Chapter Forty-Eight: The Underground Cavern

A sudden gust of cold air swept in from somewhere, carrying with it a pungent scent of mold that assaulted Guan Qian’s senses and made him instinctively cover his nose. Before his eyes lay a dim, spacious area, cavernous in its vastness. Jagged rocks, shattered and scattered in large swathes, littered the ground chaotically. Sparse trickles of water seeped through the stone, deepening further in until it could submerge the ankles. Here, life found no foothold—no trace of grass or moss—only the bizarrely shaped stones, the clear water flowing underfoot, and the stalactites and protruding rocks hanging from above. Yet, one thing brought Guan Qian a measure of relief: this underground expanse was no longer shrouded in the absolute darkness of the previous tunnel. Instead, a faint gloom offered a measure of visibility.

For someone who had dwelled below ground, deprived of light for so long, this was the best news possible. It meant that somewhere ahead, light was filtering in; the passage to the surface must be close at hand.

Guan Qian moved forward with steady steps, his pale eyes scrutinizing every detail. The area was vast and empty, reminiscent of a primordial cavern once inhabited by ancient tribes.

From above, a droplet fell from a beautiful stalactite, joining the icy water below with a crisp note that echoed through the cavern, like a mischievous spirit darting playfully through the hollow expanse.

One had to admit, a place like this could soothe the mind—if not for the faintly sour, unpleasant odor that lingered in the air, dulling the senses.

Suppressing his discomfort, Guan Qian pressed on, searching for the path ahead. There was no sign of Tang Ruyan, no trace or clue to be found. This was a dire development, nearly severing all hope of tracking her. The situation was grave.

This great cavern was much larger than he had imagined. He extended his senses to their fullest, sweeping the area within a kilometer in detail, yet he detected not a hint of life.

The third-stage gene lock granted him extraordinary perception, expanding his awareness to a kilometer and allowing him to sense even the subtlest changes in his environment—as though he carried a radar within him. Nothing nearby could escape his notice; he was secure from any surprise.

Indeed, the third-stage gene lock’s sensing ability was a decisive advantage.

"Strange, there’s not a single sign of life. Where could Tang Ruyan be?" Guan Qian brushed his fingers over the pale surface of his shoe, his white eyes moving forward with each step.

Yet, the further he went, the greater his unease grew.

Ahead, the stalactites were shattered, the rocks strewn about in jagged fragments. The uneven fractures looked as though they’d been smashed by something massive—violent and overwhelming.

Some stalactites bore deep gouges, as if raked by sharp claws—chilling and horrifying.

The gentle current flowed through a ravaged landscape, as though some creature had crushed its way through, leaving behind deep pits and shattered stones.

In the crevices between the rocks lay fragments of white bone, their smoothness betraying years of water’s relentless polishing. Guan Qian picked up a piece—cold and even to the touch. Examining the markings with his keen eyes, he drew a startling conclusion.

These fragmented bones were the remains of Mayan people!

Had the fleeing Mayans suffered yet another massacre here? The thought thundered through his mind.

And the creatures responsible—could they have been the so-called demons?

Given the evidence before him, it seemed all too likely.

The underground void was oppressively silent, its stagnant air weighing on the spirit. Prolonged exposure to such a place would test even the strongest resolve, magnifying one’s anxiety and dread.

Guan Qian surveyed the distance. With a leap, he covered several hundred meters, choosing the optimal route—the privilege of extraordinary perception.

The vengeful spirit and Tang Ruyan had vanished without a trace. As he pressed on, he felt as though he were on the verge of understanding something, yet the revelation remained elusive.

He waded through the clear water, his mind alert, every sense attuned to the slightest shift in the air, constantly assessing the safety of the path ahead and minimizing any danger to himself.

Suddenly, a beam of white light pierced the gloom, illuminating the underground cavern and causing Guan Qian’s pale eyes to contract. After so long in darkness, the brilliance was almost blinding.

"I’ve found it!" he exclaimed inwardly, shocked to have reached the exit to the surface so soon.

But there was still no trace of Tang Ruyan. The exit was within reach; if he lost her now, finding her again would be nearly impossible. Anxiety gnawed at his heart.

From the mouth of a round opening ahead, dazzling white light poured in, and a cold wind swept through, whistling past his ears and washing over his body, bringing with it a sense of profound relief.

The long-lost glow of daylight, the first breath of fresh air in ages, compelled Guan Qian forward at a brisk pace. Yet as he passed through the bright portal, he was struck dumb by the sight that greeted him.

It was beyond imagination—almost impossible to believe, even when seen with one’s own eyes.

Guan Qian knew he would never forget this moment. The exit from this mysterious underground civilization opened onto a realm so dreamlike, so wondrous, that it defied all comprehension.

A majestic hall stood before him, resplendent and imposing—yet most of its structure lay in ruins. Only broken walls and scattered remnants bore witness to its former glory.

Steeling himself, Guan Qian stepped through the dim passage onto a smooth, golden avenue, his heart a tumult of emotion.

This ancient civilization—who knew when it first arose, or when it fell? And yet, these lingering ruins still inspired awe beyond words.

He gazed up at the towering walls as an ant might, seeing the strange glyphs and images now marred and incomplete, the grand statues with severed heads—overwhelming evidence of a lost age.

A desolate wind swept through, stirring fine sand into the air, heightening the sense of bleakness and abandonment.

Just as Guan Qian was about to move forward, a sinister laugh echoed in his ears.

He turned his pale eyes toward the sound, his brow furrowing in alarm.