Chapter 40

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Artifact In the underground black market of a bustling metropolis, a covert antique auction was underway. The lighting was dim, the atmosphere heavy, and mysterious figures from all walks of life sat clutching fortunes, their eyes fixed intently on the item about to be auctioned on stage. Lin Yue, a young archaeologist, had slipped into the venue in disguise. The purpose of her trip was to track down a mysterious artifact rumored to be connected to a lost civilization—the Emerald Key. Legend had it that this key concealed the core secret of an ancient and powerful civilization. For years, the archaeological community had only heard of its name without ever seeing a trace of it. Now, it had suddenly appeared at this black-market auction. Lin Yue knew well that illegal tomb robbing and smuggling might lurk behind the scenes, but so as not to let this precious cultural relic fall into the hands of outlaws, she decided to take the risk. When the Emerald Key was brought onto the stage, a slight gasp of astonishment rippled through the venue. Its entire body was a vivid green, the texture of the emerald warm and delicate, radiating a mysterious and alluring luster. Engraved upon the key were intricate and complex patterns, resembling some sort of ancient script or symbol. At a glance, Lin Yue concluded that this was by no means an ordinary artifact, and her curiosity about its origins grew all the more intense.