The sudden appearance of the giant python left everyone at a loss, except for the instigator, Big Head. Swiftly, he pulled a signal gun from the companion across, and a shot rang out into the sky.
The illuminating fuel burned intensely, instantly brightening the area. The dazzling light instinctively made everyone close their eyes, even the pythons, accustomed to underground life, were drawn towards the brightness, colliding into the crowd.
Amidst the chaos, Big Head took advantage of the situation, shouting, "We're waiting for the New Year! Grab someone and follow me." With that, he grabbed my hand and pulled Xiao He with us, rushing away.
I found it strange how he could see, but it was apparent that everything was planned by this guy. He led us stumbling out of the illuminated area. Opening my eyes, I saw him wearing sunglasses – no wonder he could advance under the illumination and without fear of eye injuries.
Glancing back, with the extinguishing signal flare, the python disaster had fully erupted. I laughed and said, "You're something."
He took off his glasses, urging, "Hurry, we don't have much time. Cao's firepower won't hold for long, and there's a bigger one behind."
We advanced quickly, through ruins and up a massive landslide, finally reaching the "exit" as Big Head described.
At a glance, I felt despair. No wonder Xiao He said this place was unreliable. Before us was a huge cave, occupying at least the size of one and a half soccer fields. Though not naturally formed, it resembled a collapse from a past earthquake. A crack several meters wide in the cave's ceiling allowed moonlight in after turning off the flashlight.
Indeed, it connected to the outside, but the crack was too far for us. There was nothing to climb nearby unless we were bats; otherwise, there was no way out.
Feeling disappointed, I stubbornly checked other places with my flashlight, shaking my head. "No, the cave ceiling is too clean, not even a place to anchor climbing gear. Impossible to climb over."
Xiao He suggested, "What if we go back now? If we can get Cao's supplies, maybe we can find the original path."
Xue Dongqing disagreed, "Too difficult. The way we came down is complex, full of traps. We can't get out in a short time."
I said, "Turning back is not an option. The monsters in the ancient temple have already come out. If we go back, we'll definitely be in danger when we encounter them. We can't afford that."
Big Head kicked a stone, cursing, "What now? Truly a dead end. Instead of waiting to die here, why not go out and make a stand? Maybe there's a chance."
Everyone felt somewhat pessimistic. I felt unprecedented despair; not only whether we would encounter those monsters but also considering the current condition of the team. Xiao He's wounds were getting infected, and if we delayed, it would surely deteriorate, making us even more passive.
Restlessly, I searched the cave wall next to the crack. Suddenly, I noticed a detail, hastily adjusting my flashlight to the maximum power. Excitedly, I said to them, "Look over there."
Big Head thought he found the exit, but upon closer inspection, he was disappointed, complaining, "Kid, why are you wasting time showing us that smooth rock wall? Are we going to collectively crash into it later?"
I scolded him, telling him to look carefully. Big Head didn't see it, but Xiao He caught a clue, frowning, "Moisture?"
"Exactly. Look, only this rock wall is wet. It indicates the water source is nearby, either underground water or a lake. As long as we break the rock wall and let the water in, when the cave is filled with water, we can float up. Finally, whether we can get out depends on fate." I exclaimed excitedly.
Big Head, thinking of using a pry bar, shook his head, saying, "I have a way, but it's a bit dangerous." Hitting his left palm with a clenched fist, he continued, "We need to attract that big guy over here."
Big Head's eyes lit up, loving action. Cursing, he said, "Damn it, let's do it. Better than waiting here to die."