"Adding the finishing touch?"
After hearing my account, Xu Jingyang immediately became interested, and carefully scrutinized the closed relief on the wall. After trying various methods to open it, the stone door remained unmoved, showing no signs of opening at all.
The dragon was still the same as before, but the blood that had just been put on its eye had already disappeared without a trace, clearly being absorbed by the dragon's eye.
"Could it be... that this door also requires the special bloodline of the Yi people to open?"
With a puzzled look, Xu Jingyang quickly walked up to Anding, took some blood from his wound, and, just like Sīmǎ Yìng, directly put the blood on the dragon's eye.
However, the stone carving still remained unresponsive, showing no signs of reaction at all.
"No, it's not possible!"
It was only at this moment that Anding seemed to come to his senses, and he suddenly spoke up, "Although I don't understand how that guy did it, I think the so-called bloodline power can at best be considered a catalyst. What really works is the phoenix feather. Without the phoenix feather, this door is absolutely not going to open..."
"But that's not right!"
Looking at Anding with suspicion, I said, "Didn't you say earlier that opening this stone door requires two phoenix feathers to work together? But I clearly saw that Sīmǎ Yìng only used one phoenix feather to open the stone door!"
"That's the key issue!"
Before Anding could speak, Xu Jingyang suddenly took over the conversation and said, "I suspect that, in addition to the other phoenix feather, the bloodline power of the Yi people should also be able to play a part as a substitute, which is why the stone door opened!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another member of the Religious Affairs Bureau couldn't help but say, "In other words, if we can find the other phoenix feather, we can also open the stone door?"
"That's possible..."
Xu Jingyang wryly smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's just that, that thing has been lost for hundreds of years. Who knows where it is..."
"So, what do we do now?"
With a worried look, Anding said, "Are we just going to let this guy ransack the Tomb of the Ghost King? That's not acceptable."
Even though the tomb owner of the Tomb of the Ghost King wasn't directly related to Anding, they were all descendants of the same ancestor of the Yi people. How could he just sit by and watch the Tomb of the Ghost King be plundered?
"Well..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingyang fell into silence, and couldn't help but look apologetic at Anding. Blame it on the previous ridiculous "test," which prevented them from coming to rescue in time. Otherwise, how could a mere Sīmǎ Yìng have so easily broken in!
"There's no other way, unless we can find another way to enter the Tomb of the Ghost King, otherwise..."
Helplessly shaking his head, Xu Jingyang didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was quite clear! If we can't enter the stone door, we really have no way to deal with Sīmǎ Yìng.
At this moment, the only female member of their group suddenly suggested, "What if we use the wait-and-see strategy?"
"Yes…"
Upon hearing this, An Dingge's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "We'll just wait at the door, I don't believe he won't come out!"
"You can try, but I don't think there's much hope! Since he dared to barge in front of everyone, it means he had already planned an escape route... Well, let's just guard here for a couple of days for now."
Saying this, Xu Jingyang waved to everyone, "Let's go, let's talk outside! Your injury probably needs to be treated at the hospital!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the female member from earlier rushed towards the tunnel entrance. With a powerful stride, she leaped up and directly scaled the four to five meter high entrance, as agile as a swift swallow.
"Wow!"
Witnessing this scene, I was amazed, and couldn't help but exclaim, "I can't believe it, is this what they call lightness skill?"
"Hehe... jealous?" Xu Jingyang smiled and explained, "Xie Feiyan is the 58th generation descendant of the Feiyan Sect. Leaping through the air and walking on walls is her specialty!"
"Xie Feiyan? Feiyan Sect?"
Muttering softly, the name seemed familiar, as if I had heard it somewhere, but couldn't recall. I then said, "Truly living up to her name, just hearing it, you'd know she's skilled in that area. But this sister is really imposing, her name is the same as the sect's. If you didn't know, you'd think she was the founding master!"
"Heh! You don't know this, the Feiyan Sect has always been passed down through a single lineage, each sect leader only takes one disciple. When the disciple's skill is ready, the master voluntarily steps down to let the disciple become the new sect leader, and the disciple must change their name to Feiyan, keeping only their surname. So, anyone from the Feiyan Sect will eventually change their name to Feiyan!"
"Oh? What a strange sect..."
After hearing Xu Jingyang's explanation, I suddenly realized and felt even more familiar. I was almost certain I had heard this name somewhere, but just couldn't remember.
At this moment, a sly look flashed in Xu Jingyang's eyes, and he said, "How about it? Interested? If you join us, I'll let this Fei girl teach you!"
"This..."
Listening to him, I was actually a little tempted. The religious bureau was indeed a significant authority. Ning Zhaoyang, a mere "temporary worker", acted so arrogantly, if he became their official member, what wouldn't he be capable of? And to learn "lightness skill" from the "Fei Girl", where else could I find such a good opportunity?
"Um, forget it..."
After much thought, I ultimately resisted the temptation. Because I firmly believed, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The more privileges you enjoy, the more obligations you must bear!
Thinking this way, the temptation wasn't so strong after all.
Back at Qianxu Cave, it was already 5 PM, and the sun was setting. Refusing the requests from An Dingge, Xu Jingyang, and others, I left with Director Han and Zhang to go our separate ways.
It was the responsibility of the religious bureau to wait here, and it had nothing to do with me. While Director Han and Zhang were police officers, this matter wasn't within their jurisdiction, so their leaving wasn't met with much objection from Xu Jingyang.
In fact, his perspective was the same as mine; it's best for ordinary people not to get involved in this matter. Otherwise, not only would they be of no help, but they might also dilute their efforts.
Back in Dafang County, Director Han, Zhang, and I had a simple dinner before parting ways. I planned to drive back to Yucheng overnight, while Director Han intended to return to Qianyang. Zhang would be taken back to Baobao Township's Miao Village by Director Han.
Before parting, I repeatedly instructed the two not to get involved in this matter. Considering their positions, this matter should be the responsibility of the religious bureau, as it was part of their professional expertise.
Even if Zhang and Director Han wanted to intervene, it wouldn't be of much help. It was better to disentangle themselves from this matter sooner rather than later.
They humbly accepted my advice, but I was a bit worried about Zhang! This guy, after witnessing supernatural events with me, had become bolder, coupled with his curiosity... So when we parted ways, I secretly discussed with Director Han to cancel Zhang's long vacation and have him return to work after the New Year...
Zhang, don't blame me, it's for your own good...
Opening the navigation app in the car, I glanced at the map. It would take about six hours from Dafang County to Yucheng. In other words, if I set off now, I'd probably arrive in Yucheng around midnight. Then, it would be another four hours from Yucheng to my home. Sigh...
With a clear plan in mind, I started the used car and headed straight onto the highway...