Crossing the wilderness to survive, starting with a broken kitchen knife.

After a long and winding trek, the three finally emerged from the stifling side road and arrived at a spacious underground cavern. Several crystals emanated a soft glow, illuminating the surroundings in a dreamlike manner. Although the air still lingered with a faint, pungent odor of sulfur, compared to the previous, deadly passage, this place was a safe haven.

"It seems we've stumbled upon another dimension within the volcano." Ge Dalong looked around, a hint of relief in his tone. He approached the crystals and gently touched them with his fingers. Ripples appeared on the surface of the crystals, as if they contained some unknown energy.

Zhang Shi noticed an ancient stone tablet in the center of the cave. The stone tablet was engraved with complex runes, which were very similar to the runes they found on the stone wall near the crater, but more complete. It emitted a faint blue light, giving people a solemn and mysterious feeling.

"These runes... may be related to the secrets of the volcano and the monster," Zhang Shi mused, his eyes filled with curiosity and caution. He slowly walked towards the stone tablet, attempting to decipher the ancient text, but unfortunately, the runes were beyond his knowledge.

At this moment, Zhao Feng suddenly pointed to a groove under the stone tablet and said, "Look here, it looks like a mechanism." The groove had a strange shape and seemed to require a specific item to open.

Zhang Shi's mind raced, remembering a strange gemstone from the pirate treasure they'd seized on the island, its shape matching the groove. He quickly retrieved the gem from his bag and carefully inserted it into the groove. As the gem was fully seated, the surface of the stone suddenly glowed brightly, shaking the entire cave.

"Back off quickly!" Ge Dalong shouted, and the three of them quickly took a few steps back. They saw the ground beneath the stone tablet slowly opening up, revealing a downward spiral staircase. There seemed to be a deeper secret hidden at the end of the stairs.

"Is this... the path leading deeper into the volcano?" Zhang Shi's voice was filled with uncertainty, but also with excitement. They knew that taking this step might reveal the secrets of the volcano and the entire island, but also might expose them to greater danger.

"Whatever lies ahead, we'll face it together." Zhao Feng patted Zhang Shi's shoulder, his tone firm. Ge Dalong nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination.

The three of them exchanged a glance, and without further ado, they descended the spiral staircase, exploring step by step. As they went deeper, the air around them grew hotter, but in contrast, an ancient and powerful magical fluctuation grew increasingly clear, as if something was dormant, waiting to be awakened.

Finally, they arrived at a secret chamber covered in ancient runes. In its center sat a radiant crystal ball, seemingly sealed within it by some powerful creature or force. Surrounding the crystal ball were more records of the Lizardmen, volcanic treasures, and the island's history. These records were complex and profound, requiring time to decipher.

Zhang Shi, Ge Dalong, and Zhao Feng stood in the secret chamber, their gaze filled with shock and awe. They realized this expedition wasn't just about personal curiosity; it could potentially impact the fate of the entire island. They decided to bring their findings back to the island and discuss with everyone how to harness this ancient power, protecting it from unknown threats while also creating new opportunities for its development.

So, with awe of the unknown and hope for the future, the three set out on their journey home, their hearts filled with an unprecedented sense of mission and responsibility. Meanwhile, beneath the volcano, the dormant power seemed to be quietly awakening, quietly watching over every living being on the island, waiting for the day when it would be truly understood.