The rain had stopped, and experts and scholars from the capital and Xuan City were led by their guides into the mountains where the ancient tomb was discovered.
The mountain paths were still muddy, but the thought of the artifacts possibly being damaged by water prevented anyone in the team from complaining.
However, the group got lost in the mountains and did not reach the predetermined campsite on time.
Those at the campsite were very anxious, but for some reason, the signal in the mountains was extremely poor. It was possible that the landslide from the previous days had toppled the signal tower in the mountains, rendering the area completely without signal.
Meanwhile, the group lost in the mountains also began to notice something was amiss. At first, the guide assumed that the landslide had caused some landmarks to shift.
But as they walked further, things became increasingly unfamiliar. They had not found the intended location, and only then did they realize they might be lost.
Yet, they had been traversing this mountain for many years; they were very familiar with every blade of grass and every tree. How could they have gone astray? Moreover, this particular area felt utterly alien, as if they had never been there before.
The guide had already reported this to the leader, but the leader seemed unconcerned and simply told them to keep moving forward.
Seeing the leader's calm and composed demeanor, the guide suppressed his anxiety and continued to lead the entire team of experts forward.
The leader knew at this moment that some people from the Xuanmen sect must have intervened. After walking for a while longer, he instructed the guide to stop, allowing everyone to rest before continuing.
This situation should end soon. Since others had already made their move, it was time for them to present the grand gift they had prepared.
Before setting off, the leader had already informed the expert team that this expedition would not be peaceful, so they were mentally prepared when the guide mentioned they were lost.
The expert team rested calmly in the forest, while the military personnel protecting them distributed food and water from their backpacks.
Once these experts were trapped in the mountains, their adversaries felt they were no longer a threat.
Ordinary people are superstitious. Especially those involved in archaeology; if some supernatural phenomena or curses were created, they would surely abandon the expedition themselves.
They had prepared many things for these experts along the way. This "ghost hitting the wall" was merely the beginning; more tribulations awaited them further ahead.
They were certain to be frightened by these occurrences. It wasn't that they didn't want to kill anyone, but given how many people were now paying attention to this ancient tomb, if a death occurred, they would undoubtedly be hunted by the entire nation.
Although they were not afraid, this was a crucial period in their plan, and they absolutely could not let these events disrupt it.
However, they hadn't expected to be surrounded before they could deploy their other traps and formations.
At this point, if they still couldn't realize they had been caught in a trap, they were truly foolish.
Since many of them were powerful ghosts, Lin Yan had contacted the underworld.
"I hope this time they will be punished peacefully and the situation from last time doesn't repeat itself," Lin Yan's tone was somewhat sarcastic.
The ghost messengers opposite wore embarrassed expressions. If they were dealing with anyone else, they could afford to ignore them, but Lin Yan, a virtuous person with good karma, was different.
Moreover, what had happened last time was indeed their fault. Since then, the underworld had undergone a thorough purge.
They discovered that infiltration had reached the higher echelons of the underworld, with the intention of overthrowing the current regime and establishing a new one.
Therefore, they had their sights set on the ghost army composed of veteran souls that Changsun Changlin possessed.
Hearing the underworld messengers, Lin Yan didn't know what to say. Ambitious individuals have never been in short supply throughout history.
In the original novel, they should have succeeded. The male protagonist, Changsun Changlin, had wreaked havoc on the mortal world, yet no one from the underworld intervened. It was likely that these people had disguised themselves.
Furthermore, they had befriended the female protagonist at that time, making it even easier to leverage the army in the male protagonist's hands.
These people and ghosts were taken to the underworld for questioning, and the guide for the expert team quickly found their way, reaching the designated campsite an hour later.
The captured individuals were certainly not all of them. Now, they could only wait for the results of the underworld's interrogation.
Although Lin Yan possessed some truth-telling talismans, she believed they would be ineffective against such ghosts.
Seeing the expert team arrive at the ancient tomb, Lin Yan turned back.
The excavation would be broadcast on the news, and Lin Yan was certain that the arrogant male protagonist would not let her off the hook.
Indeed, Changsun Changlin was furious when he discovered that those incompetent fools had not only failed to bring Lin Yan to him but also couldn't prevent the mortals from entering his tomb.
He immediately contacted the person he had been communicating with, "What exactly did you do? Why did they still enter my mausoleum and touch my beloved possession!"
"Marquis Fengle, many of my companions have now been captured and taken to the underworld. Both the mortal and underworld realms have been alerted. I hope you can understand our predicament.
Let them excavate the mausoleum. It is merely worldly possessions. Once our great plan succeeds, you can build a better one." They could only rely on this Marquis Fengle now.
Although he couldn't use Yin energy, any one of his Xuan arts could greatly assist them, not to mention the ghost army he possessed.
Previously, they had followed his methods to cultivate ghost slaves. Although the time was short, the ghost slaves they cultivated were much more powerful than ordinary ferocious ghosts.
They were already on the run, so they couldn't afford to offend Changsun Changlin any further.
"Worldly possessions?" Changsun Changlin was so angered he laughed. Was this about possessions? This was about them trampling on his pride.
His mausoleum was being dug up, and he was expected to remain calm and let them excavate? He couldn't tolerate such a humiliating situation.
He realized that these people had high aspirations and lofty goals, but they were inexplicably incompetent.
Changsun Changlin hung up the phone. He felt he could no longer rely on them. Although he could no longer use Yin energy, he would resort to mortal means.
Changsun Changlin left the hotel that these people had rented for him. Although he had an idea, he didn't know where to go.
The sun was bright outside. He stood under a black umbrella, watching the crowds go by, unsure of which direction to walk.
"Handsome, are you interested in acting in a TV series?" a voice filled with surprise called out from behind him.