NOVEL NEXT Chapter 237: Layers of Mist
The team fell into silence once again, with only the sound of footsteps echoing through the quiet forest. This moisture-laden woods indeed gave off an oppressive feeling. Not to mention sun-loving animals, even shade-loving creatures seemed unwilling to settle here. Carefree Meng Lan's worries might not have been unfounded, but at this moment, they could only keep moving forward to explore this unknown territory.
As time passed, the sky gradually dimmed, and the mist in the forest grew denser, reducing visibility more and more. Everyone's mood became increasingly heavy; they had not only to face unknown dangers but also deal with internal conflicts within the team. Each person knew well that this was a stern test.
Suddenly, a shadow swept past in front of them, causing the group to tense up immediately, gripping their weapons tightly to prepare for a possible attack. However, the shadow didn't launch an attack but instead quickly disappeared into the mist.
"What was that?" Ling Yueyaya asked nervously.
"Not sure, but we need to be more careful." Carefree Meng Lan said solemnly. She understood in her heart that in this forest filled with unknowns, any oversight could lead to heavy consequences.
"But is it really just because of environmental factors?" Luo Chen's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Everyone's eyes involuntarily focused on him, their faces filled with doubt and curiosity. Ling Yueyun and Ling Yue Mu, however, were full of disdain, as if dismissing Luo Chen's skepticism.
Ling Yueyun snorted with a contemptuous tone: "Since you think it's not environmental factors, then please explain. Don't just talk the talk; show us your true talents." He deliberately emphasized the word "just" to further undermine Luo Chen.
Luo Chen was not swayed by Ling Yueyun's words. He took a deep breath and calmly spoke: "Look at the top of this forest. The trees are noticeably sparser than the areas we've walked through before. The tall trees have decreased, allowing sunlight to directly reach a larger area. This in itself is different from the usual forest ecosystem."
He paused, then pointed to the flowers and trees along the path: "And look at these roses and pomegranate trees. They are sun-loving plants, typically growing in sunny places. But strangely, they are growing in this moisture-laden forest. Doesn't that seem abnormal?"
Upon hearing this, everyone began to closely observe the surrounding environment. Carefree Meng Lan, after frowning and pondering for a moment, asked: "So in your view, what is the reason for this?"
Luo Chen smiled slightly and continued to explain: "Take another look, the area where the mist is heaviest is four or five meters or even higher above us. The tree roots and soil on the ground, although they have some moist parts, have relatively smaller areas compared to the trunk sections, which are significantly more humid. Why is that?"
He surveyed the surroundings and, seeing everyone deep in thought, continued: "This is because the moisture in this forest does not primarily come from the ground but falls from the mist above. When these mists condense into droplets in the high air and drip onto the trunks, it makes the trunk areas wet. Meanwhile, due to the blocking of trees and absorption by the soil, the ground ends up with a smaller moist area."
At this moment, Ling Yueyaya couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully and teased: "Alright, stop beating around the bush. Why exactly is this? Just tell us the answer!" Although her words carried a hint of discontent, her coquettish tone made Luo Chen a little uneasy.
Luo Chen laughed awkwardly and continued: "The reason this forest is so unusual is because it's located in a special terrain. The paths we walked before might have been hills or valleys, but here is a relatively enclosed valley. Due to the terrain, the mist here cannot dissipate quickly, thus condensing into droplets in the air and falling to the ground. This also explains why there are sun-loving plants in sunny areas among sparse trees and why the trunk sections are moist."
After listening to Luo Chen's explanation, everyone suddenly understood. Ling Yueyun and Ling Yue Mu's disdainful expressions vanished. Carefree Meng Lan nodded in approval: "Luo Chen, your observations are detailed, and your analysis is very reasonable. It seems we indeed overlooked this factor earlier."
Luo Chen smiled modestly: "I just suddenly thought of this possibility. It still needs further verification." With that, he turned and continued to explore the secrets of this mysterious forest. The others followed his lead, preparing to face the upcoming challenges.
"Because this mist is an illusion created by someone else." Luo Chen's voice echoed through the silent forest, startling everyone. He took a deep breath and continued: "Normal mist forms very close to the ground. Due to the high air flow in the high atmosphere, it is hard to form stable breezes so mist cannot easily accumulate at high heights. But look around here; the mist is pervasive, as if the whole forest is shrouded in a white haze, which is clearly unnatural."