Chapter 66: Awakening of the Miser, Exploring the Treasure Trove

I held Yunsheng’s hand as we walked toward the patch of woods.

The cheat code in my chest kept throbbing, as if telling me the treasure was just nearby.

Though somewhat hesitant, Yunsheng followed after me.

"Wan'er, are you sure there's treasure over there?" Yunsheng asked softly, his eyes filled with worry.

"Don't worry, my intuition has never failed me," I patted his shoulder with confidence. "Let's go, stop dawdling."

Scholar Li followed behind us, curiously looking around as he walked.

With his profound erudition, he could often provide unexpected insights.

"The terrain of this forest bears a striking resemblance to a certain place described in the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*. Perhaps there truly is some secret hidden here," he said as he walked, a hint of excitement in his tone.

The three of us wove through the mountain forest. With every step, I could feel the aura of the treasure growing closer.

This sensation made my heart race with excitement, much like a hunter picking up the trail of prey.

Infected by the atmosphere, Yunsheng and Scholar Li kept closely on my heels.

"Get a little closer, and we'll be able to sense that aura," I murmured, gazing firmly ahead.

Suddenly, a low roar echoed from the depths of the woods.

My heart tightened, and I immediately halted.

Yunsheng looked at me nervously as well.

"What was that sound?" he asked in a low voice, a flicker of unease in his eyes.

"It's a beast!" Scholar Li lowered his voice. "We must be careful."

Just as his voice fell, a pack of ferocious beasts lunged out from the trees, their eyes vicious and their teeth sharp.

The three of us involuntarily quickened our pace, but the beasts were much faster, quickly surrounding us.

They bared their teeth, ready to strike at any moment.

I instantly pulled Yunsheng and Scholar Li with me, swiftly retreating into a narrow corner with our backs against the stone wall.

"What do we do?" Yunsheng's voice trembled slightly.

I clenched my teeth, rapidly calculating a countermeasure in my mind.

The resonance of the cheat code was still beating against my chest; knowing the treasure was right before my eyes, I refused to give up.

"Don't be afraid, follow my lead," I said in a deep voice. "As long as we stand together, we will definitely get through this!"

I quickly scanned our surroundings in search of a usable weapon.

Suddenly, my gaze landed on a sharp stone.

"Yunsheng, Scholar Li, are you ready?" I whispered, gripping the stone tightly in my hand.

Both of them nodded, resolute light flashing in their eyes.

"Then let's take them together!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, charging out first. The stone traced an arc through the air, striking a beast squarely on the head.

Yunsheng and Scholar Li rushed in right behind me, each displaying their own skills.

As we fought bitterly, I felt the cheat code in my chest throb with increasing intensity.

The treasure was close at hand, and I made a silent resolve in my heart:

"No matter what happens, I will not give up!"

The three of us covered each other, fighting our way step by step toward the direction of the treasure, while the onslaught of the beasts grew more and more fierce.

Just as we were nearly driven to a desperate impasse, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, my gaze locking onto a massive boulder not far away.

"Look over there!" I whispered, pointing toward the rock.

Behind the boulder, something seemed to be shimmering with a faint light.

My internal monologue was basically: *Oh for goodness sake, what is this mess?* The treasure was right within reach, and that blinding glow was practically beckoning to me, but these beasts were entirely too vicious!

Yunsheng, that silly boy, actually wanted to rush out for hand-to-hand combat. I hastily grabbed him by the arm, "Little brother, calm down! We aren't Ultraman, don't go throwing your life away!" Scholar Li, true to his scholarly nature, was racking his brains over there, muttering something about the "Eight Trigrams Formation" and the "Mutual Restraint of the Five Elements," leaving me utterly bewildered.

The three of us remained at a stalemate, and I was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit me. I remembered hearing an old palace maid mention once that certain beasts were terrified of the scent of specific herbs.

I hurried to look around, and sure enough, I spotted a clump of wild grass emitting a peculiar fragrance.

Without a second thought, I yanked up a massive handful and shoved it at Yunsheng and Scholar Li. "Here, grab a handful each! Let's smoke these little critters out!"

Wielding the herbs, we cautiously approached the beasts.

And lo and behold, the trick actually worked!

Catching a whiff of that scent, the beasts fled with their tails tucked between their legs as if they had seen a ghost.

I couldn't help bursting into laughter, "Hahaha, of all the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best one. The ancients certainly didn't lie to me!"

With the beasts no longer blocking our way, our path was completely unobstructed as we arrived at the location of the treasure.

However, before I could even celebrate, my jaw dropped.

The surroundings of the treasure were riddled with all sorts of bizarre mechanisms. Judging by this array, anyone unaware would think they had stepped onto the set of *Candle in the Tomb*!

I swallowed hard. To take this treasure or not to take it, that was the question...

I took a deep breath and said to Yunsheng and Scholar Li, "Brothers, fortune favors the bold. Let's risk it!"

Yunsheng stood by my side with a resolute gaze, "Sister Wan'er, whatever you say we do, that's what we'll do!"

I was just about to speak when I suddenly felt a wave of coldness wash over me...