63. Breathing
The air within the cavern was thick and humid. Outside, the tireless pounding of mutated leeches and the roar of the rushing underground river intertwined into a never-ending, agonizing symphony. Time seemed stretched in the darkness, every second filled with uncertainty.
Su Lin leaned against Ling Ye's side, eyes closed. His long lashes cast a fragile shadow across his pale, almost translucent face. His breathing was a little steadier than before, but still weak. Ling Ye let him lean on his shoulder, one hand firmly supporting his arm, the other gripping his bayonet. His sharp gaze peered through the cracks in the stone to observe the movements outside. He could feel the subtle trembling of Su Lin's frail body through his clothing, and his lower-than-normal body temperature, which burned with anxiety within him like a hidden fire.
Lei Qing stood near the blocked cave entrance, like a silent rock. He didn't urge anyone, only occasionally raising his wrist to check his old tactical watch, using the light ball maintained by Mu Lin, calculating the time and biding his time.
The light ball in Mu Lin's hand emitted a steady, gentle glow, illuminating the cavern. The faint chill it emanated also slightly dispelled the dampness within. He stood beside Lei Qing, his gaze fixed on the cave entrance, sensing the changes in the environment. "The frequency of the collisions outside is decreasing," he whispered to Lei Qing. "Their activity seems to be weakening over time."
Xingchen sat on the dry ground, eyes closed, concentrating. His face remained grim, but his entire mind was focused on sensing that special area upstream. Sweat trickled down his temples, but he was oblivious.
A Yan leaned against the cave wall on the other side, hugging his arms, his golden pupils flickering in the dim light, like a dozing beast, ensuring that he could react immediately to any emergency.
“Now!”
About an hour later, Stardust suddenly opened his eyes and said in a voice filled with suppressed excitement, "Their activity has dropped to its lowest point! Most of them have retreated back to the deep waters!"
Almost at the same time, the banging sounds outside the cave almost completely stopped.
Lei Qing's eyes flashed, and without the slightest hesitation, he said, "Move! Remain silent and move quickly upstream! Mu Lin, illuminate and guard the front. Xingchen, guide the way. A Yan, cover the rear. Ling Ye, take good care of Su Lin."
The order was concise and clear. Everyone took action immediately.
The rocks blocking the cave entrance were quickly removed. Mu Lin was the first to step forward, his light ball illuminating the riverbank. After confirming it was safe, he gestured. Lei Qing followed closely behind, sniper rifle in hand, his gaze scanning the dark river.
Ling Ye carefully lifted Su Lin onto his back and secured him. Su Lin, startled awake by the noise, opened his eyes slightly, took a hazy look at the dark green river outside, and subconsciously clung to Ling Ye's neck. Ling Ye sensed his uneasiness and tilted his head to whisper, "Don't be afraid, follow me." Then, with steady steps, he followed the group.
Xingchen walked in front of Lingye, eyes closed, relying on his mental senses. "The rocks on the left are loose... There's a reef underwater in front of the right..." He kept giving brief instructions, his voice faint but clear.
A Yan was the last to walk out, carefully restoring the traces of the cave entrance, then quickly followed, keeping an eye on the rear.
Like ghosts in the night, the team swiftly advanced along the slippery riverbank. The dark green water rushed beside them, its gurgling sound masking the sound of their footsteps. The air was thick with the smell of steam and mud. The occasional unusual noise in the water reminded them that the threat was not far away.
Mu Lin's ball of light was like a guiding beacon. Not only did he have to maintain the light, but he also had to sense the ground beneath his feet and the energy fluctuations. A thin layer of sweat oozed from his forehead.
"Three hundred meters ahead, the river narrows," Xingchen suddenly spoke in a serious tone, "that's the special energy area. But the energy field is complex and cannot be completely penetrated..."
Lei Qing gestured, and the team slowed down and became more vigilant.
As we approached, the air became fresher, and the stench of the mutated leeches faded. The river narrowed here, with towering rock walls on either side. And on the right rock face, a massive, man-made arched entrance appeared!
The entrance was five meters high, constructed of smooth concrete and alloy, with clean, clean edges and no fancy decorations except for a vague logo above the lintel, partially obscured by vines—a shield-shaped logo surrounded by gears, seemingly the logo of some old-fashioned institution.
Within a hundred meters of the entrance, the river was calm, and no energy reaction from the mutant leeches could be detected! They seemed to be deliberately avoiding this place.
"It's right here..." Stardust looked at the entrance, his eyes filled with shock. "That stable energy fluctuation is coming from inside..."
Everyone was shocked by the sudden appearance of this magnificent building.
"What is this place?" Mu Lin looked up at the archway. The ball of light moved upwards, illuminating the logo.
"I don't recognize this logo..." Mu Lin shook his head.
Lei Qing carefully inspected the entrance and found no traps or guards. He paused for a moment before decisively ordering, "Go in and take a look. Maintain maximum alert. Stardust, sense the interior."
Stardust nodded, took a deep breath, and probed his mental power into the entrance. After a moment, surprise crossed his face. "It's a vast space inside. I can't sense any signs of life, nor any contaminating energy... There's only a stable energy source deep inside."
Lei Qing was the first to step through the archway. Mu Lin followed closely behind. A ball of light dispelled the darkness, illuminating a wide, downward-sloping passage. The passage was paved with concrete, and the remnants of lighting fixtures dotted the walls. Its style was simple and practical, a stark contrast to the dilapidated ruins outside.
Ling Ye carried Su Lin on his back and walked in. The moment he stepped into the archway, Su Lin moved slightly, let out a soft moan, and frowned unconsciously.
"What's wrong?" Ling Ye noticed immediately.
Su Lin shook his head, his voice weak: "I don't know...it feels...a bit strange..." He couldn't put it into words. He just felt that the heaviness in his chest was relieved a little after entering, but some chaotic and blurry images flashed through his mind.
A Yan entered last, looked back at the river, and followed in.
The passage was long, descending all the way. The air grew increasingly dry and clean, with a faint, ozone-like smell. The emergency lighting system seemed completely inoperable, with only Mu Lin's light ball providing light.
After walking for about ten minutes, the road ahead suddenly opened up.
They entered a vast underground space. It was a circular hall with a soaring dome, and a faint trace of damaged lighting panels was visible. In the center of the hall was a circular control panel area. The various operating panels and screens, though dusty and damaged, were largely intact. The steady energy fluctuations were coming from somewhere beneath the control panel.
The hall was dotted with closed alloy doors, labeled "Storage Room," "Medical Area," "Energy Core," etc. The electronic display screens on the walls were pitch black, but occasionally a faint power indicator light would flash.
"Is this... a refuge or research institute from some olden days?" Mu Lin muttered to himself as he looked at the scene before him. There were no mysterious symbols or sacred pools, only a cool, practical industrial design.
Stardust stared blankly at the central control console. "The power source is below the console... It's stable, like some kind of backup generator is still running at low power... The air filtration system here might still be partially functioning..."
Lei Qing was also shocked by the scene before him, but he quickly calmed down and scanned the entire hall with a sharp gaze. "Check all areas and confirm they are safe. Mu Lin, Xing Chen, focus on the medical area and the energy core. A Yan, guard the entrance. Ling Ye, take Su Lin to the medical area."
After the order was given, everyone immediately took action.
Mu Lin and Xingchen walked towards the alloy door marked "Medical Area." The door was airtight, but it seemed to be unable to open automatically due to insufficient power. Mu Lin tried to manually turn the valve, and with a sharp metallic sound, the heavy door slowly opened.
Behind the door was a spacious medical room. Though covered in dust, the equipment inside was mostly intact. Several multifunctional medical beds were neatly arranged, and sealed medical supplies could be seen in the cabinets nearby. The most surprising thing was that the power indicator on a large piece of equipment in the corner of the room was actually glowing faintly green!
"There's still electricity here!" Mu Lin exclaimed in surprise, immediately moving forward to inspect the equipment. It was an environmental control and basic life support device. Although most of its functions were disabled, the basic air circulation and weak power supply seemed to be functioning.
Stardust walked over to the medicine cabinet and carefully opened it. Inside were neatly arranged various sealed medicines and medical devices, many still within their expiration dates! "We have antibiotics, analgesics, nutrient solution... practically everything we need!" His voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
Meanwhile, Ling Ye carefully placed Su Lin on a medical bed. Su Lin's complexion seemed to have improved after entering this clean environment. He leaned against the headboard, gazing at this unfamiliar place with a somewhat bewildered gaze.
Ling Ye took the necessary medicine and equipment from Xingchen and, under Bai Yan's remote guidance (via the communicator), began to perform a more professional examination and medication on Su Lin. His movements were still a little awkward, but he was extremely focused and careful.
Lei Qing, along with A Yan, who arrived later, inspected the storage room and energy core. They found a large amount of sealed food, drinking water, and spare supplies in the storage room. In the energy core, they confirmed that a geothermal generator was operating at low power, providing the underground facility with its basic energy.
An hour later, everyone gathered in the medical room.
Su Lin had already received preliminary treatment, taking antibiotics and nutrient solution. He was now sleeping peacefully, his breathing steady, and his face returning a bit of color. Ling Ye stayed by his bedside, his expression still stern, but the solemnity in his eyes had eased considerably.
"We've found enough supplies and medicine," Mu Lin reported to Lei Qing with a relieved smile on his face. "Although the equipment here is old, it's still usable. Su Lin's infection should be under control, and he should recover after a few days of rest."
Stardust added, "The energy system is very stable, so there's no need to worry in the short term. The shelter's defense system also appears to be very comprehensive. Once the airtight door at the entrance is locked from the inside, it will be difficult to force a breakthrough from the outside."
Lei Qing nodded, a subtle hint of relief showing on his resolute face. "Very good. We'll rest here until Su Lin and A Yan recover."
He looked at Su Lin who was sleeping on the medical bed, and then looked at the team members who were tired but with hope rekindled in their eyes.
This unexpected underground shelter not only provided them with much-needed supplies and medicine, but also offered them a rare, safe opportunity to rest and recuperate. Although the road ahead remained uncertain, at least for now, they could temporarily relax their tense nerves and find a precious respite beneath the ruins.
The outside world is still dangerous, and the threat of the Return to Dust Cult remains. But within this sturdy underground fortress, hope is like a faint power indicator light, small but firmly lit.
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