"I'll go ahead with the horse, the mage in the middle riding the horse, and Gin will bring up the rear."
At the bottom of the canyon, almost everywhere were large and small holes, Su Ming chose a relatively spacious one and arranged the tasks.
The terrain here was likely formed by insects, perhaps it was just solid rocky ground at first, but the insects dug into it, and over time, the rock ceiling eroded and collapsed, so the insects kept digging down.
Layer upon layer collapsed, forming the canyon today with terraced layers like a staircase, and the ground at the bottom of the canyon was covered with weathered stone fragments like eggshells.
It's uncertain if the rocks beneath the feet are solid, it's possible to accidentally step through the roof of the tunnel and fall.
Su Ming brought the horse because a horse's hearing far surpasses that of humans, with a very keen response ability to sound. Horses can discern frequency vibrations up to about 1025 times, which is roughly an eighth-note, and their ears can rotate on top of their heads like directional sound devices.
In the winding tunnels, hearing is the most important means of perception, the enclosed passageway can transmit sound far and wide, whether for warnings or tracking, it's convenient.
Strangulation has weaknesses in hearing; symbiotes generally have poor hearing, as they become very distressed when hearing loud volumes or specific frequencies. They've deteriorated significantly in this aspect and mostly rely on the host's auditory organs.
Su Ming once told his little cousin that super soldiers have super hearing, which is relatively better than ordinary people, and Deathstroke's hearing is decent.
But compared to someone specializing in hearing, like Daredevil, it's nothing.
Now, bringing the Celestial Horse was to use the horse-shaped living sound device, if withdrawal is necessary, allowing the mage and Gin to ride the horse can also speed up the escape.
"Why do we always end up going underground when acting with you?"
Monac rode the horse, the yellow sky above gradually replaced by rocky walls, darkness gradually engulfed the few of them. As he complained, he used a magic gesture to summon a light ball, which floated above his head for illumination.
It's a difficult question for Su Ming, he truly didn't know how to answer it, like a coincidence, every time his target is underground, what can he do?
"Because I'm Deathstroke."
He somewhat understood Batman's kind of pain, some things indeed don't require explanation.
The mage heard the response that didn't really count as an answer and shrugged helplessly, reaching out to stroke the Celestial Horse's mane.
He discovered that warriors like acting underground, Deathstroke did, Captain America did, Balder did too; do tunnels really provide so many tactical advantages?
However, he didn't have much time to consider further, as the first problem they would face while traveling the tunnels emerged.
They encountered a fork in the path within a large underground cave that could accommodate the turning of insects, with entrances and exits above and below leading in various directions, and at present, they had no idea which path to take to find Balder.
Without items or body parts of Balder, Monac's tracking magic was unusable, it now all depended on Deathstroke's decision.
"Strangulation, investigate the scent."
In the dim light, a black liquid creature emerged from his shoulder, like a black tumor.
This tumor flowed all around his body, smelling the walls and the cave entrances, then humanely shook its head from side to side.
Except for their own group, it didn't detect any scents; the insect tunnels were very dry and the proximity to the exit meant the airflow dispersed any unusual smells.
"Xiaoba, did you hear anything?"
The Celestial Horse's comprehension was slightly lacking, but its calm demeanor showed no disturbances in the surroundings.
Su Ming thought for a moment and took out a lighter, pausing for a few seconds at each cave entrance.
"Are you judging the entrance by air flow?" Monac leaned down to watch the flame.
However, there are too many cave openings here, at least twenty, and the air circulation is too complex; techniques that work on Earth would not suffice.
Su Ming shook his head without speaking, his attention was not on the flame but on the ground.
He could vaguely guess the principle of insect cavern exploration, they have no arms or legs, the only tool they can use is their big mouths, tracking them is very difficult.
Inside the underground system, it's not just insects and Balder; many tentacle creatures also roam here.
Like their Creator, these monsters are filled with chaos and they also mutually devour, leaving traces behind.
Considering rationally, unarmed with just stone axes and stone spears, if Balder needs to hunt, would he choose a worm over thirty meters long or a creature about human-sized covered in tentacles?
If Su Ming were in such a situation, he would definitely choose prey he could easily deal with; after all, there's pursuit behind him, the sooner the battle concludes, the better.
Octopus-like squid, at least easier to consume than insects, thanks to Hamill's 'cooking skills,' he is now someone who has eaten tentacles.
As soft-bodied creatures, whether crawling on their own or being dragged, they always leave behind mysterious slime.
Close-up firelight can distinguish the reflective dried slime left on the ground, helping Su Ming locate the densest areas of the Tentacle Monsters, and finding such densely populated regions of prey increases the chances of finding Balder amidst the vast Hell.
Only a possibility of finding him.
Finding someone on a plane is like searching for a needle in a haystack. If unable to find him within a few hours, Su Ming would promptly retreat to minimize losses and return to the Golden Palace to devise another plan.
Time is crucial now.
However, locating Belasco's Demon Army will significantly narrow the search area. Balder has been on the run for centuries, and they've been chasing him for just as long, making them the experts.
This army captures people underground, and their food source, just like Balder's, is the Tentacle Creatures.
In this world shaped by the Ancient Gods, the ecological environment is quite straightforward, as any creature may consume another.
The Tentacle Monsters can be devoured by Demons, and more powerful Tentacles might eat the Demons; all creatures here are top-tier Predators.
Therefore, Su Ming remains optimistic about prospecting, whether directly discovering traces of the God of Light or finding the army's tracks, as both can be used for tracking.
There are several caves with traces of slime, so there's no dilemma here, just randomly choose one that leads downward.
........
"Woah..." The Mage, sitting astride the Horse, turned his head to the side and vomited some stomach acid; he finally couldn't help but throw up: "What the hell are these things?"
Over an hour had passed at this point. They had delved very deep underground and successfully found a location resembling a Tentacle Monster nest.
A vast underground hollow, densely packed with all sorts of Tentacle Monsters, like different seaweeds tangled together, their snail-like bodies slowly writhing.
Su Ming couldn't answer him, as the creatures ahead were indescribable in language. You could describe their appearance, but not name them.
Originally dwelling in the Outer Dimension of the Ancient Gods, they manifested here by borrowing Hell, akin to the festering sore of the world; a normal person would find them disgusting.
"If you have trypophobia next time, you should say so earlier; we've been discovered."
Su Ming didn't say much; instead, he drew the Great Sword and charged into the monster heap. Although these creatures moved slowly, their tentacle attack speed was extraordinarily quick, and he swung the Great Sword like a windmill, barely deflecting some of the oncoming attacks.
Segments of tentacles flew out like sushi rolls, dark green or deep purple bodily fluids splattering everywhere, and the silent enemies surged relentlessly like a tidal wave.
The tactical goggles' investigative parameters were all question marks, as scientific instruments couldn't identify what these creatures were composed of. However, the old-school method remained — tasting them.
Balder survived, suggesting these things might be edible, although the taste presumably wasn't great.
"Strangulation, take a bite."
As he swung the Great Sword, he immediately issued a command to Strangulation in his mind, hoping it could differentiate the structure of these creatures. Alien liquid beings do somewhat resemble these entities, and perhaps Strangulation could better understand their nature.
Strangulation, currently engaged in arm wrestling with the monsters' tentacles, instantly transformed a large mouth atop its tentacle, biting into the opponent.
The splattering scene interrupted the Mage's spell-casting again; Monac retched, but fortunately, Gin and the Celestial Horse could protect him, preventing any enemies from approaching the entrance.
Strangulation's emotions quickly fed back into Su Ming's brain, transmitted rapidly along the spinal cord electric signals.
Its response was simple — delicious.
While these Tentacle Monsters might not be suitable food for humans, they're more delectable to Symbiotes than any snacks or instant noodles they've previously consumed.
Su Ming nodded slightly; Symbiotes' definition of deliciousness differs from humans.
Born as a combat race, they don't possess taste buds; the food they consume is all decomposed and converted within cells. If a food can enhance their abilities or acquire energy, it is deemed delicious.
Conversely, food failing to enhance their strength is considered tasteless.
It's presumed that the only food both Symbiotes and humans find delicious is chocolate. Humans cherish the sweetness, while Symbiotes enjoy its nerve-transmitter content, enhancing their bond with the host.
Brains are ineffective; Symbiotes must consume fresh brains to obtain nerve transmitters. Humans need to cook even pig brains before consumption.
Nonetheless, the Symbiote seems delighted now; consuming these unspeakable monsters can facilitate its growth in some aspect. Having come here with much effort, let it feast to its fill.
Retracting the Great Sword, Su Ming transformed the Godslayer into Dual Blades, and the cloak lifted him into the air at a moderate height, furiously harvesting monsters like cutting chives, with Strangulation constantly extending its tentacles, stuffing the 'meat chunks' on the ground into its numerous mouths.