The smoothness of the situation exceeded Xu Fang and his magical artifacts' expectations. It was so incredibly smooth that they all found it unbelievable.
Not only did the anticipated great battle not happen, but there wasn't even the slightest ripple of surprise. This caused everyone, who had been on guard for so long, to breathe a sigh of relief, while simultaneously finding it hard to believe it was real.
"Is it really this simple?"
Xu Fang, looking at the key in his hand, felt even more incredulous.
This was an arrangement made by his fellow transmigrator. According to Xu Fang's guess, it might have been a trap to lure him here, kill him, and pull off a "fellow countryman stabbing a fellow countryman in the back" scenario.
Yet, this entire endeavor went by without the slightest hitch, not even a ripple. It was truly hard to accept.
Xu Fang examined the key in his hand. It was indeed a key, not much different from the ordinary keys he had seen in his past life.
The difference was that a small "1" was engraved on the key.
Xu Fang knew that this corresponded to the numbering on the Nine Gates of Kunlun Mountain. This key was to open the Kunlun Mountain gate numbered 1.
"With such careful planning, could there truly be no ulterior motive?"
Xu Fang looked at the familiar number. Even though everything was calm now, he did not let his guard down.
Who knew if this guy was deliberately lulling him into a false sense of security, only to suddenly strike and catch him completely off guard?
"And from one to nine, isn't that just increasing the difficulty step by step?"
Xu Fang muttered, looking at the treasure map beside him. The locations of the keys marked on the map were arranged in a straight line, ordered from nearest to farthest.
Xu Fang became vigilant. He was not blinded by the temporary peace before him and quickly began to issue instructions.
"Remain cautious, do not slack off!"
The magical artifacts all nodded in response. The matter of the Nine Gates of Kunlun and the Kai Ming Beast was already incredibly strange. Now, it was proceeding with such uncanny smoothness. How could they possibly let down their guard?
Thus, everyone remained fully alert, daring not to relax.
Seeing this, Xu Fang felt a little relieved and then directed the Treasure Distribution Rock to head to the next location.
What they didn't know was that after Xu Fang obtained the key, a figure suddenly appeared somewhere in the Chaotic Sea.
Standing atop a primordial formation, this figure gazed out at the vast Chaotic Sea.
Although their gaze could not penetrate the immense Chaotic Sea, their eyes were now shining with excitement.
"Finally arrived? How long I have waited!"
After waiting for so many years, this being had finally appeared. They were eager to see what kind of divine being this was!
With this thought, the being grew somewhat impatient.
However, they ultimately suppressed their restless heart and stopped.
According to the sensing from the first formation, this individual had clearly already made their move.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would eventually follow the guidance to this place. They only needed to wait patiently here, and the being would naturally appear before them.
They had waited so many years, so what was another moment?
With this thought, the figure descended and easily entered the primordial formation, waiting in silence.
Meanwhile, Xu Fang and his magical artifacts were unaware of this development, traveling through the Chaotic Sea with their alertness at its peak.
They were all uneasy, not knowing what dangers awaited them at the location of the next key.
However, to their surprise, the retrieval of the second key was just as incredibly smooth as the first.
Xu Fang's expression darkened, and the magical artifacts were filled with worry. Without any further ado, they continued to maintain their vigilance and proceeded to the next location.
As a result, it was once again incredibly smooth. They easily broke through the formation and obtained the key.
Then, it was one location after another, with nothing happening. Xu Fang refused to believe it and, along with his magical artifacts, hurried onward.
They collected key after key, but the accidents they had anticipated never occurred.
Finally, after obtaining the eighth key, the Heaven Measuring Ruler spoke first.
"Little Xu, don't you find this strange?"
As soon as the Heaven Measuring Ruler spoke, and before Xu Fang could reply, the other magical artifacts could no longer contain themselves and spoke up.
"Indeed, Master. As you said, these keys were discovered from the secrets of the Nine Gates of Kunlun Mountain. How could the Nine Gates of Kunlun and the Kai Ming Beast be so bizarre, yet the process be so smooth?"
"This smoothness is the biggest anomaly!"
"Exactly, how is it possible that a mere primordial formation could stop anyone?"
"Or perhaps, we are overthinking it. Perhaps there aren't so many complications, and we're just scaring ourselves?"
"If that's the case, then we've been on edge for nothing, haven't we?"
The magical artifacts spoke one after another, expressing their doubts and speculations.
Xu Fang listened to their clamor and did not blame them for their chattering.
Because their doubts and speculations aligned perfectly with Xu Fang's own thoughts. Looking at the eight keys in his hand, Xu Fang was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
"Could it be that we're truly overthinking things, and there aren't actually that many complications involved?"
"Scaring ourselves?"
Xu Fang echoed the words of the magical artifacts, muttering to himself, "Could it be that they are right, and we're just needlessly worrying?"
However, Xu Fang glanced at the treasure map beside him, unable to feel reassured.
The linear arrangement of the key locations was truly unsettling.
Xu Fang genuinely couldn't believe that the one who had created so much trouble would be so unguarded here, allowing him to easily obtain the keys.
Therefore, Xu Fang spoke.
"Regardless, we must remain vigilant and continue forward. Do not slack off."
"Perhaps, our greatest challenge lies in this final location!"
Upon hearing this, the magical artifacts nodded repeatedly.
Indeed, the closer they got to the end, the less they could afford to relax. Who knew if this was part of a scheme to make them let their guard down, only to catch them completely off guard?
Moreover, with only one key left, no matter how much effort they exerted, it would be the last time.
Thus, the magical artifacts became vigilant once more. Guided by Xu Fang, the Treasure Distribution Rock journeyed towards the final treasure location.
Soon, the Treasure Distribution Rock brought them to the last treasure location. Without needing Xu Fang's command, the magical artifacts spread out and formed a magical artifact formation.
Xu Fang cautiously scanned the surroundings and found no anomalies. He immediately descended and began to break through the formation to retrieve the treasure.
Breaking through formations was not a difficult task for Xu Fang. Soon, under the watchful eyes of the magical artifacts, Xu Fang successfully broke through the primordial formation.
"Alas, we truly scared ourselves. What was there to be afraid of?"
"It made me worry for nothing all this way. What a waste!"
"Alas, truly, all that effort was in vain!"
As the primordial formation gradually collapsed before them with no unexpected events occurring, the magical artifacts began to complain.
Xu Fang listened to their words and watched the formation crumble, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
Could it be that he had truly overthought things, leading to no outcome?
Just as Xu Fang was filled with doubt and uncertainty, light began to shine from within the gradually collapsing formation, and a voice rang out.
"You have finally arrived. I have waited a long time for you!"