Volume One, Chapter 82: Escort Mission for the Ancient Tomb Excavation

Because of this, Chi Xingwan made a trip to the high tower on Evernight Street and met with Xu Hengyang.

Xu Hengyang wore his usual smiling expression.
“The Spiritual Masters’ Exchange Conference is held every five years. It’s considered the grandest gathering in the world of the occult. As a top-tier spiritual master, you’re required to attend the opening ceremony.”
“There’s even an opening ceremony?” Chi Xingwan was stunned.
It did seem quite formal and grand.
Xu Hengyang, however, didn’t care much. “It’s really just for show. After all, the occult world is hidden underground, and there’s no video recording or live broadcast. At that time, the presidents of each country’s associations will take turns giving speeches, everyone will smile and exchange pleasantries, and that’s it.”
His tone shifted. “The real trouble begins after the opening ceremony.”
Chi Xingwan was all ears.
Xu Hengyang’s face fell, and he started complaining to Chi Xingwan at length.
It was nothing more than the weaker countries coming to take advantage, while the strong ones tried to overstep their bounds.
Chi Xingwan deeply felt that the position of president of the Spiritual Masters’ Association was not an enviable one.
Even as he complained, Xu Hengyang was observant enough to notice Chi Xingwan’s intention to leave, so he quickly returned to business.
“Consultant Chi, in fact, besides the Exchange Conference, there’s something else very important I wanted to discuss with you.”
Chi Xingwan straightened up. “Please go ahead.”
“A few days ago, an ancient tomb was discovered in Qinghu Province. Colleagues from Qinghu City went to investigate and found signs of grave robbers—there were robber tunnels, and even tomb raiders dead inside. Right now, that tomb is extremely dangerous.”
When she heard the name Qinghu Province, Chi Xingwan’s first thought was that this was Xu Mingyue’s hometown.
“It’s a tomb over a thousand years old. Since there are already robber tunnels and the tomb has been damaged, the Ministry of Antiquities wants to rescue as many artifacts as possible. But before that, we need to dispel the evil energy inside and protect the archaeologists.”
“There might even be a thousand-year-old vengeful spirit. This task is highly dangerous. I originally wanted to send Lu Ming, but after considering it, I felt it was too risky. So I want to assign this mission to you.”
Chi Xingwan accepted without hesitation. “No problem. Should I depart immediately?”
Xu Hengyang nodded. “Yes, the Ministry of Antiquities is already pressing us.”
After leaving Evernight Street, Chi Xingwan returned to the university to pack. The chemistry department’s exams were over, and Xu Mingyue and the others were also packing to return home.
Chi Xingwan did not tell Xu Mingyue that she was about to go to Qinghu Province.
Her mind was replaying Xu Hengyang’s words—he had said she could bring assistants.
Since becoming a spiritual master, Chi Xingwan had only ever had two assistants: Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng.
Chu Fangfei’s abilities were too weak, while Jin Feng was somewhat stronger. When Chi Xingwan first met him, he had just become a Beta-level spiritual master. After a period of seclusion recently, his strength had increased.

But even so, facing the possibility of a thousand-year-old vengeful ghost, he was still not up to the task.
After considering, Chi Xingwan contacted both assistants, explained the situation, and let them decide for themselves.
Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng agreed immediately.
Chu Fangfei was so excited, she ran to Chi Xingwan’s dormitory and dragged her out to dinner.
“Sis, thank you for giving us this opportunity,” Chu Fangfei said, her eyes disappearing into her smile.
Chi Xingwan reminded her, “This mission is very dangerous. I probably won’t let you two enter the tomb, but even if you stay above ground, there’s still risk.”
Chu Fangfei was unconcerned. “Sis, in our line of work, every mission is dangerous. If we’re afraid of everything, we’ll never improve.”
Chi Xingwan was taken aback.
Chu Fangfei was right. She had lived so long that she’d almost forgotten that she, too, had once loved adventure.
She smiled. “Alright, get ready quickly. We leave tonight.”
“No problem.” Chu Fangfei quickly finished her meal and hurried off to pack.
By evening, the three met at the airport.
After arriving in Qinghu Province, a local spiritual master greeted them at the airport.
Since time was short, the three got in the car, and only then did the local spiritual master introduce himself.
“My name is Xue Cheng, a spiritual master from Qinghu Province. I’m escorting the tomb excavation this time. Consultant Chi, fellow colleagues, I look forward to working with you.”
Chi Xingwan got straight to the point. “How long will it take to reach the destination?”
“Two hours. It’s quite remote.”
“Do you know the current situation?” Chi Xingwan asked.
They had reviewed the mission briefing on the plane, but since half a day had passed, she needed the latest information.
Xue Cheng replied, “Nothing major happened while I was on my way to the airport. The tomb has been sealed off, and we’ve set up temporary wards. For now, nothing inside can escape.”
That was good news.
Chi Xingwan leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes to rest.
Unknowingly, she fell asleep.
Bang!
Her head knocked against the window, jolting her awake with a sharp pain.

Chu Fangfei noticed she was awake. “Sis, are you alright? Does it hurt?”
Chi Xingwan shook her head, holding her forehead to indicate she was fine.
Then she realized they’d arrived at a desolate, wild area. The car was bouncing along a dirt road, which explained the rough ride.
At first, she thought Xue Cheng was a poor driver, but seeing Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng’s grim expressions, she realized otherwise.
So it wasn’t Xue Cheng’s driving—he was racing against time.
“What happened?” Chi Xingwan asked.
Jin Feng’s face was grave. “We just got word—two archaeologists snuck into the tomb without our permission, and now they’re missing.”
Chi Xingwan immediately sat upright. “Has anyone gone to search for them?”
Xue Cheng replied, “Some spiritual masters went down, but what’s inside is difficult to handle. They came back wounded, and the missing people weren’t found.”
Their chances were slim.
The phrase “a slim chance of survival” flashed through Chi Xingwan’s mind.
Vengeful ghosts don’t care about status—those tomb raiders died inside, and as for the archaeologists who went down unauthorized, their odds were just as poor.
But as long as the bodies hadn’t been found, anything was possible.
“Drive faster,” she urged.
Xue Cheng pressed his lips together. “This is as fast as we can go.”
Luckily, they were in the wilderness—had they been in the city, police cars would be chasing them by now.
After half an hour of urgent driving, they finally reached their destination.
Around the tomb, suffocating black mist had already condensed into a physical presence. Even an ordinary person would immediately notice how dark the area was.
Chi Xingwan got out of the car, took a few steps, and frowned.
The situation was far more serious than she had imagined.
“The wards here are far too weak. They must be reinforced and multiplied, or else the black mist will spread.”
Her words instantly caused the assembled spiritual masters to turn pale with shock.