Before Zhang Chen could continue asking questions, Chen Xu had already explained to Zhang Chen: "What you saw, the mountain collapsing, the storm of thunder clouds, is actually just the power of the Feng Shui Grand Array. Someone destroyed a critical ’Array Eye’ in the Feng Shui Grand Array and took away the object that was suppressing it, causing that part of the Feng Shui Grand Array to collapse. As a result, the array leaked out, shattered the entire mountain, and disturbed the Power of Heaven and Earth, thereby triggering the thunder cloud storm."
Zhang Chen was taken aback upon hearing this and thought about the bead he had taken. He felt a bit speechless: "So that Twelfth Tier divine object was one of the key nodes suppressing the array? Was it the item at the node suppressing the array? Is it because I took away the divine object suppressing the array that all these consequences occurred?"
Zhang Chen slipped his hand into his sleeve and fiddled with the earthy yellow bead, a thoughtful look in his eyes, realizing that he was responsible for all this.
"Sir, we’re in big trouble now. The leak of the Feng Shui Grand Array and causing such a huge phenomenon is bound to alarm the Prince’s Mansion and the Inspection and Supervision Department. At that time, trying to snatch the treasure from the tiger’s mouth will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens. If you ask me, we’d better retreat quickly to avoid bringing disaster upon ourselves." Chen Xu looked at Zhang Chen tentatively. Having faced life and death, he was truly scared now and didn’t want to continue exploring.
This tomb involves mysterious power, which is beyond his reach. Even with a divine being by his side, could he contend with the Inspection and Supervision Department?
"Can you confirm the entrance to the tomb? Or find the location of the tomb’s main chamber?" Zhang Chen asked.
"The Feng Shui Grand Array is completely disordered, and the magnetic fields between Heaven and Earth are in chaos. I can’t distinguish the main chamber’s location unless the chaotic magnetic fields settle down, then maybe I could give it a try." Chen Xu replied.
Zhang Chen remained silent upon hearing this; the Empress Tomb’s sudden exposure was beyond his expectations.
But he was not afraid, for with the Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array, even if there were people stronger than him, he might still manage.
However, the only concern now was how many powerful figures would come and if blowing up the mountain now would only benefit others.
Zhang Chen watched the thunder clouds in the sky, those thunderbolts that connected Heaven and Earth, fearing that even a Yin God Strong Person would perish in an instant. The Feng Shui Grand Array laid down by the Ancient Divine People was truly tyrannical.
Looking at the Feng Shui Grand Array, Chen Xu’s eyes showed a hint of worry as he gazed at Zhang Chen.
Sometimes, people should avoid coveting things that don’t belong to them.
Zhang Chen sighed lightly: "It really is troublesome. It seems I have no other choice but to let go."
"Your Excellency, it’s very difficult to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth!" Chen Xu said.
"Do you think the Prince Pingbian’s Mansion and the Inspection and Supervision Department can find the location of the main chamber?" Zhang Chen asked the critical question: "Are there people in the Prince Pingbian’s Mansion or the Inspection and Supervision Department who understand Feng Shui techniques?"
"Of course there are, but those people are not even a fraction of my capabilities." Chen Xu’s voice was filled with pride.
Zhang Chen glanced at Chen Xu, unsure if the guy was bragging or if he was truly capable.
"I remember that when I first saw you, you seemed to be someone of status, right? How did you end up like this?" Zhang Chen voiced his doubts directly.
"The situation is stronger than the individual! I was careless, detected abnormal terrain here, and wanted to monopolize the creation of this place, so I didn’t look for help, and ended up capsizing in the gutter." Chen Xu said dejectedly.
Zhang Chen nodded and changed the topic: "As long as you can find the location of the main chamber, you’ll be rewarded. I have some tricks myself and might still profit from under the noses of the Inspection and Supervision Department and the Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. The Inspection and Supervision Department and the Prince Pingbian’s Mansion are sworn enemies, and there will inevitably be a struggle between them, which is our best opportunity to profit amid the chaos."
Chen Xu could only smile wryly and replied, "Alright, then this humble one will risk his life to accompany the gentleman."
"Thank you, sir. As long as you find the entrance to the main tomb chamber, the rest will be up to me." Zhang Chen saluted Chen Xu: "If there are treasures in the tomb, I am willing to split them with you. If there’s a mysterious existence within, I can also share it with you."
Zhang Chen needed a crucial opportunity leading directly to the main tomb chamber.
"Mysterious, indeed!" Chen Xu trembled, filled with excitement, and after contemplating for a while, he said: "I have a feeling that the place we were excavating before might directly reach the main tomb chamber."
"Are you sure?" Zhang Chen asked.
Chen Xu hesitated a bit and extended five fingers: "I’m fifty percent sure! It’s the result of my observations over the past few months. Besides that spot, I feel the others aren’t quite right. But that spot is all rocky, which doesn’t match my calculations, so now I’m starting to question my judgment."
"No, I think your judgment is correct!" Zhang Chen said, "Have you ever thought that the burial goods down here could be of a ’mysterious’ nature, and this isn’t an ordinary tomb, so it can’t be judged by ordinary logic? This is an Ancient Divine Demon Tomb, it couldn’t have been built by ordinary means, so the rocky layer you excavated might just be the tomb’s door? Maybe this tomb doesn’t even have an entrance?"
Chen Xu stood frozen, struck like by lightning.
"Let’s go back!" Zhang Chen said to Chen Xu.
The two hurried back, but halfway there, Chen Xu stumbled, almost falling into a deep pit in the mountains, for he was too hungry, his limbs weak, and breaking into a cold sweat.
Yet, despite this, Chen Xu’s expression remained resolute, forcing himself to his feet and continuing forward.
"No need to rush, it’s a long road up and down the mountain. Let’s fill our stomachs and continue later." Seeing Chen Xu’s exhausted state, Zhang Chen knew climbing was impossible without eating.
With two more hours of mountain road ahead, Chen Xu was unlikely to hold out, so Zhang Chen spoke to reassure him.
Chen Xu barely smiled: "Where could we find food in this desolate mountain and forest?"
Engaging his Beast Taming skill, Zhang Chen sensed there were indeed no animals nearby. The recent drought had driven or killed off many, leaving the mountain devoid of game.
"I’ll find some food. Wait for me here." Zhang Chen said.
"Thank you, Your Excellency. In the future, I will repay your great kindness." Chen Xu bowed to Zhang Chen in gratitude.
Zhang Chen smiled, patting Chen Xu’s shoulder, then headed into the mountains.
He wasn’t worried about Chen Xu running because no matter how fast Chen Xu was, he wouldn’t match Zhang Chen’s cloud-riding speed.
As he entered the forest, out of Chen Xu’s view, Zhang Chen transformed into a mist and moved far away.
The only food he could think of now was the Great Snake underground.
But just as he went halfway, transformed into mist, he saw hundreds of figures moving in the mountains from afar.
The leader was not much older, about fifteen or sixteen, in a scholar’s robe, pale-skinned and scholarly, looking affluent. Behind him were figures clad in iron armor, moving quickly despite the mountainous terrain.
"So fast?" Seeing them, Zhang Chen transformed into a stream and hid under the dead leaves.
Faintly, words came through the wind: "Young Master, who would have thought that your fortune had arrived? Coming to the Northern Land to observe the debates of Zhu Xun and Chen Sanliang, only to encounter the emergence of a mysterious power en route. You are surely blessed by destiny, and in the future, you will undoubtedly have a place in this world."