Chapter 141: Entering the Stone Gate

“Kid, go up and try again. Remember, this time you only need to make that tiger attack you. Don’t get hurt again.”

Old Bowen, who had been sitting to one side, suddenly called out to Number Two. Number Two did not understand why Old Bowen had said that, but he trusted the old man. He rolled his shoulders and, after confirming that there was no discomfort, immediately walked toward the Bloodshadow Tiger.

This time, however, the Bloodshadow Tiger was nowhere near as gentle as before. Even a rabbit would have lost its temper after being provoked again and again, let alone the king of all beasts.

It threw back its head and let out a roar. Then its body once more transformed into a fading crimson blur and appeared before Number Two. Following Old Bowen’s instructions, Number Two did not go any deeper. He merely stepped one foot into the tiger’s territory.

By now, everyone had clearly mapped out the boundaries of the Bloodshadow Tiger’s domain. Otherwise, these top experts might as well have smashed their heads against a block of tofu.

The Bloodshadow Tiger was visibly enraged this time. Half of its body turned dark crimson, though its tiger’s head remained semi-transparent. The instant its body began to change color, Old Bowen’s shout rang beside Number Two’s ear.

“Run!”

Almost as soon as he heard the word, Number Two instinctively moved back out.

“Boom!”

The entire cavern trembled. The Bloodshadow Tiger’s whole body had become a solid, deep crimson. It stood at the edge of its territory and glared at everyone. Before long, however, it returned to its semi-transparent form.

While the others were still puzzled, Old Bowen walked over and pointed at the tiger.

“If you want to injure it, you have to wait until it becomes solid.”

His words were like a bolt of lightning illuminating a dream. No one present was a fool; they simply had not thought of it before. After Old Bowen pointed it out, everyone immediately understood.

Number Two was the most excited of all. At last, he had a chance to avenge himself. Although he was not as fast as the Bloodshadow Tiger, he firmly believed that the speed of his attack was something the beast could never match.

“Haha! This time, I definitely won’t let everyone down.”

Number Two walked forward full of confidence. But halfway there, he stopped and flicked his hand, sending a bolt of lightning toward the tiger. Though it had no effect on the Bloodshadow Tiger in its current state, his aim was to provoke it.

In fact, his plan worked. To the king of all beasts, Number Two’s behavior was an utterly naked insult. The Bloodshadow Tiger threw back its head and roared furiously, then rapidly solidified.

“Come on! Let me show you what my fists can do!”

Number Two went wild as well. This was no game. He was certain that no one present could match his speed. Since even he was slower than the Bloodshadow Tiger, no one behind him would be able to rush forward and save him. If he failed this time, he would certainly be the one to die.

“Let’s see who strikes faster!” he shouted inwardly.

The Bloodshadow Tiger had already leaped before him. Number Two screamed in his heart, “Just a little closer—just a little closer, and I can hit it!”

But his wish was completely shattered. The Bloodshadow Tiger’s forelegs were somewhat longer than a human’s, and its claws had already reached the crown of Number Two’s head.

With no other choice, Number Two gritted his teeth and charged forward. The current running through his gauntlets surged to its maximum strength, and he slammed his fist into the Bloodshadow Tiger.

At the same time, the tiger’s paw struck him in the neck.

“Pfft!”

Number Two was sent flying by the blow. Yet the Bloodshadow Tiger’s entire body was instantly covered in streams of blue electricity. Only a few seconds passed, but the current was so powerful that the tiger collapsed before it even had time to cry out.

Thick smoke rose from its body. After a few spasms, the Bloodshadow Tiger lay completely dead.

Only after the twitching stopped did everyone react. Zhu Tianyi rushed to Number Two, with the others close behind. After carefully examining him, Zhu Tianyi breathed a sigh of relief. Although the tiger had struck Number Two in the neck, the injury was not serious. He had merely been knocked unconscious.

Number Four carried Number Two outside. Number One was fine, suffering only slight pain from having been struck in the chest. The remaining problem was figuring out how to open the black stone gate.

“Leave this stone gate to me!”

Number Two and Number Four had only just left when a booming voice echoed through the cavern. Number One frowned at first, then broke into a grin.

“Haha! Old Ox! You finally made it!”

He burst into laughter.

“Hmph! Force Rhino, how could I let you have all the glory?” another man called.

A burly fellow even taller than Force Rhino strode over, carrying a massive black iron rod and wearing the same broad smile.

“Old Ox, commander of the Second Squad, reporting to Lieutenant!”

“Smiling Tiger, commander of the Third Squad, reporting to Lieutenant!”

As Old Ox finished speaking, a pale-faced scholar stepped forward and addressed Li Runze. The man who called himself Smiling Tiger looked sickly and frail, as though a strong wind might blow him away. Song Nianqiang could not imagine what someone with such a physique could possibly do.

Eight people, together with the two remaining members of the First Squad, Song Nianqiang, Big Fatty, Li Runze, and Zhu Tianyi, made fourteen top experts gathered in one place.

No one knew what would happen next, but Song Nianqiang was certain that danger awaited them at every step. The slightest mistake could cost them their lives.

“Old Ox, give it a try.”

After everyone had greeted and introduced themselves to Zhu Tianyi, he spoke to the commander of the Second Squad.

Old Ox acknowledged him and walked solemnly to the blood-colored tiger head. Without the Bloodshadow Tiger guarding it, the tiger head was nothing special apart from its weight. Strength was Old Ox’s greatest talent, so opening the gate was effortless for him.

“Ha!”

Old Ox seized the tiger head and wrenched it to one side. The black stone gate immediately let out a succession of cracking sounds. Then a chill, ghostly aura drifted out from beyond it, making everyone shudder.

Beyond the black stone gate was absolute darkness. No one could see what lay inside.

“Bring all the equipment!”

Zhu Tianyi shouted to the support personnel behind them. Several large packs were soon brought over, filled with food, water, flashlights, military knives, and every other kind of emergency equipment. Each person selected several items, found a small pack, and arranged it accordingly. The larger packs were carried on their backs, while the smaller ones hung from their waists.

Then they began walking through the gate.

Song Nianqiang did not know what brand the powerful flashlights were, but their beams were extraordinarily bright. Ordinary flashlights could not compare with them at all. Twelve people carried twelve flashlights, while several smaller ones were tucked into their pockets. They were specially designed to fit neatly inside a shirt pocket.

After entering the black stone gate, they found themselves in an extraordinarily long passageway. They walked for half an hour without seeing its end.

At that point, the commander of the Third Squad—the sickly-looking Smiling Tiger—turned and smiled at one of the men behind him.

“Little Liang, show them what you can do.”

The moment he finished speaking, the pitch-black passage suddenly blazed with light. Song Nianqiang and the others hurriedly covered their eyes.

“Damn! That’s too bright!”

Smiling Tiger covered his own eyes and shouted toward Little Liang with a laugh. At his call, the long passageway immediately darkened again, though it remained more than twice as bright as before.

Once their eyes gradually adjusted, they saw a young man radiating brilliant light from head to toe, like the glow that heralded the descent of an angel from the Western heavens.

“Damn! That’s an amazing ability. It was practically made for this passageway!”

Big Fatty shouted once he had recovered. His voice echoed through the passage for a long while. Realizing that he had been too careless, he gave an embarrassed chuckle and fell silent.

By all rights, such a long passageway should not have existed, even underground. Song Nianqiang kept his wits about him and left marks on the wall as they walked.

Ten minutes later, his eyes narrowed slightly.

He had found one of the marks he had just left.