After resting for two days, the group packed their bags and set off towards the outskirts of the city. When they came into view outside the city, they saw Maimaiti standing in front, with a camel caravan of dozens of people behind him. The camels were tall and sturdy, carrying a full load of supplies, like arks in the desert.
Maimaiti, with a solemn expression, spoke in broken Chinese, “This time, I have specially assigned a camel caravan to Company Commander Li and Deputy Commander Ma, led by Bakamu. Your mission is to explore the ancient city of Loulan. Loulan is about four hundred li from here, a place fraught with danger, where yellow sand swirls everywhere, seemingly ready to devour everything, and there is absolutely no water. Moreover, the nights are filled with fierce winds, and the cold is as sharp as ice. But you are all brave warriors; I hope you will take care on your journey and return safely. I await your triumphant return!”
Four hundred li away, somewhere between near and far. The camel caravan moved slowly, stopping and starting, taking ten days to finally reach the outskirts of the ancient city ruins. As far as the eye could see, large sections of the city wall had collapsed and crumbled, yet under the afterglow of the setting sun, its former glory seemed to reappear. The broken walls and ruins seemed to silently tell of its past prosperity, each crack like a mark of time, witnessing the ups and downs of the ancient city in the long river of history, inspiring awe and contemplation for its long-forgotten past.
The group found a sheltered place to set up camp. After several days of travel and hard work, everyone was exhausted and looked forward to a good night's rest in this safe place.
The next morning, after a simple breakfast, a group of over a hundred people set off for the ancient city of Loulan. The procession was grand and imposing, but upon entering the city, they were enveloped in a deathly silence. For miles around, there was no sign of human habitation; all that could be seen were ruins and crumbling walls. The ancient city, like a frail old man, silently recounted its past glory and vicissitudes, inspiring both awe and sorrow in everyone present.
Another day passed, and the group arrived at the foot of a valley. This place must be an extension of the Altun Mountains. The valley was barren and devoid of any vegetation. Only a few lizards occasionally crawled by, causing a faint sound of sand and gravel. In this quiet, almost eerie environment, the sound was even more jarring and added a touch of eeriness to this mysterious place.
The setting sun cast a blood-red glow on the tents. Company Commander Li and his guide, Bakamu, hurried into the old Taoist's tent. Company Commander Li's face was grave as he looked at the old Taoist and said, "Taoist Master, Bakamu told us that beyond this valley lies the ruins of the ancient Loulan city's main hall. If we arrive tomorrow, we hope you will use your skills to explore the underground palace beneath the main hall. There, we are sure to find what we have been longing for."
Bakamu nodded and continued, “Master, I guided a Russian team here ten years ago. They searched the ruins of the main hall for more than ten days but found nothing. In the end, they had to leave because their food and water ran out. Later, I heard that they all perished in Lop Nur, a hundred miles away, with no survivors.” The old Taoist frowned slightly, his gaze deep, as if he were pondering the danger and mystery involved.
The next day, after a grueling half-day trek, the group finally arrived at the ruins of the ancient Loulan city's main hall. Before them, towering, crumbling walls stood like silent giants, bearing witness to the former glory of this ancient kingdom. As the sun set, its afterglow painted the sky an orange-red hue, and the old Taoist priest moved through this splendor among the ruins. He walked and stopped, his expression solemn, as if listening to the echoes of ancient times. Yun Liu and Yun Qi followed closely behind, their eyes warily scanning their surroundings. Yun Ba remained at the tent to guard the luggage and their belongings.
The old Taoist priest activated his senses and surveyed the area, then suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on a single spot—a deep pit beneath the collapsed steps of the main hall. The pit was bottomless, like a gaping maw of the earth, exuding an aura of mystery. Beside the pit, there were obvious signs of human activity, seemingly dating back several years, concealing some unknown secret.
The old Taoist priest looked solemn and ordered Yun Liu to summon Company Commander Li and the others to his side. The group gathered around the deep pit hidden behind the stairs. The old Taoist priest pointed to the pit and said solemnly, "This pit is bottomless. I cannot even sense its bottom. We must send someone down to investigate." Company Commander Li did not hesitate and immediately ordered a squad leader to lead three soldiers to carry out the mission.
Preparations were quickly completed, and the ropes were securely fastened. The four soldiers, each equipped with a pistol and a grenade, their eyes resolute, took turns gripping the ropes and slowly descending into the pit. Time ticked by, and after about fifteen minutes, the ropes had been lowered approximately 120 meters before reaching the bottom. By then, the shouts from those at the bottom could no longer reach the surface, and Company Commander Li and the others could only wait patiently at the edge of the pit.
However, about two hours passed quietly, and the rope remained motionless. A sense of foreboding washed over Company Commander Li. He quickly turned to the old Taoist priest, his words earnest and formal: "Master, the situation is dire. I trouble you to send one of your disciples and one of my men down to investigate again. We must find out the whereabouts of the four brothers who went ahead." The old Taoist priest frowned, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, as if choosing a suitable person.
The old Taoist nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over his disciple behind him. He softly called out, "Yun Qi, you go with Company Commander Li's men." Yun Qi responded and stepped forward with a solemn expression. Company Commander Li quickly gathered a squad of soldiers. They checked their equipment; the pistols at their waists gleamed coldly, and grenades were ready. Two torches were lit. The ropes were lowered again. Yun Qi led the way, followed by the soldiers, who slid down the two ropes into the deep pit one by one. A deathly silence fell over the surroundings, broken only by the soft creaking of the ropes.
Reaching a depth of 120 meters, Yun Qi and his soldiers landed. They lit torches, the light piercing the darkness, but there was no trace of the four advance team members. Yun Qi and his soldiers split into two groups, one led by Yu Yun Qi and the other by the squad leader, and began searching the bottom of the mysterious pit.
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