1.1: Characteristics of Ancient Tombs During the Qin and Han Dynasties, a trend of emulating superiors prevailed, resulting in mostly fudou-style tombs. Fudou refers to the shape of the earth mound covering the tomb, resembling an overturned measuring vessel, with defined corners and lines, and a small square platform at the very top. While somewhat akin to the Egyptian pyramids, the Chinese versions possess an extra edge, bearing a startling resemblance to the pyramids found among the Maya civilization in the 'lost civilization' of South America. The connection between them remains a mystery. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, tombs were constructed from massive, thick stones shaped into arches, with the gaps sealed using mayujiao glue. Such stone tombs are extremely common near the ruins of Xiye. An early 19th-century European explorer once described them as: “Countless stone tombs, large and small, dot the desert, more than half buried beneath the yellow sands, revealing only their black, pointed tops, like miniature Egyptian pyramids. To travel through this landscape littered with stone tombs is a truly breathtaking sight.” Tang Dynasty The Tang Dynasty favored carving mausoleums directly into mountainsides—a feat of enormous engineering and majestic grandeur, reflecting the might of the great Tang Empire at its peak. The imperial tombs of this era exuded an air of unparalleled dominance, befitting the world's foremost empire. From the Southern Song to the Late Ming and Early Qing Periods, this era was plagued by continuous warfare and coincided with some of the greatest natural disasters in ancient Chinese history. Consequently, the scale and extravagance of the tombs belonging to royalty and nobility diminished compared to earlier times. Later, during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the nation’s economy and productivity recovered significantly, leading to a transformation in tomb architecture. Greater emphasis was placed on above-ground structures, integrating them with ancestral temples and garden landscapes. Having learned from the tomb-robbing prevention experiences of previous dynasties, Qing tombs featured exceptionally solid underground palace structures, making them exceedingly difficult to breach. Conclusion Regardless of the specific dynasty, the funerary forms spanning thousands of years of Chinese history fundamentally derive from the Five Elements and Feng Shui layouts that evolved from Fuxi’s Sixty-Four Hexagrams. Despite myriad variations, the core principle remains the same: to encompass the entirety of the world’s natural configuration, ultimately striving for the ethos of: Within Creation, Heaven and Man as One. Typical Tomb Chamber Construction Commoner tombs were generally designed like dwellings for the living, featuring a main chamber, a rear chamber, and two side rooms. The tomb occupant’s coffin would rest in the exact center of the main chamber. Noble tombs were far grander, with the underground palace divided into three sections: front, middle, and rear. Upon entering past a suspended thousand-jin portcullis, one first encountered the “Mingdian” (Underworld Hall), furnished and decorated as the main hall of the deceased’s earthly residence. These furnishings were known as Mingqi (Objects of Illumination/Underworld Objects). Further inside was the central burial chamber, the “Qindian” (Sleeping Chamber), where the main sarcophagus was placed. Beyond that was the “Peidian” (Auxiliary Chamber), specifically designated for holding funerary objects. Murals In the tombs of Tang and Song era princes and nobles, murals were common, serving to record the significant deeds of the tomb occupant’s life.

1.2: Mechanisms Found in Ancient Tombs The Suspended Soul Ladder (Xuanhun Ti): A baffling pathway designed to disorient visitors, creating illusions that prevent finding the correct route. Falling Stones: Prevalent in the Tang Dynasty and earlier; once triggered, massive stones from the passage ceiling would descend. Hidden Crossbows (Annu): Popular before and during the Tang period; upon activation, hidden compartments within the burial chamber would unleash a volley of bolts. Quicksand: A tomb mechanism; once triggered, channels would open, releasing vast amounts of sand to bury the excavators alive. Nest Crossbow (Wonu): A tomb mechanism; upon activation, hundreds of crossbows would fire simultaneously, piercing the tomb raiders heart with countless bolts. Stone Piles: A mechanism within ancient tombs; when triggered, massive stone pillars, thick enough to embrace, would be propelled by mechanical force to smash into intruders. The Tianbao Longhuo Liuli Ding (Heavenly Treasure Dragon Fire Glazed Apex): Tombs from the late Northern Song period, such as the Jin people’s tombs here, likely employed this prevalent anti-theft technology. This structure was highly advanced: the chamber was hollowed out, the ceiling first laid with an extremely thin layer of glazed tiles, upon which were bags of Western Regions Dragon Fire Oil, followed by another layer of glazed tiles, and finally the earth mound. Any external force breaking the top layer would rupture the oil sacs; the Dragon Fire Oil, upon contact with air, would ignite, incinerating the corpse and grave goods within the chamber, leaving tomb robbers with nothing. The Rammed Earth Layer: The core defensive line of the tomb chamber. A layer of compacted soil, hard as bedrock, where an engineer's shovel would only leave a white mark. This was the rammed earth layer, protected by mechanisms overhead. This soil was mixed using a secret court recipe from that time, incorporating things like glutinous rice juice and even virgin boy’s urine—making it stronger than modern concrete. This secret formula belonged to the Northern Song emperors, only passing into the hands of Jin nobility after they conquered the Northern Song. The Tilting Slab: Capable of completely sealing off the Mingdian, preferring to ruin the auspicious spatial arrangement (zang feng ju qi) rather than let the funerary objects fall to the grave robbers. Corrupting Jade (Fuyu), also known as Lingshi or Chongyu, sourced from a certain valley in the Middle East. This Chongyu possessed numerous strange properties and was always a substance of legend, extremely rare. Ancients believed this living, strange stone was inhabited by an evil spirit. If a flame was lit near the Chongyu, it would emit a dense, almost solidified black mist. After the black mist cleared, any matter nearby exceeding a certain temperature would be corroded into pus. Once placed inside a tomb, the Fuyu became the most lethal trap, ensuring the swift demise of any unprepared tomb robber carrying a torch. Mausoleum Pest Repellent Secret Medicine: Composed of buried sulfur and mercury, mixed with ingredients like Du Ma San, Xun Huang Ji, and Lan Pu Di. Due to their opposing elemental properties, they could be buried in the earth without volatilizing for millennia. Its effect was not just pest control, but also theft prevention. Cracking Certain Mechanisms Cracking the Tianbao Longhuo Liuli Ding: The greatest weakness of this mechanism was that by digging from the side, the Dragon Fire Glazed Apex tiles above would remain unbroken. Cracking the Rammed Earth Layer: Pouring vinegar scoop by scoop onto the rammed earth layer. Once one bucket of vinegar was used up, that section of the tomb wall would be sufficiently corroded. Although vinegar’s corrosive power isn't extreme, it proves remarkably effective against this secret-formula rammed earth. This is a case of one thing conquering another; after this treatment, digging through it would be as easy as cutting tofu. Solving the Suspended Soul Ladder: Its principle relies on misleading reference points. At regular intervals, subtle or obvious marks were made. Paying attention to these marks would inevitably lead one astray from the correct path. The steps were angled unusually; the horizontal surfaces slanted slightly downward, and some were flat while others were raised, distracting the attention from changes in angle, making variations in weight perception and balance difficult to notice. Paradoxically, walking blindfolded might actually lead one out more easily.

1.3: Coffins The ultimate in coffins is the yuchen from Yenchenmu wood—the heartwood itself. For a piece of Yenchenmu to grow, mature, and finally settle underground, it requires a minimum of several thousand years. Such a superlative material was exceedingly rare, reserved only for royalty. A body interred within the heartwood of Yenchenmu would never decay, making it far more valuable than a crystal preservation coffin, and possessing a preservation capability superior to a refrigerator. Stone Sarcophagus Wooden Coffin Inside this stone cist rested a purely black wooden coffin. This coffin was nearly double the size of ordinary ones and exceptionally tall; even without counting the curved lid, it stood over half a man’s height. The craftsmanship was exquisite, certainly no common object. The ends, sides, and lid were adorned with five-colored paintings made with gilded lacquer, depicting auspicious mythical beasts—such as celestial cranes, Qilin, and the Tortoise-Snake—intended to ensure the occupant achieved spiritual ascension after death. The lid featured a celestial map of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, and the base was encircled by a golden decorative pattern of swirling clouds. Utilizing some secret technique, the colors remained vibrant and fresh after thousands of years—a truly astonishing sight. Kunlun Divine Wood The finest material for a coffin was the heartwood of Yenchenmu. However, there existed another supremely rare and divine wood, seldom seen, recorded only in ancient texts: Kunlun Divine Wood. Legend held that even a single piece of Kunlun Divine Wood, separated from soil, water, and sunlight, would never wither; though it ceased growing, it maintained its original form indefinitely. If a corpse were placed within a Kunlun Divine Wood container, it could remain incorruptible for ten thousand years. "Could the body of Queen Jingjue be inside this Kunlun Divine Wood?" Ancient records stated this tree was as old as Kunlun Mountain itself; even Qin Shi Huang sought to acquire it for his own sarcophagus. Stone Spirit Ghost Coffin The Ghost Coffin crafted from Stone Spirit (Shijing) was exceptionally sealed and unlike ordinary sarcophagi. The intensely Yin-heavy 'Stone Spirit', though viewed as ominous, possessed an inherent chilling quality that perfectly preserved the corpse’s original appearance. Bronze Horned Gold Coffin Entirely made of bronze, this was specially designed to prevent the possibility of the occupant reanimating (zha shi).

1.4: Grave Goods in Ancient Tombs Porcelain: A common find in ancient tombs; people often buried ceramics with the deceased. Buried Boy and Girl Servants: The exclusive privilege of ancient nobility. These boys and girls were subjected to mercury ingestion while alive, and furthermore, holes were drilled into their heads, backs, and soles of their feet, which were then filled completely with liquid mercury. After death, their entire bodies were coated in mercury powder, rendering them like preserved specimens whose flesh and skin did not decay even after ten thousand years. This technique was far more advanced than the Egyptian mummies; however, the differing cultural backgrounds and values meant the methods diverged. Moreover, this mercury injection method to maintain physical appearance required living subjects, as deceased bodies with stagnant circulation could not be injected. Consequently, this technique was never used on the tomb occupants themselves. Many parts of the bodies showed patches of dark purple spots. Buried servants, or frequently gold, silver, and jade objects, were often coated in mercury powder. Over time, chemical reactions occurred: newer objects exhibited a reddish-brown hue, while older ones turned dark purple. These patches are colloquially known as “Mercury Spots” (Shuiyin Ban) or “Mercury Immersion” (Shuiyin Jin), and in some regions, the corpse spots are called Lan Yin Zi or Gong Qing. Bronze Lampstands: Often shaped like kneeling slaves (deng nu), holding treasured plates in their hands; these were also common in noble tombs. Empty-Grooved Yue (Kong Cao Yue): An ancient weapon characteristic of the Dian Kingdom. F-Shaped Blade Axe (F Tiao Ren Fu): An ancient weapon characteristic of the Dian Kingdom. Sparrow Feather Jade Suit (Que Ling Yu Yi): A jade suit threaded with gold wire. Sacrificial Trench: A deep ditch piled high with sacrificial items. High-ranking tomb occupants were not only interred with gold, silver, and jade, but also specific trenches dedicated to the sacrifice of oxen and horses. Bronze Chariots and Horses: Among the grave goods, and regarding the knowledge of Mingqi: Mingqi were always unearthed from the tomb shafts. Ancient tombs were categorized as New Shafts, Old Shafts, Water Shafts, Dirty Shafts, and Stale Shafts. First comes the look: observing the style, workmanship, shape, and color. Second is the smell; this is a critical step in appraising Mingqi. Fakers in the south sometimes soak counterfeits in latrines for aging, but while the color appears old, the odor is completely different—far stinkier than the ancient jade plugs inserted into the anuses of corpses (to prevent leakage of shi qi causing decay). Though the appearance is aged, the smell immediately reveals the fake to an expert’s nose. Next is the inquiry: where did this object come from, what is its provenance? The tomb robber will meticulously detail which shaft it was dug from, allowing me to judge the veracity of his story and spot any flaws, which in turn helps determine the object’s authenticity and value from another angle. Finally, there is the tactile sense—a realm that must be intuitively understood rather than verbally explained. I have handled countless antiquities; my hands are directly connected to my heart. A genuine antique, regardless of its size or weight, imparts a certain feeling upon being weighed, touched, or grasped. This "weight" isn't referring to its physical mass; ancient artifacts possess their own spiritual essence and a profound heaviness accumulated over centuries or millennia. No matter how well counterfeits are made, they can never replicate this feeling.”

1.5: Esoteric Arts The Origin of the Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Arts In the late Qing Dynasty, there lived a Mojin Xiaowei (Grave Robber Captain) who had retired, known as Zhang San Lian Zi (Three-Chain Zhang) or Third Master Zhang. Legend has it that from an ancient tomb, he excavated the complete Sixteen-Character Heavenly Divination chart and combined it with the Mojin Xiaowei's proprietary item, the Xun Long Jue (Dragon Seeking Incantation), to author the Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Arts. However, because this text seized the secrets of heaven and earth, threatening to shorten one's lifespan, he destroyed the half pertaining to Yin-Yang arts, passing the remaining half to his disciple, Sun Guofu, the Man with the Yin-Yang Eyes. Not even his direct descendants received this knowledge. The sixteen characters of the Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Arts are: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di), Man (Ren), Ghost (Gui), Spirit (Shen), Buddha (Fo), Demon (Mo), Beast (Chu), Terrify (She), Suppress (Zhen), Escape (Dun), Object (Wu), Transform (Hua), Yin, Yang, Void (Kong). The "Transformation" (Hua) scroll of the Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Arts details methods for altering Feng Shui currents. The "Yi Long Jing" (Metamorphosis Dragon Scripture) within records that altering the shape and flow of a Dragon Vein—changing the wind and turning the water—requires manipulating at least nine principal acupoints surrounding the earth. The first acupoint transforms vital energy into protective coiling; the second, two ears pierce the sky reaching the clouds; the third, the fish serves as the dragon’s whiskers gathering water and gold; the fourth, the towering palace provides support; the fifth, adorning the Heavenly Beam opens the Bright Hall; the sixth, the water outlet is blocked and positioned for greeting; the seventh, the sand feet should coil left and right; the eighth, layered shrouds pierce through the dragon; the ninth, winding loops pay homage to the mountain shore. By altering these nine stellar positions near the main vein, the Feng Shui lock-and-guard remains dense and unbroken for ten thousand years. Celestial Star Feng Shui Since ancient times, people observed celestial phenomena, studying the movements of stars to predict fortune and disaster. The essence of astronomy was incorporated when selecting sites for Feng Shui treasures. The distance between Heaven and Earth is eighty-four thousand li; the distance between the human heart and kidney is eight cun and four fen. The human body’s Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth correspond to the Five Celestial Stars, and the Twenty-Four Stars correspond to the mountains and rivers of the world. Stars possess good or ill natures, and terrain has fortune or misfortune. Any land of supreme auspiciousness must resonate with the sun, moon, and stars above. The esoteric art of locating the nexus point based on the circulation of star clouds is Celestial Star Feng Shui—the most difficult branch of Feng Shui to master. Celestial Star Feng Shui: A subdivision of Feng Shui arts. Ancient emperors and nobles placed immense importance on what happened after death, believing they deserved the same treatment in the afterlife. Furthermore, they believed that the rise and fall of the realm originated from the Dragon Vein, thus mausoleums had to be situated in supreme Feng Shui locations. Emperor Yongzheng once summarized imperial tombs succinctly: "Areas where Qian and Kun converge in beauty, where Yin and Yang meet; where Dragon Vein, nexus, sand, and water are all perfectly gathered; where form and theory present every auspicious sign; where mountain lines and water methods are detailed and logical—truly a land of the highest fortune." Teng/Mang Flesh Lines: After skinning the Teng/Mang (a type of parasitic worm/serpent), the reddish blood-fine lines that grew on its corpse were inserted into the jade coffin. These fine lines would ultimately anchor themselves into the seven orifices of animal and human corpses, draining their fresh blood and transmitting it to the jade coffin. Thus, the fluid accumulating in the jade coffin was a preservative formed through this conversion, maintaining the body’s incorruptibility using living blood. The Tomb Escort Pythons: Two banyan trees capable of altering Feng Shui patterns were found. First, the tomb-sealing manual (Zhen Ling Pu) was buried underground, and the banyan trees were planted on top. Then, giant pythons, which had been fed with human effigies (yiren yong), were captured. This python was depicted in the tomb manual as a fierce and savage Azure Dragon, a beast native to the Zhe Long Mountain area. Once the giant python had consumed enough effigies, it would fall into a deep sleep. At this stage, its skin was flayed, and along with the High Priest, it was placed in the coffin. The python flesh, combined with the paulownia wood coffin base, would gradually fuse with the ancient tree, thus sustaining the body’s incorruptibility for a prolonged duration. Stone Figurines (Shiren Yong): These statues were the size of real people but were not solid; they possessed only an outer shell of stone, being hollow inside. Once smashed, they would release a swarm of dense, white Jie worms. Legend held these to be ancient humanoid coffins, an inauspicious sign foretelling sickness and death. Teng Art (Teng Shu): Teng Shu uses the soul of the deceased as a medium to transfer resentment onto other living creatures, turning harmless beings into fatal weapons or poisons. For example, a living person would be securely bound, forced to swallow a "Teng Yin" pill, their seven orifices sealed, and then suspended by a great chain inside a cavern until they suffocated to death. The "Teng Yin" pill was essential for enacting certain Teng Shu techniques. Once swallowed by a living person, it would parasitize the body and lay eggs. In just about three to five days, the flesh, blood, and organs inside the body became nourishment for the larvae, which then took their place. Due to the rapid dehydration, the skin would quickly shrivel, becoming as hard as bark or stone. Since the eggs required air to hatch, they remained dormant, capable of surviving for over a thousand years in cool environments.

1.6: Historical Relics The Nine-Story Demon Tower: Located in Tibet, built underground. A ‘Gold’ shape wooden tower constructed from thousands of massive timbers, dotted with countless red glints of light on its surface. The tower’s base, nearly two hundred meters wide, was made of rammed earth and stone. The tower structure, built from thousand-year-old cypress wood, consisted of nine stories, each piled high with dried skeletons in peculiar ancient costumes—men, women, and children alike. Every large timber was carved with secret Tibetan script. The Underground Ruins in the Desert: There were two stone gates; the final gate was tightly sealed, carved with images of unknown strange beasts. Dead animal skins were pasted over the door seams; only by slicing the skins away piece by piece with a flat shovel could the door be opened. At the end of the passage lay a spacious, dry stone chamber, roughly sixty to seventy meters long and wide, and three meters high—four men could stand inside without feeling cramped. Though the space was ample, the atmosphere was oppressive. The floor was littered with bones, making it impossible to find a clear spot to step; the bones were mostly animal, extremely brittle, shattering with a slight touch. Dozens of wooden pillars stood around, tied to which were desiccated human skeletons, all appearing to be able-bodied adult males. The Black Desert of Cishan: In the deep desert lie two sacred mountains, one red and one white, called the Zha Gelama Sacred Mountains, rumored to be the resting places of ancient saints. Within the walls of the Jingjue Kingdom’s Black Tower, strange Ghost Cave script (Guǐ Dòng Wén) was densely inscribed on every level, with a black stone statue on each floor. The first floor held a stone sheep. The second featured a life-sized stone human figure with a high nose and deep-set eyes, kneeling within the tower. The third level held a giant-eyed stone figure. The statue on the fourth level had a serpent’s body and a human head, with sturdy limbs—the hind limbs were bestial, the forelimbs human-like, holding a sharp sword and shield. Its face was male, fierce, with wide, staring eyes, resembling the wrathful guardians (Nù Mù Jīn Gāng) found in inland temples. Behind the statue’s head was a black sphere, similar to the monstrous snake found in Zha Gelama Mountain. This represented the guardian deity of the kingdom. This Black Tower was used to display the status of the Ghost Cave tribe; the statues on each level represented different ranks: the first level symbolized livestock, and there should be another level beneath the ground housing the hungry ghosts of the underworld. The second level represented common people, including all the non-Han peoples of the Western Regions, whose status was only marginally above that of cattle and sheep, equivalent to slaves. The third level was the giant-eyed human statue. The stone sphere at the tower's apex was shaped like an eye; the giant-eyed stone figure and the eye totem represented this ethnic group’s worship of the eye. The Sixteen Giant Stone Pillars in the Jingjue Kingdom Temple: Each of the sixteen massive stone pillars in the temple had an emblem of six eyes carved on its shaft. The base of each pillar was a regular hexagon. Five of the six sides were engraved with a small, distinct symbol: hungry ghost, sheep head, Hu person, giant-eyed person, guardian beast. The sixth side was left empty. Ancient Western Regions Bricks: Rectangular, pale yellow earth bricks used in constructing the city walls of the ancient Western Regions. They were mixed from rammed earth, cattle dung, and fine sand, drying hard and remaining intact for ages without cracking.

1.7: Related Geography The Unfreezing Spring: Located on the north bank of the Kunlun River, also known as Kunlun Spring. Its pool walls are circled by granite slabs, and the clear spring water gushes forth ceaselessly, never freezing even in the severest winters. No one knows where the spring’s source leads beneath the earth. Local Tibetans regard the Unfreezing Spring as a sacred spring and frequently worship its waters.

The geography of the Western Regions began to yield its secrets anew only after the discovery of the Loulan Xiaohe Tomb Complex. It was as if the world suddenly awoke to the realization that the great deserts of Xinjiang once harbored the resplendent Silk Road, the Thirty-Six Kingdoms along the Peacock River—Hu Hu, Loulan, Milan, Niya, Luntai, Pulei, Gumo, Xiye… a veritable paradise for adventurers, where untold fortunes and epochs of prosperity lay buried beneath the endless yellow sands.

The first leg of the journey toward the lost Kingdom of Jingjue began southwest of Bosten Lake. One had to follow the Peacock River westward until the ancient, south-flowing riverbed was located. Bosten, which translates to "standing," owes its name to the three mountain islets that rise defiantly from its waters. Anciently known as the Fish Sea, it is China's largest inland freshwater lake, and the Peacock River originates here, flowing deep into the Taklamakan Desert. As we skirted the lakeshore, the gaze swept over the vast, receding expanse of blue water until the sight was dizzying, conjuring an accidental, disorienting illusion of having reached the very terminus of the world.

This section of the Peacock River followed its ancient course, predating the river’s major course change. In certain stretches, the riverbed had not completely dried; the surrounding sand was shallow, dotted with small ponds and seasonal lakes. Occasionally, small flocks of ruddy shelducks and reddish pochards could be seen paddling on the water. Along the bends of the Peacock River lay scattered pockets of oases, supporting wild jujube trees, poplars, and various shrubs. Once past this river bend, the true desert would begin, where the Peacock River shifted its course southeastward toward Loulan, Lop Nur, and Danya.

Precious artifacts excavated from the Xinjiang deserts by European explorers were a testament to that lost age. These explorers had unearthed ruins of an ancient city near the Niya Oasis, which, through meticulous study of the relics and structures, were attributed to the Han Dynasty. Evidence suggested this was likely the site of Jingjue, the most powerful state among the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. The Niya ruins were merely a subordinate city; the true capital of Jingjue was believed to lie further north of Niya, downstream along the Ziduan Dark River. Jingjue was the leader of the alliance of smaller kingdoms in the Western Regions at that time. These minor states, in modern perspective, were little more than settlements of varying sizes that naturally formed along trade routes, each proclaiming itself a kingdom—and among them, Jingjue reigned supreme. The people of Jingjue were primarily of the Ghost Cave tribe, mixed with a minority of other ethnic groups. After the death of the last Queen of Jingjue, the city vanished into the sea of sand. Related Legends: The Nine-Story Demon Tower—This was the burial architecture used by the successive rulers of the ancient Demon Kingdom. When the kingdom fell, that tomb structure was already destroyed by the hero King Gesar. On the Tibetan plateau, only a pile of rotten wooden scaffolding remained, sustained by epic narratives passed down by the herdsmen, singing the unparalleled, sun-like prowess of King Gesar through generations.

When Tibetan herdsmen passed these ruins, they would prostrate themselves in reverence, chanting the epic. This was not born of fear toward the mausoleums of the Demon Kings, but rather an expression of profound respect for King Gesar. Deep in the desert lay the city of the Jingjue Queen, inhabited by a subterranean people who had conquered and ruled the surrounding minor states. After several centuries, the throne passed to a queen whose eyes, legend claimed, were a conduit to the underworld. A single glance at her enemies caused them to vanish without a trace, never to return; where they went, perhaps only they knew. The Queen ruled with an iron fist, demanding that the subjects of all neighboring states worship her as a true deity. Any resistance was met with the brutality of flaying alive. Perhaps her arrogance angered the true Lord, for after only a few years of tyranny, the Queen succumbed to a strange ailment and died. “Those slaves feared the Queen most of all. Upon her death, the slaves, along with the neighboring states oppressed by her, formed an allied army and sacked her royal city. As the coalition prepared to destroy the Queen’s tomb, the heavens and earth changed color, and a terrifying sandstorm engulfed both the royal city and the army. The Queen’s sepulcher and her amassed treasures were buried beneath the dunes. After centuries, the shifting sands brought the city back to light. Travelers who dared to take even a single artifact from the city would invariably incite a sandstorm; clouds would rise, paths would vanish, and the thief of the Queen’s wealth would never escape.” Essential Tools for Tomb Exploration: Corpse-Calming Bronze Mirror: That bronze mirror capable of suppressing the dead and warding off evil was the symbol of the Legalist school. Legend says it was forged on Ziyang Mountain and could reflect the Four Cardinal Virtues of Heaven and Earth: propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. Records state that when an Ao (mythical giant turtle) corpse caused havoc in the Yellow River, sinking ships, the King of Qin ordered this mirror hung at the river mouth, guarded by soldiers. During the transition from Qin to Han, the ancient mirror fell into the hands of a Han vassal king, eventually making its way to Yunnan. This mirror, capable of suppressing corpse animation when placed upon a bronze outer coffin, had no equal in the world. Candle: For illumination and testing air quality. G’au: A Tibetan amulet; forms differ between men and women. The women’s version is large and round, encased in silver, holding statues of Buddhas, mantra scrolls, vajra knots, and other talismans against evil. Some contained relics. Ge Ma’s g’au held a nine-eyed stone, agate, and a wolf fang preserved from hundreds of years ago—the Wolf King’s tooth, which elders say only a chieftain could wield. The two old wolves must have sensed the aura of their former leader, causing them to hesitate before attacking. Live Animals: Two large white geese to test the air quality in the Hall of the Underworld. Glutinous Rice: Said to repel corpse poison. Luoyang Shovel: Also known as the probe shovel, an archaeological tool—a half-cylindrical iron spade with a handle to which a long white wax rod could be attached. Used by stabbing vertically into the ground, the half-cylinder scoops up soil layers, gradually digging a deep well about ten centimeters in diameter to test subsoil composition and locate ancient tombs. (No detailed explanation in the text.) Mojin Talisman: Engraved with the two seal script characters for "Mojin" (Grave Robber), its strokes strong and archaic. It was made from the sharpest claw of the Pangolin, semi-transparent like black crystal, showing no wear despite its age. A ring of gold thread bound the claw root, and the entire surface was carved with flying tiger motifs for warding off evil. Corpse-Binding Rope: Used to secure corpses and prevent reanimation. Entanglement Net: Used to restrain corpses and prevent reanimation. Flying Claw: Forged from refined steel, its leading edge shaped like a tiger’s paw with adjustable joints, trailed by a long rope for long-distance grabbing. Trip Cord: Prevents corpse reanimation, slowing down a pursuing zombie. Vajra Umbrella: Forged from refined steel mixed with rare metals, even a chainsaw would only leave a slight white mark. In the hands of successive Mojin Captains, it had deflected countless tomb mechanisms and hidden weapons; it was arguably the most practical piece of traditional gear passed down by the Mojin. Body-Binding Rope: Prevents corpse reanimation, slowing down a pursuing zombie. Corpse-Softening Incense: Can quickly render a stiffened corpse pliable. Corpse-Fixing Pills: Likely pills made from cinnabar and 'purple jade,' a secret mixture used in Laoshan techniques to prevent the deceased from animating. Yin-Grasping Claws: Used for opening coffins. Black Folder: The Mojin Captain’s “Black Folder,” deceptively named, was actually a specialized crowbar, extendable, retractable, and collapsible for portability, designed specifically for prying open tomb doors, walls, or bricks. Northern Dark Pearl: Known in traditional medicine as "Earth Frost" or "Northern Dark Pearl," its properties are described as "pungent, bitter, strongly warm, non-toxic." It was used to prevent headaches and unconsciousness caused by poor air quality in ancient tombs. Black Donkey Hooves: The black donkey hoof is the ultimate repellent against evil spirits, particularly reanimated zombies and similar monsters. Long Nails and Ink Line: With a firm push, the coffin lid was closed and secured with long nails. Then, an ink line was snapped across the coffin in intersecting horizontal and vertical patterns, creating a black net, sealing the coffin tightly. Celestial Official Seal / Faqiu Seal: The precursor to the Mojin technique began in the Warring States period, mastering the "Dragon Seeking Art" and "Dividing Gold to Locate the Lair." The Faqiu Generals appeared later in the Later Han. Also known as the Heavenly Official of Faqiu or the Spirit Official of Faqiu, their methods were almost identical to the Mojin Captains, distinguished only by the bronze seal. Engraved on the seal were the words: "Bestowed by Heaven, Unrestricted in All Matters." For the tomb excavators, this was an irreplaceable divine object, though it was destroyed during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and no longer exists. Hong Lian Wonderful Heart Pill: One pill could repel corpse miasma. Cyclone Shovel: A hollow bronze rod containing a mechanism and nine wave-shaped steel blades forged like petals, inserted into the front of the rod and locked securely by a specialized catch. A crank was fitted to the rear of the rod. Wen Xiang Jade: Also known as Golden Fragrant Jade, a stone that emits a strong aroma capable of refreshing the spirit. Large Quantities of Ginger: Used in the snowy mountains. Squeezed into juice and smeared onto ice-chipping tools, it significantly conserves energy when excavating ice. “Star Official Corpse-Pinning Needles”: Ancient artifacts used by Tang Dynasty Mojin Captains, thirty-six in total, inserted into corpses to prevent reanimation.

1.9: Common Exploration Tools Rock Wedges: For securing objects. Gloves: Protective gear. Map: For directional guidance. Ice Fiber: Common on snow mountains. Blanket: Essential for the wilderness. Ice Axe: Essential for the wilderness. Entrenching Tool: Essential for the wilderness. Climbing Rope: Essential for the wilderness. Compass: Essential for the wilderness. Safety Carabiner: Essential for the wilderness. Cold Flare: Illumination that won’t start a fire. Camera: For photography. Dry Batteries: For flashlights. Climbing Line: Essential for the wilderness. Diving Mask: For underwater viewing. Oxygen Mask: Essential for high altitudes. Illumination Flare: For lighting. Load-Bearing Strap: Essential for the wilderness. Fire Hook: Essential for fire safety. Fire Marrow Wood: For ignition. Fluorescent Tube: For illumination. Chocolate: To replenish energy. Gas Mask: For toxic atmospheres. Mountaineering Helmet: Essential for the wilderness. Carry Bag: For gear transport. Wolf Eye Flashlight: For illumination. Tactical Spotlight: For focused lighting. Small Geological Hammer: For rock sampling. Standard Issue Greatcoat: For warmth. Poseidon’s Gleam: Diving lamp. Self-Defense Weapon: Hunting Rifle: Firearms. Explosives: Explosive materials. Detonator: Explosive components. Paratrooper Knife: Blade tools. Butane Jet: Flamethrower.

1.10: Nomenclature of Antiquities There is a custom in the antiques trade: if an item lacks an official name, it is invariably named according to its distinctive characteristics.

2.11: Discoveries During Expeditions Moth-Body Chi-Patterned Double-Carved Bi Disc: Its shape resembles a pair of moths. In ancient times, this type of moth symbolized a self-sacrificing warrior. There is a saying: "The moth rushes to the flame, never to return"—knowing death awaits, yet advancing to the fire with cheerful composure. They held this spirit of the great moth in high esteem, fashioning accessories in its likeness to be worn by those who had achieved military valor, representing high honor. Snow Mountain Gilded Mummy: The treatment of this type of corpse was exceedingly complex. First, the deceased was arranged in a specific posture and placed in a stone sarcophagus, which was then filled with bog salt. It remained there for about three months until the salt had completely permeated every part of the body, replacing all moisture. Once properly preserved through salting, a layer of substance akin to cement—compounded from sandalwood, incense, earth, and various medicines—was applied. This substance would gradually solidify, causing all recessed or shrunken areas of the body, such as the eyes and cheeks, to swell naturally, achieving harmonious proportions. Finally, the exterior was coated with a layer of molten gold lacquer—creating the "gilded" aspect—and then wrapped once more in bog salt. Only individuals of the highest status were entitled to such treatment. Jade Throne: The best-preserved item in the great hall of Jingjue was the Jade Throne. At the very apex of the throne was a carved red jade eye, the body inlaid entirely with gold and silver, intricately carved with immortal mountains, swirling clouds, flora, and fauna. The base was a massive block of jade as pure white as goat’s milk, making it strikingly conspicuous within the predominantly dark hall. Jade Eyeball: Within the jade stone, there were naturally formed red filaments and blue pupils, clearly layered, making them astonishingly lifelike. Used for ritual offerings. Jade Ovum: This object resembled an egg in shape, though it was vastly larger than a chicken’s egg. It was encased in a layer of steamed wax; within this wax shell lay a layer of exquisitely thin jade carved with patterns—dragons, tigers, and a hundred beasts, as well as sacred mountains and trees. The towering, precipitous peaks, shrouded in cloud, held a severe majesty, bearing clear totemistic markings, identifying them as artifacts of the ancient Dian Kingdom; their exact purpose remains unknown. Crystal Eye: The eye-gem of a crystal-made Ghoul Mother. Crystal Sphere: One blue, one white, both bearing natural star charts. Muchen Bead: Also known as the Phoenix Gall, some legends say it was left by the Yellow Emperor when he achieved immortality; others claim it was found a thousand feet underground, formed from the ten-thousand-year-old jade of the Earth Mother, or perhaps condensed from the spiritual energy of the Phoenix—the origin stories conflict. Its shape closely resembles a human eyeball, making it the foremost treasure of this world. Xian Wang’s Six-Legged Bronze Ding: The tripod rested on six beast-like feet resembling six Qilin, oriented inward. Fire pillars could erupt from the beasts’ mouths. The black surface of the ding would ignite upon contact with flame. Gold Mask: Nearly identical everywhere except for the eye sockets, all featured ear guards shaped like dragon horns, beast mouths, and fish tails. Worn by shamans or priests during ceremonies, these were cast entirely from pure gold, with pure white and green jade inlaid at the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. These jade ornaments were movable and could be detached from the gold mask. The mask bore dragon horns on the head, a tiger-mouth shape for the mouth, and fish-tail ears, presenting an ugly and fierce visage. The ornamentation on this gold mask consisted of concentric whorls, somewhat resembling eyeballs, with the outermost layer perhaps representing the sclera, and the inner layers representing the pupils. Jade Fetus: An artifact of the Dian Kingdom. At least the upper half was strikingly realistic; the tiny fingers were clearly discernible, even the blood vessels on the forehead were distinct. However, the lower half was undeveloped, bearing no trace of artificial carving, appearing almost naturally formed—a marvel of nature beyond human comprehension. Yet, its similarity to a true fetus was uncanny; if it weren't only the size of a fist, one might mistake it for a living infant transformed into jade by wicked arts. Guge Silver Eye: A complex, large-scale relief carving dominated by a giant eyeball, mapping the distribution of the successive mausoleums of the Demon Kingdom. Evil God Crystal Corpse: A corpse formed entirely of crystal. Dragon-Tiger Short Staff: Ground from cyan jadeite, similar in length to a common rolling pin, with a slight curve. One end was a dragon head, the other a tiger head; the gripping section was where the two beasts’ bodies connected. The dragon and tiger forms were ancient and lacked the fluidity of Han Dynasty art, instead radiating a powerful, weighty aura. Its function was the key used to open caskets during ancient rituals. Green Bronze Chariot and Horses: Burial accompaniments. Snow Mountain Gilded Mummy: Entirely white, not covered in the long white hair of a reanimated corpse, but seemingly encased in a thick, hard cocoon. In several places, the white shell had chipped away, revealing a glittering, golden brilliance underneath, suggesting the interior might be entirely gold. Spirit White Jade Flawless Jade Box: The jade box was entirely gilded and overlaid with silver, engraved with winged beast patterns. The lock on the lid was pure gold. Inside the box, fashioned from a single piece of mutton-fat jade, many important objects were found, including a Dragon Bone (a type of tortoise shell) inscribed all over with "Heavenly Script," named the "Dragon Bone Strange Text Compendium." Beast-Horn Cryptic Gold Plate: A pure gold plate with four corners shaped like beast heads, used to record valuable data. Dragon Bone Strange Text Compendium: Data preserved by carving onto tortoise shells in antiquity. Giant Eye Statue: This human head was as large as two normal human heads combined. The eyes were elongated and olive-shaped, disproportionately large compared to the other facial features, creating an imbalance. The head wore no crown, only a simple coiled bun, and the expression was serene, lacking distinct joy or anger. It resembled both a deity enshrined in a temple and the stone figures lining the paths to large mausoleums, though its placement in this large room suggested the former possibility was more likely. The eyes were remarkably prominent, unlike normal human features; hence, it was dubbed the Giant Eye Statue. Such statues have been discovered across the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, the Altai region, the Tarim River basin, and across the Mongolian steppes. The origin of these statues is unknown; some scholars suggested they represented a deity worshipped by the Mongols. Historical records claim that Kublai Khan maintained a secret retreat in the Western Desert called the "Fragrant Palace," where these stone figures were first enshrined. However, years later, the discovery of several much older tombs and ruins, which also contained Giant Eye Statues, refuted the "Fragrant Palace" hypothesis. Some attributed them to the ancient Turkic people, but ultimately, no definitive conclusion was reached, leaving it one of archaeology's enduring mysteries. Jingjue’s Ghost Cave Tribe: The bottomless pit housing snake bones was called the "Ghost Cave," but the E’luohai people did not call it that; they referred to it directly as "Snake Bone"—skeletal remains originating from a virtual dimension that should never exist in our reality. The abyssal cave was said to be the accumulated memory within those remains. The E’luohai believed the world was a cycle of life and death reincarnation; when this world was destroyed, another would be born, the cycle continuing endlessly, all worlds being one entity, and the "Snake Bone" would also be resurrected in the next world. By continuously sacrificing lives to appease it, they hoped the E’luohai people might also survive in that alternate world. The Grand Mural in the Samsara Temple: This mural was the key to deciphering ancient Esoteric Feng Shui. Its mapping of orientation was exquisitely precise; every different color, mythical beast, or celestial being pointed to a corresponding geographical location. With these directional coordinates, one could cross-reference ancient and modern maps to determine an approximate region, far better than searching for a needle in a haystack. The Feng Shui tradition inherited in the Central Plains considers the Kunlun Mountains the ancestor of all dragon veins in the world, differing significantly from Tibetan Esoteric Feng Shui, yet the fundamental essence remained similar. In Esoteric Feng Shui, the Kunlun Mountains are described as the Land of the Phoenix; the other two major ranges are the Land of the Peacock and the Land of the Great Garuda. Dragon Scale: I picked up one of the yellowed, dry leaves and gently placed it in a cup. The so-called "Dragon Scale" immediately doubled in size upon contact with clear water, its color shifting from yellow to green, becoming crystal clear, resembling a piece of jade soaking in the teacup. I had heard in Fujian that "Dragon Scales" were quite valuable; some places called it "Runhai Stone," but I had never seen it myself. It was said that placing one on a boat could ward off storms; offering a few in arid regions could pray for rain; and steeping it for tea could cure asthma. Whether it was a true dragon scale was uncertain; perhaps it was merely the scale of some enormous fish.

1.12: Creatures Discovered During Expeditions Qie (Pronounced qiè): Qie insect, a small insect mentioned in ancient texts, resembling a cicada in its adult stage.

Scorched Mold: A type of mildew produced by rock under specific conditions, non-toxic.

Water Leech Wasp: These shallow-water insects favor attaching themselves to floating objects to lay eggs. The eggs are instantly animated upon contact with water, swelling rapidly like dry sponges absorbing moisture to become finger-tip sized, white Hydrophilus larvae. They develop fin-like membranes the size of a fingernail on either side, allowing them to swim with astonishing speed. These are the Water Leech Wasps.

Azure-Scaled Giant Python: Resembling a massive, limbless azure dragon, its scales shimmer with ominous light. It dwells in the forests of the Insect Valley, making a vast cavern its lair because of its deep affection for cool, shaded environments. Ordinarily, it remains within, sleeping, only emerging to hunt.

Saber-toothed Viperfish: The ancestors of the Saber-toothed Viperfish trace back to the Saber-toothed Hydrophagous Fish of the late Pleistocene. Those fish inhabited the oceans, possessing a luminous lure. Swarms of these could instantly kill the ocean's overlord, the Dragon King Whale. Later, due to the catastrophic floods of the subsequent Ice Age, these creatures were brutally culled by nature. Their descendants, the Saber-toothed Viperfish, adapted to freshwater. These fish can only survive in cold waters; near the Tropic of Cancer, only the chilled depths of rocky caves offer them refuge. The caves harbor an abundance of sightless, hard-shelled shrimp, yet they are insufficient for their needs, leading to frequent intraspecies conflict. After September each year, only one percent of the vast population of Saber-toothed Viperfish survive to the spawning season. The Mid-Autumn full moon marks their spawning time. They live near the warmer Tropic of Cancer solely to reach warmer waters for reproduction. Immediately after spawning, the Viperfish perish. The eggs hatch in the warmer currents, and the surviving young migrate back to the cold waters to continue their lives.

Feather-Split Saint Fern: Formed prior to the Tertiary period, dating back tens of millions of years. Most organisms of its era were annihilated during cataclysmic changes, leaving the Saint Fern as a relict plant. It primarily thrives in dim, cool, dense forests.

Dancing Grass: Normally listless, it begins to move gracefully, as if dancing, the moment it is disturbed by a passing person or animal. It possesses an innate ability to accompany movement with a responsive "dance," causing no harm to humans.

Iron-Headed Dragon King: A massive fish found in the Yellow River, reaching about ten meters in length. It surfaces during major floods, attacking fishing boats. Fishermen often mistake it for an incarnation of the River God.

Yùláng Longworm: (Also known as the Huo’s Immortal Worm) A colossal golden mask with a single, centralized eye, within which a sphere resembling a large eyeball perpetually rotates. The mouth of the mask is shaped like a tiger’s jaws; in this state, the gaping maw resembles a gateway to hell, revealing pinkish flesh membranes within. These membranes appear to be the mouthparts of some massive insect. When the mouth opens, it does not move up and down like that of a jawed animal; instead, it expands outward in four directions, becoming square, revealing a second, identical mouth inside. Though called a "small mouth," it could swallow two or three living men at once. Lacking rows of teeth, it possesses a hard "flesh" fang at each of the four corners. These features definitively mark this behemoth as an insect. Its body behind the mask is covered in an immensely thick carapace, beneath which writhe countless pulsating, pedipalp-like appendages. These claws, shaped like the letter "〈" and thick as a human thigh, rival the immense bulk of the Azure-Scaled Giant Python beneath the Zhelong Mountains. Furthermore, it is armored in heavy, bronze plating covered in verdigris. In the damp, dark Gourd Cave, much of this armor has flaked off, and some sections have turned to sludge, exposing bright red, glossy chitin underneath—appearing harder than steel plates. Bullets striking it expel copious amounts of yellow fluid. Others hit the bronze scales, and a few pierced the golden mask with large holes. However, the creature is simply too vast, and its exterior red insect shell is as thick as iron and steel; even the mighty power of 1A1 seems unlikely to pose a direct threat.

Man-Bear: A large black-furred bear.

Fire Pouch Beetle: A small ladybug the size of a basketball, its entire body resembling red, translucent crystal. Its wings are exceptionally delicate, allowing a faint view of the semi-transparent internal organs, within which fire seems to flow subtly—lending it an air of profound mystery and eeriness.

Overlord Salamander: Its head resembles a frog’s, its body like a skinless crocodile, stretching over ten meters, its scales flashing with iridescent colors.

Pig-Faced Great Bat: These bats have strikingly odd faces: two large, rhomboid ears stand erect, the head is round, and the nose is also rounded. Their forelimbs are highly developed, with exceptionally long humerus, forearm, metacarpals, and phalanges, bearing sharp teeth and claws. When I was an engineer in the Kunlun Mountains, I encountered these large bats. Their scientific name is Chiroderma volans, also known as the Pig-Faced Great Bat. They are notoriously bloodthirsty and carnivorous, an unusually vicious breed among bats. They prefer subterranean caverns in pastoral grasslands, emerging at night to prey on livestock like cattle and sheep. They were once a plague on the Outer Mongolian steppes, though sightings have become rare in the last decade or so.

Red Hou: A ferocious beast inhabiting the Outer Mongolian steppes, appearing as a large, red ape. Its body is hard as iron, and it favors digging burrows underground.

Prairie Giant Otter: Its face is strangely human-like, reminiscent of a baboon, with an extremely long neck. Its body size and shape are comparable to a bear, though it lacks the bear’s sluggishness. Its physique appears somewhat flattened, its hind legs are bowed, short, and thick, while its forelimbs are extraordinarily long, allowing it to grip crevices in walls and hang suspended while moving. Its movements seem more fluid on vertical surfaces than on flat ground. Prairie Giant Otters inhabit deep subterranean lairs across the steppes, mainly distributed in South America, Africa, and the Outer Mongolian grasslands. Unlike the Jungle Giant Otter, it differs even more significantly from its distant relative, the Sloth. The Prairie Giant Otter inherited more traits from its Ice Age ancestor, the Glacial Giant Otter, resulting in an exceptionally large size. It is primarily carnivorous, rarely active in sunlight, preferring to hunt subterranean animals like Great Bats, Giant Ground Squirrels, and pythons. Its hunting strategy is "wait and ambush"; it seldom attacks proactively, instead hiding motionless in the darkness, sometimes remaining submerged for days without food or drink. Only when prey passes close by will it suddenly lash out with lightning speed, seizing the victim in its massive jaws.

Snow Maitreya: An unknown organism, insect-like and gregarious. They consume recently deceased corpses, burrowing into the clothing. The corpse’s surface turns white, appearing as if shrouded in a layer of white skin. This covering swells as it absorbs material, potentially growing large enough to envelop the space of two people combined. It then gradually shrinks as it expends its resource. During this process, it continues to attack living humans and animals. If it fails to consume a living being within two or three days, it slowly desiccates, breaks apart, and retreats underground into the glaciers, awaiting a new corpse. These entities favor snow gullies and ice pits and only emerge late at night.

Black Snake: Its scales gleam; a black fleshy crest sits atop its head. It is about thirty centimeters long.

White-Haired Sin-Eating Baru: A feline beast whose body approximates the human form, possessing a tail, currently observed cruelly gnawing on the corpse of a sinner.

Subterranean Salamander: At my feet lies a colossal reptile I've never seen before. It flicks a long tongue; its skin color closely matches the ground. It somewhat resembles a giant lizard, yet also an alligator, though its skin is less rough, and its snout is rounder than a lizard's. Its tongue is long and red, forked at the tip like a snake’s. Its entire body is jet black, covered in large, circular white spots. Describing it purely by appearance, it is essentially a giant frog with a long tail. It subsists on insects and mayflies.

Corpse-Fragrance Arum: A gigantic green plant. The bloom is the size of a large water bucket, narrow at the top and bulbous at the belly, with petals curled together. It is entirely emerald green, surrounded by large patches of blood-red leaves, rooted in wood. Its vines wrap tightly around a section of timber, intertwined with heavy iron chains. The Corpse-Fragrance Arum originally grew in the later Yuezhi Kingdom and was introduced to the Central Plains via the Silk Road, but it died out there due to an unsuitable climate and environment. This Arum can grow in ancient tombs, rumored to preserve corpses perfectly without decay, even lending them a fragrant aroma, making it extremely precious.

Blood Bait: A plant that spreads death, scattering invisible pollen into the air. It germinates upon contact with fresh blood. In Yin-Yang Feng Shui, Blood Bait is interpreted as an area of excessive vital energy where a corpse resists decay and its life force remains strong. Over years, the corpse not only swells but also sprouts flesh-blossoms every twelve hours. For the deceased, this is one matter, but if this substance grows within a living person, there are only two options: either flee immediately, or wait until this Blood Bait, called the Fruit of the Living, blooms and bears fruit, at which point the living person will turn into a bloated corpse.

Ten-Story-High Emperor Mushroom: The "Emperor Mushroom" may appear once or twice in August if luck is on your side. However, this fungus grows rapidly and decomposes just as fast—it might vanish before noon if seen in the morning. Furthermore, the forests where Emperor Mushrooms grow are inherently dangerous because the fungus is visually conspicuous, exhibiting diverse colors and possessing wildly variable properties. Due to its rarity, few know its nature thoroughly.

"Ghost Marshal": A cormorant used for fishing. The Ghost Marshal is two to three times larger than a common cormorant, possessing a beak stronger than a steel hook and eyes that gleam sharply, resembling an eagle's. Sometimes, when fishermen sail out and fail to catch so much as a single fish scale for days, it signifies the fish school has formed a defensive formation beneath the water. At this point, all the fishermen must pool resources, burn incense, and offer sacrifices to the River God, then release the Ghost Marshal into the water. No fish formation, no matter how dense, can withstand its three charges and two penetrations; it instantly shatters and disperses.

Flesh Fungus (Rouzizhi): Considered the progenitor of all things. Legend says that a "Rouzizhi" existing in a fixed location can be compared to immortal flesh granting eternal life if consumed. Conversely, the "Gathered Flesh" that moves in opposition to Jupiter is an ominous, malevolent entity. However, the "Rouzizhi" used to create King Xian’s sarcophagus is dead, having lost its life force, leaving only a withered, hardened shell. It is presumed King Xian refined the flesh within into elixirs. With its five senses sealed, perhaps its exterior continued to grow, occasionally seeping foul water, but its interior could no longer regenerate, having become semi-petrified. Only upon contact with air did this rare, primal organism begin to "move" again.

Flesh Sprout (Rouchui): A plant imbued with the essence of the earth, possessing a humanoid form. It typically grows in the deepest, most shadowy recesses of ancient cliff faces. It has thick plant tendrils as wide as water buckets, entirely water-green, covered in numerous rhomboid, short, stout spines.

Upturned Head Flesh Coffin (Wutou Rouguo): Externally resembling a large meat locker, this mass of flesh, several feet square, possesses facial features resembling a human countenance. Anything it touches, living or dead, large or small, is absorbed into its interior, like an endless void. 1.13: Supernatural Phenomena in Exploration.

Great Zongzi: Coded slang among tomb raiders, similar to how mountain bandits use jargon instead of speaking openly about arson and murder. A "Zongzi" refers to a relatively well-preserved, un-decayed corpse in a tomb. Encountering a "Great Zongzi" means running into trouble—referring to zombies, malevolent ghosts, or other unclean things. A "Dry Zongzi" means the corpse has decayed down to only a pile of white bones. A "Meat Zongzi" means the corpse is laden with valuable artifacts.

Zhōng Fetus: A monstrous infant, half human, half insect. Its lower limbs retain insect characteristics, lacking legs, resembling a mollusk. It clings to a person's leg and cries loudly with a hoarse, inhuman sound.

Corpse Moth: Moths that swarm forth from the body of a female corpse.