Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 361 The Mysterious Underground World

Mu Yuhan stepped forward, extended his hand, and gently knocked on the heavy door. The knock was abrupt in the silence, as if breaking some ancient taboo, yet no response was received. He turned to look at Lin Rongxuan, and their gazes met, a tacit understanding evident in their eyes. Then, they simultaneously extended their hands and slowly, forcefully, pushed the door open.

The door hinges creaked harshly, like the painful groans of a long-slumbering beast awakened. A stale, decaying air filled the air. Thick dust filled the palace, dancing freely in the dim light like a flock of disturbed ghosts. Dust piled thickly on the tables, like a gray blanket covering them. A light touch left a distinct mark. The spider webs crisscrossed the walls, dense and dense, like a maze carefully woven by time. Each strand of spider silk seemed to speak of the palace's antiquity and desolation.

"This place looks like it has been sealed for hundreds of years. What secrets does it hold?" Lin Rongxian whispered curiously, with a hint of inquiry and excitement in his eyes. He took a step forward cautiously, as if afraid of disturbing the history sleeping here.

Mu Yuhan quickly pulled a small, delicate scanning device from his spacesuit's equipment bag. Like a sharp lightsaber, the blue scanning beam slowly swept across the palace. Wherever it passed, dust rose slightly, like the graceful dance of awakened spirits. However, the scan revealed nothing unusual; the screen remained silent, devoid of any noteworthy signals.

"Strange, nothing? This shouldn't be the case. How could there be no discovery in such a mysterious place?" Mu Yuhan frowned, his eyes full of confusion and unwillingness. He carefully checked the device screen again, tapping the operation buttons repeatedly with his fingers, trying to find some missed clues.

They then transmitted the data back to the battleship. Inside the ship's control room, imbued with a sense of technology and futuristic atmosphere, a bustling and orderly scene unfolded. The white-uniformed staff, like a swarm of busy ants, shuttled ceaselessly between their various posts. Some sat intently at their consoles, their fingers darting across the intricate buttons and keyboards, as if they were playing a high-tech symphony. Others stood before the vast glass windows, gazing out at the strange and mysterious world of ancient martial arts, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe, as if they were peering into an ancient and distant dream.

Ping Zilan, a graceful woman in her thirties, was busy at a control panel. Her tight white uniform perfectly outlined her curvaceous figure, her curves sculpted like a meticulously crafted work of art. Her long, lustrous black hair was tied back, giving her a sophisticated and captivating look. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, taking in the data from Mu Yuhan and Lin Rongxuan and beginning a meticulous and in-depth analysis.

"Lin Rongxuan, please check the corners of the palace carefully. There may be hidden secret doors or mechanisms. Sometimes, the most dangerous places often hide the most crucial secrets." Ping Zilan issued an order through the radio. Her voice was crisp and decisive, with an unquestionable tone.

"Got it, Zi Lan. But this place is too big, it's not easy to find, just like looking for a needle in a haystack." Lin Rongxian responded with a hint of helplessness and ridicule in his tone. He looked up at the huge and empty palace, his eyes revealing a hint of fatigue.

Mu Yuhan joked, "With a beautiful woman commanding us, we have to work harder, otherwise we will be criticized when we go back. Maybe you will even punish us to clean the warship." There was a hint of ambiguous teasing in his words, but his eyes revealed a hint of closeness and trust towards Ping Zilan.

Ping Zilan chuckled and said, "Stop talking nonsense and work hard. If you mess up this mission, don't blame me for being rude." A blush unconsciously appeared on her face, like a red plum blossom blooming on the ice field, adding a different color to the cold operating room.

Beneath that ancient palace lay a wondrous world, like a paradise. Here, lush vegetation flourished, with vibrant blossoms vying for attention. Gently swaying in the breeze, they resembled the rippling waves of a vibrant ocean, emitting waves of enchanting fragrance. Birds sang joyfully in the branches, their clear chirps blending into a beautiful melody, like nature's paean to this world. This subterranean world was as vast as a vast valley, with a clear lake at its center. The waters shimmered in the sunlight, like a giant mirror, reflecting the surrounding beauty.

By the lake, several elderly men sat leisurely fishing. Their hair was white, and their long beards fell to their chests, resembling ancient immortals. They wore robes embroidered with five-clawed yellow dragons. Though worn, they still radiated their former dignity and majesty. One of the elderly men slightly opened his cloudy yet profound eyes and glanced toward the palace. As if sensing something, a subtle glint flashed in his gaze, and then he slowly closed his eyes, lost in the tranquility and comfort of fishing, as if the world's troubles had nothing to do with him.

Inside the palace, Lin Rongxuan and Mu Yuhan continued their patient search. They meticulously examined every corner, walls and floor, trying to find some hidden clue. Lin Rongxuan crouched down, gently tapping the masonry with his hand, his ear pressed against it, listening carefully for a hollow sound, his eyes focused and persistent. Mu Yuhan, on the other hand, slowly felt along the wall, feeling for any tiny cracks or protrusions. His eyes held a hint of determination and anticipation, as if he were engaging in a silent conversation with this ancient palace.

The two were immersed in their exploration when suddenly, a slight, yet abrupt, creaking sound echoed through the stillness. It was the sound of the palace gate slowly opening. Like a sharp arrow, the sound instantly pierced the stillness within the palace. Lin Rongxuan and Mu Yuhan were startled, their bodies jerking upright, their hearts racing. They spun quickly, their gazes darting towards the door.