After finding the answer within himself, Chen Fan looked at the heavy water waterfall, which was several times larger than an ordinary one, and the heavy water that flowed down endlessly. An idea sparked in his mind: perhaps there was something like a perpetual motion machine inside this tomb that could keep the water flowing indefinitely.
With the answer obtained, Chen Fan took a few steps back, gathered all his remaining strength into a single finger, and fiercely thrust it towards the waterfall. To the eyes of an outsider, Chen Fan's figure seemed to teleport, reaching the waterfall in an instant before unleashing his attack.
"Boom!!"
A deafening sound erupted, causing the tomb walls to tremble and loose stones to fall, kicking up clouds of dust.
Meanwhile, on the surface.
"Report, a strong energy fluctuation detected underground," a researcher from Sector Thirteen informed the elderly Shen Dian, who was reclining on a rocking chair.
"Oh? Let me see." Shen Dian stood up and observed the computer screen.
"Report, Lord Shen Dian, this energy fluctuation is comparable to a desperate, life-sacrificing strike from the peak of the Shattered Core Infant Transformation realm." The researcher, having received new data, addressed Shen Dian.
"A life-sacrificing strike, tsk... No wonder King... sent me here." Shen Dian nodded slightly upon hearing the researcher's report, offering no further comment.
"Once the surrounding excavation is complete, we shall prepare to descend soon," Shen Dian said before returning to his rocking chair to rest.
Chen Fan's single strike caused the heavy water waterfall to momentarily scatter. However, the gap was not significant and did not last long, as the water resumed its flow after only three to four seconds.
"As expected, my current strength is still too weak to break through the waterfall effectively or for an extended period. However, in those three seconds, I clearly saw a large opening behind the waterfall."
Saying this, Chen Fan turned and began to meditate to recover from his injuries, aiming to break through the waterfall in one go next time.
-------
On the other side.
Due to the astonishing tremors from the earlier underground event, everyone participating in the mission had received a report detailing the preceding events.
"Who possesses such immense power?" Bai Lin pondered, looking at the report in her hand. The energy fluctuation was at least equivalent to a desperate, life-sacrificing strike from the peak of the Shattered Core Infant Transformation realm. Could it be Chen Fan? When the thought of Chen Fan crossed her mind, Bai Lin immediately shook her head.
"How could it be him? He's so young. Even if killing Lie Shan was luck, at best he's only at the mid-stage of the Martial Golden Core realm..." Bai Lin felt a twinge of doubt but dismissed it, walking out of her tent.
She observed that ordinary Sector Thirteen armed personnel were receiving hormone injections to heighten their sensory perception, while temporary workers and all lower-ranked personnel were being given hormones that enhanced physical strength.
Witnessing Sector Thirteen's reckless exploitation of ordinary people's bodies and lifespans, Bai Lin felt helpless. After all, the drugs were, in a way, developed by her grandfather. However, seeing these ordinary people being pushed to their limits, Bai Lin, known for her cold-blooded nature, felt a flicker of hesitation.
"Grandpa, are we doing the right thing?"
Bai Lin asked herself, but there was no one to answer her question…
------
On another side of the ancient tomb.
In a narrow, winding cave within the ancient tomb, a figure flashed by.
"Damn it!!!!! Why are there so many bugs!!!!" Bai Zhannian desperately fled through a myriad of small tunnels.
Behind Bai Zhannian, a large, grotesque swarm of insects was relentlessly pursuing him.
"Oh, my insect brothers, I only stole a little bit of food you collected," Bai Zhannian shouted as he ran, but the swarm couldn't understand human speech.
"Chen Fan, I might not be able to avenge you! I might be stung to death by insects today!" Bai Zhannian continued to run, noticing that the tomb passage ahead was widening. He also spotted a steep cliff less than a hundred meters in front of him. Beyond the cliff, a sea of mist obscured what lay ahead. In this desperate situation, he could only gamble. Bai Zhannian thought to himself.
He quickly scanned the surrounding rock walls for handholds and footholds, then leaped forward, using his lightness skill to ricochet off the surfaces. Finally, just before reaching the edge of the cliff, he made a final jump.
A white figure streaked through the air, plunging towards the unfathomably deep cliff face below.
Moments later, Bai Zhannian crashed heavily into the mist.
"Ah... where is this." Bai Zhannian, still suffering from previous injuries, landed hard. Even with immense power, one would still bleed from the mouth.
Bai Zhannian slowly got to his feet, steadying himself and warily observing his surroundings, shrouded in mist.
"Whoosh..." A sound of something moving rapidly past Bai Zhannian.
"Who?" Bai Zhannian instantly heightened his guard, showing no signs of weakness.
"Heh heh heh... It's been so many years, finally, someone has entered." The voice echoed from all directions.
"Damn it, how can I not sense it..." Bai Zhannian looked around frantically, but there are always moments of oversight and lapses.