The night was already as thick as ink.

  The path within the valley wasn't easy to navigate. Even though it was open, devoid of trees, the terrain was naturally complex, filled with winding branch paths. One could easily get lost with a moment's inattention.

  The strange roars nearby grew more frequent. Bai Wushang couldn't immediately identify their source. Acting cautiously, he decided to find a low cave to make do for the night.

  As long as they could survive the night, daylight would bring better visibility, improving their chances of finding a way out.

  "Brother Wushang," Mu Xiaoxiao subconsciously tried to start a conversation, feeling a little scared. This was her first trip far from home, and now, deep in the night, the pitch-black darkness and extremely low visibility were unnerving. "The skyship crashed, and everyone on it was a prospective Beast Master who passed the initial screening. Shanhai Academy won't just abandon us, right?"

  "Mm, prospective Beast Masters are considered strategic resources everywhere. With so many lost this time, Shanhai Academy will definitely send people to investigate. The only uncertainty is if the incident will be discovered promptly... Theoretically, the skyship had a signal locator..."

  Bai Wushang paused, then continued:

  "However, we should still prepare for both possibilities. We can't solely rely on the Academy's rescue; we must also strive to escape this predicament ourselves."

  Mu Xiaoxiao pouted, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  She had gone to great lengths to trick her persistent personal guard just to sneak out, never imagining she'd end up in this situation so quickly.

  "'Was I too willful...?'" Mu Xiaoxiao silently reproached herself.

  Pat—pat—

  Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from around the corner ahead, drawing nearer. It was jarring in the desolate night.

  Bai Wushang stopped, quickly extinguishing the torch. He pulled Mu Xiaoxiao against the nearby cliff wall, and both held their breath.

  "'Could it be another survivor?'"

  Bai Wushang wondered. But listening closely, it didn't sound right. The footsteps were too strange—like someone limping, shambling aimlessly, occasionally bumping into the walls.

  Yet, its forward path remained unchanged, bringing it closer and closer to Bai Wushang and Mu Xiaoxiao.

  Bai Wushang stealthily raised the metal rod in his hand, veins bulging on his wrist, ready to strike with full force at any moment.

  In the darkness, a tall, thin figure entered Bai Wushang's sight.

  It was dressed in tattered, ancient-style clothes, its arms drawn inside the wide sleeves, giving it an awkward appearance.

  Nauseatingly, it looked as if it had never bathed. Its face was so grimy its features were obscured, and it emanated a putrid stench like rotting fish from head to toe.

  Suddenly, a block of information flashed before his eyes—

  Stolen story; please report.

  【Name】: Hungry Zombie (Wild)【Race】: Netherworld · Zombie-type · Corpse Clan【Life Level】: Early Juvenile Stage【Bloodline Quality】: Mortal Bone Grade 1-Star【Status】: Starving【Wisdom】: Extremely Low【Traits】: Dark Adaptation / Infection【Skills】: Corpse Claw, Bite【Gourmet Cells】: 1

  "'What is this?!'"

  Bai Wushang's eyes widened, his expression one of utter astonishment.

  Seemingly catching their scent, the figure in the darkness stopped and snapped its head towards them.

  "Ah!"

  Mu Xiaoxiao screamed, her face pale with fright.

  The dim moonlight revealed a horrifying face stained with blood, its skin severely decayed, features grotesquely twisted. Faintly visible were several plump white maggots crawling in and out, seemingly enjoying themselves.

  "Zom... Zom... Zombie..." Mu Xiaoxiao pointed at the monster, her hand trembling uncontrollably, unable to hold the metal rod steady.

  "Roar!"

  The zombie's faintly glowing green eyes practically bulged with delight. It had been ages since it encountered such tender morsels. With an excited low growl, it lunged, opening its cavernous mouth filled with long, thin fangs.

  Clang!

  Bai Wushang hesitated no more, smashing the rod down hard onto the Hungry Zombie's head. White and red matter splattered onto the ground.

  The current Bai Wushang's strength was incomparable to what it was just a day ago.

  This full-force blow sent the zombie crashing to the ground. Its limbs twitched briefly before it became completely still.

  【Hunt successful, Gourmet Cells +1】

  A line of small red text scrolled across his vision like a bullet comment.

  Bai Wushang shook his head, confirming it wasn't an illusion. Suppressing the confusion in his heart, he turned his gaze to Mu Xiaoxiao.

  "Are you hurt?"

  "I'm fine..." Mu Xiaoxiao shook her head, looking shaken but also ashamed.

  As a disciple from a major clan, once she collected herself, she understood that this was merely the lowest, weakest kind of Hungry Zombie. Even as a prospective Beast Master, she could have easily defeated it one-on-one. She shouldn't have been so terrified, lacking even the courage to face it head-on.

  Bai Wushang could vaguely guess Mu Xiaoxiao's feelings. Having faced life and death multiple times himself, he understood deeply. That's why he could face unknown dangers with more composure, avoiding panic.

  Mu Xiaoxiao was different. She had grown up privileged. It was unlikely she had ever experienced such mortal terror and despair before this. It was natural for her to be shaken.

  Bai Wushang gently ruffled Mu Xiaoxiao's hair but didn't say much. He knew he couldn't always shelter her; she needed to grow stronger herself.

  ...

  Relighting the torch, they continued on their way.

  This time, Bai Wushang didn't plan to extinguish it.

  Earlier, he hadn't understood the situation, mistaking the sound for a living person, and had put out the torch out of caution.

  After traveling further and dispatching several more scattered zombies, Bai Wushang began to understand. This valley was probably a zombie den. There were no birds or beasts, only zombies. No wonder everything felt so lifeless and still; they hadn't encountered any other living creatures.

  These supernatural creatures, zombies—especially the lowest-tier Hungry Zombies—actually lack sight despite their eerie green pupils. They rely on smell and hearing to perceive their surroundings.

  They fear sunlight and fire, which is why they are active only at night, growing more so as darkness deepens. When daylight arrives, they retreat to hide and slumber underground or in caves, emerging again the following night to forage.

  Finally, Bai Wushang located a suitable cave. They moved several large rocks to barricade the entrance, leaving only a small gap for air and observation.

  "Phew, it's almost dawn," Bai Wushang sighed, stretching languidly before lying down on the dry ground. Nearby, two simple, specially-made torches burned, providing warmth and comfort. "That's peak activity time for zombies. We're lucky we found this place. Otherwise, we'd be facing swarms of Hungry Zombies, maybe even stronger, higher-level ones. It's too dangerous and unpredictable out there!"

  "Yeah, this day has felt surreal..." Mu Xiaoxiao murmured, leaning fully clothed against Bai Wushang. She stared blankly at the stone ceiling above, her face showing deep exhaustion.

  "Get some sleep," Bai Wushang said after only a moment's rest, sitting up again. "Don't try to tough it out. I'll take the watch. You're not a Beast Master yet, so your stamina isn't like mine. Plus, you've been on edge all day. You must be exhausted, right?"

  Mu Xiaoxiao opened her mouth but found no energy to argue. She simply murmured an assent and turned away to sleep.

  Sitting cross-legged beside the fire, Bai Wushang's thoughts drifted as he seriously pondered certain questions.

  "'That attribute panel... what exactly is it?'"