261: The absence of any abnormality is the biggest abnormality.

Ye Rui slept peacefully until dawn. Seeing the sun rising outside, she was startled, jumped up instantly, and hurried out of the tent.

The sun had just risen, and the morning weather was still somewhat cool.

Ye Rui rushed to the tent where Ai Yue was staying to take a look; as expected, Ai Yue was already gone.

She then hurriedly ran to the tent of Li Shilan and the other, finding that the two had not yet woken up. Seeing they were still there, she felt relieved.

She understood that Ai Yue had left early without saying goodbye.

However, she believed that Ai Yue would definitely return safely.

She only needed to stay here obediently and wait with her Uncle and Aunt.

Ye Rui took a deep breath and went back into the tent to catch some more sleep.

Ye Rui had guessed correctly; Ai Yue had set out early.

She had intended to head out quietly on her own, but unexpectedly encountered the team led by Gu Xiheng halfway there.

In the team, those two nuisances were actually present as well.

She didn't know what Gu Xiheng was thinking, bringing Cheng Siyu and Gu Xitian along wherever he went.

This was actually an injustice to Gu Xiheng. Originally, he hadn't agreed to let them follow. Cheng Siyu going was one thing, since she had some ability to protect herself, but Gu Xitian insisted on coming too, even threatening suicide if she wasn't allowed, making a huge scene.

Left with no choice and given that the group had returned safely last time, Madam Gu spoke up and told Gu Xiheng to take the two of them along once more.

Unable to withstand his mother's pressure, Gu Xiheng had to agree.

When Gu Xitian saw Ai Yue, her expression darkened. She didn't dare provoke Ai Yue, so she turned her head to the side and avoided looking at her.

Cheng Siyu's expression wasn't very good either. She didn't know why, but lately, she always felt that Gu Xiheng was avoiding her, and even when they met head-on, he was cold and indifferent toward her.

She inexplicably felt that the change in Gu Xiheng's attitude toward her definitely involved Ai Yue.

Seeing Ai Yue here at this time, that sense of humiliation and resentment bubbled up again. Cheng Siyu quickly looked away; she didn't want to attract Ai Yue's attention right from the start. She just needed to watch and wait for an opportunity to stab her.

Ai Yue had no idea about the little schemes inside Cheng Siyu and the other's minds.

Since they had crossed paths, Ai Yue casually offered a greeting.

Gu Xiheng hadn't expected to run into Ai Yue here either. His face remained expressionless as he said faintly, "You came too?"

"Mm, you guys are quite early."

Gu Xiheng continued, "Getting there early allows for an early observation."

Gu Xiheng didn't say much more; the two nodded to each other and continued on their way.

Gu Xiheng's attitude toward Ai Yue satisfied Cheng Siyu behind him.

Ai Yue's speed was faster than theirs, and in the blink of an eye, she left them far behind.

Gu Xiheng led his people forward at their original pace.

Utilizing the advantage of her Movement Techniques, Ai Yue quickly reached the destination.

At this time, scouts from various Safety Towers were hidden in the shadows; Ai Yue could sense exactly where they were.

Ai Yue did not disturb them. Finding a suitable position, she looked toward the Nameless Monster.

The Nameless Monster and the zombies around it were still staying quietly in place, all with their eyes closed, as if they had been sealed.

The last time she came, she could still see the zombies around the Nameless Monster wandering aimlessly in the vicinity.

Why were the zombies in a deep sleep this time?

Doubt flickered in Ai Yue's eyes. She observed carefully for a while, even taking out binoculars, but found nothing unusual.

No abnormality was the greatest abnormality.

She suddenly remembered that when the Nameless Monster fell into a deep sleep, wouldn't it release a large amount of white mist containing the zombie virus?

The Nameless Monster had fallen into sleep this time as well, so why was there no white mist?

Ai Yue's expression became even more cautious.

She carefully approached the Nameless Monster. Even when she reached the outer perimeter of the zombies, there was no movement.

She even reached out and poked a zombie, but it didn't react at all.

Ai Yue's brow furrowed. If she hadn't been certain these zombies were alive, she would have thought they were all dead.

She circled all the zombies once and then quietly approached the Nameless Monster.

Its body was so massive that it took Ai Yue over ten minutes just to complete one circuit. Looking at the massive head nearly three meters high, Ai Yue fell into thought.

She clearly remembered that during the last siege on the Nameless Monster, the right side of its face was so decayed that bone was visible, and there was a rotting smell even more suffocating than that of the zombies.

How was it that now, the stench of decay on its body was gone, and most importantly, the rotten flesh on its face had disappeared?

Only lustrous white bone remained on half of its face; this half-face was like a gateway, and the interior looked hollow.

Ai Yue's heart stirred, a light flashed through her eyes, and she carefully climbed onto the monster's massive head.

She wanted to take a look inside the Nameless Monster's face.

She always felt there was something abnormal inside its face.

Just as Ai Yue carefully placed her foot on the monster's body, preparing to push off...

Suddenly, the Nameless Monster shifted, and Ai Yue instantly froze, not daring to move.

The monster, eyes still closed, lifted its head to change its posture, coincidentally covering its right face.

Ai Yue's brow furrowed enough to crush a fly. Honestly, it didn't move earlier or later, but just as she was about to go up, it moved.

She stood beside the Nameless Monster's massive head, staring at the hair on its head and grumbling inwardly.

Ai Yue stood in place for a long time, finding that the Nameless Monster showed no sign of moving again to reveal its right face.

Checking the time, she knew she had to leave. Without much hesitation, she headed to the meeting point.

When she arrived, she indeed saw that Gong Qiuqiu, Gu Xiheng, and others had already arrived, along with some people she didn't recognize. They were gathered together, discussing something.

Ai Yue didn't join the crowd, instead hiding to one side.

Gong Qiuqiu's heart stirred; he sensed that the person he was waiting for had arrived.

Thus, he began looking around everywhere.

From a distance, Ai Yue also saw Gong Qiuqiu looking for something.

She knew he was looking for her, but Ai Yue ignored him and shifted her gaze elsewhere.

"What are you looking at? Why are you so distracted?" Gu Xiheng asked when he saw Gong Qiuqiu preoccupied with checking the surroundings.

Gong Qiuqiu was taken aback. He coughed twice and said unnaturally, "Nothing. Oh right, the method you guys mentioned is very good, I have no objections."

"Good, then it's settled. We'll gather our forces and send two teams in first to scout the situation. Once they come out, we'll discuss further based on the circumstances."

Gu Xiheng nodded and said.

None of the people present had any objections.

Soon, the two small teams consisting of sixty people set off.

They cautiously passed through the zombie horde, and nothing happened.

This step had already been scouted by several bases. For the time being, there was no danger; the zombies were in a deep sleep for some unknown reason and would not wake up easily.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, they were able to cross the zombie horde without hindrance and reach the Nameless Monster's side.