"Wangchuan River? What is that?"
Xiao Guang and Professor Li were both stunned, their eyes filled with shock.
"Back then, Fatty braved the Wangchuan River, crossed the Bridge of Three Lives, and saw past and present lives, and the cycle of reincarnation. In the end, Fatty summed up one sentence."
"The Great Dao of the human world is vicissitudes, Fatty's Great Dao is reunion and peace."
Fatty said, raising his eyebrows.
Xiao Guang and Professor Li were both confused.
What was he talking about?
Was it related to the Wangchuan River at all?
"Young Master Zhang, what is the Wangchuan River? Is it really the Underworld?"
Xiao Guang asked with a face full of question marks.
"It's nothing, let's keep moving."
Zhang Tian waved his hand and didn't say much.
Logically speaking, Professor Li and Xiao Guang should have also visited Huang Shuliang's tomb.
But they might not have experienced those things.
So they were very unfamiliar with such matters.
The main reason Zhang Tian didn't explain was that he didn't want trouble.
If they discovered more tombs in the future, they would still have to donate them. Zhang Tian didn't want to expose his identity.
That would have negative consequences.
It might even tarnish the reputation of his Nine Gates Group.
This was also why Zhang Tian didn't want to reveal himself.
He could engage in grave robbing himself, but the Nine Gates were different. It would affect the future of the conglomerate.
Seeing that Zhang Tian was unwilling to speak, Professor Li and Xiao Guang said no more, but fell silent.
Subsequently, Zhang Tian no longer paid attention to the burial ground in front of them, and the group continued to move forward.
Since Zhang Tian didn't bring up the topic, Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, and Yue were not the type to talk much with outsiders, so they were naturally reluctant to say more.
For a moment, Xiao Guang and Professor Li turned their attention to Fatty.
After all, among the people present, only Fatty liked to talk.
Only Fatty was a potential source of information.
But now, Xiao Guang and Professor Li would not ask, as Zhang Tian was still present. They would ask later if needed.
Hu Bayi walked in front.
He held a compass in his hand.
The needle of the compass constantly changed position.
Following the direction indicated by Hu Bayi's compass, Zhang Tian found that they quickly left the river.
"That's not right. Isn't there a river below Medicine King Valley? Why is the route we're taking riverless?"
Shirley Yang remembered the riverbed on the mural from before.
And Professor Li and the others also wanted to know the answer to Shirley Yang's question.
Hu Bayi looked at the compass and said softly.
"Because the corpse-accumulating ground we passed earlier changed the flow of the surrounding river channels, which is why the direction shifted."
"The route we are taking is along the very center of the Dragon's Spine. Following the Dragon's Spine all the way will lead us directly to our target."
Hu Bayi's voice was not loud.
It was even somewhat calm.
But his demeanor was directly imprinted in Shirley Yang's mind.
Xiao Guang and Professor Li, on the other hand, looked at Hu Bayi with intense interest.
This young man had such great potential. If he could contribute to Chinese archaeology, he would surely help Chinese cultural relics see the light of day again.
The reason Professor Li and the others looked at him with such admiration was also because Hu Bayi was putting on quite a show.
"So that's how it is."
Shirley Yang nodded in understanding.
Following Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang truly learned a lot.
What satisfied Shirley Yang the most was that Hu Bayi always managed to capture her attention.
Zhang Tian remained silent, his pace quickening considerably, following Hu Bayi's footsteps.
After some unknown amount of time,
As Hu Bayi's steps gradually slowed,
A deep canyon gradually appeared in the sight of Zhang Tian and the others.
The canyon was very deep.
Two mountains framed the narrow valley, making it look like a path in the woods.
"It's here, the canyon!"
Fatty shouted, pointing into the distance.
Everyone also focused their gaze on the canyon before them.
The canyon was vast, seemingly without end.
At the same time, the high mountains on both sides appeared exceptionally stern.
Moreover, the silence was exceptionally eerie.
Zhang Tian couldn't even hear any animal sounds nearby.
"Have you noticed something?"
"Why haven't we seen any animals around here? Not even a single rat."
Suddenly, Shirley Yang spoke.
She was more observant and had been paying attention to the situation around the coffin.
"That's right, Fatty has also been wondering where all the animals have gone."
Fatty nodded in agreement, looking around. There were not even any birds in the sky.
One should know that birds are the least particular creatures.
They can fly over any place, essentially.
However, the absence of even birds in this area indicated a few possibilities.
Either there was a large formation here.
Or, there had been a massive slaughter of birds in the past,
causing birds to sense danger in this region.
"Something might have happened here."
"Let's be careful. This Medicine King's tomb might not be as formidable as King Xian's tomb, but it is still a special place."
Zhang Tian said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
This time, Zhang Qilin took the lead.
Hu Bayi walked behind Zhang Tian.
The group formed a line and quickened their pace.
Soon, upon entering the canyon, Zhang Tian sensed a peculiar aura.
It was a medicinal fragrance.
The fragrance permeated the entire valley, like a wisp of green smoke, coiling around the surrounding mountains.
The valley was draped in a mysterious hue.
"What a strong scent, boss, do you smell it?"
Fatty spoke at the same moment.
He took a deep breath.
Zhang Tian frowned slightly.
Suddenly, Zhang Tian raised his hand and stopped everyone.
"Wait! Everyone, get out of the canyon area first."
Zhang Tian said, quickly moving to the side.
Seeing Zhang Tian's urgency, the others exchanged glances and finally followed Zhang Tian out of the area.
"What's wrong?"
Professor Li looked at Zhang Tian.
"There's something wrong with this fragrance."
Zhang Tian said, quickly taking out gas masks from his space.
Although Zhang Tian himself was not afraid of poison, he worried that this might be an alchemical poison.
If it were an alchemical poison, it would be troublesome.
The things Zhang Tian had eaten before could make him immune to physical poisons.
However, alchemical poisons were a different category.
"Something's wrong?"
Xiao Guang also had a face full of question marks.
"Think about it. All the birds and even animals around here are keeping a distance of over three feet from this place. And as we entered the canyon, a strange aroma emerged."
"Doesn't that prove anything?"
Zhang Tian said slowly.
Professor Li and Xiao Guang instantly understood.
Their eyes widened.
"You mean, the fragrance around the mountains is poisonous!"
Xiao Guang exclaimed.
Zhang Tian nodded slowly.
He thought to himself that these two were truly audacious and not observant.
However, he supposed it was understandable. These two relied on him wholeheartedly, so they would naturally consider fewer things.
Once dependence is formed, it is difficult to change.
Professor Li used to think more.
But after following Zhang Tian, he unconsciously stopped thinking.
Zhang Tian nodded without speaking. Around them, Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, and Fatty had already put on their gas masks.
It was clear they had also guessed something.
As for Zhang Qilin, he still wore nothing. However, Zhang Tian thoughtfully produced a gas mask for him.
Although Zhang Qilin could be immune to toxins, this alchemical poison was unusual, and Zhang Tian still didn't want Zhang Qilin to be poisoned.
That would be very troublesome.