As my thoughts raced, I suddenly felt something was amiss with the hill before me.
It felt as though it had appeared abruptly, that this hill hadn't belonged here before.
Both the plants growing on it and its color were out of sync with the surrounding environment.
This stark contrast stirred a sense of doubt within me.
After a moment of hesitation, I walked towards the hill.
Number One and Number Four exchanged glances and began searching the vicinity.
The three of us circled this not-so-large hill several times, yet found no abnormalities.
Just as I was about to dismiss it as a mere coincidence, Number One furrowed his brow: "Brother Ye, why don't you just destroy this hill..."
Upon hearing this, my eyes lit up.
With my current abilities, destroying this hill would require minimal effort.
Therefore, without any hesitation, Mu Shen Zhi Nü condensed intensely on my hands and feet.
The next instant, a violent surge of energy erupted.
Sensing this ferocious energy, Number One's face changed, and he quickly retreated several steps, looking at me with wide surprise.
Facing the colossal hill, I wasted no words and struck down with a single punch.
Terrifying energy radiated outwards from the center of my fist.
Incredibly potent waves swept outwards layer by layer.
A massive fissure appeared on the ground.
This fissure continuously extended forward, all the way up onto the hill!
Then, under my gaze, the hill slowly split open.
Immediately after, I felt a familiar energy emanating from within the hill.
This overwhelming familiarity caused my expression to shift: "Is this... Mu Shen Zhi Li?"
Furthermore, despite my terrifying power, the hill hadn't completely shattered, only showing a crack.
I turned to look back at Number One and Number Four: "Did you sense anything unusual?"
Number One and Number Four exchanged glances and then shook their heads: "We didn't sense anything out of the ordinary..."
"I feel like there might be something underneath. Will you two come with me to investigate, or wait outside?" I asked.
"Let's go with you to take a look..." Number One replied with evident excitement.
I nodded and stepped into the fissure.
Number One and Number Four quickly followed.
Whether it was because I struck the right spot, or because this place was designed this way from the start, the fissure led directly to a path once we entered.
I led the way, with Number One and Number Four following.
After walking for about two minutes, all light disappeared from my surroundings.
However, under these circumstances, my vision was completely unaffected.
But Number One and Number Four were not so fortunate.
"Brother Ye, what's going on? Why does this place feel so dark?" Number Four asked. "Could there be something terrifying in here?"
Hearing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. Number Four, being a girl, was understandably apprehensive in such an environment.
Compared to Number Four's fear, Number One was much calmer: "Brother Ye has been leading the way the entire time. If there's danger, he'll definitely warn us..."
"Why don't you two go back? I don't know when the end is, nor what we might encounter if we keep going..." I said with a smile.
"Since we've come this far, I won't feel at ease if I don't see it," Number One chimed in.
Seeing their determination, I had little to say and could only nod: "Alright, let's go!"
We continued forward and encountered descending stairs. I went down without a word, looking back to see Number Four clutching Number One's sleeve tightly, practically plastered to him.
Her eyes cautiously scanned the surroundings, though she couldn't see clearly.
"It's so dark here," Number Four spoke.
"I can faintly make out a path," Number One said with a smile.
"I can see perfectly clearly. Just follow me," I said, turning back to look at them.
The two nodded quickly and followed closely.
Meanwhile, I was constantly observing the environment around me.
This environment gave me a sense of inexplicable security. For some reason, I could clearly feel the Mu Shen Zhi Li contained within my body, which seemed unusually active at this moment.
It swirled around my body, as if cheering with joy.
Witnessing this, my heart immediately settled, and my curiosity intensified. What truly lay at the deepest part of this place, to be able to affect my Mu Shen Zhi Li so profoundly!
I quickened my pace and pressed on. After about another hour,
I suddenly felt something was not right and turned to look behind me.
To my surprise, the area behind was completely empty...
Seeing this, my expression turned extremely grim!
Where had Number One and Number Four gone?