Debi stared up at the glowing insects scattered across the cavern ceiling, her voice tinged with awe.
"Jiang, how do you think such incredible creatures exist underground? It's almost unbelievable."
Jiang Chen smiled, his gaze steady.
"This is the power of nature," he said. "Humans like to believe we understand the Earth, but the truth is—we don't. Not even close. We're just scratching the surface of its mysteries. Who knows how many more unknown wonders are hidden beneath us?"
Debi turned to him, curious. "You're saying we still don't know much about our own planet? Even though it's right under our feet?"
"Exactly," Jiang Chen said. He tilted his head slightly. "Think about it. We've only explored 5% of the ocean. Our understanding of the universe? Also 5%. And do you know how much we know about what lies underground?"
Debi shook her head. "How much?"
Jiang Chen's answer was simple.
"0.2%."
Silence.
Debi froze.
The entire live chat froze.
Then—
[Wait, what? 0.2%?!]
[We know more about SPACE than what's beneath our feet?!]
[Bro, my brain just broke.]
[Jiang Chen dropping existential crises like it's nothing.]
Jiang Chen chuckled at their reactions.
"So really, no matter what we find underground, nothing should surprise us. The unknown is always possible. And science? Science exists to challenge the unknown.
"Everything we think we know? It only improves when we break past old limits.
"The Earth is far more mysterious than we've ever imagined."
Debi nodded, her expression serious.
The audience, who had started watching for the adventure, were now taking notes.
Somewhere in the future, these very words would be written into Jiang Chen's autobiography.
Maybe even textbooks.
A legacy in the making.
—
But Debi wasn't done asking questions.
She pointed toward the glowing creatures still floating above.
"I get the part about nature evolving… but why do these bugs glow?" she asked. "We're more than 4,000 meters underground. They've never even seen sunlight, right? And yet they shine?"
Jiang Chen smirked.
"It's simple," he said. "Every creature is given what it needs to survive.
"Because there's no sunlight underground, these insects evolved their own light.
"Some might use it to lure prey. Others might use it to scare off predators. Either way—it helps them survive, thrive, and reproduce."
Debi's brows furrowed. "So there are more creatures like this?"
"Plenty," Jiang Chen confirmed. "In fact, glowing creatures are more common than you think.
"Take the deep sea, for example. Without sunlight, many species developed their own bioluminescence.
"Some fish, squids, and even jellyfish glow in different colors—blue, red, green. In total, scientists estimate that at least 300 species of deep-sea fish emit light.
"And that doesn't even count all the glowing crustaceans, mollusks, and microorganisms that exist."
Debi listened intently, and so did the millions watching.
For a moment, the expedition had turned into a full-fledged science lecture.
But instead of being bored—
Everyone was hooked.
[Jiang Chen's streams are more educational than school.]
[I swear this is better than National Geographic.]
[Man just casually explains evolution like it's a bedtime story.]
Just then—
Grumble.
A strange sound echoed through the cavern.
Debi froze.
Jiang Chen blinked.
Then realization struck.
Debi clutched her stomach, her face turning bright red.
The chat exploded.
[LMAO SHE'S HUNGRY.]
[Bro, it's been like 10 days since they ate normal food.]
[Jiang out here dropping scientific knowledge, meanwhile Debi's stomach is like: FEED ME.]
Jiang Chen smirked.
"Are you hungry? Makes sense. We've been walking for so long, and that waterfall climb drained a lot of energy," he said. "Let's set up camp here. You can enjoy the starry sky while I get things ready."
Without waiting for a response, he got to work.
Like a tireless machine, Jiang Chen quickly set up their tent, reinforcing it with the best materials he could find in their surroundings.
Then, to ensure safety, he built a makeshift fence around the camp.
It wouldn't stop a determined predator, but it would at least serve as an early warning system if something approached in the night.
By the time he was done, Debi had already pulled out their food supplies.
"Our rations were planned for a 20-day round-trip," she said, checking the inventory. "But since we've changed our route, our food supply won't last.
"If we want to stretch it, each of us can only have half a compressed biscuit with some canned sauce."
She sighed, slumping down. "It's such a shame. This scenery is so incredible… If only we could have a proper meal to go with it."
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "A proper meal?"
Without another word, he turned and stepped into the tent.
At the same time, he subtly deactivated his Omnipotent Eye, ensuring it wouldn't capture what he was about to do.
With a simple thought, he accessed his mobile storage space.
In an instant, vacuum-sealed packages, a large cooking pot, and fuel appeared in his hands.
Then, as casually as if he had just found them in his backpack, he walked back out.
Debi blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Jiang… What is that?"
"You said you wanted a feast, right?" Jiang Chen said, setting everything down. "Turns out I packed some extra supplies. Just remembered."
Debi didn't question it.
Her eyes lit up with uncontainable excitement.
Before Jiang Chen could react, she threw her arms around him and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.
"Jiang! I love you!" she exclaimed. "I swear, if I eat another compressed biscuit, I'm going to lose my mind. I can't believe we're actually going to have real food down here!"
Meanwhile, the live chat was losing its mind.
[WAIT. WHAT DID HE JUST PULL OUT?]
[DID SHE JUST KISS HIM??]
[Bro, rewind. Jiang just casually pulled out a FEAST??]
[I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HE BROUGHT. NOW.]
—
Thirty minutes later, the truth was revealed.
Jiang Chen had brought—
Hot pot.
Complete with broth base, fresh ingredients, and even seasonings.
The chat exploded.
[YOU'RE KIDDING. HE BROUGHT HOT POT.]
[A hot pot expedition? I've seen it all now.]
[The first man to eat hot pot 4,000 meters underground… Jiang Chen breaking records without trying.]
[This is insane. Beautiful underground scenery, a glowing starry sky, and hot pot? ROMANTIC AS HELL.]
[If I ever find a man who takes me 4,000 meters underground to eat hot pot under glowing fireflies, I'm marrying him on the spot.]
—
As the broth bubbled, rich aromas filled the underground cavern.
Debi practically had tears in her eyes as she swirled a piece of beef into the pot.
"This… might be the best meal of my life," she said, voice full of emotion.
Jiang Chen smirked. "Told you I'd take care of it."
And with that—
Under the glowing ceiling of firefly-like insects, in the depths of the unknown—
They enjoyed a meal that no human had ever had before.
A moment never to be forgotten.