As the blood key approached the blood-red vortex, a grotesque human face suddenly emerged from within, swallowing the key in one gulp.
Following that, a series of devilish roars echoed from the blood-red vortex.
Ning Beichen watched the vortex with caution. Should it exhibit any strangeness or pose a threat, he would immediately destroy it. He wasn't interested in the treasure trove of the ancient blood race anyway.
Fortunately, nothing untoward happened. After the human face in the vortex devoured the key, the bronze giant gate began to tremble.
Approximately ten minutes later, the bronze giant gate let out a thunderous roar and slowly swung open from both sides, revealing an entrance about five meters wide.
Compared to James's excitement, Ning Beichen remained remarkably calm. While this place was mysterious, it was nothing compared to the blessed lands of the Eastern ancient kingdoms. What was there to be excited about?
"It must be the ancient blood race's treasure vault," James exclaimed excitedly upon seeing the entrance, even forgetting that his wife and son were still held captive by the Badge Disciples. He then impulsively moved to enter without a second thought.
However, Ning Beichen quickly pulled him back. As James looked on, bewildered, he saw Ning Beichen unleash a palm strike towards the passage before the entrance.
The palm wind struck the ground, triggering a hidden mechanism. Instantly, countless spikes emerged from the floor.
These spikes were a full half-meter in length. Had James walked in just then, he would have been turned into a hedgehog.
James was instantly terrified, cold sweat breaking out on his body. He looked at Ning Beichen with gratitude. It was a life-saving intervention. He couldn't even imagine what his fate would have been otherwise.
"James, don't get agitated or impulsive. If this truly is the ancient blood race's treasure vault, then the treasures within won't be easily obtained," Ning Beichen advised.
James repeatedly assured Ning Beichen that he would never act so rashly again.
The spike trap on the ground was a one-time mechanism; it did not reset after being triggered. This was consistent with the technology of that era, where their trap-making skills were still rudimentary and could not support continuous use of spike traps.
After the previous incident, James became significantly more cautious. He no longer dared to walk ahead alone and instead obediently followed Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen, however, had fewer concerns. Since the mechanism had already been triggered, they were safe for the moment, until they encountered the next trap.
Although it was a cave, it wasn't particularly dark. Luminescent stones dotted the ceiling, their myriad colors illuminating the darkness within.
Before long, they reached a large area divided into two by a wooden bridge spanning a river below.
However, the river was silver, filled not with water but with mercury. It was a toxic mercury river; anyone falling in would likely not survive long.
James stepped forward to inspect the bridge. He found it to be severely decayed, with the planks missing entirely. Only two rusty iron chains remained. James had no doubt that even the slightest touch would cause these rusted chains to snap.
The distance to the opposite bank was over a hundred meters, a feat beyond James's capabilities.
"Ning Beichen, this bridge has decayed. These chains look unstable. I don't think we can cross," James said, turning to Ning Beichen.
"Who said that?"
Ning Beichen grabbed James's arm. Before James could react, Ning Beichen leaped, carrying him onto the chains. He then proceeded to move rapidly across them.
However, as James had warned, the rusty chains could not bear their weight for long.
Midway across, with Ning Beichen carrying James, the rusty chain snapped with a loud crash. They immediately plunged downwards.
James cried out in terror. Just as he thought he was doomed, he saw Ning Beichen suddenly take flight like a great bird, carrying him. He then stepped on air, bringing them safely to the other side of the bridge.
Upon landing, James was still in a state of shock. It took him a while to recover, replaying the scene of Ning Beichen carrying him across in his mind.
James looked at Ning Beichen with immense excitement, his lips slightly parted, wanting to say something but finding no words.
He had known Ning Beichen for many years and knew him to be the formidable King of Darkness. However, in his mind, there were limits to how powerful a person could be.
Thus, his attitude towards Ning Beichen had always been one of respect, not fear.
But when Ning Beichen carried him through the air just now, James's perception of him began to shatter. He realized he had never truly understood Ning Beichen, the real King of Darkness.
From that moment on.
A sense of awe, unspoken but palpable, entered James's gaze when he looked at Ning Beichen, and his mindset began to shift subtly.
"James, are you alright? You seem distracted. Are you worried about your wife and son?" Ning Beichen asked.
James finally snapped back to reality and nodded at Ning Beichen.
"Don't worry too much. The Badge Disciples' target is here. As long as they haven't appeared, your wife and son are safe. Moreover, I've already dispatched people to rescue your family. With them there, they wouldn't dare touch a hair on their heads," Ning Beichen comforted him.
"Yes, I understand. Ning Beichen, thank you," James replied, a mixture of gratitude and awe in his voice.
Although Ning Beichen sensed a change in James's demeanor, a newfound sense of apprehension, he didn't dwell on it.
After crossing the bridge, they were met with another insidious trap.
This trap was similar in principle to the previous spike trap, but instead of spikes erupting from the ground, they descended from above. Anyone walking past would be impaled by the falling spikes.
Fortunately, Ning Beichen had already foreseen these traps and paid them little mind.
James, however, was startled at every turn, breaking out in cold sweats and experiencing the thrill of a near-death escape repeatedly.
After clearing this trap, the two were soon blocked by another mercury pool, with no discernible path forward.