Chapter 583: 580: Paths

Since the two of them didn't know which passage to take, they simply selected a random one. Krune and Iem tried to use Purple Tribulation Lightning and Devil Flame against the beetles. At first, it was really effective. They were able to kill a few of them. However, considering the sheer amount of Azure Beetles, it wasn't enough to even be considered a change. Besides, they could hear the sound that came from far behind the beetles. They were sure that whatever they are seeing now is only the tip of the Iceberg.

That being said, they cast away any idea of using Luvile and Harold's powers to deal with the beetles. Doesn't matter how much they have, it wouldn't be enough to deal with all of them.

"Just what are those beetles? Have you noticed anything about them?"

Krune shook his head.

"I don't even know how they can be this strong. The beetles have no cultivation whatsoever. All I can tell is that they are indeed alive, but that's all."

Krune and Iem moved at full speed. Even so, the Azure Beetles were not much slower. The cave passages seemed to continue endlessly. Also, they often had to select different paths to the point that they don't even know if they are running in circles. As they ran forward, Krune looked at the ground. Just like the entrance, everything was covered in dust.

"It seems like it was our actions that invited them over. Look at all the dust. If those beetles passed through here frequently, there is no way it would be like this. Perhaps, they reacted to the sound of our attacks."

Iem nodded.

"Most likely, it was my last punch."

It was then that Krune had an idea.

"Wait! This cave had always been pitch black, no light whatsoever. Also, it is evident that no one passed through here for who knows how many years. That being said, there is no way that those beetles can see us. They are definitely adapted to the dark environment. Since that is the case, they are following us through other methods. One of them is definitely sound."

Iem agreed with Krune. Coincidentally, they reached another set of paths to chose from. Krune then brought out two simple bird puppets that Heavin had created in the past. He imbued it with a sound wave technique, which would constantly release a loud noise. After that, he simply commanded them to follow two different passages and don't stop.

Iem did something similar with a technique of his. Two flame birds appeared on his hands before taking flight. Right after, they went into another two different passages while leaving loud bird cries. They wouldn't resist as long as Krune's puppets, but it also helped.

Krune and Iem nodded at each other as they imbued their feet with Godly Energy. They did that to prevent themselves from making too much noise as they selected a different passage as well.

A few seconds later, when the beetles arrived, they separated into five groups. Four of them followed the dummies while the last one went after Krune and Iem.

Even though Krune and Iem didn't get rid of the pursuit, they were delighted to see that most beetles followed other paths.

"Alright. We are making almost no sound compared to the dummies, but a fifth of the group still followed us. That means they have another way of finding our location..."

Iem nodded.

"Take a look at their heads. Even though they are blind, they still have eyes. Perhaps, they evolved into a type of heating detector. After all, I can't feel any Divine Sense passing through us."

Krune had to admit that Iem was right. Right after, Krune and Iem enveloped their bodies with Godly Energy, sealing all the heat inside. As soon as that happened, the group of azure beetles behind them seemed to have lost their target. Therefore, they began to move in all directions at the same time as if searching for something.

Krune and Iem were delighted to see that. Without making any noise, they kept moving forward. A few minutes later, they couldn't see the beetles anymore. They slowly increased their speed after that. The last thing they need is to attract more of those things.

Krune and Iem didn't stop moving before five entire hours had gone by. Finally, they reduced their speed to save energy as they talked about the situation.

"We probably run over 2000km already. Still, there is no sign showing that we are going anywhere. Besides, you saw what happened. After the beetles lost the target, they scrumble everywhere, looking for us. If they keep that behavior, they will reach us again sooner or later."

Krune nodded.

"So far, we took the passages that seemed to lead up. But they ended going up and down, not really making us move anywhere close to the surface. Also, although it looks like this place is abandoned, we can't guarantee that no one is observing us through these restrictions."

Iem narrowed his eyes and nodded. Soon, they arrived at another set of paths to chose from. However, they didn't make a decision straight away. Instead, they began to think about all the passages they took so far.

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"Did you see any difference between the paths we took before?"

Iem, Krune, Luvile, and Harold began to ponder about it. However, none of them noticed anything different.

"The flow of Godly Energy was the same wherever we went. But it could also be because we haven't chosen the right passage. Of course, it is also possible that we selected the right ones, and that's why we haven't reached a dead end yet. It's just that the last option is a lot more unlikely."

Krune pondered a bit as he opened his communicator. He then took a look at the path they had followed so far and drew a 3d map that showed the ups and downs they took as well. After checking the curvatures of the entire extension, Krune and Iem noticed something peculiar.

"All the passages had ups and downs everywhere. Most of them ended not changing much how deep down we are. However, two of the routes we selected ended bring us even deeper by the time we reached another path selection."

Iem then had an idea.

"First of all, there was no rule saying that the way out was to go up, right?"

Krune admitted that it was a possibility. At least, they didn't have a better idea at the moment.

"We might as well try it. Look at the patterns of the passages that sent us down by the end. They have something in common. If we check the passages in front of us and follow the one with a similar pattern, we might be able to always go down."

They couldn't help but feel happy to have the communicators. Without this device, they wouldn't have noticed the patterns, let alone know that they ended going down instead of up. After all, each passage's extension was enormous, and they couldn't count on their Divine Sense or Mental Energy that much.

Krune then entered each passage to check which one had a similar pattern. Once they walked 10 or so km in, it would be enough to determine if it was the right one or not. Once they found that it was the wrong pattern, they returned and selected another path. In the fifth passage, they finally found that pattern once more. Without hesitation, they proceeded forward.

Sure enough, they ended in another selection of paths. After checking the 3d map, Krune and Iem smiled. They had indeed gone much deeper into the cave. Iem and Krune then repeated the same process as they kept selecting the routes that lead down. Just like that, an entire week passed!

In the end, they also noticed another difference. While the normal passages would more or less end going forward, the ones that led down would always make a slight curve to the right.

Krune then eliminated all the wrong selections of his 3d map and put only the right passages together. Sure enough, they noticed that the paths that lead down made a spiral pattern. 

It was then that an idea popped in Krune's mind.

"I see... The formations and restrictions in this place aren't just to prevent us from breaking the walls to escape. No, to be more specific, they were made like that for protection. Their objective was to mislead the intruders. I'm pretty sure they also have spatial aspects."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that the other paths would not bring us anywhere, but we would not reach a dead-end either. We would keep moving forward endlessly until finally, we ended at the same point again without notice."

Iem felt a chill on his back. Doesn't that mean that they would sooner or later reencounter those azure beetles? What if they were surrounded on both sides when that happens? Iem doesn't even want to think about it.

"Wait, what guarantees that we aren't walking in a circle with the paths that lead us down, then?"

Krune then pointed at the 3d map.

"Can you see the curves to the right that our paths make? They are not identical. Even though the changes aren't significant, they are still there. So far, we haven't taken a single down path that was the same as the others. That being said, I doubt we are going back to the same point."

Iem let out a sigh of relief.

"Since that's the case, let's keep going. We should find something sooner or later."

Krune and Iem kept following the same pattern for another two entire weeks. They were getting nervous that they might be making the wrong choice after so long too. However, while they were moving forward, the space around them warped suddenly. They were alarmed, and there was nothing they could do about it. Fortunately, nothing happened to them after space stabilized again. Nevertheless, they were shocked by what they saw. Right in front of them, there is an enormous underground city!

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