Xiao Guang and Professor Li couldn't help but rub their eyes.
"Xiao Guang, my eyesight is failing. Take a look at how strange the location of this tomb is."
Professor Li handed the map to Xiao Guang.
He couldn't quite believe his eyes.
After all, their expert team was stationed in Beili.
This was also the most authoritative scientific research institution in Xia Guo, yet they hadn't discovered the tomb right before their eyes. Wasn't this a blatant slap in the face?
Xiao Guang looked again and again, then swallowed.
"Um, Teacher Li, if I'm not mistaken, the tomb's location is indeed in Beili, specifically in the Qingshan area."
Xiao Guang's voice was not loud.
He was still a little uncertain.
Previously, they had thoroughly researched whether there were any tombs in Beili, but they hadn't expected to have missed one.
"Everyone get ready, grab your gear, and we'll set off immediately!"
"I want to see what this tomb looks like right under our noses."
As Professor Li spoke, everyone hurried towards the courtyard.
They were going to get their equipment.
In truth, Professor Li felt deep down that there wouldn't be anything good in this tomb.
After all, if it were a significant tomb, it would have been discovered.
As time ticked by, a group of team members ran out with their equipment.
Xiao Guang took the lead.
Professor Li looked at the prepared team and counted heads.
"Hmm? Where's Xiao Li?"
Professor Li suddenly noticed Xiao Li was missing.
"Teacher Li, Xiao Li took leave the day before yesterday. I heard she was sick and hasn't recovered, so she couldn't come."
Xiao Guang explained from the side.
"Alright, then we won't worry about her. Everyone, prepare to depart!"
Professor Li waved his hand, a flicker of concern for Xiao Li's condition in his heart.
On the vehicle, the group of experts sat in a truck that had been converted from a military vehicle.
The vehicle had a spacious interior, and the seating wasn't cramped.
"By the way, I just remembered something!"
A young man on the vehicle spoke up.
He was an archaeology postgraduate who had just graduated from Xia Guo University.
"Go ahead, Xiao Zhang."
Professor Li said softly.
"Before she got sick, Sister Li was acting strange, talking about things we couldn't understand."
"And she often caught mice from our research lab. I saw one before but didn't dare say anything."
Xiao Zhang hesitated before sharing what he knew.
"Caught mice? Xiao Zhang, are you sure you saw correctly? How could a woman catch mice? She'd be terrified."
Xiao Guang and the others clearly didn't believe it.
How could a woman catch mice for no reason?
"I swear! And I saw Sister Li's eyes! Her eyes were like a mouse's eyes, not human at all!"
"I was too scared at the time, so I fled in a panic. I don't remember what happened after that."
Xiao Zhang quickly denied it, and seeing his fearful expression, many of the smiles on the others' faces faded.
"How about this, when we get back, we'll pay a visit to Xiao Li's home. Then everything will be clear."
Xiao Guang suggested from the side.
"Agreed!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
As the vehicle drove out of the center of Beili City, the experts felt a slight sense of anticipation.
Meanwhile, Zhang Tian.
After leaving the archaeological institute, Zhang Tian headed towards Panjiayuan.
"I think I smelled a foul odor in the institute just now."
Zhang Tian mused as he walked, recalling the situation in the institute.
Ordinary people might not have noticed, but Zhang Tian's sense of smell was acute, far beyond that of ordinary people.
"Could it be something foul?"
Zhang Tian thought to himself, but then considered.
What did that foul smell have to do with him?
As long as the expert team was fine, why should he worry about them?
Inside Panjiayuan.
Panjiayuan was as bustling as ever, with pseudo-Taoists sitting by the roadside offering fortunes.
Their serious expressions of deception would make the uninformed believe them.
Inside, there were large areas of street stalls, where vendors hawked their wares tirelessly to attract customers.
Here, you might not have any genuine goods, but you definitely needed a good tongue.
"Eh, look! Isn't that Young Master Zhang?"
"It really is! Haven't seen him in months, is he here to find treasures again?"
"Don't know, but no matter what, if we follow Young Master Zhang, we might find something."
Seeing Zhang Tian, a group of people chattered and discussed.
Those with more courage cheerfully approached him.
"Sir~ You've arrived. Are you here to look at treasures today?"
Just a simple greeting, and a strong scent of old Beili wafted out.
Zhang Tian shook his head.
"No, just a casual stroll. Everyone, please disperse."
Zhang Tian waved his hand.
Seeing Zhang Tian dismiss them, they didn't dare to disturb him further and stepped back a few paces.
Zhang Tian's purpose for this visit was mainly to see if he could find any decent jade pendants to craft into magical artifacts for his mother.
As for items from tombs, Zhang Tian hadn't considered them.
After all, those things weren't very auspicious.
Zhang Tian wanted to find something passed down through generations.
Looking at the surrounding vendors, Zhang Tian didn't find anything useful.
These people had lived here for decades, and the same vendors came every day. Zhang Tian could recognize them at a glance.
"Anyone new recently?"
Zhang Tian casually asked a boss.
"Young Master Zhang, you've come at just the right time. Head east, there's a newcomer over there. I heard he's from an ethnic minority!"
"A few days ago, the archaeology bureau bought some items from him. He doesn't look like a grave robber."
The boss helpfully reminded him.
Zhang Tian nodded slightly and then walked towards the east.
To the east, without Zhang Tian needing to search, a crowd had already gathered.
Whenever a new stall appeared, and experienced people confirmed it was likely genuine, it would attract a crowd.
After all, no one wanted to miss an opportunity for a bargain.
In the crowd, Zhang Tian clearly saw a middle-aged man sitting on the ground.
In front of him, various porcelain pieces and broken shards were laid out.
He didn't even have a piece of cloth to serve as his stall.
This indicated he had arrived in a hurry.
Judging by his attire, Zhang Tian preliminarily identified him as Miao.
"Hmm? From Nanyun? But why is he selling here?"
Zhang Tian was somewhat surprised to see this person.
After all, transportation wasn't developed back then.
Nanyun had a train station, but reaching it from a rural area was extremely difficult.
It involved crossing rivers, vast mountains, wetlands, venomous insects, and more.
The uncle in front of him didn't seem wealthy, so it was indeed not easy for him to have made it here.
"Excuse me."
Zhang Tian pushed through the crowd.
The person he pushed initially wanted to curse, but upon seeing Zhang Tian, they chose to step aside obediently.
Soon, a small path was cleared for Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian looked down.
Upon seeing the items laid out on the ground, Zhang Tian froze.
Especially a worm figurine that sent a shiver down Zhang Tian's spine.
At the same time, a description of the item appeared in Zhang Tian's mind!