The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 144: Descending to a Deeper Part of the Ice Cave

"Jin Hu, Gu Jing, you two come in quickly." Luo Yan said to the two people who remained inside the Sparrow aircraft, holding a radio. His tone was firm and forceful, leaving no room for doubt.

The sparrow aircraft they used on this trip, though small in size, had excellent performance and could handle harsh weather conditions and complex terrain with ease.

At this moment, Luo Yan's teammates, piloting the aircraft, had entered the depths of the cave. The ice layer had disappeared, making the cave appear much larger, which made the sparrow aircraft seem rather small.

“This aircraft is indeed powerful, performing excellently in both speed and stability,” Jin Hu exclaimed, gazing out the window into the depths of the cave. His eyes revealed admiration for the aircraft, but then a hint of worry appeared. “However, its only drawback is its limited passenger capacity. We can only carry a limited number of personnel and equipment.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jing nodded slightly in agreement.

The two parked the sparrow flying vehicle next to Luo Yifei and the others.

Behind the sparrow aircraft, the eyes of the ancient monster frozen in ice seemed to shift and look in their direction.

Shen Cheng glanced at the unknown darkness deep within the cave, then at his teammates beside him, and said in a deep voice, "The aircraft only has five seats. You guys go back. Luo Yan and I will stay. We'll find another way to get back."

Hearing this, Shen Lixi frowned. He retorted, "Traversing a time tunnel doesn't necessarily require a spacecraft. We've successfully traversed tunnels without ever using a spacecraft before. I believe that as long as we persevere, we'll definitely find other methods."

“We’ve finally reunited, no one should be left behind,” Luo Yifei said, his voice firm and powerful. He looked at Luo Yan and Shen Cheng, his eyes shining with determination, and continued, “Based on my experience over the past six months, there should be more than one spacetime tunnel on the Illusionary Continent. Perhaps we can look for other spacetime tunnels.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Hu pondered for a moment and then said, "Each seat has a spare spacesuit underneath. Wearing the spacesuit allows for short-term flight. The spacesuit also has a small robotic arm that assists in grasping objects, which can be attached to the fuselage of the spacecraft. This allows for synchronized flight. Based on our experience here, the flight won't last very long."

Luo Yan and Shen Cheng exchanged a glance, both seeing the resolve in each other's eyes. They knew Shen Lixi was right; none of them should be left behind. So they nodded in agreement.

“We’re both wearing spacesuits,” Luo Yifei said.

“You two probably don’t know how to use these spacesuits yet, so let’s use the two of us,” Luo Yan said.

Shen Lixi didn't speak, but nodded silently. He really didn't know how to use the spacesuit.

However, there are eight of them, which means that besides Luo Yan and Shen Cheng, there is one more person who has to wear a spacesuit and hang outside the spacecraft.

"Su An, let's get inside the spacecraft. I'll put on my spacesuit," Nan Tian, ​​who had been silent all along, said.

“Alright, then let’s act together.” Luo Yan said in a deep voice, his voice filled with determination and resolve.

They quickly donned their spare spacesuits, thicker models equipped with propulsion systems and small robotic arms. Luo Yan, Shen Cheng, and Nan Tian checked their spacesuits using the instrument panels on their helmets, preparing for takeoff.

Luo Yifei, Shen Lixi, and Su An boarded the Sparrow aircraft and put on multi-purpose spacesuits. These were thin spacesuits that could be used both indoors and outdoors, but they had limited oxygen storage and could only be used for short periods outdoors.

Before departure, they checked all the aircraft's equipment again to ensure it was functioning properly.

At the same time, they also prepared enough food and water, as well as tools and equipment to deal with various emergencies.

"Let's go." With Luo Yan's command, the group embarked on a new journey. They piloted their aircraft deeper into the cave.

Inside the cave, they traversed the deep darkness, with only the searchlights of the aircraft illuminating their path.

The surrounding rock walls were covered with strange symbols and patterns, as if telling ancient and mysterious stories. Luo Yan carefully observed these symbols, trying to decipher the information within.

“These symbols and patterns seem to be different from our civilization,” Luo Yan said, frowning.

“Yes, they look more like the ruins of another civilization,” Shen Cheng agreed, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

As they ventured deeper into the cave, the surrounding temperature gradually increased, and the air became increasingly thin. They had to activate the air circulation system of their aircraft to ensure they could breathe. Despite the harsh environment, they persevered and continued their exploration. The cave passages also grew wider and wider.

Just before their spacesuits were about to run out of oxygen, a bright light suddenly appeared ahead. Excitedly, they quickened their pace and finally reached the end of the cave.

There, they saw a passage leading to the outside world.

"Look, that's the exit!" Shen Lixi shouted, pointing ahead, a look of excitement on his face. They had finally found a way back to Mars in the solar system.

Everyone turned their gaze to the direction he was pointing.

A majestic cave entrance stood there, like a gateway to nature, leading them into the unknown. Outside the entrance, a vast red world unfolded before them—a mysterious and fiery land, Mars, the place they had longed for.

"We did it!" A burst of excited cheers rang out among the crowd, and everyone's face was filled with joy and pride. It was as if all the hardships and efforts had been perfectly rewarded at this moment.

Piloting their sparrow-shaped aircraft, weathered by a long journey, they steadily passed through the mysterious opening and finally returned to their familiar solar system.

Looking out the window, the red planet resembled a burning pearl, dazzling and vibrant, exactly as I remembered it. Its red light bathed the entire universe, as if telling a story of exploration and courage.

At this moment, their hearts were filled with indescribable emotion and excitement, as if all their hard work and dedication had been rewarded in this moment.

"We're finally back." Luo Yan's voice was deep and firm, as if announcing the end of an era and celebrating a new beginning. His eyes glistened with tears—tears of excitement, joy, and endless emotion.

Shen Cheng and Luo Yan were overjoyed to have finally brought their son back to Earth.

After wandering in another world for more than four years, Shen Lixi and Su An finally returned to the solar system.

Nan Tian smiled as he looked at the group. This was the second time he had returned to the solar system through this time tunnel.

This is a multi-lane time tunnel. Last time, Nantian returned to Mars from the Xuantian Continent, and this time the group is passing through the time tunnel of the Huanchen Continent, but the exit is still here.

The Sparrow aircraft landed steadily near the time tunnel, the place where they started and where they would return.

Through cameras and sensors near the tunnel, Duqi learned of their return immediately. He put down his work, put on his outdoor spacesuit, and strode towards the Sparrow spacecraft.

When the hatch of the Sparrow aircraft slowly opened, Du Qi was already standing there, a warm smile on his face.

“Welcome back,” Du Qi said with a smile, his voice full of warmth and anticipation.

Luo Yan, Shen Cheng, and Nan Tian's spacesuits issued red alarm signals.

"Quickly, help them to the underground base," Nan Tian said.