71: Looking for a herd of horses

Lu Fan reached out and gently patted its head, saying, "There's an emergency, we have to set off immediately."

Afterwards, Lu Fan casually grabbed two bamboo tubes of water and hurriedly left the Shelter, heading toward that patch of wilderness from yesterday.

As summer approached, around five in the morning, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

Using the faint morning light, Lu Fan hurried along. Before long, his body was dampened by the roadside dew.

Although Dahei didn't know why Lu Fan was in such a rush, it still followed closely by his side, never leaving him.

At this time, the Huaguo high-level officials were also closely monitoring Lu Fan's actions.

"What is Contestant Lu Fan doing? Looking at the direction he's heading, it's very likely he will encounter Contestant Kalba in the wilderness."

"Could he be going to deal with Kalba? This is too risky and worrying."

"Probably not. Look, Contestant Lu Fan didn't even bring a weapon; he must have another objective."

Everyone began to speculate on Lu Fan's behavior, their hearts filled with worry and curiosity. Their eyes followed Lu Fan's figure closely, hoping he could peacefully resolve this crisis.

As time passed, the viewers in the livestream room were like ripples stirred by a stone thrown into a calm lake.

The Huaguo viewers noticed the shocking news that Kalba and Meichuan Neiku had joined forces. Instantly, the barrage comments rolled frantically like a surging tide, the lines filled with deep concern for the safety of the two Chinese contestants.

Lu Fan's actions at this moment became the focus of heated discussion, with various speculations and well-wishing barrage comments constantly refreshing.

Everyone was silently praying for Lu Fan and An Lan, hoping they could safely weather this crisis.

Inside the Huaguo livestream room, the barrage comments exploded frantically like brilliant fireworks.

The viewers discussed the sinister plot of Kalba and Meichuan Neiku, as well as Lu Fan's actions, debating heatedly.

"These two villains getting together definitely means no good. Lu Fan must be careful!"

An anxious viewer sent several messages in a row.

"I think Lu Fan is heading toward the wilderness because there might be a secret weapon he discovered earlier hidden there, which he can use to deal with those two guys at the critical moment."

One viewer let their imagination run wild and proposed their own theory.

"Maybe he's going to meet up with other Chinese contestants. After all, there's strength in numbers; they only have a chance of winning if they unite."

Some viewers left hopeful messages, trying to find a positive explanation for Lu Fan's actions.

"But what about Contestant An Lan? She's a girl after all, and that despicable Meichuan Neiku even knows how to use poison. It's so worrying."

"The distance between them is too great; there's simply no time for rescue. Great God Lu Fan can only protect himself first before thinking of a way."

Just as the discussion was in full swing, viewers from Pretty Country and Japan flooded into the Huaguo livestream room in aggressive swarms, as if they had received a unified command.

As soon as they entered, they began spamming frantically, their words filled with provocation and contempt, as if trying to turn the place upside down.

"Haha, your Lu Fan is about to be in trouble. Kalba is our Pretty Country's ace contestant; this time, there's absolutely no escape for him!"

"Hurry and have your leaders send Lu Fan a barrage comment telling him to surrender obediently. Don't put up a pointless resistance."

The Japanese viewers were not to be outdone, jumping in with barrage comments: "With Meichuan Neiku taking action, An Lan won't be able to fight back at all. Just wait to see the joke!"

"I think your so-called Great God Lu Fan is probably already running away in fear right now, hahaha."

These provocative words instantly ignited the fury of the Huaguo viewers, and a fierce barrage comment war broke out.

"Don't be so arrogant! Lu Fan will definitely show you what true strength is. You'll be the ones crying then!"

"Exactly! Your contestants using such despicable methods is simply a disgrace to the Wilderness Survival world. They don't deserve to compete!"

"If you have the guts, have a one-on-one duel with Great God Lu Fan. See if he doesn't beat that Meichuan Neiku until he's pissing his pants and shitting himself!"

The Pretty Country and Japanese viewers remained relentless, like a pack of crazed provocateurs, constantly hurling insulting words: "You Huaguo people are only good at talking big. In the wilderness, you're just a bunch of weaklings at our mercy."

Faced with such blatant provocation, the Huaguo viewers stood united, launching a resolute counterattack with powerful barrage comments.

"Our Chinese contestants have an indomitable will that you can't compare to. Lu Fan and An Lan will definitely be safe and sound, and they'll make your contestants pay a heavy price for their actions!"

At this moment, the host Wang Tao spoke solemnly: "Our Chinese contestants possess an indomitable will and a spirit of courageous struggle.

"In the face of any invading enemy, we will strike back head-on. I also hope that Pretty Country and Japan can learn from the lessons of the past.

"I also ask all the citizens of Huaguo to believe in our contestants. They will surely overcome these difficulties. At the same time, please believe that our country's leaders will make the right decisions."

Wang Tao's words were like a shot of adrenaline, slightly calming the emotions of the Huaguo viewers and giving them a bit more confidence.

Meanwhile, in the wilderness, Lu Fan was completely unaware that a fierce war of words was taking place in the livestream room.

He hurried along with Dahei, unknowingly arriving near the Small Pond. It was already past six o'clock.

The sunlight gradually grew intense, draping a thin golden veil over the earth.

Lu Fan climbed to yesterday's mountaintop and gazed into the distance, carefully observing the surrounding terrain. Soon, he found the path leading to the depression where the wild horse herd was.

That's right, Lu Fan's goal this time was that wild horse herd.

Contestant An Lan was about 120 kilometers away from Lu Fan. If he traveled on foot, it might take twenty to thirty hours.

Moreover, he was taking mountain paths, with many unpredictable obstacles along the way, and he was still unclear about the specific situation on Contestant An Lan's side.

Time was pressing and allowed for no delay. After finding the path, Lu Fan set off toward the depression without hesitation.

The sun had gradually risen, and a sweltering heat began to permeate the air, as if covering the entire world in an invisible steamer.

Dahei followed closely behind Lu Fan, sticking out its long tongue from time to time to dissipate heat.

It also made "huff-huff" sounds, as if complaining to Lu Fan about the scorching weather and the hurried journey.

Along the way, they traversed many treacherous terrains.

For one stretch, Lu Fan needed to climb a steep stone wall.

The stone wall was like irregular building blocks randomly placed by a giant—uneven, covered in emerald-green moss, and slippery, with every foothold full of uncertainty.

Lu Fan's hands gripped the stone crevices tightly, his knuckles turning white from the exertion. His feet struggled to find footholds on the wall, and every step upward required immense effort.

Sweat kept sliding down his cheeks, dripping onto the rocks below.

Meanwhile, Dahei paced anxiously below, letting out short, urgent barks from time to time, as if cheering Lu Fan on: "Master, you can do it!"

"Hey, Dahei, don't worry. It'll be fine once I get up." Lu Fan comforted Dahei while panting heavily, his eyes revealing a determined resolve.

After finally crossing the stone wall, Lu Fan encountered a narrow gully, so deep its bottom couldn't be seen, looking like a hideous wound torn into the earth.

Only a decaying tree trunk spanned across the gully, looking precarious as if it could break at any moment.

[Decaying tree trunk, risk of breaking.]

The familiar heavenly dao prompt sound rang in Lu Fan's ears. Standing by the edge of the gully, Lu Fan muttered to himself, "If I fall down there, I'll become a 'deep abyss explorer.' I probably wouldn't even find my bones."

Although he had received the warning from the heavenly dao prompt sound, thinking of An Lan waiting for rescue, Lu Fan gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk.

He stepped onto the trunk with extreme caution, every step taken with great care for fear of accidentally falling into the bottomless abyss.

The trunk let out "creak-creak" protests under his heavy weight, as if telling him it couldn't bear the load.

Lu Fan felt like an acrobat walking a tightrope; every step was heart-pounding, with life and death hanging by a thread.

Finally, at the very moment before the rotten wood was about to break, Lu Fan exerted all his strength and leaped to the other side.