Tomb Raiders: She Comes from the Ancient Martial Arts World

The nine-headed cypress cannot penetrate metal walls.

After confirming that the roots outside had left, Wu Xie opened the iron gate and led Ling Yue in the direction he and Wang Meng had agreed upon.

On the way, Wu Xie also introduced the Nine-Headed Hydra Cypress: "I once encountered it in a tomb. The powder made from Tianxin Stone can prevent it from attacking people. Since there is such a large Nine-Headed Hydra Cypress here as a defense, the people of the Gutongjing restoration project must have stored enough Tianxin Stone powder. Let's go find some later."

Ling Yue hummed in agreement, without eagerly inquiring about more information about Gutongjing.

He displayed an air of magnanimity, believing he would fulfill his promise first and then ask for the "final payment."

She seemed completely unconcerned that he might renege on his promise.

Seeing her like this, Wu Xie felt a little guilty and couldn't help but say a little more about Gutongjing: "The Gutongjing you're looking for should be the ancient city in the central area. It's very dangerous there. Zhang Dafoye once transported many stone tablets containing the secrets of Gutongjing there, and there are many things guarding it."

“Normally, the ancient city is just a dead city. Only when a gust of wind comes will Gutongjing be awakened. At that time, I will ask Lieutenant Zhang to take you there.”

This was agreed upon.

Thinking that he might no longer be around by then, Wu Xie felt a pang of sadness.

He once thought about these things and regretted not being able to pick up the deliveryman and take him home.

Now, he...

Taking advantage of the dim light, Wu Xie glanced back at Ling Yue, who was following beside him.

Feeling the sincerity Wu Xie had shown in advance, Ling Yue was willing to strengthen their cooperation. "Thank you. I will try my best to get out alive, after all, I promised to protect you."

Wu Xie glanced back at her and smiled wryly.

Seemingly having gained sufficient trust, Wu Xie did not conceal his familiarity with the area. He led Ling Yue without taking a detour and quickly found a cave covered by an iron plate.

After jumping down, you'll find a secret passage.

Inside, Wang Meng, who had been missing for a long time, was sitting on the ground waiting.

Seeing Wu Xie finally arrive, Wang Meng excitedly stood up: "Boss, you're finally here!"

After waiting for so long without the boss showing up as agreed, Wang Meng almost thought that the boss had been caught by the Hydra Cypress and taken back to be composted!

Upon seeing Ling Yue following her down, Wang Meng suddenly realized something.

Faced with the waiter's meaningful wink, Wu Xie awkwardly turned his head and coughed.

He secretly kicked him to stop him from thinking nonsense, then turned to Ling Yue and said, "There's still some time, let's rest for a bit."

Ling Yue was indeed exhausted, and the Hydra Cypress had caused her more than just superficial injuries to her waist.

Her internal organs and bones were also subjected to considerable pressure, and now she needs to use her internal energy to heal her injuries and recover as soon as possible.

At Wang Meng's exceptionally enthusiastic invitation, Ling Yue sat down on the only soft and clean cushion in the secret room.

Even Wu Xie, the boss, didn't receive this kind of treatment.

While carrying Ling Yue on his back, Wu Xie secretly glared at Wang Meng, meaning to tell him not to have any wild thoughts or do anything reckless.

However, Wang Meng smiled sheepishly, thinking that his boss was praising him for doing a good job, and smiled even more broadly.

Wuxie: "..."

I simply couldn’t see it!

While Ling Yue was meditating and resting, Wu Xie and Wang Meng discovered the secret passage.

About an hour later, Ling Yue woke up and found that the two of them had not returned.

After getting up and stretching his limbs, Ling Yue pushed open the partition and jumped out of the secret passage.

Just as I was about to go out and check the surroundings, I saw Wu Xie and Wang Meng return looking disheveled, having apparently done something.

Wu Xie, who was whispering with Wang Meng, caught a glimpse of Ling Yue, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his serious face.

His voice softened several degrees, revealing some of its former gentleness: "Awake? How are you feeling?"

Wang Meng secretly shook her head as she watched her boss's unconscious change. Even now, he still insisted he had no ulterior motives? She just couldn't believe it!

Ling Yue pretended to be blind and didn't see their commotion. "Thank goodness, what should we do next?"

Judging from Wu Xie's current state, Ling Yue believed he needed to rest.

Wu Xie was also a little tired, but he obviously had no intention of resting. Instead, he asked Wang Meng to bring out some food: "Someone has already followed us in. We need to clean up first."

Otherwise, if Li Cuo were to confront the Wang family as soon as he arrived, Wu Xie would be worried that something might happen to him.

All that's available here are compressed biscuits and water.

After eating a little something, as Wang Meng got up to tidy up, Wu Xie reached out and handed a piece of candy to Ling Yue.

Ling Yue's eyes flickered as she looked up at him, seemingly surprised, as if asking him: Is this for me?

Even if you send something with a hidden agenda, you might still pretend it's something ordinary and casual.

People who give gifts are always unable to resist the positive, straightforward, and timely feedback of the recipient's positive emotions.

He was just giving her a piece of candy, even though it was the last piece of candy in Wu Xie's pocket. He simply wanted to give it to her.

Seeing her rarely showing her emotions, Wu Xie couldn't help but feel an overwhelming joy.

Even though he hadn't eaten any candy, he still tasted a hint of sweetness at that moment.

Wu Xie pursed his lips, pressed down the corners of his mouth, and nodded at her.

Ling Yue then gave a faint smile.

Although the curve of her lips was not large, when she looked up, the deep, dark brown pool in her eyes seemed to ripple with spring waves for him.

As her slender fingers twirled the candy from his palm, the edge of her neatly manicured index finger briefly and lightly touched his dry, hot palm.

With a light touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, the movement is graceful and agile, yet the ripples spread out in concentric circles, lingering for a long time.

Wu Xie felt a little uncomfortable and quickly glanced at Ling Yue, who was already looking down and carefully unwrapping the candy.

Clearing his throat, Wu Xie stood up and instructed Wang Meng, "You rest downstairs and don't come out. If we haven't returned by the time Hei Ye and his men come down, then go ahead as planned."

Even after entering, he couldn't be entirely sure that the situation outside would be as they planned.

It's possible that the Wang family's reinforcements arrived too quickly, and Hei Xiazi brought Li Cu in ahead of time.

Besides luring the Wang family into a trap and making those in the Nine Gates eager to act, Wu Xie also needed to train Li Cu as soon as possible.

All of this was to ensure that Li Cu could survive as long as possible in the later plans.

Thinking about the dangers that Li Cu will face in the future, Wu Xie's mood was somewhat complicated and heavy.

Wang Meng could tell from her boss's expression that he was in a bad mood again, so she quickly nodded and said, "I understand, boss. Don't worry, I'll definitely get it done!"

Wu Xie patted him on the shoulder and gave his loyal companion a look full of gratitude and encouragement: Thank you for your unwavering support. I hope you live a long and peaceful life.

Wu Xie led the way as they walked through the passageways sealed with corrugated iron.

In the dim light, Ling Yue couldn't help but ask, "Why did you choose Li Cu?"

Was it a coincidence or an inevitability?

Wu Xie paused, shone his flashlight upwards, and said in a low voice, "This is his inescapable fate."

Wu Xie used to hate the concept of fate, whether it was the fate that his third uncle spoke of as belonging to the Nine Gates, or the fate that Xiao Ge, as the last patriarch of the Zhang family, had to bear.

But now, he gradually understands that fate is indeed predetermined.

As ordinary people, all they can do is struggle to find their own path in the face of fate.

He was determined to end all of this before the young man came out!

Ling Yue didn't speak. After a while, Wu Xie said, "Li Cu's father participated in the restoration project of Gutongjing. After the accident here in 48, he transferred to another secret organization to continue his research."

At first, Ling Yue didn't notice, but after subconsciously calculating the time, she was suddenly surprised to find: "This year is 2013, 65 years have passed since 1948. Even if Li Cu's father was only a few years old back then, he should be a seventy-year-old man now."

However, in Li Cu's description, his father was clearly still a middle-aged man in his forties!

Wu Xie chuckled briefly, his expression somewhat strange. He turned back to face Ling Yue, his gaze deep, his voice seemingly suppressing some obscure emotion: "Ling Yue, do you believe that humans can live forever?"

After a brief moment of surprise, Ling Yue seemed to be deep in thought.

So, is the Empress seeking immortality?