"This really is an opportunity? There's treasure?"
Hearing Xu Fang's words, the Measuring Heaven Ruler became excited and quickly asked.
"That's right, it was a complete accident that I stumbled upon it," Xu Fang replied. He looked at the treasure map beside him. On the other end of the map, a treasure was shining brightly, as if swaying its allure and drawing Xu Fang in.
The reason it hadn't been visible earlier was that it was near the Dragon Clan's treasury, where countless treasures were, their lights intermingling, making it impossible to discern.
After entering this passage, the map changed its appearance, becoming clear and understandable.
This filled Xu Fang with surprise. Originally, when he claimed there was a great opportunity and a grand treasure in the passage, he was merely deceiving Dragon King Ao Guang and the others.
It was so they wouldn't stop him from entering, and also to put their minds at ease.
He never expected that an excuse he casually fabricated would, by sheer chance, turn out to be true!
"Does this count as words becoming reality? Fortunately, I'm not a jinx like Donghuang Taiyi!"
Xu Fang chuckled, recalling Donghuang Taiyi's repeated failed attempts at showboating and subsequent humiliation on Penglai Immortal Island, which couldn't help but make him laugh.
He wondered if Donghuang Taiyi, upon knowing his current situation, would curse heaven for unfairness and preferential treatment.
After a moment of silence, the Measuring Heaven Ruler also flew to Xu Fang's side, its entire form vibrating.
"Little Xu, your senses are correct. According to my intelligence channels, there is indeed a treasure in here!"
The Measuring Heaven Ruler confirmed Xu Fang's statement, verifying the existence of the treasure.
Xu Fang understood immediately upon hearing this.
What intelligence channels? Wasn't it just checking the chat group? It made itself seem like it was well-connected in the world of Primordial artifacts!
However, none of the artifacts exposed the Measuring Heaven Ruler's act of pretense. Xu Fang knew that they were trying to conceal the matter of the chat group and didn't question it further.
"Mm, good. Since the treasure is ahead, we shall continue forward!"
Xu Fang spoke and walked through the narrow, blood-red passage.
The artifacts glowed brilliantly, illuminating the path wherever Xu Fang went. The blood-red hue constantly receded, unable to get close to Xu Fang.
Without any obstruction, Xu Fang quickly passed through the narrow passage and suddenly found himself in a much larger space.
Before Xu Fang could even marvel at the sudden expansiveness, countless terrifying auras surged towards him, shaking his mind.
"Damn it! There's something that can confuse the mind!"
"How dare they play such tricks in front of us? Do they think we don't exist?"
"Stop the nonsense, stop the nonsense! Defend quickly, don't flip over in a ditch!"
As Xu Fang's mind reeled, he heard a cacophony of voices. Soon, he regained his senses and returned to calm.
"My apologies, I was momentarily careless and almost fell into the trap!"
The Measuring Heaven Ruler floated in front of Xu Fang, explaining what had just happened.
Having briefly experienced the taste of danger, Xu Fang no longer had the mind to blame the artifacts for their oversight. His gaze fell upon dozens of corpses not far ahead, and his expression grew solemn.
Those were the corpses of the Dragon Clan!
"It seems these are the Dragon Clan experts Ao Guang mentioned," Xu Fang mused. These Dragon Clan experts had ventured into this passage for the sake of their clan, only to perish in this vast, suddenly opened space.
Seeing their bodies scattered haphazardly, yet still intact, indicated that they had encountered the same danger as he had just now.
Even with so many artifacts protecting him, he had almost fallen victim. How could they have fared any better?
Xu Fang silently cupped his hands in respect. Although he didn't know these dragons, their bravery in venturing into danger for their kin was commendable. Their tragic demise before achieving their mission was even more regrettable.
Looking at the Dragon Clan corpses whose flesh had not yet decayed, Xu Fang became vigilant and instructed.
"It seems the deeper we go, the more dangerous it becomes. Everyone needs to be more alert."
The artifacts responded in unison, assuring Xu Fang that the incident would not happen again.
Xu Fang nodded, relieved. He then surveyed his surroundings.
He saw a vast space, like a small world in itself.
However, it was empty. The only inhabitants were the dozens of Dragon Clan corpses, making the place appear incredibly desolate.
But Xu Fang wasn't here to sightsee. Looking at the treasure map and determining the direction, he headed towards a specific spot.
As Xu Fang had expected, the danger increased with depth.
Even with the protection of numerous artifacts, Xu Fang could feel the terrifying aura of the blood-red energy.
Fortunately, the artifacts were giving their all, and Xu Fang remained unharmed.
The blood-red hue grew even denser, reaching a point where one couldn't see anything. Everywhere was red, making it impossible to discern direction.
However, thanks to the help of the artifacts, Xu Fang could still barely penetrate the dense blood-red mist.
Coupled with the treasure map, Xu Fang was not completely lost.
"Alas, with such peril and strict restrictions, even those Dragon Clan experts must have died with regret when they reached here," Xu Fang sighed. Forget about those Dragon Clan experts; even Ao Guang and his brothers would likely not have been able to withstand it.
He himself was only able to reach this point thanks to the augmentation of the artifacts.
Fortunately, he had come to investigate the situation on their behalf. Otherwise, the Dragon Clan would have been in utter despair, and he would have lost an ally.
"Therefore, helping them is also helping myself."
Xu Fang lamented as he followed the treasure map's markings and arrived at the location of the treasure.
In fact, by this point, even without the treasure map's markings, Xu Fang would have been able to find this treasure.
Because amidst this sea of blood-red, this single trace of light, though faint, was incredibly eye-catching.
"It's you, big treasure!"
Xu Fang looked up and saw a massive pearl, suspended quietly in mid-air, emitting light.
Although the light was dim, the dense blood-red could not come within an inch of it.
"Alas, how could the Dragon Clan have imagined that the cause of their current predicament would be the supreme Dragon Clan treasure, the Ancestral Dragon Pearl!"
Xu Fang revealed the origin of the pearl. This was not difficult; the treasure map clearly marked it.
"I was just about to say that, but you beat me to it, damn it!"
The Measuring Heaven Ruler was dejected. It was a rare opportunity to show off, and Xu Fang had snatched it away, which was deeply unsatisfying.
"Alright, alright, don't dwell on it too much," Xu Fang waved his hand and looked at the Ancestral Dragon Pearl, saying.
"Since only the Ancestral Dragon Pearl is here, it must be the reason for the Dragon Clan's predicament. We must find a way to resolve it!"
Just as Xu Fang was contemplating how to deal with the Ancestral Dragon Pearl and resolve the Dragon Clan's issue, a voice suddenly sounded.
"After all these years, has a descendant of the Dragon Clan finally entered this place?"