Ying Xuan trotted to Lin Zhan's side: "Boss, if you need anything, just say the word."
The others were stunned by Ying Xuan's antics. Jiang Zheng quietly asked Zhang Haoran, "Old Zhang, did you invite Li Lianying to possess him? Why has he turned into Eunuch Ying?"
"Get lost. I'm just expressing my respect for Boss Lin." Ying Xuan put on a different face for Jiang Zheng. Su Dan Novel Network
"Alright, Old Ying, just act normal. Take out the formation diagram, and let's have a good chat. Did the Ancestor King of Qin have any special instructions?"
Ying Xuan handed the formation diagram to Jiang Zheng. "Believe it or not, the ancestor really sent a message through my grandfather."
Hearing this, everyone looked at Ying Xuan seriously: "What did Ancestor King of Qin command?"
"The ancestor said to go ahead and do it boldly, as we'll be getting the lion's share anyway."
"Old Zhang, has Old Ying always been this cheeky?" The others looked at Ying Xuan with the gaze reserved for the intellectually challenged. Lin Zhan asked Zhang Haoran.
"He's not cheeky, he's just slow-witted, and has been since he was a child." Zhang Haoran said as if he didn't know him.
"Actually, he's not that slow. That sentence is quite useful," Jiang Zheng said after some thought.
Seeing their curious glances, Jiang Zheng continued, "Even Babulu can understand this. What do you think? We all know what our own ancestors are like, don't we?"
"If you were to leave something for your descendants, would you let outsiders take it? You'd rather destroy it than let outsiders benefit, right?"
"Think about what Ancestor King of Qin said. It means that without the bloodline of Huaxia, you can't open the center of the secret realm. Don't even talk about forcing your way in with brute force. I'm not looking down on those bird-like people, but if their King-level Archangels were here, it might be different."
"Moreover, which of our ancestors from the Dragon Rider clan didn't keep some Dragon Beasts? It's normal for those creatures to sleep for hundreds of years. If there are any Dragon Beasts still alive, what kind of existence would they be after so many years of accumulation?"
Hearing Jiang Zheng's words, everyone nodded in agreement.
"Military Advisor Jiang is still the smartest. How does your brain grow like that?" Ying Xuan chuckled.
"You're actually right. This silly dog Ying Xuan is indeed less intelligent than Babulu," Zhang Lingxiu said, holding Lin Zhan's hand.
"Alright, that's enough. Don't overthink it, and we can still be friends. Ying Xuan's slow-wittedness is a confirmed fact, so let's not discuss it further," Lin Zhan declared.
"Bai Zhanlong, Old Xiao, Old Leng, you three lead the way with Little Jin. The inheritance of the Dragon Rider clan has a bloodline attraction for Little Jin, so just follow Little Jin."
"Old Leng, have the Skylarks scout the valley for those three guys from the Roman Papal Court. Ying Daque and I will follow and prepare for direct combat. Zhao Haoran, you and your junior disciples will be in the center, ready to unleash lightning magic at any moment. Wife, you and Da Zhuang will keep an eye on Baldy and the others." Lin Zhan rearranged the team and continued their journey.
After the group had traveled for an hour, Lin Zhan received a telepathic message from Little Jin.
"Boss, we found bloodstains at the entrance of the valley. Come and see."
Lin Zhan hurried over and looked at the blood on the ground. "It's human blood."
"Old Leng, release the hounds and see if there's any more blood elsewhere."
As the others gradually arrived, Lin Zhan called out, "Zhang Haoran, Old Jiang, Old Xiao, come and take a look."
Xiao Hanyi looked at the blood in front of him and said, "Old Lin, this blood was stored and then poured out."
"If a person is injured, blood splatters or drips. This blood looks like it was poured out like water, and it doesn't smell fresh, but rather preserved," Xiao Hanyi, who was originally an assassin, was considered an authority on such matters.
"Old Zhang, under what circumstances would blood formations be used? I suspect this is the blood of Huaxia people. The Papal Court must have a method to enter the center of the secret realm," Jiang Zheng asked Zhang Haoran.
"Our Celestial Master Sect doesn't have such evil sorcery. However, I did hear our sect leader mention it once during a lecture. There's a secret technique called 'Bloodline Mimicry' developed by Western sorcerers. It can refine the purity of a bloodline and then cover one's own bloodline with the refined bloodline, allowing one to mimic the bloodline's aura for a short period."
"But this method is too evil and requires a large amount of fresh blood. Mimicking one person's bloodline requires the blood of over a hundred people. Judging by the current situation, the Papal Court must be using this method," Zhang Haoran told the group.
"Old Lin, there are two more spots with blood nearby, and they are the same as this one," Leng Shan said, returning with the hounds.
"These beasts! It seems these three spots of blood are all from our Huaxia compatriots, meaning at least 300 of our countrymen have perished."
"Let's go, into the valley. Blood debts must be repaid with blood," Lin Zhan led the Huaxia group into the valley.
Inside the valley, the trees were lush and the environment was tranquil. A small path led into the valley.
Following the path, the group arrived at an altar made of massive stones.
Circling the altar, they saw a huge tomb. The tombstone read: 'Tomb of General Yulong Yan, of the Huaxia Human Race.'
Lin Zhan and the others carefully examined the tombstone.
"Old Lin, there are words here. Come and see," Jiang Zheng said, pointing to a line of text on the side of the tombstone.
Lin Zhan read each word: "Those who enter the tomb without my human bloodline shall die. Without the bloodline of my Huaxia, my inheritance cannot be obtained."
"No wonder those bird-like people from the Papal Court are trying bloodline mimicry. It seems the higher echelons of the Papal Court know Huaxia quite well."
"Old Lin, the Saint Son of the Papal Court and his companions must have entered the tomb. We should go in too," Zhang Haoran said, looking at the formation barrier in front of the tomb.
"Then let's go in. Be prepared for close combat. Bai Zhanlong and Old Xiao, this is your chance to use your specialties. Leng Shan, let the dogs loose. We'll follow the scent first."
"Listen to Old Lin. Zhanlong and Old Xiao, you can act freely once you're inside. The rest of us should first find those three bird-like individuals, the Saint Son. Don't worry about the inheritance for now," Ying Xuan added.
"Let's go," Lin Zhan took the lead, with Little Jin and Leng Shan at the front of the team, entering the tomb.
After passing through the barrier, Bai Zhanlong and Xiao Hanyi nodded at Lin Zhan and the others and disappeared into the darkness.
"Before, only Old Xiao was so elusive. Now there's another one. Heh heh, if we're going to ambush someone, it's double the fun," He Dazhuang chuckled, watching the two disappear.
Leng Shan also released his hounds, which sniffed around, searching for traces.
Deep within the tomb, two large black figures opened their eyes: "Big brother, someone else has entered. This time, it's one of our Huaxia little ones, not like those three imposters from before."
"Hmm, interesting. Let these little ones train first."
"Oh, and there's a little one from our dragon race. His bloodline has reverted to its ancestral state, very good."