The hollow area was not only full of pits and holes but also split into several paths.
They walked forward for a while and soon reached a fork, behind which were several dark passages.
“When I was watching the surveillance, the shadow should have come out from this passage,” Dr. Camila pointed to the second one, “Right here.”
He paused, swept the flashlight across everyone. When the light fell on Xia Chi and Glasses, it seemed to linger longer.
Xia Chi and Glasses involuntarily became nervous again.
Dr. Camila chuckled mysteriously at them, then directed the flashlight to the other two NPCs, “You two, go in first.”
The two NPCs didn’t object, they just nodded, and started walking inside.
Dr. Camila’s group then followed them.
Compared to the hollow area outside, this tunnel was much narrower. The two people led the way, and after about fifteen minutes, there was suddenly no path inside.
It turned out to be a dead end.
Due to the peculiar stalactite structure, Dr. Camila’s voice echoed loudly, “There’s no more pathway. Alright, turn around and walk back.”
Xia Chi and Glasses, who were originally at the end of the line, exchanged glances: “???”
Strange, why did they suddenly turn around?!
So, now they were leading the way?
Xia Chi and Glasses looked at each other again, finding it quite odd.
Throughout the journey, the two of them walked carefully and cautiously.
While Xia Chi was walking forward, he felt a slight touch on his shoulder. He subconsciously turned around, but there was no one behind.
Xia Chi: 【Brother, was that you?】
Xia Chi quickly asked in the private chat window.
Bai Lixin: 【? What?】
Xia Chi: 【Weren’t you the one who touched my shoulder just now?】
Bai Lixin: 【No, I’m on a different path. I’m not on the same route as you guys.】
Xia Chi’s shoulder tensed instantly. 【If it’s not you, then… who could it be?】
Bai Lixin: 【You don’t need to be afraid, nothing will happen to you.】
Xia Chi: 【I know I won’t be in danger, but… when it’s time to be scared, no one can stop it!】
Bai Lixin: 【…】
‘I’m a bit confused. I can’t tell whether you’re showing off or seeking sympathy.’
Xia Chi: 【Brother, which passage are you in?】
Bai Li Xin: 【The first one on the left.】
Xia Chi: 【Have you found anything?】
Bai Lixin: 【Indeed.】
Xia Chi: 【What is it?】
Bai Lixin looked at the green-skinned monster he had knocked out, and spoke after two seconds of silence: 【It’s your least favorite monster.】
Xia Chi: 【QVQ】
After ending the private chat with Xia Chi, Bai Lixin slowly squatted down and looked at the unconscious green-skinned monster.
Dr. Camila was right; this thing does bear some resemblance to humans.
But only to some extent.
Well, at least in terms of having one head, two arms, and two legs, it’s similar.
After the exploration team reached the middle, he took the leftmost passage. The reason he chose this passage was that he felt a breeze here, indicating there might be an opening behind this passage. Creatures relying on oxygen often choose to live near openings.
Sure enough, not long after walking, he encountered the first green-skinned monster.
Perhaps due to not needing eyes in the deep sea, the green-skinned monster’s eyes had degenerated and disappeared. Its head that was similar to a human’s had a set of fangs, two large ears, and a big nose.
The structure of the green-skinned monster’s head was somewhat human-like, even the distribution of facial features was the same.
However, where there should have been eyes, there was nothing—just an empty space, looking quite peculiar.
Bai Lixin opened the monster’s mouth and looked inside. The monster’s mouth was full of fangs; roughly counting, there were over a hundred.
Due to their lack of sight, they relied on hearing and smell to locate targets. Even though he didn’t make any sound while walking in the tunnel, it seemed his scent gave away his position.
So, even though he didn’t reveal his body, the green-skinned monster still launched an attack towards his location.
Bai Lixin searched the monster for a while and didn’t find anything resembling gills.
Without gills, how could it survive underwater? Did it only live in this hollow area?
What were these monsters?
Why would there be creatures in the ocean that don’t rely on gills?
Were they merfolk in a human-like state?
That couldn’t be, right? Did merfolk deliberately get rid of their eyes because they didn’t need them?
After studying the green-skinned monster for a while, he was about to drag it forward when he heard footsteps coming from the entrance.
He abruptly stopped and saw the light from flashlights approaching.
Was it Xia Chi and his team? Did they come out of the previous passage and reach here?
The footsteps were disorderly and as the light got closer, Bai Lixin silently stood up from the ground and moved to the side.
Soon, Dr. Camila’s group walked to a nearby spot.
The researcher at the front quickly noticed the humanoid monster on the ground. They cautiously threw two stones towards it. After the stones landed without any response from the monster, they boldly approached.
As they got closer, they successfully discovered the unconscious green-skinned monster.
“Doctor, what… do you think this is?”
Dr. Camila’s flashlight fell on the green-skinned monster. Just as he was about to lower his head to study it, the monster’s arm suddenly moved.
“Doctor,” an NPC said with an even tone, “it moved.”
Dr. Camila swept his gaze over the ground, then picked up something nearby and forcefully smashed it onto the green-skinned monster’s head. The monster that was originally about to wake up fell back into unconsciousness.
Dr. Camila spoke expressionlessly, “Alright, continue the research.”
Xia Chi & Glasses: “…”
‘Brother, this doctor is a bit ruthless.’
After observing the green-skinned monster for a while, Dr. Camila spoke, “Tie it up and take it back for further study.”
Seeing the very skillful movements of several NPCs, Xia Chi, who hadn’t helped even once, spoke, “Doctor, do you think it could be a merfolk?”
“Merfolk?” Dr. Camila chuckled, “How could beautiful merfolk evolve into such a ghostly form? This isn’t a merfolk.”
“Although it’s not, these are new species we’ve never discovered in the ocean. Bring it back for research. The merfolk we were tracking vanished around here. Even if this thing isn’t a merfolk, they could be companions.”
The unidentified green-skinned creature was packed up, and the group continued forward.
Xia Chi and Glasses walked to the back again. After walking for a while, Xia Chi’s shoulder was bumped again.
Xia Chi, who was already quite frightened, shrunk his neck. The next second, he heard a private chat notification from Bai Lixin.
Xia Chi: [QvQ, brother, save me, please come and save me. I’ve encountered a supernatural event again, something is tapping my shoulder, wuuuu.]
Bai Lixin: [This time it’s not a supernatural event. This time it’s me tapping your shoulder.]
Xia Chi: [?]
Bai Lixin: [Don’t be afraid. I’ll be behind you from now on.]
Xia Chi instantly straightened up, his back no longer hunched.
Bai Lixin silently followed them from behind. He realized that these scientists could be considered incredibly strong.
The green-skinned monster was about the height of a human, with a body length of less than two meters, but due to frequent climbing, its body was covered with thick muscles.
Yet these scientists could easily lift the monster in their hands without any apparent effort.
They looked like humans but, in a certain way, were somewhat different from humans.
The group walked forward again, and suddenly, Bai Lixin felt a gust of wind coming. The wind not only carried the fishy smell of the ocean but also the smell of blood.
The system reminded him that his invisibility time was almost up. He took out an invisibility card from his backpack and extended it by another five minutes.
He didn’t dare to walk too far ahead. These monsters attacked based on smell. If he walked ahead and the monsters attacked him first, he would be completely exposed in front of this group of NPCs.
With the arrival of this wind, the road behind also became difficult to traverse.
This time it was not a dead end, but the way forward was still unknown.
Not sure if the familiar scent awakened the unconscious monster, after walking for a while, the monster bound like a rice dumpling suddenly opened its eyes.
To prevent the monster from biting, the scientists had already tied thick ropes around its mouth. The creature struggled violently on the person’s back for a while, and the blonde doctor frowned, “Noisy.”
After speaking, another stone was thrown, and the monster fainted again.
Having already experienced this NPC’s strength, Xia Chi was much calmer this time.
After walking for a while, the blonde doctor suddenly stopped, raised his ears, and pointed ahead, “Listen, is there the sound of water?”
Xia Chi immediately perked up his ears to listen. Just as the blonde doctor said, there was indeed the sound of water ahead.
It sounded like water beating against rocks, continuously making turbulent and resonant sounds.
“Hurry!” The blonde doctor suddenly quickened his pace.
As the group rushed forward, Xia Chi heard other sounds in his ears.
It was a cry mixed in with the sound of water.
The sound of water grew louder, and the air became chilly.
After turning another corner, the group finally saw where the sound of water was coming from.
This hollow area was like a tunnel, dividing the sea in half. Now that they had walked here, seawater reappeared.
Something emitted a dazzling light under the flashlight. The blonde doctor quickly shone the light over, staring for two seconds and saying, “it’s scales, it looks like merfolk scales. Let’s go over and take a look.”
The hollow area was not only full of pits and holes but also split into several paths.
They walked forward for a while and soon reached a fork, behind which were several dark passages.
“When I was watching the surveillance, the shadow should have come out from this passage,” Dr. Camila pointed to the second one, “Right here.”
He paused, swept the flashlight across everyone. When the light fell on Xia Chi and Glasses, it seemed to linger longer.
Xia Chi and Glasses involuntarily became nervous again.
Dr. Camila chuckled mysteriously at them, then directed the flashlight to the other two NPCs, “You two, go in first.”
The two NPCs didn’t object, they just nodded, and started walking inside.
Dr. Camila’s group then followed them.
Compared to the hollow area outside, this tunnel was much narrower. The two people led the way, and after about fifteen minutes, there was suddenly no path inside.
It turned out to be a dead end.
Due to the peculiar stalactite structure, Dr. Camila’s voice echoed loudly, “There’s no more pathway. Alright, turn around and walk back.”
Xia Chi and Glasses, who were originally at the end of the line, exchanged glances: “???”
Strange, why did they suddenly turn around?!
So, now they were leading the way?
Xia Chi and Glasses looked at each other again, finding it quite odd.
Throughout the journey, the two of them walked carefully and cautiously.
While Xia Chi was walking forward, he felt a slight touch on his shoulder. He subconsciously turned around, but there was no one behind.
Xia Chi: 【Brother, was that you?】
Xia Chi quickly asked in the private chat window.
Bai Lixin: 【? What?】
Xia Chi: 【Weren’t you the one who touched my shoulder just now?】
Bai Lixin: 【No, I’m on a different path. I’m not on the same route as you guys.】
Xia Chi’s shoulder tensed instantly. 【If it’s not you, then… who could it be?】
Bai Lixin: 【You don’t need to be afraid, nothing will happen to you.】
Xia Chi: 【I know I won’t be in danger, but… when it’s time to be scared, no one can stop it!】
Bai Lixin: 【…】
‘I’m a bit confused. I can’t tell whether you’re showing off or seeking sympathy.’
Xia Chi: 【Brother, which passage are you in?】
Bai Li Xin: 【The first one on the left.】
Xia Chi: 【Have you found anything?】
Bai Lixin: 【Indeed.】
Xia Chi: 【What is it?】
Bai Lixin looked at the green-skinned monster he had knocked out, and spoke after two seconds of silence: 【It’s your least favorite monster.】
Xia Chi: 【QVQ】
After ending the private chat with Xia Chi, Bai Lixin slowly squatted down and looked at the unconscious green-skinned monster.
Dr. Camila was right; this thing does bear some resemblance to humans.
But only to some extent.
Well, at least in terms of having one head, two arms, and two legs, it’s similar.
After the exploration team reached the middle, he took the leftmost passage. The reason he chose this passage was that he felt a breeze here, indicating there might be an opening behind this passage. Creatures relying on oxygen often choose to live near openings.
Sure enough, not long after walking, he encountered the first green-skinned monster.
Perhaps due to not needing eyes in the deep sea, the green-skinned monster’s eyes had degenerated and disappeared. Its head that was similar to a human’s had a set of fangs, two large ears, and a big nose.
The structure of the green-skinned monster’s head was somewhat human-like, even the distribution of facial features was the same.
However, where there should have been eyes, there was nothing—just an empty space, looking quite peculiar.
Bai Lixin opened the monster’s mouth and looked inside. The monster’s mouth was full of fangs; roughly counting, there were over a hundred.
Due to their lack of sight, they relied on hearing and smell to locate targets. Even though he didn’t make any sound while walking in the tunnel, it seemed his scent gave away his position.
So, even though he didn’t reveal his body, the green-skinned monster still launched an attack towards his location.
Bai Lixin searched the monster for a while and didn’t find anything resembling gills.
Without gills, how could it survive underwater? Did it only live in this hollow area?
What were these monsters?
Why would there be creatures in the ocean that don’t rely on gills?
Were they merfolk in a human-like state?
That couldn’t be, right? Did merfolk deliberately get rid of their eyes because they didn’t need them?
After studying the green-skinned monster for a while, he was about to drag it forward when he heard footsteps coming from the entrance.
He abruptly stopped and saw the light from flashlights approaching.
Was it Xia Chi and his team? Did they come out of the previous passage and reach here?
The footsteps were disorderly and as the light got closer, Bai Lixin silently stood up from the ground and moved to the side.
Soon, Dr. Camila’s group walked to a nearby spot.
The researcher at the front quickly noticed the humanoid monster on the ground. They cautiously threw two stones towards it. After the stones landed without any response from the monster, they boldly approached.
As they got closer, they successfully discovered the unconscious green-skinned monster.
“Doctor, what… do you think this is?”
Dr. Camila’s flashlight fell on the green-skinned monster. Just as he was about to lower his head to study it, the monster’s arm suddenly moved.
“Doctor,” an NPC said with an even tone, “it moved.”
Dr. Camila swept his gaze over the ground, then picked up something nearby and forcefully smashed it onto the green-skinned monster’s head. The monster that was originally about to wake up fell back into unconsciousness.
Dr. Camila spoke expressionlessly, “Alright, continue the research.”
Xia Chi & Glasses: “…”
‘Brother, this doctor is a bit ruthless.’
After observing the green-skinned monster for a while, Dr. Camila spoke, “Tie it up and take it back for further study.”
Seeing the very skillful movements of several NPCs, Xia Chi, who hadn’t helped even once, spoke, “Doctor, do you think it could be a merfolk?”
“Merfolk?” Dr. Camila chuckled, “How could beautiful merfolk evolve into such a ghostly form? This isn’t a merfolk.”
“Although it’s not, these are new species we’ve never discovered in the ocean. Bring it back for research. The merfolk we were tracking vanished around here. Even if this thing isn’t a merfolk, they could be companions.”
The unidentified green-skinned creature was packed up, and the group continued forward.
Xia Chi and Glasses walked to the back again. After walking for a while, Xia Chi’s shoulder was bumped again.
Xia Chi, who was already quite frightened, shrunk his neck. The next second, he heard a private chat notification from Bai Lixin.
Xia Chi: [QvQ, brother, save me, please come and save me. I’ve encountered a supernatural event again, something is tapping my shoulder, wuuuu.]
Bai Lixin: [This time it’s not a supernatural event. This time it’s me tapping your shoulder.]
Xia Chi: [?]
Bai Lixin: [Don’t be afraid. I’ll be behind you from now on.]
Xia Chi instantly straightened up, his back no longer hunched.
Bai Lixin silently followed them from behind. He realized that these scientists could be considered incredibly strong.
The green-skinned monster was about the height of a human, with a body length of less than two meters, but due to frequent climbing, its body was covered with thick muscles.
Yet these scientists could easily lift the monster in their hands without any apparent effort.
They looked like humans but, in a certain way, were somewhat different from humans.
The group walked forward again, and suddenly, Bai Lixin felt a gust of wind coming. The wind not only carried the fishy smell of the ocean but also the smell of blood.
The system reminded him that his invisibility time was almost up. He took out an invisibility card from his backpack and extended it by another five minutes.
He didn’t dare to walk too far ahead. These monsters attacked based on smell. If he walked ahead and the monsters attacked him first, he would be completely exposed in front of this group of NPCs.
With the arrival of this wind, the road behind also became difficult to traverse.
This time it was not a dead end, but the way forward was still unknown.
Not sure if the familiar scent awakened the unconscious monster, after walking for a while, the monster bound like a rice dumpling suddenly opened its eyes.
To prevent the monster from biting, the scientists had already tied thick ropes around its mouth. The creature struggled violently on the person’s back for a while, and the blonde doctor frowned, “Noisy.”
After speaking, another stone was thrown, and the monster fainted again.
Having already experienced this NPC’s strength, Xia Chi was much calmer this time.
After walking for a while, the blonde doctor suddenly stopped, raised his ears, and pointed ahead, “Listen, is there the sound of water?”
Xia Chi immediately perked up his ears to listen. Just as the blonde doctor said, there was indeed the sound of water ahead.
It sounded like water beating against rocks, continuously making turbulent and resonant sounds.
“Hurry!” The blonde doctor suddenly quickened his pace.
As the group rushed forward, Xia Chi heard other sounds in his ears.
It was a cry mixed in with the sound of water.
The sound of water grew louder, and the air became chilly.
After turning another corner, the group finally saw where the sound of water was coming from.
This hollow area was like a tunnel, dividing the sea in half. Now that they had walked here, seawater reappeared.
Something emitted a dazzling light under the flashlight. The blonde doctor quickly shone the light over, staring for two seconds and saying, “it’s scales, it looks like merfolk scales. Let’s go over and take a look.”
