Chapter 34

📖 CHAPTER 34: PANDORA'S CHEST

The moment Gu Qingyan touched the lock, an invisible force surged through her fingers, cold and sharp like a blade slicing through her skin.

She withdrew her hand instantly, her silver eyes narrowing.

Not an ordinary seal.

Xiao Yue gasped, stepping back in alarm. "Miss! Are you alright?"

Gu Qingyan flexed her fingers, feeling the lingering chill creep through her veins. This wasn't just a lock—it was a barrier of some kind. A seal meant to keep whatever was inside contained.

Her mind spun. Who placed this here? Her father? Her ancestors? Or… someone else entirely?

Her system's voice chimed in her head, unexpectedly breaking the silence.

[⚠️ SYSTEM ALERT: Unknown seal detected. Attempting analysis…]

Gu Qingyan's eyes flickered. "System, what can you tell me about this?"

[Analyzing…]

A tense pause.

Then—

[Seal Type: Ancient Forbidden Binding]

[Origin: Classified]

[Status: Extremely Dangerous]

[Recommendation: DO NOT OPEN]

Gu Qingyan's breath stilled.

Ancient Forbidden Binding? Classified origin?

The system had never refused to reveal information before. This was new. And unsettling.

Xiao Yue shifted nervously. "Miss… should we really open it?"

Gu Qingyan's lips curled into a dangerous smile.

If someone didn't want her to open it, then she had to know what was inside.

She exhaled slowly and steadied her thoughts. "System, can you override the seal?"

[Error. Insufficient authority detected.]

A rare frown crossed Gu Qingyan's face. Insufficient authority?

She had always assumed the system was all-powerful, but now it seemed even it had limits.

Which meant…

Someone even stronger had placed this seal.

That realization sent a thrill of unease through her.

Then, another notification flashed before her.

[⚠️ WARNING: Unsealing the chest may trigger unknown consequences.]

Gu Qingyan's fingers hesitated over the lock.

Unknown consequences?

She smirked. "Then let's find out."

A sharp flick of her wrist, and she channeled her energy into the lock. If force wouldn't work, then she would try something else—her blood.

She bit her fingertip and let a single drop land on the intricate carvings.

A soft hum echoed through the chamber.

The lock trembled.

Then—

A deafening crack.

The chest flew open.

A blast of dark energy surged out, sweeping through the chamber like a violent storm.

Xiao Yue screamed as the lanterns flickered wildly, casting monstrous shadows on the walls.

Gu Qingyan didn't flinch.

Her gaze locked onto the contents of the chest.

Inside, nestled within layers of black silk, was an ancient jade pendant.

But it wasn't the pendant itself that sent chills through her.

It was the symbol engraved on it.

A mark she had seen before.

A mark belonging to—

Her thoughts stopped.

No.

This was impossible.

Xiao Yue's voice was a whisper. "Miss… isn't that the royal family's crest?"

Gu Qingyan's blood turned cold.

Yes.

This was the lost insignia of the Imperial Bloodline.

The one that had vanished decades ago.

The one that, if discovered, could shake the empire itself.

Her fingers curled around the pendant.

And then—

A voice echoed from the darkness behind her.

"You shouldn't have done that."

Gu Qingyan spun around, her silver eyes gleaming.

A man stepped forward, cloaked in shadows, his face hidden beneath a mask.

But those eyes…

She knew those golden eyes.

Her pulse quickened.

The Crown Prince.

Feng Yusheng.