Mountain

Lin Xiao sat on the bus, staring out the window as the scenery changed from bustling city streets to quiet, remote countryside.

He had told his mother an excuse about meeting some friends, but the reality of the mission weighed heavily on his mind.

The thought of facing a dungeon where failure meant death was terrifying.

He glanced at his backpack, where both Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie were nestled, occasionally shifting and complaining about the cramped space.

"We're almost there," he whispered, trying to soothe them. The bus finally stopped in a remote area, far from any signs of civilization.

Lin Xiao got off, looking around at the quiet, desolate landscape. Ahead, he could see the looming silhouette of Xiangyun Mountain.

It seemed imposing, almost foreboding, but he steeled himself for what lay ahead.

"This is it," he muttered to himself as he started walking. The path was rugged, with overgrown vegetation and uneven ground.

It took him about 15 minutes to reach the base of the mountain, despite his initial estimate of 20 minutes.

As he approached, the air seemed to grow cooler, and the sense of isolation deepened.

"Alright, you two," Lin Xiao said as he set his backpack down and unzipped it, letting Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie out. They stretched and looked around, their eyes sharp and alert.

"Finally, some space," Xiao Bai grumbled, shaking himself out. Lil' Blackie just purred, happy to be free of the confined space.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "Let's get this over with," he said, looking up at the mountain. "We need to find the entrance to the dungeon and survive for one day."

As they started their ascent, Lin Xiao couldn't help but think about the system's warning.

He knew he had to be careful, but he also felt a strange sense of anticipation. With his cats by his side, he felt a little more confident.

The path grew steeper and more treacherous as they climbed.

After about ten minutes of hiking, they stumbled upon an old, weathered sign partially hidden by foliage.

The sign pointed towards a narrow, winding trail that seemed to lead deeper into the mountain.

"This must be the way," Lin Xiao said, wiping sweat from his brow. He led the way, with Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie following closely.

The trail was narrow and overgrown, and they had to be careful not to lose their footing.

After another ten minutes of careful climbing, they arrived at a hidden cave entrance, barely visible behind thick vines and moss. Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment, taking in the eerie atmosphere.

Lin Xiao was able to see the Dungeon Portal on the map, he quickly went inside the cave and saw the portal in the corner. 

Lin Xiao took a deep breath and stepped into the dungeon portal.

A blinding light enveloped him, and for a moment, he felt as if he were floating in a void.

When the light faded, he found himself standing in the same cave, but everything had changed.

His modern clothes had been replaced by tattered, worn-out robes, resembling those of a beggar hermit.

The fabric was rough and itchy, patched up in several places, and stained with dirt and grime.

His shoes were little more than sandals made of frayed straw, offering barely any protection against the rough terrain.

His backpack had transformed into an old, woven herb-picking basket, slung over his shoulder with a coarse rope.

"What the heck...?" Lin Xiao muttered, examining his new attire.

Inside the basket, Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie were just as surprised.

They looked around, their eyes wide with shock. The inside of the basket was lined with straw and a few tattered cloths, making it a rather uncomfortable spot for them.

"What just happened?" Xiao Bai asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he poked his head out of the basket.

Lil' Blackie, equally bewildered, looked up at Lin Xiao. "Where are we? And why do you look like a beggar?"

Lin Xiao adjusted the basket on his shoulder, feeling the weight of his new attire and the uncertainty of his situation. "It seems like this dungeon has a unique setting," he said, trying to stay calm. "We need to adapt to this environment to survive."

He looked around the cave, which now seemed even more ancient and mysterious. The walls were covered in strange, glowing moss, casting an eerie green light.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and dampness, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern.

Suddenly, a system notification appeared before his eyes:

[Survive for 3 days - Reward - ??? - Failure - Death]

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. "Three days? It was only one day before, if I remember correctly!"

The realization hit him hard. The difficulty of the mission had increased, and the stakes were higher than ever. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

"We need to stay alert," Lin Xiao said, trying to calm himself. "Let's figure out what we need to do to survive."

He looked around the cave, trying to gather his bearings. The environment was dark and damp, with the only light coming from the entrance of the cave.

He took a moment to check his system map, which now displayed the cave and the immediate surroundings in more detail. The map indicated a point of interest: A river

"Alright, let's get moving," Lin Xiao said, adjusting the basket on his back.

He stepped out of the cave and into the wilderness, the cats poking their heads out to keep a lookout. The forest was dense, with towering trees and thick underbrush.

The sounds of birds and insects filled the air, creating an eerie yet natural symphony.

As they moved through the forest, Lin Xiao kept a close eye on his surroundings, using his map to navigate.

They reached the water source first, a small, clear river stream that flowed gently through the forest.

He took a few cautious sips. The cool, refreshing liquid helped to calm his nerves.

As Lin Xiao bent down to drink from the clear stream, he suddenly heard a sharp whistling sound. An arrow flew past him, narrowly missing his head.

His heart pounded in his chest as he spun around to find the source of the attack.

Before he could react, Xiao Bai, with his usual calm demeanor, teleported to the origin of the arrow.

In a blur of movement, the black cat knocked the assailant down. Lin Xiao hurried over, his heart still racing from the close call.

On the ground before him lay a woman, her bow and quiver scattered nearby. She had long, dark hair and wore a simple yet rugged outfit, suitable for surviving in the wild.

There was something oddly familiar about her face, but Lin Xiao couldn't place where he had seen her before.