Yun Xiao, Shangguan Lin, and Zhi Qiu had just found their footing when they felt the ground beneath them loosen, as if stepping on cotton. Their faces immediately turned pale.
"Quick, there's a mechanism below!"
With that, Shangguan Lin leaped up, pulling Zhi Qiu with him. They both jumped, only to see the loose soil roll over. Where they had been standing moments before, the ground was now densely covered with spearheads, all pointing upwards, sending shivers down their spines.
The three of them hung suspended in mid-air. Meanwhile, Xiao Yao, Liu Xing, and the others were still battling the giant python. Yun Xiao had wanted to help, but dared not make any large movements due to her pregnancy, so she could only direct them verbally.
"One person distracts it, one person attacks its seven-inch mark, and one person attacks its eyes. Be quick."
As her words fell, three sharp swords simultaneously pierced with incredible speed. The giant python indeed fell for the trap, being struck at its seven-inch mark and its eyes. It writhed on the ground in pain, its tail thrashing wildly. Finally, it breathed its last.
The group breathed a sigh of relief and continued forward.
After a few steps, they encountered another trap. The road suddenly dropped downwards, startling everyone. They quickly retreated, only to see rustling sounds emanating from a dark, deep pit.
Yun Xiao used a torch to peer down and saw that the pit was filled with all sorts of poisonous snakes. If they had been a moment slower, everyone would have fallen into the pit.
Just looking at it sent a chill down her spine, and Yun Xiao's hair stood on end.
The pit spanned five to six meters in length and width. Yun Xiao summoned her lightness skill and leaped across, with several people following closely behind. They encountered many more mechanisms, but managed to overcome them all.
Finally, they crossed this hidden passage and reached the innermost area, which turned out to be a clear lake with water lilies. On the shore stood dozens of large and small chests. The walls were adorned with luminous pearls, illuminating the small cave as if it were daytime.
Yun Xiao took a glance and calmly walked over. After checking to ensure there were no further mechanisms, she instructed people to open them.
Instantly, a blinding radiance erupted. The opened chests revealed a dazzling array of treasures: pearls, jade, coral, agate, tortoise shell, ox horn, crystal, and amber – everything imaginable, overwhelming the senses. Everyone present was stunned.
As they recovered from their shock, over a dozen elite soldiers from behind Xiao Yao rushed forward. They haphazardly opened the remaining dozen chests, revealing gold, jade, and ancient artifacts, each item worth a fortune.
No one had anticipated such a treasure hoard. They all looked at Yun Xiao, wondering how this young master knew of these riches and what they should do next.
Some people present did not know that the person before them was the Empress.
Yun Xiao frowned. These treasures could only be known to the dozen or so people present. The two thousand soldiers outside must not learn of this, as it could lead to trouble. Who could resist the allure of wealth? Those present remained composed. Yun Xiao calmly looked at Shangguan Lin.
"Let's split up and take these jewels out. Remember, besides those present, no one outside must know. If anyone leaks the secret, there's only one word: death."
Yun Xiao's eyes were cold and sharp, a chilling glint falling upon her refined face.
Merely looking at her expression, everyone knew she meant business. No one dared to speak, not even Prince Shangguan. How could they, mere mortals, dare to utter a word?
Yun Xiao waved her hand, issuing a solemn command.
"Carry the jewels out. Return the way we came."
These were all top-tier experts. Two people carried one chest, exerting all their strength to move it. Yun Xiao and Zhi Qiu led the way, clearing the previously encountered mechanisms one by one.
By the time everyone had carried one batch of treasures out of the cave, darkness had fallen. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting shadows on the carriages. Those ambushing the surroundings approached, and Yun Xiao instructed people to move all the goods onto the carriages.
Since there were many more items, and in addition to the original group, Yun Xiao and Zhi Qiu also joined in carrying them. It took three trips to carry out all the treasures.
This place was not to be lingered in, for fear of being discovered by the Western Mountain Blood Bandits and having their escape route blocked. Therefore, Yun Xiao ordered them to immediately board the carriages, with the rest following behind.
Yun Xiao and Zhi Qiu shared a carriage, escorting the goods towards a canal not far from the Green Cloud Mountain Range.
The Green Cloud Mountain Range was not frightening during the day, but at night, it was terrifying. The group escorted the carriages towards the canal.
The canal was about a hundred li from their current location, but if they traveled through the forest, it was only about thirty li.
However, the mountain forest at night was home to many large beasts, and a single mistake could lead to their annihilation.
If they took the outer route, it would be near dawn by the time they arrived. With such a large group escorting so much cargo, it would surely alert the Blood Bandits. Not only would they be unable to deal with them, but the treasures would likely be stolen, as these people were skilled in underground activities.
The treasure was of paramount importance. Yun Xiao did not want to fail, so she ultimately decided to traverse the mountain forest.
Darkness enveloped the entire mountain forest, spreading like an unbounded, deep black, as if splashed with ink.
Shangguan Lin understood why Yun Xiao had made this decision and agreed with it. Zhi Qiu, pulled along by him, led the way.
Having spent years in the mountains, Zhi Qiu knew the dangers of their journey. He looked back at Yun Xiao.
"Sister, let those with high martial arts skills walk in mid-air and keep an eye on the surroundings."
"Alright."
Yun Xiao nodded and turned to select several of her subordinates, along with Xiao Yao and dozens of others.
She herself leaped, her posture elegant and otherworldly, as she led the way through the air. Behind her, several figures moved swiftly.
The deeper they went into the forest, the darker it became. A suffocating, chilling aura pervaded the air. The two thousand elite soldiers escorting the dozens of carriages were filled with trepidation. Many felt sweat on their palms as they forced themselves to press onward.
Zhi Qiu pointed the way guided by the hazy moonlight above.
The night was endlessly cold. Green eyes flickered intermittently in the woods. Because of the large group, the sounds of footsteps and carriage wheels were loud, deterring lone wild animals from acting rashly. However, they soon encountered a pack of large beasts.
Lions!
Dozens of lions, neatly lined up, blocked their path.
With bloody mouths and bared fangs, they roared, the sound shaking the trees and the earth.
Moonlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled shadows that made the beasts appear even more terrifying. Zhi Qiu immediately shouted, "Quick, light the torches!"
Numerous torches were swiftly lit. Lions, accustomed to living in the forest, feared fire. As the blazing torches illuminated the night, they retreated slightly.
Yun Xiao descended gracefully and stood with the group, who held their breath in anticipation. Although the lions had retreated, they had not gone far. They still dug their paws into the earth, their mouths agape, shaking their heads and roaring.
Yun Xiao's face was stern, preparing to order an attack. Just as the thought occurred, she heard screams from behind.
Xiao Yao's figure shot forward. Unexpectedly, a lion had circled around to attack the elite soldiers. Seeing someone being dragged away, Xiao Yao immediately directed his men to deal with the lions.
Zhi Qiu calmly said, "Sister, why not take down these lions? They can provide sustenance for a long journey."
"What do you mean?"
Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhi Qiu, whom she now trusted.
"Because there will definitely be more beasts ahead. The beasts in the forest attack humans out of hunger. If we kill these lions and take them with us, if we encounter larger wild animals, we can abandon the lions. That way, they will be full and will not attack us."
"Good."