Seeing Madam Rat approach, we greeted her with smiles.
Uncle martial arts bowed:
"All good, all good!"
Although we didn't reply verbally, we nodded.
Having benefited so greatly last night and eaten such fine medicinal cuisine, we had to say we rested well, even if we didn't.
Madam Rat chuckled:
"Are you gentlemen planning to take a look around?"
"Yes, we just don't know how to get out!"
Uncle martial arts answered directly.
Madam Rat smiled sweetly:
"Follow me! I'll show you the way out!"
With that, she walked ahead, cradling the large rat in her arms.
We quickly followed.
Passing the temple where the battle had taken place last night, we found not a trace of bloodstains.
A crystal rat statue stood prominently within the temple.
As Madam Rat led the way, she spoke:
"My Grey family has resided here for over two thousand years. This crystal statue is of my home's first Rat King."
From then on, my Grey family took root here, continuing until this day.
While Madam Rat explained, we looked around.
Although not particularly curious about the history of the Bottomless Pit's Grey family, it was interesting to hear as a piece of miscellaneous lore.
We exited the temple by the same path. Upon reaching the abyssal cave, whose depths were hidden from sight, Madam Rat spoke again:
"Within this area, my Grey family has set up a grand formation.
Access requires the use of the formation..."
As she spoke, Madam Rat walked to a statue of a giant crystal rat.
She then had us stand on a stone platform not far away.
The platform was inscribed with many peculiar markings.
However, they were not Taoist inscriptions, but rather winding demonic runes.
These were the product of countless generations of great demons from the Grey family, continuously refining and replicating them here.
Seeing us in position, Madam Rat instructed:
"Stand still!"
Then, Madam Rat struck the belly of the giant crystal rat with her palm.
In an instant, the crystal giant rat's eyes glowed, as if activated.
The demonic runes on the stone platform beneath our feet began to flash, emitting a green light.
This was followed by a surge of upward air current, as if to lift us.
"Master, is it going to blow us up?"
Old Mo asked, astonished.
Uncle martial arts and the rest of us, experiencing this for the first time, felt a touch of nervousness.
"It appears so."
If they were indeed blowing us up, how powerful would the wind and formation have to be?
Considering this place was at least ten thousand meters from the surface, it was hard to fathom.
Could demons also engrave such heaven-shattering formations?
Even if they could, the energy expenditure would be unimaginable.
Just as I was anticipating the manner of our return to the surface, Madam Rat leaped onto the stone platform.
The moment she landed, a sharp screech of "squeak squeak" echoed from above the platform.
Hearing this, all of us looked up.
We saw a massive dark shadow rapidly descending from the pitch-black ceiling.
Faintly, we could sense waves of demonic energy.
"Uncle martial arts, something is coming down!"
I frowned.
The others also widened their eyes, staring at the ceiling.
Madam Rat, however, smiled:
"Don't worry, everyone. That's just one of our Grey family's large bats."
"A, a large bat?"
We were all surprised.
Madam Rat nodded.
Subsequently, the dark shadow gradually solidified.
We could then clearly see its form – indeed, a large bat with a wingspan of several meters.
Beneath the great bat, several vines were clutched in its feet.
Seeing this, I finally understood.
This formation platform wasn't for blowing us upwards, but a summoning platform for the great bats.
To ascend from the bottom of this Bottomless Pit, one had to rely on these large bats.
Just as I thought this, Madam Rat spoke:
"Everyone, grab the vines. The Bat King will carry us up."
This method of ascent was unexpected by everyone, but acceptable.
Without much hesitation, feeling the strong wind emanating from the great bat's wings, we quickly grabbed the vines dangling from its feet.
Once ready, Madam Rat called out to the great bat:
"You can go now!"
The great bat was clearly intelligent and understood her words.
Without delay, it let out a "squeak squeak," flapped its wings, and began to fly upwards towards the ceiling.
The bat's speed was incredible; the sound of rushing wind constantly swept past our ears.
The few of us, gripping the vines, watched the receding ground with unprecedented astonishment.
"Old Qin, this is even more thrilling than coming down."
I smiled and replied:
"It is thrilling. This is my first time riding a bat elevator."
I added a bit of humor.
The great bat flew faster and faster.
Though we were beneath it, we didn't feel much turbulence.
Before long, we saw the waterfall at the cave entrance.
The "whoosh" of water could be heard from afar.
Passing through the waterfall, the great bat directly deposited us at the opening.
Without a backward glance, the great bat flew back into the dark abyssal cave and disappeared.
We all looked at the departing great bat with surprise.
Uncle martial arts even asked:
"Fellow Daoist Rat, how many such large bats does your Bottomless Pit keep?"
Madam Rat did not conceal anything and answered directly:
"Around a dozen or so.
They all have hundreds of years of cultivation. The Bat King that carried us up just now has three hundred years of cultivation.
But it has never left the Bottomless Pit; it has always lived here..."