"Alright, Yi Xian, open the door."
Gu Changqing stepped back and gestured towards the petite figure of Xiao Yi Xian.
"Why should I open it? Can't you do it?"
Xiao Yi Xian looked at Gu Changqing with a hint of confusion.
"Why should I open a mere door? Do you want me to do everything? And don't say I can't do it, or I'll spank you!"
Gu Changqing waved his hand menacingly, as if threatening Xiao Yi Xian.
"Bad guy!"
Xiao Yi Xian quickly covered her pert backside and moved away, suspicious that Gu Changqing had a peculiar habit of finding reasons to spank her.
Despite her doubts, she easily bypassed the mechanisms on the stone door.
In no time, Xiao Yi Xian located the switch and pressed it gently, causing the stone door to gradually lift.
Gu Changqing immediately pulled Xiao Yi Xian back, placing her behind him to protect her from any potential ambush that might occur once they entered the cave.
Though the risk was minimal, he believed in eliminating every possible threat before it could manifest.
Seeing Gu Changqing's unhesitating protection, Xiao Yi Xian felt a strange emotion stir within her. For the first time, someone, aside from her parents, had stood so resolutely in front of her. Maybe there had been others, but they either had ulterior motives or were simply fulfilling a contract, unlike Gu Changqing's pure intention.
"Alright, there's no danger. Follow me."
Once the stone door was fully opened and after a brief wait to ensure the air had cleared, Gu Changqing led the way, clearing the path for Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian.
As they entered the stone chamber, their view expanded dramatically.
Inside, the stone chamber was vast, somewhat stark and empty. Moonlight stones embedded in the walls provided illumination. At the center of the room was a seat with a skeletal figure slumped on it. The skull, sunken and grim, rested against the pale thigh bones, giving the room a subtly eerie atmosphere.
In front of the seat, there was a broad stone platform holding three locked stone boxes. In the corners of the chamber, piles of shimmering gold coins and various valuable items were stacked. In the final corner, there was a flowerbed with an assortment of rare and precious herbs.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes were immediately drawn to the herbs, and she hurried forward.
"Purple Blue Leaf, White Spirit Ginseng Fruit, Snow Lotus Seed…"
Xiao Yi Xian recognized the rare medicinal herbs, some of which she did not know by name, but she understood their value far surpassed the piles of gold coins.
"There are three stone boxes, just right for the three of us."
In contrast to Xiao Yi Xian's focus on the herbs, Nalan Yanran eyes shone with excitement at the sight of the three boxes. Regardless of their value, she was eager to open them.
As Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian approached, Gu Changqing stopped them.
"If I were you, I'd have died hundreds of times over!"
Gu Changqing's face darkened as he said sternly, "Go and check the surroundings for any danger. Only after confirming that it's safe can we open the boxes. Otherwise, not a single box can be touched, and nothing can be taken!"
His tone was serious, like a stern elder imparting a lesson.
Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian had never seen Gu Changqing so serious before. They shrank back a little and nodded, obediently going off to check for any potential dangers.
Gu Changqing knew that there was unlikely to be any danger, but he wanted to instill a sense of caution in them. If they recklessly charged forward for treasures, they might not survive to regret it.
"There's no danger here."
"There's no danger here either."
Soon, Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran had thoroughly checked the surroundings. Each time they completed a check, they turned to report back to Gu Changqing.
However, when inspecting the last skeleton, Xiao Yi Xian was surprised.
"Look, this senior seems to have been killed by someone. There are several broken bones, and the three keys to the stone boxes are in his hand, which is also broken."
She lightly touched the arm where the keys were placed.
Crumble, crumble—
The already decayed hand bone fell apart.
"Oh, senior, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"
Xiao Yi Xian jumped back in fright and quickly apologized to the skeleton.
"Indeed, it looks like he was killed by someone. His hand bone is broken. Oh, it seems there's something inside this hand bone," Nalan Yanran said as she picked up the three keys. She noticed something hidden inside the cracked bone and gently shook it out.
A small, delicate scroll fell out.
"A scroll? Could it be a mid-grade Dou Technique?!"
Nalan Yanran eyes brightened, and she looked at Gu Changqing and Xiao Yi Xian with anticipation before opening the scroll.
"Doesn't seem like it."
Upon inspecting the scroll, Nalan Yanran was somewhat disappointed.
"This seems to be a treasure map, though it appears to be incomplete."
Xiao Yi Xian came over and examined the scroll, confirming Nalan Yanran observation.
"It is indeed a treasure map. If you can't make use of it, let me handle it."
Gu Changqing casually flicked his finger, causing the scroll to float from Nalan Yanran hand into his. After a brief look, he put the treasure map into his own bag.
He didn't explain to them what the map was, as he had no reason to. With his backing from the Gu Clan, he wasn't worried. However, if Xiao Yi Xian and the others knew that it was a map to the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, it could pose a risk.
"Always taking the best for yourself. You've taken the most valuable item."
Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes at Gu Changqing.
"Come on, Miss Nalan, without him, we wouldn't have even found this cave. Besides, it's just a partial map. If we can't find the treasure, it's of no use."
Xiao Yi Xian chuckled, defending Gu Changqing.
"I know, but this guy is always looking for chances to spank others. He's such a little pervert."
Xiao Yi Xian playfully glared at Gu Changqing, subtly adjusting her own rear end.