Further within the narrow, damp passage, a dark pond stretches across the floor. The water is murky and still, with a faint green glow that pulses slowly.
Beneath the surface, countless poisonous snakes slither and twist, their scales slick and their eyes cold and watchful. The air smells of decay and something sweet, like rotting flowers.
At the end of the passage stands a tall, black door covered in carvings of snakes. The carved serpents seem almost alive. Their eyes contained a mysterious energy that controlled all the snakes in the pond.
The flying swords came to an abrupt halt, still floating some distance from the pond.
Su Mo, who used his insight to observe it, was startled, and then an intriguing smile appeared.
[Interesting ~ Nether Snake Jewel?] Su Mo denied his guess after careful observation. [No, it's not the real one. Just a small ounce of its power.]
Yang Qingxi raised her brow and then searched for the description in her system store.
'Found it.'
[Ding!]
[Nether Snake Jewel (Low): 10,000 Luck Points]
[Nether Snake Jewel (Mid): 50,000 Luck Points]
[Nether Snake Jewel (High): 200,000 Luck Points]
...
The price almost blinded Yang Qingxi's poor eyes.
'Um, let's just look at the description.'
[Nether Snake Jewel (Low): Created from the fusion of two Golden Core stage nether snakes. Grants the ability to control all snake species below the Golden Core stage.]
[Nether Snake Jewel (Mid): Created from the fusion of two Nascent Soul stage nether snakes. Grants the ability to control all snake species below the Golden Core stage.]
[Nether Snake Jewel (High): Created from the fusion of two Soul Formation stage nether snakes. Grants the ability to control all snake species below the Golden Core stage.]
…
After reading their description, Yang Qingxi couldn't describe her amazement. Nascent Soul stage… Soul Formation stage… These things are far beyond her current self. Besides, there seem to be even higher grades of Nether Snake Jewel in the store, but she can't see them with her current viewing permissions.
'According to Su Mo, there is something in those carvings that contains a small part of the power of the Nether Snake Jewel?!'
When she thought of this, Yang Qingxi's eyes became fiery and her breathing intensified. Some incredible ideas emerged inside her mind. However, when she looked at Su Mo beside her, she calmed down immediately.
'Let's wait and see Su Mo's attitude first. If he is interested, then I can only forget about it.'
Yes, she had no intention of competing with Su Mo for a small treasure. She knows her priorities well. She can give up on various treasures, but not him.
"So many snakes!" Zhang Xulin exclaimed, a shiver running down her spine as the cold, unblinking eyes of the horde fixed on her.
Their silent stares were enough to make most people panic, but with Su Mo standing beside her, she wasn't afraid. Instead, curiosity sparked in her eyes as she studied them with growing interest.
"With such a large horde of snakes gathered here, can they even find enough food to eat?" she asked, half to herself.
Su Mo shot her a sideways glance, his voice thick with sarcasm.
"Touching, really. Didn't know you cared so much about their diet. Why not invite them out for a nice dinner? Judging by the way they're eyeing you, you might be the main course."
Yang Qingxi burst out laughing, and Zhang Xulin blushed in shame. She also shot a glare at Su Mo for making fun of her.
"Okay! That's enough! You two. Let's move on! I don't want to stay in this creepy place for long."
After hearing Yang Qingxi's words, Su Mo nodded in agreement, then let the swords fly towards the door.
The snakes wanted to attack them, but no matter how they attacked, they couldn't get close. Because Su Mo used his Qi to block those snakes and their attacks from reaching them.
They easily came close to the strange door. Yang Qingxi's eyes were attracted to the rubies in the snake cravings' eyes.
'Is this the fragment of Nether Snake Jewel…?'
'It's really mysterious...'
She turned to look at Su Mo and noticed that he didn't seem interested in the rubies. Rather, he just twisted the snake patterns and unlocked the door.
"Su Mo, don't you want those rubies?"
"Hmm? No! This thing is not of much use to me."
Su Mo made his lack of interest clear. Yang Qingxi got excited upon hearing this.
"Really?! In that case, can I take them?"
"Sure." Su Mo agreed casually. Then he even helped her dig out those rubies from the craving.
[The only pity is that Ye Chen won't be troubled by these snakes anymore.]
Su Mo shook his head, then comforted himself.
[Well, it's fine, anyway. Otherwise, leaving these rubies for Ye Chen to take would be a big loss. Even if he missed it in the original story, who knows if it would be the same in the real world?]
After hearing Su Mo's inner voice, Yang Qingxi became even more determined that it was the right decision for her to take these rubies.
...
Behind the strange door was an enormous chamber with green lamps lighting the place.
What attracted everyone's attention were the five sarcophagi placed in the chamber. Four at every corner and the one in the middle, making the sight very creepy.
After sensing with his special technique, Su Mo was sure that the sarcophagi were made of metal, not stone.
In addition, his eyes were also attracted to the mural on the walls. He was certain that he could understand the general story of the tomb owner after observing the murals. But before that, some things need to be solved.
"Hey, Su Mo! They are about to wake up, right?" Yang Qingxi pointed her thumb towards the sarcophagus and said, "Leave one for me and Sister Xulin to practice."
"Save your strength. There's no need to fight here." Su Mo said with a shrug.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
*Crash*
Just after, her words fell. The sarcophagus trembled, and some strange noises came from inside.
"They are coming out!" Yang Qingxi exclaimed.