Chapter 1050: Can’t Leave Empty-Handed
Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Tang turned to look at Fifth Master Xuan and Xuan Dong Wu. “Since we found nothing inside, let’s try our luck outside. I’m not sure, but it’s worth a shot.”

Shang Zixing cautiously asked, “Do you know what kind of mechanism we’re looking for?”

Chu Tang shook his head. “No idea. Just search around. Everyone spread out and see if you find anything suspicious.”

Xuan Dong Wu and Fifth Master Xuan overheard their conversation and followed them outside, beginning their own search.

Fifth Master Xuan suddenly spoke up, “All the past Nalan family heads specialized in carving stone statues. We should focus on the stone carvings.”

“Stone carvings?” Jiang Zhaoyong looked around. “I don’t see any statues.”

Fifth Master Xuan sneered at Jiang Zhaoyong. “They wouldn’t be in such an obvious place. If they were, the vault would have been emptied long ago.”

Xuan Dong Wu agreed. “That makes sense.”

The group resumed their search. Just as they were beginning to lose hope, Chu Tang noticed a small lion head on the wall.

The lion head, made of pure white stone, was part of the wall’s upper decoration. There was a row of them, looking quite ordinary.

If the entrance mechanism involved stone carvings, these lion heads were a likely candidate.

With this in mind, Chu Tang didn’t hesitate. He struck several of the lion heads simultaneously with his spiritual power.

The first ten lion heads showed no reaction. Undeterred, he continued.

After several more attempts, a series of loud rumbles echoed through the air. Everyone froze, listening to the sound.

Chu Tang turned to face the pavilion; the noise came from beneath it.

The rumbling stopped, followed by the sound of a door opening. The group exchanged glances and rushed back inside the pavilion. On one side of the pavilion, a stone door had appeared out of nowhere, standing open.

Jiang Zhaoyong was amazed. “We searched everywhere and found nothing, but there was a hidden door all along.”

Shang Zixing patted Jiang Zhaoyong’s shoulder. “This is the Nalan family we’re talking about.”

Jiang Zhaoyong looked at Chu Tang. “Shall we go down?”

“Wait a moment,” Chu Tang said, standing still. The place had been sealed for centuries, and he wanted to let it air out a bit. The air inside was stifling, and even he found it uncomfortable.

One of Su Liangwei’s men approached him and whispered, “Boss, should we go down first? We’re already here, and waiting is nerve-wracking.”

“Wait until the master goes down first,” Su Liangwei replied, not willing to risk his life.

The subordinate rolled his eyes, thinking, The boss’s courage has shrunk since we met Chu Tang. The Nalan family has been dead for centuries. What harm could they do?

Xuan Dong Wu glanced at Fifth Master Xuan, silently asking if they should go down first.

Fifth Master Xuan shook his head. “Don’t take any risks. We’ll follow behind and let them do the dangerous work.”

Xuan Dong Wu smiled and nodded. “Smart thinking, Uncle.”

After a quarter of an hour, Chu Tang approached the stone door.

One of the subordinates rushed ahead, eager to grab the best treasures. Rumor had it that the Nalan family’s vault contained the world’s rarest treasures. If he could get even one, he’d be set for life.

Seeing this, Chu Tang paused slightly before continuing forward.

As the subordinate rushed through the stone door, a hissing sound filled the air, followed by his screams.

Everyone halted.

Chu Tang sent his spiritual sense ahead, seeing the subordinate rolling down the stairs, writhing in pain, as yellow gas spewed from holes in the walls, filling the room with a toxic mist.

Within moments, the subordinate was reduced to a dried corpse.

Chu Tang continued to explore the room with his spiritual sense. It was filled with exquisite porcelain and jewels, shining brightly despite the gloomy environment.

The floor was littered with bones, at least a thousand. Based on the previous subordinate’s fate, it was clear these people had been poisoned to death. The mechanisms here were indeed vicious.

Jiang Zhaoyong asked, “Should we go down?”

Chu Tang nodded. “Yes, but wait a bit. It’s filled with poison gas. Going down now would be fatal.”

“Got it,” Jiang Zhaoyong replied.

Even if they found the Emperor’s Seal, escaping this place would be impossible without Chu Tang.

Su Liangwei and Duan Ting took a step back, thoroughly frightened. Going down was a death sentence.

Fifth Master Xuan and Xuan Dong Wu felt a mix of relief and dread. Thank goodness they hadn’t been reckless.

Chu Tang conjured a flame with a hand gesture, sending it into the vault. The high-density gas ignited instantly, producing a series of explosive sounds like firecrackers.

A strange scene unfolded as countless sparks danced in the air, resembling a fireworks display.

As the fire died down, a layer of ash settled over everything, casting a dark shadow.

Once the air cooled, Chu Tang led the way into the first level of the vault.

The air was still somewhat unpleasant, but no longer lethal.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the treasures before them. Such a collection of porcelain and jewels was unparalleled, priceless beyond measure.

But Chu Tang wasn’t interested in these treasures. He had already scouted the area and knew the Emperor’s Seal wasn’t here. Upon entering, he immediately searched for the entrance to the second level.

Given the lethal traps on the first level, he anticipated even deadlier mechanisms below, and he remained vigilant.

Seeing Chu Tang’s lack of interest in the treasures, Jiang Zhaoyong and Shang Zixing understood that what they sought wasn’t here, so they joined the search.

Su Liangwei and Duan Ting followed closely behind Chu Tang, both cautious and covetous of the treasures around them.

Duan Ting’s eyes gleamed with greed. “Boss, when we leave, we must take some of these treasures. We can’t leave empty-handed.”

“I agree, but let’s ensure our safety first,” Su Liangwei replied.

Fifth Master Xuan and Xuan Dong Wu whispered in a corner.

“Uncle, as soon as we see the seal, we strike,” Xuan Dong Wu said, his eyes full of killing intent.

Fifth Master Xuan nodded, equally excited. “Yes.”

Chu Tang’s spiritual sense stayed alert, monitoring everyone’s movements. He overheard their conversation.

Such ambition deserves to be tested, Chu Tang thought.

A gust of wind blew through, startling Fifth Master Xuan and Xuan Dong Wu. How could there be wind in an enclosed space?

They looked around anxiously, searching for Chu Tang and the others. But after a thorough search, they found no trace.

Panic set in. “Where did they go?”