Chapter 284: The Lava River

Nina stayed behind to rest, continuing to recover from the physical and mental toll of prolonged starvation. Meanwhile, Wu Qingsong carefully marked his path as he conducted a limited reconnaissance in the direction of the light and heat.

It didn’t take him long to discover that the source of the light and heat was magma flowing from underground. Water seeping from the surrounding rock walls had become scalding hot, and the air was filled with an acidic smell that made his lungs uncomfortable.

Around the hot springs, plants similar to the bug moss thrived, and numerous insects were active in the area.

Most of the insects had thick shells and moved through the cracks and crevices of the bug moss. Only a small number of soft-bodied creatures, resembling worms or caterpillars, hid near the roots of the moss.

The majority of the insects appeared to feed on various parts of the bug moss, while only a few larger, more aggressive predators preyed on them. Wu Qingsong used his short sword to dig into the moss, finding layers of dead and decayed moss beneath. Over time, these had turned into a thick layer of soil, with solid rock at the bottom.

This subterranean ecosystem was entirely dependent on geothermal energy and magma, presenting a stark contrast to surface vegetation. It was hard to imagine that such an environment could support a massive insectoid army.

He returned to the campsite with the insects he had caught. Nina’s condition had improved significantly, but Wu Qingsong decided that she should rest for another day, ensuring she was fully recovered before they moved on.

“I’ve only seen a small corner of what’s ahead. Who knows what we might encounter? At times like this, we need to be in our best condition to face the unknown.”

Nina ultimately agreed, though she didn’t remain idle. Instead, she busied herself gathering dry bug moss to use as fuel and smoking insect meat into jerky. This helped her gradually exercise her body and adjust her state.

Her sword had been left behind somewhere in the vast cavern, and they decided not to risk going back to retrieve it. Wu Qingsong collected several hard stones, intending for them to serve as Nina’s weapons.

With her ability awakened, her combat ability far surpassed Liuli’s. Stones thrown from her hands should be more than enough to deal significant damage to enemies.

Naturally, as the two who had recently shared such intimacy, it was difficult to remain entirely focused. Their eyes often wandered to each other, and they couldn’t help but recall the sweetness of their shared moments. Before they knew it, their proximity increased, and their heated bodies once again sought each other’s warmth.

“Do you think Ram will forgive us?” 

After their moment of passion, Nina couldn’t help but voice her concern.

“She definitely will,” Wu Qingsong said, his hand gently brushing against her skin as he shook his head. “Maybe when she first finds out, she’ll be upset or even hurt. But we’ll figure out a way to ease her heart, to make sure everyone can be happy. Nina, even death couldn’t keep us apart. What’s there to fear? Do you really think Ram could be more unforgiving or scarier than what we’ve already been through?”

Nina didn’t respond. Instead, she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest, savoring the peace of this moment that belonged to just the two of them.

Having long lost track of time, they eventually woke from their rest and began gathering their meager belongings. Following the path Wu Qingsong had scouted earlier, they made their way toward the glowing flow of lava.

“Make sure to pay attention to your breathing. This air might be toxic to you. If you feel short of breath or any discomfort in your lungs, let me know immediately,” Wu Qingsong warned.

Though Nina’s abilities had been reawakened, Wu Qingsong refused to let her take any unnecessary risks.

Nina nodded, silently falling in step behind him.

Under the silver moonlight, everything became clear. The insects, long accustomed to darkness and faint light, panicked and scurried into the shadows or burrowed deep into the bug moss for safety.

The pale purple bug moss spread across the entire space visible to their eyes, even clinging to the ceiling of the cavern. Closer to the hot springs, there were growths resembling fungi. These massive mushroom-like structures stood over a meter tall, their surfaces covered with unsettling gland-like textures. Wu Qingsong decided not to take any risks and led Nina in a wide arc around them.

Near the lava, the bug moss thinned out, becoming dry and brittle. Only short, ear-like growths, resembling clusters of wood ear mushrooms, remained scattered in patches. This community of organisms, which seemed to be a symbiotic blend of low-level plants and fungi, flourished most abundantly around forty to fifty meters from the lava. The closer they got to the lava, the more prominent the leafy structures became, whereas nearer to the hot springs and permeable layers, root-like structures dominated.

These organisms had completely adapted to the extreme environment. Wu Qingsong even suspected that not only the light from the lava and the heat from the hot springs but also the sulfur compounds present in the air might serve as energy sources for them. The oxygen within this vast cavern might very well be a byproduct of their presence.

“We should follow the lava flow,” Wu Qingsong said to Nina.

The stream of lava they saw appeared to be the tail end of a massive underground volcanic vent. Scorching molten rock poured in from a distant source, flowing along the cracks in the stone to this point, where it eventually lost momentum and settled, creating this vibrant micro-ecosystem.

It was astonishing.

There were no signs of insectoid activity in this cavern, but Wu Qingsong believed that following the lava’s path would lead them to similar environments elsewhere.

This subterranean lava river was likely equivalent to the surface world’s rivers and lakes, which sustain countless forms of life. If insectoids inhabited this area, they wouldn’t stray far from such a fertile underground paradise.

The two carefully made their way toward the source of the lava flow, using the high ground to navigate. They crafted ropes from the resilient roots of the bug moss, tying themselves together as a safety measure. Though unnecessary in the end, the precaution offered peace of mind. For Nina, now fully awakened, the terrain posed little challenge. She even used the stones she carried to carve footholds in sheer sections, ensuring their continued progress.

After what might have been an hour or two, they scaled the rocky ledge above the lava and entered another massive underground cavern.

“Nina!” Wu Qingsong quickly spotted something unusual. 

The bug moss in this area was far healthier than the previous cavern, thriving even in arid patches. Even the upper reaches were lush, as if someone had been watering them regularly. Not far away, a section of the moss showed signs of being deliberately harvested, cleanly cut near the tops of the stalks.

“There are footprints here,” Nina exclaimed as she spotted tracks left by the insectoids. 

Fresh ones—likely made not long ago.