Chapter 2 Fortune

The stone door was opened, revealing the interior space. Li Long entered slowly, taking in the surroundings with great care. He was taken aback by the vastness of the room, which was even larger than the exterior suggested. Above the expansive area, fist-sized night pearls suddenly illuminated, casting a dazzling light that momentarily left Li Long in a state of astonishment.

As he regained his composure, Li Long's heartbeat quickened. The realization that he was the sole individual aware of this hidden treasure, and that everything within belonged to him, gradually calmed his racing heart.

Once he had steadied himself, Li Long began to assess the situation within the chamber.

At the center of the granite floor lay a circular jade pool, measuring five meters in diameter and half a meter in depth, encircled by a substantial piece of jade. The pool was filled with a milky white liquid, which, upon contact, was found to be over forty degrees Celsius. If utilized as a hot spring, it would undoubtedly provide a pleasurable bathing experience. However, Li Long was uncertain of the liquid's nature; if it were toxic, it would render the situation quite perilous.

Regardless, the presence of such an exquisite piece of jade to contain the liquid indicated that its value far exceeded that of jade typically used for storage.

After examining the jade pool, Li Long approached two additional stone chambers carved into the wall behind it. One of the larger chambers contained various daily utensils crafted from hard stone, as well as a stone bed. Notably, there was a treasure chest, measuring thirty centimeters, entirely made of jade.

Li Long lifted the chest, noting its weight of over twenty kilograms. Fortunately, due to his rigorous physical training, he found it manageable.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the chest lacked a lock but was sealed tightly. The lid bore subtle traces of slits, which were not easily discernible at first glance. Additionally, the chest was adorned with intricate designs.

After briefly admiring the treasure chest, Li Long placed it back on the stone bed. Taking a deep breath to quell his excitement, he grasped the lid with both hands and pushed upward. Contrary to his expectations, the chest opened effortlessly.

Inside, Li Long found an ancient book bound with thread, accompanied by a small dagger and a jade box the size of a fist.

He first examined the dagger, which bore two ancient characters on its hilt. Unfortunately, Li Long could not decipher them. As he wielded the dagger, a cold light flashed, sending a shiver down his spine. The dagger's black and blue body exuded an aura of invincibility. He tested its sharpness by effortlessly slicing through the corner of the stone bed, which yielded as easily as tofu, leaving a smooth, mirror-like surface.

Carefully sheathing the dagger, Li Long stored it away as a prized possession, feeling a surge of excitement at having acquired such a formidable weapon.

Next, he turned his attention to the small jade box, curious about its contents. However, upon closer inspection, he found no visible openings. This raised questions about whether the box was solid, despite its weight suggesting otherwise.

Determined to uncover its secrets, Li Long searched meticulously but found no means of access. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He retrieved the dagger, placed the jade box on the stone bed, and, with a swift motion, sliced into the corner of the box. A cold flash of light accompanied the action, confirming the dagger's indestructibility. As he gazed at the weapon, Li Long felt an overwhelming sense of admiration, akin to a connoisseur appreciating a rare beauty.

After carefully putting away the dagger, he examined the jade box, now with a cut-out section. To his surprise, the interior was empty. However, a wave of energy emanated from within, releasing a captivating aroma that made Li Long's mouth water.

Peering inside, he discovered a small golden pill, approximately the size of a fingernail, which shimmered with an ethereal light. As he extracted it, the fragrance intensified, leading him to believe it was a remarkable medicinal substance.

Yet, Li Long was unaware of its effects. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and he found himself in a state of confusion.

Upon regaining consciousness, he realized the golden pill was missing, though the lingering aroma in his mouth indicated that he had inadvertently consumed it. A wave of anxiety washed over him as he contemplated the potential consequences of his actions.

As he anxiously awaited the effects, an hour passed without any discomfort, allowing him to relax somewhat.

Resolving to set aside his concerns, he picked up the final item from the treasure chest—the thread-bound ancient book. Upon opening it, he found it filled with unfamiliar ancient characters, prompting him to close it and return it to the chest.

Initially, Li Long contemplated taking the treasure chest home, but he soon recognized that its current location was the most secure, free from the risk of discovery.

He exited the stone chamber and entered a smaller one, where he discovered a shelf carved into the wall, adorned with six or seven intact large boxes made of an unknown wood. Scattered across the granite floor were numerous jade boxes, similar in size to the one that had contained the golden pill. Unlike the previous box, these had openings sealed with wax, and ancient characters inscribed on the wall behind each box likely indicated their contents. 

Upon opening one of the jade boxes, he found ten soybean-sized pills emitting a potent medicinal aroma. Regrettably, Li Long could not decipher the inscriptions, which would have provided insight into their properties.

After careful consideration, he concluded that the remaining jade boxes likely contained similar pills. He decided against further exploration, fearing that he might inadvertently damage the contents. The precious jade boxes suggested the immense value of the pills within.

Li Long hoped that the ancient book would elucidate the nature of these medicines, but he acknowledged that he would need to rely on the internet for further understanding. With the internet's vast resources, he felt confident that he could eventually find answers. For now, he resolved to keep this treasure hidden, ensuring that it remained undiscovered.

Approaching the six or seven large boxes he had yet to examine, he opened one, and a brilliant golden light emanated from within, momentarily stealing his breath and quickening his heartbeat.

"Haha... I have struck gold!" Li Long exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy. The box contained an impressive assortment of gold ingots and bars, meticulously arranged.

As he opened all seven boxes, his excitement reached new heights. Two boxes were filled with gold bars, one with gold ingots, another with gold leaves, one with black pearls, one with gold coins, and the final box contained exquisite jewelry crafted from top-quality jade.

The discoveries of the day left Li Long in a state of exhilaration. The prospect of the wealth this treasure would bring filled him with a dizzying sense of anticipation.