Entering the factory gates, Ren Ping led Ye Tian into a white plastic shed. The shed appeared newly constructed, surrounded by a wire fence, and equipped with infrared cameras that would trigger an alarm even if a mouse approached.
On the inside of the shed's entrance, staff members provided Ren Ping and Ye Tian with isolation gowns. While dressing, Ye Tian asked curiously, "Old Ren, you haven't discovered an ancient virus, have you?"
Ren Ping chuckled, "It's much more interesting than a virus, something with significant research value. This place is temporarily under my jurisdiction, but a faction has already applied to take over, so I probably won't be in charge for many more days. I figured I'd bring you over to see something new."
Ye Tian stopped asking, knowing he would soon find out what it was.
Passing through a disinfection channel, Ye Tian discovered a group of archaeologists digging on the ground. A massive pit, one hundred meters long and eighty meters wide, had already been excavated, with the main tomb chamber unearthed. The most striking feature was a golden sarcophagus.
The archaeological team members were working meticulously.
Ren Ping smiled, "Everyone, it's getting late. Let's call it a day and resume work tomorrow."
The team, already familiar with him, greeted him with smiles and then dispersed. Soon, only Ren Ping, Ye Tian, and a few subordinates sitting in the distance remained in the vast plastic shed.
Ren Ping asked with a smile, "Brother, do you notice anything unusual here?"
Ye Tian's gaze swept across the area. The entire floor of the tomb was paved with green jade tiles, and the grout had been reinforced with waterproof material, keeping the tomb exceptionally dry. The golden coffin was inscribed with numerous inscriptions, which seemed different from known ancient scripts. They were rounded yet grand, possessing a unique aura, far more beautiful and artistic than modern writing.
He asked, "Have these inscriptions been studied?"
Ren Ping replied, "As expected of a Martial King, you've immediately grasped the key point. The inscriptions outside the golden coffin are the most important. Experts have already translated them. Take a look."
He retrieved a handwritten book, only a few thousand characters long, from a nearby workbox. Ye Tian took it and read. After just one page, his expression turned astonished.
The inscriptions revealed that the person buried in the golden coffin was a celestial being named Lu Wu. To save the local populace, Lu Wu single-handedly slew a monstrous creature. Although the creature died, Lu Wu was gravely wounded. The locals, unable to heal him, eventually buried him here.
Ren Ping exclaimed, "Surprised? It's a tomb of a celestial being!"
Ye Tian responded, "It's indeed quite shocking!"
Ren Ping inquired, "Brother, what level of celestial being is described here?"
Ye Tian pondered, "It's hard to say. Ordinary people don't understand the stages of cultivation. Even if someone like me appeared before them, they would likely perceive me as a celestial being." He paused, then added, "However, anything capable of slaying a monster certainly wouldn't be an ordinary cultivator."
Ren Ping stated, "The golden coffin is very peculiar. These archaeologists haven't been able to open it. Brother, do you have a way?"
Ye Tian replied, "I'll give it a try. But Old Ren, if there's anything I want inside, you'll have to turn a blind eye."
Ren Ping chuckled and agreed, "Alright."
Ye Tian approached the golden coffin, observing it for a moment before tapping it a few times. Finally, he struck the head of the coffin heavily. With a "click," it sounded as if a mechanism had been activated. He then pushed the lid backward, revealing a square opening.
Ye Tian leaped lightly into the coffin. By the light from outside, he saw an uncorrupted corpse lying within. The person's face was lifelike, dressed in linen clothes, with long arms and bound hair.
Ye Tian murmured, "Senior, I apologize for the intrusion."
His gaze swept over the contents, locating a jade gourd about ten centimeters tall and a leather bag, not much larger than a backpack. Both the jade and the leather were made of special materials and were remarkably well-preserved.
"Senior, I'm borrowing these," he said, then jumped out of the coffin and tied the leather bag around his waist.
Ren Ping asked curiously, "Brother, what's inside?"