PFC Chapter 360 is finished, there's no way out.
Chapter 360 is finished, there's no way out.
At that moment, a slight tremor came from above the cave, and a few small stones fell from the top.
“The geological structure is unstable,” Li Xiangyang suggested. “We can collect some samples today, and then withdraw to develop a more detailed plan.”
Everyone agreed with the suggestion.
Professor Wang and Zhang Guodong carefully collected several mineral samples of different shapes and sealed them in a special container.
Under Li Xiangyang's guidance, the other workers measured the approximate size and shape of the cave and drew a simple map.
After completing these tasks, everyone passed through the narrow passage and returned to the ground.
Li Xiangyang was the last to come out, making sure no one was left behind.
Back at the camp, Zhang Guodong immediately convened a meeting to discuss the next steps in the work plan.
"Based on today's exploration, mining this mineral is more difficult than we anticipated. Our current personnel are insufficient for large-scale mining."
"Therefore, we need to suspend mining, report the situation truthfully, and wait for a more professional team to arrive. In the meantime, Technician Li and Technician Wang will lead the exploration of other veins..."
After the meeting ended, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou both breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Guodong is no longer fixated on mining, but focuses on exploration, and he also has to report to higher authorities, which means they will be able to leave soon.
……
Early the next morning, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou led their team towards Cishan.
They walked along the edge of the magnetic mountain, measuring the magnetic field strength every so often.
By evening, they had determined the approximate location of the magnetic anomaly and discovered three possible openings.
Upon returning to camp, they reported their discovery to Zhang Guodong.
"Well done," Zhang Guodong said with satisfaction. "This information will be very helpful for our follow-up work."
Professor Wang also brought some good news: "My preliminary analysis of the sample confirmed that this is a previously unseen mineral species. Its electrical and magnetic properties are extraordinary, and under certain conditions, it exhibits semiconductor characteristics."
“What does it mean?” Zhang Guodong asked.
"This means it could have wide applications in the future electronics and energy sectors," Professor Wang explained excitedly. "If it can be properly mined and utilized, its value is immeasurable."
This news made the atmosphere in the camp even more enthusiastic.
Everyone realized that they were involved in a potentially historic discovery.
Over the next few days, the exploration work proceeded smoothly.
Every day, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou led a small team to survey the area around Cishan Mountain, gradually drawing up a map of the magnetic field strength distribution and marking all the discovered cave entrances and possible mineral vein locations.
They also ventured deep into Cishan and discovered iron and gold mines.
On the morning of the fourth day, Zhang Guodong announced an important decision at the morning meeting.
"After several days of exploration, we've determined that Cishan has a complex internal structure and contains multiple mineral resources. To utilize these resources more efficiently, I've decided to start by mining the gold. At the same time, we need to quickly disseminate information about the discovery of new minerals to secure more professional support."
He turned to Li Xiangyang: "Technician Li, you and Technician Wang are most familiar with this area. I hope you can take my report out and give it directly to Director Zhao."
Li Xiangyang was overjoyed upon hearing this; he could finally go out.
He was genuinely afraid of being trapped in this place and not even being able to see his child born.
“No problem,” Li Xiangyang nodded in agreement, “However, we may still need to wait for the right opportunity to go out.”
"What do you mean?" Zhang Guodong asked, puzzled.
Li Xiangyang briefly explained the influence of the magnetic field and how they managed to find a way out during a thunderstorm last time.
"Thunderstorms?" Zhang Guodong frowned. "Thunderstorms are quite rare this time of year."
“Yes, but it’s not impossible,” Li Xiangyang said. “And based on my experience, the weather here changes very quickly; there might be a thunderstorm soon.”
As if to confirm Li Xiangyang's words, the sky began to darken that afternoon.
The thick clouds pressed down lower and lower, and even mist began to spread over the distant mountains.
“It seems even God is on our side,” Wang Ergou said, standing outside the camp and looking up at the sky.
Li Xiangyang also felt a sense of relief, knowing he wouldn't have to stay in this strange place any longer.
He and Wang Ergou began packing necessary supplies, preparing to set off as soon as the thunderstorm arrived.
Zhang Guodong's report was placed in a waterproof bag and kept safe.
As dusk fell, the first lightning bolt ripped across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.
The rain poured down, pattering against the tent.
"The time has come," Li Xiangyang said to Wang Ergou. "Prepare to set off."
The two put on raincoats, packed their gear, and said goodbye to Zhang Guodong.
"Make sure the report gets safely to Director Zhao," Zhang Guodong instructed. "It's crucial to the future of the entire project."
Li Xiangyang nodded in agreement and left the camp with Wang Ergou in the rain.
Walking in the rain is not easy; the muddy mountain path makes every step extremely difficult.
Lightning flashes intermittently illuminate the path ahead, only to quickly vanish into darkness.
The two followed the path they had come from, but soon discovered that without the phantom image, no matter which direction they went, they would eventually circle back.
“This won’t do,” Li Xiangyang stopped. “We need to find somewhere to take shelter and wait for the rain to subside before we set off again.”
They found a protruding rock and took shelter under it, barely managing to avoid the rain.
Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the woods ahead, revealing a blurry figure dressed in ancient clothing standing under a large tree not far away.
"Finally figured it out!"
Upon seeing this, Wang Ergou exclaimed with delight.
"Keep up with it!" Li Xiangyang said immediately, and the two quickened their pace to follow closely behind.
The phantom's movement speed was not fast, but its direction was very clear.
It passed through the woods, circled a boulder, and finally stopped in front of a barely visible path.
Lightning flashed across the sky again, the afterimage disappeared, but the path remained clearly visible.
"I don't think I noticed this road before," Wang Ergou said in surprise. "Is it a new way out?"
Li Xiangyang carefully observed the path: "It might be. Last time we went out through a cave, but this time it seems different."
They continued along the path, and rainwater flowed down the hillside, gradually forming a stream along the way.
The road became increasingly steep, and the two had to walk carefully to avoid slipping.
"Where does this road lead?" Wang Ergou asked with some concern.
"I don't know, let's keep going."
The path meanders downhill and eventually disappears on a hillside.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, the two were completely dumbfounded.
Ahead lay a bottomless canyon.
"Damn it, there's no way out!" Wang Ergou rubbed the raindrops off his face in frustration. "We can't just sit here and wait, can we? The rain is getting heavier!"
"We can only wait." Li Xiangyang's eyes were sharp as he scanned the surroundings. "Last time, a phantom appeared during a thunderstorm to lead us out; it will definitely be the same this time."