CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 411: SURVIVAL IN DESPERATION

Ye Fan and Mengyao held hands, their bodies pressed together, silent and unmoving as they hid.

Mengyao had no objections to Ye Fan’s arrangements, following them to the letter. The situation was critical now, and she didn’t want to become a burden to Ye Fan. However, she knew her presence was indeed a burden to him, a thought that lingered persistently in her mind, causing her much self-reproach.

How could Ye Fan not understand Mengyao’s thoughts? He could only offer comfort.

Before long, Beauty Snake and her group appeared within their line of sight. Beauty Snake’s group was tracking based on clues, so they were faster than the other nine teams. However, the other teams were pursuing along different routes and kept in touch through earpieces, advancing in almost parallel lines, chasing their prey in the vast Primitive Forest.

In the outer region of the Primitive Forest, local residents had cleared a small path while cutting down trees.

The location where Ye Fan and Mengyao were hiding was at the end of this path, beyond which lay the untamed wilderness.

"Commander Three, the prey is fleeing in this direction. Although the clues left are obscure, there are still some traces." One person reported after careful observation, finally locking onto the clues Ye Fan had intentionally left.

"In terms of individual strength, I’m not a match for him. However, in this Primitive Forest, wherever he passes will leave traces that can’t escape my eyes." Beauty Snake whispered, glancing at the mountains and ridges, and instructed, "Pursue relentlessly. We must find the prey’s figure, then we can execute the plan to encircle and kill."

"Yes." The group hurriedly chased after.

Moments later, Ye Fan and Mengyao emerged from their hiding spot, carefully covering the location before resting for a while.

"Continuing like this is not a strategy; we’ll be discovered sooner or later. By then, it’ll be dangerous. You have to handle the enemies while taking care of me; how can you manage? My presence will plunge you into an inescapable predicament," Mengyao finally voiced her thoughts. "I think it’s better this way: I’ll hide here without moving while you act alone, trying to contact reinforcements to rescue me. I trust I’ll be alright."

"What nonsense are you saying? Don’t say things like that. The environment here is extremely treacherous. There’s no food or water, and there are poisonous insects and wild beasts. What will you do if you encounter danger? Besides, it’s just a bit over half a day until nightfall, and that’s when it gets most deadly." Ye Fan looked at Mengyao, uncompromisingly said, "From now on, listen to me entirely, and don’t have such thoughts again, alright?"

How could Chu Mengyao not be afraid? Deep down, she had no faith left. In such a desolate place, even during the day, one wouldn’t dare stay alone, let alone at night. Just being in such an environment left her without the courage to continue living.

Still, she knew well how much trouble her presence brought to Ye Fan, causing her considerable heartache.

In the face of life and death, she would rather Ye Fan survive, even if she didn’t, such were her thoughts.

"But?" Mengyao was just about to speak when Ye Fan firmly interrupted her, his gaze tender, "No buts. Don’t overthink. Just focus solely on being with me. Don’t allow any negative thoughts to arise again."

"I’m afraid I’ll burden you; if I die, you won’t survive either, and that would be terrible." Mengyao admitted with full guilt, "I’m a weak woman, and you’re very capable. Without me, you would definitely make it through."

"We can both survive, you must trust me. My skills, do you doubt them?" Ye Fan comforted earnestly.

Mengyao pondered for a long time before making up her mind, "Alright, I’ll listen to you entirely. At worst, if I die, I’ll die with you here. Otherwise, dying alone and isolated here, I definitely wouldn’t be content."

"You silly girl, with me here, nothing will happen. You must be strong." Ye Fan hugged Mengyao for comfort.

In such harsh and hostile conditions, a person’s willpower can easily break. The instinct to survive can overcome great difficulties, but if there’s no hope of survival left, only despair remains. In the desolation, being alone even during the day is terrifying, let alone at night. The presence of wild beasts adds another layer of psychological shadow.

Mengyao originally thought that no matter how hard it got, she wouldn’t be afraid, without any worries. But now, seeing the desolation of the Primitive Forest, a sense of bleakness unconsciously sprouted in her heart. It simply wasn’t a place fit for humans to stay. With so many people pursuing them, how could she even find peace of mind?

She feared becoming a burden to Ye Fan. After this thought faded, she resolved firmly: even if it meant dying, she would do so by Ye Fan’s side. With this understanding, she stopped overthinking and worrying.

Her mental resilience was strong; having accepted reality, she only wished to stay with Ye Fan and ceased to think wildly.

At this very moment, her desire to survive overwhelmed the negativity in her heart, and she was ready to face everything.

"Let’s move to another spot." Ye Fan, seeing Mengyao like this, no longer had anything to worry about. He feared she might overthink, but it seemed much better now.

Of course, his only heartbreak was seeing Mengyao suffer in such an environment. He felt particularly distressed. He wasn’t afraid of the environment and danger, but Mengyao was different. Having led a prosperous life, she had never faced such hardship, so how could he not feel heartache?

Over ten minutes later, Ye Fan chose a new hiding spot. The enemies were ahead, and he needed to appear appropriately in front of them to avoid suspicion. Otherwise, it wouldn’t take long for the tracked target to disappear, definitely arousing suspicion, and then it would become much more dangerous.

"Stay hidden here and don’t move until I return." Ye Fan instructed.

"Okay." Mengyao nodded obediently.

Then, Ye Fan increased his speed, detoured from behind a group of enemies, and got ahead of them.

Behind a large tree, Ye Fan pressed himself tightly against the trunk.

The enemies pursued at their usual speed, searching for Ye Fan’s trace.

But Ye Fan too was filled with a killing intent, watching the approaching enemies, ready to strike.

His goal was simple: to kill a few enemies first and then choose to flee forward, prompting them to chase. At this time, he would look for opportunities to hide behind the enemies again.

By doing so, the enemies would always believe he was ahead, while in fact, he was lurking behind them.