Chapter 89: Crisis Is Also an Opportunity

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It turned out that the place they were guarding was originally intended for a large factory, but for now, they were only building a logistics base. However, when they excavated the mountain and prepared to transport supplies here, they discovered an ancient tomb in the valley.

Experts found that this ancient tomb was emitting a gas that could cause supplies to spoil. Therefore, if they didn't deal with this ancient tomb properly, it wouldn't be suitable as a logistics base.

Zhao Shuji explained, "To deal with this ancient tomb, experts were sent from above, as well as an archaeological team. The plan was to excavate the tomb, study its contents, and disperse the Yin energy inside."

"However, after the archaeological team entered the tomb, not a single person came out."

"Later, the factory requested that a battalion of soldiers be sent to search for the archaeological team, but they also didn't come out. Everyone said that this ancient tomb was ominous, and it shouldn't be disturbed. But since the factory had already invested heavily in facilities here, they didn't want to abandon the logistics base."

Zhao Shuji continued, "So, the higher-ups sent a company here, with one part guarding and the other trying to solve the problem of the ancient tomb. Honestly, even the experts who went in didn't come out alive. So, what could we do?"

"Some suggested that since the factory only needed this logistics base and didn't care about the archaeological value of the tomb, they should just blow it up. But others argued that since this tomb was ominous, it must contain something extraordinary. Using explosives might not destroy it completely; at most, it would open up an outer passage."

"The idea of blowing up the tomb was actually approved. Nineteen guards were assigned to set explosives in the tomb. However, when they went down, they encountered problems before they could install the explosives. They had to withdraw prematurely. When they went in, they were all healthy individuals, but shortly after coming out, most of them fell ill, and ten of the guards who went in died, leaving only one survivor. The ten guards who were supposed to guard outside also suffered serious health issues, nearly dying."

"The survivor you're referring to is Zhao Lu, right?" Tang Ailian suddenly asked.

Zhao Shuji nodded, "Yes, that person is Zhao Lu, and the ten guards you saved last time were the ones guarding outside. After that incident, several batches of people were sent to explore the tomb, but none of them dared to go inside."

"However, even if the workers didn't enter the tomb, as long as they patrolled the area, the Yin energy still infiltrated, and in recent days, the Yin energy has started moving toward the camp."

"The higher-ups have decided to invite experts to explore the tomb together this time. If they can't resolve this matter, we may have to leave the valley, or even seal off the previously excavated passage to contain the Yin energy. But in that case, all the effort and resources spent on construction would be wasted."

"So, this time, we've invited outside experts and decided to make one last exploration of the tomb. The Taoist priest you mentioned is one of them, and we've invited fifteen experts in total. They will go in with the workers selected."

After listening to Zhao Shuji's explanation, Tang Ailian fell silent for a moment and asked, "Are you planning to invite me to join the exploration?"

Zhao Shuji nodded, "Director Jiang's suggestion is to have you accompany the workers in exploring the tomb, and if any treasures are found, they will be considered your reward."

"What are the conditions?" Tang Ailian didn't trust that Director Jiang was being so accommodating.

"The condition is that you can't mention the medicine fees for those ten workers anymore, and you have to hand over the bottle of revival potion you have," Zhao Shuji replied.

"Hehe, Director Jiang is surprisingly obedient. Have they found the person who poisoned the revival potion I gave?" Tang Ailian asked.

Speaking of this, Zhao Shuji was very angry. "The person who poisoned the revival potion was the Taoist priest hired by Dr. Qiu. He wanted to claim the potion as his own, so he poisoned it. In reality, as long as he provided the antidote, the potion could still be used. However, others didn't have the antidote, so they didn't dare to use it, and naturally, the potion would belong to him. Dr. Qiu was also involved in the poisoning incident."

After pausing for a moment, Zhao Shuji continued, "Both of them have been apprehended."

He truly couldn't believe that someone would come up with the idea of poisoning the potion just to claim it for themselves.

Tang Ailian sighed and took out the bottle of revival potion from her bag, handing it to Zhao Shuji. "Actually, one Snake Sun Herb can only produce one bottle of revival potion. I found two herbs and made three bottles. Let's consider it a gift and give them all to you."

Zhao Shuji was deeply moved. After all, as she had said, when Director Jiang falsely accused her earlier, he also believed that she had made a mistake due to her young age and didn't speak up for her. Little did he expect that she would still be willing to trust him.

"Thank you," he said softly.

However, Tang Ailian seemed not to have heard his thanks and asked, "When are we going?"

"Fifteen days from now, once all the invited experts have arrived, including Advisor Bai," Zhao Shuji replied.

At this time, communication wasn't as easy as in the modern era, where a simple phone call could reach anyone, so it took time for these experts to gather, which was why the expedition was scheduled for fifteen days later.

During these two weeks, Tang Ailian stayed secluded in her room, hanging a sign at the door that read, "In seclusion, please do not disturb."

In reality, during these fifteen days, she remained in her Medicine Well Space. She used this time to nurture Snake Sun Herbs, draw symbols, and prepare medicines on the last day.

She felt that this expedition to the ancient tomb was extremely dangerous, but at the same time, she sensed a great opportunity within the tomb. She had to go. Therefore, she made thorough preparations.

Her telekinetic power had reached 12,000, allowing her to create symbols. Although she couldn't make high-level symbols until she reached higher telekinetic levels, even her basic symbols were far superior to those drawn by ordinary Taoist priests.

Tang Ailian practiced creating symbols again, and the feeling came back to her. She chanted the incantations while drawing the symbols, moving her hands and feet in a dance. If someone saw her, they might mistake her for a shamanic ritual performer, so she could only draw symbols in the Medicine Well Space.

(End of this chapter)