As they ascended, Shirley Yang became increasingly alarmed. She hadn't expected Hu Bayi's team to be so capable, not only traversing such a perilous place but also clearly marking every route and location. He was truly meticulous!
Soon, they entered what appeared to be the Judge's chamber. It was evident that Zhang Tian and his team had dismantled all the mechanisms and traps, essentially bypassing them effortlessly.
"This should be the Judge's chamber in the Underworld. Look at this platform; if it tilted any further, we'd fall off."
"Clearly, they've solved the mechanisms."
"The traps here must have been formidable. I can't even spot a single flaw." Professor Li remarked, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding layout. "The Judge depicted here likely draws inspiration from the Fengdu the Great Emperor model described in the 'Records of Yuan Shi Shang Zhen and Various Immortals'."
"I've read that book. It's almost identical to the depiction within, the Judge's brush, the Book of Life and Death – it's all so lifelike." Professor Li gazed at the judge statue before him in awe.
If Zhang Tian's team possessed profound knowledge of tombs and metaphysics, then Professor Li and the expert team were armed with extensive knowledge, primarily grounded in modern understanding.
Shirley Yang surveyed the intricate mechanism array and the birthdates inscribed on the Book of Life and Death. She pictured herself in that situation. "If I had to navigate this mechanism, I might have less than a one in a ten-thousand chance of success. I never imagined they could decipher something so complex." She mused, her curiosity about Hu Bayi and his team growing even stronger. She yearned to know what other capabilities the young man holding the compass possessed, and what astonishing feats he might accomplish next.
The further she ventured, the more astonished Shirley Yang became.
"Xiao Guang, quickly record all of this," Professor Li instructed. Xiao Guang promptly began documenting, and after the expert team completed a thorough inspection without finding anything suspicious, they proceeded.
Following a series of further scenes, they arrived at the Bridge of Helplessness. Everyone's eyes were drawn to the altar before them. Upon the altar lay three emaciated men, appearing as if their essence had been drained, their deaths exceptionally grim.
"Damn it, it's those three people from before!" a scholar exclaimed upon seeing the bodies.
"This is a tomb; no need to shout. This is a large altar, seemingly used for a sacrifice. It seems Xie Yuchen was after this," Professor Li stated gravely. "He actually killed people!"
However, even with this knowledge, apprehending Xie Yuchen would be incredibly difficult. Not only were there issues of influence, but Xie Yuchen had also left no evidence. Arresting him would be a daunting task.
"He's so heartless, casually sacrificing others' lives," a young man beside him commented.
"According to the blueprints, there's a mechanism beneath the altar, and burial items within the chambers. Let's set that aside for now," Professor Li continued. "We'll crack the mechanism first." He took a deep breath, his priority now being to stabilize the team's morale.
Meanwhile, the audience was in an uproar upon seeing the three sacrificial victims on the altar.
[Who was just saying Xie Yuchen was a good person? He actually performed a sacrifice behind Zhang Tian's back!]
[Looking at this, was the sacrifice successful?]
[Damn, the expert team is in danger!]
[Something's not right. Those three don't look like good people at all. Maybe they were chosen deliberately.]
[Sigh, Hua Ye has disappointed me so much.] Some viewers expressed their feelings.
Online, however, people's attention wasn't focused on this. Instead, it was drawn to the Jiaolong.
[Hilarious. The expert team still excels. They couldn't even secure such excellent samples.]
[Wait, it's chilling when you think about it. Is this why the Dongzi in Xia Kingdom's myths didn't remain?]
[Highly possible. Otherwise, how could there be a Dragon among the Twelve Zodiacs!]
[That's right, I strongly suspect Dragons might actually exist.]
Countless people online began debating whether Dragons were real creatures. Professor Li sighed upon witnessing this. He looked at the screen and said, "Alas, if Grandfather had brought back that sample, perhaps the world would have changed long ago." He sighed, and the others nodded in agreement. If these discoveries had been revealed earlier, the world might have presented a different landscape. However, it was fortunate they weren't disclosed back then; given the instability of Xia Kingdom at the time, public disclosure would have certainly led to difficulties in governance.
The scene continued. After Professor Li pressed the mechanism, they entered the chamber. Inside, countless coffins were arranged, and there were signs of a struggle on the ground. Most striking was the enormous palm print not far away, left by Zhang Tian when he channeled his ancestral spirit.
"Such a huge palm print! Was there a strongman here?"
"It must have been a giant. Only a giant could leave such a massive palm print."
"Did they encounter zombies?"
The mention of zombies brought to Professor Li's mind the red-haired monster rolling on the ground. He shivered. That creature had nearly taken their lives. But it was precisely because of that incident that the hidden laboratory in Beidong was exposed, allowing those wronged souls to find their reincarnation. Furthermore, with that compelling evidence from last time, the current Fuji nation dared not utter a single word when faced with a series of questions.
"I hope there are no red-haired monsters, no red-haired monsters," Professor Li prayed silently. He then cast his gaze around. Aside from the signs of a struggle, there were many coffins in the corners.
"These are all bronze coffins. A Ming Dynasty tomb using bronze coffins is rather peculiar," Professor Chen, unaware of the previous red-haired monster incident, remarked as he approached a coffin.
"Professor Li, I'm worried that after the fight, the artifacts might have been damaged," Shirley Yang said, looking around. The extensive signs of struggle and the cracked ground suggested significant damage to the artifacts.
"I don't know. The map told us to open the coffins," Professor Li replied, shaking his head, then looked at the coffins with hesitation.
"Then let's open one and see." Professor Chen had placed complete faith in 'Elite Operatives' and beckoned a team member, who, though somewhat reluctant, stood by Professor Chen's side. Together, the two slowly opened the coffin. Professor Li even stuck his head out, fearing some small creature might leap out.
As the coffin opened, a multitude of artifacts and ancient burial objects appeared. In an instant, everyone was stunned. No wonder there were so many signs of fighting outside, yet no trace of the artifacts. It turned out they had been hidden. Looking at the surrounding coffins, Professor Chen's heart pounded with excitement. Without hesitation, he quickly instructed people to open all the coffins.
It was like opening treasure chests as they opened one coffin after another. The next moment, the coffins seemed to emit a golden glow, shining brilliantly in their eyes.
"Gulp... Bronze horse-faced porcelain."
"And this, peach wood carving."
"This, a Shang Dynasty porcelain basin..."
"A ding from the Warring States period..."
Looking at the dazzling array of artifacts, everyone gasped. Then, observing the traces of combat near the coffins, their eyes welled up. They had protected the artifacts at great personal risk, even going so far as to hide them. This attitude, this dedication to preserving cultural relics, deeply moved countless experts.
"So, Xia Kingdom still has such selfless operatives. Professor Li, please introduce them to us." Professor Chen was visibly excited, tears welling in his eyes. Even Shirley Yang was somewhat shaken. So, they were the most selfless people, even hiding artifacts to protect them. They were willing to risk their lives – they were the true preservers of cultural heritage!
Suddenly, Shirley Yang's mind conjured images of Hu Bayi's team, standing in a triangular formation, each with a hand extended, confident smiles on their faces. The words "Elite Operatives" appeared.