Chapter 34

(PS: Friends who enjoy stories of wandering knights, please give more recommendations. Today is another three updates. Can we get more recommendations?)

Hao Qi followed Zhang Heng, heading towards an underground passage.

According to Zhang Heng's introduction, the territory of Bai Cao Kingdom is not limited to the surface area. There is also a vast underground territory, which is even larger than the surface area of Bai Cao Kingdom. This is the underground environment.

Bai Cao Kingdom is located amidst a cluster of mountains, in a large valley area. This region has rarely experienced geological disasters such as earthquakes from ancient times to the present. With the exploration by people, it was discovered that there are vast spaces beneath the mountains and caves of Bai Cao Kingdom. The smaller ones are about the size of several houses, ranging from hundreds of square meters to several hundred square meters, while the larger ones can be as big as towns or even cities. These cavities are interconnected, and they are layered from top to bottom, forming a unique geographical structure of Bai Cao Kingdom.

Moreover, according to Zhang Heng, the underground cavities of Bai Cao Kingdom are extremely extensive. The explored areas alone are already several times larger than the surface area of Bai Cao Kingdom. The underground is divided into three layers, with the lowest layer reaching over a thousand meters deep. This exploration has not yet reached the end, and there are even larger areas below. The horizontal exploration is just the beginning, and one tunnel has already been explored to extend to the northern border of the Blue Sea, although no exit to the surface has been found yet.

In fact, this is not a unique geological environment of Bai Cao Kingdom. According to ancient books that Zhang Heng has read, the Orange Sea region in the Seven Seas has many countries that have developed underground. It is said that this is a three-dimensional area, and the Clear Sea is also a three-dimensional ocean. However, without seeing it personally, it is impossible to imagine from just the books.

Although Hao Qi has read many books in recent days, most of them only introduce the cultural history and customs of the Blue Sea. There are few books that introduce areas outside the Blue Sea, and even if there are, they only contain a few brief sentences. The books that provide detailed descriptions of areas outside the Blue Sea are mostly collections of noble families or imperial families. General introductions are mostly stored in various forces, such as sects, organizations, or universities like the one Zhang Heng attends. Hao Qi has been busy traveling and searching for Mobi Mobi, and has not had the chance to find these books.

Now, listening to Zhang Heng's detailed explanation, Hao Qi's heart was surging with excitement, wishing he could immediately witness the endless wonders.

While chatting, the two had already descended to the foot of the mountain. They followed a mountain path towards the underground tunnel that Zhang Heng mentioned. By the time they reached the entrance of the mountain cave, it was already around noon. According to Zhang Heng, the underground is not completely dark. Although many places have no light, there are many large cavities underground where light-emitting plants exist. Although the light is dim, it is enough to see, and one will not be in complete darkness.

Since this is the case, Hao Qi felt there was no need to delay. He immediately entered the cave with Zhang Heng, both of them carrying torches they had prepared in advance. Initially, the cave was narrow, and Zhang Heng and Hao Qi had to bend down to enter some areas. However, as they went deeper into the cave and underground, the passage gradually widened. Under the light of the torches, various strange rocks, rock walls, and stalactites appeared before Hao Qi's eyes. He walked along, looking around with surprise.

Zhang Heng, however, did not notice these. He walked ahead, occasionally stopping to look at the map. The map Hao Qi saw was clearly not an official print but a hand-drawn map by Zhang Heng, with detailed descriptions and small notes in some areas. Zhang Heng walked and stopped, leading Hao Qi for about four to five hours. If they were on the surface, it would already be twilight.

At this moment, Zhang Heng studied the map for a long time, then led Hao Qi through several small tunnels. Suddenly, the scene before them opened up, revealing a vast area of green, glowing mushroom forests. Mushrooms of various sizes grew in this area, with the larger ones reaching heights of several dozen meters, averaging around ten meters. There were also small mushrooms at their feet, which looked similar to the mushrooms Hao Qi usually ate. The only difference was that these mushrooms emitted a faint green glow.

"These are Green Oil Mushrooms. They cannot be eaten or used as medicine. Once they grow to a height of one meter, the mushrooms will fiberize. If they grow to five meters, they will become a wood-like material. These mushrooms emit a faint green glow, which attracts a large number of insects underground. The mushrooms get most of their nutrients from the excrement and corpses of these insects. At the same time, the mushrooms provide a growth environment for the insects, and the spores of the mushrooms can be eaten by the insects. Thus, a simple underground ecosystem is formed."

Zhang Heng looked at the vast mushroom forest and explained to Hao Qi in detail. Hao Qi was indeed very excited and eager to enter the mushroom forest.

Zhang Heng immediately held back Hao Qi and said, "Brother Hao, do not enter the forest casually. Many of the insects are poisonous. If you are bitten, you might not be able to withstand the toxicity. There is only one way to enter: burn the wood-like material of the mushrooms. This will produce a smoke that is specifically toxic to insects. It is harmless to humans and has a faint fragrance, but it is highly toxic to insects. With this, various poisonous insects will not approach, and wild beasts in the underground will not come here either, making it safe to set up a camp."

Hao Qi looked at Zhang Heng and said, "I didn't expect you to know so much about biological systems. Aren't you a medical student?"

Zhang Heng forced a smile, seemingly with some hidden concerns. After a long pause, he said, "Actually, I am more interested in biology. I want to find the terrain where hidden treasures are produced, and I also want to study the ecosystem there. In comparison... medicine is my profession."

"So? Promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin and yang?" Hao Qi couldn't help but tease, as they had seen many herbs along the way, and when Hao Qi asked Zhang Heng about their effects, Zhang Heng would often comment on them in terms of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin and yang.

Zhang Heng blushed and muttered, "Well, they mostly fall within the scope of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin and yang..."

Hao Qi shrugged indifferently. The two of them did not say much more. Hao Qi followed Zhang Heng's instructions and collected pieces of the wood-like material from some of the larger mushrooms. They then chose a spot that was not in the mushroom cluster but still within the range of the dim light to set up their camp. After lighting the wood-like material, a faint green smoke rose from the fire. Immediately, Hao Qi felt goosebumps all over his body.

Under his feet and in the camp, countless insects emerged from the ground and underground, as if the place they stood had suddenly turned into a sea of insects. Zhang Heng, however, remained calm, clearly having experienced this many times before. In a short few minutes, a large number of insects fled the camp, leaving Hao Qi completely stunned.

"Alright, that's it. The campfire must not be extinguished. The fuel is this mushroom material. As long as we keep the fire burning, no insects will approach until we leave. By the way, the meat grilled with this fuel will have a special fragrance, making it even more delicious," Zhang Heng said, not noticing Hao Qi's shock. He looked at the camp with satisfaction.

Hao Qi slowly came to his senses and heard Zhang Heng mention the special grilled meat. His mouth immediately watered, and he said, "That's great. I'll go catch some prey... By the way, are there any prey in the underground?"

Zhang Heng smiled and confirmed, detailing several types of frequently encountered creatures. Most were small to medium-sized rodents, like rats and squirrels. However, there were also two large creatures: the underground python and the underground terror salamander. Zhang Heng particularly emphasized the underground terror salamander, a type of amphibian that grows to over three meters in length and can continue to grow almost indefinitely with age. Once it reaches over twenty meters in length, it becomes a ferocious creature. However, it is very rare, and its meat is extremely delicious, a delicacy for the nobles on the surface. However, it is extremely rare and hard to find.

The underground world, rare delicacies, extremely rare, and potentially ferocious creatures...

All these combined made Hao Qi so excited that he wanted to shout. Wasn't this what he had always dreamed of? Wasn't this what he wanted to pursue and find? Experiences, adventures, living, and pursuing...

Traversing the unknown lands of the world, seeing what others have not seen, seeking what others have not sought, and obtaining what others have not obtained!!

Although this place has certainly been explored by many people, and the underground terror salamander has been hunted by many, it is still an unknown and mysterious place to him! He wants to traverse this world, see this world, and there will always be mysterious places, places beyond the world, and dangerous places that no one has ever been to, explored, or discovered. There will also be unknown creatures and hidden treasures...

He! Must see it!

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