Li Wenxing hesitated at Qian Jin’s words.
A treasure that fell from the heavens—if they ignored it, wouldn’t that be too much of a pity?
Even if this crystal coffin gave off an unsettling aura, it was worth taking the risk.
Just as Li Wenxing was wavering, a commotion of footsteps suddenly came from the distance, accompanied by the crisp clatter of armor.
“Who’s there?!” Li Wenxing spun around, hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his gaze fixed warily in the direction of the sound.
Qian Jin and the soldiers immediately shifted into defensive stances, eyes sharp.
A group of people quickly approached. At the front were none other than the Second Prince, Li Guanglong, and the Third Prince, Li Juntang.
Behind them marched several dozen elite soldiers, all stern-faced and heavily armed.
“Second Brother? Third Brother?”
Seeing who it was, Li Wenxing was slightly startled, surprise flashing across his face.
“Didn’t expect to find you here as well, Big Brother. What a coincidence,” Li Juntang said first, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
“We saw a golden light fall from the sky just now, so we followed it here. Didn’t expect Big Brother to move so quickly and arrive ahead of us,” Li Guanglong added.
Not long ago, he had crossed paths with Li Juntang. Now, Li Wenxing had appeared as well. It seemed that obtaining the Immortal Pill would not be easy.
“Second Brother, Third Brother—it seems fate has brought the three of us together here,” Li Wenxing said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
Judging from their expressions, they must have arrived on the island before him.
“Indeed. Perhaps this is destiny,” Li Juntang replied with an unchanged smile.
Li Guanglong’s eyes, however, had already shifted to the crystal coffin. Testing the waters, he asked, “Big Brother, this coffin fell from the sky—it’s certainly strange. What do you intend to do with it?”
Li Wenxing pondered for a moment before answering:
“I was debating whether or not to open it. The coffin is far too unusual; to force it open rashly might be dangerous. But if we abandon it, we may miss an important clue.”
Li Juntang said, “Big Brother is right. But since the three of us are here, why not make a decision together? I believe this coffin must hold something extraordinary. It may even be related to the Immortal Pill. Why not open it and see for ourselves?”
Li Guanglong nodded slightly in agreement.
“Third Brother is correct. Rather than stand here hesitating, better we uncover the truth ourselves. But for safety’s sake, we must take every precaution.”
The three quickly came to an agreement and began preparing their defenses.
Li Guanglong ordered his men to form a circle around the pit, shields and spears ready to respond to any sudden change.
Li Juntang drew several yellow talismans from his robes and handed them to his soldiers.
“If anything happens, slap these onto the coffin. They may suppress it.”
Li Wenxing told Qian Jin to distribute antidotes and healing pills to the men, in case the coffin contained poison or venomous creatures.
Qian Jin also sprinkled a special powder around the pit. “This is ghost-repelling powder. If there is anything evil, it may keep it at bay.”
When all preparations were complete, the three princes exchanged glances. In each other’s eyes, they saw both anticipation and vigilance.
Li Guanglong signaled to his two strongest soldiers. His voice was steady but firm:
“You two, go down. Carefully push open the coffin lid. Slowly. If anything unusual happens, stop immediately.”
The two soldiers obeyed, climbing down the pit wall to the crystal coffin. Taking a deep breath, they placed their hands on the lid and pushed gently.
With a faint “crack,” the coffin lid shifted open. A subtle fragrance wafted out—not the same as the flowers of the island, but carrying an ancient, mysterious quality.
The three princes held their breath, eyes fixed intently on the coffin’s interior.
When the lid was fully opened, everyone was stunned.
Inside lay the body of a man, preserved in perfect condition, as though he were only sleeping.
He wore a white robe embroidered with intricate patterns. His features were strikingly handsome, his skin pale and flawless as jade. Long eyelashes rested on his closed eyelids, his nose straight, lips thin. Even without life, he radiated a transcendent aura.
“Who… who is this? To keep a corpse so perfectly intact…” Li Juntang muttered, his voice trembling with shock.
Li Guanglong frowned deeply, confusion etched on his face. A veteran of countless battles, he had seen more corpses than he could count, but never one preserved so flawlessly—and never one so beautiful.
Li Wenxing’s eyes widened, his heart full of doubt.
This man’s attire and bearing were extraordinary, clearly no ordinary mortal. Why was he sealed in a crystal coffin, only to fall from the heavens onto Penglai Island?
Just as the three princes were consumed by questions, the corpse’s eyelids twitched.
Then, suddenly, the man’s long-closed eyes snapped open!
They were eyes as deep as the night sky, at first clouded with confusion from long slumber, but quickly sharpening—gazing coldly and intently at the three princes standing above the pit! - Marinien
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