The Zu family lineage had already perished.
This was something Ling Feng had learned when he first became aware of the three major Corpse Gu families.
However, it was the first time Ling Feng received a detailed answer regarding the reason for the Zu family's demise.
Grave robbing, inhumane, utterly rampant!
Their destruction was only natural.
Yet, who could have imagined that the Shi family would now also have defectors, engaging in large-scale grave robbing…
His thoughts reaching this point, a cold glint suddenly flashed in Ling Feng's eyes.
"Could it be that the one controlling the lives of your Shi family defectors, this new Underworld King, is actually the now-perished Zu family from the three major Corpse Gu families?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Mengran nodded, her pretty face turning pale.
"I had this suspicion before, but the Zu family was supposed to have been wiped out completely back then. They haven't appeared for many years. How could they suddenly emerge now?"
Bai Yunyan, on the other hand, had a somber expression and snorted coldly, "Hmph, there will always be some fish that slip through the net!"
"The Zu family is like a dog that can't change its habits! They want to make a comeback this time, even daring to provoke the authority of the Witch God Hall. How could our Witch faction let them off!"
Shi Mengran shook her head. Bai Yunyan's speculation was what Shi Mengran least wanted to see.
Because, this meant that their response was already many steps behind. If it were indeed someone from the Zu family making a comeback, it would definitely have been meticulously planned for a long time!
It was no wonder the Shi family was so vulnerable against them.
And for the Zu family to attack the Shi family, one of their own Corpse Gu families, this itself represented an extraordinary significance.
The Zu family had completely lost their minds!
Ling Feng's expression grew even more chilling!
It had been quite some time since he arrived in Nanyun. He hadn't expected that the ultimate target of his search would be a clan that had long since perished.
Everything was a coincidence. Perhaps, if he had explained his intentions to Bai Yunyan in more detail at the time, he could have locked onto the Zu family lineage as the target much earlier!
"Regardless, we should be able to get our answers at the Corpse Snatching Convention this time!"
Shi Mengran gritted her teeth, placing all her hopes on this Corpse Snatching Convention!
With that said, Shi Mengran's gaze once again settled on the longevity box in her hand.
"Our Shi family has some ancestral teachings that only the inheritor can know. Unfortunately, in my generation, I am the only woman left. Father still told me the secret of this item. The contents within can grant our Zu family extremely powerful strength!"
"If I can open it, perhaps I can resolve this crisis for my clan!"
This was the Shi family's secret. The fact that Shi Mengran revealed it at this moment clearly indicated she was pushed to the brink. Her confidence in opening this item was practically zero!
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was thoughtful.
Ling Feng reached out his hand.
"Let me try. Perhaps I can open it."
Shi Mengran was taken aback, "Can you open it? Do you know the mechanism of this item?"
This time, Ling Feng did not speak, nor did he retract his hand. Whether to give Ling Feng a try depended on Shi Mengran's choice.
Shi Mengran looked deeply at Ling Feng, and finally made her decision. Biting her lower lip, she handed the item back to Ling Feng.
Everyone around also had expectant expressions.
This was the first time Ling Feng had formally examined the longevity box in his hand.
Immediately, Ling Feng closed his eyes. The entire box was completely sealed, with almost no gaps.
This craftsmanship could be called divine.
"I've seen this thing before. There are no external gaps. I even soaked it in water, and it didn't increase its weight at all!"
Shi Mengran said, biting her lower lip.
Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes and calmly explained, "The exterior is coated with a waterproof material, and moreover, this thing is completely sealed, so soaking it in water is useless!"
"Then can we burn it with fire?"
Lin Shuainan suddenly jumped out, enthusiastically offering a suggestion, "Since this thing is made of wood, it can definitely be burned, right!"
"No, what if the contents inside are burned?"
Shi Mengran earnestly stopped Lin Shuainan.
Others rolled their eyes helplessly. Only Lin Shuainan could come up with such a terrible idea.
"The mechanism is internal. It requires nano-level Gu worms to dismantle the mechanism, and only then can it be opened from the inside!"
Ling Feng's voice was very calm.
Just one sentence made everyone's eyes widen.
Shi Mengran's beautiful eyes lit up, but upon hearing that nano-level Gu worms were needed for these mechanical operations, her entire face dimmed.
She then gave a self-deprecating bitter smile and shook her head.
"Heh heh, now I understand why no one has been able to open it for so long!"
"Nano-level Gu worms, very few people in our Shi family can control them. Super nano-level, that's at least ten times more? These Gu worms are too small; even under a thousand-fold microscope, their true form might not be visible! This is simply impossible to achieve!"
The look of tragic despair that appeared on Shi Mengran's face made others feel very sympathetic.
Bai Yunyan also shook his head.
He murmured, "Perhaps, we can only seek guidance from the Hall Master of the Witch God Hall to open this thing!"
Shi Mengran shook her head even more helplessly, "This is impossible. The Witch God Hall's attitude towards our Corpse Gu families is very clear. Perhaps, apart from the Ba family, the Witch God Hall would want to kill us on sight when they see us, let alone help!"
Lin Shuainan then spread his hands.
"Doesn't this mean there's no hope at all? Tsk tsk, what treasure is inside this thing?"
The more curious they were, the more their hearts itched, and the more despairing it became.
While the others were discussing, Ling Feng's hands had already moved secretly.
*Crack, crack!*
Suddenly, the longevity box emitted a series of light sounds, and then the outer layer cracked open!
"How is this possible? You, you destroyed this thing?"
Shi Mengran's beautiful eyes widened. Her first thought was that Ling Feng had destroyed it using brute force.
The others were also extremely astonished!
If it were destruction, then it would be no different from burning it with fire, as Lin Shuainan had suggested earlier.
But Ling Feng looked calm and casually said, "I possess three types of super nano-level Gu worms. One of them is fire-attributed. I opened the mechanism, and the outer layer couldn't withstand the power of the Gu worms, which is why it cracked!"
Instantly, the surroundings fell into dead silence!
Shi Mengran stared at Ling Feng as if she had seen a ghost, then exclaimed with surprise and joy, "What did you say? You opened the mechanism?"
*Rustle!*
The outer layer of wood chips fell, revealing the inner layer!
Tan Chun clenched his fist, his face filled with excitement, "It's Emperor Black Jade! That's right, the mechanism is open!"