Bottom Line

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Chapter 81 - Bottom Line

Xiao Yan, carrying Xiao Yi Xian on his back, followed her instructions and arrived at a hidden cave at the foot of the cliff. After landing, Xiao Yi Xian jumped down, and Xiao Yan half-knelt on the ground, his face already as red as could be.

Although he didn't actually wrap his arms around Xiao Yi Xian's waist, when she was lying on his back, her well-developed figure was clearly felt by him! Realizing the stirring in his heart, Xiao Yan dared not be distracted, not even to touch Xiao Yi Xian by accident. She continued to hang onto his back with her own strength.

So far, the only person who had ever done such intimate actions with him was Xiao Mei, but putting aside the fact that Xiao Yan saw Xiao Mei as his younger sister, her body hadn't fully developed, and it couldn't be compared to Xiao Yi Xian's. It wasn't until Xiao Yi Xian was on his back that Xiao Yan realized what a big mistake he had made. He should have just wrapped his arm around her waist!

(How embarrassing. What a shame.)

Looking at Xiao Yan's behavior, Yao Chen shook her head. This little bit of contact made him so shy. If we told others, they'd be embarrassed!

Xiao Yi Xian lit a torch and watched as Xiao Yan slowly stood up, still with a somewhat embarrassed expression on his face. Her eyes were filled with helplessness, and she didn't even have the intention to tease him.

This guy, has he never seen a woman before? He can't handle even this? Xiao Yi Xian lightly shrugged, then called out.

"Follow me."

Xiao Yan also shook his head lightly to calm the restlessness in his heart, got up, and followed Xiao Yi Xian into the cave.

They walked for about ten meters when a heavy stone door blocked their way. Before Xiao Yi Xian could speak, Xiao Yan, somewhat excited, pointed at the stone door and said,

"I know this, it will open if you press a certain mechanism, right?"

When he was a child, he had often listened to his family elders telling treasure hunting stories. The part he found most interesting was always finding the mechanisms.

"Of course, that's obvious. Why are you so excited about it?"

"…"

Xiao Yi Xian's words were like a bucket of cold water being poured over him, causing Xiao Yan's excitement to instantly dissipate. The innocent fantasies from his childhood seemed to vanish in an instant.

Xiao Yan personally understood what it meant to grow up.

(Yeah, I'm an adult now, it's time to mature as much as possible.)

Xiao Yan pressed his neck and quietly observed Xiao Yi Xian as she searched for the mechanism.

After a short moment, Xiao Yi Xian found a protruding rock at the side of the stone wall. Her face brightened, and she reached out to press it. The stone door in front of them gradually opened, revealing the inside to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

Countless gold coins, many valuable herbs, and three very conspicuous treasure chests.

"It's open! As expected of me!!!"

Xiao Yi Xian happily rushed inside, while Xiao Yan slowly followed behind, surveying the entire secret room.

"Hey~~~ So this is what a secret room looks like."

Xiao Yan exclaimed, and at that moment, Yao Chen's excited voice suddenly rang in his mind.

(Little Yan! It's the Ice Spirit Flame Grass!)

Ice Spirit Flame Grass?

Xiao Yan froze for a moment. He had heard Yao Chen mention it before. It was a rare herb essential for absorbing the Heavenly Flames, just like the Blood Lotus Essence.

Xiao Yan's gaze shifted to a particularly noticeable herb among the pile of materials—its red petals were like flames, while the stem and leaves were ice crystal-like. It was the Ice Spirit Flame Grass that Yao Chen had mentioned.

(In one day, you've encountered two rare herbs for absorbing Heavenly flame, you are really lucky!)

Just as Xiao Yan was happy about this, Yao Chen suddenly noticed something, and her voice turned serious. Xiao Yan also frowned and glanced toward the corner, his pupils suddenly shrinking.

There, sitting in a stone chair, was a skeleton, and beside it stood a stone tablet.

[The things here, all belong to my life's earnings. I only ask that the visitors take what they need peacefully, and do not disturb my quiet rest.]

Looking at the inscription on the stone tablet, Xiao Yan's last bit of joy disappeared completely.

This wasn't a treasure room; it was a tomb.

Sensing Xiao Yan's change in mood, Yao Chen hurriedly spoke to calm him down.

(Well… Little Yan, the inscription says as long as we don't disturb him, we can take what we need. Don't worry so much~)

Forget about the other things, that Ice Spirit Flame Grass is extremely valuable. You can't even buy it anywhere! I once risked my life for a whole month in the extreme cold lands to find just one! Yao Chen didn't want Xiao Yan to go through such hardship again!

However, once Xiao Yan had made up his mind, not even Yao Chen could easily sway him, especially when it came to matters concerning his principles.

No matter how precious the Ice Spirit Flame Grass was, since it belonged to the tomb's owner, Xiao Yan absolutely couldn't take it.

To take something without permission is theft, regardless of whether the owner is alive or dead.

If Xiao Yan were to break his principle just because the Ice Spirit Flame Grass was valuable, he was certain that he would do so again in the future.

Excuses can be made as easily as you like, but a person's bottom line is pushed further and further down over time.

Therefore, one mistake cannot be made, absolutely not.

A determined look appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes as he walked toward the skeleton, clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes to offer a sincere prayer. Then he walked toward the exit.

Just as Xiao Yi Xian took out the herb-gathering tools from her waist pouch, She noticed his actions and asked in confusion,

"Hey! Where are you going? Aren't you going to take anything?"

"You take it yourself. I'll wait for you outside."

Xiao Yan responded indifferently.

Although he wouldn't touch anything in the secret room, he wouldn't stop Xiao Yi Xian either.

If someone needed to follow the right path, it was enough for just himself. Xiao Yan would never force others to follow his way, which is why he felt a unique fondness for Yun Zhi's straightforwardness.

Feeling Xiao Yan's resolve, Yao Chen couldn't help but sigh deeply.

This kid is so stubborn. But it is exactly because of this that he possesses an uprightness like no one else. That's why I trust him so much.

Yao Chen thought, then quickly wiped away her dissatisfaction.

Forget it, forget it. If we think about it from another perspective, if someone were to break into my tomb for treasure after I died, I'd be upset too.

As Yao Chen was thinking, she suddenly noticed something, and her eyes widened in alarm as she shouted,

(Be careful behind you!)

"Xiao Yan! Watch out!!!"

?!

At the moment Yao Chen's voice fell, Xiao Yi Xian's anxious voice also came through. Xiao Yan felt something cold touch his shoulder. The lifeless sensation sent a chill down his spine. He quickly turned around and stepped back. When he saw what it was, his expression changed to one of shock.

It was the skeleton that had been sitting in the chair earlier! It was the owner of this tomb!

(What's going on? Is it still alive?!)

(No, it's definitely dead.) Yao Chen softly denied, explaining slowly. (It must have ingested some kind of poison before death, and after sensing the presence of living beings, it revived the bones.)

As Yao Chen spoke, her tone grew serious.

(Looks like this person really wants to protect his legacy.)

Upon hearing Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan's expression turned serious. He stood up straight, clasped his hands, and bowed to the skeleton.

"I apologize for disturbing your resting place without permission. I will leave with my companion now!"

After saying this, Xiao Yan prepared to bypass the skeleton and pull Xiao Yi Xian out. At the same time, his body was tense, constantly paying attention to the skeleton's movements.

His bow was a reflection of his principles, but Xiao Yan didn't believe the skeleton could still have consciousness.

According to Yao Chen, it wouldn't be surprising if the skeleton suddenly attacked him.

Therefore, vigilance was necessary.

If absolutely necessary… A flash of apology and resolve passed through Xiao Yan's eyes.

He would have to offend it.

(End of Chapter)

For every 100 power stones = 1 chapter

300 power stones = 5 chapter

500 power stones = 8 chapter