Chereads / Cataclysm Card King / Chapter 48 - Chapter 56 【X-711-Cursed Ceramic Pot】

Chapter 48 - Chapter 56 【X-711-Cursed Ceramic Pot】

Approaching the box didn't trigger any warnings, but Ji Xun remained cautious.

He turned to Chu Jiu and asked, "Can this box be opened?"

This kind of item was beyond his current understanding, so it was better to ask someone knowledgeable.

Chu Jiu glanced at it and said, "Yes, it's just an ordinary box. Calamity items aren't easily damaged. It should be safe to open."

Hearing this, Ji Xun felt relieved.

Since it was a trophy, it definitely had to be taken. However, it wasn't practical to carry the box out in the open. If others saw it, disaster could strike.

Moreover, all three were curious about what was inside.

The box had a simple lock, and Ji Xun used his universal key. It wasn't long before a "click" was heard.

At the sound, even Chu Jiu and Nan Jing's gazes flickered momentarily.

The contents of this box were too mysterious, and the three of them were filled with anticipation.

Ji Xun carefully inspected for any traps and, finding none, proceeded to open it.

He initially thought it would contain something special.

But upon opening it, he found a slightly larger-than-fist-sized... ceramic pot?

It looked like an ordinary ceramic pot, gray and dusty.

But upon closer inspection, the entire pot was covered with dense, miniature runes. The intricate patterns resembled chains, sealing the pot tightly.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but the more one looked, the more it exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

The Insight displayed subtle information.

[X-711-Mysterious Ceramic Pot]

Details: Calamity Item 'X-711'; immune to all curses not exceeding its own law-level power;

Ji Xun now understood that the Insight's display depended on his knowledge.

The pot could resist curses, which they had already seen in action.

However, this didn't mean it had only that one function.

The higher the level of an item, the more hidden information there was to uncover.

Previously, Chu Jiu had speculated that the knight carried it because it couldn't be stored in a spatial ring, suggesting it was a unique type of item known as a calamity item.

Typically, these items had mysterious properties.

Ji Xun, also curious, said, "Is this a calamity item? But what does the numbering mean?"

This was a high-level topic beyond the reach of commoners.

Chu Jiu, evidently knowledgeable, explained, "X stands for 'X Bureau,' a mysterious department of the Federation, fully named 'Federal Calamity Response and Unknown Supernatural Object Containment Bureau.' The number 711 temporarily identifies this calamity item. Calamity items aren't necessarily objects; they could be energy, rules, monsters, viruses, divinity... or other bizarre existences. Once discovered, it often takes a long time to understand their functions, so the Federation uses such numbering for preliminary naming and classification."

Hearing this, Ji Xun recalled his [JOKER] card.

It had also been a calamity source at the 407 Institute.

Chu Jiu continued, "But one thing is certain. Uncontainable calamity items are relics of gods and demons. Each one embodies top-level laws, pointing to ultimate cosmic mysteries beyond human control."

Ji Xun listened, impressed.

Not to mention ultimate mysteries, just the full name of the 'X Bureau' indicated it was very high-end.

He didn't ask why Chu Jiu knew this but instead curiously asked, "Does the Federation have over seven hundred of such calamity items?"

Chu Jiu shook her head, "The exact number is unclear. This numbering has a long history. Some numbered calamity items are lost, sealed, or no longer exist for various reasons. Some aren't included in the list. But there are indeed quite a few accumulated over centuries."

"I see."

Ji Xun nodded, understanding.

He also realized that this might be the rumored calamity item that the Cao family of the Governor's Mansion recently obtained in Innocence City.

Initially, he thought it was just false information spread intentionally, but it turned out to be true.

Without witnessing its ability to resist the Curse of the Keeper, it would have been easy to overlook the ceramic pot's true value, perhaps dismissing it as just a broken pot.

As for opening the pot? That thought was quickly dismissed.

Not only was it unclear how to open it, even if they could, Ji Xun wouldn't dare to try for now.

Chu Jiu's previous explanation made it clear that, regardless of understanding its nature, this pot was undoubtedly high-end.

Tampering with it could lead to unknown and potentially fatal consequences.

Having an item that could block curses was already incredibly useful, making it a sort of "artifact" in its own right.

...

Since he hadn't killed the knight himself, Ji Xun felt it was inappropriate to keep the item for himself.

Chu Jiu, however, seemed completely indifferent. She had been in a low mood ever since being backstabbed, showing no interest in anything.

The pot was left in the chamber.

Ji Xun didn't rush to sort out the spoils but instead looked at the fresh corpse and used his Feast skill.

The corpse of a third-tier curse card master was the highest quality he had encountered so far.

Its residual supernatural properties were very potent and shouldn't be wasted.

"You used Feast to devour, Constitution +"

"You used Feast to devour, Strength +"

"You used Feast to devour, Ice Affinity +"

"..."

As he devoured, supernatural properties continuously flowed into his body.

Using the Feast skill didn't appear unusual to others, so Ji Xun sat beside the corpse, devouring while examining the carvings on the ceiling and walls for a way out.

Before long, Nan Jing finished treating Chu Jiu's new wounds and joined in studying the chamber's carvings.

However, the symbols on the walls seemed to possess a dizzying magic, making her thoughts fuzzy after a while.

Nan Jing remarked, "Strange, I feel like these symbols are filling my head with things, making me dizzy."

Hearing this, Ji Xun glanced at her.

He had the same feeling.

Initially thinking it was just the oppressive environment, he now realized others felt the same.

But there were no negative status effects displayed by Insight.

At this moment, Chu Jiu spoke up, "It's normal. This is the brain encountering knowledge beyond its understanding."

Nan Jing was puzzled, "Huh?"

Chu Jiu explained, "As far as I know, all our known languages originate from ancient demonic languages. The older the civilization, the closer its language is to the essence of demonic speech. Talon ancient script is a simplified form of demonic language. These mysterious symbols contain not just 'form' but also the 'meaning' imbued with the power of laws. Skilled craftsmen can carve out this mystical 'meaning.' Like the 'runes' used in card making, these magical words are said to be a branch of high-level demonic language."

"Oh?"

Ji Xun found this explanation fascinating.

He had noticed this issue before.

Many symbols in this chamber matched those in previous materials.

But when seen with the naked eye, they seemed different.

The symbols on the stone carvings felt much more substantial, each seemingly containing deeper layers of meaning.

Previously, he didn't understand this phenomenon, but Chu Jiu's explanation made sense now.

It's like how a master's painting conveys not just images but also an indescribable sense of mood and intent.

Ji Xun became genuinely interested in learning more.

However, Chujiu looked at his gaze and said regretfully, "To understand knowledge at that level, you need very high wisdom and understanding of the laws. This is what the [5 Wisdom] sequence spell card masters study, and I only know a little bit."

"Oh..."

Ji Xun pondered for a moment, vaguely sensing something.

Even though everyone sees the same world, the depth of what they see varies.

But his thoughts drifted away momentarily before refocusing.

Currently, unraveling the puzzle to escape was the most pressing issue.

Nan Jing felt her brain was insufficient for the task. She clearly recognized the situation and realized that relying on herself for escape was hopeless.

She turned her head to glance at Ji Xun and asked, "Mr. Ji Xun, have you discovered anything?"

Ji Xun shook his head and replied, "At the moment, it seems that all the clues the maze has provided point to the three hundred thousand laborers. I can only think that there must be some connection between the maze's exit and the laborers, but I haven't yet figured out what direction this connection should lead."

Whether it was from the spatial layout or the distribution of monsters, it was almost certain that this secret room was the exit.

But he hadn't figured out how to break through.

Voicing his thoughts, the three of them discussed.

Chu Jiu pondered and also put forward her own thoughts, "Laborers? These carvings were made by laborers. Could the method to solve the puzzle be hidden in the symbols? Or perhaps in those murals outside?"

"Hmm. It's almost certain that this is the direction. But so far, I haven't seen any precise clues. I may need to take some time to carefully review all this content."

Ji Xun's tone was calm, showing no signs of urgency.

The worst mistake in solving puzzles was to unnecessarily distract oneself.

The more flustered one became, the more it would affect judgment.

"Hmm."

Chu Jiu also nodded.

Without saying more, she raised her head and scrutinized the densely carved walls and bricks.

The three of them began studying the carvings in the secret room.

Ji Xun carefully examined each inch of the wall bricks with a lamp, not even overlooking the details of the corners and cracks.

Time flew by unnoticed.

After about half a day, he had memorized all the symbols he had seen.

But still, he hadn't found the breakthrough clue.

...

The initial adventurer Yuri was trapped at this step.

Ji Xun felt as if he had fallen into the same predicament.

That feeling was unpleasant.

It felt like being in a room where everything was understood, except for the lack of a crucial key.

But unfortunately, it couldn't be found.

He thought, if he couldn't find another clue, he might have to take a risk and look at the "回" character passageway outside.

But his intuition told him that the most important clue was definitely in this secret room.

Not outside.

Ji Xun's current insight and experience in solving puzzles were clueless, and it would be even harder for others to find clues.

On the side, Chu Jiu was also deep in thought, her furrowed brows never loosening.

And more obviously, this complex mental activity wasn't suitable for a certain girl with a round head and a spiritualist.

Having already looked at it for half a day, Nan Jing seemed to be in a daze.

But she still tried hard to help, never stopping.

Nan Jing muttered as she watched, "Ah... these symbols are so complicated, looking at them for a long time is like being in a maze, making my head dizzy..."

Although she murmured quietly, it was clear as day in the secret room.

"..."

Chu Jiu was already used to it.

Ji Xun couldn't help but laugh.

This spiritualist girl had been muttering for half a day...

Originally, he hadn't planned to pay attention.

But suddenly, it was this sentence that flashed through his mind like a flash of lightning.

Maze, symbols?

Like waking from a dream, he exclaimed, "I've found the 'key'!"