Everyone was speechless. Zhao Hu sighed and looked at Lin Feng, "Lord, what should we do next?"

Lin Feng shook his head. He walked to the wall of the room, reached out to feel the rough rock walls, and then squatted down to examine the stone slabs on the floor, but he couldn't sense anything.

No hidden doors, no mechanisms, no magic circles.

It was just an ordinary room with a treasure chest inside, containing a single Amethyst.

Is this what Gruen was guarding?

The stone stairs ended at this room, and the entrance to the second floor... wasn't here at all?

"Forget it." Lin Feng stood up and brushed the dust off his hands. "Let's head back the way we came.

Once the Adventurers arrive, we'll let them map out the first floor first."

Everyone looked at each other and nodded. Although Tie Dun was unwilling, he knew the Lord was right.

Lin Feng turned to walk out. After a few steps, he stopped and looked back at the purple treasure chest.

The chest was still open and empty, and it was slowly disappearing. He withdrew his gaze and strode out of the room.

Everyone followed the markers Arrow Eye had carved to head back.

The markers were clear, with an arrow every few steps pointing toward the direction they had come from, leading them out of the labyrinth.

They hadn't gone far when Lin Feng suddenly stopped and pointed at the moss on the rock walls. "Gather some and take it back to turn in for the quest. At least we'll have some gains."

Everyone obeyed and began gathering.

Tie Dun scraped off a large handful and stuffed it into his robe; Wang Wu used a small knife to scrape a small bag's worth.

Su Yurou carefully selected those with intact leaves and the brightest fluorescence.

A Wang and Scarface Liu also gathered some.

Zhao Hu squatted before the rock wall, gathered a handful, wrapped it in cloth, and put it in his backpack.

Lin Feng was also gathering. He walked along the wall, looking for the brightest spots.

After walking for a while, Jiang Yelan suddenly darted out from the side, appearing soundlessly beside him.

She held out her hand, a small cluster of moss resting in her palm. This cluster was different from the others.

The leaves weren't the usual pale blue but amber, as if soaked in sunlight. Each leaf was thick and full, feeling warm to the touch unlike the coldness of ordinary moss.

Most uniquely, it was glowing—not with a dim, flickering fluorescence, but with a steady, warm light like a small lamp. Even after being picked, the light did not fade.

Lin Feng took the cluster of moss and examined it. His eyes lit up. "This stays glowing after being picked?"

Jiang Yelan nodded, her voice cold but carrying a rare hint of lightness. "Ordinary ones go out a few seconds after being picked. This seems to be a mutant; it glows continuously." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Lin Feng smiled and carefully tucked the Amber Moss into his robe.

"An unexpected find. We'll give it to Selina when we get back and see how many Contribution Points it's worth."

Jiang Yelan nodded slightly, her figure flickering before vanishing back into the shadows.

The group continued back. The markers became denser, the forks fewer, and the tunnels wider.

The moss's fluorescence gradually brightened, no longer that oppressive pale blue but carrying a hint of warmth.

After walking for about half an hour, a translucent light screen appeared ahead, with 'Dungeon Entrance' written on it.

They had returned to the surface.

Lin Feng stood at the cave entrance and took a deep breath.

The air inside the Dungeon was damp and decaying, carrying an indescribable scent of deathly silence.

Meanwhile, the air on the surface, though smelling of withered wild grass, was at least alive and flowing.

Just as Lin Feng was about to turn around to check on everyone, he heard the sound of an argument coming from the back of the group.

"General Meng, don't be so cold! We were fighting side by side just a few days ago. Let us go down; we won't cause any trouble!"

A crisp female voice spoke, tinged with a bit of reproach and coquetry.

Lin Feng looked back and saw three people surrounding Meng Yi. Meng Yi stood with his halberd planted in the ground, expressionless and silent.

Bai Yi and Bai Er stood behind him, equally silent and unyielding, with no intention of stepping aside.

Among the three, Jiang Zhaoyue was walking at the front.

She wore a suit of silver-and-blue form-fitting armor with intricate patterns engraved on the plates. A silver-white spear was slung across her back, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, giving her a capable and heroic air.

Beside her was Feng Qingyan, also sporting a high ponytail and wearing a fiery red short robe. She held a staff inlaid with a ruby, and the fire crystal at its tip occasionally spat out a tuft of flame.

Following them was a brawny man in half-plate armor, a tower shield strapped to his left arm and a one-handed battle-axe in his right hand, following silently.

Feng Qingyan was prattling at Meng Yi, "We're just here to take a look, not to steal your stuff! Why are you so stubborn?" Meng Yi remained silent.

Lin Feng turned to Zhao Hu and asked in a low voice, "Do you know them?"

Zhao Hu nodded and lowered his voice. "That girl is Feng Qingyan, a Fire Mage. She's the younger of the twins who helped us defend the city in Qingmu County; her sister, Feng Qingshuang, didn't come. That man is Shi Pojun, a defense specialist, also from the Crescent Moon Territory."

Lin Feng nodded and walked over.

"Lord Jiang," Lin Feng called out.

Jiang Zhaoyue turned around and smiled upon seeing Lin Feng. She walked quickly toward him, with Feng Qingyan and Shi Pojun following behind.

"Lord Lin, excuse the intrusion." Jiang Zhaoyue cupped her hands politely. "I heard there was a Dungeon here, so I came to take a look.

If you mind others exploring it, we'll head back right now and won't cause any trouble."

Lin Feng waved his hand. "I'm mainly concerned about too many random people causing unnecessary trouble. If Lord Jiang wants to explore, you're welcome anytime."

Feng Qingyan's eyes lit up, and she leaned in to interject, "Lord Lin is indeed generous and straightforward! Not like some people, who are cold as ice and won't say a word no matter how much you ask." She gestured toward Meng Yi with her chin.

Lin Feng smiled. "Meng Yi was just following orders."

He glanced behind Jiang Zhaoyue and asked casually, "Why are there only three of you? Is the Crescent Moon Territory very busy?"

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded and said calmly, "There's been a lot going on in the territory lately, so the others couldn't get away. We're just here for a preliminary scout; we don't plan on going deep."

Feng Qingyan chimed in again, "Exactly! We're so busy we barely have time to breathe. It's already good enough that we could squeeze in a trip here!"

Lin Feng didn't ask further. He turned to Meng Yi and raised his voice, "Meng Yi, when Lord Jiang and her group explore the Dungeon later, just let them through."

Meng Yi pressed his right fist to his chest and bowed slightly. "As you command."

Lin Feng turned back to Jiang Zhaoyue. "The first floor is a grotto labyrinth with countless forks. We wandered around for a long time without finding the entrance to the second floor. If you don't have a way to solve it, you'd better not go down."

Hearing the word 'labyrinth,' Feng Qingyan didn't worry; instead, she let out a giggle. "A labyrinth? Then you've found the right person! Sister Jiang is an expert at those!"

Lin Feng was slightly taken aback and turned his gaze toward Jiang Zhaoyue.