After running for an unknown distance, Fan DeBiao finally stumbled again and refused to get up, gasping at Young Master Liu, "Young Master, I can't run anymore."

Young Master Liu, hands on hips, wheezed as he looked back at the pitch darkness. The white beetles seemed not to have followed, so he also plopped down onto the ground, nodding heavily, out of breath, "Fine, let's rest a bit."

When their breathing had somewhat evened out, Fan DeBiao said to Young Master Liu, "Young Master, don't you find it strange? We've run this far, but we haven't seen Old Master Jia and the others. Not even those mercenaries driven into the river by the Zhong bugs are in sight. This defies logic. Could they have gone downstream?"

Young Master Liu stated with certainty, "I saw Elder Jia and the others swimming upstream against the current. Since they had flashlights, once we found you and took a breath before re-entering the water, we couldn't see them anymore."

Thinking of this, Young Master Liu also began to feel uneasy. Could there be an underwater passage not far from where they entered the water? He shared this thought with Fan DeBiao, who nervously replied, "Young Master, what if we can't find Elder Jia and the others? Let's go back for them, okay? I'm a little scared."

Young Master Liu forced a casual tone, saying, "Don't be afraid, rest assured, we will find them. I'll go back and look for them with you right now." The two stood up, preparing to turn back the way they came.

Just then, a loud splash echoed from the dark river beside them, followed by a high-pitched curse: "Damn these immortal bastards of bugs, they've caused me hell."

Young Master Liu and Fan DeBiao were overjoyed simultaneously; it was the voice of Scholar Jia. Then followed the sounds of several people climbing out of the water. Several flashlights were turned on at once, and seeing Young Master Liu and Fan DeBiao standing on the bank, everyone was greatly relieved. Scholar Jia shouted in his shrill voice, "You brats, I thought you two were following us! Who knew that once we got ashore, we couldn't find you? You had everyone worried sick!"

After Young Master Liu and Scholar Jia exchanged words, they learned that after diving and swimming upstream for a while, they had come ashore, only to find themselves on the opposite bank of the dark river. Young Master Liu and Fan DeBiao were separated from them by the river, making it impossible to find each other. Given the situation and fearing attracting the Zhong bugs, they dared not shout loudly. After a brief discussion, they re-entered the water and swam toward the opposite bank, hoping to find the two, and unexpectedly, they ran right into them.

Young Master Liu recounted encountering the mercenaries and the swarm of white beetles, to which everyone shook their heads, saying they hadn't met them. Scholar Jia gritted his teeth, saying, "I didn't expect that American doctor to still be unwilling to give up. When I run into that son of a bitch who used hypnosis on me, I will personally slit his throat."

Young Master Liu then remarked, "It seems the reason we escaped the temple without encountering the Dire Wolves is because those mercenaries ran into them, killed many Dire Wolves, and in turn attracted the large number of those white Zhong bugs."

Scholar Jia remarked, "Indeed. Looking at the sheer number of these Zhong bugs, they didn't just kill a large number of Dire Wolves; they probably fought with these bugs too. It’s just that those mercenaries likely didn't know that the more these Zhong bugs are attacked, the more they multiply, eventually forcing them into the dark river."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Scholar Jia continued, "Young Master, how many of those mercenaries who jumped into the dark river and survived did you see? And where did they appear from?"

Young Master Liu pondered for a moment and replied, "I couldn't see the exact number clearly because the space here is too dark. Based on the sound of them falling into the water, I estimate there were about three or four. They appeared near a protrusion on a cliff face." With that, Young Master Liu vaguely pointed in the direction they had come from with Fan DeBiao, and told him that a large concentration of white beetles had appeared in that area.

Scholar Jia pondered for a moment and said, "While we were searching for you, we managed to reach the upper limit of this area—a subterranean waterfall dozens of meters high, with no passage or exit. Now it seems that the corner you found might be the exit of this underground canyon. You said there are many beetles over there, which sounds very dangerous. However, we must go and check it out."

Cai Qingchong frowned slightly, "Elder Jia, perhaps you should check the map again to be sure. We've confirmed there's no exit at the upper limit, but what about downstream? The place Young Master mentioned is swarming with beetles. If you aren't certain, we had better not take that risk."

Hearing Cai Qingchong's words, it was clear these white Zhong bugs were terrifying. The image of Yang Weidong and that mercenary being consumed by flames flashed back into Young Master Liu's mind. He quickly agreed, "Elder Jia, I think so too. If those white Zhong bugs aren't staying in that one spot, we really wouldn't dare go over there."

Scholar Jia let out a cold laugh, "There is much knowledge regarding our line of work that you cannot know or understand. Ancient subterranean tombs or structures adhere to strict rules. When a dark river appears near an underground structure, Feng Shui and tombology refer to it as the 'Dragon,' with its origin being the 'Dragon Head' and its terminus being the 'Dragon Tail,' and the section in between is the 'Dragon Body.' A tomb or underground palace would only be built near the Dragon Head or the Dragon Body, meaning never downstream, to prevent subterranean water flow from changing due to geological shifts and flooding/destroying the tomb complex or structure. Therefore, the possibility of the exit being downstream is practically nil. Since we've already searched upstream and found no exit or structure, the way out must be found in this middle section. The appearance of those Americans might be an indication—they found the exit, but were driven back by the sheer number of Zhong bugs."

Hearing Scholar Jia's analysis, Young Master Liu and the others fell silent.

Scholar Jia spread his hands, slightly disgruntled, and continued, "I also know how terrifying those Zhong bugs are. I've merely drawn this conclusion based on my years of experience. Whether we go to that place or not, everyone decides. I also understand my position—I am merely a consultant."

Young Master Liu quickly interjected, "Elder Jia, please don't misunderstand. We invited you on this mission precisely because we value your expertise and authority in this field. We asked because we don't understand; please don't take offense."

Scholar Jia snorted coldly and said slowly, "Never mind. Let me explain. Those white Zhong bugs are dynamic organisms. After millennia of dormancy, once awakened, they will certainly fly everywhere searching for targets to attack. They may not be guarding that location constantly now. As long as we are watchful, keeping our eyes and ears open, and moreover, we have the dark river as protection. There will certainly be danger, but as long as we have early warning and proceed with caution, it shouldn't be a major problem. It now appears that the exit must be in that location, and we have no other choice."

Young Master Liu spoke at the opportune moment, "That's right, Elder Jia is completely correct. Those beetles are attracted to light and have a wing-flapping sound; we can detect the danger early. Furthermore, if that is the exit, we have no alternative but to pass through it. There's no time to waste; we should continue on our way."