“You mean, after it grows larger it will shrink again?” Shen Mo asked.

“Yes…” The man nervously swallowed, stammering to explain, “If it goes a long time without eating, the snake will become smaller and shorter. That’s when it’s very dangerous! Because it’s very hungry! All the houses along the road will be completely ransacked by it!”

Speaking of this, he seemed to recall the tragic state of his companions when they died, trembling continuously, muttering, “All dead… everyone’s dead…”

Bai Youwei impatiently raised her eyebrows. “Dead is dead—you’re still alive and well, aren’t you? Stop babbling on and on—can you speak clearly or not!”

Shen Mo silently glanced at her.

Bai Youwei pursed her lips, snorted, and said nothing more.

Shen Mo asked the man, “After you and your companions entered the maze, besides the snake, you should have also seen those little monsters with huge heads and thin bodies, right?”

“Those little monsters… are the snake’s food.” The man’s expression became even more fearful, his lips trembling continuously. “They’re poisonous, can’t touch them… will rot… people who are touched will rot! Can’t be touched!… Can’t…”

His words were incoherent but barely understandable.

Bai Youwei frowned and looked at Tan Xiao’s face.

Earlier, Tan Xiao had been splattered with monster blood all over his face. He seemed fine, and there were no signs of festering now. Could the man be lying? …Not necessarily—maybe you had to be bitten by the monster to be exposed to the toxin?

Something felt odd…

It was just that this place was truly too disgusting, seriously affecting her ability to think. Now even breathing felt painful!

Bai Youwei irritably covered her nose and mouth.

Shen Mo remained calm as usual, discussing with the others, “From the looks of it, there are mainly two troubles in this maze: one is the gluttonous snake that can grow longer and shorter, and the other is the snake’s swallowing target—the little monsters we saw. If we follow the gluttonous snake game’s level-clearing mode, we only need to follow behind the snake when it’s grown to a certain stage to find the exit.”

“That’s not easy…” Teacher Cheng worried. “The maze is so large, and following the snake is too risky. It also has very high requirements for speed and stamina.”

What if they got left behind midway?

What if they were discovered midway?

What if they encountered those skinned little monsters?

What if the exit never appeared?

Shen Mo thought for a moment and said, “Tan Xiao and I are the fastest. We can try following it first to take a look. If we find the exit, we’ll come back to notify you. If we can’t find the exit…”

He paused for two seconds, his gaze falling on Bai Youwei’s face. “If we can’t find it, we’ll hurry back as well. During this time, you lead everyone to stay here and don’t wander around.”

Bai Youwei didn’t want to be separated from him, but also knew that sitting in a wheelchair was truly a hindrance. She pursed her lips and said, “…Then you have to come back quickly.”

Shen Mo nodded, instructing her, “If anything happens, discuss it with Teacher Cheng. Don’t act rashly on your own.”

Bai Youwei immediately raised her eyebrows. “When have I ever acted rashly? So much nagging nonsense!”

Shen Mo smiled and turned to look at Tan Xiao. “Let’s go outside and prepare.”

Tan Xiao nodded and followed him out.

Bai Youwei bit her lower lip in frustration, watching the two men go to the front restaurant. They emptied their backpacks, packing in a small amount of food and water, then took their respective handy weapons.

“…” She silently followed and tugged at the corner of Shen Mo’s clothing.

Shen Mo turned to look at her.

Bai Youwei pulled a doll from her bag, stuffed it into his hand, and said in a muffled voice, “Take this with you.”

The moment the doll touched his palm, Shen Mo understood the use of this item.

He squeezed the doll, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “It looks a lot like you.”

Bai Youwei’s eyes brightened. “Then just think of it as carrying me with you.”