Chapter 302: Crows
Although Chu Xiaoyue was usually rather “quiet,” Xu Zhi had observed that she wasn’t inherently taciturn or withdrawn. If anything, it was more like she operated in a kind of “energy-saving mode.”
Once out of that mode, though she still wasn’t particularly talkative, she would say and do everything necessary without cutting corners.
As the only one with prior experience entering the Lost Land, she briefly explained the strange sensations her teammates had just felt.
“The Lost Land has a natural allure for extraordinary individuals. Just now, did you feel light, like your body wanted to float upward?”
“That’s one of the temptations—and only the mildest form. The longer you stay in the Lost Land, the stronger that feeling becomes. In severe cases, you’ll feel the urge to shed your heavy physical shell and enjoy the sensation of your soul drifting freely. If you truly give in to that feeling and decide to do it, you’re dead.”
Chu Xiaoyue warned, “I can’t always catch it immediately if something feels off with you. Remember that sensation. If it happens again, you need to snap yourselves awake.”
“There are many methods. The simplest—slap yourself. Or cause some other pain. Pain will bring you back down. If you find that you’re no longer sensitive to pain, say so immediately.”
“We’ll have to call the teacher to escort you out at once.”
The others nodded solemnly.
They were still students—not at the end of their lifespans, not at the point where advancement was their only alternative to death. There was no need to cling desperately to the Lost Land for the sake of advancement. They understood when to advance and when to retreat.
“Let’s go.”
Chu Xiaoyue led the way as the seven of them moved deeper into the Lost Land.
At that moment, Xu Zhi discreetly activated her extraordinary ability, [Spirit Body], to record this location.
She did not use it further. The Lost Land was full of danger. She couldn’t afford to divide her power. Moreover, she needed to remain highly focused—there was no room for multitasking.
The little aberrant plant she carried seemed to grow slightly more “lively” after entering the Lost Land.
In the outside world, it could barely absorb the [Cup] attribute energy it required from the air. Here, Xu Zhi could sense it “breathing” deeply, greedily drawing in the [Cup] permeating the Lost Land.
But its presence was too faint and too well concealed. Even as it exerted itself to absorb the extraordinary energy in the air, no one noticed.
After all, the other students were also frantically absorbing the surrounding extraordinary energy themselves.
As they advanced step by step into the mist, the landscape shifted.
No longer was it just barren land. Gradually, stones appeared, along with withered trees.
At first, the rocks and dead trees were sparse. But as they continued forward, the dried trees became more numerous—and taller.
After walking for about an hour, the extraordinary energy in the air grew denser. It reached a point where no deliberate effort was needed to absorb it—every breath seemed to naturally draw in extraordinary power.
And at last, they saw the first “living thing” since entering the Lost Land.
A black crow perched atop a withered tree.
It stood silently on a slender branch. Its red pupils reflected the students entering the Lost Land. It showed neither vigilance nor interest, as though it had merely glanced over at the sound of their approach.
Seeing someone tense up, Chu Xiaoyue reminded them, “Don’t provoke it.”
This kind of crow was not powerful—arguably weak. Killing one would be easy.
But—
As they continued walking, more and more crows came into view.
From two or three at first, to flocks—dense clusters blanketing the withered branches. They perched like sculptures, motionless. Only when they saw humans did their eyes and heads swivel slightly. Even then, their gaze showed no aggression.
Even so, being silently watched by hundreds—thousands—of black crows was enough to send chills down one’s spine.
Their teacher had explained: if the crows were not attacked, they would not attack anyone.
However, if even a single crow were injured or killed, the entire flock would be alarmed. They would erupt into deafening noise and circle endlessly above the perpetrator’s head—like guiding beacons for certain dangerous entities lurking within the Lost Land.
In short, they were like alarm systems.
As long as you didn’t foolishly touch them, nothing would happen. But once you did, you’d be in serious trouble.
The Lost Land had no shortage of creatures that appeared harmless and weak, yet brought immense trouble if provoked. These lessons were written in the blood and tears of those who came before.
“Good thing they don’t seem to poop,” Tong Zhou muttered under his breath.
Ji Muge couldn’t hold it in and grinned. Xu Zhi also glanced sideways at her teammate’s bizarre train of thought.
Sensing the looks directed at him, Tong Zhou whispered indignantly, “Am I wrong?”
“There are so many crows above us—otherwise we’d be completely showered!”
You don’t have to use idioms if you don’t know them, thank you very much.
But on second thought…
He did have a point.
Su Ran, who had mild cleanliness issues, felt goosebumps at the mental image and hurriedly chased the strange thought from her mind.
They walked for about another hour.
Finally, the number of crows began to dwindle.
The mist did not grow thicker as they went deeper. Though haze lingered, visibility was not overly restricted.
Soon, new changes appeared.
Fresh buds began sprouting from some of the withered trees. Patches of grass gradually emerged across the ground.
As these signs of “life” surfaced, Xu Zhi felt that the extraordinary energy in the air grew even more abundant—and more “active.”
This place was truly rich.
At the deepest parts of the Lost Land, could the extraordinary energy be so dense that one might drink it like water?
As they ventured further, the surroundings were no longer dry, barren, and oppressive. With the appearance of green life, more and more vegetation came into view.
Xu Zhi realized that the wasteland they had crossed was like a true boundary between the Lost Land and the real world—a barren strip dividing the two.
Only when she stepped onto the grass did the true Lost Land seem to unfold before her.
Life began appearing more frequently.
Grasslands, shrubs, forests—and creatures wandering within them that appeared ordinary, yet were anything but.
According to their teacher, there were no ordinary creatures in the Lost Land. Even the most common-looking butterfly was an extraordinary being, containing more concentrated extraordinary energy than an ordinary human in the outside world.
This place was a treasure trove for extraordinary individuals—once inside, one would never want to leave. Hunting just a few creatures and bringing them out would fetch a handsome reward.
But it was also the most dangerous place.
For instance, at this very moment, Xu Zhi noticed the vines draped from various trees nearby. As they passed, the vines seemed to twitch ever so slightly.
They looked quiet and harmless.
But she remembered clearly what Director Xi had warned them—
In the Lost Land, nothing was absolutely harmless.
