Instead of answering in Jia, Fong Hao commanded a nearby skeleton, circumn the room.
The skeletal warrior, upon receiving the order, brandished its sword and shield, striding boldly around the entire space before returning to Fonggha's side.
No sounds stirred within the chamber.
Neither foes nor traps materialized.
Walk another two laps, Fong Hao instructed.
The skeleton re-entered, traversing the room twice more, during which Fongo directed it to tap on the walls and move some of the accompanying artifacts.
Everything remained silent with no changes apparent.
Could it be that this place lacks any guardians? After multiple validations yielded no alterations, Fong Ho issued another command.
Do not touch the heart.
Remove the remaining artifacts.
All the skeleton soldiers outside entered the chamber, systematically transporting the various offerings out.
Time had eroded the fabrics and paintings, yet some gold and silver treasures were still preserved.
Fonhao approached the wall to examine the intricate designs.
The presence of bloodstones and bloodclan warriors indicated an undeniable connection to vampires.
However, the relief patterns depicted on the walls seem to illustrate the lives and rituals of humanity, agriculture, and weaving along with various aspects of daily life.
It is not that the blood clan neglects these pursuits.
Rather, the overarching motif is adorned with a respplended sun.
If this were indeed the domain of the blood clan, why would there be a deliberate depiction of daytime and the sun? This left Fong Ho somewhat perplexed.
Suddenly, as Fong Hao was deeply engrossed in deciphering the relief, a crisp sound emanated from above.
He feared a collapse and swiftly directed his gaze towards the source of the noise.
In the center, he beheld a skeleton perched at top another skeleton's shoulders, holding a massive circular copper mirror.
Meanwhile, efforts were underway to excavate the solar essence adjacent to the copper mirror.
An immediate tension gripped Fong Hao's heart.
He anxiously glanced at the heart situated on the stone platform below.
Thump.
A shriveled heart pulsed slightly.
Fong Hao's own heart mirrored this frantic rhythm.
Quickly retreat and Jia move outside at once.
Fongo called out urgently.
And Jia being a living being was more susceptible to harm than the undead in certain circumstances.
Everyone rushed towards the exit.
Outside the four long deceased dusk revelers began to tremble violently.
Viscous blood akin to syrup surged from their wounds flowing towards the heart within the secret chamber.
Chapter 187.
The hearts task the blood as if drawn by an unseen force transformed into a river surging toward the heart at its center.
By the time Fongo noticed the anomaly, for corpses had already shriveled and disintegrated into fine dust.
As the heart consumed the flowing blood, its once desiccated and pallet form began to take on a vibrant, plump hue.
Thud, thud, thud.
The heart commenced a vigorous pulsation, reminiscent of a youthful heart brimming with vitality.
It was somewhat unsettling, and Ja leaned in once more, her head peering closer.
"It's all right," Fungha attempted to reassure her, though he found his own voice trembling slightly.
The onlookers lingered at the threshold for some time, observing the heart s relentless beating.
Yet no other changes manifested.
"I'll take a look.
If anything seems a miss, I will seal the door, Fongghao declared.
The room revealed no treasures.
Yet, a powerful organ might yield other rewards.
The rationale for his entry was straightforward.
In his divine state, even death posed no real threat to him.
More importantly, he possessed the ability to discern the information of items.
To ascertain whether the heart held any secrets, proximity was essential.
A few heroes nodded in agreement and Fong how strode purposefully toward the heart resting upon the stone platform.
As he drew nearer, he discerned the heart s information.
Reviving heart category organ effect.
Consuming heart s blood can transform into a vampire.
Description.
That faithful night, the cunning lord hosted a grand ball, inviting all the nobility and affluent merchants in the city to savor his exquisite wine.
A deep crimson vintage with a faint metallic tang.
Under the moonlight, they sprouted sharp fangs.
Task: The pulsing heart accepted.
Description: Seek a complete body to potentially gain the allegiance of a dark gold tier hero.
Dark gold tier.
Fongghow nearly exclaimed.
But wait, was dark gold higher than orange? Were they not similar in hue? It seemed dark gold held a slight edge.
He would inquire with Nelson when he returned.
Once the initial excitement subsided, Fong Ho began to analyze the task as details.
According to the task description, he needed to assist this heart in locating its remaining body parts.
This implied that the dark gold tier warrior had been dismembered and buried in various locations.
In light of this, it appeared that Dark Gold might not be as formidable as presumed, having been severed in such a manner.
This task marked the second assignment Fongo had received outside the system.
The first involved Shiao Yu s unfinished business requiring the collection of 12 swords of atonement.
Thus far he had only procured two, and now another peculiar task had emerged, each more bizarre than the last.
Naturally, such tasks bore no time constraints and seemingly lack penalties.
If necessary, Fong Hao could return and request Nelson to seal the organ in a jar to see if any unique attributes might be triggered.
All clear, Fongghao called out, signaling to continue retrieving items, including the heart to bring back.
The skeletons re-entered, resuming their task of transporting burial goods.
The heart was unceremoniously tossed into a clay jar for ease of transport.
As Fongo emerged from the cave, the twilight deepened.
The sun sank slowly below the horizon, and an entire day had been consumed in the exploration of the ancient tomb.
With all items prepared, Fonhow commanded the return journey to commence.
Outside the city of Plur, the sound of galloping hooves echoed urgently.
At the very last moment, before the city gates closed, a mercenary entered.
Amidst the guard's grumbling warnings, he abandoned his steed and made his way directly to a room on the second floor of the tavern.
After taking a couple of heavy breaths, he gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" A low voice called from within.
"It's Lyall.
Come in.
" The door swung open to reveal five burly men well equipped and ready for combat.
These individuals were not locals but mercenaries who had recently arrived.
The bounty posted in the tavern for the ancient tomb had been issued by them.
Any news? Asked a man with a thick beard and a grave tone.
They had been here for 3 days without any leads.
Neither their own searches nor those of others had yielded any information about the tomb.
There is, La replied, lifting a clay cup from the table and taking a sip.
The atmosphere shifted as all eyes turned to him, eager for details.
Who found it? Is a location reliable? Were there casualties? While have been stationed outside to ascertain whether the entrance to the tomb had been discovered, should such a revelation occur and confirmation was obtained, those who found it would be eliminated to prevent any leaks.
Naturally, even if Lyall were to falter and the discoverers approached them for the bounty, the same fate would await them, no witnesses left alive.
Strangely enough, you won't believe this, but there s a vast horde of undead numbering at least in the tens of thousands.
L continued taking another sip of water.
They were transporting burial goods as they departed, heading north.