"I estimate that nothing should happen tonight. If everyone is tired, we can go back to our tents and rest for a while. We can discuss everything tomorrow."

"No need, I think it's better to be cautious. Even if they're not here, haven't you forgotten? We saw two eyes on the way earlier; it's probably something, so we should stay on guard."

"Alright then, how about I take the first half of the night, and you take the second half?"

"No need for you to take the first half and me the second. Both of you can rest inside; I can manage on my own here. If there's any problem, I can handle it alone. Go ahead, don't worry about it."

"But I don't feel like sleeping at all."

Anying suddenly spoke up. Actually, anyone could understand that by now, after learning that no humans had ever survived here, they truly felt disappointed.

"Yaru, I know what you're thinking, but we've confirmed that there's no need to explore the next area. It would just be a waste of time; if it's confirmed that no humans are living inside, then surely no one is."

"Could they not hide well in one place?"

"How is that possible? It's been a full 20 years here, and every inch of this area has been explored by someone. If someone were surviving here, they would have been discovered."

Ye Chen spoke comfortingly, though he himself did not want to fully accept this harsh reality. Still, there was no better option at this point.

"What about upfront? Could he have hidden my father in the forest ahead?"

"We've basically searched the forest ahead, and there's no place to settle, no caves at all. Didn't you see? They all live in downward caves."

"Right, since it's downward caves, could they be hiding at a depth, hard for people to find, giving us at least some hope?"

"If that's the case, we should focus all our attention on that section of the forest, and then search carefully for any entrances leading down. If we find one, we'll search again."

Lin Yaru nodded gently, for they hadn't completely given up at this moment, though it indeed seemed hopeless.

The night was deep, and Anying was likely tired, having already drifted into sleep.

Lin Yaru lay beside him, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Sitting by the campfire, Ye Chen observed everything, knowing that Lin Yaru's heart was burdened as if by a large stone. How could he sleep peacefully under such circumstances?

"Tomorrow morning, we'll pack up the tent. At least our search area has significantly reduced. Hopefully, it won't take long to finish searching the forest ahead."

"But have you thought, if we still find no trace after searching, should we completely abandon this island?"

"That's right, if so, no problem. If we must abandon this island, we'll go search the other two islands."

"But Anying mentioned that the other two islands are not conducive to human habitation. In that case, won't our search still be futile?"

"Whether or not it is, we should set foot and assess the actual situation. Since we're already out here, we might as well finish searching all three islands. After all, they aren't far from each other."

Upon hearing Ye Chen's words, Lin Yaru felt reassured.

She was truly worried that if they found nothing on this island, they would give up the search and return home, making all efforts in vain.

But as a woman, she understood that the two others were wholeheartedly helping her, and she couldn't make unreasonably high demands.

Given her capabilities, Lin Yaru was certainly unable to achieve that alone, relying on both Anying and Ye Chen for everything.

Since Ye Chen had promised her they wouldn't abandon the search, she could at least see a glimmer of hope.

"Alright, since I've promised you, you should also promise me to close your eyes now. Whether you sleep or not, you must close your eyes and slowly relax your mind. We don't know what tomorrow holds; understand?"

Lin Yaru nodded and obediently closed her eyes.

Ye Chen turned away, stopping the conversation with Lin Yaru, and gazed at the distant forest, falling into deep thought.

Although Ye Chen spoke this way, he knew it was just to comfort the hurt Lin Yaru.

And given the current situation, continuing the search might only be a waste of time.

Though time was indeed precious for them, Ye Chen thought that leaving unfinished business would not allow Lin Yaru to peacefully accept this cruel reality.

Ye Chen began to doubt if his initial judgment was already flawed.

Could it be that Lin Yaru's dreams were merely figments of her imagination?

In other words, that person never actually survived on this island, or was hidden in that cave 20 years ago, taken away to never return, and possibly discarded into the ocean long ago.