Chapter 223: Who Exactly Broke In?!

After Ilya's team dealt with the wounded, they continued to advance deep into the valley. But everyone could feel that this expedition had completely exceeded the scope of scientific investigation. Those three mysterious Easterners, those abnormal Golden Silk Monkeys, and this valley filled with mysterious colors were all signaling that a shocking truth was waiting to be uncovered.

"You say," a young team member whispered to their companion, "did we break into somewhere we shouldn't have come?"

"It's too late to say that now," Ilya replied after hearing this, a flash of determination in his eyes, "Since we're here, we must figure out the secrets here. And..." his gaze looked toward the direction where Lin Xuan and the two others had disappeared, "I am very curious about the true identities of those three people. They clearly know something."

The mountain wind blew through the treetops, making a rustling sound. On this ancient land, a contest involving the East and the West was about to unfold, and this might just be the prelude to a greater storm. The air was filled with a heart-palpitating aura, as if the entire valley was holding its breath for what was about to happen.

In the Qinling Primitive Forest, thick fog lingered among the ancient trees. The air was filled with a unique damp scent, mixed with the fragrance of moss and wild mushrooms. Professor Baird took off his glasses, which were covered in water droplets, and carefully wiped the lenses. His eyes, trained by rigorous science, were trying to pierce through this mysterious mist.

"Mr. Liu," he turned to the guide who was studying the map, his voice carrying a hint of anxiety, "According to our instruments, the entrance to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley should be within this altitude range. But why can't we find any landmark terrain at all?"

Guide Liu unfolded the map that had already turned somewhat yellow; the edges of the map still retained traces of damage, clearly having been used for many years. His finger traced a winding route on the map: "Professor, look, we are at this position now. To enter the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, we need to first pass through this primitive forest, then climb over the ridge ahead."

"This road looks far too convoluted," Ilya frowned, checking the supplies in his backpack, "Our food and water are only enough for one week. If we are delayed too long on the road..."

"Rest assured," Guide Liu's voice carried the confidence accumulated from years of experience, "I have led teams in this mountain area for ten years and know the terrain here like the back of my hand. As long as we follow the route I said, we can reach the destination in three days at most."

Professor Baird put on his glasses and carefully studied the various markings on the map. Suddenly, his gaze stopped on a blank area: "Why is there no annotation here? Under modern map surveying technology, this situation shouldn't exist."

Guide Liu's expression suddenly became somewhat strange, a flash of unnaturalness in his eyes: "That area..." his voice lowered a few notches, "The locals all say it's not peaceful there, and for generations, they have walked around it."

"Not peaceful?" Professor Baird became interested; years of scientific research experience told him that behind this kind of mysterious claim, important discoveries were often hidden, "What exactly does that refer to?"

Just as Guide Liu was about to explain, an abnormal bird call suddenly came from afar, the sound sharp and strange, completely unlike the sounds made by birds common to this region. His expression instantly became vigilant, and he quickly put away the map: "We had better hurry on our way. In this forest, it's not very safe after dark."

At the same time, inside a quiet villa in the city suburbs, Xu Si was carefully checking Feng Baobao's suitcase. As an experienced person in charge of Temporary Workers, he knew too well the trouble a small oversight could bring.

"Very good," after confirming there were no contraband items, he breathed a sigh of relief, "Bao'er did well this time and remembered the airport rules."

Feng Baobao nodded happily, then took out a jar of her treasured old-altar pickled vegetables from her backpack: "Can I bring this? I specifically brought several jars!"

Xu Si looked at her expectant eyes, unable to laugh or cry: "You can, but..." He wanted to say there were meals on the plane, but seeing Feng Baobao's pure eyes, he finally nodded in silent permission.

Just then, Zhang Chulan walked down from upstairs carrying his luggage, his footsteps echoing in the quiet villa: "Brother Si, I'm done packing." He looked around and found a few familiar figures missing, "Where are Brother San and the others?"

"They have already set off in advance," Xu Si picked up the car keys, "I'll take you to the airport."

"Wait," Zhang Chulan was somewhat surprised, "Brother Si isn't going with us?" As a Core member among the Temporary Workers, Xu Si usually participated in important missions.

Xu Si shook his head, a flash of deep meaning in his eyes: "I have other missions to handle on my side." He patted Zhang Chulan's shoulder, his tone becoming solemn, "Someone will meet you when you get there. Remember, this mission is unusual; you must be extra careful."

Zhang Chulan nodded thoughtfully. Soon, Xu Si drove them to the airport. Watching the backs of the two as they gradually disappeared into the security checkpoint, Xu Si's expression became unprecedentedly grave. He knew that this trip to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley was far more dangerous than anyone imagined.

And at this moment, at the entrance of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, Xiao Qing was looking up at the intricate mountain road before her, her beautiful face full of confusion: "Benefactor, this road is too messy, right? It's simply like a maze designed on purpose! Where exactly should we go?" She spun around, her long hair flying in the mountain wind, "The person who designed this kind of road is truly a talent; it's hard not to get lost!"

Lin Xuan did not answer immediately, but closed his eyes and began to sense the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth around him. In his perception, the rich Spirit Qi was like countless tiny streams, forming unique flow patterns in the valley. Suddenly, his brain surged, as if he had received a message from ancient times.

"Follow me." He opened his eyes and led the two protectors along a seemingly ordinary mountain path. To outsiders, this path was no different from other forks, but Lin Xuan could feel the hidden mysteries within it.

Xiao Qing curiously examined the surrounding environment and soon discovered the unusual aspects. The ground and the surrounding rock walls were densely carved with complex patterns. At first glance, these patterns were chaotic, but if one observed carefully, one would find that there seemed to be some kind of mysterious connection between them.

"These patterns are so strange," she squatted down to observe carefully, her slender fingers lightly touching the patterns on the stone surface, "They look so profound; I don't understand them at all, but I always feel there is a special sensation."