Jiang Fan and his companions, looking back at the surging crowd behind them, were filled with panic. If they were caught, they would be crushed to death, let alone fight.
"How was I supposed to know something like this would happen?"
"I didn't want this either. Let's run quickly. If they catch us, we're finished."
Zhou Niannian shouted at Jiang Fan behind her as they ran. Jiang Fan, helpless, could only run with her. He figured Zhou Niannian wouldn't dare to put on a show like that again, as it had nearly cost her her life.
"What should we do now? Are we just going to stay here and wait? I'm afraid they'll catch us soon," Yao said to Jiang Fan, who was already running with a contorted, exhausted expression.
Suddenly, upon hearing Yao's words, Jiang Fan looked around for a place to hide. Simultaneously, he spotted a very secluded corner. If they could get in there, they might escape the pursuit. Jiang Fan then flung a handful of dirt and sand behind them. Behind the dust cloud, Jiang Fan, pulling Dai Xiao Mei with his left hand and Zhou Niannian with his right, dashed in that direction. Yao and Gun Gun, already fast, reacted and charged towards Jiang Fan.
In an instant, Jiang Fan and his companions vanished from sight. The crowd, thinking they had run off incredibly fast, continued to chase, unable to see them. Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Fan was observing them from a hidden corner, while Zhou Niannian gasped for breath behind him.
"I was so scared! Thankfully, they didn't catch us. If they had, we would have been finished."
"You can say that again. You know we'd be dead if they caught us."
After Zhou Niannian finished speaking, Jiang Fan looked at her with a speechless expression. Zhou Niannian, feeling awkward, smiled at Jiang Fan and nudged his arm.
"Alright, don't scold me. I was doing it for everyone's good. I thought we could get some food or something, but I didn't expect such an embarrassing situation."
"If I had known this would happen, do you think I would have dared to act like that?"
Seeing Zhou Niannian's embarrassed smile, Jiang Fan found himself unable to say anything more.
"Okay, you've lost your locator and helmet system. We're safe for now, but they know we're here, so it's going to be dangerous. If this information gets reported up, and their king finds out about us, he'll likely send people after us immediately."
Zhou Niannian nodded hastily upon hearing this. Jiang Fan then quietly led his companions out. Seeing that no one was waiting for them, Jiang Fan finally relaxed.
"I told you, next time you absolutely must not do that, or you'll almost get us all killed."
Fortunately, Jiang Fan found that this place wasn't as treacherous as he had imagined. The people here looked normal, except they were all dead. Their basic habits and abilities were not much different from living people, making it relatively safe. If they possessed no extraordinary powers, it would have given Jiang Fan and his group a real headache.
Jiang Fan led Zhou Niannian and the other companions along the path towards the back door of the laboratory. The journey was uneventful, except for the seemingly thin oxygen. Eventually, Zhou Niannian and the others began holding small potted plants to their noses, afraid they weren't getting enough oxygen and would pass out.
Suddenly, Jiang Fan heard a noise and became alert. Yao, beside him, partially drew his sword, ready for a fight.
"Why is it so strange? It looks so safe here, but there's such a strong killing intent now?" Jiang Fan said. Yao, beside him, was also very vigilant.
The group then slowly moved forward, discovering that it wasn't ordinary people ahead, but a pack of animals. Jiang Fan hadn't expected that these animals would also end up here after death. These ferocious beasts milled about in front of Jiang Fan, and if he had gone out at that moment, he would have been instantly killed. Fortunately, Jiang Fan and Yao discovered them in time.
However, Gun Gun was not as calm. Upon seeing the animals, his primal instincts flared. He wanted to rush forward and kill all these fierce beasts to prove his strength. Fortunately, Jiang Fan and Yao managed to restrain him.
"If you go up now, we'll all be finished. You'd better come back here and wait."
Hearing Jiang Fan's words, Gun Gun immediately regained his composure. He looked at Jiang Fan with a wronged expression and then stood back with an embarrassed demeanor. Clearly, he knew he had made a mistake and almost caused a disaster, which explained his embarrassed look.
However, even if Jiang Fan hadn't made a move, the animals seemed to have caught their scent and were steadily approaching Jiang Fan, sniffing out their location.
"Damn it, have they discovered us? If they have, we're finished."
Hearing this, Zhou Niannian started to tremble. Her greatest fear in life was creatures like these. If they were discovered now, she would be eaten. Watching the group of lions slowly approach, Zhou Niannian retreated.
"What do we do? What do we do? They're coming! Let's run quickly, or we'll be dead!"
Just as the lions were getting closer, Jiang Fan lowered his body, his sharp gaze fixed on them, baring his teeth, ready to fight. Beside him, Yao had also unconsciously drawn his sword, preparing to attack.