Chapter 38: Three Stone Boxes

Xiao Yan looked at her back and said, "You go first; I will naturally step in if there is any danger."

Hearing this, the Little Fairy Doctor turned around, an expression of disbelief on her face. "Are you really that lacking in chivalry? You’re going to make a young woman walk in front while you hide in the back?"

Xiao Yan replied with a blank expression, "I don't feel comfortable turning my back on someone who was just trying to harm me."

Upon hearing this, the Little Fairy Doctor thought of the mercenaries she encountered daily—all of whom treated her as an honored guest and were unfailingly respectful. She was stunned that this person was so guarded against her.

Ignoring her reaction, Xiao Yan continued, "I only have one life, and I can't afford to gamble. Playing the hero in front of a woman by putting myself in danger is not worth it."

The Little Fairy Doctor wanted to retort, but Xiao Yan cut her off: "Are we going down or not?"

Glaring at him, she stomped her foot in frustration and said, "Fine, we’re going!" With that, she grabbed the vine and began to slide down first.

Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly and followed her down.

The two descended cautiously along the vines; the surrounding air was thick with a damp chill. Xiao Yan tossed a torch downward, and by its faint light, he caught a glimpse of the outline of a cave entrance.

As soon as they touched the ground, a massive magical beast appeared before them. It was a Rock Snake, its body thick and muscular, its scales shimmering with a cold luster. It flicked its red tongue, its eyes gleaming with a ferocious light.

Xiao Yan looked at the Rock Snake and, without a word, channeled his Dou Qi instantly, unleashing a flurry of attacks. Sensing the danger, the Rock Snake twisted its body rapidly, attempting to evade his strikes. However, Xiao Yan’s assault was relentless, and the beast could not dodge them all. Before long, it perished under his barrage and its body tumbled down the cliff.

Xiao Yan brushed off his hands and turned to see the Little Fairy Doctor looking on in terror. "Let's go. Time is precious, and we don't know what other dangers are waiting for us in this cave."

She nodded, suppressing her fear, and followed closely behind him. They ventured deeper into the cave, the silence broken only by the echo of their footsteps. Guided by the moonlight filtering in, they reached the entrance.

The opening was small, barely wide enough for two or three people to pass through, and covered in moss, giving it a sinister air. The cave was pitch black, but upon closer inspection, the walls emitted a faint, ghostly luminescence, as if something was glowing within the stone.

They entered cautiously; the air inside was even damper and carried a faint, fishy stench. After walking for a while, they arrived before a massive, heavy stone door carved with intricate patterns.

Xiao Yan studied the door for a moment and remarked, "This door requires at least the strength of a Dou Shi to open. It seems it will take some effort to get inside."

The Little Fairy Doctor looked at the door, a slight smile playing on her lips. "You only know how to use brute force. Watch me." She stepped forward and began to carefully examine the mechanism on the door.

Xiao Yan watched her movements, surprised. "I had no idea you were skilled in mechanism arts."

She smiled triumphantly. "There is much you don't know about me. I am far more than just someone who gathers herbs and heals the sick."

As she spoke, her hands felt along the door, manipulating the hidden components. Soon, a series of mechanical clicks echoed, and the stone door slowly groaned open.

Xiao Yan looked at the opening, a newfound respect for her dawning in his heart. "I didn't expect you to have such tricks up your sleeve."

She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Enough talk. Let's go." She walked through the door first. Xiao Yan shrugged and followed.

Inside the stone door lay a vast chamber. It appeared modest in size, with smooth, flat walls that exuded a cold, hard texture. Moonstones were embedded in the walls, illuminating the room with a light that felt both bright and eerie. In the center of the chamber sat a chair, ancient in style and carved with complex, mysterious patterns.

Seated upon the chair was a skeleton. It was dressed in tattered robes that, despite their decay, hinted at a former grandeur. The skull was sunken with hollow eye sockets, and its bony hands rested on the armrests, the protruding joints lending it a ghoulish and terrifying presence.

In the dim surroundings, the skeleton appeared even more sinister. Beneath the chair stood a square, polished blue stone pedestal. On it rested three stone boxes, each secured with a lock. The boxes were carved from the same blue stone and adorned with patterns.

In other corners of the chamber, large piles of items were stacked. Xiao Yan walked over and saw a great quantity of shimmering gold coins, along with ancient vessels, worn books, and strange, oddly-shaped ores. He made a rough estimate: there were at least one hundred thousand gold coins here.

Standing there, Xiao Yan thought to himself that he was not lacking in money—thanks to his teacher's help and his own savings from Wutan City, his wealth was already considerable. But with so much gold laid out before him, it would be a waste not to take it. Moreover, since these riches were left so openly, they were likely not the most important items here. The three locked boxes were far more significant; they might contain precious treasures, powerful Dou Techniques, or cultivation manuals.

The Little Fairy Doctor walked to his side, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight. "I never imagined this cave would hold so many treasures. We were right to come here. But these three stone boxes look very unusual. How are we to open them?"

"Let's look at the other items first," Xiao Yan suggested. "We might find clues on how to open the boxes."

The Little Fairy Doctor knelt beside the ores, observing them closely. "Xiao Yan, look at this piece," she said, pointing. "This is Blue Crystal Ore, a very precious alchemical material of great value."

She scanned the surroundings and added, "I'll go gather some other herbs. The spiritual energy in this cave is dense; I might find some rare specimens. You continue searching for clues to the boxes. If you find anything, make sure to call me."

Xiao Yan continued to observe the room and replied, "Understood."