Although the little puppet jumped very high, Yu Sheng was actually serious.

The experience came from the process of swallowing the Hunger Entity back then, as well as the devouring and fusion feeling when directly contacting the "Deep Layer" of the Hunger Entity.

He knew that the things he "consumed" would be devoured and fused with his essence, which was more effective and faster than any sealing or transferring measures. If the Angel Umbilical Cord really triggered the early activation of "Anka Aela", throwing it out through a Door-opening might not be able to sever its connection with the "main body"—but swallowing it would.

Of course, there were certainly risks associated with this, after all, the Angel Umbilical Cord was different from the Hunger Entity. Although the latter was significantly strengthened by the influence of the Dark Angel, it was ultimately just an "influence," while the Angel Umbilical Cord evidently had a tighter connection with the Dark Angel named "Anka Aela." If he really swallowed it...

It could cause indigestion.

But it didn't matter, Yu Sheng thought he could handle it—he always trusted his own thoughts.

At worst, if he failed, he would die trying—he also trusted his own determination to die.

Seeing the expression on Yu Sheng's face, Erin knew that she couldn't stop his whimsical ideas. Once this guy had an idea, he was definitely going to execute it, so she could only resign herself and sigh, looking up: "Fine, people with a good appetite generally have good luck—when do we leave? Now?"

"Yes, now," Yu Sheng nodded, turning to look at Hu Li, "Get ready, come with me to the Black Forest."

But as he said this, he suddenly thought of something, furrowing his brows and glancing at the balcony: "Uh... your tails are still hanging out to dry..."

Before he finished his sentence, Yu Sheng caught sight of Hu Li growing a bunch of spare tails with a "buzz" sound behind her. The demon fox girl smiled happily: "I have plenty more~"

"...Alright, I almost forgot about that," Yu Sheng slapped his palm on his forehead, "Let's go then—Erin, open the door."

A phantasmal door materialized out of thin air, followed by black threads sprouting like thorns, intertwining, as a door leading to the Black Forest opened.

Yu Sheng held a wooden box containing the Angel Umbilical Cord in one hand and his terrifying Tetanus Wand in the other. As he stepped through the door, a familiar chilling sensation accompanied by faint wolf howls greeted him. He steadied himself, looked up at the sky of the Black Forest and saw the light of dusk spreading through the gaps between the treetops, casting vast, dappled shadows on the forest floor.

The Black Forest seemed to perpetually cycle between two times—either it was an enduring dusk, or a dim state retaining a bit of twilight just after nightfall.

Based on experience, the dusk state of the Black Forest was relatively more stable. After nightfall, the wolf pack in the forest would suddenly become active, and Evil Wolves generally only appeared during the night phase.

Hu Li's large ears twitched, turning attentively toward any sound or movement in the breeze. She also sniffled, assessing the faint air currents for smells.

"There aren't any wolf scents nearby for now," she whispered, "the sounds are chaotic and their distance varies."

"Before the wolf pack truly forms, these 'sounds' can basically be considered the 'background noise' of the Black Forest," Yu Sheng said casually.

Erin looked nervously at the thing Yu Sheng was holding: "Hey, is there any reaction from this thing?"

Yu Sheng glanced at the wooden box containing the Angel Umbilical Cord, and slightly opened a slit.

The umbilical cord still lay quietly on the red velvet lining, maintaining its shriveled, lifeless appearance.

"No reaction for now," he shook his head, "If I must say something… I can always hear a faint sound of a baby crying, as if coming from deep underground, but this shouldn't be related to the 'umbilical cord' itself—I've been able to hear this sound ever since we fought that massive Wolf Grandmother last time."

"A baby's cry?" Erin frowned, "Well, Hu Li and I can't hear it."

Yu Sheng carefully closed the box again, leaned the Tetanus Wand aside temporarily, and reached into another pocket.

A bullet with a peculiar spiral tip appeared in his hand.

"This bullet also doesn't react for now," he said softly, "Let's head deeper into the forest and see if we can find the little cabin—But since Little Red Riding Hood hasn't entered the Black Forest yet, Wolf Grandmother might not appear, nor will the Hunter. In any case, let's go check it out first."

The group cautiously ventured deeper into the Black Forest, searching for the light of the "path" among the dappled twilight.

Hu Li volunteered to walk at the front. Except for one storage tail that couldn't be used, she released the other eight tails. These fox tails, surrounded by eerie Fox Fire Rings, emitted a slight buzzing sound, floating nimbly around the team, occasionally pointing warily into the forest, ready to attack at any sign of trouble.

Seeing this scene, Yu Sheng found it quite amusing and casually asked: "I've been meaning to ask, is this move called the Fox Carrot Drone?"

The demon fox girl replied seriously: "It's called Fox Travel Cannon—Erin named it."

Erin immediately lifted her face in pride—though Yu Sheng didn't see what there was to be proud of.

After walking for an indeterminate amount of time, Yu Sheng suddenly stopped.

Erin, sitting on his shoulder, curiously asked: "Eh? Why did we stop?"

"Something's not right," Yu Sheng's brows gradually furrowed. "How long have we been walking here?"

"Uh... quite a while, I guess? I didn't really notice," Erin scratched her head. "What's wrong?"

"...We haven't seen that 'path' yet, nor the small shelter," Yu Sheng spoke gravely. "According to the Black Forest's rules, once we enter and walk a bit, we should quickly see the first path."

"Savior, now that you mention it... you're right," Hu Li also reacted, alertly scanning the surroundings with her slightly glowing golden eyes, sweeping through the shadows in the forest. "And I don't know if it's just a feeling, but today's Black Forest seems different from the one we've seen before... Can't quite point out why, probably the atmosphere?"

Yu Sheng's heart tightened, and he subconsciously glanced at the wooden box in his left hand.

Is it because of the 'Angel Umbilical Cord' inside it? Is it interfering with the Black Forest's operations? Or something else...

"Even the squirrel hasn't appeared. Normally, as the 'guide,' it should be the first to emerge."

Yu Sheng muttered, casually slinging the Tetanus Wand over his shoulder.

Erin instantly hugged his neck and swung herself over, performing a big flip from Yu Sheng's back to his other shoulder.

The little puppet cursed, "I knew you'd pull this stunt, good thing I reacted quickly, or someday you'd have clubbed me to death..."

Yu Sheng, stunned, turned to look at the puppet on his shoulder. He wanted to ask when this guy had mastered such good moves, but before he could speak, a faint rustling sound suddenly came from the nearby bushes.

Is it the squirrel?

Yu Sheng and the others immediately looked towards the direction of the sound. However, moments later, what appeared was not the familiar squirrel, but a nervous-looking girl in red, seemingly avoiding something.

Long hair, thin, fifteen or sixteen years old, unfamiliar face—not the 'Little Red Riding Hood' Yu Sheng knew.

Yu Sheng and his group were instantly bewildered.

"Another 'Little Red Riding Hood'?!"

Yu Sheng looked at the unfamiliar girl emerging from the bushes in astonishment, paused for two seconds, then stepped forward half a step to tentatively greet her, "Uh, hello, are you also part of the 'Fairy Tales' organization..."

He stopped mid-sentence, frowning.

Because the girl in red didn't look at him, nor did she seem to hear his words.

She was just cautiously hunched over, scanning the forest with a wary gaze, as if evading invisible wolves, yet completely unaware of the three strangers right in front of her.

Hu Li reacted, tugging Yu Sheng's sleeve, "Savior, it looks like she can't see us?"

Yu Sheng frowned, "Seems so."

And at that moment, the unfamiliar 'Little Red Riding Hood' suddenly made a move.

She seemed to suddenly sense a dangerous presence, glanced nervously in a direction, and then bolted!

Seeing this, Yu Sheng immediately reacted, carrying Erin and chasing after her, "Follow her!"

Thus, the unfamiliar 'Little Red Riding Hood' ran through the forest, with Yu Sheng, Erin, and Hu Li closely following behind. Meanwhile, wolf howls rose and fell, echoing from all directions, as if very close—it felt so close that Yu Sheng could even smell the scent of the wolf pack, sense the bloodthirsty and malicious aura, and feel their sharp teeth and claws sweeping past him.

Yet, when he looked around, all he could see were shadows in the forest.

The wolf pack had gathered, they were chasing the unfamiliar 'Little Red Riding Hood' ahead—but Yu Sheng couldn't see them.

The girl in red, running ahead, gradually slowed down, her strength seemingly exhausted, her steps visibly staggering.

But at that moment, an open area suddenly appeared in her direction of escape.

A small wooden house, slightly out of place with its surroundings, stood quietly in the clearing.

Seeing that wooden house, Yu Sheng's expression tightened.

There was no light in the wooden house...

However, the exhausted girl in red seemed to have no choice—after a moment's hesitation upon seeing the wooden house, she resolutely rushed inside.

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