Here was the very spot where she and Saina had been ambushed by Yelai.
If her guess was right, Saina must be eyeing that massive oil pit.
The explosion back then had sparked a forest fire, reducing one side of the vegetation to ashes, but this area had surprisingly survived relatively intact. Though it no longer provided the same dense canopy, the towering trees still stood tall.
However, since that incident, she hadn’t considered the possibility that this place might still hold significance. Yet, judging by Saina’s current arrangements, it seemed the giant pit might still be there.
Otherwise, Saina wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of luring Yeli here. Moreover, he must have already scouted the area, and considering Yeli’s cunning, this location was likely chosen deliberately.
No matter what, he surely aimed to achieve the greatest gain with the least cost. And if he could catch Yeli off guard, even better—after all, Yeli was no pushover, especially with Xi Yi still on their side.
Lost in thought, she leaned forward, peering toward the spot where the underground oil lay.
The pit was still there, but it had clearly expanded since last time. The grass and leaves that once covered it were gone, making it easily visible even from a distance.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Sha Yi hesitated for a moment before walking straight toward it. Garo naturally followed.
The men didn’t stop her, likely confident in the area’s safety.
Sha Yi soon saw the state of the pit.
The changes were drastic.
Back then, they had fallen in due to the ground collapsing, and the thick underground oil had been about ten meters below the surface. Now, however, the oil had risen significantly, coming within just a few meters of the ground where she stood.
Moreover, the oil reserves seemed enormous. Bubbles occasionally surfaced in the black, viscous substance, and the once-overpowering stench had dissipated somewhat, probably due to better air circulation.
But there were downsides.
She wasn’t sure whether Saina intended to lure Yeli into the pit or trigger another explosion. Either way, neither method would be as effective as before. The pit’s limited depth and poor containment would drastically reduce the explosion’s force.
Garo, oblivious to her thoughts, assumed she was merely examining the black sludge. “This is the pit you fell into last time, right? I’ve seen this black mud a few times before. It stinks and feels like quicksand. Tuge once fell in and almost died.”
“Garo,” Sha Yi pointed at the bubbling black liquid and asked softly, “Do you know what this is?”
“Isn’t it just like quicksand?” Garo frowned. “Black quicksand, right?”
Sha Yi shook her head with a smile. “Have you ever seen quicksand catch fire? Remember the forest fire last time? The whole thing started with a massive explosion here!”
Garo fell silent, thinking for a long moment before nodding. “You’re right. After that explosion, this pit changed. I remember the black mud used to be deep down, but now it’s almost overflowing!”
“This is crude oil.” Sha Yi nodded in agreement. “I think Saina plans to use it against Yeli.”
“He wants to recreate that explosion?” Garo raised an eyebrow, incredulous. “Does he even know what this is?”
“He probably doesn’t understand crude oil, but that doesn’t stop him from using it. He witnessed what happened last time—he can just replicate it.”
“If he already has a plan, what do we do?”
“Help him refine it.” Turning around, Sha Yi called out to the men, “Did Saina tell you to cover this pit? Did you bring anything else?”
At her words, the men quickly approached, unfastening their vine pouches. “We brought resin. Saina said it’s for fire-related purposes. He didn’t mention anything else or ask us to cover the pit. We’re supposed to wait here for him and Kapa’s group while gathering dry grass and branches. They plan to start a fire—like that magical thing you used!”
Sha Yi sighed inwardly.
Without containment, triggering an explosion in the oil’s current state was impossible.
Back when the oil was deep underground, the conditions had been ideal—limited space, dense flammable gases, and sufficient oxygen displacement. But now, with the oil so close to the surface, the lack of confinement meant any fire would lack the necessary pressure to explode.
She couldn’t help but reflect on the limitations of ancient minds. Even someone as clever as Saina, lacking knowledge of the underlying principles, couldn’t grasp the critical details.
Thankfully, Garo had brought her here. Otherwise, Saina’s plan might have backfired, provoking Yeli into unpredictable retaliation.
Considering the time Saina had already invested, Sha Yi wasted no time instructing the men to cut branches and cover the pit.
They cooperated without hesitation, swiftly gathering large foliage to conceal the pit, leaving only a small gap.
Pleased with the result, Sha Yi was about to suggest returning to their hiding spot when rustling sounds came from the bushes opposite them.
She turned instinctively, just as a figure burst from the foliage.
Before she could react, the figure abruptly dropped to the ground.
Confused, Sha Yi barely had time to process the movement before a black arrow shot from the bushes with a sharp *whoosh*.
The arrow had been aimed at the fleeing figure, but their sudden dive caused it to miss—and instead, it flew straight toward Sha Yi.
She knew she couldn’t dodge in time.
But Garo reacted instantly.
He grabbed her, initially seeming to intend a full tackle, but midway, he changed his mind. Instead, he spun her around, shielding her with his body.
A soft *thud* followed by a grunt.
The impact sent them both stumbling back a couple of steps.
Sha Yi froze in shock.
She was unharmed—the arrow hadn’t struck her. Garo, however, had taken the hit.
Pushing away from his unfamiliar yet sturdy chest, she looked up to see him biting his lip, his face pale with pain.
Panicked, she twisted him around to check his back.
The black wooden arrow was lodged firmly in his flesh, a small trickle of blood seeping from the wound.
Relief washed over her when she saw the arrow hadn’t penetrated deeply.
Still, she couldn’t understand why he hadn’t simply tackled her to the ground—that would have avoided the arrow entirely.
Before she could ask, however, Garo suddenly lunged away.
By the time she registered his movement, he had already yanked the fallen figure upright and driven a bone knife into their thigh.
Sha Yi recognized the woman as one of the former cave dwellers.
Garo hadn’t killed her—just incapacitated her with the wound. The woman writhed in silent agony, too terrified to scream under Garo’s menacing glare.
Only then did Garo slowly straighten up and return to Sha Yi, whining pitifully, “Sha Yi, it hurts!”
His complaint left her speechless. “You could’ve just tackled me. Why take the arrow instead?”
“I *wanted* to!” He shot her a resentful look before his gaze dropped to her abdomen. “But you’re carrying Xi Yi’s child. I couldn’t risk it!”
Sha Yi was stunned.
His words, though casual, revealed the depth of his feelings.
In her eyes, Garo had always been unreliable—ruthless, cunning, and occasionally erratic. She’d never taken his declarations seriously. But now, she realized she’d misjudged him.
If he didn’t truly care, why would he save her?
And the willingness to endure pain for another—that wasn’t something just anyone could do.
Yet, even so, it was a regret she couldn’t repay.
Her thoughts were still tangled when Garo suddenly erupted in fury: “That arrow was *definitely* aimed on purpose! I’m one of *us*!”
A cold sweat broke out on her back, instantly dispelling her earlier sentimentality.
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