The Enigmatic Return (Neera and Jean) novel Chapter 1179

Everyone carried weapons and medicines within permissible limits, and Neera was no exception to that.

As she walked in, she inexplicably felt as if she and the others were embarking on a jungle adventure.

However, she was well aware her mission was far more dangerous than any so-called jungle adventure.

Therefore, she was on high alert, being cautious at every turn and keeping her wits about her.

From the outset, she had her people slow down, deliberately entering Mount Cloud later than the other forces.

After all, no one wanted to encounter enemies and be eliminated after a conflict as soon as they stepped in.

The terrain of Mount Cloud was complex and ever-changing, with a diverse range of ecosystems within.

As they moved forward, the gentle uphill path gradually narrowed, and the number of trees increased. They stood in all directions, forming a circle of enclosure, trapping anyone who entered.

That place seemed like a deserted area where trees grew wildly and luxuriantly without human interference. The dense foliage of the trees pressed down from above, blocking out a large swath of the sky. Sunlight could only filter through the gaps between the countless leaves.

Beyond that, a variety of flora and fauna had also found a great place to thrive there.

Birds chirp intermittently among the treetops, imbuing the silent forest with a touch of ethereal charm.

Neera was constantly on alert, an inexplicable sense of dread washing over her. Goosebumps rose and fell on her skin in waves.

“This place feels so eerie...” She couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

Shane was right beside her, appearing more relaxed than she was.

“While the people of Phison are more familiar with this place compared to outsiders, they don't actually know this place all that well.”

Charles nodded in agreement, his foot stepping on a tree branch, creating a crisp snapping sound. “Indeed. In the past, similar elections in Phison had different rules each time, and the locations varied as well. The last time, it was set in a dense forest. That was already seven or eight years ago.”

Neera sighed. “Does that mean you're also unclear about the situation here?”

“I know some important locations and routes, but beyond that, we'll have to explore on our own.” At that moment, Finnley began to speak leisurely and unhurriedly. “I've been in here a couple of times before. There are quite a few natural traps that are hard to discern. Everyone needs to be careful.”

At that point, he stroked his beard in reflection. “Speaking of which, there were instances where people trespassed here and never came out, disappearing without a trace. It seems like this has happened more than just a couple of times...”

Neera felt a chill run down her spine, gulping. “Mr. Weaver, please don't say such things at this time. It's quite frightening.”

Finnley laughed heartily. “It's just a small matter. There's nothing to be scared of, especially when you have so many people around you.”

He seemed at ease, showing no signs of fatigue despite the challenging mountain path.

He must have trained before. Even though he was aged, he was still energetic, and his body was still robust and strong.

The group of people chatted as they walked deeper into the area.

Before they knew it, a white mist began to envelop their surroundings. As they ventured deeper, the fog grew denser.

Neera's brows furrowed slightly, feeling that something was amiss. “Why is it so humid here? Is there a small river or a lake nearby?”

Shane looked around. “There shouldn't be anything nearby, but this fog is indeed a bit strange.”

Neera couldn't quite pinpoint what felt odd at the moment, but hearing him say that, she decided not to dwell on it any further.

An hour later, the group sat down to rest. Shane spoke while sipping his water. “It seems we must be far behind. We haven't encountered any opposing forces along the way.”

Wesley nodded. “It seems so. However, everyone has chosen different paths. It's likely that they are all wary of each other, so it's not certain. There may be other forces lurking on some other routes.”

Neera was somewhat confused.

She was mindful of the Gordon family's influence and didn't want to clash head-on with other families. That was why she intentionally kept a low profile, avoiding drawing attention to herself.

However, what about the other families?

“Isn't it said that whoever gets the white flag is the winner? Then why would any family choose to lie low? Shouldn't they rush to the mountaintop?” asked Neera.

With a meaningful smile, Shane grinned, raising his hand to tap her forehead lightly. “Neera, it seems you don't fully understand the struggle within Phison.”

Neera blinked. “What does that mean?”

Shane looked deeply into the distance. “Why do you think they say it's dangerous to enter the dense forest? Do you think it's just because of the harsh environment? Of course not. It is indeed dangerous here, but what's even more dangerous is people.”

People are the most dangerous, huh? Neera was suddenly enlightened. “Are you suggesting that there may be violent incidents among the various families in the struggle for the white flag?”

Chad raised an eyebrow. “That's exactly what he meant.”