Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation    Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As it sensed no threat from Xia Xin, the little bird cautiously alighted on her shoulder.
âCould you deliver a letter for me?â Xia Xin requested, exchanging in-system currency for paper and pen. She quickly jotted down a few lines and handed the paper to the bird, intended for Jing Mo.
âBut I have no idea what this man youâre talking about looks like,â the bird piped up.
Xia Xin offered a rough description of Jing Mo. âThat should suffice,â she said, lacking any other optionâher phone was dead, and she certainly wasnât carrying a photo of Jing MO around with her. She could only pin her hopes on this petite avian courier.
âYou sure youâll be alright alone? Youâd best avoid that direction; there are lions there. Approach and theyâll tear you to shreds,â the bird warned.
âLions?â A thought flickered across Xia Xinâs mind. âFinding Jing MO was far from guaranteed; I need a backup plan.â
âI understand. Thank you,â Xia Xin told the bird, who then flitted off, letter in tow. Left alone, Xia Xin pondered her next move. âShould I venture toward where the lions were?â
âWhere the hell is she? Sheâs got legs like a sprinter!â Xu Pingâs voice pierced the air, laced with frustration.
âAnd you! What good are you if you let a woman get the better of you?â Xu Ping berated Xu An, his sister.
Time was slipping through their fingers, and still, they hadnât found Xia Xin. Xu Ping was livid, and Xu An became increasingly aware that their plan might fall apart. But there was a glimmer of hope: word came that Jing MO was still searching.
âWe must find her before Jing MO does,â Xu An thought.
Xu Ping and Xu Anâs voices, like a distant roll of thunder, reached Xia Xinâs ears. Xia Xin thought, âHad they really found me so quickly?â Her eyes darted around, seeking a hiding place.
âWhatâs that?â Xu An pointed to some flattened grass in the distance.
âWhat do you think it is? Grass,â Xu Ping retorted, irritated.
âThatâs not what I mean. Look, the grass here is knee-high. Over there itâs flattened. Could it have been trampled by Xia Xin?â Xu An clarified.
The penny finally dropped for Xu Ping. âLetâs check it out.â
âBe careful. This tall grass could hide snakes,â Xu An warned cautiously.
âAs if that woman isnât scared, why should we be?â Xu Ping replied dismissively.
Xu An wanted to retort but didnât know what to say.
Xia Xinâs heart rose into her throat as they drew nearer. How she wished for a snake, or a handful of them, to intervene. The footsteps grew louder, driving her to desperation. She scanned her surroundings for any helpful wildlife.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Then Xia Xinâs eyes landed on an anthill. She seized control of the ants and sent them toward Xu Ping and Xu An. Just as they were about to step closer, the swarm of ants blocked their path.
âAnts!â Xu Ping yelped.
âSo what? Step on them,â Xu An said, rolling her eyes.
âNo, look!â Xu Pingâs voice trembled as he pointed at the ground.
Xu Anâs gaze followed, and her scalp tingled with unease.
âDid we kick an anthill or something? Letâs get out of here! Who knows if these ants are poisonous,â Xu Ping hastily suggested.
Ignoring the potential danger of poison, the sheer number of ants could leave them covered in painful bites.
âLetâs burn them!â Xu An said as she clenched her teeth.
âWe are so close. If we turn back now, weâll lose the chance of getting her and she will seek revenge on us.â Xu An thought.
At the thought of that, Xu An lit the dry grass at their feet with a lighter she grabbed from Xu Ping.
In the wind, the dry grass became kindling, and a wall of fire spread rapidly. An overwhelming heat began to fill the air; sweat trickled down Xia Xinâs forehead. The fire was intensifying!
âXu Ping and Xu An had lost their mindsâthey were setting the mountain on fire! This area was home to numerous protected species, some even residing in conservation zones. The damage would be devastating.. Were they not afraid of the repercussions?â