After walking a bit further, there was actually some light ahead—it was moonlight. It seemed they had already left the territory of the Miasma Valley. Everyone took off their night vision goggles, looked up at the stars and the bright moon in the sky, and felt that it was good to be alive.

There was no time for sentimentality. They were all well-trained elites, able to understand each other's intentions with just a glance. After the captain David Bolton gave the signal to keep moving, Andrew Adams also knew the danger wasn't over. He surveyed the surrounding terrain and led everyone up the hillside.

The slope was rather steep, about forty to fifty degrees, but for them, it was no different from flat ground. Each person knew how to climb, how to move without making a sound, and how to carefully assess the quality and weathering of the rocks, determining the direction and route for climbing. After securing themselves with two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand, they would then move the remaining hand or foot, shifting their center of gravity upward.

At their speed, the steep peak was quickly conquered. Standing on the cliff at the summit, they looked back at the distant canyon, shrouded in clouds and mist. Everyone felt a sense of having survived a disaster, and they all looked gratefully at Andrew Adams. Unconsciously, Andrew Adams had become not only their guide but also the authoritative expert leading them out of there.

The sky was beginning to lighten, and it wouldn't be long before the sun came out. Andrew Adams said, "Let's all take a break for a while."

A few people sat casually on the ground, massaging their legs, relaxing their muscles, and recovering their strength. Ethan Foster came over curiously and said, "Brother, there's a question that's been bothering me—I have to ask you. Why did that giant python come out? What method did you use?"

For these special forces elites, discovering something they didn't understand and not figuring it out would bother them for life. Survival skills were the only way to stay alive; knowing a bit more was a sign of respect for their own lives and those of their comrades.

Andrew Adams said in some surprise, "You guys don't know? Oh, it's dragon fruit. Snakes love to eat dragon fruit. The ancestors of Qingniu Village figured this out. My grandfather said that snakes are yin, dragon fruit is yang, and snakes like dragon fruit to enhance their own yang energy. Snakes also need a balance of yin and yang."

Ethan Foster thought of the fruit Andrew Adams had picked and sincerely exclaimed, "Your grandfather is a man of great wisdom. The people of Qingniu Village are amazing."

"What's your next plan?" Andrew Adams looked at the captain David Bolton.

David Bolton, who had been deep in thought, walked over and sat down next to Andrew Adams, speaking softly, "We're brothers in life and death. To be honest, if we don't complete this mission, it will be a lifelong disgrace for us. I plan to continue the unfinished mission, and I believe they feel the same way. Soldiers can die, but they must never be deserters."

The others gathered around, nodding in agreement. David Bolton continued, "Andrew brother, you're not a soldier, so you don't have to accept the mission. You should go to the capital first, go to Jinghua University to find my sister. If we make it back alive, we'll drink for three days and nights—whoever passes out first is the loser."

No one had any objections to David Bolton's arrangement. Everyone had their own fate, and a soldier's fate was to complete the mission without compromise.

Andrew Adams really wanted to leave these mountains and experience life outside, but if he was alone, he would feel lost. The outside world was tempting, but not without danger. With no experience of worldly life, Andrew Adams felt both longing and anxiety.

More importantly, Andrew Adams was not someone who gave up easily. He liked to see things through to the end and enjoyed interacting with the people in front of him—they were straightforward and genuine. After thinking it over, Andrew Adams refused, "Don't even think about getting rid of me. We're brothers, live or die together. There are only warriors who move forward, no hunters who retreat."

"Good brother," David Bolton said gratefully. "We're family, so there's no need for formalities. With your help, I'm eighty percent confident."

"I have a request," Andrew Adams said. "If any of you have time, tell me about the outside world. I know nothing about it."

"No problem. Stick with me. If I can't even do that much as your big brother, I don't deserve to live," David Bolton said. "Now, let's analyze the battle situation."

As he spoke, David Bolton picked up a branch and started drawing on the ground. Soon, the outline of a map appeared. Pointing at the map, he analyzed, "We encountered an ambush by armed forces from a neighboring country here. This can only mean one thing—our movements were exposed in advance. We'll discuss that issue when we get back. Our mission is to capture or kill the target before they can speak. This requires us to know the target's whereabouts in advance. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share."

"The target is definitely heavily guarded. After these few days, I think they've already entered the neighboring country's territory. If we want to complete the mission, we have to go there," Ethan Foster said.

"Not necessarily. It's possible they've gone to one of their military bases," Jack Carter offered a different opinion from the side.