Chapter 35

Hao Qi searched underground for at least five or six hours. Along the way, he hunted seven or eight small animals and a subterranean python that was at least four meters long. Unfortunately, he did not find any traces of the subterranean terror salamander. According to Zhang Heng, this was the closest underground area to the surface, and the subterranean terror salamanders in this area were likely already hunted to extinction. After all, an adult subterranean terror salamander could fetch millions at an auction on the surface. Many adventurer teams roamed the first underground layer, and they had basically hunted everything they could. Unless one entered the second underground layer, it would be impossible to find the subterranean terror salamander.

However, to enter the second underground layer, one needed to travel a great distance. Currently, the official government records only two entrances to the second underground layer, both located in the Baicao Kingdom, which had been explored countless times. It was unlikely that they could reach there in a short time.

Moreover, according to Zhang Heng, the second underground layer was fraught with danger. Not only were there issues with lighting, but the geological structure in some areas could collapse at any time. Underground water flows could change frequently, and some areas might suddenly spew lava. Additionally, there were biological dangers. The creatures in the second underground layer were almost entirely different from those on the surface, forming a separate ecosystem. Unlike the first underground layer, where many creatures could venture to the surface, the creatures in the second underground layer mostly lived and reproduced there without human interference. No one knew what terrifying creatures might exist there. Some might be parasitic, others might be highly venomous, and still others might be extremely dangerous, even reaching the level of madness. Even if a team of Inner Qi Realm experts entered, they could still die, and there was even a possibility of total annihilation. The second underground layer was almost a no-go zone for humans.

"Prohibited area... Does that mean it has hardly been explored!?"

Hao Qi, while gnawing on a thick piece of roasted snake meat, asked Zhang Heng curiously.

Zhang Heng nodded and said, "Yes, although the Baicao Kingdom, Ying Kingdom, Hai Tian Kingdom, and some other powerful countries in the eastern part of the Blue Sea organize expeditions every few years, including Inner Qi Realm experts, they have basically only explored the first underground layer. The second underground layer has only been roughly explored. As for the third underground layer... According to the records I have seen, it has only been explored twice so far. Each time, it was led by Inner Qi Realm experts, but many people died, including several Inner Qi Realm experts. Since the last exploration led by Inner Qi Realm experts over sixty years ago, no one has explored the third underground layer for over sixty years."

"No one has explored it, unknown, prohibited area, dangerous..."

Hao Qi's mouth was almost watering. He took a few fierce bites of the snake meat and swallowed it before continuing, "So, to enter the third underground layer, do we need to report to the Baicao Kingdom government or get some kind of certification? Do we need to pay any fees?"

Zhang Heng was taken aback for a moment, seeing Hao Qi's excited expression. He quickly said, "Brother Hao, although you are an Inner Qi Realm expert, the third underground layer is said to be full of ferocious beasts and mad beasts. You must not act rashly. It's best to think carefully before making any decisions!"

"Relax, relax!" Hao Qi laughed and took a big gulp of the remaining wine. "I am someone who wants to live and travel the world. I won't act rashly and risk my life. I just want to know what conditions are needed to enter the third underground layer. Even if I can't go now, I will become stronger in the future. I will definitely go then. It's best to ask these questions in advance."

Zhang Heng hesitated for a moment before saying, "As far as I know, if you go alone, you don't need any certification or reporting. For example, after I leave school, I can enter the underground freely. However, if it's a team exploration or hunting, especially with an Inner Qi Realm expert leading, you need to report to the Baicao Kingdom government. I'm not very clear on the specifics, but I've heard about it in general. Brother Hao, as an Inner Qi Realm expert, if you personally go to the Baicao Kingdom government to ask, I'm sure you will get much more information than from me."

Hao Qi nodded in understanding. Since leaving the Blue Shadow Republic, he had traveled through several countries and had indeed experienced this. No matter what kind of government a country had, as long as he visited the government's public institutions as an Inner Qi Realm expert, he would receive excellent service. For example, when he asked about the country's battleships in the Ying Kingdom, which would be a taboo in any country, he was given the data of the battleships and received perfect service.

In a sense, Inner Qi Realm experts seemed to be more than just human. Even noble families or feudal empires' nobles received courtesy mainly in their own country or neighboring countries. When they went to distant countries, who would know who they were? They might just be a bit richer and more impressive, but they were no different from ordinary people. In contrast, Inner Qi Realm experts seemed to receive the same courtesy in any country, as if they were a step above ordinary people.

Hao Qi did not want to comment on the rationality of this system or try to change it. Clearly, this system had been in place for many years, and there must be a reason for it. Moreover, from his travels through several countries, Inner Qi Realm experts indeed received courtesy in any country, but they were not above the law or treated as if ordinary people were ants to be casually slaughtered. On the contrary, the countries he visited were generally orderly, with people having food, clothing, work, laws, and order, and technology from the 1930s and 1940s. In a sense, this world was not bad.

With nothing more to say, the two ate and then went to sleep. The next day, Zhang Heng led Hao Qi through the underground passage. Along the way, Hao Qi was truly amazed by the various underground wonders, such as a square-sized area filled with underground plants that used their roots to capture nearby animals, and rock walls that emitted a faint light, with glowing crystals scattered throughout the passages and small spaces. The underground scenery, though different from the surface, was bizarre and fascinating, making Hao Qi very excited.

Hao Qi wanted to spend more time exploring the underground, but Zhang Heng seemed eager to return to the Baicao Kingdom Academy, and there was only one map. So Hao Qi did not insist and followed Zhang Heng to the Baicao Kingdom. However, he planned to buy an official map from the Baicao Kingdom government and, if he couldn't find a way to make money in the Baicao Kingdom, he would explore the second underground layer. If he could kill a ferocious beast, he would have enough money to buy a ship.

Thus, the two spent about three days underground. Finally, Zhang Heng found a cave exit and came to the surface. When the two emerged from the underground, it was noon. The bright sunlight, clear weather, warm breeze, and fresh air made both of them feel relaxed and in high spirits.

Although Hao Qi wanted to explore the unknown underground, he admitted that the underground was not a good place. The air was stuffy, and many areas had a sulfuric and foul smell. Apart from the light from torches, there was only a faint light in a few cave squares. The confined environment was very oppressive. Although it was initially exciting, staying for a long time would be very depressing.

Hao Qi had already planned to explore the underground as a long-term project. He did not intend to explore it all at once, spending months or even years underground, which would be too crazy. According to Zhang Heng, not only the Baicao Kingdom but also most places in the world had underground areas, so he would have many opportunities to explore in the future. His current priority was still to make money and buy his own ship.

The place where the two emerged from the underground was still in the mountains, but in front of them was a vast, endless plain. In the center of the plain, a large modern city could be seen, surrounded by scattered estates, villages, and farmlands. The only exception was a cluster of tall buildings next to the city, which were even more impressive than the city itself. All the towers were made of granite, with the tallest reaching two to three hundred meters, a true giant. The other towers were generally around one hundred meters tall. From the halfway point on the mountain where Hao Qi stood, the towers, reflecting the sunlight, shone brilliantly, far outshining the city next to them.

"The Baicao Kingdom has only one capital city. The tall buildings next to it are the National Medical University. It seems that the Medical University is even more impressive than the capital. I've heard that the Inner Qi Realm expert who founded the Baicao Kingdom and the Medical University is still alive and living in the Baicao Kingdom, possibly even in the Medical University. I've heard from foreign students that in the eastern part of the Blue Sea, there is a semi-Inner Qi Realm expert, and the 'semi' refers to the possibility that there is an Inner Qi Realm expert still living in the Baicao Kingdom, but no one is sure, so it's considered a 'half'."

Hao Qi was also very interested. He decided to visit the Medical University, which was a super novel building complex that he had never seen in his previous life. How could he not go and see it?

"Let's go! We can reach the capital today, and tomorrow we can visit the Medical University. Ha ha ha, Baicao Kingdom, here I come!!"