13: Explore the mine cave again
The next day
At noon
Han Yi peeked out the door like a thief.
He was seen carrying a long knife in his right hand and a bulging package in his left, and not only that, his originally slightly loose black robe seemed to be stuffed with bottles and jars, making it appear somewhat form-fitting.
"Phew, I'm finally out," Han Yi breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Disciples without tasks had free time during the day, his attire would be difficult to explain if seen by others.
"After all, I'm still a bit socially anxious!"
"Initial practice, five steps per breath, gradually reaching ten steps per breath... practice breathing to seek harmony..."
There was still some distance from the 'fire crystal stone' mine vein, and this distance was perfect for practicing the 'Flying Swallow Kick'!
Flying Swallow Kick—Swallow Peck!
Han Yi's legs were like a bird's beak.
With a crack, debris flew, and a pit about a foot wide was kicked into an ancient tree.
Flying Swallow Kick—Swallow Flight!
Han Yi silently gathered energy in his chest, his figure like a swallow; even heavily burdened, he still moved nimbly through the mountain forest like a flying swallow.
[Martial Arts]: Mountain Shattering Fist (Mortal Rank, Trait: Stone Shattering, Minor Accomplishment 4/20, can be upgraded); Basic Knife Technique (Mortal Rank, Trait: Knife Dance, Minor Accomplishment 0/20, can be upgraded); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Beginner 2/10, can be upgraded).
This 'Flying Swallow Kick' was actually a Yellow Rank Low Grade martial art!
Moreover, after reaching beginner level, his overall bare-handed strength also became '10~15'.
"How could a mountain bandit have a Yellow Rank martial art?" He felt the beast tide matter was increasingly strange.
"There must be something fishy behind this!"
At the mine vein
At noon, most Mining Disciples had returned to the camp to eat and rest.
Based on his experience as a Mining Disciple, Han Yi stealthily took a few small paths, rounded a few corners, and finally reached the location in his memory.
His eyes showed a strange look: "This mine cave has actually been sealed off..."
He saw that the cave entrance, over five feet wide, was filled with stones of various sizes.
"Could it be that some accident happened here again?"
But since he was already here, Han Yi gritted his teeth; now was not the time to hesitate.
Mountain Crushing Fist—Stone Shattering
Relying on brute force, he forcibly punched through this 'stone wall'!
"So cold!"
Han Yi shivered.
He didn't know if it was because the mine cave was abandoned and unused, or if it was psychological, but he felt the temperature inside the cave was extremely low, forming a clear temperature difference with the scorching sun outside.
Snap
Han Yi rubbed the cover and lit the fire starter.
Using the light, he followed the marks he had left before, heading towards the mine cave where Ma Liu had an accident and shouted.
"Huh, this place has also been sealed off?" Han Yi's brows furrowed slightly.
He carefully observed through the gaps between the stones several times.
"Aside from the darkness, there seems to be nothing unusual..."
He did the same thing and broke through this entrance.
Crash
Han Yi kicked away a few pieces of gravel and leaped across.
"What is that?" Han Yi's eyes narrowed; there was a hole the size of a human head on the rock wall!
The mine wall here seemed relatively weak; was this the spot Ma Liu dug empty? He took his pickaxe and knocked on this spot.
"Could it be that the 'Yin Qi worm' came from the cave opposite?"
This hole was deep and dark; looking inside, no light could be seen, and he didn't know where it led.
Han Yi had a thought, took a fire starter, lit it, and threw it in.
Crackling
The fire starter burned quietly; other than that, there was silence.
"The air is also circulating..."
"It should be fine!"
"Besides, I've prepared this ultimate weapon." He touched something in his package.
Bang, bang, bang
Han Yi quickly punched through and expanded the mine wall here, then leaped across in one stride.
"It seems even colder here..." Han Yi subconsciously tightened his collar.
He looked around a few times; this place seemed to be in a cave, and although it was dim, he could faintly feel air circulating.
"Strange, there seems to be no danger here. Could that day really have just been a random incident?"
Han Yi leaned against the rock wall and fumbled his way forward; his figure appeared calm and composed, but his tightly clenched fists revealed his inner tension.
This cave was extremely vast; Han Yi walked for a long time but did not reach the end.
"What is that sound?" Han Yi tilted his head to listen.
In the darkness, there were rustling echoes.
The next moment, a mournful and melodious singing clearly came from the darkness.
"Everyone says having a son is good~ unaware that having a daughter means growing old with jade and gold..."
"A song? How could there be anyone in this cave..."
Han Yi's face changed drastically, and he turned to leave!
However, in an instant, he was mesmerized, completely immersed in the singing!
"What a wonderful voice!"
"If the song is beautiful, wouldn't the person be even more beautiful!"
"I really want to go and see..."
In Han Yi's mind, besides the lingering song, all other thoughts had vanished; his usual caution and 'Gou Dao' development were completely thrown to the back of his mind!
He walked step by step, grinning as he headed into the darkness!
Crack
The singing stopped, and the sound of crushed bones being ground by leather boots produced crisp sounds.
The cracking sound echoed in the cave, stirring up echoes and also waking Han Yi, who was immersed in the singing!
"Where is this?"
"Why does the rock wall here feel a bit sticky..."
Han Yi's eyes were hazy, as if he hadn't fully woken up from the beautiful singing.
He collected himself, the firelight shone around him, and looking around, his face instantly lost all color.
On the ground, scattered bones, whether human or animal, lay haphazardly, with tattered clothes and hair intertwined nearby.
On the cave walls, countless cobwebs covered the surroundings, and upon closer inspection, there seemed to be some severed limbs, broken arms, and tattered weapons stuck to them.
And ahead, a deep, dark cave, like the bloody maw of a giant beast, emitted waves of putrid stench, seemingly wanting to swallow Han Yi.
"Calm down, calm down, you must stay calm."
Han Yi was a bit flustered at this moment; he, who had always been calm and composed, couldn't help but break out in a few drops of cold sweat on his forehead!
Rustle, rustle
A faint sound like insects crawling rang out, but when Han Yi tried to listen carefully to discern the direction, the sound suddenly disappeared, as if it were just his imagination.
Still, quiet, silent; there was no other sound except his rapid breathing and heartbeat.
Han Yi felt like an ordinary person standing beneath a giant rock that could collapse and crush him at any moment; all he felt was threat and a sense of death.
"Go, walk slowly!"
Han Yi slowly retreated without making a sound.
Crackle
It seemed like a giant creature lowered its steps and jumped down from a high place.
Han Yi quickly waved his hand, and four or five fire starters scattered around.
Han Yi's pupils dilated slightly.
The moment the fire starters landed, a Giant Spider the size of a boulder, with a human-like face on its back, hesitated not far from Han Yi!
Bang!
The Giant Spider leaped!
The firelight went out!
Han Yi's pupils constricted; without hesitation, he circulated energy through his legs and quickly turned around to run.
He stopped in his tracks.
He saw that the Giant Spider, like a ghost, was already hanging upside down in front of him, the pale female human face on the Giant Spider opening and closing its mouth.
"Help me, kind-hearted person. Have you seen my obedient daughter Nannan?"