Our neighborhood has been transported again.

Chapter 52 Changes
Deng Guang stared blankly at the square stone altar: "Is this the altar they were talking about?"

Qin Ziwu's breathing became rapid, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Brother, we've found the altar!"

"But there seems to be nothing on the altar." Qin Ziwen's words were like a bucket of cold water, waking the two of them up.

Looking in the direction of the flashlight beam, the altar was completely empty.

"The cards that were floating on the crocodile carcass were bright and conspicuous, but there's nothing on this stone platform." Qin Ziwen looked around and, recalling the signs that someone had been there, said, "The cards on here must have been taken away today."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ziwu and Deng Guang were somewhat disappointed.

"Bro, when do these cards refresh?"

"I don't know, but normally, based on the experience of the game, it should be midnight, but it could also be six or seven in the morning."

Qin Ziwu suggested, "Why don't we stay here and collect the cards after they refresh before leaving?"

Qin Ziwen was somewhat tempted, but quickly rejected the idea.

The straight-line distance back to the community from here is three miles. In this uneven forest, with its hills and winding paths, it would take at least two or three hours to walk. And that's during the day; it would be even more difficult at night.

Walking in this undeveloped primeval forest late at night is too dangerous.

Qin Ziwen said in a deep voice, "Let's go back. But we can set off earlier tomorrow. We'll leave at five o'clock sharp and come here to see if the cards have refreshed. Remember to bring all your gear and be prepared."

"it is good!"

Having made up his mind, Qin Ziwen looked at the cave again. He knew he wouldn't have time to observe the cave tomorrow, so he would use this time to determine the route and check for threats inside.

Looking at the deep pool inside the cave, the flashlight beam shone on it, and the mud and sand particles in the water were suspended under the beam of light. After a certain depth, the light was swallowed up, and the boundary between light and shadow became blurred, leaving only deep black.

The pool water spreads out of the cave, eroding a winding waterway from the cave entrance; this is the source of the stream.

Qin Ziwen picked up a stone and threw it into the pool.

"Boom~"

Ripples spread across the water's surface.

A blurry black shadow, startled, swam quickly underwater.

By the light, he saw two bright eyes reflected in the water.

Deng Guang exclaimed in horror: "There's something underwater!"

The thing only looked around once, then quickly swam to the depths of the water.

Qin Ziwu analyzed: "It doesn't look like a snake. It's a bit flat and thick, more like a crocodile. But there shouldn't be any crocodiles in this kind of cave, right?"

Qin Ziwen guessed, "It could be a giant salamander or a giant catfish."

Entering the cave, you'll find a path extending from the rock face, close to the wall.

Continuing along the path, the road widens, leading to the stone platform beside the pool.

"Let's go back first, and come back earlier tomorrow."

On the way back to the community, there were some close calls but no real danger.

Midway through, we encountered a forest leopard, also known as a golden leopard, in a tree. It was large and strong, like a small tiger.

The leopard, perched in a tree, stared at the three people, but perhaps not yet hungry, it did not attack them.

It was past six o'clock in the afternoon when I got back to the neighborhood, and it was getting late.

Qin Ziwen saw many neighbors digging soil outside the community gate, carrying the excavated soil back to their own homes, and then piling it up on their balconies.

Downstairs, they met Xiao Xuemei and Deng Wen, who were carrying a double-layered box that was nearly half full of soil. "Old Deng, you're back," Xiao Xuemei said, putting down the box and wiping the sweat from her brow.

Deng Wen called out, "Dad! Brother Qin!"

After calling out, the girl pursed her lips. She knew they had gone deep into the forest during the day, and the forest was not safe.

Deng Guang quickly went over to lend a hand, "What's going on here??"

Xiao Xuemei smiled and said, "Planting things, you have to find something to do every day you stay at home, we can't always rely on you."

"Sister-in-law, I saw many neighbors carrying soil."

Xiao Xuemei said, "Yes, in the afternoon, someone was selling seedlings in the community, and someone also taught us how to plant vegetables and how to cultivate the soil. The soil has been burned to burn off pests, insect eggs, and weed seeds, making it easier to grow things."

Qin Ziwen looked towards the south gate, where smoke was rising from outside the courtyard wall: "Is it over there?"

Xiao Xuemei nodded: "Yes, that's over there. Burning soil is also free. Everyone can get one pot for free by showing their ID card. If you want more, you have to exchange it for supplies."

Qin Ziwu was surprised, "Are they doing charity? How kind of them."

Xiao Xuemei said, "No, they also buy vegetable and fruit seeds. Oh, and they also said that after using the toilet, we can put our urine and feces in the bucket by the door, and they will come upstairs every day to collect them for free."

Looking at the many neighbors carrying containers in and out of the community, Deng Guang couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that a lot has happened while we were away from the community."

Xiao Xuemei added: "Yes, and now there are even places selling 'medicine' in the community. They're quite professional, and there's even a sign outside that says Renxintang."

"Medicine? Capsule medicine?"

Xiao Xuemei shook her head: "No, they are homemade ointments. Some can stop bleeding, some can reduce inflammation, and some can treat minor ailments like colds and sore throats. I heard that Renxintang is mainly run by a retired old Chinese medicine doctor and his son, who is also a doctor. They have taken on a group of apprentices. The old Chinese medicine doctor lives on the 4th floor of Unit 1, Building 9. The two rooms on that floor belong to his family."

Qin Ziwen looked at Building 9 next door.

Buildings 9 and 8 are both located on the west side of the community, right next to the courtyard wall. They used to have a direct view of the street outside, but now they can only see the forest.

No one can guarantee that they will never get sick, so having a doctor available at this time, especially a traditional Chinese medicine doctor who is more suitable for this environment, is good news.

Qin Ziwen planned to go next door to take a look later.

There are over a thousand people in the community, from all walks of life.

He suspected that there were more than one person working in the medical field.

When I went upstairs, two neighbors were arguing and blocking the stairwell.

Qin Ziwen recognized one of them as someone who lived downstairs from him.

The reason you can recognize him at a glance is because of his signature short, gray hair. He looks young, but his hair is already white.

He was arguing with another man of medium build, short and stout.

"What right do you have to lock up the rooftop?"

"I live on the top floor, why can't I lock it?"

"Who said the rooftop is the top floor? How dare you say that in front of everyone in this building? When I bought the apartment, the developer said it belonged to all the owners!"

"No one lives across from me, and I'm the only one living on the tenth floor, so this rooftop is mine!"

The man with short, graying hair glared at her. "The rooftop is yours? Say that again. Let me tell you, the rooftop is for everyone in this building. If you dare to lock it, I'll break the lock and take everything you planted there."

"you dare!"

(End of this chapter)