Chapter 2403 - 2306: Gone

Even Zhou Shitao, who was always known for his composure, couldn’t control his emotions this time.

This creature, the Jiaoren, has always been an area not understood in Huaxia civilization. Almost everyone believes it’s a fictional creation, something ancient people made up by embellishing creatures like salamanders.

However, no one can explain why, not just in Eastern mythology, but also Western myths and fairy tales, there are records of mermaid-like beings.

For this strange phenomenon, many researchers in this area only dismiss it as coincidence, with no one delving into the reasons behind it.

But this time, after what they discovered in the ancient tomb, Zhou Shitao and the others finally saw the truth and were enlightened.

Stories about mermaids in both the East and West are not due to chance or ancient fabrications; they truly exist. Jiaoren are real, and they just hadn’t been discovered before!

Zhou Shitao knew very well that once this massive discovery was revealed, it would shock the entire world.

To know that if Jiaoren really existed as a new species, it would mean a monumental shift in the records of ancient Huaxia civilization, with many established theories possibly being overthrown.

In the field of biology, researchers studying Jiaoren would certainly go into a frenzy, with scholarly pursuit undoubtedly continuing endlessly.

Even those intrigued by ocean exploration would madly join the search for Jiaoren. For those seeking the exotic, Jiaoren, filled with mystery and fantasy, are an irresistible allure.

They couldn’t wait to lift the veil of mystery and decipher what magical qualities this species, recorded over a thousand years, might possess.

Not only Zhou Shitao, but even Shi Qingyun and Xie Daoyuan were stunned by the discovery. Despite their comprehensive speculation of possibilities, they never imagined this outcome.

Jiaoren really exist—how is that possible?

If Jiaoren truly exist, then why has humanity, with such advanced technology, never detected them in any domain?

No matter how vast the ocean is, humans have not completely avoided it. How could it be possible that no one has ever seen the Jiaoren species?

Such an incredible situation made Shi Qingyun and Xie Daoyuan harbor immense doubts in their hearts.

Huo Sining didn’t speak, just silently observing the scene before her. In fact, upon entering the tomb and seeing the glowing inscriptions on the stone pillar, she already had such an awakening, mentally prepared knowing that the existence of the Jiaoren clan wouldn’t remain hidden.

But she has been mentally preparing herself these days, knowing not just for herself and Yue Shuwen, but also her father and grandmother, that they surely have the ability to conceal themselves and won’t rashly be discovered by humans.

So even if this secret was revealed at this moment, it didn’t take Huo Sining by surprise.

She watched the ecstatic archaeologists in the tomb quite calmly, while thinking more about the strange origins of the script on the stone pillar.

However, unlike before when she was completely clueless, earlier, when Huo Sining rescued that female half-mermaid, Saiji clearly recognized the script on that stone pillar. From her reaction then, Huo Sining was sure she knew what the characters meant.

After searching for such a long time, Huo Sining finally had someone who could solve the puzzle for her, filling her with anticipation. Had the archaeological work not been far from its end and Zhou Shitao failed to speak, she would’ve eagerly taken Saiji and slipped away.

As for the shockwave the revelation of Jiaoren traces at Luofu Mountain would cause worldwide, it wasn’t something for Huo Sining to worry about. She wasn’t concerned it would cause her much trouble.

Regardless, she would face soldiers if they come, water if it floods. If worst comes to worst, she’d just take Yue Shuwen, Qibao, and the others and find some random island to live on. With their skills, it’s doubtful they’d really get caught and dissected alive.

The news about Jiaoren stirred the archaeologists as if a stone had been thrown, breaking the team’s silence. Everyone discussed fervently, whispering uncontrollably, almost taking half an hour before gradually calming down.

Zhou Shitao didn’t rush them, waiting until everyone calmed down before rearranging the day’s tasks.

As Huo Sining anticipated, because they lingered outside for a while, the glowing inscriptions on the four stone pillars were soon discovered by sharp-eyed archaeologists.

The archaeologists exclaimed and marveled. When Zhou Shitao saw the familiar inscriptions, his eyelids twitched and his gaze showed complexity, instinctively glancing towards Huo Sining.

Huo Sining of course understood Zhou Shitao’s meaning but didn’t show any different emotions, pausing Zhou Shitao’s expression. In the next moment, he quickly ordered the staff to photograph the glowing script and try to make rubbings of the mysterious text.

The staff carefully photographed all the inscriptions on the stone pillars. Zhou Shitao didn’t immediately dive into research but instead signaled the decryptors to open the main chamber’s door.

Just like the Auricle Chamber’s operation, these decryptors were skilled at unlocking; being familiar with previous work, they opened the stone door in less than ten minutes.

Everyone waited outside until the air inside met safety standards. Zhou Shitao then signaled for everyone to enter the main chamber.

But this time, as soon as the door opened, Huo Sining clearly sensed something different inside. Her sharp intuition told her there was something peculiar in the main chamber.

As Zhou Shitao prepared to step inside, Huo Sining paused, her reflexes acting faster than her mind as she grabbed her master’s hand.

Zhou Shitao was confused, turning to look at Huo Sining, his eyes filled with doubt, as if not understanding her intent.

Huo Sining was about to explain when several staff members impatiently went inside. Then everyone watched as they vanished right before their eyes!

Among the vanished were Director He and the woman named Anya!

Fortunately, Zhou Shitao and professors Shi Qingyun and Xie Daoyuan, due to their older age and slower pace, hadn’t stepped inside yet and remained safely outside!