After passing through this waterway and emerging from the water, Baoding saw an underground river.

The location of the underground lake formed by the waterfalls is probably at the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, and the terrain is not low.

Therefore, the speed of the underground river running in front of Bao Ding is not too slow.

However, cyanobacteria have obviously caused a lot of damage to this water system. There are not many other aquatic plants, fish, and even fewer beasts or ghosts.

This may also be the fundamental reason for the low strength of the eel ghost king.

This situation has been improved in waters far enough away from waterways.

Bao Ding couldn't tell how far he had traveled at this time. He only knew that the cave area he was in now was a bit scary.

If it weren't for the many luminous moss or other luminous plants on the stone wall, which turned the cave into a bright starry sky, Bao Ding would not have planned to continue exploring the path down.

This underground world seems to be of little use to ghosts and monsters. It is impossible for humans to come here to pick tea, and it is also impossible to specially capture humans here to sacrifice. It is too troublesome!

If a ghost land forms here, it will be a real ghost land where no one can be seen.

Bao Ding casually caught a few fish from several places in the underground river, and after confirming again and again that there was nothing unusual about the fish, he filled his water bag and at the same time accelerated his exploration of the path.

Finally, when Bao Ding saw a beam of light appearing in front of him, he knew that he would probably be able to see the light of day again.

The underground river flows into a low-lying area here, forming a lake.

The lake is divided into several stream-like tributaries, heading towards the stone wall in front.

Bao Ding listened attentively for a while, and he could basically conclude that this section of the underground river system flows from here to a lower place.

These rock walls filled with many gaps were like sieves, trapping Bao Ding here.

Bao Ding could only try to find a way out where the light pillar was.

Looking up towards the entrance of the cave, you can see that the interior of the mountain above is like a huge well, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, showing a gradually tightening trend.

From the lake up along the mountain rock wall, you can find some large or small protruding platforms, just like climbing up through large or small stairs.

There are many low-lying areas on these platforms, and there is more or less water in them!

Naturally, the accumulated water cannot come from below. It probably comes from the entrance of the solid well-like hole above due to rainfall.

The low-lying areas and rock walls are almost covered with moss, which is a good sign.

As he got closer to the cave entrance, Bao Ding heard a strange "whistling" sound that came on and off.

Immediately, he raised his head and looked at the entrance of the cave, and soon thought of the reason.

The unique irregular shape of the cave entrance resembles a whistle.

Whenever a strong wind blows, it's like someone blowing a whistle.

When the wind is low, this strange sound will not be produced.

Bao Ding's Ladder Yunzong was like a fish in water in this environment. He easily climbed up to the entrance of the cave, then tapped it in the air a few times before exiting the cave entrance.

At this time, there was already a starry sky outside.

As soon as Bao Ding landed, he found himself standing on the top of a mountain about two to three hundred feet high.

There is a desert all around, there doesn't seem to be any other high terrain, and the view is excellent.

Keng!

Keng!

The sounds of weapons being unsheathed were heard one after another.

Bao Ding looked back and saw a beacon tower on a slightly flatter place.

Under the beacon tower, there were seven or eight soldiers in uniforms of the Suppression Army, pointing at him with swords and guns.

The light from the torch shone on their faces, and they all had expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

"Ghostland...ghosts?"

"Bao Sheti, is it really you?"

Bao Ding was also stunned.

What's going on? These people seem to recognize me?

He nodded.

Then the soldiers asked again: "But, didn't Mr. Bao arrive at Shimen from the front a few days ago? Now, why...jumped out from the back?"

Although the soldier's words were somewhat incoherent, his meaning was clearly expressed.

At this time, Bao Ding himself also asked doubtfully: "Are we on the beacon tower of Whistle Mountain now?"

Seven or eight soldiers nodded their heads like chickens pecking at rice.

Bao Ding showed a big smile on his face and muttered: "I finally hit you blindly!"

Immediately, Bao Ding took out the tiger head belt card and showed it to the soldiers, and said: "What happened today must not be spread to outsiders! Except for you and me, you can't say a word to anyone!"

The chief among the soldiers responded, turned around and shouted to the beacon tower: "Xiao Liuzi, come down quickly!" A boy in his early ten years ran down from the beacon tower quickly, holding a torch.

The newly stained oil stains on the sides of his boots were probably ready to light a beacon fire at any time as a warning.

The chief asked the boy: "Xiao Liuzi, did you hear what Mr. Bao just said?"

The boy probably had never seen such a big shot like Bao Ding. He glanced at Bao Ding with some fear, then nodded quickly and said, "I heard that."

Bao Ding naturally knew that there were people on the beacon tower.

However, judging from such an honest handling, he felt a little more relieved.

Bao Ding calculated the time and asked Shi Chang: "By the way, has General Wang Pi's camel team passed the Whistle Mountain?"

The chief nodded and replied: "I just passed Whistle Mountain early this morning. I guess I wanted to reach Shimen Fortress before noon so that I could make business easier!"

Bao Ding was not stingy. He took out a few golden beans and handed them to the chief, saying, "You guys are about to make great achievements. This is a reward, so keep it first."

"When I come back, Zhenbei Army will probably have another reward!"

Bao Ding's move was like a slap in the face.

After taking the chicken feathers as the order arrows, I also gave them rewards.

The garrison soldiers at these beacon towers were the "beacon sons" of the Zhenbei Army.

To put it simply, they have only one mission: "If you discover the enemy's situation, even if you die, you have to light a beacon before dying."

On weekdays, let alone reward money, even regular supplies are tight.

Shi Chang hesitated a little, stretched out his hand halfway, waved it instead, and was about to refuse.

Bao Ding directly put the golden beans into Shi Chang's hand, then laughed, turned around and headed down the mountain.

Not long after, these beacon warriors saw a dragon-like cloud of dust heading towards a black shadow the size of a cooking pancake in the distance.

That is the direction of Shimen Fortress.

"Master Bao, this speed is faster than a horse!"

"Nonsense! Did Mr. Bao pick up the name 'Ghost of the Ghost Land'?"

"You're talking nonsense too! What does 'Ghostland Ghost' have to do with speed?"

"Uncle San, I have grown so old that I finally met Jin Douzi!"

The beacons were bragging and spanking, and everyone returned to their posts. Those on duty continued to be on duty, and those who needed to rest continued to rest.

The wind continues to blow, the night is like water, and the moon is like frost.

However, since Bao Ding jumped out of the stone, tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

Just when Shi Chang was feeling sleepy, his eyes suddenly widened.

He saw a long line of sand and dust rolling up in the direction of Shimen Fortress.

Although the sand and dust were blown a little askew by the wind, it did not affect its speed at all.

With his sharp eyesight and experience, he could already see that the brigade of light cavalry was advancing rapidly.

Xiao Liuzi on the side swallowed his saliva and asked in a low voice: "San Bo, are those barbarians?"

"Hold the oil bottle for me!" Shi Chang gave Xiao Liuzi a blow and scolded: "What nonsense are you talking about? The fight hasn't started yet, how can there be a barbarian knight here?!"

"Those are the garrison troops of Shimen Fortress, and they are all under banners."

"Now use the torch to make a signal and ask the other party why they are here. This is a necessary step and cannot be omitted!"

Xiao Liuzi put down the oil bottle in his hand, stood on the platform, swung the torch in his hand, and gave a signal.

Soon, someone in the large group of light cavalry lit a torch and responded.

Before this, these hundreds of riders had been traveling in the dark!

If it weren't for the moonlight, we might not have been able to spot them in time.

"Change defense? What do you mean?...But it is indeed the password tonight. It is one of our own." Shi Chang breathed a sigh of relief and told Xiao Liuzi and several other beacons to still guard the pile of people.

Keep firewood nearby, just in case.
To be continued...