Inside the canyon, the group searched the area around the landslide.

The climate in low altitudes is quite different from that at the mountain top. Here, the forest is dense and there are vines everywhere, making travel extremely difficult.

Everyone held machetes to clear a path, dispersing to search for possible crevices in the rock wall.

This task lacks technique; whether or not one can find a way depends entirely on luck.

After searching for more than two hours, they found nothing.

Just when Qi Yun was starting to doubt whether there were any other entrances in this place, Niu Da’s voice suddenly came through the walkie-talkie.

"I found a cave over here! It’s huge!"

Qi Yun perked up and quickly moved towards the location reported by Niu Da.

Niu Da was located about two kilometers to the left of the landslide area. By the time Qi Yun and the others arrived, a rock face almost completely covered in vines appeared before them, and Niu Da and An Zai had already cleared part of it.

A circular opening, roughly three to four meters in diameter, stood exposed, pitch black inside, with a cold air slowly flowing out.

Air circulation means there is space inside, possibly quite large.

Qin Sizhi quickly stepped forward and crouched at the edge of the cave mouth, reaching out to feel the airflow and carefully inspecting the rocks at the opening.

"This cave..."

He frowned slightly, looking up at the formation of the rock face above.

"Is there a problem?" Qi Yun asked, approaching.

Qin Sizhi shook his head: "It just feels a bit odd; it looks like it formed in recent years."

Yao Yuzhong stared at the fractures, also showing a thoughtful expression, and said, "Moreover... these rocks are not weathered; they likely didn’t collapse naturally."

This fellow has spent half his life exploring caves, so he’s quite experienced in this aspect.

"Could it have been opened by an earthquake?" An Zai scratched his head, questioning.

Yao Yuzhong remained silent for a while, then nodded: "It can’t be ruled out."

Qi Yun shined his flashlight into the cave and asked the key question: "Master Qin, is the passage inside the one you entered back then?"

Qin Sizhi carefully illuminated the cave’s interior with his flashlight, the beam moving along the passage that sloped downward, his expression growing more puzzled: "Director Qi, this... I’m really not sure."

"When my master and I entered back then, that passage wasn’t this wide or steep; it went straight inside... This cave seems much larger and deeper, and its direction is completely different."

He paused, hesitatingly added, "However... the wind blowing from inside... this scent... it is somewhat similar to my memory, carrying an indescribable stench."

Yao Yuzhong also leaned at the cave mouth, taking two sniffs and frowning tightly: "This smell... is indeed peculiar..."

While the group was discussing, a slight ’clattering’ sound suddenly came from deep inside the cave, like small stones tumbling.

The sound was faint but exceptionally clear in such a silent environment.

Everyone quieted down, holding their breath.

After waiting for more than ten seconds, no further sounds followed.

"Probably something like mice." Qin Sizhi explained.

The team’s tense nerves slightly eased, Qi Yun straightened up, turned to Brother Quan and instructed: "Get ready to go in."

Brother Quan nodded and began assigning tasks: "We will split into two groups, and Old Bai will lead one group to provide support outside...."

After making arrangements, the group proceeded into the cave, with Niu Da and An Zai in front, followed by Qin Sizhi and his apprentice, then Brother Quan, Qi Yun, and Yao Yuzhong, with Da Pao and Old Bai bringing up the rear.

As soon as they entered the passage, they could feel a noticeable drop in temperature, and the light quickly dimmed.

The passage was spacious enough to accommodate at least five or six people walking side by side, and it was over two meters tall, so it didn’t feel constricting inside.

It was unknown how this passage formed, but it was indeed a marvel of nature.

The passage initially extended straight inward for about twenty meters before beginning to slope downward gradually.

The stone walls transitioned from limestone to a darker-colored rock, with some faint white sedimentary patterns visible on it.

Qi Yun shined his flashlight and slightly disappointed, shook his head, it wasn’t jade.

The team continued forward, and the passage’s slope kept descending.

Suddenly, a "whirling" sound echoed from above, followed by sharp screeches, like wings flapping, and there were many!

"They’re bats!" An Zai exclaimed softly, instantly sweeping his flashlight upwards.

Numerous black-brown bats were seen hanging from the top of the passage, densely packed.

Startled by the flashlight and the footsteps of the group, they flapped their wings and flew chaotically, emitting piercing screeches.

Some frightened bats began to randomly rush and dive towards the crowd.

"Crouch down!" Brother Quan loudly reminded.

Everyone immediately bowed their heads, using their arms to protect their heads.

The bats swirled in the passage like a black tornado, the wing flapping bringing waves of offensive odor.

Fortunately, the bats seemed to be only startled and not intent on attacking; the chaos lasted less than a minute before most bats flew deeper into the passage, with only a few still circling.

"Damn, that scared me." Niu Da brushed off the bat droppings that landed on his clothes.

After the false alarm, the team continued progressing.

But after being disturbed by the bats, everyone became more vigilant, with flashlight beams constantly scanning overhead and around.

After walking for roughly twenty minutes, Niu Da, leading the way, suddenly stopped and shouted back: "Boss, there seems to be a fork ahead."

The flashlight beam pointed forward, indeed, the passage split into two paths, left and right.