The air was thick with the smell of burnt toast.
Xiao Liu had used his life to prove to everyone that there were indeed traps here, and their strength was beyond imagination.
After a long while, Professor Li took a deep breath.
He concealed his complex emotions.
He tried to calm himself; he was the leader and couldn't lose his composure.
"This should be some kind of flammable material that reacts with air, generating high temperatures in a short period."
"Everyone, don't panic."
As Professor Li spoke, he pressed a button behind the Qilin's head, and a mechanical sound echoed.
Professor Li tested the ground with a stone. Finding it safe, he stepped in first.
"Professor Li, Xiao Liu he..."
The others finally reacted, looking dazed.
"He sacrificed himself. I will report it later."
"Let's go, no time to waste."
Professor Li showed no signs of sadness. In his view, casualties and injuries were common occurrences in tomb raiding.
The captain said nothing, as two of his teammates had died, he remained silent.
Entering the tomb.
They were immediately captivated by everything inside.
Upon seeing the throne, the coffin, and even the murals on the walls, they knew the trip was worthwhile.
"This is a paradise for archaeology. Everyone, be careful."
Professor Li said, their hearts pounding as they approached.
The murals, in particular, drew everyone's attention.
The coffin was sealed. Professor Li had learned his lesson this time.
He dared not open the coffin.
Instead, he led his team to study the accompanying burial objects and murals.
Meanwhile, on Zhang Tian's side.
Zhang Tian and Fatty had already left Panjiayuan.
"Boss, do you think Old Hu and that so-and-so Yang will spark a romance?"
"Sherry Yang is quite good-looking..."
Fatty nudged Zhang Tian with his elbow, still thinking about Sherry Yang.
"I suggest you do more and talk less. You're not cut out to be a 'Cao Cao' [a historical figure known for his numerous concubines]."
Zhang Tian said, his gaze shifting to behind Fatty. Good heavens, Wang Fei might have misunderstood; she was standing right above Fatty's head.
Tonight was likely to be another sleepless night.
Fatty felt a chill on his head and quickly chuckled, daring not to speak further.
"Tomorrow is the auction. Fatty, go buy a couple of suitable suits later, or they won't let you in."
Zhang Tian looked at Fatty's somewhat disheveled attire and said.
Fatty pouted.
"What a clown's hall, and I have to wear a suit? Fatty refuses! Fatty will find a Zhongshan suit and scare them to death."
Fatty pouted, his expression stubborn.
"Alright, as you wish. Just don't buy cheap stuff."
Zhang Tian waved his hand and quickened his pace.
"By the way, boss, do you think my two hundred thousand can make a splash in there? We can buy out the Xinyue Restaurant then?"
Fatty's face was filled with excitement, daydreaming.
Zhang Tian was speechless. This guy was living in a fantasy.
By the time of the auction, he would realize his money was just a drop in the bucket.
"You go buy them first. I'll go back to the antique shop for a bit. I'll be moving to the Siheyuan in a few days."
Zhang Tian said.
Fatty almost jumped up.
"Holy cow, boss, you don't want your inheritance!"
"If you don't want it, Fatty thinks it's okay for me to be surnamed Zhang..."
Fatty had a mischievous look, winking.
"Get lost!!"
"It's just for our future operations. As for not wanting the inheritance, I'm not stupid. I still need to go legitimate."
Zhang Tian said calmly, not bothering to argue with Fatty.
Fatty rubbed his head.
"Boss, is going legitimate that important? We're doing pretty well like this."
Fatty was a bit confused.
"You wouldn't understand. I just hope we don't get any more entangled."
Zhang Tian said, then bantered with Fatty for a while before heading home.
On the way, Zhang Tian passed by the Xinyue Restaurant and saw a familiar figure.
It was Xiao Ge. This guy was still working there.
His expression was ice-cold, but it didn't detract from his handsome looks.
Thinking about it, Zhang Tian decided it was better to act than to wait. Today was a good time to win over Xiao Ge.
Xiao Ge, it could be said, desired nothing, but he wanted to uncover the secrets within himself.
To recover his memories.
Zhang Tian did not hesitate and walked directly over. Zhang Qilin (not Zhang Qiling, to avoid problems) also noticed Zhang Tian.
He had been observing this young man, intrigued by Zhang Tian.
He raised corpse-worms and acted quite mysteriously.
Approaching, Zhang Tian looked at Zhang Qilin the most seriously for the first time.
Just like in his memory, his features were strong, his physique well-proportioned, his skin fair, and his eyes held an otherworldly calm.
Perhaps due to the Qilin blood or some curse, his skin was as fair as a baby's.
Zhang Tian looked at Zhang Qilin, knowing that to win him over, he had to be direct and bold.
"I know what you're looking for. If you stay here, who will protect the ultimate secret?"
As soon as Zhang Tian finished speaking.
A hint of color appeared on Zhang Qilin's normally calm face.
His eyes flickered with shock, then with confusion.
He seemed to be thinking. After a long pause, he suddenly looked up.
His gaze fixed on Zhang Tian. He hadn't expected to hear the word "ultimate" from this strange man.
But what exactly was it?
"Ultimate... What is that?"
Zhang Qilin's voice was cold and hoarse, filled with a question and self-doubt.
The gaps in his memory prevented him from fully recalling what "ultimate" meant, yet it was etched into his bones. How could he forget?
For a long time, Zhang Qilin had wondered what "ultimate" was. Today, it was uttered by the man before him.
"Join me, and I can help you unravel the mystery of the ultimate."
"I don't have absolute certainty yet, but I can guarantee that one day, I will be able to help you uncover it."
Zhang Tian said, his eyes locked on Zhang Qilin's sword-like gaze.
Gentle yet burning.
Zhang Qilin was somewhat pitiable. He was handsome and had been trapped in time for so many years.
Zhang Tian knew he had no reason to refuse his offer. Indeed, after he spoke.
Zhang Qilin looked at Zhang Tian.
"Truly?"
"Naturally."
Zhang Tian nodded, barely hesitating.
Gaining Zhang Qilin was an essential part of Zhang Tian's plan. As for when he would obtain him, it depended on when Zhang Tian decided to seek him out.
Zhang Qilin looked at Zhang Tian and nodded. After a brief exchange, he agreed to join Zhang Tian's group.
No, no, not a group, an archaeological team.
"Come find me tonight. I'll introduce you to the others and tell you what I know."
Zhang Tian said. Zhang Qilin nodded seriously. To him, everything else was irrelevant, but he had to find his memories.
Watching Zhang Tian's retreating back, Zhang Qilin deeply etched this person into his heart. This was the first person to speak of "ultimate" to him.
This person was by no means ordinary.
Perhaps he would be the only reliable person on his path to seeking the truth.
Zhang Tian returned home, his heart pounding.
It was his first conversation with Zhang Qilin, and he felt somewhat overwhelmed by the other's aura.
"Indeed, he lives a life devoid of desires, only his memories trouble him. Breaking through from here was indeed effective."
"My team is almost complete now. Should I let Wu Xiao Foye join? But this guy is still too green..."
Zhang Tian hesitated.