Sky-cracking Rider

The reconnaissance drones launched from "Atlantis" have conducted sonar surveys on many caves, but this detection technology is not always foolproof and is often influenced by depth, complex geological structures, and sonar power.

The harsh winter on Antalu Planet arrives early, affecting both the southern and northern hemispheres uniformly, unlike Blue Star where the equator differentiates between summer and winter. The seasonal changes on the entire planet are completely synchronized, and the temperature fluctuations are extreme. Even near Antalu's equatorial line, once winter sets in, it becomes like a frigid hell, directly limiting the operating capacity of drones. With dry ice blizzards kicking up, no drone or aircraft can safely take flight.

After venturing approximately two kilometers deep into the cave, the internal temperature gradually rose to above 15 degrees Celsius, and even the composition of the air changed. The concentration of carbon dioxide decreased while the oxygen concentration increased, reaching levels sufficient for human survival, and even slightly higher.

This shift in gas composition is somewhat related to the glowing moss, fungi, and even smaller algae distributed on the damp cave walls. After all, plant growth requires the absorption of carbon dioxide to release oxygen, while retaining carbon as part of themselves.

This exchange provides resources for animal survival. Besides these lower plants, various insects were also active, with some species evolving bioluminescent organs to aid in predation and reproduction.

The depths of the cave labyrinth are not completely dark. In addition to the light from flora and fauna, some minerals jutting out of the cave walls emit a bright, slightly warm glow. These seem to be mineral crystals with radioactive isotopes that can absorb thermal energy and convert it into a continuous energy supply for light.

Chen Fei casually collected a few pieces as samples for his collection, tossing them into the "Spatial Branding." His personal bodyguard, Dang Wei Jun, mimicked his actions, swinging his long knives imbued with Battle Qi against the cave wall, creating a large opening. He picked up about eighty to a hundred pounds before halting his mining efforts.

After traversing nearly a kilometer of low-tier plant areas, the cave passage suddenly expanded, leading to an underground hall. The glowing mineral crystals were scattered across the rock walls, their combined brightness akin to the dawn light on Blue Star at around five or six o'clock in winter.

In addition to the ubiquitous lower plants, dense shrubs and tall tree-like plants were present, with larger species moving about. The air was thick with various spores and genetic materials, and the oxygen content was higher than Blue Star's average level.

This nearly one-kilometer-wide space resembled a botanical garden of continuously hybridizing flora and fauna, with all sorts of bizarre organisms breaking the boundary between animals and plants. The ground was covered with thick humus, and if one dug into it, countless fragmented remnants could be found.

Upon conducting a simple search, Chen Fei discovered some artificial traces in a corner of the underground hall.

For example, distinct geometric shapes and clearly visible chisel marks indicated that intelligent life had once visited here and left evidence of their existence.

Noticing that the Earth Order War Professional bodyguard wanted to remove his tactical helmet to breathe the fresh air, Chen Fei timely stopped him.

"Old Party, don't remove your helmet. The environment here is harmful to the human body."

Don't get carried away in the moment of pleasure, the next second, spores' roots, stems, and leaves might sprout from your orifices and even beneath your skin. Even on Blue Star, where humans have thrived for millions of years, there are many primitive areas that remain off-limits, with life-threatening dangers almost everywhere, let alone on this unknown planetary ecosystem.

The surface is harshly unforgiving to life, and once-bustling flora and fauna have mostly retreated underground, evolving new forms and habits to adapt to this environment. However, one thing remains unchanged: their endless greed and desire for survival resources.

"I apologize, I was careless!"

After a moment's hesitation, Dang Wei Jun suddenly realized that they were not on Blue Star. He broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that seemingly innocuous habits could unintentionally cost lives.

Humans cannot instantly integrate into the ecosystem of an unknown planet; they are more likely to become prey or nutrients here. Death is the only fast track to integrating into a strange environment.

"Be careful! This is not Blue Star!"

After scouring the area, Chen Fei once again gestured for the combat mech team to lead the way, continuing to delve deeper into this natural underground cave maze, marking numerical signs and arrow points on the cave walls every fifty meters as a primitive safeguard measure.

After passing the first underground hall, traces of intelligent life began to increase, such as unknown purpose round pits—perhaps stone vaults for placing light sources—drainage channels, followed by a much larger hall. Inside, instead of the previously seen botanical garden, it was filled with clusters of various constructions, some directly carved out, others built with stone blocks, conveniently using leftover materials from excavation, with no waste whatsoever.

Who else but the intelligent species of Antalu Planet?

Without guessing, it's clear that this is the ancestral land of the "Sagali," the true ancestral land. Like other intelligent civilizations, the Parasitic Species also experienced a decline in civilization. Looking at these ruins, it's clear—with no significant difference from Blue Star's prehistoric Stone Age.

Following the traces left by Lin Zixian and Ginny, Chen Fei and his team entered a tall stone temple. From the lined-up bonfire stands or lampposts made from luminous minerals, it could be inferred that this was a primitive religious site.

The dawn of civilization brought about the innate need for understanding the unknown, and religion naturally emerged, a universal trait among intelligent species.

Judging from the discernible fresh traces, Lin Zixian and Ginny seem to be in some trouble; their footprints were erratic, with scattered sticky substances and even some blood drops.

The initial underground hall indeed harbored hidden dangers, and Lin Zixian and Ginny couldn't avoid the trap, their state concerning.

Chen Fei did not hastily quicken his pace, but continued exploring casually, escorted by combat mechs.

Rushing wouldn't help. Without comprehensive protection and specific effective measures, it's unlikely they could be rescued from the unknown conditions of an unknown planet.

In Chen Fei's eyes

Inside the spacious stone temple carved from the rock face, some murals composed of colorful minerals and carving marks captured Chen Fei's attention, further validating the conjecture that this was once a religious site.

Murals can record past history more intuitively than text, preserving ancient memories for tens of thousands of years.

Dang Wei Jun, following closely by Chen Fei's side, suddenly pointed at one of the murals, saying in a deep voice: "Look, that's Life Reaping; this place was also once a site where 'Qin' sowed seeds."

In some underground world on Cangqiong Star, evidence left by the Giant "Qin" still exists, with remains strongly resembling "Qin" even being found.

On the mural, red clouds flew about wildly, swooping down upon all sorts of bizarre creatures on the ground, continuously slaughtering and even capturing them, taking them skyward.

The creatures on the ground were unwilling to be reaped and resisted with all their might. The entire process seemed to last for a long time until one day, a particularly marked individual performed an astonishing act…