Chapter 230: The Cry for Help from the Tree

　　Where did the withered vine get such strength?

　　Reminded by Lu Fei, Hu Zi also reacted.

　　He threw away the shovel, pulled out the ghost-head saber from his backpack, and with all his might, slashed at the vine.

　　The vine snapped with a cracking sound.

　　Lu Fei and Jing Jian lost their balance and fell backward.

　　"Boss!"

　　The broken vine twisted and retracted into the darkness. Hu Zi didn't have time to chase it and quickly helped Lu Fei up.

　　"We're fine."

　　Lu Fei shone the flashlight forward; the vine was gone, leaving behind a piece of withered branch on the ground that looked like a thin rope.

　　Hu Zi slashed it with the ghost-head saber and it shattered, as brittle as dry firewood.

　　"What's this again?"

　　"Who knows, there are too many filthy things in these mountains." Jing Jian shook his head, uneasily scanning the surroundings to guard against any sneak attacks.

　　Lu Fei checked his backpack; thankfully, the little black dog had noticed in time, and the backpack was undamaged, with nothing inside it missing.

　　"Good job, Xiao Hei!"

　　"Woof woof!"

　　Lu Fei rubbed the fluffy head of the little black dog and tossed the backpack to Hu Zi.

　　"Carry it properly, nothing inside can be lost."

　　"Got it, Boss, I'll be extra careful!" Hu Zi picked up and stowed away the shovel, holding the ghost-head broadsword in his hand.

　　They remained on high alert for a while, but everything around them was calm, and no new evil creatures appeared for the time being.

　　After all the commotion and walking for a long time in the mountains, everyone was a bit tired. They found a sheltered spot, sat down, and took a rest.

　　The air in the mountains was cold, and it was a good thing that everyone was wearing windproof jackets, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

　　A flashlight was placed beside them for illumination.

　　The three of them took out their dry rations and water to replenish their energy.

　　Chewing on beef jerky and drinking milk, with food in their stomachs, their spirits lifted significantly.

　　The little black dog also had its own dog food to eat.

　　Lu Fei surveyed his surroundings.

　　There was no source of light in the mountains, and the night was as thick as ink, so dark that one could not see their hand in front of their face.

　　Their direction had been disrupted by the malevolent entity, and now they were even more clueless about where they were.

　　"We originally rushed into the mountains at night to save time. But there are just too many malevolent spirits in the mountains, and if we really can't continue, we'll have to spend the night here and resume our search at dawn..."

　　Lu Fei was deep in thought.

　　A gust of mountain wind blew, faintly carrying a few strange cries.

　　"What's that sound?"

　　Everyone involuntarily stopped what they were doing.

　　The small black dog pricked up its ears.

　　Listening intently.

　　It seemed to be a human voice, calling out something.

　　"Hel...p...help..."

　　Where could there be people in the deep mountains and old forests?

　　Hu Zi and Jing Jian's hair stood on end, and they grabbed their magical instruments with the fastest speed.

　　"Damn it, can't we have a moment's peace!"

　　Lu Fei listened for a while.

　　The sound was intermittent, and although it seemed to be coming from some distance, it was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent mountain forest.

　　"Could there really be someone there?"

　　The little black dog did not bark but instead kept looking in the direction from which the sound was coming.

　　"If it's really an evil spirit, Xiao Hei should give us a warning. Why don't we go and check it out? If it's an evil spirit, we can fight if we can handle it, or run if we can't. But what if it's really a person?" Lu Fei suggested.

　　Hu Zi and Jing Jian were indecisive and followed Lu Fei's lead.

　　The three of them quickly finished their dry rations, slung their bags over their shoulders, and, with flashlights in hand, cautiously made their way toward the source of the sound.

　　They were extremely careful on the way and did not encounter any more evil spirits.

　　The shouting became clearer and clearer.

　　"Help—"

　　"Is anyone there, help me——"

　　"Help——"

　　The voice was coming from not far ahead, seemingly from a large tree.

　　"It really sounds like a human voice."

　　The three of them stopped and cautiously looked in that direction.

　　Perhaps because the flashlight was shining over, the voice became agitated immediately.

　　"Is someone coming?"

　　"I see light."

　　"Help me! Please, help me!"

　　This reaction doesn't seem like it's from an evil spirit.

　　The three of them couldn't help but exchange a glance of surprise.

　　Aside from them, could there really be someone else running into the deep mountains and old forests?

　　Lu Fei took a few steps forward and shouted in that direction, "Who are you?"

　　"Help me!"

　　The voice grew even more agitated.

　　"I'm the local mountain guard. I got trapped while patrolling the mountain! Who are you, and why are you in the mountains?"

　　A mountain guard?

　　That is indeed a possibility.

　　Being a mountain guard is a very special occupation.

　　Apart from the state rangers, there are also self-appointed mountain guards.

　　These people are mostly mountain folk living near the mountains, with generations residing in the mountains, voluntarily safeguarding the peace of the forest. They are very worthy of respect.

　　"If it's really a person, we must save them! Let alone if they are mountain guardians!"

　　"Of course! How can those who cultivate fail to save someone in peril?"

　　"Then let's go and take a look! Even if there are problems, there are three of us, so why should we be afraid of just one person?"

　　After discussing, the three of them stepped towards the big tree.

　　"We came into the mountain to gather herbs. Where are you? We can't see you," Lu Fei asked as he walked.

　　"I'm in the tree, don't come too close for now! This tree is very dangerous!" the voice immediately shouted loudly.

　　"In the tree?"

　　Lu Fei stopped in his tracks, raised his hand, and directed the flashlight beam over there.

　　This big tree looked quite old, with a thick trunk and lush branches.

　　The thick canopy was like layers of clouds, and the flashlight couldn't penetrate it at all.

　　"What's wrong with this tree?" Lu Fei asked, his eyes full of suspicion.

　　"There's... something... on the tree... but you don't need to be afraid. These things are afraid of fire. If you get a torch, you can save me!"

　　The man stammered.

　　Hu Zi said alertly, "Boss, is this guy okay?"

　　Lu Fei thought seriously, "Let's save him first. The forest ranger knows the routes in the mountains. Once we save him, we won't have to worry about finding our way."

　　"That's right!" Hu Zi nodded.

　　Lu Fei shouted to the man, "Forest Brother, wait a moment. We'll come over as soon as we're ready."

　　"Thank you! Thank you so much!" The man's voice was filled with excitement.

　　Lu Fei and the other two gathered some dry branches and dead grass nearby to make a few temporary torches.

　　The torch was lit.

　　The dim light flickered in the wind.

　　Lu Fei and Jing Jian protected the flame with their hands, walking in front.

　　Huzi followed behind, holding a knife and vigilantly on guard.

　　The three of them gradually approached the large tree.

　　"Be careful!" the man shouted nervously.

　　As soon as he spoke.

　　The treetop rustled and swayed, and the trunk undulated like waves. Faces resembling human faces emerged from above.

　　Black, gaping mouths opened, silently spewing out slender, rope-like black vines that reached toward the three of them.

　　"Be careful!"

　　Lu Fei and Jing Jian immediately stopped in their tracks.

　　"Holy crap! It's this vine!"

　　The thin strands that pulled away their backpacks, they're the same kind!

　　Hu Zi sounded the alarm, his hands tense as he raised his ghost-bladed knife.

　　"Don't be afraid, you have fire! It won't dare to come close, just move slowly." The voice came from above the big tree.

　　Lu Fei didn't just listen to him; he first observed cautiously.

　　Those strange thin vines, like long worms, wriggled outside the range illuminated by the firelight, and would emit black smoke if they got too close.

　　He was not lying!

　　Lu Fei and Jing Jian exchanged glances before they started moving again, and with the cover of the firelight, they successfully reached the base of the big tree.

　　The dim yellow light of the fire illuminated the area.

　　The faces on the tree trunk were dark and indistinct, with thin vines retracting into their wrinkled mouths.

　　The pitch-black, hollow eyes on the faces stared intently at the three people.