I shone my flashlight closer.
I saw an oval-shaped purple stone embedded in the mountain wall!
I ran my fingers over the smooth surface of the purple stone and, with a little effort, pried it from the cliff face.
This purple stone was peculiar. When I held it, my body felt momentarily frozen, as if time had skipped a beat.
This stone was truly bizarre. I'd show it to Kexin when I got back.
Without further thought, I quickly put the purple stone into my backpack, and my body finally returned to normal.
After memorizing all the text and patterns on the mountain wall, I left the cave.
Xiangyun, where on earth are you...
I raced back to where the stream forked.
Before long, I returned to the fork and headed towards the rightmost path.
After walking for a while, I sensed something was wrong.
It was the height of summer, the hottest time of the year, yet the further upstream I walked along the stream, the colder the air became. It was so cold that my exhales formed frost.
The climate on this island was truly strange. Was it winter ahead?
But there was no other path available. I tightened my clothes and pressed on.
To my astonishment, a snow-capped mountain appeared before me!
The mountain was incredibly tall. Just standing at its base and looking up was breathtaking.
From halfway up, thick white mist obscured the path ahead.
This snow mountain seemed to be the source of the stream, its melting snow feeding the river.
I was caught in a dilemma.
To go forward meant facing the challenge of climbing this snow mountain. But the sun was already setting, and I couldn't attempt the climb without certainty.
Returning would also take a significant amount of time.
More importantly, there was still no news of Qu Xiangyun. Going back would mean starting all over again.
I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
After much deliberation, I decided to rest nearby for the night and attempt to climb the snow mountain the next day. Perhaps Qu Xiangyun was trapped somewhere on it.
Having made up my mind, I began searching for a suitable place to sleep before the sun completely set.
I hadn't worn many layers when I left.
In this cold environment, if I found just any spot to sleep, the drastic drop in temperature during the night could be fatal.
After searching, I finally found a clean spot in the nearby woods, nestled against a mountain wall.
With the mountain at my back, it would shield me from the night wind. The open view meant I could react quickly to any approaching wild beasts. It was an ideal campsite.
I made a few simple arrangements for the night, took out some dried meat from my backpack, and built a small fire. I had a meager dinner.
By the time I finished eating, night had fallen.
I lay down on my sleeping mat and forced myself to sleep.
I don't know how long I slept before I heard someone calling my name in my dream.
"Luzi Ye."
The voice was muffled, as if from afar.
At first, I thought I was dreaming and ignored it. But as time passed, I suddenly sat up from my mat.
No, someone was genuinely calling my name!
I held my breath and listened intently, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.
The voice was neither distinctly male nor female, and it was unclear.
It sent shivers down my spine.
How could anyone here know who I was?!
The voice seemed close at first, but when I looked around, I couldn't find its origin.
I was now fully awake. Silently, I reached for the alloy knife beside me and started walking towards the forest where the sound was coming from.
Closer!
I was getting closer to the source of the voice, and it was becoming clearer.
It called my name rhythmically every few seconds, its tone eerie, drawing out my name longer and longer.
It sounded like a ritual to summon a soul.
Anyone else here would have likely fled in terror.
But after countless life-or-death battles on this strange island for so many days, this only stirred my ferocity!
No matter what unholy spirit you are, daring to mess with me.
I'll make you pay!
I turned off the flashlight I had been using, my eyes shining brightly in the darkness.
I stopped at a patch of tall grass.
The voice was coming from here!
I suddenly pushed aside the grass, and what I saw behind it shocked me!