Chapter 4, The Immortal Wall (I)

In the stillness, all that could be heard was the sound of stones rolling down, a continuous clatter that lasted for a good ten seconds before it seemed to collide with something and finally came to a halt

Oh my God ... ... where exactly are we ... ... what kind of place is this? '' '' Is this ... ... the underworld? ''

Damn it... Song Dui swallowed hard, his hand holding the flashlight trembling slightly: "I never imagined in my wildest dreams... that I would actually see things from the educational films..."

"I don't know." This was the first time Jiang Xian uttered these three words. He gazed deeply at these flower-like yet not flower-like "cabbages," murmuring, "There are indeed self-luminous plants. For example, the false honey fungus and the star chrysanthemum... I have never seen a self-luminous plant that looks like this..."

A faint greenish glow emanated from below the cliff. Jiang Xian quickly walked to the edge of the cliff and, upon seeing it, let out an incredulous "Huh".

However, this is not the most horrifying aspect

"Nine Palaces Twelve Cities, what happened?"

The team leader is correct. Song Lianshi nodded and said: "Details determine success or failure. Our goal is to rescue Er Ganzi; we must see him alive or, if he is dead, we must see his body. This is our duty. However, we must also protect ourselves. Only by staying alive can we find him"

The entire search and rescue operation has completely deviated from its original course. Now, all team members are uncertain about what they should do, let alone how to search. Subconsciously, they have regarded Jiang Xian, who has provided important clues along the way, as their backbone. Therefore, when Jiang Xian's flashlight shone in a direction, the other flashlights followed suit.

Here is a cliff, naturally with two walls. Just now, they were captivated by the white long ladder and the green galaxy in front of them, completely oblivious to what was on the opposite side. ... It was not until the green galaxy below completely exploded that he suddenly saw ...

It is likely the size of two adult palms, shaped like a cabbage. However, the edges are a dark purple. It is even difficult to determine whether it is a flower or a plant. Most of it is in full bloom, with leaves resembling the finest jade, and those faint glows emanate from the leaves. At the center, there are three fluffy stamens, resembling golden needle mushrooms.

No one moved, beside the wall at the corner, all the officers held their guns tightly, fixated on the exit, pressed closely against the wall. Even their breathing was suppressed to a minimum. They were merely inexperienced in reconnaissance, but their experience in confronting the enemy was not lacking.

On the opposite cliff, three large characters are inscribed in Qin small seal script: Immortal Cliff

Approximately one meter wide, it descends directly from the top of the cliff to the bottom, estimated to be two to three dozen meters deep. Most of it is covered by rock layers and soil. Right around the white steps, clusters of unknown green plants are quietly emitting a glow.

The cabbages are all curled up, visibly shrinking from the outside in, layer upon layer, as if they have been subjected to intense stimulation, and the process is remarkably swift

At this moment, the degree of coordination within a team is revealed—just three seconds after Team Song rushed forward, the young officer followed without hesitation. Finally, it was the slender man and the burly officer.

In the upcoming journey, everyone please maintain absolute vigilance. After putting away the map, Jiang Xian walked ahead: "We have already traveled over 3,000 meters... This exceeds the hunting range of most creatures. I am very puzzled... Where exactly is the opponent's lair?"

With a click, Jiang Xian turned off the flashlight, and the other team members immediately followed suit. After adapting for a minute, he opened his eyes, felt around in his arms, then froze for a second, unable to suppress a curse under his breath

The excessive shock left them unable to lower the volume. Jiang Xian's gaze shifted slightly, and then he rushed in.

On the wall opposite, something happened

Someone has been here

At the very moment of entry, even he could not help but be momentarily stunned

At this moment, the blood was almost boiling. Even the mind was buzzing. However, before he could speak, the voice of the young officer sounded with confusion: "Huh? What is this?"

Why

The flashlight's light is unable to clearly illuminate what is on the opposite side, but it can clearly illuminate...! ... Seventeen or eighteen meters ahead of them, there is a massive cliff!

Under the illumination of the flashlight, the bottom of the pit sparkled like dazzling green fireworks that kept lighting up. They shot up to a height of three meters! Jiang Xian sighed, and the beam of the flashlight continued to move forward until it was no longer visible

Inside, there is a large space, likely the size of a football field, measuring a full seven to eight hundred meters

These three words echoed relentlessly in Jiang Xian's mind, and as the beam of his flashlight grew brighter... he saw...! ... at the top of the Immortal's Cliff, a black dead butterfly emblem was engraved!

In an instant, accompanied by the incessant sound of waves, a green ribbon resembling a long river floated in the air at the bottom of the slope

Everyone's gaze curiously turned towards Jiang Xian. He pondered for a moment, then turned his head to deeply look at the stone wall engraved with the second line. After a long while, he finally said softly: "This is a poem by Li Bai"

Incredulous... Jiang Xianshu let out a sigh, was about to retract the flashlight when suddenly his gaze paused and abruptly shifted to the wall opposite.

However, it was engraved incorrectly

"Team leader, what is the matter?" A faint, ethereal light seemed to draw out the deepest fears within one's heart. Even Song Lianshi spoke in a lowered voice.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Song Dui shuddered and came to his senses. His voice sounded somewhat ethereal as he spoke to Jiang Xian: "Captain... what is this thing? Avatar? Pandora?"

Somewhat like ... ... Qin ... ... Small Seal Script

Found it

They do not know how long they have existed, most of them have already decayed. Only the dark silhouettes can be seen. The three grand characters "Immortal Cliff" combined with the decayed hanging coffins evoke a profound chill. It seems to be telling everyone... Anyone who aspired to ascend to immortality has died here

No! As soon as the words fell, Jiang Xian's voice interrupted him, speaking in a deep tone: "Ladies and gentlemen... we have now stepped into the unknown secrecy. We do not know what is buried here; to find the two daring ones, we must first ensure that we can survive."

As they ventured deeper, the cave became increasingly wide, to the extent that the light from the flashlight could not clearly reflect the scenery at the end. It was exactly one hour and fifteen minutes after they had entered the den when everyone simultaneously came to a halt.

Ahead of them is a corner

Just now, it flashed by, as if... as if it were... a few words

It is as if one is immersed in the summer night sky, overlooking below, where the dazzling Milky Way unfolds. The artistry of nature, the enigmatic and unpredictable celestial sinkhole ribbons, leave everyone in awe, rendering them speechless.

A series of tiny sounds erupted, and all the "cabbages" that were illuminated opened once again, suddenly emitting a burst of emerald-like fluorescence

In the darkness, time passes second by second

I understand! At that moment, the voice of the young officer suddenly rang out, excitedly saying: "In the sky, the White Jade Capital, the Nine Palaces and Twelve Cities, the immortal touches my head, granting me eternal life!"

Oh my God... The emaciated man gasped, wanting to say something more, but he could not utter a word. He could only open his mouth, feeling as if his lips were cracking.

According to my experience, all unknown secrets must not be overlooked; no clue should be missed. Otherwise... you may not want to see your wife and children at home in tears

What on earth is this thing?" The slender man exclaimed in the Xijing dialect, yet he involuntarily lowered his voice to the minimum.

What astonished everyone was ... ! ... on this rock wall, there were actually hundreds of hanging coffins of various sizes densely packed!

After a full three minutes, Jiang Xianchao slightly nodded to Team Song. The other party showed no hesitation, took a deep breath, and then suddenly charged forward

As far as the eye can see, on both sides of the white staircase, there lies a grand avenue adorned with emerald-like embellishments. Simultaneously, the white staircase is dotted with countless glowing points, resembling a fragile dreamlike galaxy, leading into the unknown darkness

He shone the flashlight in his hand towards the rock wall. This glance made his pupils constrict sharply.

The clues regarding the Black Death Butterfly are equally elusive. This should not be the case! Ancient tombs cannot be buried this deep

The same deep grooves, but not large, each measuring only about one meter.

This is not a cliff

However, this beauty carries a chilling enchantment... it evokes a sense of dread, as if... ahead lies the gates of hell

Silence

More than two thousand years ago, the Qin people came here! Moreover, they expended tremendous human effort to engrave these three characters.

Kakakaka... In the darkness, the sound of gun bolts echoed simultaneously. Jiang Xian cautiously picked up a stone and threw it around the corner.

The beam of the flashlight reached the bottom of the pit, clearly revealing that below the slope was an endless sea of green, covered with this type of green plant. However, just after those "cabbages" were bathed in the light of the flashlight, an incredible reaction suddenly occurred

Wave

A very sharp corner, but...! ... After the corner, there is unexpectedly a glimmer of light!

Jiang Xian's gaze suddenly brightened, fixating intently on the young officer: "Read it again. The second sentence!"

"What was it that was up in the sky?" The young officer immediately changed his position; it was not just him, everyone was constantly shifting places to get a better view of the words on the rock face. The burly man frowned and said, "This is not the time to be looking at these things. This place is too strange! I suggest we go find Er Ganzi right away. This is a matter of life and death!"

As his flashlight beam illuminated the area, everyone immediately followed him. ... only to discover ... ... behind each coffin. ... ... there were actually hidden characters!

The entry speed of everyone is approximately three seconds apart from the previous person. Jiang Xian remains alone outside the corner of the stone wall, gently toying with the ring on his finger. With his ear pressed against the stone wall, he listens intently to everything happening inside.

The eerie green glow, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the darkness, yet it does not flicker... Just like...! Just like there is a malevolent spirit holding a lantern around the corner, behind it lies the passage to the netherworld!

It is unknown how much time has passed, and even the surface does not know whether there was paint at that time. However, each of the three characters is ten meters in size! Each stroke is a foot deep! It has left an immortal mark on this rock wall!

Having said this, he took out the flashlight, aimed it downward, and suddenly turned on the switch

Good poem ... ... who wrote it again

However, there was a profound silence

"It was too rushed; I originally thought it was to help collect the bodies. I didn't bring anything at all." Jiang Xian said irritably, while at the same time, he drew his gun without hesitation

Beautiful

Everyone's eyes widened in shock, and several team members' mouths formed an 'O' shape. The young officer involuntarily took a few steps back, and after a full five seconds, he stammered, "What on earth is this place!"

This is an extremely steep slope, probably at a seventy-degree angle. On the slope, there is an exceedingly irregular white staircase

After a moment, finally, the four resounding voices echoed simultaneously