Chapter 21: Journey into the Forest (Part 2)

  As the "rustling" sound got closer and closer, everyone's heart was in their throat.

  Liu Qingfeng grasped Lan Ruo's hand, his eyes shining with a firm light. "Ruo'er, don't be afraid! I'll protect you." He released her hand and shouted to the people on one side: "Everyone be careful!"

  "Hiss, hiss......" A snake darted out of the grass thicket at high speed.

  "Snake... what a huge snake!" Zhao Bin's eyes widened in terror as he backed away, his trembling hand pointing at the grass where a larger and longer flower-patterned snake was raising its head, even bigger than the one that had just been killed.

  The air was filled with a foul smell that came from the snakes' bodies, which made people feel nauseous.

  "Damn it! Everyone retreat!" Liu Qingfeng tightly grasped the dagger and tensely guarded everyone as they retreated backwards.

  The snake's eyes gleamed with a cold green light, staring at them like an enemy, flashing with anger. It hissed, step by step, crawling towards them.

  Everyone took a deep breath and stepped back one by one.

  "I'm afraid......" Melin's face turned pale, her body trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

  "Don't be afraid!" Lan Ruo Xi gently patted her back to comfort her, although she had a slight tremble in her heart, but she wanted to be brave and couldn't allow herself to be so weak anymore.

  Han Fei supported Blue Ruo Tong who was biting her lip with a face full of panic. "Don't be afraid, classmate Blue Ruo Tong, I'll protect you."

  "Everyone be careful, the snake is attacking." Liu Qingfeng furrowed his brow, holding a dagger and shielding everyone behind him. His sharp eyes, like those of a leopard, stared back at the snake.

  The snake finally couldn't stand the loneliness and quickly launched an attack on them.

  "You all retreat back, I'll deal with it." Liu Qingfeng held the dagger in front of his chest, staring at the snake's every move. He quickly dodged the snake's first attack.

  The snake turned around in a flurry of anger, launching an even more ferocious attack, which he easily dodged. He took advantage of the opportunity to swiftly stab the snake with his knife.

  "Thud." The snake crashed to the ground, blood slowly flowing from the wound. Its gaze grew even colder as it stared at him, spitting out a long hiss, its massive body twisting wildly, radiating intense fury, and then it launched itself at him.

  Liu Qingfeng flashed again, but unexpectedly it quickly turned around and wrapped its tail tightly around his body. The dagger also fell to the side. A triumphant light appeared in the snake's eyes as it slowly approached him, spitting out a long hiss.

  Lan Ru looked at him tensely, and seeing him being tied up, her heart also slightly ached. She wouldn't blindly rush over, that would only be more dangerous. She picked up the dagger that had fallen to the ground, gripping it tightly, staring at them as she waited for the best moment to strike, aiming for the snake's seven-inch weak point.

  Liu Qingfeng was confronted by the snake, which wrapped itself around him tighter and tighter, making it hard for him to breathe. As he watched, the snake hissed and slowly moved its head closer. He couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

  Take advantage of the present, Blue Ruoxi swiftly rushed forward and quickly stabbed at the snake that was about to launch its final attack on Liu Qingfeng. Almost imperceptibly, she inserted her blade into its seven-inch vital spot. The snake stared with wide eyes in disbelief, slowly slid off Liu Qingfeng's body, struggled a few times on the ground, and then stopped moving.

  Her heart was racing violently, her hands slightly trembling. She stared at the dead snake on the ground in disbelief, and let out a soft breath of relief. Fortunately, her past self had liked reading extracurricular books, so she was quite familiar with the seven-inch position of snakes.

  Liu Qingfeng could hardly believe it, his face was filled with excitement, he tightly hugged her. "Xier, you're so brave!" His heart was racing violently, his heart was full of a happy feeling.

  Let him be like in a dream. He let her go, looked at her deeply and showed a hint of rogue smile. "Xī ěr, congratulations! You successfully completed the beauty saves hero task, I am yours."

  The crowd, who had been stunned on one side, gradually came back to their senses. "Lan Ruoxue, you're really so brave."

  "Yes! She's really too brave!" The crowd praised her one after another.

  Lan Ruotong stood silently beside her, only casting a deeply meaningful glance at her.

  Liu Qingfeng gazed gently at Lan Ruoxue, seeing her helplessness, and a doting smile played on his lips. He patted his hands together and cleared his throat lightly. "Alright, let's continue onward. The road ahead is still fraught with danger, everyone must be extra vigilant, got it?"

  "Understood..." The crowd shouted in unison with spirit and vigor.

  A group of people continued to move forward, everyone carrying a sense of survival after the disaster, cautiously and slowly moving forward, no one dared to relax in the slightest.

  The sound of gurgling water came from ahead, "Yes! There's water up front!" Han Fei excitedly shouted, and quickly rushed forward.

  A group of people followed closely behind, running forward. A large lake appeared before their eyes, with the water shining golden in the sunlight and crystal clear to the bottom. The lakeside was surrounded by fresh flowers and green trees on both sides, beautiful like a paradise. Instantly sweeping away everyone's gloominess just now, they raised joyful smiles.

  Han Fei crouched by the lake, scooped up water and splashed it on his face, feeling refreshed. "Wow... so comfortable! Such clear water! Everyone come quickly." He turned around, with a cheerful smile, excitedly waving at them.

  In the clear lake, fish are swimming leisurely, everyone takes out a water bottle to fill with water and sits by the lake to enjoy the feeling of the cool breeze brushing against their faces.

  "Lan Ruotong, this is for you to eat." Han Fei scratched his head in embarrassment, a hint of shyness on his handsome face. He had liked her for a long time, she was as proud as a princess, tightly attracting him.

  Lan Ruotong frowned and turned her head impatiently. "No! Go away and don't bother me."

  Han Fei walked back to the lake with a gloomy face. Sitting by the lake, he picked up small stones and threw them into the lake one by one. The calm surface of the lake splashed water, and ripples spread out in circles.

  Zhao Bin pulled Melin's hand and asked worriedly: "Lilin, are you feeling better now?"

  Mei Lin shook off his hand and pointed at him angrily. "Don't come looking for me again, we're done."

  "Why? Lingling, what did I do wrong? Tell me, and I'll change." Zhao Bin anxiously grasped her hand, pitifully asking.

  Marilyn glared at him fiercely. Raising her other hand, she pointed at him and shouted loudly: "How dare you ask? Where were you when I was in danger? I hate you, you coward."

  "I... I... I promise to stand in front of you next time, and won't let you get hurt at all, okay? Forgive me this time." He tightly grasped her hand, pleading bitterly.

  Mei Lin shook off his hand with force, let out a cold hum, and sat aside ignoring him. She blinked her big watery eyes, occasionally stealing glances at Liu Qingfeng, with a shy smile on her face. That was her hero!

  Lan Ru looked at the rippling lake surface, and her heart gradually calmed down.

  Liu Qingfeng sat down beside her, a sly smile on his handsome face. "Xier, actually today is my happiest day."

  She didn't say a word, just raised her head to look at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She didn't know when it started, but she suddenly felt that he wasn't so annoying after all. Especially just now, seeing him being entwined by the snake and unable to move, her heart actually had a hint of pain.

  She didn't speak, Liu Qingfeng slightly furrowed his brow, and a hint of bitter smile played on the corner of his mouth. "Xier, no matter if you accept me or not, I will love you unconditionally and protect you."

  Lan Ruoxi was torn in her heart, wasn't it already night in her heart? Even if he had abandoned her, she couldn't forget him and thought of him from time to time. But why now did she have a heartache for Liu Qingfeng?