Paintings of Terror

Chapter 294: Green Signature?

“We’ve entered that forest more than once, but haven’t found any signs of a signature,” Shao Ling said. “The forest is too vast. Even if we don’t sleep nor rest and keep searching, we probably won’t be able to cover the entire forest before the seven days are over. I think we need to narrow down the scope. Searching aimlessly wastes time and energy and may not be effective.”

The others pondered, the clues were all deciphered, but the final step remained difficult. Searching for a signature that they didn’t know would appear in what location and in what form, was like finding a needle in a haystack. QOiTJ9

“About the issues this painting wants to reveal,” Zhu Haowen spoke up, “environmental pollution, ecological destruction, and epidemic transmission, among these three, the most deadly to us is epidemic transmission.”

“And that is what’s happening. Our companions have all suffered from this issue. So I wonder, perhaps the artist wants to focus more on epidemic transmission among the three major problems destroying the earth? In other words, he is more concerned about the direct harm to humanity from environmental destruction?”

“Yiran said he might be a humanist thinker, so perhaps beneath the surface of the intense and extreme satirical critique he presents, there actually hides a heart of compassion for the fate of humanity who always do stupid things and get themselves in trouble?”

“If that’s the case, maybe we can focus more on a ‘people-oriented’ approach when looking for the signature,” Shao Ling agreed with Zhu Haowen’s idea and nodded. “Perhaps in these houses, we can find some clues related to the forest that point to the signature?” P1dYCx

“That’s a possibility,” Ke Xun said, looking at Qin Ci, who was lying still in the distance without moving. “Time is of the essence. Let’s split into two groups. One group stays here and continues to search for clues in the residential area, while the other group goes to the forest to find the signature!”

The group quickly divided into two, with Ke Xun, Mu Yiran, Wei Dong, Luo Bu, and Fang Fei, who had better stamina, heading to the forest. The rest stayed behind, and Qin Ci also got up to search the residential area with the remaining group. The two groups agreed to meet back at the original location at noon.

Before setting off for the forest, Mu Yiran reminded, “Put on thick clothes and cover your face. We were lucky not to be bitten by mosquitoes or insects the previous times we entered the forest, but now we have to guard against the power of the painting, which might use insect bites to select the next round of victims. Remember, this is a world within the painting, not reality, and supernatural forces are always the main culprit for our demise.”

The four quickly began to dress up. Ke Xun and Wei Dong even went into the houses to gather hats, scarves, masks, gloves, and even sunglasses to fully equip everyone. drvtZp

The primeval forest was as deep and dense as it was on the first day they entered the painting. No matter how many generations of humans rose and fell, these ancient beings always stood silently and resiliently on Earth.

Humans, who considered themselves at the top of the food chain, were actually pitifully weak and insignificant in nature.

The five of them searched the forest frantically.

Some observed the canopy, some observed the tree trunks, and some observed the ground. 8zSHkl