Before passing out, Old Bei saw Ning Beichen punch through the giant rock, and then they appeared here. It was clear that this young man had saved them.
"You're welcome. I just happened to find you. You're quite lucky. If I had taken a wrong turn or arrived a little late, you would have lost your lives."
Ning Beichen turned around and handed him a self-heating rice meal and a bottle of mineral water.
"Th...thank you."
Old Bei trembled slightly. He didn't know what to say or how to say it when facing Ning Beichen.
"No need to be nervous. Just call me Mr. Ning," Ning Beichen said with a smile, sensing his apprehension.
"Yes, thank you for saving my life, Mr. Ning."
Old Bei's hands trembled nervously.
"Eat something first. Your companions are all fine. They'll wake up soon. Afterward, I'll find a way to take you out," Ning Beichen told him.
Saving someone meant seeing it through. If Ning Beichen didn't care for them now, their only way out would be death. Even with the oxygen he brought them, they might not be able to find the correct route to escape.
As expected, not long after, Old Bei's subordinates began to wake up one after another.
They were all in a daze at first, and several thought they were already dead. Later, after Old Bei's explanation, they realized they had been saved and were not dead.
Old Bei led his subordinates to kneel before Ning Beichen, thanking him for saving their lives. Ning Beichen did not stop them. He was worthy of their kneeling. The reason Ning Beichen did not stop them was simple: they were ordinary people without much wealth or extraordinary abilities. If he refused their gratitude, it would only make them feel uneasy.
After they had eaten and rested, Ning Beichen prepared to lead them away. However, at that moment, one of Old Bei's subordinates stumbled, crashing into the wall and crying out in pain. Old Bei and the others quickly helped him up. Ning Beichen, with his sharp eyes, saw something familiar on the spot where he had bumped. Ning Beichen immediately went over and wiped away the mud on the wall, revealing an ancient pattern like a starry sky, with countless fine lines connecting together.
"Mr. Ning, what is this?" Old Bei and the others looked at the wall curiously.
"Nothing, just some patterns. It could be formed by naturally dried rocks," Ning Beichen replied casually. Some things were not for them to know, and explaining them would be meaningless. If they were to learn of it and develop greed, it would only harm them. It was better not to let them know.
"Get ready. I'm taking you out." Ning Beichen checked the time. The agreed-upon time with Ling Jue was approaching, so he told Old Bei and the others to get ready.
Although Old Bei and the others could tell the wall was not simple, they were sensible enough not to inquire further. After all, these matters had nothing to do with them, and they had already received their due rewards. Moreover, having narrowly escaped death, they only wished to return safely and had no desire to concern themselves with what was happening here.
Old Bei and his men tied themselves together with a rope around their waists, with one end held by Ning Beichen to prevent them from being separated during their exit.
Then, Old Bei and his men experienced what passion and speed were. Ning Beichen was like the engine of a bullet train, pulling them rapidly through the passage. Their speed was at least ten times faster than their own swimming. Old Bei and his men were dizzy and disoriented. They didn't need to exert any effort throughout the entire journey. Before their minds could even process what was happening, Ning Beichen had already led them out of the passage, leaving them in awe. They all wondered in their hearts if this Mr. Ning was even human. Could he have transformed from a great fish? Or perhaps they had already died, and what they were seeing was the world after death.
Ning Beichen, unaware of their thoughts, soon arrived at the entrance of the cave. This was where he was to rendezvous with Ling Jue. Upon reaching here, he no longer needed to escort Old Bei and his men. Ling Jue was already waiting when Ning Beichen arrived. He was quite surprised to see Ning Beichen had actually rescued the frogmen. In his mind, these frogmen were all useless ants, so why would Ning Beichen go to such lengths to save them? However, he only thought about it and didn't voice his true feelings.
"You can leave on your own. When you get back outside, tell them that we'll be staying inside for a while longer. The duration is uncertain, possibly half a day or a day, or perhaps three to five days at the slowest. Tell them not to worry about us." Ning Beichen instructed Old Bei and the others.
Old Bei nodded and thanked Ning Beichen again. He then led his subordinates away from the underwater cave and ascended towards the lake's surface.
About ten minutes later, Old Bei and his men surfaced. They were all ecstatic about escaping death. They had all believed they would perish in the cave and that their bodies would never be recovered. At the last moment of their lives, they were fortunate to meet Mr. Ning. The mysterious and extraordinary Mr. Ning, with his own strength, had rescued them all from the brink of death.
Not long after, people on the platform began to shout loudly.
"Look, it's the frogmen! The frogmen team is back!" people on the platform shouted excitedly.
Ye Ya'er and Li Wanrong also looked at these frogmen, but they didn't see Ning Beichen and Ling Jue, which made them feel a little worried. Old Bei and his men soon returned to the platform. Li Wanrong eagerly inquired about Ning Beichen's situation. Old Bei then excitedly recounted Ning Beichen's rescue, even embellishing the story and describing Ning Beichen as if he were a celestial being. He spoke of Ning Beichen appearing with golden light, shattering a mountain-sized rock with a single punch, and flying them through the air and water. The people on the platform felt as if they were listening to a fairy tale. However, it didn't seem like they were making it up, as every frogman swore they were telling the truth. They also conveyed Ning Beichen's message.
For a moment, the atmosphere on the platform became somewhat strange. They didn't know whether to believe the frogmen's words or not.