The catfish people, once a source of immense headache for Lin Xiao Tian, were now subdued within three moves.
Lin Xiao Tian extracted the bead from the catfish person's body and then pushed its corpse into the lake.
Cannibalism was common among these monsters, especially for catfish people, who would eat almost anything. Lin Xiao Tian wasn't worried about the meat failing to attract them; even some frog people were sometimes drawn by this flesh.
As expected, frog people and catfish people took the bait.
However, unlike before, upon seeing Lin Xiao Tian this time, they all fled without exception.
If not for Lin Xiao Tian's quick reflexes, they would have all escaped.
Combining these abnormal reactions of the monsters, Lin Xiao Tian felt his trapping method was sound. The monsters were indeed drawn, but their reactions upon surfacing were what needed consideration. Why did they run upon seeing him?
Could it be... these monsters knew they couldn't defeat him?
To test this hypothesis, Lin Xiao Tian made a bold decision: he decided to go into the water to investigate.
"Are you crazy? That's too dangerous!" Li Xue stepped forward to stop him.
"I also think it's too dangerous. You can handle these monsters on land, but in the water, they're incredibly agile. It's hard to say who would win," Yang Xin also objected.
"I went during the day and figured it out. These monsters aren't active during the day," Lin Xiao Tian said confidently.
Yang Xin was about to object again. After all, she needed Lin Xiao Tian's protection. If he were to meet with trouble, she and Li Xue alone wouldn't survive here. They couldn't possibly go look for Wang Li and the others for help, could they?
Yang Xin certainly didn't want to be tormented by that group.
But before she could speak, Li Xue grabbed Lin Xiao Tian first.
"No, I won't allow you to go." Li Xue unceremoniously pulled Lin Xiao Tian towards her, her ample bosom not holding back at all.
As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection. Their relationship had grown very close. Although Li Xue always claimed it was to compensate Lin Xiao Tian, her true feelings were impossible to hide.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Lin Xiao Tian murmured, touching her forehead.
But Li Xue was still unwilling to let Lin Xiao Tian go. Lin Xiao Tian could only coax her, and in this moment, Li Xue seemed like a child who refused to grow up.
Watching their intimate exchange, Yang Xin let out a dry laugh from the side. Although she was accustomed to it, deep down, seeing their affectionate display made her somewhat unhappy.
Yet, she didn't realize that hidden within this emotion was a touch of jealousy, though Yang Xin was unwilling to admit it.
Lin Xiao Tian finally managed to persuade Li Xue and submerged himself into the lake.
With the help of the Dragon Swimming Technique, Lin Xiao Tian could move freely in the water.
As expected, the monsters were very docile during the day and rarely attacked Lin Xiao Tian.
When Lin Xiao Tian approached them, the monsters would actively distance themselves. However, if small fish or shrimp came close, they would attack without hesitation.
Each monster had its own tolerance range. Frog people were sensitive to their immediate surroundings within half a meter, while catfish people had a larger radius of a full meter.
Lin Xiao Tian tested this further, confirming that the monsters were indeed avoiding him, thus solidifying his suspicion.
They could clearly sense an opponent's strength and would actively evade Lin Xiao Tian in the water.
However, Lin Xiao Tian wasn't sure if the monsters would suddenly attack if he were with another person. After all, they weren't ordinary beasts; they were too intelligent.
To verify this, after returning to the cave, Lin Xiao Tian proposed his idea to the two women.
Yang Xin hesitated, but Li Xue immediately accepted Lin Xiao Tian's proposal.
In the end, Li Xue accompanied Lin Xiao Tian into the water.
Yang Xin was now alone in the cave. Watching the two figures disappear into the lake, she let out a sigh, as if compelled by some unknown force.
There were no incidents after taking Li Xue into the water. The monsters in the water remained calm, and none of them attacked.
After escorting Li Xue to the shore, Lin Xiao Tian turned back to find Yang Xin.
"Let's go!" Lin Xiao Tian extended his hand to Yang Xin.
Yang Xin froze for a moment, then suddenly walked back into the cave.
"Don't be afraid. Li Xue has already reached the other side. You saw her, didn't you?" Lin Xiao Tian encouraged her.
But Yang Xin didn't answer him; she simply stared intently at him.
"Do you have any concerns?" Lin Xiao Tian asked.
"Xiao Tian, tell me, if we can never get out, what will you do?" Yang Xin asked very seriously.
"We will get out," Lin Xiao Tian replied, thinking Yang Xin was just scared.
"I mean, what if?"
"Then we'll survive here, and slowly figure out a way. We will definitely go back."
"Will you always take care of me like you do now?"
"Of course," Lin Xiao Tian answered without hesitation.
"You won't do those things to me like those other men, will you?" Yang Xin stared at Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian smiled and calmly replied, "No!"
But Yang Xin, looking at the relaxed Lin Xiao Tian, became annoyed. "I don't believe you. If I don't give anything in return, will you really be this good to me unconditionally?"
Lin Xiao Tian shrugged. "It's a small matter. Bringing one more person doesn't put much of a burden on me."
"What if one day, something very dangerous happens?" Yang Xin looked directly into Lin Xiao Tian's eyes. "If I encounter danger, and you're also struggling to save yourself, will you still protect me unconditionally like this?"
Lin Xiao Tian thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No!"
Yang Xin became angry at once. "What about Aunt Xue? What if she gets into danger?"
Lin Xiao Tian suddenly found Yang Xin's questions inexplicable. Why was she suddenly asking these things?
Honestly, with her emotional intelligence, asking these questions seemed incredibly foolish.
"I won't let that happen. If it does, I will protect her," Lin Xiao Tian said very seriously.
Yang Xin gritted her teeth, about to continue questioning, but Lin Xiao Tian interrupted her. "Yang Xin, you're a smart person. You should know these questions are meaningless. Instead of thinking about these things, it's better to focus on adapting to this environment. To be honest, our relationship is just so-so, but I, Lin Xiao Tian, am not a cold-blooded and heartless person. I promise you, I will do my best to protect you, even if we can't get out in the end!"
Yang Xin was clearly not satisfied with this answer, but since Lin Xiao Tian had said as much as he could, she couldn't press further.
A moment later, Lin Xiao Tian led Yang Xin out.
Lin Xiao Tian found a relatively hidden spot and told the two women to wait there while he went to replenish some herbs and find some food.
After eating monster meat for days, his stomach was already rebelling.