This is not all of the corpses, because at some corners of the building blocks, some remnants and fragments can still be seen, vaguely recognizable as incomplete bodies, but often very small pieces, as for the rest... they are already untraceable.

The space here seems to be more stable than outside, but a thick space barrier has already formed between different spaces, meaning that what the eyes can see does not necessarily mean one can pass through.

Without rashly touching those bodies, Xu Huo walked along the edge inward and found that the layout here is somewhat similar to the first layer of folded space. Previously, when outside, he could only feel the overlapping of sounds, but only walking through here did he get a sense that people are overlapping in space too.

For instance, one second he might still be at the bottom of the building cluster, maybe stepping two or three steps to reach higher ground, only realizing the space transition afterward, realizing only once he walked past that these two spaces are connected.

Though many and chaotic, it is indeed much more stable than outside. If truly forming a space type instance, this should indeed be in its embryonic form.

When The Seventeenth Hospital instance was born, he just happened to start Spirit Evolution, fitting right into the instance venue, so he had some connection with the final formation of the instance. When the instance was completed, he also received the Instance Authorization Document.

But this place is filled with folded space, even the statues within are affected, turning into props that can drag people into the gaps between spaces, indicating that the level of the instance is likely not low, and it already has its own operating rules; personal influence seems minimal now, perhaps eventually birthing a holder exclusively belonging to this instance, possibly similar to the existence of a statue.

Of course, Xu Huo also considered directly deploying The Seventeenth Hospital here.

Previously, The Seventeenth Hospital upgraded due to internal contamination by the Hugo Pathogen, indicating external factors are sufficient for instance upgrading. If merged into this space, the instance may upgrade again, or possibly fuse the two instances together... but this is only optimistic thinking; there’s a great possibility that this unstable space might produce uncontrollable changes under the instance’s stimulation, especially with its connections being unpredictable, potentially absorbing these ruins into places unable to establish a connection with the game upon spatial shifts.

By any measure, this is too risky. Even standing outside the ruins might not work, let alone staying inside.

Xu Huo moved slowly within the ruins, collecting some player corpses without obvious restriction, and attempted to walk through some gaps resembling spatial channels using the Water Rubik’s Cube – ultimately unsuccessfully, yet the spatial power in the ruins did not attack him. The ruins space changed according to its rules, while he proceeded with his exploration at his own pace, leading to a certain degree of peaceful coexistence.

The longer the time, the more Xu Huo was convinced of his judgment; this underwater ruins could become a space-type instance in the future, though it’s uncertain if the final formation will be related to ancient civilization typically; fixed instances are often combined with local cultural and historical aspects.

The ruins no longer have much worth exploring, only some incomplete ancient building clusters and traces of ancient lives, besides the statue, no other props have been found for now.

Folded space is tending toward stability, with no substantial danger for now, but a way out seems unfindable.

Xu Huo checked around the ruins without finding a passage leading directly outside, and where he entered earlier was also filled by folded space, impassable.

It’s unknown when the next spatial change will occur, yet the longer it takes the less safe it becomes, thus hurrying to explore each corner of the building cluster hoping to discover suddenly appearing spatial channels.

While exerting full effort in seeking an exit, Nie Xuan, Jiang Qiao, Shangguan Jing, and others were already waiting at the lake surface early on.

During the first layer of folded space changes, Nie Xuan found means to exit, conscious of his limited strength, knowing entering the depths of folded space would be more dangerous, so he promptly retreated upon spatial changes.

Once outside, he continued waiting by the lake surface, already two rounds of spatial power bursts passed, yet Xu Huo hadn’t come out.

"Three hours have gone by," Jiang Qiao said, "Xu Huo might have used tickets to exit directly."

"Highly unlikely." Nie Xuan replied, "Some places within folded space can’t use tickets."

Jiang Qiao remained silent. Many military personnel died in just such a manner.

Numerous individuals missing inside are mostly elite military personnel. Concerning Xu Huo’s sudden disappearance, neither she nor the military considered it strange; frankly, the hopes they initially harbored weren’t high, if Xu Huo were to emerge alive, they’d be thrilled, but if disappeared within, it wouldn’t be unanticipated.

At this point, only waiting remains.

Unexpectedly, this wait carried on til evening; roughly six hours later, another energy burst erupted under the lake, causing waves to surge against the barrier screen, with Xu Huo following the waves out, first smashing through the screen barrier to lessen its resistance and followed the tide into the nearby command center.

Nie Xuan and others had discovered him already, but upon pursuing, they saw him standing atop the venue prop roof wringing out his clothes.

The splashing water sounds jarred everyone’s eardrums, Jiang Qiao approached with a full-face smile, "Finally waited for you!"

Xu Huo seemed unharmed; though slightly mentally exhausted, he glanced at the approaching crowd, "First get some food."

The prolonged ten-hour depletion had reached his limit.

"Meals were long prepared!" Jiang Qiao hurriedly dispatched someone to fetch them.

This time the military was quite warm, laying out a good spread of wine and food, Xu Huo, indifferent to the onlookers, was stuffing himself like a whirlwind. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Maintaining the Water Cube Barrier demands consistent spatial power manipulation. Though only requiring light Spatial Ray stirring, the sustained duration this time was too long, leaving him physically and mentally drained upon exiting.

After a round change of dishes did he regain some strength, during tea he’d drawn some corpses out from the luggage compartment, "Half have already transformed into stone."

Upon witnessing their suddenly appearing comrades’ bodies, those present shifted from excitement to sorrow. Moments later, Shangguan Jing silently signaled for the corpses to be carried away and solemnly saluted Xu Huo, "Thank you!"

All military players in the room saluted similarly, Xu Huo remained silent for two seconds before saying, "The ruins space seems like a prospective space-type instance, yet not fully formed, with countless spatial gaps and channels within, usual props and apparatuses being inadequate, my suggestion is not to send anyone inside again shortly, meaninglessly."