That day, Fu Ya was busy making clothes for everyone and didn't go to town. The two brothers, Rong Zhigao and Rong Zhiyuan, went to school, so no one went to town to bother Qing Xuanzi.
Remembering what Old Master Zhao had mentioned about the jade treasure trove, Qing Xuanzi decided to take Rong Jiaojiao with him to search for it.
After they had breakfast, Qing Xuanzi set off with Rong Jiaojiao.
The location of the farm marked on the map left by Mr. Zhao is not far away, about ten miles outside the county town.
However, Qing Xuanzi did not plan to walk there. Instead, he took Rong Jiaojiao and used his lightness technique to run there, which would save more time.
Without the shade of trees, running here is a completely different experience than in the mountains.
Along the way, Qing Xuanzi carried Rong Jiaojiao, his feet barely touching the ground, moving at great speed, yet remaining as steady as Mount Tai.
Rong Jiaojiao gripped his clothes tightly, her eyes wide as she watched the scenery rushing past her feet. Instead of being nervous, she smiled happily.
She felt like she was flying in the air, and this novel feeling made her giggle uncontrollably.
Rong Jiaojiao shouted loudly, "Father Xi, Huihui?"
Qing Xuanzi laughed heartily: "Alright, Master will take you flying!"
After saying that, he stuck a wind-controlling talisman on his leg, and Qing Xuanzi's figure instantly floated up lightly, slowly rising into the air with Rong Jiaojiao.
A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling Rong Jiaojiao's hair. She waved her little hands excitedly and giggled incessantly.
"Father Xi, Gao Gao! Bao, Gao Gao!"
Rong Jiaojiao pointed to the distant villages and fields, her eyes filled with joy.
Qing Xuanzi smiled and adjusted his position so that Rong Jiaojiao could lean more comfortably in his arms.
He said softly, "Be careful not to move around, or you'll fall."
After she had enjoyed the scenery, he lowered himself to a height of half a meter above the ground and continued on his way.
That way, if she encounters someone, she can immediately land on the ground without making people think she's strange.
They flew at low altitudes, not fast, but steadily enough.
Qing Xuanzi led Rong Jiaojiao through fields and villages, heading towards the farm marked by Mr. Zhao.
The sunshine felt warm and pleasant on my skin, making me feel exceptionally comfortable.
About half an hour later, Qing Xuanzi saw a lush bamboo forest in the distance, with the outlines of several houses faintly visible in the forest.
Looking around, I knew that this was the Zhao family's estate.
"We're here, Jiaojiao, that's the place we've been looking for." Qing Xuanzi pointed to the bamboo forest ahead, his tone tinged with excitement.
Rong Jiaojiao didn't know what he was talking about. Following his finger, she looked and asked in confusion, "Father Xi, Zhuzhu?"
"Yes, it's Zhuzhu. That's where we're going. Mr. Zhao said that his family's treasure vault is located there."
Qing Xuanzi nodded, gently landed, and led Rong Jiaojiao into the farm.
A weathered wooden sign hangs at the entrance of the estate, bearing the four characters "Zhao Family Estate".
The main gate was nowhere to be found, and Qing Xuanzi walked straight into the courtyard.
Behind the door is a bluestone path, lined with flowers and plants. Although it is somewhat overgrown, you can still see the exquisite beauty it once had.
The original houses in the village have all collapsed. Apart from some broken bricks and tiles, there is no trace of the estate that was once the richest man in the area.
They walked through the main courtyard and came to the backyard of the estate.
There is a pond in the backyard, with moss growing around the edge and a few fallen leaves floating on the surface.
Qing Xuanzi led Rong Jiaojiao to the pond and carefully observed the surrounding environment.
"Old Master Zhao's map says that the entrance to the treasure vault is under a rock by the pond," Qing Xuanzi said in a low voice, his eyes sweeping over the rock by the pond.
He walked to a strangely shaped stone, squatted down, and gently moved the stone away.
A small iron ring was revealed beneath the stone. Qing Xuanzi reached out, grabbed the ring, and pulled hard. The ground creaked, revealing a downward stone step.
"This is it." Qing Xuanzi smiled slightly, took out a luminous pearl from his pocket, and illuminated the stone steps.
“Father, it’s dark.” Rong Jiaojiao looked ahead curiously, her eyes fixed on the dark hole.
"The Zhao family's treasure vault is down below. Let's go down and take a look." Qing Xuanzi smiled, patted Rong Jiaojiao's little belly, and walked down.
After walking down for more than ten meters, the passageway widened, and Rong Jiaojiao began to twist her body, leaning forward and stretching out her hands, grabbing at them, while calling out, "Seven, baby seven."
Qing Xuanzi asked in confusion, "Do you need jade?"
Rong Jiaojiao didn't answer; she was just eager to get there quickly.
The further Qing Xuanzi went, the more he admired the Zhao family's wealth. There were basements on both sides of the passage. Although they were empty now, he could imagine that they used to be filled with gold and silver jewelry or all kinds of antiques and treasures.
Qing Xuanzi couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of the Zhao family's ancestors; such a treasure trove was something even ordinary noble families could hardly match.
"Father Xi, hurry up!" Rong Jiaojiao urged, her body twisting even more violently, as if something was drawing her in from ahead.
Qing Xuanzi quickened his pace and continued along the passage.
At the end of the passage, what appeared to be just an ordinary wall was actually a huge stone gate with simple runes and patterns carved on it.
Qing Xuanzi raised the luminous pearl high and carefully observed the runes on the stone gate.
He said softly, "So it's a small illusion array and a small concealment array. That's easy."
"But could this uncle from the Zhao family also be a cultivator, or did he hire someone to set up the formation?"
These things were no longer known to Qing Xuanzi.
He took out a talisman from his pocket, gently affixed it to the stone door, and chanted an incantation.
As the incantation was chanted, the unsealing talisman emitted a faint light, which gradually seeped into the runes on the stone gate.
The runes on the stone gate began to flicker and emit a series of soft "buzzing" sounds, as if resisting the power of the dispelling runes.
Qing Xuanzi raised an eyebrow slightly: [It seems the person who set up this formation is quite skilled.]
After thinking it over, he increased the output of his spells.
Finally, after a slight tremor, the runes on the stone door dimmed, and the stone door slowly opened with a heavy creaking sound.
"Father Xi, treasure."
Rong Jiaojiao's eyes lit up instantly, and she struggled to break free from Qing Xuanzi's embrace.
Qing Xuanzi couldn't let her go in first; otherwise, what role would he, as her master, play?
He stopped Rong Jiaojiao at the door and said to her, "Master will take a few good pieces first, and the rest are all yours. Don't cry."
After saying that, he quickly walked into the warehouse, leaving Rong Jiaojiao behind, who was anxiously crying.
Qing Xuanzi was also anxious. The warehouse was filled with all kinds of raw stones of various sizes, and he didn't know which ones to choose.
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