yulou, tending to Gu Mo, sat in the middle. Li Hetang, keeping a wary eye on the trouble-prone Taoist, settled at the stern.

Min Wenhua then produced two homemade paddles from beneath the raft and handed one to Li Hetang with a backward gesture.

Li Hetang sighed softly and took it.

Splash, splash—

Though the raft moved with the water, strange eyes deep within the rainforest watched the three intently...