Global Exploration: Starting from Decrypting Chernobyl

204: Hongya is missing! Zombies appear!”Do you dare?”

Wu Tian felt a bit amused, then turned his head to look at Luo Que behind him.

He spoke to the latter.

”What’s there to dare or not dare? Isn’t it just the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box?”

”Isn’t it just Double Finger Cave Exploration?”

”I remember that those in this world who know Double Finger Cave Exploration aren’t limited to just your Lord Zhang.”

”Heh.”

Wu Tian smiled slightly, his expression profound.

”Zhang Rishan should know it too, right?”

”The current Zhang Qiling should also know it.”

”So, it shouldn’t be strange that I know it, right?”

Everyone was stunned, then seven or eight people looked at each other. They never expected Wu Tian to say such words. This unique skill of Double Finger Cave Exploration is only known to the Zhang Family. It’s expected for Lord Zhang and Zhang Qiling to know it.

Could it be... this Wu Tian actually thinks he can do it too?

Is Double Finger Cave Exploration really that worthless?

One must know that this Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box cannot be opened by anyone who isn’t a master of Double Finger Cave Exploration.

Over the years, even among the Zhang Family members who mastered Double Finger Cave Exploration, some have failed to dismantle the lock, their fingers being pierced by poisonous hooks and barbs, leading to amputation.

They lost the chance to explore tombs.

Moreover, a unique skill like Double Finger Cave Exploration is not something that can be achieved through Talent or simple hard work alone.

The reason the Zhang Family could master this supreme skill.

Was because they had their finger joints crushed from a young age and then reset, repeating this several times along with constant practice to master this unique skill.

This Wu Tian is just an ordinary person!

He hasn’t undergone practice since childhood, and no one has seen him use such a technique.

Today, in front of the Nine Gates, he actually spoke so boastfully.

Chen Jie frowned and looked at Wu Tian seriously, advising him.

”General Wu, the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box is no small matter. It cannot be broken except by a master of Double Finger Cave Exploration. If there’s even a slight mistake, your hand will be ruined.”

”I think even without passing such a test, with your strength, it’s enough to lead us.”

”Heh.”

”Does everyone agree?”

Chen Jie turned to look at the people of the Nine Gates.

He asked with a smile.

However, the remaining families of the Nine Gates, including even Wu Xie, did not answer Chen Jie’s question.

A deep light flickered in all their eyes as they looked at Wu Tian, waiting for his decision.

In their hearts, rules must be followed.

Even if Wu Tian is very strong.

But for them, only those proficient in Double Finger Cave Exploration are qualified to lead the Nine Gates.

Huo Nanfeng glanced at Wu Tian beside him, then at the serious expressions of the crowd.

He then spoke to everyone, biting the bullet.

”How about this, I think the standard of Double Finger Cave Exploration is a bit too difficult.”

”Why don’t we...”

”It’s fine even without Double Finger Cave Exploration, as long as General Wu Tian can take out the treasure inside this Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box without damaging the box, then we’ll consider him successful.”

”Heh.”

Huo Nanfeng gave a sheepish laugh as he looked at the unmoved crowd.

”I wonder what everyone thinks.”

Before the people around could speak.

Wu Xie unexpectedly spoke up.

He glanced at Wu Tian, then stared at Huo Nanfeng, shook his head seriously, and said.

”No.”

”The rules were set by our ancestors. No matter the situation, they cannot be broken. Moreover, our mission this time is to find ultimate, which our ancestors did not want us to find.”

”So... the rules cannot be broken this time.”

”...”

”Right.”

Li Xiaotie, Zhao Wu, and the Third and Fourth Masters of the Xie Family also nodded together.

Looking at Huo Nanfeng, Chen Jie, and Wu Tian, they said.

”This time, we still agree with the words of the Wu Family’s Little Third Master.”

”This matter is of great importance; the rules absolutely cannot be broken.”

”It must be so!”

”General Wu, we’re sorry. Please unlock this box in front of us.”

”...”

”But...”

Huo Nanfeng and Chen Jie were stunned and were about to speak again to defend Wu Tian.

”...”

”No need.”

However, Wu Tian smiled and waved his hand at the two, then looked at Wu Xie and the others, saying with a smile.

”Since it’s a rule, it must be followed.”

”You don’t need to worry. Isn’t it just Double Finger Cave Exploration?”

”Isn’t it just the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box?”

”How simple is that?”

”Come, I’ll perform it for you.”

Saying so.

Wu Tian directly reached out his hands, held the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box in his arms, and observed it carefully.

”General Wu, you...”

Huo Nanfeng frowned, looking at Wu Tian with some confusion.

”What’s wrong?”

Wu Tian didn’t even turn his head as he observed the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box while asking Huo Nanfeng behind him.

”Is there a problem?”

”If there’s a problem, talk about it after I unlock this box.”

”But... but...”

Huo Nanfeng wanted to speak more.

But he was stopped by Wu Tian’s wave of the hand.

Sighing softly, Huo Nanfeng closed his mouth and stood behind Wu Tian, looking at the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box that the latter was constantly observing, his heart tightening slightly.

This is the most formidable mechanism technique since ancient times.

Throughout history, only members of the Zhang Family who mastered the skill of Double Finger Cave Exploration have ever opened this box.

Even the original designer of this box couldn’t open it.

So... without a doubt!

If Wu Tian hasn’t mastered the skill of Double Finger Cave Exploration.

It’s absolutely impossible for him to open this box today.

Moreover, his hand would be ruined in this box.

If Wu Tian’s hand is ruined in this box today, their subsequent plans will not be able to be implemented.

Because the remaining forces of the Nine Gates today are completely unable to enter the Soul-Bewitching Cave!

To find the secret of ultimate, they... need to borrow Wu Tian’s strength.

”...”

Of course.

Besides Huo Nanfeng and Chen Jie thinking this, the others thought so too!

But compared to exploring the Soul-Bewitching Cave, they still held reverence for the rules of the past hundred years!

So!

Although they were nervous, they still held their breath and watched Wu Tian.

Watching the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box he was fiddling with.

”Click.”

Suddenly!

Just when everyone was nervous... Wu Tian reached out and set down the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box.

Then he looked up with a slight smile, interlaced his fingers, and stretched them.

He said calmly to everyone.

”Indeed, this box is a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box from the Northern Song Dynasty. It contains all sorts of oddities and a thousand variations, with 3,000 gold silk threads densely packed.”

”One careless move and you’ll indeed be struck by the poisonous hooks and barbs inside, ruining your right hand.”

”But it’s precisely such a thrill-filled test.”

”That can determine the leader of your Nine Gates.”

”Come, everyone, don’t blink.”

”Watch how I, Wu, crack this Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box.”

With that!

Wu Tian directly lifted the box in front of him, then pressed his right index and middle fingers together and reached into the small hole at the bottom of the box.

Then, under the breathless gaze of everyone, he slowly closed his eyes and tilted his head slightly.

Searching for the positions of the 3,000 gold silk threads in the box.

But what they didn’t know was that as soon as Wu Tian’s fingers were placed into the small hole of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box, he didn’t move immediately.

Instead, he silently called out to the system in his heart.

He activated the newly acquired ability, Double Finger Cave Exploration.

Wu Tian felt a surge of pride in his heart.

You have your clever plans, and I have my ways.

Solve what can be solved yourself, and if you can’t, then use a cheat.

Anyway, you don’t know, and you can’t prove anything against me.

What can you do to me?

While thinking, Wu Tian activated the Double Finger Cave Exploration ability.

Wu Tian felt a momentary daze in his mind.

Then, the dark screen before his eyes from closing them began to flicker.

Subsequently, the darkness before him slowly vanished like thick fog, replaced by a scene flickering with golden light in the darkness.

Each of these golden lights was a fine gold silk thread.

And these gold silk threads were also different.

Out of the 3,000 gold silk threads, 2,999 were golden.

Only one deep inside was red-gold.

But even seeing this gold silk thread, it was still hidden extremely deep!

Trying to touch it without hitting the other gold silk threads was incredibly difficult.

However, with the Double Finger Cave Exploration ability, Wu Tian.

His two fingers had unknowingly lengthened by about 5 centimeters!

These extra 5 centimeters directly made his fingers like agile snakes.

Twisting at bizarre angles, they navigated through the narrowest gaps between each gold silk thread, slowly approaching that red-gold thread.

Wu Tian’s fingers kept moving through the gold silk threads.

But he himself didn’t make any movement.

The entire secret room was dead silent.

Everyone held their breath, watching Wu Tian’s hand and his expression.

Fearing that at any moment, Wu Tian would release his hands with a face full of pain.

However.

A minute passed.

Wu Tian was still sitting there motionless.

His fingers were still constantly approaching that red-gold thread among the 3,000 gold silk threads.

Time continued to flow.

At a certain moment.

Wu Tian’s fingers moved slightly.

Then, a faint sound rang out from the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box.

”Click!”

Simultaneously!

Wu Tian suddenly opened his eyes and withdrew his hands from the small hole at the bottom of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Box.

Then, with a thud, he placed the box back in front of him.

Smiling slightly, he reached out and pushed the box towards everyone.

”Clack.”

The box instantly popped open.

A bead shimmering with a faint precious glow appeared before everyone.

”Holy crap, a top-quality Jade Han!”

When this bead appeared before everyone, Chen Jie looked at the bead in the box and praised it loudly.

”Not bad.”

Huo Nanfeng’s eyes lit up, and he nodded.

”This is indeed a top-quality Jade Han.”

”The box is open. General Wu, you really know Double Finger Cave Exploration.”

”...”

”Of course.”

Wu Tian smiled slightly.

”The facts are right here, no deception.”

”How about it, everyone? Do I have the qualifications to lead you now?”

”...”

”This...”

”Indeed!”

Wu Xie’s eyes lit up, and he nodded.

”It is indeed Double Finger Cave Exploration. General Wu, we acknowledge it.”

”From now on, you are the master of our Nine Gates.”

”In the upcoming exploration of the Soul-Bewitching Cave, we will follow your lead. We’ll go back now to gather our people and prepare the equipment.”

”Just give us a time, and we’ll act immediately.”

”...”

”Right.”

Li Xiaotie and Zhao Wu had nothing more to say, looking at Wu Tian with flattering expressions.

”Hehe.”

”General Wu, you really are full of surprises. Even a skill like Double Finger Cave Exploration is mastered by you. Our two families have nothing more to say.”

”As Little Third Master Wu said, we’ll go back and prepare right away. Just give us a time, and we’ll act.”

”...”

”Alright.”

Wu Tian nodded, thought for a moment, and said to everyone.

”Then let’s say half a month. In half a month, we’ll gather in Hongya, Sichuan.”

”I will lead us in this tomb-raiding operation.”

”Now.”

”Everyone go back to your own business. I still have some things to deal with.”

Li Xiaotie was stunned.

He looked at Wu Tian with some confusion and asked.

”Boss, why do we have to wait half a month?”

”Can’t we set out immediately?”

”...”

”Yeah.”

Zhao Wu also nodded.

”Since the clues have been cracked and we’ve all acknowledged you as the leader, shouldn’t we set out as early as possible?”

”And to be honest, hehe.”

Zhao Wu gave a sheepish smile.

”For today, our Nine Gates have waited for many years. It wasn’t easy to find such an opportunity; we’re all itching to go.”

”Right, everyone?”

”Hehe.”

Hearing Zhao Wu’s words, the others didn’t respond, but the way they looked at Wu Tian clearly showed they were all eagerly waiting.

It’s just that they were different from Zhao Wu.

They just didn’t say it out loud.

Wu Tian took in everyone’s expressions.

He chuckled.

”Everyone, you’ve already waited for so many years. Are you afraid of waiting another half month? We’ve come this far, just one last step. What’s the rush?”

”Besides, I have important matters to handle during this half month.”

”No rush, no rush.”

”Hehe.”

Wu Tian looked at everyone and smiled slightly.

”...”

”No.”

Zhao Wu scratched his head recklessly and hesitated for a long time before asking Wu Tian.

”Boss, what important thing do you have? Isn’t this matter important enough?”

”You are an exploration Host! Aren’t you tempted by an exploration like this?”

”...”

”Not tempted.”

Wu Tian looked at everyone with a straight face.

”As for the important matter...”

”My vacation isn’t over yet. Does that count?”

Everyone: ... Half a month later, Wu Tian brought Zhang Meng and Fatty, both carrying full gear, to Hongya in Sichuan.

After a simple meal, they met the people from the Nine Gates in a forest in the suburbs of Hongya.

The selection of people entering Hongya this time could be described as extremely cautious.

Except for the Zhang Family and the already-destroyed Qi Family.

Each family chose two highly skilled and powerful individuals according to Wu Tian’s requirements to participate in this operation.

Naturally, in addition to the head of each family, they each brought another powerful assistant.

Fourth Master Xie brought Third Master Xie.

Wu Xie brought Wang Meng.

Huo Nanfeng was also accompanied by a young man who appeared to be skin and bones.

He looked as if he were frail and couldn’t withstand the wind.

But judging by the attitude of the others toward him, he was likely a rare expert.

A Tang Dao hung at his waist.

It was said that this Tang Dao was actually a Broken Blade.

This person had dominated Changsha with this Broken Blade, and was thus known as Broken Blade.

He was a rare expert of the Huo Family.

Including Wu Tian’s trio and two people from each of the other families, there were a total of 17 people at the scene.

Looking at the group of cold-faced Nine Gates members standing before him,

Wu Tian chuckled.

”Why does everyone look so nervous?”

”Come on, give me a smile!”

”Isn’t it just an exploration?”

”I’m used to this.”

”...”

”Heh.”

As Wu Tian finished speaking, the eyelids of the remaining seven family heads all twitched.

During this past half month, every family head—whether they knew Wu Tian or not—had watched replays of Wu Tian’s previous explorations over and over again.

In the replays, they shockingly discovered that Wu Tian was far more terrifying than they had imagined.

Adventure?

The word ’adventure’ probably understated Wu Tian’s actions.

Was that damn thing an adventure?

That was risking his life.

Moreover, whether it was good luck or great strength, Wu Tian won every time he risked his life.

He won against the high-level officials of Ulan Country, the gods of the Peach Blossom Garden, the skeleton army of Atlantis and the Mayans, and in the end, he even won against multiple powerful nations and Kimchi Country.

Compared to Wu Tian’s deeds, they suddenly felt that what the Nine Gates had done over the decades was not even worth mentioning.

Only Wu Xie could remain calm in front of Wu Tian.

After all... everything Wu Xie had experienced was also something the other gates could hardly imagine.

”...”

”Boss, stop scaring them.”

Wu Xie smiled slightly.

”Where would they have seen a scene like this?”

”At most, they raid tombs and tip buckets, and they rarely even encounter a Zongzi. It’s inevitable they’d be afraid when facing something like this.”

”Heh.”

”It’s fine, we’ll build their mental fortitude as we go.”

”...”

”Who?”

”Who are you talking about?”

”Who hasn’t seen the world? Who’s afraid?”

Zhao Wu glared at Wu Xie and spoke coldly.

”Isn’t it just a Soul-Bewitching Cave? Isn’t it just the tombs of Zhang Daoling and Li Xiong inside?”

”Isn’t there just some ultimate secret hidden in there?”

”What’s there to be afraid of?”

”If I were afraid, I, Zhao Wu, wouldn’t have come here.”

”Boss!”

”Let’s go!”

”Let’s get into the mountains quickly!”

”If it gets late and the sky darkens, it’ll be hard to travel.”

”...”

The people around them were all experts; they didn’t speak but quietly organized their weapons and equipment.

They were waiting for Wu Tian’s order to set out.

The operation was no small matter. Everyone’s attitude toward this mission was extremely serious.

Weapons and equipment went without saying, and their mental preparation had been fully made over the past half month.

Never mind encountering some danger.

Even if they met some gods, ghosts, or Zongzi!

These people wouldn’t even blink; they’d be able to slap them right away.

”...”

Seeing that the quality of the team this time was decent, Wu Tian smiled slightly.

He nodded to everyone and said,

”Let’s go!”

”Time waits for no one, so let’s set out quickly. We can enter the deep mountains before sunset.”

”This operation is significant; I hope everyone understands that.”

”Only by standing united can we achieve final victory. If anyone drops the ball halfway, I’ll say the ugly truth now.”

Wu Tian scanned everyone’s face one by one and said coldly,

”I’ll kill whoever drops the ball!”

”No mercy!”

Everyone’s expression turned solemn, and then they all nodded at Wu Tian.

They agreed in unison.

”Yes!”

”We’ll all listen to the Boss!”

”No problem, whoever wimps out is a grandson!”

”We aren’t afraid!”

”Isn’t it just tomb raiding and raiding buckets? We’re used to doing this, so what’s there to fear?”

”Besides!”

A man built like an iron tower behind Chen Jie said with a laugh,

”By entering this line of work, we’ve already made enough mental preparations. Even if we die, we can’t blame anyone else!”

”Heh.”

The tower-like man laughed again.

”We are in the business of the dead anyway, just for the money!”

”To put it bluntly, even if we meet with misfortune, it’s just heaven’s will. When a man dies, his dick points to the sky; what’s there to be afraid of?”

”...”

”Right!”

His fellow brothers all knew this tower-like man and agreed with his words, echoing him one after another.

Friendly reminder: The website will be revised soon, which may cause loss of reading progress. Please save your ”Bookshelf” and ”Reading Records” (screenshots are recommended) in time. We apologize for any inconvenience caused!

”Brother Hei is right!”

”In our line of work, you just do it. What’s there to fear?”

”We’ve already moved beyond all taboos!”

”Are we still afraid of death?”

”...”

”Isn’t that the truth?”

A burly man under Li Xiaotie also replied with a laugh.

”Boss, don’t worry about our mental fortitude; what hasn’t this group of us seen?”

”We fear nothing!”

”Just lead us through it!”

”...”

”Fine!”

Looking at the group before him, Wu Tian smiled with satisfaction.

”Then I won’t say any more. Let’s set out!”

”Let’s enter this Soul-Bewitching Cave first!”

”Go!”

”Depart!”

”...”

Leading the group toward the mountains of Hongya, Wu Tian opened his live stream and changed the title to their current Target.

Exploring Dragon Country’s largest mysterious death zone — Soul-Bewitching Cave!

The moment Wu Tian started the broadcast, thousands of people flooded in frantically.

In less than 10 minutes, the number of people in Wu Tian’s live stream had reached over 5 million.

And that number was still increasing frantically, climbing at a rate of 100,000 per second.

After a month, Wu Tian finally opened his live stream again, and viewers from all over the world gathered before the screen.

They waited expectantly to see what kind of thrilling adventure Wu Tian would have this time.

”...”

”Holy crap, brothers, I’m the first one here.”

”Brother Tian is streaming again! Where is it this time?”

”Big-dicked brothers, fill me in.”

”Heh, I’ve got a big one, so I’ll tell you.”

”Brothers, look at the title. The title says it all. This time the exploration site is the Soul-Bewitching Cave in the Sichuan region.”

”How is it?”

”Are there any experts who know about the Soul-Bewitching Cave? Give us an introduction.”

”Ah, the Soul-Bewitching Cave.”

A fan typed seriously on the public screen.

”Sorry, I don’t know!”

”If you don’t know, why the hell are you talking? Get out, next!”

”...”

”I know, I know!”

A Trivia King in the live stream typed frantically on his keyboard, posting what he knew on the public screen.

”The Soul-Bewitching Cave is located in the swampy areas of Hongya, Sichuan. The terrain is complex and the geology is abnormal. Once an outsider enters, they find the paths complicated and the lakes crisscrossing and indistinguishable. They lose their sense of direction. In their confusion, it’s as if their soul is lost; they unconsciously lose their judgment and reason, lose their basic orientation, and either go missing or die. That’s why the locals call it the Soul-Bewitching Cave!”

”And as far as I know, many domestic and foreign experts, scholars, tourists, and explorers have entered the Soul-Bewitching Cave over the decades, but very few have come out.”

”To be honest.”

The Trivia King continued typing on the public screen.

”This Soul-Bewitching Cave is truly a place of narrow escapes, not even inferior to Bermuda!”

”...”

”Hey!”

As soon as the Trivia King finished, some Dragon Country Fans immediately became dissatisfied.

They typed on the public screen,

”What kind of thing is Bermuda?”

”Can a lame place like Bermuda even be compared to our Dragon Country’s Soul-Bewitching Cave?”

”You’re joking!”

”I know someone who went to the Soul-Bewitching Cave before—it was my uncle. Do you know how many people came out of their group of 50?”

The fan said confidently on the public screen.

”One! Just one!”

”Out of the entire 50-person exploration team, only my uncle walked out, and...”

”My uncle went crazy!”

”You tell me? Can Bermuda compare to the Soul-Bewitching Cave?”

”...”

As soon as this fan’s bullet message drifted across the screen, the Dragon Country Fans in the live stream all went crazy, typing on their keyboards to ask the fan,

”Holy crap, for real? Only one person out of 50 came out and he went crazy?”

”That’s too damn fantastical, isn’t it?”

”...”

”Then here’s the question.”

Another fan followed up.

”The Host’s group only has 17 people. Does that mean, based on the ratio, not even one of Brother Tian’s 17 people will make it out?”

”Damn, is my youth about to end?”

”...”

As soon as that fan’s bullet message drifted across the screen, the Dragon Country Fans began to curse.

”What the hell are you saying?”

”The past is the past, and now is now. Your uncle is your uncle, but Brother Tian is Brother Tian!”

”No matter how dangerous the secret realm is, have you ever seen Brother Tian get into trouble?”

”...”

”Hey!”

”Hey!”

”You upstairs, don’t you dare jinx it!”

”In our Dragon Country, things often turn out exactly as people say. Don’t you curse Brother Tian!”

”Damn it!”

”If something really happens to Brother Tian, I’ll follow the network cable and beat you up, you believe me?”

”You’re just bragging!”

”...”

...While the Dragon Country Fans were frantically discussing in Wu Tian’s live stream, Wu Tian had already led the group of 17 toward the Soul-Bewitching Cave.

It had to be said that although this place looked simple on the surface—just a forest—

The forest gave everyone, including Wu Tian, a sense of gloom, despair, and all sorts of negative emotions.

The entire forest felt inexplicably eerie.

Moreover... at some point, the various sounds of cicadas and birds in the forest began to quiet down, eventually fading into silence.

But... the group didn’t notice this abnormality!

Instead, they continued toward the depths of the forest.

The terrain of the Soul-Bewitching Cave was exceptionally complex, with crisscrossing lakes and difficult-to-discern directions!

It was very easy to lose one’s way inside!

As they walked, Zhang Meng took out the information she had collected and said to everyone,

”Although this information might not be very useful, everyone needs to know a bit.”

”The danger here doesn’t just come from the various tombs we’ll face, but also from the terrain.”

”Even if we find the tombs and get what we want, if we aren’t vigilant enough about the terrain here, it will be very hard for us to get out!”

”...”

”Mm.”

Wu Tian nodded slightly and waved his hand at Zhang Meng, signaling her to continue.

”Good!”

Zhang Meng nodded seriously and spoke to the group.

”Then while we’re on the road, let me introduce this place to everyone.”

”...”

Zhang Meng began to speak in a flat tone.

”Wawu Mountain, the latitude of the Soul-Bewitching Cave is approximately between 29.32 and 29.30 degrees north. This latitude happens to be similar to the sensational Bermuda Triangle and the incredibly mysterious Egyptian Pyramids. This is what explorers call the Death Latitude Line. The Soul-Bewitching Cave is the mystery of mysteries; once you enter, it’s not easy to come out alive.”

”Moreover, the paths, thickets, swamps, snow, and single-log bridges here are countless and extremely similar. Without a good enough memory or sufficient markers, it’s difficult to tell if you’ve already walked this stretch of road!”

”And...”

Zhang Meng said in a low voice.

”In this place, the Soul-Bewitching Cave, accidents have been happening continuously from 1970 all the way through ’99, and even into 2014.”

”The ones that have been recorded in detail are as follows.”

Zhang Meng recounted them one by one to the group.

”In mid-September 1970, an experienced local hunter took his hunting dog into the Soul-Bewitching Cave; not only did he disappear, but even the clever hunting dog vanished without a trace.”

”On April 17, 1972, two women from the foot of Wawu Mountain went up to dig for medicinal herbs. They ventured into the remote Soul-Bewitching Cave and subsequently disappeared.”

”On October 31, 1974, a wildlife resource survey team organized by the local Hongya government got lost after entering the primeval forest of the Soul-Bewitching Cave.”

”On July 13, 1975, the wildlife team entered again and still lost their way.”

”1970...”

”1990...”

”1999...”

”In 2014, a scientific research team entered, and as a result, their compasses failed, mechanical watches failed, electronic watches failed, and even the carrier pigeons didn’t dare to fly away!”

”The research team retreated hastily before they could even go deep!”

”To this day, the unsolved mysteries of the Soul-Bewitching Cave have never been unraveled!”

”Whew...”

Exhaling heavily, Zhang Meng said to everyone with a solemn expression.

”So everyone must be careful. The danger here isn’t just the tomb; it’s also the terrain and environment!”

”...”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, their hearts becoming even more cautious regarding the Soul-Bewitching Cave.

However.

Only one person was dismissive and even let out a small laugh.

”Pfft!”

”This is killing me!”

”Look, I’ve walked this far into the Soul-Bewitching Cave and haven’t seen a thing. Compared to that stretch I entered in Hainan back then, this is simply child’s play—there’s no danger at all, okay?”

”Miss Zhang Meng...”

The man behind Li Xiaotie gave a cold smile.

”I know you’re being very cautious, but don’t use things you looked up on the internet to warn us!”

”Heh heh...”

”After all... if you search Baidu for your own symptoms when you’re feeling unwell, you might end up thinking you’re dead while you’re still reading!”

”Things on the internet...”

As a man, his eyes were cold as he waved his hand at Zhang Meng.

”...are not believable at all!”

”...”

After speaking, this subordinate of Li Xiaotie directly lit a cigarette on the spot and began puffing away.

However... just as the man lit the cigarette in his mouth, the way everyone looked at him became a bit strange.

”Whew...”

He blew out a smoke ring.

The man was stunned by the expressions on everyone’s faces, and then, feeling a chill down his spine, he asked them.

”What’s up?”

”What do you mean? Why are you all looking at me with such creepy eyes?”

”What?”

The man raised the cigarette in his hand and said to everyone with dissatisfaction.

”Am I not allowed to smoke? Are you afraid I’ll start a forest fire?”

”I’m telling you, it’s impossi—”

”...”

Seeing the man looking around and about to continue walking, Wu Tian’s eyes narrowed as he quickly shouted at the latter.

”Don’t move!”

”...”

The man was startled and then asked Wu Tian.

”Don’t move for what?”

”What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

”I...”

As the man spoke, he started walking toward Wu Tian.

However... before he could finish his sentence, his neck suddenly felt a chill.

A red and green mottled venomous snake, about as thick as two fingers, had already opened its mouth wide and sunk its fangs into the back of his neck.

And... looking at the position where those two fangs had pierced the man’s neck, it was exactly his artery.

The venom rapidly surged into the man’s bloodstream and was pumped into his heart along with the blood.

In just a short three seconds!

The sturdy man’s entire body instantly turned purple, and he collapsed stiffly to the ground.

Wu Tian’s eyes narrowed.

He quickly rushed to the man’s corpse and reached out with two fingers to grab the venomous snake.

Swoosh!

Crack!

His two fingers, like steel, were as fast as lightning as they directly clamped the snake’s neck and lifted it up.

Right before Wu Tian’s eyes, the snake, mere inches away, was continuously flickering its crimson tongue at him, sending out a warning signal.

”This is...”

Zhang Meng’s eyes narrowed.

She said sharply!

”This is a Lava Tiger-Patterned Snake!”

”Its venom is fierce, and it’s fatally fast!”

”This man...”

”I’m afraid he’s beyond saving!”

”...”

While Zhang Meng was speaking, Li Xiaotie also crouched down and pressed two fingers against the sturdy man’s artery.

Then his eyes narrowed, and he shook his head in disappointment.

He sighed in a low voice.

”He’s dead!”

”There’s no saving him!”

”...”

The group fell silent upon receiving this result.

They were still only at the edge of the Soul-Bewitching Cave and hadn’t truly entered its center yet.

And in such a place... a man from their Nine Gates with rich experience had died at the hands of such a small snake.

So sudden, so swift.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel a sense of shared sorrow for their fallen comrade.

Alarm bells also rang in their hearts.

They didn’t dare to have even the slightest bit of contempt for this place anymore.

Otherwise... this dead man’s fate would be their own.

”...”

...After burying the man’s body on the spot, Wu Tian led the group further into the depths of the Soul-Bewitching Cave.

It was already around six or seven in the evening; the sunset filled the sky, and the light was gradually fading.

The light that could penetrate the leaves and shine on the ground was negligible.

Left with no choice, the group had to turn on their flashlights and continue through the mountain forest.

Rustle... rustle... Wu Tian walked at the very front, holding a large machete to hack through the grass and bushes to clear a path.

However... as they walked, Wu Tian’s footsteps came to a halt.

The people behind him were stunned, and then a wave of alertness hit their minds!

They all began to ask Wu Tian ahead.

”What’s wrong, Boss? Did you find something?”

”Is there something ahead?”

”What’s the situation?”

”Why did you stop?”

”...”

”Boss, how is it up ahead? Say something!”

”...”

Everyone looked at Wu Tian’s back and inquired anxiously.

Slash!

Rustle!

Wu Tian paused, then raised his hand again to hack away the wild grass and shrubs in front of him. He stepped into a small clearing ahead and beckoned to the people behind him.

He said softly.

”Come on, come see for yourselves!”

”Here...”

Wu Tian said in a serious tone.

”There’s an animal carcass here!”

”...”

Everyone was stunned.

Then, as they walked toward the clearing in front of Wu Tian, they muttered under their breath.

”It’s just a carcass, what’s the big deal?”

”A carcass?”

”What’s wrong with a carcass? Is there some mystery to it?”

”An animal, what kind of animal?”

”...”

”This is deep within the Soul-Bewitching Cave. Animals definitely have a food chain; isn’t it normal for them to hunt each other and leave carcasses?”

”A carcass...”

”What’s the big deal?”

”...”

As the others spoke, the heads of the various families also frowned, somewhat confused.

Only Wu Xie frowned deeply.

He knew... if Wu Tian’s expression could be this serious, then this animal carcass must be unusual.

Ignoring the muttering of the people around him, Wu Xie took Wang Meng and quickly walked toward Wu Tian.

Then... when he saw the scene before him... the expression on his face turned to shock!

”This?”

”Could this be?!”

Wu Xie leaned in beside Wu Tian, looking at the large bison carcass at their feet, and asked uncertainly.

”...”

”Yes!”

Wu Tian gave Wu Xie a surprised look, then nodded heavily.

”You guessed right, it’s that thing!”

”...”

By now, everyone had reached Wu Tian’s side and was looking at the bison carcass at his feet.

Everyone’s expression changed.

”This...”

”Looking at the state of this bison carcass, it seems to be the handiwork of that thing?”

Chen Jie said with a solemn expression as he looked at the bison carcass.

”...”

”You’re right!”

Huo Nanfeng, who was beside him, also looked tense.

”The color of this bison’s body has turned purple, and its blood has rapidly clotted into a deep red.”

”And...”

Huo Nanfeng frowned and crouched down.

She reached out and touched the bison’s body.

A few seconds later, Huo Nanfeng slowly stood up.

Looking at the bison carcasses at her feet... her expression became more solemn than ever before!

”This bison died within the last ten minutes. We...”

”...are likely to have a direct encounter with that Zombie!”

”...”

Everyone was stunned.

Then they all shuddered, gritted their teeth, and began to observe their surroundings in all directions.

”Wait, that’s not right...”

Suddenly!

Just as everyone was feeling tense.

Wu Tian frowned slightly.

He crouched down and used the machete in his hand to turn over the bison’s body.

Rip... suddenly!

The machete in Wu Tian’s hand directly sliced open the bison’s bloated belly.

’Thud!’

As the bison’s belly was opened, a blood-covered calf carcass rolled out from the mother cow’s stomach.

”...”

Huo Nanfeng’s eyes instantly narrowed.

”This is...”

”Yeah!”

Wu Tian nodded.

”This was a pregnant cow. Ten minutes ago, the Zombie that attacked them not only drained the mother cow’s blood, but also...”

”...drained the blood of this calf as well!”

”This Zombie...”

”...is unusually strange!”

”...”

”Sucking animal blood—isn’t that just a Zombie’s nature?”

Wu Xie, who was beside him, frowned.

He asked Wu Tian.

”What’s so strange about it?”

”...”

”No!”

Wu Tian slowly shook his head.

”All things have spirits, and Zombies are no exception!”

”Generally speaking...”

”...even a Zombie won’t attack a pregnant animal unless it encounters some special circumstance!”

”Even if it attacks out of extreme hunger!”

”The calf inside this bison’s belly wouldn’t have its blood sucked by the Zombie as well!”

”...”

”Then...”

Wu Xie’s eyebrows shot up.

He looked at Wu Tian beside him!

”Yeah!”

Wu Tian nodded.

”This Zombie...”

”...is evolving!”

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