Gandalf’s original intention was just to wipe the dust off the book to see what kind of literature it contained. However, what he never expected was that less than two seconds after he picked it up, the book disintegrated into dust, as if it had been consumed by fire!
Gandalf froze on the spot, completely blindsided by the outcome.
Just from this reaction, it was clear that the book was ancient beyond measure; otherwise, it wouldn't have reacted this way.
Gandalf, refusing to accept it, reached out to grab another volume, but just then, Zhong Shenxiu’s furious roar echoed: “What do you think you are doing?!”
Zhong Shenxiu was absolutely livid. He thought to himself, such a fine book utterly ruined, and the old man still intended to desecrate the next one. He seriously wanted to step over and deliver a swift beating to the old man, making him understand clearly what could be touched and what absolutely could not!
Gandalf flinched violently and turned back toward Zhong Shenxiu, only to be met by a pair of eyes blazing with fire. He shuddered several times, stammering, “I—I only wanted to look!”
“No one touches anything without my permission now!” Zhong Shenxiu stated sternly. His decree served two purposes: first, to protect the ancient relics, and second, for everyone’s safety!
Gandalf hastily nodded, signaling that he wouldn't dare do it again. At this moment, he certainly didn't want to offend Zhong Shenxiu; being abandoned here would spell disaster.
Faraday and the others had also harbored the desire to gently touch these antiques, but upon hearing Zhong Shenxiu’s sharp warning, they immediately dismissed any such notion!
Zhong Shenxiu did not press Gandalf’s transgression further, considering that he hadn't given clear instructions beforehand.
Among everything in this chamber, the items Zhong Shenxiu cared about most were the books on the shelves. He knew these texts had been so corroded by time that they would crumble at a mere touch. He had actually been contemplating a solution just moments ago. The best way to preserve them was to solidify the paper using a special potion.
To this end, Zhong Shenxiu personally refined several batches of potion. Since his refining speed was quick, he soon finished preparing what was needed.
Stanley and Faraday were witnessing Zhong Shenxiu’s refinement process for the first time, and they were utterly dumbfounded. The mystical techniques and the sheer speed, almost imperceptible to the eye, were profoundly shocking!
Subsequently, Zhong Shenxiu carefully sprayed the potion onto the books. After waiting a short while, he confidently reached out and picked one up!
The potion had indeed worked; the book did not dissolve into dust this time. However, its exterior now appeared coated in a thin, transparent film!
Zhong Shenxiu casually flipped the book open. Although the script inside had faded significantly due to age, under the influence of the potion, the original content could still be discerned!
After just one glance, Zhong Shenxiu froze, and an unmistakable, overwhelming ecstasy flared in his eyes.
No one would have guessed that this book contained the text for “Advanced Summoning Art”!
Summoning Art was a unique spell exclusive to Summoners. Zhong Shenxiu had learned about it from an ancient text provided by Lyander, and it had left a deep impression. He never imagined finding a volume detailing “Advanced Summoning Art” here. It felt as if destiny itself had arranged for Zhong Shenxiu to find it—why else would what he needed or what interested him appear immediately?
Regarding this “Advanced Summoning Art,” not only was Zhong Shenxiu excited, but any practicing Summoner who saw it would be thrilled enough to bang their heads against a wall! Summoners were a declining profession, primarily because so many high-level “Summoning Arts” were lost, and those that remained were often incomplete and incomprehensible!
If a Summoner could master the “Advanced Summoning Art,” the entire profession would usher in a glorious new era!
Naturally, since this book had fallen into Zhong Shenxiu’s hands, it signaled that the time for the Summoners' fortunes to turn had arrived!
Gandalf and the others were intensely curious about what Zhong Shenxiu was reading that held his attention so completely, making him look so agitated.
Unable to bear their curiosity, they tried to sneak closer for a quick peek, but their wish was thwarted, as Zhong Shenxiu had already tucked the book away.
Zhong Shenxiu calmed his racing heart. Although he didn't know the contents of the other books, judging by this one, the rest certainly wouldn't be inferior. He quickly exchanged a meaningful look with Robin!
Robin and Zhong Shenxiu had long achieved a state of unspoken understanding; a single glance was enough to convey his meaning. She stepped forward quietly and, along with the entire shelf, swept the contents into her Storage Bracelet!
Zhong Shenxiu then turned his attention to the chests resting on the floor. He probed them with a mental wave and ascertained they contained artifacts, though they were merely slightly more exquisite than the items displayed outside. Therefore, he didn't bother to open them.
“Nizi, collect all this stuff. The revenue from selling it will serve as our team fund!” Zhong Shenxiu said lightly.
Although his “Dark Merchant Guild” had earned considerable wealth, he believed in keeping things separate. Since he had established a “Mercenary Group,” he needed to earn money through the group’s actual activities; that was what gave it meaning!
Cainey gave Zhong Shenxiu a minuscule side-eye. Ever since he had learned her nickname that one time, he had taken to calling her that frequently!
The others, hearing the term "team fund," grew slightly excited, increasingly embracing their identity as mercenaries. With team funds, they wouldn't have to pay for their own travel, meals, or lodging; eating on the company dime felt quite agreeable, and the prospect of regular disbursements made the lifestyle sound rather enjoyable!
After completely sweeping the area clean, Zhong Shenxiu and his party moved on. Where they were going, only Zhong Shenxiu knew.
They encountered several more hidden chambers just like this one, and Zhong Shenxiu took everything, leaving nothing behind. They had only been walking for just over an hour and had already amassed such a haul—who knew how many more treasures awaited them inside.
Angelia and the others were no longer as tense as before. Having witnessed so many valuable objects, even if they only got to look, it was hard not to feel some excitement!
The group proceeded for another hour without incident, only noticing that the atmosphere around them grew increasingly sinister. After taking a turn, they arrived at a three-way fork in the path.
Zhong Shenxiu stopped, turned to face the group, and asked a single question: “Which way should we go?”
Everyone paused, then exhibited an identical expression: clearly indicating, We defer to you, leader!
However, the next suggestion from Zhong Shenxiu made them hesitate.
“Should we split into three groups?” Zhong Shenxiu’s lips curved into a knowing smile again.
Xia Luo and the others shook their heads vigorously, like clappers on a bell. It was laughable; splitting up would guarantee a swift death!
They weren't foolish. Although they hadn't encountered any danger so far, it was only because they were beside Zhong Shenxiu. If they had ventured out alone, they would have been lost forever shortly after separating!
Zhong Shenxiu smiled again, but then his tone turned serious as he issued a warning: “We are about to enter dangerous territory now. You must follow my instructions, or if anything happens, you are responsible for yourselves.”
The group, who had just begun to relax, immediately grew tense again.
What did that statement imply? Was something about to appear? Was it the creature he mentioned earlier?
Everyone nodded in unison, understanding that this was no trivial matter; missteps here could demand a terrible price.
Zhong Shenxiu turned back, waved his hand, and suddenly numerous small points of light appeared scattered across the ground in the central passage.
The group watched the tiny lights with curiosity, unsure of Zhong Shenxiu’s meaning.
“Do not touch anything where you see a small light,” Zhong Shenxiu stated abruptly, then stepped forward to lead the way.
Though the others were curious about the consequences of touching those spots, they weren't foolish enough to test the danger themselves!
They walked for nearly another half hour, until faint, strange sounds could be heard—sounds like wind howling through a cavern, or perhaps the wails of ghosts. In short, the noise was indescribably terrifying!
“Ch-Chief, what is that sound?” Rhys asked with a tremor of apprehension.
Zhong Shenxiu glanced back at Rhys but didn't answer the question directly. Instead, he said, “Rhys, you are the weakest here in terms of power, but your spirit must not be weak because of it!”
Rhys startled, then looked at the others. He saw that everyone else was maintaining a vigilant watch on their surroundings, exhibiting no sign of his own panic. A flush of shame crossed his face, and his expression immediately hardened with resolve!
I will not remain the weakest. I must become stronger, and I will start by strengthening my resolve!
This realization ignited his fighting spirit like a sudden flame, instantly dispelling his fear!
The moment Zhong Shenxiu turned back, a smile of deep meaning flickered across his face.
Though he often presented a facade of indifference, every word and action he took was a form of guidance for the group, often serving to awaken them at crucial moments!
Zhong Shenxiu was someone who appeared lazy yet was meticulously considerate!
For a time, no one spoke. Their footsteps sounded jarringly loud in the echoing corridor, accompanied by the rhythmic drip of water condensing from the damp ceiling.
“Look! There seems to be an exit up ahead!” Xia Luo cried out softly.
Everyone looked up and indeed saw an exit approximately ten li away, visible because of the faint light flickering there.
“What’s going on? Why is there light coming from there?” Faraday murmured to himself.
Though his voice was low, everyone heard it. The excitement they had felt upon seeing the exit instantly vanished, replaced by a sudden dread.
Right, why would there be light emanating from such a desolate place? It was profoundly uncanny.
Did something await them there?
Instantly, all eyes turned to Zhong Shenxiu, hoping he could explain the mystery!
But Zhong Shenxiu paid no heed to their confused expressions, continuing his leisurely pace forward. One might have thought he was simply strolling through a park!
Meanwhile, at the opposite end, nearly thirty mercenaries were leaning exhausted against the walls, resting. Five or six of them held torches, keeping a wary watch on the surroundings.
Judging by their attire and the insignia on their chests, these men were not from a single mercenary group but appeared to be a makeshift coalition of several different bands.
Aside from exhaustion, many of them were injured. Although magical healing had closed their wounds, the toxins within their bodies had not been expelled.
Their very appearance suggested they had recently endured a brutal battle and suffered heavy losses!
“Those damned things haven’t shown up again, have they?” one burly man asked in a gravelly voice.
“Not for the moment!” replied one of the men on watch.
“How long are we going to be chased by these despicable things?” someone with a deathly pale face asked with despair.
“I truly regret coming to this place. Now look at us—none of us can leave! We’ll just wait here slowly to die!”
“Don’t speak such defeatist words! As long as we don’t give up, we can get out of here. Didn’t Archmage Hariman say? Although this place is perilous, if we can map out its patterns, we can find a way out,” an apparently capable middle-aged man spoke up.
“Hmph, stop trying to fool us with that talk. This isn't the first time you’ve said it, but what was the result? We barely engaged those ghost-things once, and twenty of our brothers were gone. I’d rather take myself out cleanly than be eaten by them!”
“Yes, I don't want to live either. Our mercenary group had over fifty men; now, only I remain...”
These men came from diverse backgrounds; their gathering here was sheer coincidence. Some were executing missions, others were exploring, and some were specifically hunting for the treasures within!
Now, they all faced the same problem: how to escape this place alive?
Some of them had been trapped in this ancient tomb for over a month, while others had endured for nearly three months. Simply managing to cling to life was a monumental feat!
Just as their morale was sinking to a nadir, the man on watch suddenly shouted:
“Movement!”
Everyone sprang up as if startled by a scarecrow, instantly assuming defensive combat positions!
“What movement?” the capable middle-aged man inquired.
“Listen closely, it sounds like something is approaching us!”
They strained their ears and indeed heard a tap-gnash sound, like stone slabs being struck, or perhaps footsteps.
“Look, there’s light in the passage!”
They glanced over and saw that the previously pitch-black tunnel was suddenly illuminated by scattered points of light.
“What is that thing?” a large man asked nervously.
However, no one replied. Everyone’s heart leaped into their throats, their eyes locked on the passage, their sword-gripping hands slick with sweat!
The tap-tap sound grew closer, and the group’s heartbeats quickened, faster and faster... For the rest of the story, please log in to [Website Name], where more chapters await your support.