Chapter 9: A Steadfast Man

...

Zeng Yi was running recklessly on the outer edge of the Sunset Forest, chased by a group of Black Poison Rats that looked like a terrifying black tide.

"Oh my god! Can't you guys stop chasing me? It's been almost an hour! Am I your father?"

As Zeng Yi ran and gasped for breath, he shouted loudly at the black tide behind him.

Unfortunately, the intelligence of the Black Poison Rats was not high enough to understand Zeng Yi's words, so they continued to chase him. If they could understand, they would probably chase even more fiercely.

However, Zeng Yi didn't know that the route he was escaping along was leading him to the outer perimeter of the Sunset Forest.

"Hoo~ Hoo~ Hoo~ How much longer do these... these little rats want to chase me?" Zeng Yi gasped and complained.

At this moment, he was drenched in sweat and his clothes were soaked through. He felt like he couldn't even feel his own feet.

"I can't go on anymore, I really can't run anymore. Damn it, I've never sprinted at full speed for such a long time. I really have to thank you, you little rats, for giving me such a good workout!"

Damn it, what should I do now? Am I really going to die here? If I had known, I would have just fought these little rats earlier. At least, I would still have a glimmer of hope. Now, my energy is almost depleted, and I probably wouldn't even be able to handle a single rat!

Damn system, if only it were here. Zeng Yi cursed silently in his heart.

No, I can't give up like this. There must be another way, think quickly!

Zeng Yi quickly turned his mind, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, trying to find a solution to the problem.

Right! I still have this thing.

Zeng Yi's eyes lit up as he mustered his last bit of strength, accelerated, and distanced himself from the group of Black Poison Rats. Then he made a right turn, temporarily disappearing from the rats' field of vision due to the obstruction.

The group of Black Poison Rats followed the turn made by Zeng Yi but stopped after a few steps.

Because, Zeng Yi was nowhere to be seen.

This situation made the Black Poison Rats somewhat at a loss. What's going on? Something is not right! How did such a fresh prey suddenly disappear?

The black tide of toxic rats began to panic, making squeaking sounds to communicate with each other, then dispersing and sniffing the ground, searching for the scent of their prey.

But they still couldn't catch the scent of the prey.

Although they didn't find Zeng Yi, the group of Black Poison Rats kept lingering around, feeling that the prey must have hidden in some way and should still be nearby.

After searching for about two hours, the Black Poison Rats started to get impatient and gradually dispersed.

They also had to live their lives and find something to eat! They couldn't keep chasing after their prey for several days without eating.

To live well, one must learn to give up, right?

Look, how reasonable these words are. Who would dare say that our Black Poison Rats are not intelligent anymore?

After the Black Poison Rats dispersed, there was still no movement in that place.

Another two hours passed...

A head suddenly appeared beside a huge rock, shook and observed the surroundings, then disappeared again.

After more than ten minutes...

Beside that huge rock, like turning a page of a book, Zeng Yi's figure reappeared.

"Hoo~ Finally safe..."

Zeng Yi let out a sigh of relief, holding a large gray cloth in his hand.

"Thank goodness for this thing. Why didn't I think of it earlier? Damn, it's totally exhausted me."

This cloth was a black technology item that the system had placed in Zeng Yi's spatial bracelet. Although Zeng Yi didn't know what it was called, he had given it a name himself: Mimetic Cloth.

The function of the cloth was just like its name suggested. It could mimic the surrounding environment, blending in perfectly, and it could also shield one's presence, making it impossible for others to detect. It was truly a life-saving artifact for everyday life and survival!

With the help of this cloth, Zeng Yi had escaped a disaster.

"I'm so thirsty and hungry."

Zeng Yi sat down on a pile of withered leaves, took out a bottle of water from his spatial bracelet, and guzzled it down, replenishing his fluids. Then he took out a steamed bun and drank water while devouring it. This was what a real man did!

By hiding with the mimetic cloth and resting for over four hours, Zeng Yi had recovered quite a bit of his energy, so he wasn't too tired at the moment.

Although the group of Black Poison Rats had left after about two hours, Zeng Yi still waited for over two hours for safety's sake. It wasn't that Zeng Yi was overly cautious or cowardly; it was just that he valued his life. Who knew if the Black Poison Rats were trying to deceive him? It was better to be cautious, and being cautious made him resolute.

"Adequate rest, let's go."

Zeng Yi stood up, patted his butt, and examined the surroundings.

"Where am I?" Zeng Yi frowned.

Only now did he realize the severity of the situation. While being chased by the Black Poison Rats, he had been so focused on escaping that he didn't remember the route. Now, it seemed like he couldn't find his way back.

In other words, Zeng Yi was lost...

"No way! Damn it, why is the heavens playing tricks on me like this?" Zeng Yi held his head, looking up to the sky with a long, lamenting howl, startling a flock of birds.

Caw caw caw ~

Hmm... It sounded like the call of a crow...

Zeng Yi looked up at the sky. It was already dark.

Not good! The danger level of the Sunset Forest at night rose sharply. Many nocturnal soul beasts were wicked and powerful. One wrong move and he could lose his life.

Zeng Yi looked at the mimetic cloth in his hand.

Right, I still have this life-saving artifact! I won't wander around at night. I'll spend the night safely and continue to find a suitable soul beast tomorrow to borrow its soul ring.

Thinking this way, Zeng Yi unsheathed his sword and quickly dug a pit in the ground.

Ten minutes later, Zeng Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at his masterpiece. The pit on the ground was just big enough to fit a person.

"Not bad, not bad! This will do."

Zeng Yi said, putting his sword inside the spatial bracelet. He then picked up the mimetic cloth, wrapped it around himself, and laid down in the pit. The mimetic cloth transformed into an intact piece of soil, perfectly blending into the environment.

Hehe, I'm a genius!

Zeng Yi lay in the pit, feeling quite satisfied with himself.

Oh, ~Wind Technique Sword Art!~

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew around, causing the withered leaves to flutter and then settle down, landing on the pit where Zeng Yi was lying. Everything looked so natural and peaceful.

Good, it's even more perfect now!

Zeng Yi remained motionless in the pit, like a dead body.

As the cloth was breathable, it didn't hinder Zeng Yi's breathing.

Although Zeng Yi closed his eyes, he wasn't sleeping. How could he possibly fall asleep in this dangerous soul beast forest? He didn't have a big heart. Moreover, since he started practicing soul power, he found that cultivating his soul power could put him in a state of meditation, allowing him to maintain mental vitality even if he didn't sleep at night. Since then, Zeng Yi had never slept again and instead used cultivation to replace sleep.

Plus, can someone who doesn't cultivate for twenty-four hours a day be considered a qualified transmigrator?

Although Zeng Yi had already reached the tenth level of soul power, continued cultivation could further solidify and purify his soul power, making his foundation more solid, leading to smoother future development.

Enough talking, I'm going to cultivate. Soul beasts of the Sunset Forest, see you tomorrow. Good night muah muah~