The sounds of quarrels and commotion echoed through Jingli Mountain.
The tourists, initially evenly dispersed throughout Jingli Mountain, now resembled the lower part of an hourglass. People covered the mountain slopes, all moving towards the base, eager to descend the mountain as quickly as possible, distancing themselves from the source that could erupt blistering lava at any moment.
At this moment, the staff sent by the Jingli Mountain Tourism Department couldn’t even think of maintaining order; getting up the mountain was already a problem.
"Please don’t push, don’t panic, follow instructions, okay? I am a staff member of the Jingli Mountain Tourism Department, here to help everyone evacuate safely!"
"Please let us through, can you move aside for us?"
"Don’t push me, I need to get up, don’t act like this!"
"..."
People crowded together, surging down the mountain...
Even if they were prepared to face death, they couldn’t climb against the flow of people.
Such chaos quickly divided the mountain, with the halfway point as the boundary.
Below the halfway point, the crowd was dense, squeezed together so tightly they could barely breathe.
Above the halfway point, it was empty, with not a single person in sight.
However, it wasn’t entirely devoid of people.
For example, Lin Beichen, still cultivating by the volcanic crater.
And...
In the bushes were Hao Lianna and Kendia, along with their companions.
At this moment, although they were still a considerable distance from the summit, they had gathered from all directions of Jingli Mountain.
Each face was etched with urgency and hesitation.
Not to mention the loudspeakers from the Jingli Mountain Tourism Department kept broadcasting, ensuring everyone on the mountain could hear clearly.
Even if they didn’t hear the broadcast, the noise from the crowd below had grown loud enough to reach here. They were well aware of the desperate news—
Jingli Mountain was about to erupt!
"What should we do now?"
"Do we continue climbing?"
"Going down the mountain now should still be possible. If we insist on climbing at this moment, then regardless of whether we capture Lin Beichen or not, we’ll likely meet our end here."
"..."
Many were ready to give up.
After all...
It was a matter of facing life or death.
No one would be unafraid.
Hao Lianna and Kendia exchanged a glance, their eyes mirroring the gravity of the situation.
After a moment, Kendia turned to the others and asked, "Have any of you seen Lin Beichen or found any trace of him during the ascent?"
"No."
Everyone’s response was consistent.
If they had indeed seen Lin Beichen or found his trace, they wouldn’t be here. They would have used communication devices to call people to the location where the trace was found.
Kendia nodded, then analyzed, "Given the current situation, there are only two possibilities. One is that Lin Beichen descended from a blind spot, though this possibility is relatively small. The more likely scenario is that Lin Beichen is at the summit..."
He paused and then continued, "We all know Lin Beichen’s uniqueness, but I don’t believe that if he’s at the crater, he can survive when Jingli Mountain erupts. If he stays on the mountain, he awaits death. Similarly, if we go up now, regardless of whether we capture him, we’ll also face death. Given that, what’s the point of us going up?"
Everyone was already reluctant to climb further, and Kendia’s question struck the deepest part of their hearts.
"Yes, what’s the point of going up?"
"It won’t help; should we go up to accompany him in death?"
"Given this, I think there’s no need to keep climbing."
"..."
The group echoed in agreement, satisfied with Kendia’s reasoning, finding his rationale convenient.
As they spoke, they all turned their gaze toward Kendia.
Even though their ranks were entirely equal, Kendia had subtly become the leader in this situation.
Feeling their attentive stares.
Kendia suddenly felt immense pressure, with no sense of pride or joy in being the leader.
He knew...
If this matter wasn’t handled properly, even if they returned alive, he would still be held accountable.
Of course, risks come with opportunities.
He also foresaw that if everything went smoothly, he would immediately be promoted upon returning, and his future path would be promising.
Kendia wasn’t one to lag behind others. After a moment’s contemplation, he decided to take on this pressure.
Take a chance!
Kendia had already formed a plan. He then raised his head, scanning the eager faces watching him, and said, "We’re not going up..."
Upon hearing this.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, not just because they didn’t have to go up, but mainly because someone had made a decision, lessening their responsibility.
Faces lit up with joy, but as they prepared to descend the mountain, Kendia continued, "But we’re not going down either."
"??"
They were stunned, instinctively looking at each other.
Exchanging glances...
Confused faces!
"Not going up, not going down, then what are we to do?"
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