Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

The rain stopped the next day.

The sky was a pale, washed-out blue, and the air smelled of earth and grass. Water droplets still clung to the leaves of the trees in the yard.

When Zhang Qiling came downstairs, Aunt Chen had already prepared breakfast: millet porridge, scallion pancakes, and several side dishes. The others also came down one after another.

When Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu sat down, they held several printed sheets of paper with dense text and hand-drawn sketches on them.

"A new discovery?" Wu Xie asked, serving Xie Yuchen a bowl of porridge.

"Hmm," Xie Yuchen spread the paper on the table, "I talked to some old friends on the phone last night and did some research. I've made some progress on the node in Wang Zanghai's star map algorithm that points to the Qinling Mountains."

"Qinling Mountains?" Fatty Wang mumbled, taking a bite of a scallion pancake. "Didn't we go there? The tomb with the puppet?"

"That's the edge," Xie Yuchen said, pointing to an area marked with a red circle on the paper. "This time, I'm referring to a place deep in the Qinling Mountains, an older, more... dangerous place. Some very old local hunters have a legend that calls that area 'the territory of the Tree Ancestors.'"

"The ancestor of trees?" Jiang Xun Gu asked curiously.

"Yes," Huo Xiuxiu continued, "Legend has it that deep in the Qinling Mountains there is a giant tree that has lived for countless years. Its trunk is bronze in color, and it cannot be cut with a knife or burned by fire. Its canopy blocks out the sky, and its roots can reach the underworld. Some people say that they have heard strange noises and seen shadows down there, and very few people who go in come out."

"A bronze-colored tree?" Wu Xie frowned. "Is this related to Wang Zanghai's star map nodes?"

"Very likely," Xie Yuchen nodded. "The data mentions that the area has an abnormal magnetic field and a unique geological structure, and has been marked as an 'earth eye' or 'spiritual pivot' by feng shui masters from different dynasties throughout history. Wang Zanghai's calculations also show that it is a key 'stabilizing anchor point.' Moreover..."

He paused, then looked at Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling".

The two had finished eating and were listening quietly. Seeing Jian Yuchen look over, Zhang Qiling raised his eyes and asked, "And what?"

"Moreover, there are scattered records that mention that the place may be related to the tradition of 'gatekeeper'," Xie Yuchen said. "There is an extremely ancient folk song that says something like 'copper for bones, blood for guidance, trees reaching to the sky, and people guarding the gate.' Although the details are vague, the words 'copper,' 'tree,' and 'gatekeeper' match the clues we currently have."

Zhang Qiling looked at Zhang Qiling. Zhang Qiling was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'm going."

"Hmm." Zhang Qiling nodded.

"Then it's settled," Xie Yuchen said, putting away the paper. "The Qinling Sacred Tree. We need to be fully prepared. It's deep in a primeval forest, with a complex environment and potential unknown dangers. Equipment, supplies, routes, and contingency plans all need to be carefully planned."

"I'll go this time," Hei Xiazi raised his hand. "I didn't make it to the bottom of the Xisha Islands last time, so I'll make up for it this time."

"I'll go too," said Aning. "I'm familiar with the forest environment."

"You have to take me with you!" Fatty Wang patted his chest. "I'm quite skilled now, it'll be a good opportunity to test my training results!"

"Is that the result of your training?" Wu Xie pushed up his glasses. "It's more like the result of gaining weight, isn't it?"

"Hey! Naïve, you want a beating, don't you?"

"Everyone go," Xie Yuchen smiled. "We might need more people this time. I'll contact them and see if I can find a guide who's familiar with that old forest. Jiang Xungu, you come too."

"Understood!" Jiang Xun Gu replied with a smile.

After the meal, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu began to compile a detailed equipment list. A Ning and Jiang Xungu went to inventory the existing supplies. Hei Xiazi studied the topographical map and climate data of the Qinling Mountains area.

Wang Pangzi was pulled by Wu Xie to spread out a huge map of China on the living room floor and circle the approximate area of ​​the Qinling Mountains with a red pen.

"This mountain range is so vast, where are we supposed to find that magical tree?" The fat man looked at the outline of the continuous mountain range on the map and felt a little scared.

"We have approximate coordinates," Wu Xie pointed to the red circle on Xie Yuchen's paper, "which, combined with satellite images and geological data, can narrow down the area. But once we get into the mountains, we'll probably have to rely on the guide and the guys' skills."

"Absolutely!" The fat man had blind faith in Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling".

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" returned to the study on the third floor. Xie Yuchen placed all the relevant documents on the desk. The two carefully examined them one by one.

There are fragments of notes from a geological exploration team during the Republic of China era, which vaguely mention "a huge metallic plant, neither metal nor wood".

There are even earlier fragments of local chronicles that record that "mountain dwellers saw a towering copper tree that shone at night, but those who approached it became lost, and many never returned."

Several blurry satellite thermal images show that the area experiences unusual and irregular heat dissipation at night during certain seasons, with a shape vaguely resembling a large, leafy tree.

"It's not a tree," Zhang Qiling said suddenly, looking at the descriptions.

"Hmm," Zhang Qiling pointed to the words "metallic," "copper-colored," and "neither metal nor wood," "it's something else."

"A mechanism?" Zhang Qiling guessed.

"Perhaps." Zhang Qiling flipped to the song that mentioned "copper for bones, blood for the catalyst," "Blood catalyst...human sacrifice?"

Zhang Qiling's eyes darkened. If something requires a human sacrifice to trigger or maintain, it's definitely not an auspicious omen.

After reviewing the materials, the two gained a clearer understanding of their objective and became more vigilant.

In the afternoon, there was news about the guide Xie Yuchen had contacted. He was an old hunter in his sixties, surnamed Qin, whose ancestors had lived at the foot of the Qinling Mountains for generations. He knew the deep mountains and forests like the backyard of his own home. However, he had a bit of an odd temper, didn't like to talk, asked for high prices, and insisted on meeting the person first.

"We've arranged to meet tomorrow at noon in the town at the foot of the mountain," Xie Yuchen said. "Hei Xiazi, Jiang Xungu, you two come with me. The rest of you, continue with the preparations."

"Okay." Black Bear nodded.

By evening, the equipment list was roughly completed. In addition to the usual mountaineering, camping, and adventure gear, special items were added to deal with metal structures, strong magnetic fields, and potential mental interference, such as high-power electromagnetic shielding cloth, a special compass, anti-interference communication devices, and a large quantity of first-aid medicines.

"We might be staying in the mountains for quite some time this time," Xie Yuchen said, looking at the long list. "Supplies should be prepared for half a month. Vehicles and pack animals also need to be arranged."

“Leave it to me,” Aning said. “I have connections to get durable mountain bikes and mules.”

Everything was proceeding smoothly. A subtle mix of excitement and tension, like the anticipation of battle, permeated the villa.

During dinner, Fatty Wang, unusually, didn't argue much. While shoveling rice into his mouth, he muttered, "A bronze tree...it sounds creepy. Do you guys think that thing might have been left behind by aliens?"

"Maybe it's a prehistoric civilization," Wu Xie speculated, "or... a giant creature we can't understand?"

"Who cares what it is?" Black Bear picked up a piece of braised pork. "We'll find out when we go down and take a look. Anyway, with Zhang Men the mute around, even if the sky falls, the tall guys will hold it up."

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" ate quietly without saying a word. But they exchanged a glance for a moment and both understood what the other was thinking.

This trip won't be easy.

After dinner, Zhang Qiling returned to his room. He opened the bedside drawer and took out the levitating live-streaming sphere that had been locked up for several days. The black sphere lay quietly in his palm, its indicator light off.

He hesitated for a moment.

This thing is a fragile link between the identity of "Xie Linyuan" and the authorities, and also a troublesome surveillance device. But in a way, it is also a testament to his "playing" of Zhang Qiling.

I put it away before because it was too noisy, and also because I wanted to live a normal life for a few days.

Now, normal days are over. It's time to go back to the fields.

He pressed a tiny button on the bottom of the sphere. The indicator light flashed a few times before turning a steady green. The sphere emitted a soft hum, rose from his palm, and hovered in front of him.

The camera was pointed at him, and a red light flashed.

Zhang Qiling looked at it, his face expressionless. After a few seconds, he stretched out his finger and quickly tapped a certain spot on the side of the sphere a few times, setting a new command—enter standby follow mode, maintain low power consumption and silence before entering the target area (Qinling Mountains), and not actively shoot daily life.

After doing all that, he placed the live-streaming ball aside. The ball floated to the top of his desk with a buzzing sound, stopped there, and the indicator light turned a slowly flashing yellow, indicating that it had entered standby mode.

It will automatically activate and continue its function the next time you go into the mountains.

Zhang Qiling walked to the window. Night had fallen, and most of the lights in the villa were still on. Wu Xie and Fatty were arguing in the downstairs living room about which brand of compressed biscuits to bring. Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu were discussing in hushed tones in the study. A Ning was inspecting the vehicle in the yard. Hei Xiazi and Jiang Xun Gu were cleaning their weapons at the other end of the living room.

Everyone is preparing for the unknown journey that is about to begin.

He turned around and looked towards the doorway. "Zhang Qiling" was standing there at some point, leaning against the door frame, also looking at the busy lights downstairs.

Neither of them spoke.

But a silent understanding was flowing between them.

The sacred tree of the Qinling Mountains.

wait.