Chapter 0229

Suddenly, Luo Yao lightly sniffed the faint trace of fragrance lingering in the air. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, yet carried an eerie undertone.

She instantly sensed something amiss, her brows furrowing slightly as an ominous premonition rose in her heart.

Just then, a bodyguard reported something unusual. "Miss, there were bird calls in the courtyard this morning."

"So she’s back. Interesting." A cold smirk curled at the corner of Luo Yao’s lips.

She knew those weren’t bird calls—they were the cries of an eagle.

And the owner of that eagle must be nearby, lurking in the shadows like a ghost, watching everything unfold.

Luo Yao decided to stay the night at the Luo Family Old Mansion. That evening, the mansion was unusually quiet—so quiet it felt unsettling.

Luo Yao lay in bed, her senses on high alert. The night passed without incident, until the next morning, when the piercing cry of an eagle shattered the silence.

The sound echoed through the air, almost like a taunt.

Without hesitation, she followed the sound, slipping into the mountains behind the mansion.

Luo Yao moved like a phantom through the dense forest, her footsteps light and soundless. She traced the eagle’s cries deeper into the woods, the foliage growing thicker around her. Thorns snagged her clothes, but she paid them no mind.

Nearly half an hour passed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, yet her gaze remained resolute.

The Luo Family Old Mansion was built against the mountain, and most believed it followed the principles of feng shui—nestled between the mountain and water, with a sturdy "backing."

The lush trees on the mountain seemed like a natural barrier erected by nature itself to shield the Luo family.

But only the direct descendants of the Luo family knew the mountain held their greatest secret: the so-called "treasure."

In Luo family lore, this treasure was shrouded in mystery, an enigma wrapped in legend. No one knew what it truly was—or even its exact location. It was like a forgotten corner of time, waiting for the right person to unveil its secrets.

As Luo Yao trekked deeper, she suddenly looked up.

Above her, the eagle circled, its massive wings casting a shadow under the sunlight.

"If you’re here, why not show yourself?" Luo Yao called out, her voice reverberating through the valley.

Suddenly, as if understanding her words, the eagle dove downward with astonishing speed—a black streak slicing through the air.

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes, her hand instinctively moving to the weapon at her waist. Her expression turned icy, ready to strike the creature down if necessary.

She crouched slightly, poised like a predator about to pounce.

But the eagle abruptly plunged into a mountain crevice.

Luo Yao’s sharp eyes followed its path, realization dawning. Below her feet lay a pool of stagnant water, dark and foreboding, exuding an air of mystery. Without hesitation, she leaped in.

The frigid water enveloped her, its cold biting into her bones as she sank deeper.

She glimpsed an underground spring, but the buoyancy was too strong. Like a helpless leaf, she was pushed back to the surface, gasping for air on the shore.

Her first attempt had failed. Frustration flickered in her eyes as she scanned the area, spotting a large, heavy rock nearby.

Without hesitation, she lifted it and jumped in again.

This time, the rock’s weight dragged her swiftly downward.

Ten minutes later, Luo Yao emerged into a place she had never seen before.

The walls were lined with crystal stones, refracting light into dazzling, dreamlike colors.

Sunlight streamed through cracks in the mountain above, casting golden rays across the ground like a gilded carpet.

No one would ever find this place without careful observation.

It was already November, and the chill from the water clung to her.

"So you’ve finally found this place," a voice suddenly broke the silence.

The words echoed through the cavern, carrying a weight of age and mystery.

Startled, Luo Yao looked up and met a pair of deep, fathomless eyes—eyes that seemed to hold countless secrets.

"How did you get here?" Luo Yao asked.

Before her stood a woman in her sixties, her gaze weathered by time.

She wore ancient-style robes, intricately patterned yet faded with age.

This was Luo Tangji—Luo Yao’s mentor and teacher, the last surviving guardian of the Luo family.

But with age, she had been cast aside by the family, left to teach in the wilderness.

She was like a relic of a forgotten era, guarding the old traditions and secrets alone.

"I stumbled upon it," Luo Tangji said, holding up a stone-like key.

It looked ordinary, but in this hidden realm, it seemed anything but.

"Pity. My dear brother only left this one behind." A flicker of regret passed through her eyes.

Luo Yao’s voice was guarded. "You came back just for the treasure?"

Her eyes darted to the key, suspicion gnawing at her.

Luo Tangji’s gaze burned with curiosity. "I’ve always wondered—what is it that our family has guarded for generations, yet no one has ever seen?"

Luo Yao’s attention shifted to a stone wall nearby. Though unremarkable, it seemed to pull at her.

"You’ve noticed it too? This is the Luo family’s dragon vein. But it won’t open without the second key." Luo Tangji’s voice softened. "Luo Yao, you’re my granddaughter and my disciple. Help me retrieve the key from your second uncle. Let’s see what’s inside, together."

Her tone was hopeful, but Luo Yao remained silent, her eyes locked onto the older woman.

Trust had never come easily to Luo Yao. In her harsh upbringing, it was a luxury she couldn’t afford—except with Lin Ran.

"Do you really think I’d agree?" Luo Yao finally said.

Luo Tangji smiled, confidence unwavering. "Oh, I know you will."