Chapter 439: Twists and Turns

Chapter 439: Chapter 439: Twists and Turns

Although all the treasure on the island had been found, the soldiers stationed there hadn’t completely left.

Moreover, given the previous Japanese investors’ keen interest and the discovery of three surveillance devices, the island’s importance was undeniable.

Consequently, the higher-ups decided to build an observation post here.

They had already selected a site and construction was underway.

This was a military decision, and even though the island was contracted to Han Xiaorui, a portion of it had to be requisitioned.

Meanwhile, Han Xiaorui’s application to designate the treasure discovery site as a historical landmark and to build a martyr’s cemetery was quickly approved.

The authorities also decided that the state would fund the construction.

This was good news for Han Xiaorui, as she had many other places to spend her money.

Although she had many fishing boats, she also had numerous investment projects. "Spending money like water" was a very fitting description of her situation.

Yao Ziqian wandered the islands with a Compass in hand.

He even climbed to the highest point to get a panoramic view of the islets.

He discovered that two more islets, though very small, would appear during low tide.

At high tide, they were submerged.

Yao Ziqian marked the positions of these islands in a special way. Accounting for the time and the constellations in the sky, he realized they formed a Big Dipper formation—a Seven Stars Formation.

By now, Yao Ziqian was completely certain that these islands had been artificially arranged.

Using the Qimen Dunjia arts he had learned from his master, he found a massive and bizarre stone formation on the largest island.

He located the formation’s core. The large stones began to move, revealing a stone gate two meters high and one and a half meters wide.

Inside was a long path with steps. Stone lamps hung on the walls, which were covered in rich murals.

However, due to their age, the lamps no longer contained oil, plunging the interior into darkness. Despite this, it was quite dry inside.

Yao Ziqian certainly didn’t dare to enter recklessly. He took a camera from his backpack and took a series of photos. CLICK CLICK.

The inside was pitch-black. Not daring to go in, Yao Ziqian restored the formation’s core to its original state.

Yao Ziqian returned to resupply, developed the photos himself, and ordered some diving equipment.

Of course, Yao Ziqian didn’t forget to report his findings to Han Xiaorui.

"Xiao Rui, I have to warn you, you’ll probably have to put the aquarium and water park on hold. And if you’re unlucky, you might not be able to build them at all."

Han Xiaorui’s heart sank when she heard this. "Ziqian, is there really a large tomb on those islands?"

Yao Ziqian replied, "I’m not sure if there’s a large tomb, but I can confirm that there are seven islands in total, arranged in a Seven Stars Formation."

"On the main island where you planned to build the water park—the largest one—I found the core of the formation and opened it! Here are the photos, take a look!"

Seeing the photos Yao Ziqian handed her, Han Xiaorui was dumbfounded. ’My goodness! What is this place? So mysterious!’

Yao Ziqian shook his head. "I don’t know what it is either. I’ve already sent a telegram to my master, asking him and my senior apprentice to come. Once my master arrives, you can report it to the local cultural heritage department to investigate what’s really here."

"If it turns out to be something novel and valuable, you might not need to build a water park and aquarium. You could adapt and renovate the existing structures to create a new tourist attraction."

Han Xiaorui was stunned. "I’ve been running around like crazy just to build a water park and an aquarium. Why is it so difficult? It’s been one setback after another, and now I might not even be able to build them at all."

Yao Ziqian smiled. "It could be a blessing in disguise. Who knows? You might have an unexpected windfall."

Han Xiaorui scratched her head. "I hope so, but things rarely go as planned. I don’t dare to get my hopes up for those islands anymore."

Yao Ziqian had already told Han Xiaorui that building a water park and aquarium there would be difficult and dangerous.

Yesterday, the survey by the design institute and other relevant departments concluded. They reported that the crust and rock formations were not safe enough to meet the standards for building a water park and aquarium.

This was determined through scientific instruments. To build anything, the project’s complexity would have to be reduced.

But after reducing the complexity, the attractions would be no different from those at any other park or resort.

It would be meaningless for her to spend so much money on something so generic.

Yao Ziqian smiled. "I saw many peach blossom patterns on the cave walls. Maybe it’s the legendary Peach Blossom Island, just like the one in *Legend of the Condor Heroes*."

"Huh?" Han Xiaorui was flabbergasted, finding it hard to believe. "Peach Blossom Island from *Legend of the Condor Heroes*? That’s interesting!"

Yao Ziqian consoled her. He knew Han Xiaorui had poured a lot of thought and effort into those islands.

"In any case, you’ve already leased those islands. What you want is a tourist attraction. If you can’t build a water park and aquarium, then build a different kind of attraction. When the investigation and excavation are finished, you can plant a bunch of peach trees and create your own Peach Blossom Island."

Yao Ziqian’s words left Han Xiaorui momentarily stunned. "Would that really work?"

"Let’s wait until after the investigation to decide. Don’t get worked up just yet," Yao Ziqian comforted her. Although he was thrilled by the major discovery, he felt sorry that his good friend Han Xiaorui’s investment plans had stalled.

Two days later, Yao Ziqian and Mr. Zhao arrived.

The local cultural heritage department also dispatched a team of experts to the islands.

Not only that, but the military was there too.

After all, no one could guarantee there wasn’t more treasure inside. It all belonged to the state, so its security was paramount.

This time, they were well-staffed, even bringing along a medical team.

Han Xiaorui was itching with curiosity. "Wu Yao, Sister Lian, can you two watch the kids? I want to go to the island and see what’s going on."

Wu Yao threw her arms around Han Xiaorui and held on tight. "Sister Xiao Rui, don’t go. A round trip will take you three or four hours. Right now, these two little ones need to be fed every three hours. When they’re hungry, they cry. And when I hear them cry, I feel so heartbroken I could die."

"If you’re worried, I’ll go check it out for you. Besides, who knows what kind of nasty things might be in those secret passages? You stay home and watch the kids. Sister Lian and I really can’t handle them when they’re wailing."

Sister Lian quickly nodded in agreement. "Xiao Rui, the babies are so young, and they’re especially attached to you. It’ll get better when they’re a little older. Besides, I have a strange feeling about those islands. If you really want to go, wait until everything has been investigated and it’s confirmed to be safe."

Seeing Wu Yao refusing to let go, and then looking at her two adorable, porcelain-doll-like babies, Han Xiaorui had no choice but to relent. "Sigh, you two little clingy imps. Alright, Wu Yao, you go and check for me."

"Okay, I’m on it." Wu Yao changed into some old clothes and headed for the island.

What she saw was a true eye-opener, even more surprising than what you’d see in a TV drama.