Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 207: The Eerie Forest

"Yes, yes, we shouldn’t go easy on them. These animals are all quite young and can work for several years," Cheng Dali said excitedly.

Xiaoxiao agreed with a nod as Cheng Zhenglian approached, saying, "If we’re going to take them, we might face some difficulties."

Cheng Beiniu, who had come up from behind without anyone noticing, also said, "It’s not easy to cross the mountains. You might manage with the lower slopes, but there are cliffs and large rocks in the mountains that animals can’t navigate."

Hearing this, Cheng Dali looked miserable, giving a pitiful glance at everyone.

Xiaoxiao spoke confidently, "No problem, I have a solution."

Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they said in unison, "Xiao, what solution do you have?"

"My solution involves quite a bit of effort, so I’m not sure if everyone is willing to try."

She had already communicated with the system in her mind, finding a relatively smooth path. However, the mountain ascent was tricky, requiring a detour along a winding narrow path, otherwise, the animals couldn’t be brought up.

Descending the mountain wouldn’t work with this method, as the other side was full of cliffs and drop-offs, requiring special strategies.

"No problem, as long as we can bring them along."

When Xiaoxiao led everyone through numerous S-shaped twists and turns, the group was so exhausted they were gasping for breath. To accommodate the animals, they had taken a lengthy detour.

With everyone pulling and dragging, they finally herded the animals to the mountain top.

As they stood on the peak surveying the descent, their hearts sank.

The ascent was manageable despite its twists, but the descent was brutally steep, with some spots not even negotiable by foot, necessitating ropes. How could the cattle and horses descend?

Xiaoxiao had the production team dismantle the wagon frame, took wooden planks, strapped the horses onto them, and created makeshift sleds, connecting the sides with wood so that the horses could slide down to the base.

Indeed, they spent quite an effort securing the wood, but finally completed the task.

Someone must control the descent to ensure smooth arrival at the base.

This inventive design amazed everyone, who marveled at Xiaoxiao’s resourcefulness in coming up with such a clever idea.

Soon, everyone had successfully slid several animals down the mountain.

After descending, they entered the heart of the great mountains, surrounded on both sides by towering peaks, stretching endlessly.

The group quickly reorganized their gear, eying the man-high wild grasses before them, swallowing hard, wary of unseen paths and unknown wildlife.

The Patrol Team blazed the trail ahead, the forest floor carpeted with dry leaves, dense enough to block out daylight. Sparse leaves clung to the treetops, and the ground was littered with fallen branches and dry wood.

This area seemed rarely traversed, rocks covered with green-yellow moss, many trees clad with unknown fungi, and a few swinging wood ears, clearly past prime, ready to fall.

Even amidst the sparse dry wild vegetables, they dared not freely pick the many edible options.

Moving to an open area, the sunlight streamed through the trees, illuminating the path ahead, as they silently walked, holding their breath, not daring to make any sound.

They weren’t going to touch any vegetation here, unable to ensure the plants and animals weren’t contaminated.

The further inward, the quieter it became, void of insect sounds or startled birds, no wild chickens or rabbits, everything seemingly vanished from the forest.

Their feet crunched through the fallen leaves and broken branches, the loudest noise in the forest, creating fear they couldn’t shake.

Entering into the narrow gap between two towering mountains dimmed the light further.

Fortunately, a sheep trail ran through the middle, flanked by overgrown weeds but no major obstacles, allowing them to slowly lead the cattle and horses forward.

Xiaoxiao mused to the system, "Not a living soul here, everything dried up. Could it be linked to the plague? Did the animals catch it too?"

Xiao Li was tucked in her satchel, forbidden to seek food.

The system responded nonchalantly, "Within scanning range, there’s no trace of animal activity."

As the path deepened, precipices and drop-offs increased, feeling as if a misstep could send them plummeting, smashing them to pieces.

Oppressively they dared not lift their heads.

This place was indeed peculiar, wondering how Xiao found such a route.

Gui Lianxu walked with unchecked curiosity, wondering if prophetic dreams were truly this powerful, dreaming not only of plague victims in the city but a way out.

Of course, Xiaoxiao hadn’t mentioned it, but Old Man Gui heard through the team, feeling it incredible.

A lifetime reading, joining this team overturned all previously held perceptions.

Starting the climb that morning, by near dusk they hadn’t escaped the big mountains, anxiety creeping into some hearts.

If they didn’t exit by dark, would they have to overnight in the mountains?

This place was eerily quiet, too chillingly terrifying; faced with a fierce animal, escape would be impossible.

Unease grew within them, yet no one dared voice it, lest thoughts manifest reality.

As time slipped by, fog began to rise, a chilly wave enveloping the forest, the temperature noticeably colder than outside, compelling them to wrap themselves tightly.

Sporadic whimpering broke the team’s silence, making the ominous forest even more grim.

Soon came the adults’ reprimands, escalating the looming fear.

Several young children sobbed in their fathers’ arms, unable to be consoled.

Their whimpering awoke a sleeping infant, who started bawling loudly.

Li Qiuchan quickly picked up the crying child, likely hungry, though sustenance here was non-existent.

Letting go of Cheng Jia’s hand, Xiaoxiao pulled a handful of sweets from her pocket, displaying them to Cheng Jia, who quickly understood and rushed to the back of the group.

Xiaoxiao personally took the bawling infant in her arms.

"Sweetheart, hungry?"

"Xiaoxiao, how much farther?" Li Qiuchan fretted for the starving infant, hardship making it inconvenient.

"No worries, leave it to me."

Xiaoxiao walked and peeled a milk candy, pinching off a tiny piece, gently popping it into the child’s mouth.