Indeed, the underground world harbored dangers both imaginable and beyond belief.

At the same time, the monsters here certainly wouldn't weaken their abilities just because the adventurers were only at level 15. However, ultimately, the dark underground wasn't necessarily brimming with these dangerous monsters; there were also docile underground creatures.

Even the ordinary monsters were perhaps not as dangerous as the previous Ancient Monarch Hunter's boss projection, right?

Moreover, if they truly encountered beings like the Corpse Tomb Demon, Giant Gel Monster, or even the Minotaur, Scorpiontail Lion, or Light-Blind Dragon, which only resided underground—troublesome high-ranking monsters—they could choose to avoid them. These underground-dwelling monsters were not necessarily bound to guard the gates for the Xinsas Serpentfolk, strictly guarding the entry to the lower world.

This was far more lenient compared to the previous rules.

Sophie looked at his expression and couldn't help but nod. "Indeed, the eighth level doesn't really have anything noteworthy, after all, before being corroded by dark forces, Andrett's underground world was actually a very interesting place, only the terrain is a bit complex."

"But once you see those dark creatures in the ruins of the Black Holy City in the levels below, you might not think so, Mr. Ade."

"Does this mean this level is an exception?" Fang Hong asked.

Sophie nodded then shook her head. "This level is not simple either. Don't even think about relying on the map anymore, let alone a detailed one. The terrain here is infinitely more complex than the fourth level's labyrinth, vast beyond comparison. Nobody can remember the way here, even if they have been here once or twice. If we want to find our way to the next level quickly, we need to think of something special."

"Something special?"

"Andrett Ratmen," Sophie answered. "They are the natives here, other than the Night Lizard People, no one knows the underground world like these Rat People."

She looked towards the distant blue-gray underground caverns, her gaze passing over a patch of fiery red Mushroom Forest. "If I remember correctly, there is a village of the Andrett Ratmen behind this Mushroom Forest. I've been there once before, and I still remember the famous Luminescent Wine—a Dwarf runs his tavern there, his name is Sloven, a very interesting uncle, I still remember the stories he told me."

"With adventurers often passing through this level, the business there is decent. I don't know if he has moved to another place in the past two years, but if he's still there, things might be easier. He also acts as an intermediary between humans and ratmen; the ratmen are not afraid of outsiders, just a bit greedy, actually quite easy to deal with. Through him, we might be able to find a good guide."

"Wait, natives, and a Dwarf?" Fang Hong was amazed, as this was quite different from the underground relic world he had imagined.

His vision of the underground world was supposed to be of the melancholic and dark style he had seen before, with the darkness of the underground sealing the era of the past, silent ruins telling of a rich history, quiet and empty.

Concealing everything behind dust and spider webs.

But upon reaching the eighth level, it felt like the entire scene had changed drastically compared to the previous seven levels.

Sophie didn't seem to mind as she explained, "Don't think too much, Xinsas's Black Holy City is just one corner of this underground world, Andrett's underground world is a miniature of the entire Fenris underworld."

She gestured. "When the Black Holy City sank underground, the upper and lower parts of the relics here were faulted, and the lower part sank into this cluster of caverns. Between those fault zones, you can still find entrances to deeper relics, but this underground world of Andrett existed long before this disaster happened—it is actually much older than this relic."

Fang Hong understood her implication. "So you're saying this place is actually a transitional zone between the upper and lower relics?"

Sophie nodded, "Exactly. Adventurers who made it through the first seven levels are precisely positioned to rest here, easing their strained nerves sort of as a relaxation, preparing for the tougher challenges ahead. And from the natives, with a bit of luck, you might be able to buy some supplies, provided you can find them, and not all natives are friendly."

Fang Hong couldn't help but think of the Night Lizard People.

However, since Sophie said so, he relaxed and started to enjoy the surroundings.

The team was entering the Mushroom Forest, as the colorful sights dazzled everyone, the fiery red Mushroom Forest inhabited by countless bizarre creatures, those that glowed and those that didn't, serpentine pale plants, and some eyeless snakes.

Translucent toads hung on the sparkling mycelium, swaying back and forth, while in the root areas of the Mushroom Forest, cold pools inhabited by silver fish as cool as moonlight darted like electricity, often disappearing into the depths at the slightest disturbance.

Xiangzi walked in front of Fang Hong, following the latter's order, watching Parker closely to ensure the Papalarian didn't let his excessive curiosity get him into trouble.

In fact, since Fang Hong had won him over with a legendary ring, this melodramatic teenager had become a model of an obedient team member—or as the disgruntled Papalarian would put it:

Mr. Fang's lackey.

The cold and damp environment was somewhat uncomfortable for Tainaric, being of a cold-blooded breed, he preferred the warm, humid rainforest of Andasok, but as a warrior, none of these mattered anymore.

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