OBS Chapter 790 506: Beast-Shaped Tanks (2)
Chapter 790 506: Beast-Shaped Tanks (2)
The further they went, the fewer traces of human activity were noticeable, eventually being completely replaced by the original ecosystem.The climate here was quite different from Qinling; the air was more humid, filled with a rotten smell, and occasionally, there were strange bird calls, adding a sense of eeriness.
After crossing the ridge, a sudden cliff blocked their way, with sheer, nearly vertical walls about more than twenty meters high.
The cliff was covered with green moss, making it almost impossible to climb.
"How do we get across? Is there another path?" An Zai looked at the steep cliff and scratched his head.
"Yes, follow this way."
The guide was from a nearby village and often came into the mountains during summer to pick honeysuckle buds, so he was quite familiar with the area.
He led everyone about dozens of meters to the left, then bent over to clear a patch of shrubs, revealing a narrow gap about half a meter wide.
"We can squeeze through this stone crevice. I've walked it before, though it's a bit tight." He said, eyeing Niu Da, who was the largest, "Not sure if this teacher can make it..."
Qi Yun looked at the stone crevice. With Niu Da's large build, the entrance looked manageable, but it was uncertain what lay inside.
"Is there no other way?"
"There is, but it would take a big detour, maybe two hours, and we'd have to cross a river." The guide replied.
Qi Yun frowned, seeing that it was getting dark; detouring would mean they couldn't reach the guided campsite in time, so they decided to give it a try.
Brother Quan led the way and shone a flashlight into the crevice.
The gap varied in width, with the narrowest part only allowing one person to walk side by side. Inside, thin streams of water seeped along the stone walls, disappearing into the darkness.
"I'll go ahead and check."
Brother Quan said, taking off his backpack and holding it in hand. Once ready, he moved sideways, together with the guide, into the crevice.
The two figures quickly disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the flashlight beam flickering on the stone wall.
Everyone waited at the edge of the cliff, listening to the rustling coming from the crevice.
A few minutes later, Brother Quan's voice came through the walkie-talkie: "You can come over; the crevice isn't long, about a hundred meters. Old Niu should be able to squeeze through too."
"Okay, stay alert, we're coming." Qi Yun breathed a sigh of relief, signaling for everyone to pass through one by one.
Qin Sizhi and the others went first, followed by Qi Yun and his group.
The stone crevice was narrow and slippery, and the dark, cramped environment gave off a strong sense of oppression.
The rock walls were cold, covered in moss, and showed some marks that resembled chisel marks, but it was hard to tell if they were man-made due to their age.
Everyone moved slowly sideways, inching forward, and Niu Da, with his large build, almost had to force his way through several protruding parts.
After much effort, the group finally reached the other side of the crevice.
On this side, it was still a primeval forest, but the terrain sloped downward, the trees were taller and denser, almost completely blocking the sky. The light was dimmer than the previous forest, like entering night early.
"How far is the campsite?" Qi Yun surveyed the surroundings and asked the guide.
The guide took out his worn-out phone and checked the time: "About half an hour more, if we hurry, we can make it just before dark."
"Alright, let's move quickly." Qi Yun nodded, signaling him to lead the way.
The team, under the guide's direction, quickened their pace through the dusky forest.
Everyone was on edge, alert to their surroundings.
Although tigers have been extinct in the forests of Sichuan, you could still occasionally see black bears or leopards, which is one reason why the area is off-limits to tourists.
After walking for over twenty minutes, they heard the sound of water ahead, with a stream about three to four meters wide lying in front of them.
According to the guide, this stream was called 'Black Dragon Creek,' running from Jiufeng Mountain to the Stone Pavilion River outside, eventually merging into the Tuo River.
At a bend in the stream, a thick tree trunk spanned both banks, forming a natural log bridge.
The guide pointed to the trunk, calling out, "We'll cross here, be careful, don't fall into the river; the water's icy."
With that, he was the first to step onto the trunk, walking smoothly and soon reaching the other side.
The team crossed one by one.
Niu Da, with his heavy build, caused the trunk to tremble slightly when he stepped on it, making him break out in a cold sweat, but thankfully he crossed safely.
Once across the river, they were about to move forward again when Brother Quan, at the front, raised his arm, making a warning gesture.
Everyone immediately stopped, holding their breath, and Niu Da and the others drew their guns, vigilantly scanning the surrounding dark forest.
Qi Yun asked in a low voice, "What did you find?"
"The smell of blood!" Brother Quan's gaze was fixed ahead.
Qi Yun sniffed but didn't notice anything unusual, just the smell of rotten leaves, perhaps not sensitive to the smell of blood.
"Eagle, come with me, everyone else, stay on guard."
Facing danger, Brother Quan took command, planning to scout ahead with Eagle.
"Be careful." Qi Yun warned.
The others spread out, maintaining a vigilant formation, with guns aimed in different directions, ready to fire if needed.
Brother Quan and Eagle crouched, stealthily moving forward, soon hidden by the dense forest.
The next moment.
"Bang! Bang!" Two gunshots rang out from the forest.
The shots were deafeningly loud in the silent mountain woods, startling a flock of birds!
Immediately afterward, the sound of frantic trampling was heard, along with branches snapping, coming swiftly toward their direction!
Simultaneously, Brother Quan's hoarse shout rang out: "Run! Run back quickly!"
Everyone's hearts tightened; without time to think, they immediately retreated!
"What's happening! Are you okay?" Qi Yun shouted into the walkie-talkie.
"A herd of wild boars! Get across the river! Forget about us!" Brother Quan's urgent shout came through.
Hearing it was a herd of wild boars, Qi Yun's scalp tingled, and he quickly shouted, "Quick! Get to the river, cross it!"
The group retreated to the riverbank, keeping a close watch on the direction of the sound.
The thunderous trampling sounds grew closer, like a thousand troops charging, shaking the ground.
Just as they retreated to the tree trunk bridging the river, Brother Quan and Eagle's disheveled figures appeared.
Behind them, a herd of wild boars was in pursuit.
A massive, dark mass, at least dozens strong!
The ones leading the charge were particularly large, with shoulder heights over a meter, covered in bristling hair like steel needles, and sharp, curved tusks.
They snorted, steaming from their mouths and noses, like tanks crashing through obstacles in their path, charging straight at them!
"Damn! That big!" Niu Da exclaimed.
A saying goes, "One pig, two bears, three tigers," with wild boars considered more dangerous than black bears and tigers.
These things move in groups, and with thick skins, once enraged, they're unstoppable. A pistol wouldn't suffice in such a situation.
Seeing Brother Quan and Eagle almost overtaken, An Zai and the others, who had reached the opposite shore, quickly opened fire, buying them time.
"Bang bang bang!"
The bullet hit the leading wild boar's shoulder blade, and it howled in pain, but showed no fear.
It only made a more frenzied charge towards Brother Quan and Eagle, fearlessly.
Brother Quan and Eagle, adrenaline surging as the tusks nearly reached their backs, sprinted with all their might, finally reaching safety at the last second before being struck.
"Hurry! Run!" On the other side, Qi Yun and the group had their hearts in their throats, shouting anxiously as they fired to suppress the oncoming wild boars.
The two scrambled up the tree trunk, and the boar herd collectively skidded to a halt, their red eyes roaring chaotically.
But the crisis wasn't over!
Before they could relax, a shout suddenly came from behind, "Run! They can swim!"
"Climb the trees! Climb!"
The self-preserving middle-aged guide, having somehow distanced himself, was now on a branch dozens of meters away, calling out to everyone.