Chapter 1284: The Ground CracksTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Geological studies is a complicated science. A single action can trigger an entire tsunami. For all its years of development, the science at present is still unable to accurately predict the coming of earthquakes. Even a less precise measurement is difficult to come by. Thus, for many people, they could be dancing and singing in a minute, but in the next, their lives are destroyed by a sudden earthquake strike.
The structure of ancient mines however, is not scientific. It was able to survive for two thousand years simply because there is no rainfall in this area. Hence, its structure is relatively stable and intact. Had it been another type of climate, it would have been completely eroded by now.
Even so, the successive blasts had overwhelmed the load-bearing structure of the mine and numerous cracks had appeared inside the structure. The final straw that broke the camel’s back was the final vertical explosion. Previous blasts had impacts that were horizontal as it was meant to blast a hole in the pyramid. Alas, the disposal of explosives was a fatal blow to the entire underground system.
Everything happened very quickly.
Just as the colonel and the consul rushed towards Zhang Zian to try to wrestle the gun from him, Peter Lee and the rest also emerged from the pyramid. They were prepared to gather more tools to re-enter the pyramid.
The big shake-up broke out at this time.
The colonel and the consul did not see it. However, just behind them, half of the sand dunes were blown up into the sky. Like how it is in film stunts, a few deep cracks appeared and sand on the surface poured down into them like water seeping through cracks. One of the cracks edges towards them and sprang out under their feet.
They didn’t see it, but Zhang Zian, who was standing opposite of them, saw what happened. The vibration from the explosion made him lose his balance, and he squatted down to lower his center of gravity. He raised his finger behind them and shouted. “Be careful!”
Peter Lee, who just got out of the pyramid, also saw it. Although he did not understand what happened, and why was Zhang Zian here, he could nevertheless understand the gravity of the situation immediately.
The Colonel and the Consul thought that Zhang Zian was swearing at them and did not take his words to heart.
How could people’s speed be compared with the speed of the ground cracking beneath them?
The colonel stepped forward, but he merely stepped on air. He subconsciously looked down and was suddenly stunned—the earth had opened. His foot landed in the abyss.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly, and clung on desperately on the edge of the crack. He was not swallowed in immediately after all. The earth was shaking violently and the cracking were multiplying rapidly. Falling sand covered his entire face. He looks like he is not going to make it.
The Consul, who was closest to him, saw that his teammate was not going to be able to hang on much longer. He ran to him and leaned over. He grabbed the Colonel’s arm and tried to pull him up.
However, it is very difficult to stand on the sand where the vibration is very violent. It is even more difficult to save someone. In the end, the consul only delayed the inevitable; the colonel fell into the abyss. Even the consul himself was somewhat in trouble with half of his body pulled into the crack.
The cracks constantly multiplied, first into two, then each crack into two more cracks and continued on. There are now numerous new fissures on the ground. The earth that was originally flat is now like a cake has been divided into spider-like pieces. Some are bulging up while some pieces sunk in. The surface is highly uneven and looked very much like a doomsday scene.
Even the golden pyramid was in danger. There were several cracks that had made their way under the pyramid. The pyramid shook a little and tilted a few degrees, but it temporarily stabilized in its new position.
Even if the ancient Egyptians knew that a pyramid weighing millions of tons cannot have its base dugout. Thus, the ground where the pyramid sits is solid ground. However, this can only last for a while. If the entire area around the pyramid continues to break down violently, just like a small boat in a rough sea, the pyramid will not be spared either. Nothing in Devil’s Sea will be spared.
Peter Lee’s horror lasted only for a moment. They had been through many difficult times. He knew what to do. Man and willpower would always crumble in the face of Mother Nature’s wrath.
“Detective! Poet! Scholar! You all go start the cars! Priest! Come with me to save people!” Peter Lee shouted out his orders.
They usually cooperated with each other in a calm and tacit manner. However, in the current situation, they were shocked and reacted much slower than before. They took a while to gather themselves before proceeding.
The Detective, Poet, and Scholar threw down the things in their hands and rushed to their cars.
In order to prevent being crushed by stone dislodged from the explosion, they had parked their cars a little distance away from the pyramid. Now, perhaps it was time to regret their decision. They have to cross countless cracks and undulating terrain to reach their vehicles. Not to mention, they also had to avoid being swallowed by the abyss. The usual short trip is no less than a marathon.
Bang! Even before they could run, a car rolled into the abyss in a blink of an eye. A long time pa.s.sed before the sound came.
The condition of the other cars was not much better. Some of the wheels were trapped in big cracks. Others had sand piling up on their left sides, forcing them to lie on their right or be completely overturned.
The Detective, Poet, and Scholar only found two vehicles that they could drive normally and immediately jumped into the cars to start their engines.
On the other hand, Peter Lee and the Priest ran to the Consul and Colonel. They tugged at the Consul’s arms and legs. They hoped to save him and the Colonel.
Suddenly, the earth shook violently once more.
At this point, the colonel was only grabbing onto the consul’s hand. However, their hands were sweaty and very slippery. With the sudden violent shake, they lost the strength to give a concerted pull.
The Consul saw a smile on the Colonel’s face. At the next second, the Colonel’s hand slipped from his.
“No!” The Consul yelled as he watched the Colonel be swallowed up by the bottomless abyss.
Peter Lee and the priest were upset. They had just witnessed the death of one of their teammates. Yet they must hardened their hearts and not feel. They had to get out. Immediately. Or everyone will suffer the same fate as the colonel.
Without the weight of the Colonel, they managed to quickly pull the Consul out. The Detective, Poet, and Scholar had also parked the two cars next to them. They yelled at them to quickly get in the cars.
“Start driving. Hurry and start driving!”
The throttle was stepped on till its maximum. the engines roared and the two cars moved out of the area in tandem.
After Peter Lee got onto the bus, he looks out at his side mirrors. He saw that Zhang Zian was still standing in front of the pyramid. He wanted to ask him to get on the car as well, but immediately realised he only had two cars left. There were six of them right now. He is not sure how will they leave the desert alive. How can they possibly manage with another person?
And… Peter Lee was surprised to see that Zhang Zian did not chase after them. He turned to face the crumbling pyramid. Was it… Perhaps he wanted to grab some treasure before the entire pyramid collapsed?
He laughed. If he ever left the desert alive, he had a story to tell if anyone accused him of being crazy. Today, he had found someone crazier than him.