Chapter 495: Treasure Hunt in the Desert (Part 2)

Zhang Yuan found himself in a massive corridor.

The corridor was about three feet in height and width, which made it feel very spacious, enough for two carriages to pass side by side.

The walls, ceiling, and floor of the corridor were all lined with thick stone slabs. You could clearly see the seams where they were joined, but each slab was polished very flat and had vivid murals engraved on the surface.

At intervals along the left and right walls of the corridor, there were ancient stone wall lamps, each with a cluster of flames burning brightly, illuminating the long passage in minute detail.

Ancient City Underground Palace?

Zhang Yuan realized that by sheer accident, he probably found the real treasure spot.

Or more accurately, the area where the treasure was located!

The next moment, he heard a familiar scraping sound and instinctively looked up.

He saw giant Sand Worms crisscrossing across the top of the corridor, which Zhang Yuan had previously broken open. Their earthy yellow carapaces slid over the stone slabs, looking absolutely terrifying.

But as frantic and furious as these Sand Worms were, none dared to burrow through the hole and enter.

Clearly, there was something within this corridor, or the Ancient City Underground Palace, that they feared intensely, not daring to cross!

Zhang Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the walls of the corridor.

The murals depicted scenes of nobles and Knights and Samurai waging war, hunting beasts, feasting, and revelry, all carved with intricate detail.

As Zhang Yuan walked along, the mural scenes became increasingly diverse.

He felt like he was traveling through a time tunnel, as if he had traversed into the ancient Dynasty and witnessed its past prosperity and glory.

Until a rustling sound snapped Zhang Yuan back to reality!

Only to see a large number of black beetles appear in the corridor ahead, seemingly out of nowhere.

Each beetle was about the size of an adult’s fist, with a shiny black shell and sharp, curved mandibles. They seemed to have caught Zhang Yuan’s scent and were rapidly closing in on him like a dark wave.

Zhang Yuan sensed the danger these beetles posed.

Although they were small in size, their sheer numbers covered the entire ground, rolling together in waves with relentless malice.

This malice from the swarm’s collective consciousness felt like invisible spikes attacking Zhang Yuan directly!

Zhang Yuan’s eyes flickered, and he swung his hand to unleash a powerful Palm Wind.

In the next moment, the black beetles at the forefront were sent flying by his Palm Force, crashing down behind with a clatter.

But the beetles behind them paid no heed and continued to surge toward Zhang Yuan’s position.

The ones that had been flung away shook their heads and continued marching with the main swarm.

They didn’t seem to suffer much damage!

Seeing this, Zhang Yuan knew that conventional means were clearly ineffective against these beetles.

Fortunately, he was well-prepared.

Zhang Yuan reached into his Storage Space, pulled out a clay pot, and hurled it forward.

Smash!

The clay pot shattered heavily among the beetles, spraying its contents all around.

Almost simultaneously, Zhang Yuan flicked a point of Qianyang Fire, ignited by his Primordial True Power, at the broken pot.

Boom!

A fierce flame roared to life, engulfing a large area.

The pot Zhang Yuan had just thrown was filled with Volatile Oil produced by the Upper Scenic Celestial!

This Volatile Oil was said to be made by blending the fat of a certain beast with various medicinal powders. It burned with an exceptionally fierce flame and possessed Qianyang Fire attributes, capable of restraining bizarre creatures.

Often, it proved more useful than regular Talismans, so it was included in the Merit Hall’s exchange catalog.

When Zhang Yuan had browsed the catalog earlier, he had exchanged for some to store in his Storage Space.

And today, they were being put to good use.

Chirp, chirp, chirp~

As the Volatile Oil ignited, many black beetles were instantly trapped in the searing inferno. They shrieked shrilly and soon afterwards exploded one by one.

Clearly, the Volatile Oil was the nemesis of these beetles!

Seeing its effect, Zhang Yuan did not hesitate to throw a second pot, then a third...

He smashed five pots in succession!

Because of the differing throw locations, a long stretch of the corridor became a Purgatory of terrifying fire, with remarkable burning effect.

A few beetles frantically rushed out of the inferno but were promptly slapped back by Zhang Yuan from a distance.

The air quickly filled with a scorched stench as thousands of black beetles were incinerated into ashes.

Some beetles managed to escape but dared not approach Zhang Yuan again, fleeing into crevices in the walls and disappearing in the blink of an eye!

Once the Volatile Oil burned out, Zhang Yuan continued advancing along the corridor.

He compared the Treasure Map and picked the right direction.

He encountered no further surprises as he proceeded to the end.

A large arched stone door blocked his path.

On either side of the stone door stood two beast-patterned rock pillars, and the door depicted two divine statues, exuding an air of majestic dominance.

In the middle was a row of inscriptions.

However, the language was not in the common tongue of Daqian, and Zhang Yuan could not comprehend it.

After some thought, he pressed his hands against the stone door and tried to push it open.

But the stone door didn’t budge an inch.

Yet Zhang Yuan wasn’t discouraged and gradually increased his strength, all the while keeping guard for any unexpected developments.

When his Strength reached about thirty thousand pounds, the seemingly unmovable stone door suddenly shuddered, showing signs of loosening.

There’s an opening!

Zhang Yuan’s Spirit lifted and he exerted more force without hesitation.

His muscles tensed, and concentrated his entire body’s Primordial True Power into his palms, augmenting with the Power of the Black Giant Ant, bursting out over fifty thousand pounds of Strength in an instant.

Boom!

Under the push of this extremely formidable force, the incredibly heavy stone door slowly opened inward.

A colossal hall unfolded before Zhang Yuan!

As Zhang Yuan stepped through the stone door into the hall, the stone lamps along the walls lit up one by one, illuminating the entire room.

Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but hold his breath.

The sight before him was truly awe-inspiring.

On the far side of the hall, facing the entrance, was a high platform with a throne on top.

The ten-foot-square throne looked as if it was cast from Gold. As the lamplight shone on it, it still gleamed with a dazzling golden glow, unaffected by the passage of countless years.

And on the throne sat a skeleton draped in robes and wearing a crown!

Beside the skeleton’s right hand, a short pillar stood with a golden tray atop it.

A cluster of brilliant golden light silently hovered above it, faintly revealing a core resembling an Elixir!

Zhang Yuan took out the Treasure Map for a comparison.

He confirmed this was the treasure he had been searching for!