On the first day of the new year, it escaped!

Rumble—!

The loud noise coming from behind was like a mountain exploding underwater.

The terrifying shockwave slammed into the Blackwater Corpse Dragon's tail, propelling it forward like an out-of-control torpedo for hundreds of meters.

"roar--!"

The corpse dragon let out a terrified wail, frantically paddling with its four claws as if it wished it could grow four more legs.

It was truly terrified.

If that claw had landed squarely, the dragon that had just recognized its master would have perished on the spot, turning into a pile of minced meat to feed the fish.

Jiang Han clung tightly to the mane on the back of the corpse dragon, his whole body pressed against the dragon scales, his face trembling from the water.

But he wasn't afraid.

On the contrary, his golden eyes were burning with an almost manic excitement.

He is laughing.

His mouth stretched from ear to ear, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"Why are you running?"

Jiang Han slapped the Corpse Dragon on the forehead. The sound was muffled in the water, but it was full of ruthlessness.

"Little Blackie, that might be your ancestor, Big Blackie. Don't you want to go up and acknowledge your kin?"

The Corpse Dragon shuddered, letting out a "woo-woo" sound of pleading, and swam even faster.

Reuniting with relatives?

They were delivering vegetables!

That aura just now was an absolute suppression from the depths of one's bloodline, a dimensional reduction attack by a superior predator on a subordinate.

In the live stream, hundreds of millions of viewers were on the edge of their seats.

Although the screen was shaking violently, everyone could clearly see the giant black claw that had just emerged from the abyss.

That's not the size a living organism should have!

Just one of its fingers is thicker than the Corpse Dragon's waist!

"What was that thing just now?!"

"Godzilla? This is definitely Godzilla!"

"What kind of monster lurks at the bottom of the abyss?!"

"Jiang Shen, don't look back! Run! Whatever you do, don't look back!"

Jiang Han, of course, wouldn't turn back.

Provocation is one thing, but sending someone to their death is another.

Given his current physical condition, his chances of winning against an old monster of that level are less than 10%.

That mouthful of blood I just spat out wasn't for nothing; my internal organs are still throbbing with pain, as if they've been burned.

"stop."

After swimming for about two or three kilometers, the surrounding waters finally calmed down.

Jiang Han patted the corpse dragon's neck.

As if granted a pardon, the Corpse Dragon immediately slowed down and stopped against the rock wall, panting heavily and exhaling white plumes of air from its nostrils.

This is already the downstream section of the underground river.

The water flow became calmer, and the river channel widened considerably.

Jiang Han wiped the water off her face and looked around.

The rock walls here are no longer the rough, natural stones; instead, they show signs of human carving.

Huge scratches were everywhere.

It's as if some enormous creature once went berserk here, carving furrows into the rocks with its claws.

"System, scan the environment."

[Ding! Building a 3D terrain map...]

[Warning! An unusual cavity has been detected in the rock wall on the right ahead! There is a faint airflow circulating inside!]

Jiang Han raised an eyebrow.

Hollow?

He looked over following the system's instructions.

On the right side of the rock wall, about two or three meters above the water, there was a huge oval-shaped opening.

The entrance to the hole is very irregular.

The edges were jagged and broken, and the rocks curled outwards.

This doesn't look like it was carved out.

It's as if... something was forcefully pushed out from inside!

Jiang Han narrowed his eyes and gestured for the Corpse Dragon to come closer.

The closer you are, the clearer you can see.

Above this hole, there should have been a thick bronze chain.

But now.

The chain, thicker than a thigh, broke.

It wasn't rusted.

The fracture surface exhibited a chillingly stretched appearance, with the metal being pulled thin and elongated before breaking off, leaving a sharp, knife-like break.

"hiss……"

A collective gasp filled the live stream room.

"These chains...were broken?"

"This is bronze! How much force would it take to break such a thick bronze chain?"

"Master Jiang, what was kept in this cave before?"

"Has it...has it already escaped?"

Jiang Han reached out and touched the broken chain.

Icy.

hard.

A faint trace of malevolent energy still lingered on it.

He brought his fingers to his nose and smelled them.

A faint, fishy odor mixed with the smell of rust.

"A violent prison break."

Jiang Han sneered and tapped the broken edge lightly with his fingers, making a crisp "ding-ding" sound.

"It seems this place used to be a prison."

"And the one who's locked up has a bad temper."

He turned to look at the dark cave entrance.

The cave entrance is like a silent mouth, waiting for prey to walk into its trap.

The Corpse Dragon refused to approach the cave entrance no matter what. Even when Jiang Han pulled on its horns, it just shook its head like a rattle drum and even tried to dive into the water to hide.

It smelled it.

The place still holds a scent that terrified it.

"Promising."

Jiang Han kicked the Corpse Dragon, then used the momentum to leap up, his entire body like a nimble ape, directly grabbing the rocks at the edge of the cave entrance.

"Stay here and keep watch."

"If you dare to run away, I'll strip you of your dragon skin and make shoes from it."

The Corpse Dragon whimpered pitifully and obediently huddled in a corner by the water, only its eyes showing as it stared at Jiang Han.

Jiang Han exerted force with one hand, his body leaping into the air and landing steadily on the edge of the cave entrance.

The rocks underfoot were slippery and covered with a thick layer of moss.

But he stood very steadily.

The black gold ancient sword was already drawn and held in his hand, its tip drooping slightly.

"call--"

As soon as I stood still, a gust of air blew out of the cave.

It's not a cold wind.

It was actually a... warm current?

Moreover, this wind also carried a very peculiar smell.

It doesn't smell.

It actually smells very good.

It smelled almost cloyingly sweet, like overripe fruit that was about to rot, mixed with the aroma of burning oil.

"This taste..."

Jiang Han's eyes sharpened instantly.

He had read about this in ancient books.

This is the scent of corpses.

Moreover, it's not an ordinary corpse; it has to be something that has become sentient, something that doesn't stiffen after death, the kind of thing that emits a smell when the fat inside its body burns.

"interesting."

"The escaped prisoners have run away, but the lights are still on in the cells?"

Jiang Han licked his lips, and that feeling of excitement about facing the unknown surged into his heart again.

He didn't turn on the flashlight.

Because it is not needed.

Deep within the cave, a strange bluish light faintly emanated.

"Everyone."

Jiang Han spoke into the drone's camera, lowering his voice with a hint of amusement in his tone.

"It seems we've arrived just in time."

"The owner is not home, but the lights are still on."

"Let's go in and see what treasures are hidden in this prison cell from hundreds of years ago."

Done.

He flashed and instantly disappeared into the unknown darkness.

The footsteps were very light.

But in the silent cave, it felt like a countdown to death, each step striking a chord in everyone's hearts.

......

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone abundance, good fortune, good health, and all your wishes come true.