Chapter 347: The Discovery of the Hidden Passage

Ao Li and Lín Jìn moved cautiously along the secret passage suffused with a sharp stench, the surrounding darkness seeming alive, trying to engulf them. The passage was narrow and winding, the faint glow on the walls flickering intermittently, giving an ominous, eerie impression.

As they went deeper, they saw strange symbols and designs appear along the sides of the passage. The symbols were unlike any script they recognized, and the designs portrayed twisted beasts and mysterious ritual settings. Lín Jìn leaned toward one illustration and examined it closely. In it, a group of Black-robed People circled a massive stone platform on which rested a Container glowing with an uncanny light, apparently holding some liquid, while a strange rune above the Container flickered with an ominous glow.

"Ao Li, look at this illustration; the liquid in that Container is probably the First-generation Gene Sample. And judging from the actions and expressions of those Black-robed People, they appear to be conducting a vital ritual," Lín Jìn said, pointing at the drawing.

Ao Li gave a slight nod, eyes locked on the illustration, trying to glean more information from its details. "You're right, Lín Jìn. But we have no knowledge of these symbols; we don't know whether they'll reveal further clues about the ritual or the First-generation Gene Sample."

At that moment, a deep roar echoed from ahead in the passage, reverberating through the narrow tunnel and making their eardrums throb. Ao Li and Lín Jìn instantly went on guard, tightened their grip on their weapons, and slowly advanced toward the sound.

Rounding a corner, they beheld a gigantic creature. It resembled a lizard, its body sheathed in black scales that glimmered like metal. Its eyes burned like twin green flames, brimming with blood‑thirsty hunger. Sensing their approach, the monster flung its massive jaws open, let out a roar, and a wave of hot, putrid air surged toward them.

"Watch out, this monster isn't easy to handle!" Ao Li shouted, while infusing Inheritance Power into the long sword, which instantly gleamed with golden light.

Lín Jìn swiftly gathered energy, forming a glowing energy sphere in their hand, ready to strike. The monster struck first, lunging at Ao Li with massive claws. Ao Li flashed aside, deftly evading, and swung the sword toward the creature's claws. The blade struck the scales, scattering sparks, but only left a shallow scar on the armor‑like plates.

"These scales are too hard!" Ao Li said, frowning.

Lín Jìn seized the moment, hurling the energy sphere toward the monster's eye. The creature sensed the threat, whirled its head, and the sphere skimmed its body before striking the passage wall, triggering an explosion. While the monster was distracted, Ao Li launched another attack, pushing Inheritance Power to its peak; the sword's radiance grew brighter, and a thrust aimed at the monster's neck. This time the blade pierced the flesh, and the monster let out a painful roar.

Yet the monster did not collapse; it thrashed wildly, trying to fling Ao Li away. Ao Li gripped the hilt firmly and shouted to Lín Jìn, "Lín Jìn, strike its wound!"

Lín Jìn instantly grasped the cue, forming seals with both hands and unleashing a powerful energy beam that struck the wound. The creature shuddered, and as the beam persisted, black blood oozed from the injury. At last, the monster emitted a deep snarl and collapsed with a thud.

After the monster was dealt with, Ao Li and Lín Jìn pressed on. At the far end of the passage they discovered a firmly shut stone door, its surface etched with the same odd symbols and designs that lined the tunnel, and a sunken palm imprint centered on it.

"This palm imprint—could it be the key to opening the stone door?" Ao Li asked.

Lín Jìn pondered briefly before replying, "It's possible, but we shouldn't act rashly. Let's first see whether the symbols and designs offer any clues."

The pair began scrutinizing the door's symbols and designs, attempting to decipher a method to open it. Yet, as they concentrated, an eerie song suddenly echoed through the passage—its melody sweet yet tinged with an inexplicable darkness, as if it came from another realm.

Ao Li and Lín Jìn exchanged a glance, a sense of foreboding welling up inside them. They knew that within this perilous hidden passage, fresh trials had arisen. What lay behind the uncanny song? Could they succeed in opening the stone door and uncover further evidence about the First-generation Gene Sample and the conspiracy? Everything was shrouded in uncertainty and tension…