Chapter 339: Ancient Tomb Emerges

"Iron Dome?"

Wang Wang Laobie frowned and bowed, "Third Master is an elder, well-traveled and knowledgeable—could you offer some insight?"

Chen Yi Jian Sanye didn't want to speak, but seeing the gazes of all present, he had no choice but to say, "I only learned of this thing by chance, from a buried-treasure hunter of the Xunyou lineage."

"The art of tomb construction—those skilled in it emphasize celestial timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony; the more they master, the more refined their work."

"By 'human harmony,' I mean hiring skilled craftsmen or Daoist adepts to arrange the tomb's layout—this depends entirely on their individual ability."

"Geographical advantage becomes more complex. Choosing a prime burial site by locating dragons and pinpointing veins is merely basic. The truly skilled can alter the terrain itself to make entry impossible for ordinary people."

"The Water Classic mentions that when King Goujian of Master Yue moved his capital to Langya, he intended to relocate his father Captain Guan Yun Chang's tomb northward as well. But when they opened the tomb chamber, violent winds surged forth, hurling sand and gravel at them."

"Not only could they not enter—even getting close was impossible. After waiting for a long time, the wind and sand showed no sign of stopping, so they gave up…"

"Some tombs are surrounded by sand traps—dig one section, and another collapses, endlessly, making entry utterly impossible. This is called a Sandstorm Vault."

"I've personally witnessed a Fire-Trap Vault—once you dig in, phosphorescent flames erupt instantly. Many died that day, yet they still couldn't enter…"

"These treasure vaults all shift based on the Five Elements. To break through them, you must know the specific countermeasures."

Wang Wang Laobie had never heard such a theory before and immediately grew curious, "Then what of celestial timing?"

Chen Yi Jian Sanye shook his head, "I don't fully understand it myself. I only heard from that buried-treasure hunter that vaults aligned with celestial timing are all feats of stealing heaven's and earth's creative power—truly esoteric arts."

"They're invisible on ordinary days. Only during special moments—when sun, moon, and stars shift, seasons turn, or wind, frost, rain, and snow occur—do they appear."

"Thinking too much won't help. If you ever encounter one, take my advice: turn around and run. Don't get near!"

"Third Master truly has extraordinary insight!"

Wang Wang Laobie sighed, then asked, "According to you, this 'Iron Dome'—is it drawing power from the Metal element of the Five Elements?"

"Yes."

Chen Yi Jian Sanye glanced around, looking pained, "The 'Iron Dome' means metal veins surround the treasure vault, hardened by special methods to form a barrier."

"To break through, you'll need massive manpower—even explosives might take ten to fifteen days."

At these words, everyone froze in shock.

"That doesn't make sense."

Wang Wang Laobie suddenly shook his head, "If an Iron Dome seals the tomb, it should be completely airtight—how did the tomb guardian beast escape and kill people?"

He turned to the men from the Bai family and asked, "Where exactly did you encounter the tomb guardian beast?"

One of the men replied, "Over there."

He pointed toward the distant riverbank. "We were scattered searching when we heard cries and rushed over. But by the time we arrived, everyone was dead—torn apart, mangled beyond recognition."

Wang Wang Laobie narrowed his eyes, "How can you be sure it was a tomb guardian beast? Could it not have been some wild animal?"

Another man spoke up, "The thing moved fast. By the time I reached the scene, it had already plunged into the water."

"I didn't see clearly, but I glimpsed a huge body covered in fur, with a tail dragging broken chains…"

"Into the water?"

Chen Yi Jian Sanye's eyes lit up. He immediately pulled out the Luo Pan, observing it as he walked toward the riverbank.

The needle on the Luo Pan instantly became unstable.

Sometimes spinning rapidly downward, sometimes returning to normal.

Only after reaching the shore and wading into the water did he suddenly understand, his voice tinged with excitement.

"I understand!"

He looked up toward Lake Liangzi Lake ahead.

"When Wu Wu Youxu and Wang Su built this tomb, Gaochang County had not yet sunk. The original terrain must have had the county at its center, surrounded by lakes and rivers of various sizes."

"This tomb is a Metal-Water tomb: half concealed by the Iron Dome, half accessible through water, because Wang Su only intended to preserve the mechanism for future generations—not to bury it forever."

"But when the earth dragon turned, Gaochang County sank beneath the lake, damaging the tomb and allowing the tomb guardian beast to escape."

"The tomb's entrance is in the lake!"

Without delay, he turned to the Bai family's men and shouted, "Quick! Go to the village and gather as many small boats as you can—find the entrance on the lake's surface!"

"Please wait a moment."

The Bai family's men immediately sprinted toward the village.

Once they were gone, Chen Yi Jian Sanye's expression turned grim. He whispered, "Be careful—these people intend to use us as offerings to the tomb."

Wang Wang Laobie, skilled in locating veins and gold, now understood. He nodded, "Third Master is right."

"This tomb combines Metal and Water. Since it contains Mo School mechanisms, many traps likely rely on water to activate."

"Originally, there might have been a slim chance of survival. But now that Metal and Water are severed, it's become a death trap—only human lives can fill it."

"And that tomb guardian beast alone is no easy foe."

Chen Yi Jian Sanye pondered, then his eyes flickered with mockery. "These people are no ordinary group—but they're foolish to think they can trap us inside the tomb."

"Come closer—I have a plan…"

…………

When the Bai family's scouts returned, the Maitreya sect's ritual in the village had ended. Men, women, and children went about their tasks, utterly calm, as if the earlier frenzy had never happened.

"Did they find it?"

Bai Bai Wenghai, upon hearing this, showed no surprise. He spoke gravely, "These people are indeed capable. They may truly locate the entrance. Send all the village boats to them."

"Also, gather everyone. Arm yourselves. Once we find the entrance, follow me into the tomb!"

"Yes, Chief!"

At his command, the entire Bai River Bay erupted into activity.

Every household in the village sprang into motion.

Each family, regardless of age or gender, tied a strip of yellow talisman silk to their arms—some carried swords and knives, others hoisted hoes, their eyes once again blazing with fanaticism.

Bai Bai Wenghai went to the back courtyard.

Wu Miao Zhu and Bai the Blacksmith were kneeling before the Maitreya statue, bowing.

"The time has come!"

Bai Bai Wenghai's eyes burned with excitement. "They've found the entrance. The divine embryo the monk spoke of must be inside."

Wu Miao Zhu's voice trembled, "Can that thing truly bring the Ming King into the world?"

"It should be."

Bai Bai Wenghai suppressed his excitement and said, "These people are remnants of the Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom. Their men once searched for ancient tombs and died in the Ghost City, leaving the divine embryo behind."

"Now, times have changed. They've lost power in Shenzhou, so they've turned their eyes to my Maitreya Sect."

"Hmph. What use are these sky-walkers? With this chance, better to give it to the Ming King!"

"How are the incense master's preparations?"

Wu Miao Zhu hurriedly replied, "The incense master has already set up the ritual altar. All we need is to retrieve the object, and the Ming King will descend."

"Good!"

Bai Bai Wenghai's eyes were bloodshot. He glanced at the darkening sky. "Rain's coming. The Ghost City will reappear. No matter the cost, we must succeed this time!"

"Wu Elder, you and the others wait outside the village. Wait for Shen's people to find an opening, then lead them into the tomb."

"The more offerings, the better to awaken the divine embryo!"

…………

Boom!

Another thunderclap. The sky grew darker.

Wind howled through the forest, shaking the leaves wildly.

Soon, pea-sized raindrops fell from the sky, pattering against leaves. Within moments, the downpour poured like a flood. Chirp-chirp-chirp!

Birds darted through the rain, then landed on branches, shaking their bodies to fling off the droplets.

"It's no use."

Lu San turned to Li Yan helplessly. "The rain's too heavy. These little ones can't fly far."

Li Yan asked quickly, "What's happening over there?"

"I only know the Bai River Bay has sent out many small boats to meet the tomb robbers. The rest is too unclear."

"Can't other animals scout?"

"Too far away. Snakes and rats can't respond in time."

"What about your hawk?"

"These little ones have gained spirit. With the sky blazing with yang lightning, they're terrified—the hawks won't fly at all."

Li Yan looked down.

Indeed, the little white fox trembled in the thunder, hiding beneath Lu San's legs. Even the hawk and the two rats stared at the sky, their eyes filled with fear.

!.

This is the trouble with heightened spirit.

The smarter they become, the more they fear the thunder above.

Especially for demonic creatures, whose qi and poison energies swirl—any misstep, or critical moment in cultivation, invites heavenly lightning.

Li Yan shook his head slightly and walked up the hill.

Through the rain curtain, the vast Lake Liangzi Lake appeared hazy, its surface pelted by countless raindrops, water splashing like a boiling school of fish.

"Let's get closer."

Li Yan said firmly, "These Maitreya followers are strange—they're planning something big. And as the Turtle Master said, the 'Wanyan' appeared in this very region."

"We'll observe from afar and act as the moment demands."

Saying this, he led Lu San and Wu Ba through the forest in the downpour, inching steadily toward the tomb robbers' location.

…………

On the lake shore and surface, small boats scattered apart.

Each boat carried Wang Wang Laobie's men, holding Luo Pans to observe, the vessels drifting in all directions, leaving no area unsearched.

"Found it!"

Suddenly, someone on one of the boats cried out in shock.

The other boats swiftly moved toward him.

Wang Wang Laobie leapt into the air and landed on that boat, then pulled out his own Luo Pan—its needle no longer spun, but vibrated up and down in one spot.

"Right here!"

A flicker of delight flashed in Wang Wang Laobie's eyes; he hesitated, then turned to Bai Bai Wenghai on another boat and said, "White Clan Chief, the entrance lies directly below. We are not skilled in water—please, you must take the lead."

This, of course, was pure nonsense.

The men under Chen Yi Jian Sanye came from Yuzhou; their poor swimming ability was plausible. But Wang Wang Laobie hailed from Xiangzhou—he'd dug into countless underwater tombs. How could he not know water?

He simply wanted the White River Bay people to take the risk first.

Bai Bai Wenghai's eyes showed clear displeasure; he coldly said, "Wang younger brother, why say such things? Do you not trust me?"

Yet despite this, he nodded: "Very well. My men will go down first—to show good faith."

With that, he nodded to the side.

Plop! Plop! Plop!

Three men immediately jumped into the water without hesitation.

"You're overthinking it, White Clan Chief."

Wang Wang Laobie offered an awkward, embarrassed smile, his eyes filled with gravity.

The situation below was unknown, with Tomb Guardian beasts still threatening them—even if he gave the order himself, his disciples would likely dawdle for half a day.

Yet these White River Bay people showed not a trace of hesitation.

They called themselves villagers—but they were more like death-sentinels!

Still, he was right about one thing: these White River Bay people lived by the lake, and their swimming skills were indeed better than one another's.

The three who dove in had sharp blades tucked at their waists, eyes wide, limbs churning, sinking rapidly into the depths.

The spot was close to shore; once underwater, they could see the hillsides along the shore sloping downward into the lake, as if the mountain range had been half-submerged.

The lake bottom lay about ten meters below the surface, littered with boulders of all sizes, uneven and covered in silt—terrain extremely complex.

Add to that the dense aquatic weeds blanketing the lake, and unless the tomb robbers had pinpointed the exact location, no one would believe this was the entrance.

The three held their breath and searched the lakebed.

Very quickly, they found something.

Beneath several protruding boulders lay a sunken area, resembling a cave.

As they drew closer, the underwater current rippled, stirring up silt—and suddenly revealed a massive head.

The three startled, flailing wildly.

But when they saw clearly, it was only a false alarm.

It was merely the stone head of a Wengzhong, its body mostly buried in silt, with only its head exposed at the cave's entrance.

A flicker of delight appeared in their eyes; they signaled to each other, and one immediately swam upward to report.

The other two carefully swam into the cave.

The stone cave was small—about three meters wide, two meters high. After swimming in three or four meters, they found the passage blocked.

The obstruction was not loose rocks, but a wall. Below, light was dim; they could only see the wall covered in aquatic weeds.

One of them drew his blade and poked at the wall, testing its thickness.

But a chill rose in his heart.

As the blade pierced through, a jet of black fluid gushed out—and the "wall" began slowly shifting…

…………

Splash!

"Clan Chief! We found it!"

The messenger surfaced, eyes blazing with excitement.

"Found it?"

Bai Bai Wenghai's face lit up instantly. "What's the situation below?"

The messenger replied: "There's a cave—not very large. We also found a stone Wengzhong…"

Before he finished speaking, everyone around him stared wide-eyed.

The messenger instinctively sensed something wrong and spun around.

He realized the lake surface around him was now stained crimson, and beneath his feet surged a violent current.

Gloop! Gloop! Gloop!

Before he could react, pain struck his body—he was yanked violently underwater, his consciousness fading.

On the surface, blood bubbled wildly; a massive shadow darted swiftly beneath.

"Quick! Scatter!"

Wang Wang Laobie shouted in alarm, a chill rising down his spine.

Without hesitation, he unleashed hidden force from his feet and leapt into the air, landing on a distant boat.

Boom!

Behind him, a massive wave erupted—one small boat shattered into splinters, limbs and body parts flying everywhere…

Second chapter update later

(End of Chapter)