The sun hanging high in the sky caused the temperature of the mountains to soar, and the perceived temperature is already close to thirty degrees.
The key is that this area has just gone through a big fire, and there is ash everywhere. The nearby volcano is still spewing columns of gray-white smoke. The strong smell of sulfur is suffocating.
The expedition team wore helmets and thick filtered masks, and everyone felt almost stifled.
Even Xu Yin's forehead was sweating. Wei Zhenzhen was even more exhausted and couldn't speak.
If it weren't for Gao Xuan leading the way, Wei Zhenzhen would have complained long ago. To show her maturity and sensibility, Wei Zhenzhen could only grit her teeth and endure.
The situation for other students was similar.
None of them had experienced much hardship during the journey. The harsh environment left everyone groaning endlessly.
Only Wang Hong'en kept a stern face, and no one dared to complain loudly.
Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang were the most at ease. Although both wore thick wolfskin clothes, there was not a drop of sweat on their faces, and their steps were brisk.
The others didn't mind. They all assumed Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang were locals, and walking mountain paths was a natural skill.
"Professor Wang, we are too close to the volcano..."
As they got nearer, Xu Yin became a bit uneasy. If the volcano erupted, there would be nowhere for them to run.
"Don't worry, we have Gao Xuan."
Wang Hong'en had already sensed the Dragon Tooth Key getting increasingly warm in his pocket. Even if the volcano really erupted, he wouldn't leave.
Of course, he still needed a reasonable explanation. Gao Xuan served as a good excuse.
Xu Yin looked skeptical, feeling Wang Hong'en was acting abnormal.
Gao Xuan turned around and said to Xu Yin proactively, "Professor Xu, don't worry; the volcano has been stable these days. It won't erupt."
"Gao Xuan, better safe than sorry."
Though Xu Yin was inclined to trust Gao Xuan, as the leader, she didn't want to risk the students' safety unnecessarily.
It was just a normal expedition, and venturing into the volcano was completely unnecessary.
"There is no 'what if.'"
Gao Xuan smiled and said, "Professor Xu, I fear death more than anyone. I wouldn't gamble my life away."
Hearing Gao Xuan say this, Xu Yin believed him a bit more. Indeed, Gao Xuan had no ties with Wang Hong'en, and no reason to risk his life helping him.
Wei Zhenzhen couldn't help but praise, "Brother Xuan, you're so amazing!"
"Volcanic eruptions require sufficient conditions."
Gao Xuan confidently said, "This volcano is like a man; after a major release, it won't erupt again, at least not in the short term."
Xu Yin felt slightly awkward; how did the conversation turn inappropriate so suddenly? She was wholly unprepared.
Wei Zhenzhen grinned secretly, unsure if she actually understood.
Wang Hong'en felt indifferent to crude jokes. He loudly said, "Everyone, keep moving, don't stop. We're very close to our destination."
Xu Yin felt uneasy but couldn't find a reason to object. Hesitating a bit, she could only sigh softly and follow the group.
"According to ancient legends, a Fire Dragon resides within this mountain, sealed by the gods due to its many evil deeds..."
Gao Xuan couldn't stay silent; while everyone else was too weary to speak, he started sharing the ancient legends of the place.
"That's why it's called Red Dragon Mountain."
Gao Xuan said, "Scientifically speaking, in ancient times, this volcano erupted, causing great harm to the ancestors. Out of primitive thoughts, the ancestors attributed spiritual qualities to the volcano, hoping it would behave and not erupt again..."
Even though Wei Zhenzhen was tired, she still wanted to support Gao Xuan, "Brother Xuan, you know so much."
"Primitive religions always carry the simplest emotions of the ancestors, and no matter how they transform, they're relatively easy to interpret."
Though Gao Xuan had not formally studied these topics after his rebirth, he was knowledgeable.
The other girls showed expressions of approval and admiration. After interacting for two days, they discovered that besides being unreasonably handsome, Gao Xuan was also extremely knowledgeable.
In contrast, the boys in the expedition seemed overly frivolous and ignorant.
Zhou Jun, who always looked down on Gao Xuan, couldn't help himself. He sarcastically said, "Surprisingly, you know quite a lot despite growing up in a mountain valley. But you're mistaken; we're immigrants from the mother planet, no ancient ancestors here, and certainly no primitive worship..."
"Ha ha..."
Gao Xuan laughed, "Three thousand years ago, a group of immigrants from the mother planet landed on the Pegasus Star. In just a few hundred years, their numbers multiplied several times. However, they also accumulated huge social conflicts."
Gao Xuan said, "These people thought the intelligent Light Computers and robots took away the jobs from the lower citizens and destroyed the most basic human creativity. So, they moved to the White Dragon Mountains, not using any intelligent devices.
Over time, this anti-intelligent group regressed to a primitive state. Furthermore, there were natives on Pegasus Star, with a genetic similarity of 97% to modern humans.
Due to conflicts with modern humans, some natives retreated into the White Dragon Mountains. The natives intermarried with the modern humans who also retreated into the mountains, gradually evolving into the current traditions..."
This part of history is very dark, and modern civilization hasn't recorded it, much less included it in textbooks.
Only professors like Wang Hong'en and Xu Yin, who specialize in related research, know this knowledge.
Zhou Jun was ignorant of this, staring in shock and bewilderment. After hesitating for a while, he stubbornly said, "You must have made all this up!"
Xu Yin glanced at Zhou Jun, "As Mingjing students, if you don't know, don't speak recklessly. That's basic academic integrity."
Xu Yin usually was gentle with people and rarely directly criticized students publicly. Her attitude was stern today.
Zhou Jun blushed, lowering his head, not daring to speak further.
A burst of laughter erupted among the surrounding boys and girls. Zhou Jun, who always liked to show off and flaunt, wasn't well-liked.
Wang Hong'en didn't mind these trivial matters; he was very interested in the history of the White Dragon Mountains Gao Xuan talked about.
The Dragon Tooth Key in his pocket was a relic from the White Dragon Mountains.
After acquiring this Dragon Tooth Key, he studied many ancient records and legends, finally concluding it was a key to treasure.
This time he came, leading the team tirelessly, wanting to find the treasure.
What Wang Hong'en didn't expect was that a teenager from the mountains like Gao Xuan would be so knowledgeable about local customs and legends and could analyze these legends in such a rational, scientific manner.
Wang Hong'en asked, "There seems to be ancient civilization ruins in the White Dragon Mountains; have you heard of them?"
"I have heard of them."
Gao Xuan said, "So-called Dragon Totem worship didn't originate from the mother planet but came from the natives. It's said that Dragon Totem worship originated from an ancient wisdom race on Pegasus Star."
"You're just making stuff up; how can you prove the existence of ancient wisdom races?"
Zhou Jun questioned loudly. Listening for a while, he finally got a chance to speak, trying to regain lost face.
The existence of ancient wisdom civilizations has always been highly controversial, with no definitive conclusions. Many experts and scholars couldn't figure it out, yet Gao Xuan spoke so confidently; on what basis?
"It's simple; the Marvels circulating everywhere are evidence. Without ancient wisdom civilizations, where did all these Marvels come from?"
Gao Xuan found this reasoning straightforward, feeling no need to elaborate.
"Marvels?"
Zhou Jun and other students wore confused looks; with their level of knowledge and exposure, they were completely unaware of Marvels.
Both Wang Hong'en and Xu Yin were visibly shocked. The breadth of knowledge this mountain-raised teenager displayed was astonishing—he actually knew about Marvels!
Marvels are so named because they are beyond humanity's understanding and very rare.
Ordinary people might know about Transcendents but hardly any would know about Marvels.
Those ignorant of them displayed an unclear but impressive demeanor.
Gao Xuan was pleased with the effect. He intentionally said this to provoke Wang Hong'en.
Wang Hong'en's expression changed, suggesting he had some special Marvel, enabling him to unlock ancient ruins.
Xu Yin, on the other hand, was purely amazed at his extensive knowledge.
Gao Xuan was about to probe further when Wang Hong'en's face suddenly changed, and he reached into his pocket to grab something, pointing forward. The air ahead vibrated and heavy fog surged.
The sudden change left the expedition team shocked.
Wang Hong'en loudly said, "Everyone gather together, don't move."
Fortunately, the fog quickly dissipated, revealing a massive abyss before them.
The abyss was clearly man-made, with a long staircase path leading to its depths.
The situation was so magical, everyone was stunned.
Only Gao Xuan felt excited: So the Underground Dragon Palace had special spatial barriers blocking it, needing Marvels to unlock it; no wonder he couldn't find it!