After Master finished speaking, he directly pressed the elevator button.
With a "ding-dong" sound, the elevator door opened.
Without any hesitation, Master rushed in.
I followed closely, without the slightest delay.
We spent the entire day practicing going up and down in the elevator.
By now, we had calculated every step, including where each foot would land.
As Master and I entered the elevator,
I reached back and pressed the close door button.
Standing at the doorway, Zhang Youguo looked at Master and me with a face full of anxiety.
"Master Gu, Daoist Qin, Yueyue's matter is entrusted to you."
I replied directly,
"Don't worry, we'll be back as quickly as possible."
Master, however, suddenly said,
"If we're not back by tomorrow afternoon, call this number..."
With that, Master flicked a small piece of paper from his hand.
Then, the elevator doors closed.
We began to descend.
A sensation of falling washed over us, accompanied by a "woo-woo-woo" sound.
I glanced at Master and asked,
"Master, whose phone number was that?"
Master took a deep breath.
"It's Yunxia's! I hope this trip goes smoothly!"
Hearing Master's answer, a slight smile touched my lips.
It seemed Master had left us a backup plan.
After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.
If we were truly trapped in the Yin Yang Gate and couldn't get out, having someone outside to look after things and devise a plan would be good.
Of course, as Master said, it would be best if everything went smoothly, without any accidents...
One minute is a short time, and it passed quickly.
The floor indicator dropped from thirty-six, continuously descending.
Master and I also became inexplicably nervous.
Because neither of us knew if we could successfully enter the Yin Yang Gate this time.
And find Chu Yue and the others who were trapped inside.
Combined with the confined space of the elevator, Master and I felt an unprecedented sense of oppression.
What should have been less than a minute felt like it was stretched out for a very long time.
Our breathing grew more rapid.
Floor one, negative one, negative two, negative three...
When we reached the third basement level, the elevator stopped steadily.
Apart from the compass needle in Master's hand spinning non-stop, everything around us remained unchanged.
Master and I looked nervously at the elevator door.
With a "ding-dong" of the bell,
The thick elevator doors creaked open with a "ka-zi" sound.
And the moment the doors opened, what greeted our eyes was still the dim underground parking lot.
And a scattering of sedans.
Master didn't hesitate, holding his compass, and walked out first.
I followed closely, exiting the elevator.
As soon as I stepped out, the elevator doors closed.
Glancing back, there was no change, and I didn't sense anything unusual.
But I still cautiously scanned my surroundings.
At the same time, I said,
"Master, did we enter the Yin Yang Gate through the elevator?
But why does it feel like we're still in the parking lot on the third basement level?"
Master's face was grim, his brow furrowed.
He kept looking at the compass in his hand and his surroundings.
"I can't be sure either. Let's look around!"
With that, he took a few steps forward.
"Tap, tap, tap," our footsteps echoed throughout the parking lot.
We walked about seven or eight meters when I cautiously looked back.
But as I turned, my pupils suddenly dilated, and my face contorted.
A dull "boom" sounded in my mind, as if struck by five thunderbolts.
Because, the moment I looked back,
I discovered that the elevator shaft we had just left had vanished into thin air...
In its place were the continuous underground parking garage, scattered sedans, and the bright red "B4" signs on the pillars of the garage...
In that second, I felt a chill run down my spine.
My scalp tingled, and I stammered with a trembling voice,
"Mas-Master, the elevator shaft, the elevator shaft has disappeared!"
I exclaimed in surprise, my voice shaking.
Master, who was looking at his compass ahead, hadn't noticed the commotion behind him.
Hearing me, he suddenly turned around.
And as he turned, his expression was no better than mine.
He too looked surprised, incredulous.
"It really disappeared..."
Master also exclaimed in surprise.
I swallowed hard, staring at Master with wide eyes.
"Master, it seems, it seems we have left the mortal world and entered the Yin Yang Gate."
After his initial shock, Master quickly regained his composure.
"It seems my deduction was correct. The Yin Branch of the Five Elements, water, is the time of entry.
We have entered the Yin Yang Gate and arrived at the passage leading to the underworld."
Master's tone shifted from surprise.
Instead, he seemed pleased to have verified his prediction...
The disappearing architecture gave a chilling sensation.
But wasn't this our objective?
I also quickly regained my composure.
"Master, what do we do now? Where do we go?
And since the elevator shaft has disappeared, how will we get back when we leave?"
I voiced my doubts.
Master scanned the surroundings.
"Xiao Qin, mark the area around here.
The elevator shaft might disappear here and reappear here.
After we find the missing people, we'll wait here.
Watch the time carefully, don't miss it..."
With that, Master glanced at his pocket watch.
I nodded, remembering Master's words.
At the same time, I took a red thread from my treasure bag.
And tied it around a nearby pillar. I also took out my phone to take a picture for clearer records.
However, after I took out my phone,
It seemed to be malfunctioning. The battery was full.
Now, no matter how I pressed it, it wouldn't turn on.
It was like a brick, no different.
But I didn't think my phone was broken.
It only indicated one thing: this place had an effect on electronic devices.
"Master, the phone is on!"
Master also looked at his phone, which was the same as mine.
He looked around and then said,
"It seems the phones can only be turned on and used when the passage is open.
Never mind that for now. Make more markings around here.
Then let's start searching for them..."
"Yes, Master!"
I answered crisply.
And took out red threads, making markings everywhere, also securing them with talismans.
To prevent any malevolent spirits within the Yin Yang Gate from damaging them.
After I made over a dozen markings in the vicinity, Master took a puff of his cigarette and pointed in a direction.
"Let's head this way first!"
I nodded, remaining silent.
Then, I followed Master forward.
The visibility in the parking garage was only about two to three hundred meters.
But after walking two to three hundred meters, another two to three hundred meters would appear.
The surrounding scenery was identical, even the parking positions of the cars and their license plate numbers were the same.
It was as if they were copied and pasted, continuously connected.
Repeating endlessly, with no end in sight.
At first, I thought it was a phantom wall.
But Master shook his head.
"This is not a phantom wall. This place is just like this.
The Yin Yang passage has replicated the appearance of the parking garage.
Here, we cannot discern direction, not even with the compass.
Therefore, living beings walking within will become lost here.
Until death, they become ghosts.
But those ghosts do not.
They will find their path here.
And proceed to Two Realms Mountain, and leave this place..."
"Master, what is Two Realms Mountain?"
I asked curiously.
Master exhaled smoke.
"Legend says it is the place that divides yin and yang.
Living people are not qualified to go there.
If they go, they can only die there.
I've only heard about it from my Grandmaster.
Let's hurry and find them.
Whether they are lost or have reached Two Realms Mountain,
It will mean their deaths..."