https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1083-Crossing-the-Lake-and-Drinking-the-Strange-Dew/13274539/
Chapter 1084: Unsealing the Ancient Relic
Chapter 1084: Unsealing the Ancient Relic
As Chen Chuan and his group sped forward on the Land Vessel, Tie Ya and the others finally entered the cave. Among them was a woman in her twenties, her face partially covered by a green fluorite mask with jagged teeth-like protrusions along the edges. Her face was beautiful, but her body was adorned with thick, rock-like muscles, especially her thighs, which were exceptionally robust, exuding an explosive power.
This woman, code-named Sai Jia, hailed from the Titan Corporation and was known as the "Jungle Succubus" in the legends of Yinglu.
Tie Ya, Tan Shi, and Sai Jia proceeded cautiously, aware of Chen Chuan's formidable abilities. Tan Shi, in particular, had witnessed Chen Chuan's prowess and had volunteered to stay behind earlier, so they remained vigilant, suspecting he might be waiting ahead.
Although Sai Jia hadn't directly witnessed Chen Chuan's combat, the sight of Master Bai Shi's corpse and the cautious demeanor of the other two made her realize that their target possessed extraordinary strength.
It didn't take long for the trio to follow the path Chen Chuan's group had taken. With so many people, it was impossible to leave no traces, and their biological signatures wouldn't disappear entirely within a few hours.
Despite moving cautiously to counter Chen Chuan, these three martial artists covered ground quickly. In just over an hour, they reached the shores of the Gem Lake.
Upon arrival, they noticed that all traces of the others ended here, and the lake seemed to be their final destination. However, they dared not venture in without caution. This place was undoubtedly part of a secret ritual, and they had no idea what awaited them below.
Facing a formidable enemy like Chen Chuan, they couldn't afford to be reckless, even with their own formidable abilities.
"If you go down there now, I assure you, you'll end up in another place," Tan Shi said suddenly from behind.
Tie Ya turned and asked, "Do you know the way?"
Tan Shi smiled warmly, "As a matter of fact, I do."
Sai Jia looked at him, "How?"
Tan Shi rubbed his hands together and bowed slightly to the two, "I'll need to prepare a small ritual. It requires some materials and a bit of patience. Please wait a moment."
Tie Ya and Sai Jia exchanged glances and stepped aside.
Despite their different origins and interests, they shared a common wariness of Tan Shi, who claimed to be from the Primitive Sect. His sudden appearance was too peculiar.
With the formidable Chen Chuan ahead, they didn't want to provoke Tan Shi just yet. They would decide how to handle him after encountering Chen Chuan.
Tan Shi, oblivious to their suspicions, smiled and walked to the side. He punched through a stone wall, revealing a pile of ritual materials. It was unclear how he knew of their presence.
With his back to the others, Tan Shi rummaged through the pile, selecting and arranging items for the ritual.
Meanwhile, on the Great Road, the group felt the scenery on both sides rapidly receding. Initially, the Land Vessel's speed was moderate, but with the wind's encouragement, it accelerated, becoming uncomfortably fast.
The air currents whipped their hair backward, and the pressure distorted their faces. Some of the First People couldn't contain their excitement, letting out enthusiastic howls that were quickly drowned out by the wind.
After over an hour of this high-speed journey, they reached the end of the road. The gusting wind subsided, and the Land Vessel gradually slowed.
Before them stood two colossal statues of First People warriors, clad in feathered cloaks and crowned with eagle headdresses. Each statue towered at around thirty meters high, an awe-inspiring sight.
Beyond the statues lay a magnificent garden filled with exotic, colorful flowers. White jade trees were draped in glowing vines, and delicate petals danced in the air, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance even from a distance.
At the bottom of the valley, a river flowed, its waters shimmering with a soft silver glow. Transparent fish swam within, reflecting various colors as they glided through the light.
In the heart of the garden stood a unique, stepped pyramid. It was at least a hundred meters tall, and its most distinctive feature was another inverted pyramid atop it, seemingly floating in midair with no visible connection. A current of air seemed to swirl between the two structures.
There were more than ten such stepped pyramids in the distance, but the one in the center stood out for its grandeur.
The group disembarked from the Land Vessel, and the One-Eyed Elder approached Chen Chuan, asking, "Chen Chuan, may I take another look at the map?"
"Chen Chuan had no objections. He unfolded the map, and at the end of the road, there were many more markings, all in the language of the First People. The One-Eyed Elder examined it for a while, as if he understood something. He said, 'Please follow me.'"
Holding the obsidian spearhead, the One-Eyed Elder led the way. Chen Chuan gestured, and they followed him into the garden. As they entered, everyone felt as if they had passed through a thin membrane, and their bodies seemed to suddenly become lighter, as if they could float with a leap.
The One-Eyed Elder led the group to the most majestic step pyramid. He gently waved the obsidian spearhead at the snake-shaped stone statue beside it, and everyone heard a deep rumbling sound, as if something was roaring within the cave.
After this action, he raised his head and looked up with a solemn expression. Then, he slowly climbed the steps.
Chen Chuan left Gui Zihan and some others below, established an emergency contact signal, and then led a few technical and security personnel upwards.
The steps here were both high and steep, and everyone thought it would be very strenuous to climb up. But when they started ascending, they found it wasn't so. They felt as if they were being lifted by an unseen force, making the climb surprisingly effortless, and they reached the upper platform almost in one breath.
Looking around, they felt like they had the entire garden in their sight, and the majestic scenery made their hearts feel open and free.
After a brief pause, the group entered the stone palace at the top. As soon as they stepped in, they saw a pool, and then they were dazzled by a burst of light, followed by exclamations of surprise.
In front of them, countless golden nuggets and gems were densely packed, almost piled up to the ceiling in some places. The pool was also filled with these treasures, and the ripples of water shimmered with a golden glow.
The group was amazed, looking around in awe. After all, most of them were salaried, and it was hard not to be attracted by such wealth, even if they couldn't have it themselves. At least, they could feast their eyes on it.
The One-Eyed Elder spoke loudly, "These treasures are used to please and worship our ancestors. When our tribe faces a crisis, the ancestors will grant them back to us, helping us through the difficulties. Now, in the name of the Isumtalan Key-Holding Priest, I present these to our honored guests from Daxun, in exchange for Daxun's support for us, the Isumtalans!"
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Elder Lie Feng, I will ensure that your treasures are exchanged for materials of equal value."
The One-Eyed Elder bowed gratefully to him.
Chen Chuan glanced around, and at this moment, he couldn't help but think that the sacrificial rituals of the First People were similar. This suggested that Atahoca might also have similar wealth, but after so many years, they hadn't taken out even a little.
Daxun wasn't actually interested in the wealth. They hoped that the people of Atahoca would use these resources to build factories and develop technology, better defending themselves against the Federation and having the capital to face the Great Collision in the future.
However, they didn't do that. Instead, they invested in the Federation and bribed the senators. Compared to them, these Isumtalans were more straightforward and wiser.
The One-Eyed Elder knew that Daxun needed not only these treasures but also the daily medications required by the Holy Warriors.
He solemnly said to Chen Chuan, "Mr. Chen, please follow me."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly and followed him out. They climbed an internal staircase to the broad top platform, where the inverted step pyramid hovered above the pyramid below. There was a sealed entrance above.
Standing here and looking up, the massive pyramid seemed like it might fall at any moment, creating an intense sense of oppression.
The One-Eyed Elder looked up, holding the obsidian spear over his head with both hands. He knelt down and silently recited some incantations, his voice rising and falling, sounding like an ancient call from the wilderness.
As the incantation, almost like a song, continued, the mist above slowly dissipated, and slight tremors were felt in both the lower and upper pyramids. When the mist completely disappeared, an opening appeared where the entrance had been sealed.
The One-Eyed Elder exclaimed with joy, "The ancestors have agreed!"
If it were just secular wealth, he could easily make decisions on behalf of all the tribes. But the items needed by the Guardians of the Gods involved the deities, and he wasn't sure if the deities would allow it. So, he had to do his best.
With a solemn expression, he said, "That is a place only the Guardians can go. From here on, Mr. Chen, you must go alone. All the offerings to the Guardians and the deities are inside."
As he spoke, he handed the obsidian spearhead to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan reached out and took it. In that instant, he felt a deep connection between the spearhead and the pyramid above.
He looked up and, under the One-Eyed Elder's reverent gaze, slowly rose, floating towards the opening above and flying into it.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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