The elevator shaft was pitch-black.
A foul burnt smell hung in the air, as if there had once been a fire.
Xie Te reached out and touched the wall of the shaft.
It felt slippery to the touch, coated in a greasy layer of grime.
He withdrew his hand.
His palm was black.
A slight rub rolled the grime into little clumps.
"What the hell is this?"
He shook his hand a few times, then carefully grabbed the elevator's steel cable and continued moving downward.
After the elevator doors opened.
They waited for a while and conducted several more tests.
After confirming that there was no danger.
Xie Te decided to proceed with the next step. He left three people above to provide support and relay messages, while personally leading the remaining teammates as they climbed down the elevator shaft.
They planned to see what was at the bottom.
According to the original plan.
Their task was actually just to open the doors, see what was inside, and confirm that it was safe.
Strictly speaking.
They had already completed their mission.
However.
In Tianyu Ancient Village, anyone who wanted to make a major contribution could not be satisfied with merely completing the basic task.
The greater the risk.
The greater the reward.
Although the Great Elder sometimes spoke as if he were painting an overly rosy picture, if you could really accomplish it, that promise could be fulfilled.
"Everyone, pay attention."
"Don't touch anything around you."
"Keep your movements as slow and gentle as possible."
Xie Te reminded them in a low voice.
Visibility was poor in the darkness, so they put on their special glasses again. The low-resolution black-and-white images were barely enough to let them move around in this environment.
But.
The elevator shaft was extremely oppressive.
They