A wild and untamed realm bursting with life and lush greenery appeared in front of Michael and his group.
Towering trees formed a dense canopy overhead, reaching toward the crystal ceiling, which illuminated the lively realm. The beams of light pierced through the thick foliage, casting uneven patches of warmth all over the underground hall.
Vibrant flowers of all forms and sizes were scattered across the ground, their colors ranging from velvet purples to fiery orange. Butterflies, Lizards, huge Frenzy Deers, and packs of Thorny Wolves entered their sight as the monsters walked around unbothered.
The air underground was thick and filled with the scent of exotic blossoms. It was like a sweet misty perfume lingering in the air around them.
'Oh my…'
Never would they have believed that the Untamed Jungle could be hiding an underground ecosystem pulsing with life and wonder beneath its surface. A seemingly ordinary cavern entrance with a complex tunnel system turned into a humongous underground ecosystem that took everybody by surprise.
Michael was stunned and he even forgot to breathe for a while. Upon realization, he gasped for air. He was embarrassed about that, at first, but he quickly realized that the others pretty much had the same reaction.
They too momentarily forgot to breathe at the miraculous sight of the underground ecosystem.
But who could hold them accountable for that? The entire ecosystem seemed to be too magical to exist in reality.
A soft, golden glow permeated the air, emanating from luminescent plants that dotted the land around them, giving it a mystic aura. The abundance of bioluminescent flora and fauna further added to the charm, casting ethereal streams of light that danced and shimmered like the gentle sparks of fireflies.
Verdant ferns and vibrantly blue moss grew everywhere, their hues contrasting the warm and earthy tones of the towering trees and the fertile soil.
There were even two crystal clear streams flowing through the various creeks in the underground ecosystem, their gentle trickling creating a soothing soundtrack. Clusters of small fishes darted through the water, their colorful scales shining like precious gemstones.
The air around them was filled with the melodies of birds, the splashing water, and the noises of the monsters living in the underground ecosystem. It felt like the underground ecosystem was a peaceful shelter for all life, abundant and all-encompassing.
Was that what paradise was supposed to look like?
Michael was not sure. How would he know what paradise looked like?
He only knew one thing for sure; he was at the right place.
His gaze moved deeper into the heart of the underground ecosystem, where he stumbled upon a half-covered temple that time had slowly claimed as its own.
The treasure map had led them to the heart of the underground ecosystem, and Michael instinctively knew that the temple was the final destination of the map. It was not even questionable, and he could not contain his excitement.
Moss and vines covered the ancient stone, reclaiming it with their emerald embrace. The temple's weathered facade told the tales of a forgotten civilization, its intricate carvings whispering stories of a bygone era.
Moss-covered statues, a few broken and weathered, towered around the temple, guarding it from outside invaders, as they looked down at the old – mostly covered – stone path leading to the temple's entrance at the top.
Michael's Eagle Eyes couldn't make out every little detail from his position, but his heart beat wildly at the sight of the temple. Somehow, he felt himself filled with a sense of reverence looking at the temple. It was almost as if the spirits of the jungle were still lingering within and around the temple's moss-covered stones, beckoning him.
The harmonious coexistence of nature and the ancient temple underground caused shivers to run down Michael's spine.
It seemed like he spent an eternity getting back to his senses, but when he regained his composure, he was still baffled.
'It looks like an Aztec temple, just much bigger, more impressive, and seemingly alive. The pressure I can feel from hundreds of meters away is already shocking…Just what is this temple?'
Oddly enough, the first thing that came to Michael's mind when he regained his senses was Fenrir's memories and the wicked Spear Art.
He didn't know how Fenrir must have procured the wicked Spear Art because the memories didn't show that, but if his memory wasn't failing him, Fenrir obtained the wicked Spear Arts and several unique treasures from ruins that seemed similar to this one.
It was not a jungle temple in an underground ecosystem, but it was also a place in the depths of the Origin Expanse.
Either way, if the jungle temple provided as exceptional treasures as Fenrir obtained, Michael would be over the moon.
He was getting excited, but he also understood one issue; not a single monster in the underground ecosystem was Tier-1.
The weakest presence came from the huge Frenzy Deer he saw a few minutes ago. It was as strong as the huge Frenzy Deer he killed after the Black Bear brought it to a near-death state at the surface.
If the Tier-2 Frenzy Deer was the weakest monster, how strong were the Thorny Wolves and the other monsters, which were spread out through the underground ecosystem?
"I will take a closer look at the temple and inspect it up close. You guys, stay behind," Michael ordered, "If a powerful monster that you cannot handle attacks, retreat and return to the surface. I will be fine."
While saying so, Michael retrieved a few items from his War Rune's spatial space.
He smeared the content of a glass vial all over his body, covering his scent and presence. Afterward, he swallowed the viscous liquid of another potion. The potion calmed the energy inside him as well as his heart and mind.
Afterward, he put a layer of mud on top of the potion he had smeared all over his body. The mud had been infused with certain enchantments to muffle the vibrations his steps created and to hide his presence even further.
Michael had no idea how that worked, but it did. It was not necessary to know the principle behind the potions and the mud to know that it was effective as he had paid a handsome amount to secure these items.
From one moment to the next, Michael's scent, presence, and energy seemed to disappear.
Combined with everything he used right now, Michael doubted that the monsters would be able to detect him. That was, as long as he wouldn't run around in the open like a maniac.
He could stealthily move around now without the need to worry whether the monsters in the underground ecosystem were peaceful, or if they would attack him for invading their territory.
Tiara and the others didn't like that Michael left them, but he had given them an order. They wouldn't go against his word and guarded the entrance to the underground ecosystem vigilantly.
Everyone was still in awe of the discovery they made, however, it was more important to stay alert and not be distracted in an unknown territory.
As miraculous as the underground ecosystem might be, it could be even more dangerous than the surface. In fact, it was highly likely that the underground ecosystem was far more dangerous than the outer area of the Untamed Jungle. The weakest monster here was Tier-2, after all!
Michael paved his way slowly but steadily through the densely grown underground jungle. The temple was only a few hundred meters away, but Michael spent close to half an hour covering the distance.
He hadn't been attacked even once, and he was certain that no monster had detected him yet.
That allowed him to focus his entire attention on the ginormous temple of a forgotten era that towered in front of him, waiting to be raided.