Chapter 1796: Tomb Within a Tomb

Qiu Honglei and Jing Teng instinctively stood by Zu An's side, cautiously preventing Zhao Hao from making a sudden move.

Zhao Hao narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Zu An for a moment before smiling. "How could I covet a junior's possessions? Besides, we are allies."

Though the Soul-Burning Fire Crystal was extremely precious, it wasn't essential at the moment. For Zhao Hao, everything else could be set aside in the face of the immortal opportunity.

Zu An also smiled. "Your Majesty is truly magnanimous..."

After a series of compliments, Zhao Hao's expression visibly softened. He looked at Jing Teng. "Miss Jing, how much further is it to the place you mentioned?"

"Not far now," Jing Teng replied, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, deep in thought.

"Then let's hurry," Zhao Hao said, looking ahead. "It would be troublesome if the Ghost King got there first." The previously boiling, scorching magma had now largely solidified, turning into dark, black rocks. Although many still emitted smoke, traversing them was no difficult feat for those present, given their cultivation levels.

Only Jing Teng found herself in a predicament; her strength hadn't recovered, so she couldn't fly.

Zu An offered proactively, "I'll help you across."

Jing Teng's face flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Yes, thank you."

Qiu Honglei raised an eyebrow, squeezing between them. "Let me do it, it'll be more convenient."

Zu An shook his head, not yielding. "It'll be strenuous for you to carry someone. It's better to conserve your energy as much as possible. I'll do it."

Without waiting for her reaction, he immediately wrapped one arm around Jing Teng's waist and held her hand with the other, flying towards the other side.

Qiu Honglei: "???"

It felt as if he was being intimate with another woman right in front of her!

She wanted to get angry, but quickly calmed down. Although Zu An had a weakness for women, he would never act so impatiently. He must have a reason for doing this.

Even though she had some idea why, seeing Jing Teng intimately nestled in her lover's arms still ignited a surge of jealousy within her.

Does that woman have no backbone?

Rage points from Qiu Honglei: 288288288...

Seeing Qiu Honglei almost bursting with anger, Zhao Hao suddenly felt a surge of secret satisfaction. Young people were just that—young. Everyone wanted to have multiple partners, but it was never that easy.

Even when he was emperor, the women in his harem fought fiercely for favor. On the surface, they appeared delicate and weak, but in reality, each was more ruthless and venomous than the last. This young man would have plenty of hardship to face in the future.

To Qiu Honglei's relief, once they had flown over the magma field, the two naturally let go of each other.

The path ahead seemed to grow exceptionally complex, with forks everywhere, like a maze.

However, Jing Teng seemed to know the way, walking slowly ahead without a hint of hesitation at any of the forks.

Qiu Honglei wondered if Jing Teng had recovered her memories.

But knowing she wouldn't answer if asked, Qiu Honglei suppressed her doubts.

She approached Zu An's side. Although still a little annoyed with him, there were more important matters at hand. She secretly transmitted her voice: "A'Zu, how will we deal with the Emperor later?"

Though they spoke of cooperation, everyone knew that once the Ghost King was dealt with, it would be time for them to turn on each other.

At that point, Zhao Hao would have the absolute advantage, and they would be powerless to resist.

Moreover, it was possible that Zhao Hao would betray them even while fighting the Ghost King. After all, Zhao Hao had just thrown Xuan Bajing and Li Changsheng to the Ghost King for his own survival. They certainly didn't want to repeat that mistake.

Zu An gently patted her hand. "Don't worry, I have a plan."

Qiu Honglei was somewhat puzzled by his confidence, wondering what method he had that allowed him to remain so calm. But with Zhao Hao nearby, she couldn't press for details.

Zhao Hao smiled, seemingly having overheard their conversation but choosing not to expose them. Instead, he spoke, "Miss Jing, how many more monsters like the Lava Demon were there in this great tomb?"

"I don't know the exact number, only that there are many monsters in this great tomb," Jing Teng paused, then continued, "Whether it was the Lava Demon or the Death Reaper we just encountered, they weren't even among the strongest in this great tomb. Many terrifying entities are sealed deep within, and even the Immortal Sovereign was wary of them back then."

Zhao Hao was startled. He hadn't expected a creature like the Lava Demon to be considered weak in the great tomb, especially since it could already pose a threat to him. Did that mean he might not even be able to defeat the monsters deep within the tomb?

How could that be!

Zu An asked, puzzled, "Does this great tomb have many layers?"

Jing Teng nodded. "That's right. This great tomb appears vast and magnificent from the outside, but its internal space is far larger than it seems, perhaps even connected to certain special dimensions. Back then, the Immortal Sovereign only explored the uppermost few layers. He considered the deeper parts too dangerous. Later, some events transpired, and the Immortal Sovereign no longer had time to continue his exploration."

The others were greatly astonished. The Immortal Sovereign Baopu was a widely recognized immortal in this world. For such a revered immortal to be wary of the things deep within this great tomb—what exactly was this great tomb?

Zhao Hao secretly rejoiced, realizing that allying with them this time was indeed the right decision. Otherwise, blindly venturing into an unknown place like this could lead to significant losses.

At the same time, he grew even more excited. This great tomb was so mysterious and powerful; it seemed the immortal opportunity was truly real.

Next, Jing Teng led them to a winding staircase that descended downwards. They clearly felt they had dropped a considerable distance. Recalling her mention of the great tomb having many layers, they wondered which layer they were currently on.

Along the way, whether due to luck or her guidance, they didn't encounter any more monsters.

At first, Jing Teng would answer their questions, but as they went deeper, she seemed preoccupied. When the others questioned her, she acted as if she hadn't heard, no longer responding.

Zu An couldn't help but tug her hand. "What's wrong? You seem a little off."

"It's nothing," Jing Teng said, her face pale, forcing a smile. "We're almost there."

Just then, they noticed a downward-sloping passage directly ahead. Zhao Hao's heart stirred. "A tomb passage!"

As an emperor, and one whose lifespan was nearing its end, he naturally had established regulations for building his imperial mausoleum, making him particularly sensitive to such burial sites.

He hadn't expected this place, already a great tomb, to contain a tomb within a tomb.

"The Immortal Sovereign's remains are inside," Jing Teng said, pointing downwards. The others vaguely saw a bronze door there.

Zhao Hao was overjoyed and was about to rush forward, but ultimately he stopped himself.

Since the other party was an immortal, it was impossible for them not to have left behind contingencies. It was safer to stay close to Jing Teng.

He wondered what her relationship with the Immortal Sovereign was; she seemed to know far too much.

Jing Teng didn't need prompting; she walked straight into the depths of the tomb passage.

Zu An asked with some concern, "Didn't you come into this great tomb to find your true body? Should we look for it first? Where is it?"

Jing Teng shook her head. "It's fine. Let's find the restriction that can counter the Ghost King first."

Zu An temporarily suppressed his doubts, cautiously guarding his surroundings.

By common sense, such tomb passages often concealed deadly mechanisms, especially an immortal's tomb.

However, unexpectedly, there were no mechanisms along the way, and they soon arrived before the bronze door.

Zhao Hao carefully examined the bronze door. He had intended to deduce information from its design and patterns, but the door was remarkably plain, without any carvings or patterns, appearing just like an ordinary copper door.

Jing Teng stood before the door, raising her hand to push it, but paused in mid-air, her expression seemingly complex.

Qiu Honglei warned, "Be careful, there might be a restriction on this door."

Although this woman was seducing her man right in front of her, these were internal matters. At this moment, she was crucial to everyone's safety, and no accident could be allowed to befall her.

Jing Teng shook her head slightly and pushed the door open.

A grinding, creaking sound echoed as the heavy bronze door slowly opened.

Zu An and the others were puzzled. Why would Immortal Sovereign Baopu not close the door to his own tomb?

Zhao Hao also heightened his vigilance, believing that something abnormal indicated a supernatural presence.

Jing Teng, however, walked straight inside as if completely unaware of any danger.

The others had no choice but to tense their bodies and follow her in.

Inside was an empty space. The great tomb was inherently dark, but here, soft starlight cascaded down from above.

"A'Zu, look!" Qiu Honglei, being most sensitive to light, pointed upwards.

Zu An looked up and couldn't help but be stunned.

Above them was not a dark ceiling or murals, but a sky full of stars. They could faintly discern some special constellations, seemingly led by the Four Great Constellations: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, with other stars clustered around them.

These Four Great Constellations together guarded the very center, where the brightest star shone.

Directly beneath this star stood a massive bronze sarcophagus.