Bai Yujing wiped his body and head dry with some leaves, moved around a bit to loosen up, and then began searching for usable vines nearby. There were quite a few vines in this area, but finding one that could be used was not so simple. If the vine broke halfway up, Bai Yujing would be in trouble.
After searching around, he finally found a sturdy Brown Vine on a dead old tree. Bai Yujing tested it and found it very strong and flexible, but the length was not very high; when fully taken down, it was only about twelve meters long. Bai Yujing decided to attach another section of vine below it since this length was not far from the ground and was relatively safe.
Once he secured the vines to a large tree near the cliff edge, Bai Yujing began to climb down. Since he couldn't use a safety harness and didn't have enough length for a double rope, this climb was quite dangerous.
Bai Yujing climbed down bare-chested, stepping on the rocks. The mist from the nearby waterfall surged upward, creating a roaring sound as splashes of water hit him. The whole process was thrilling, akin to being in a sauna, but the water was icy cold, and he was at a mid-height.
When he descended close enough, he jumped into the pool below and swam over to retrieve his backpack. At that moment, Bai Yujing was shivering all over and hurriedly changed into his Thermal Underwear and jacket.
Only then did Bai Yujing take the time to observe his surroundings. This was a true Plant Kingdom; he could hear the chorus of Birdsong and Animal Sounds, with colorful flowers blooming all around. The jungle in this season still showcased its floral splendor, truly a rare sight. It seemed that upon entering this place, even the temperature had become warmer.
Bai Yujing finally understood what Temperate Rainforest meant—one of the most unique geographical environments in the world. Stepping on stones and following the stream of the waterfall ahead, Bai Yujing officially began his adventure in this jungle.
He took out his notebook along with Old Alje's Rough Map and decided to delineate areas first. Following his plan, he would explore one area at a time, documenting findings or ruling out possibilities after checking each area systematically to find the Holy Land he sought.
After traveling for a while, Bai Yujing felt somewhat tired. He immediately took out an Iron Can from his backpack and started eating. After finishing, he didn’t throw away the can but instead kept it; it might come in handy later.
The deeper he went into the jungle, the hotter it became—humid and stifling—making him feel quite uncomfortable as if his whole body were damp. The most annoying part was the presence of midges in the jungle; they had become more numerous and had bitten Bai Yujing on his hands, leaving two large welts.
These midges were very toxic; their bites resulted in large welts that itched unbearably. Bai Yujing quickly applied Insect Repellent to exposed areas of his skin. At that moment, he heard some movement nearby and immediately became alert, pulling out the Machete he had previously used for clearing paths from his backpack.
However, as he looked over, Bai Yujing immediately spotted a nimble figure darting past a large tree before disappearing quickly—it was a deer with two broad antlers covered in white spots on its dark brown fur; it was a Muntjac.
The arrival of Bai Yujing startled it, and it quickly fled, its agile shadow disappearing swiftly into the jungle, like a sprite. However, Bai Yujing did not relax; it seemed there were indeed wild animals here, and one had to be cautious.
According to the plan, Bai Yujing searched the area bit by bit as marked on the map. Along the way, aside from the ubiquitous vines, moss, and ferns, Bai Yujing also encountered squirrels, otters, and various small creatures. However, as each location was ruled out, Bai Yujing still found nothing.
As dusk approached, Bai Yujing had only searched less than four areas. Looking at the large unsearched areas on the map, Bai Yujing felt that the task was indeed very heavy.
Before it got completely dark, Bai Yujing found a spot against a rock wall and decided to use it as a resting place for the night. Using rope, Bai Yujing fashioned a hammock between the stones of the rock wall and nearby trees, then laid some broad leaves on the woven hammock. Bai Yujing found it looked quite decent.
While there was still some light left, after gathering some firewood nearby, Bai Yujing unexpectedly stumbled upon a rabbit hole and caught a rabbit trying to return home.
At that moment, as the rabbit attempted to slip into its burrow under the cover of darkness, Bai Yujing acted quickly and grabbed its ears, lifting it up. This was truly an unexpected delight!
"Bunny! Bunny! You're so cute; I have to eat you!" Bai Yujing laughed as he looked at the struggling rabbit and gave it a kiss. Just moments ago, he was contemplating whether to settle for two pieces of chocolate for dinner when this exquisite delicacy came right to him. With some mushrooms and wild vegetables he had collected earlier on his journey, Bai Yujing estimated he could make a pot of soup.
After digging a pit at the campsite and lighting a fire with a lighter, Bai Yujing immediately took off his clothes to dry by the fire's warmth. He pulled out his lunch box from earlier to use as cooking equipment; however, it was still a bit small. Bai Yujing decided to roast half of the rabbit meat while boiling the other half.
As night fell completely, Bai Yujing's little campsite was brightly lit by the fire. He performed exceptionally well today; it was his first experience in the jungle and he faced various challenges with maximum composure. Unfortunately, he hadn't encountered any wild beasts for combat; the only confrontation occurred between him and little Bunny—a complete domination without any sense of achievement. The adorable little Bunny was now hanging from a branch and resting in the box.
Bai Yujing roasted by the fire, watching as fat dripped from the rabbit meat, releasing a rich aroma of grilled meat—this was pure natural flavor. Unfortunately, it would take some time to cook thoroughly. Leaning against the rock wall, Bai Yujing flipped through his camera to take a few more shots.
He had taken quite a few good photos today; perhaps he could imitate Be Grandpa in the future? Maybe embark on a jungle adventure himself and then publish a book. Thus, under the glow of the firelight, Bai Yujing ate while reviewing today's photos and his own heroic poses. He then took out his map to decide which places to explore tomorrow.
Although he hadn't explored many areas today, Bai Yujing had become familiar with this territory. The Holy Land should logically be near water with surrounding lakes. Bai Yujing immediately marked several locations that seemed promising for tomorrow's exploration.
After taking a sip of Rabbit Mushroom Vegetable Soup, Bai Yujing felt warm and cozy. A bite of roasted meat followed by a spoonful of thick soup was simply delightful, especially after a long day of hard work. The sense of relaxation and leisure made Bai Yujing feel as if the jungle was a five-star hotel.
Adding some firewood to the campfire, Bai Yujing put on the dried clothes, feeling warm and comfortable, and then jumped directly onto his Hammock.
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