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"Does this river lead to the core of the Infinite Desert? If they are still alive, can they really endure for so long?" Yu Tianheng wondered. It's important to note that the core of the Infinite Desert is nearly ten thousand miles away from here.
Out of twelve people, five were killed for unknown reasons, leaving seven survivors. Three of them were Soul Kings, but even they couldn't endure for so long. Their best outcome would be having no remains left behind.
The only uncertain factor now is whether they were carrying any toxins that could contaminate this underground river, potentially causing water problems in the surrounding area.
"Should we go down and investigate?" Dugu Yan looked at Tang San. Although she and Yu Tianheng were the core leaders of this mission, they trusted Tang San unconditionally.
Having a central figure to rely on, they had abandoned most of their own decision-making.
"We'll go down," Tang San decided. However, before descending, they went out to explain the situation to the local sub-hall master and asked, "Is there really no other exit for this underground river leading directly to the core of the Infinite Desert?"
"I swear on my martial soul, absolutely none!"
The sub-hall master declared firmly, "Three hundred years ago, the Martial Soul Hall organized a large-scale exploration of the desert core. Among those exploring all possible entrances to the core was my great-great-grandfather."
"At that time, after discovering this underground river, he had people pour a massive amount of edible purple flower dye into it... Survivors from the Martial Soul Hall said that if the water source in the core area turned purple, it was confirmed."
While this testing method couldn't completely prove the connection, considering the underground river's hard and smooth walls, it seemed quite possible.
Moreover, the underground river's flow was too fast, and with unknown undercurrents, it was impossible for anyone to go down and investigate.
As for Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo level experts...
They held too much pride as strong warriors to engage in such investigative tasks. They would rather challenge hundred-thousand-year soul beasts than venture into the eerie underground river.
"During this period, keep a close watch and patrol diligently to prevent any mishaps," Tang San advised. "The four of us will go down to investigate."
"Lord Holy Son, Lord Yu Tianheng, isn't this too risky?" the sub-hall master asked worriedly.
"No, if there is danger, I will blast open the river's top layers of rock and soil to ensure our escape. With my power, I can obliterate a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with a flick of my hand," Tang San reassured. His confidence came from his strength, comparable to a Titled Douluo in his normal state and formidable in his fusion state.
If there's danger, they'll overturn the underground river if necessary!
Back at the riverbank, Tang San used the Blue Silver Emperor to craft a small boat. As they lowered it, he sensed the river's flow, which was indeed very rapid.
A Soul Saint falling in would be crushed to pieces...
This was no exaggeration.
Once all four of them were on the Blue Silver boat, Tang San used his spiritual power to sense the direction of the underground river. "With my current spiritual power, I can sense about three thousand miles ahead. This underground river isn't straight. There are nearly a hundred sharp turns and some small bends, along with stalagmites protruding in the river."
Yu Tianheng said, "We can just smash the stalagmites."
"We can't break them," Tang San shook his head. "Though the river is rapid, it only creates splashing sounds in this larger area, likely because this section has air flow and exchange with the outside. The rest of the river is relatively quiet, and with the surrounding cave walls, making too much noise could cause the stalactites above to fall."
"I see," Yu Tianheng understood, even though he didn't grasp all the details. Over the past two years, while hunting down fallen ones with Dugu Yan, he had entered caves with stalactites. Any loud noise would cause the sharp stalactites to fall. The principle was similar; they couldn't afford to be too loud.
"Hold on tight. I'm releasing the Blue Silver Emperor's anchor. Hold the soul guide lights for illumination."
Though Tang San had spiritual detection, maintaining clear visibility was crucial for humans, especially since this path had no light at all and the cave walls lacked luminous crystals.
As Tang San released the Blue Silver Emperor leaves anchoring the platform, the Blue Silver boat shot forward like an arrow, swiftly following the river's current.
Yu Tianheng, with his martial soul activated, held a paddle made from Blue Silver Emperor, staying alert for any obstacles and sharp turns ahead.
Dugu Yan, stationed at the stern, also activated her martial soul, using the tail of the Nine-Headed Jade Phosphor Serpent as a rudder to help steer.
Tang San sat in the middle, coordinating the group's actions. He manipulated twelve Blue Silver Emperor leaves, each nearly ten meters long, extending from both sides of the boat to sense the river's flow and assist in navigating turns.
Gu Yuena had the easiest task, sitting in Tang San's lap with a soul guide light in each hand, responsible for lighting their way.
If the river wasn't so rapid, the soul guide lights could have been fixed at the bow. However, due to the turbulent waters, holding them was safer. If the lights' energy depleted, it would be easier to replace the soul guide batteries by hand, preventing any risk of capsizing.
Thus, the three journeyed down the river. After nearly two days, covering almost three thousand miles, they reached a rocky bank densely covered with small stalagmites, about fifty square meters in area.
The stalagmites were tiny, only as thick as a thumb and three to four centimeters long.
Tang San used the Blue Silver Emperor to anchor onto the stalactites above, guiding the boat toward the stalagmite-covered bank.
"This is the body of a fallen one," Yu Tianheng noted, observing a corpse casually discarded on the rocks. Its abdomen was cut open; the internal organs were still there, but the stomach and intestines had been removed. The remnants on the riverbank indicated they had been cleaned out.
Although the underground river's air was odorless, they all felt a unique disgust. Gu Yuena, in particular, gagged in revulsion. "These guys are truly disgusting... Tang San, you were right. They might have used human intestines as rafts."
Before setting off, Tang San had speculated that the fallen ones might use their companions' intestines to make rafts.
Some animals' stomachs can be inflated to carry water or act as rafts. In this world, a soul master's body, nourished by soul power, would have stronger intestines than ordinary animals. The fallen ones, devoid of humanity, might use a soul master's intestines as air rafts.
Moreover, the fallen ones might possess secret methods to make a soul master's intestines even tougher, allowing them to last longer.
However, it seemed there was still some loss over time.
"But why didn't the other fallen ones resist?"
(End of Chapter)