In the forest, towering trees intertwined, their dense canopy blotting out the sun, creating a grim and eerie atmosphere.
Xue Yi, leading his vanguard squad, followed Bai Xi with a smile. "Miss Bai, I don't know what happened yesterday, but I got drunk so easily. I didn't do anything embarrassing, did I?"
Bai Xi replied lightly, "Not really."
These two cool, detached words conveyed an ultimate indifference.
Xue Yi had intended to pry for information, but Bai Xi's attitude made him realize that anything he said would be futile. He thus decided to remain silent.
Seeing this, Han Rui stepped forward and initiated a conversation with Xue Yi. "Seventh Master, please don't be upset. Our eldest miss has this kind of temper. Why don't you tell me about your past experiences entering tombs? I love to listen."
Xue Yi had lost face with Bai Xi, but Han Rui's enthusiasm served as a small consolation. Thus, with Han Rui's invitation, he began to speak with gusto, "Let me tell you, I once entered the largest tomb…"
Along the way, Han Rui listened intently as Xue Yi boasted, using his mind-reading ability to discern whether he was telling the truth or lying, and simultaneously acquiring much knowledge about the tomb they were about to enter.
Just then, Bai Xi said, "This should be the entrance to the tomb."
The place she pointed to was a cave. It was dark and silent within. Standing at the entrance, one could faintly hear the sound of water.
Xue Yi stood there, looking around for a long time, frowning slightly. "No wonder I couldn't find it. But... why would someone build a tomb in a place like this?"
Bai Xi asked nonchalantly, "What? Is it not suitable here?"
Only then did Xue Yi realize he had spoken out of turn. He smiled at Bai Xi and said, "It's not unsuitable, but this Zhulin Mountain range is not exactly an ideal burial ground. Moreover, there are places with better feng shui than this. The feng shui here is quite average. Perhaps the family buried here didn't hire someone truly skilled in feng shui and geomancy at the time."
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow, remained silent, and looked at Han Rui.
Han Rui understood her unspoken intention. "Seventh Master, are you saying the feng shui here is poor?"
Han Rui had always been enthusiastic towards Xue Yi and had shown him considerable respect on the way. Compared to others, Xue Yi was more willing to talk to him.
"It's not that it's bad, just not very good."
Han Rui stared at Xue Yi, not truly listening to his words but instead observing his inner thoughts.
A barren and harsh land, suitable for suppression and subjugation. Was this truly an ancestral tomb, or... the tomb of an enemy? Regardless of what was said, as long as there were treasures, it would be fine.
However, a place like this would undoubtedly require more caution than ordinary tombs.
After all, there were four people here ready to die. If he sensed danger, he could instigate them to face it first.
Han Rui frowned slightly.
As expected, Xue Yi's malicious intent was quite evident. He would need to pay closer attention to Xue Yi's actions later.
However, another problem arose simultaneously: what exactly was the so-called Han family trial?
If this place was indeed a tomb, as Xue Yi claimed, was it the tomb of the Han family ancestors or the enemies of the Han family ancestors?
Xue Yi noticed Han Rui's expression shift slightly. "What's wrong?"
Han Rui immediately smiled. "Nothing, I was just thinking about what you said. By the way, Seventh Master, I forgot to ask, how did you know there was a tomb here?"
Xue Yi chuckled. "Naturally, through researching materials, various literature, and conducting several on-site investigations."
Inside: If that man hadn't come to him, he wouldn't have known about this ancient tomb. Looking at the documents in his hand, this ancient tomb must contain many priceless treasures.
That man?
Han Rui frowned slightly.
Since this place was a Han family trial, it must have a close connection to the Han family. Even if it wasn't the tomb of a Han family immortal, it would be someone with ties to the Han family. Xue Yi, skilled in Dragon Seeking and Geomancy, could find places with excellent feng shui in the world and locate various ancient tombs with ease.
But in reality, this place was not good, so he couldn't have calculated it through his own skills.
And he mentioned that man earlier. He really wanted to ask who that man was. Who was it that knew their so-called Han family trial was in the Zhulin Mountain range, and did he have any connection to the Han family? But Xue Yi didn't mention anything about that man. If he asked directly, it would make Xue Yi suspicious.
How should he inquire?
"Seventh Master, our eldest miss has already led the way. Can you share some of the data you have with us?"
Xue Yi waved his hand. "The data I have is not worth mentioning. If it were truly useful, I wouldn't have lingered in the Zhulin Mountain range for so long, would I? So, we must be careful when we enter the tomb later."
Inside: After searching through so much data and literature, I haven't found any information related to the tomb. The only thing I know is that the people in the villages near the Zhulin Mountain range believe in gods and perform séances whenever they have requests. Some villages even still practice the custom of sacrifice.
If that man hadn't spoken so eloquently back then, he wouldn't have discovered this more worthwhile tomb to excavate, nor would he have spent so much time here.
Han Rui frowned.
That man again!
Just then, the bald man walked over and asked, "Seventh Master, shall we go in?"
Xue Yi finally reacted, turning to look at Bai Xi. "Miss Bai, do you have any information about the tomb?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow. "The tomb is perilous. Proceed with caution and cherish every moment."
Xue Yi was stunned and froze in place.
When Bai Xi negotiated with him yesterday, it seemed as though she held many trump cards. He hadn't expected that she only had the entrance to a tomb.
Ha, nothing more.
After all, she was just a little thing from a three-star city. It seemed this was her limit.
"I see. Thank you for the reminder, Miss Bai."
The bald man was somewhat indignant. "You have so little information and so few people, and you dare to form an alliance with us?"
Xuan Feng immediately retorted, "If our eldest miss hadn't led the way, you would probably still be stumbling around the mountains like headless chickens."
The bald man's face immediately turned red. "You!"
Xuan Feng said calmly, "What about me? If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."
Xue Yi quickly said, "Third brother, don't cause trouble."
He then looked at Bai Xi and smiled, "Miss Bai, please don't be angry. Third brother has this kind of temper. Since we agreed to form an alliance yesterday, we naturally have to follow the rules."
Inside: Although these four have no other information besides the tomb entrance, I have clearly seen their skills and abilities. This tomb is probably more dangerous than ordinary ones, so it naturally requires a few agile experts.
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.
The information Han Cai gave her was only about where the so-called Han family trial began, followed by roughly a thousand words of family teachings and insights. She couldn't quite understand them; Han Cai had done the translation. She had merely summarized that piece of nonsense, which essentially boiled down to eight characters: "Fate is predestined, wealth and honor are in heaven."
Later, Han Mo saw eight characters on the lotus seat of a Bodhisattva statue.
There was also a small reminder at the end: "Be devout and respectful, and you will be aided by the divine."
She didn't think this sentence was of any practical use, but there was no need to tell Xue Yi, who was full of schemes.