System: Infinite Evolution into Qilin Bloodline

After their thrilling battle with the giant toad, Zhang Hao, Wu Tianzhen, Fatty, and Zhang Qilin did not stop and continued forward.

As you venture deeper, the underground river seems to become more turbulent, its roar like the low growl of an ancient beast, inspiring awe.

Just then, a sudden scene on the river ahead instantly attracted everyone's attention.

A pregnant woman's corpse floated silently.

The female corpse was unusually plump, as if it were pregnant with life, and the transparent gel covering her body shimmered with a strange and mysterious luster under the dim light, both protecting the corpse from the erosion of time and adding a touch of eeriness and ominousness.

The four looked at each other, their hearts filled with shock and confusion.

Zhang Hao quickly analyzed the situation at hand:

"The body is so well preserved that it could not have been formed naturally, and that layer of gel... is very likely a secretion from some unknown creature or a product of a special environment."

Just as they were discussing the female corpse, trying to find clues from various angles, a sudden chill quietly spread through the air.

Immediately afterwards, layers of red waves began to rise on the river ahead, as if blood was surging in the undercurrents. A thick red mist spread silently and quickly surrounded the four of them.

This red mist was not only strangely colored, but also carried a suffocating sense of oppression, as if it could devour all light and vitality.

"What the hell is this?!"

The fat man was the first to curse, his voice echoing in the narrow river channel, sounding both empty and terrified.

Zhang Qilin swiftly drew his Black Gold Ancient Blade, cautiously surveying his surroundings. His gaze was firm and calm, as if no crisis could shake his resolve.

As the red fog drew closer, they finally saw the truth hidden within it.

Floating inside were countless corpses in the same form as the female corpse on the river. They were either lying on their backs or in different positions, but they were all tightly wrapped in that transparent gel.

This scene sent chills down the spines of everyone present, as if they had stepped into the entrance to another world.

Just then, a deafening roar suddenly came from the depths of the red mist. The voice was deep and powerful, full of wildness and anger, as if it came from the depths of hell.

Immediately afterwards, a colossal creature burst forth from the red mist and charged straight at the group.

It was a giant insect unlike any seen before, its body dark red, covered with a hard carapace that shimmered with a metallic luster;

Its head has several pairs of sharp mouthparts, as sharp as sickles, capable of tearing apart anything in its path;

Its enormous compound eyes gleamed with a faint green light in the darkness, as if they could see into the deepest fears of the human heart.

In that breathtaking moment, the giant insect burst forth from the veil of red mist, like a moving mountain, hurtling towards them with destructive power.

Its enormous body blotted out the sky, and every shell seemed to speak of an ancient and powerful force, making everyone present feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Zhang Hao, Wu Tianzhen, Fatty, and Zhang Qilin reacted almost instinctively, quickly retreating as the beam of their flashlights flickered in their trembling hands, trying to illuminate the sudden darkness and fear.

However, just when they thought they were about to be swallowed up by this irresistible force, the giant worm's movements unexpectedly came to an abrupt halt.

The enormous body paused slightly in mid-air before slowly descending with a deafening roar.

Taking advantage of the moment, the four steadied themselves and, through the pervasive red mist, discovered an astonishing fact.

The giant worm's tail was tightly bound by several thick chains, which were deeply embedded in the rock, like an ancient cage, restricting the beast's range of movement.

"Damn it, this bug is actually locked up!"

The fat man broke the silence first, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief and relief.

As he spoke, he pulled out his pistol, aimed at the giant insect's seemingly indestructible carapace, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Gunshots echoed through the narrow river channel, creating layers of reverberation, but frustratingly, the bullets merely sparked a string of sparks upon contact with the insect's carapace before sliding off without leaving any mark on its surface.

"Don't waste bullets, fat man."

Zhang Hao said in a deep voice, knowing full well that creatures of this level could not be harmed by ordinary firearms.

He quickly looked around, trying to find more information about the chains and the giant insect.

"These chains look ancient, but they are still sturdy, and were clearly made specifically to imprison this behemoth."

Wu Tianzhen squatted down and carefully examined the connection between the chain and the rock, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and longing for the unknown.

"These chains appear to have some kind of runes or totems, which may be related to ancient sealing techniques."

I suspect this isn't just about imprisoning the giant insect, but more likely about suppressing its power.

Zhang Qilin remained highly vigilant, his gaze never leaving the giant insect, as if he could perceive its inner turmoil.

"We cannot let our guard down; even though it is locked up, it is still a huge threat."

We need to find a safe way through here.