Published: February 9, 2025
"The building competition has ended, and all winners have been selected. The winning list will be published in both the work-related area and the review section. Winners, please send your addresses to me via private message within three days using your winning account. You can also join group 539357111 and privately message me with a screenshot of your account and address. Thank you, everyone!"
This is an abandoned subway tunnel, slightly higher and wider than the passages in the underground city, but Ye Zhongming and Nogaei were still frowning from the fishy smell filling the air.
"The branches and leaves of the Yama Tree secrete a liquid that is said to have healing properties for external wounds, but no one knows if it's true. This smell comes from that liquid," Nogaei explained, pointing towards the pitch-dark tunnel ahead. "After walking for another half hour, the roots of the Yama Tree will appear, and you'll see this thing."
Ye Zhongming scanned his surroundings; the light from the torches couldn’t reach too far.
"Although I don’t know why you’re here, I advise you to turn back once you see the roots. The danger will increase exponentially if you delve deeper."
Removing a burden from his heart to wake his son and evolving to the level of a four-star evolver—that was why Nogaei had agreed to guide Ye Zhongming. However, if it were possible, he would prefer to stay beside his son, watching him grow, fighting side by side in this apocalypse to survive.
It would be best if he could dissuade this 'boss' from going deeper.
However, stealing a glance at the expression of the man beside him, Nogaei knew the hope was slim.
After entering the passage for more than ten minutes, intersections began to appear in numbers that were bewildering.
"When the Yama Tree just devoured its kind, it started to try to take control of Linhai. The process was naturally fraught with difficulties, during which it had intense battles with some very powerful mutated sea snakes. They found the Yama Tree's main body and attacked it; these passages are basically remnants from that time," Nogaei spoke with a hint of nostalgia. He thought back to that great battle, which, although no survivors from Linhai witnessed it, must have left an incredibly deep impression.
"Looking back now, it would have been better if those mutated sea snakes had won; at least humans wouldn't be trapped in this dead city."
Perhaps knowing that this trip was fraught with danger, or maybe because his son's recovery had released his suppressed emotions, Nogaei seemed much more cheerful than a few hours ago. Even his scar-laden face displayed a richer array of expressions.
At that moment, Nogaei's value became apparent. He was someone who had been here and seen the main body of the Yama Tree. Perhaps he was the only one alive in all of Linhai who had done so. He navigated these dense passages, occasionally stopping to confirm their direction.
If Ye Zhongming had come here alone, even if he found the main body of the Yama Tree, it wouldn’t be known how many days it would take.
"Go through this passage..."
Nogaei's words were cut off as Ye Zhongming suddenly pulled him to the side, hiding them both in the shadowy recess, and extinguished their torches with a quick wave of his hand.
The passage was instantly plunged into darkness.
Nogaei, being a four-star evolver, quickly regained his composure despite the suddenness of it all. He stood quietly beside Ye Zhongming, his heart stirred.
Just now, his body had instinctively reacted in resistance, but he discovered that under the man's hands, his struggle had no effect whatsoever. This gave him a brand new assessment of Ye Zhongming's strength, and for the first time, he felt there might really be a chance to survive.
Two seconds later, noises came from the far end of the passage ahead.
It was the sound of the footsteps of dry corpses!
The two pressed against the wall behind them, holding their breath, afraid of being discovered.
There were not many of these dry corpses, perhaps only dozens. Not to mention Ye Zhongming, even Nogaei would have been able to take them all down if given some time.