Tomb raider: You're going to extract my alien bloodline?

Chapter 20 The Purpose of the Underwater Tomb and its System

My third uncle has disappeared at the bottom of the sea! His fate is unknown!

"Missing? How could they disappear? You're a professional salvage company, what about your equipment and contingency plans?" Wu Xie asked urgently, his face pale.

Baldy Zhang pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and, before A Ning could react, said in a tone that seemed professional but was actually boastful, "Little Wu Xie, don't panic. Our company's equipment is absolutely world-class; all the hardware is complete. Mr. Wu Sansheng's last dive was for the outer perimeter survey of the ruins, so theoretically the risks were manageable. But the marine environment is unpredictable, especially in that area, where the situation is complex. Occasionally, there could be strong magnetic interference or unusual undercurrents..."

He kept talking, trying to soothe her, but only made Wu Xie more agitated.

Aning interrupted Zhang the Bald and cut straight to the point: "Mr. Wu, besides informing you of this situation, the more important reason we've come is to ask that you join our search and rescue efforts... and subsequent exploration operations."

"Me?" Wu Xie was taken aback. "Why me? I know absolutely nothing about ocean salvage!"

"Because you are Mr. Wu Sansheng's only relative here, and also his designated emergency contact," Aning explained. "More importantly, in Mr. Wu Sansheng's previous research and preparation work, there were some crucial pieces of information and clues that were not fully shared with us, possibly recorded in his private notes or somewhere only you know. We need your knowledge and assistance to locate the remains and find him as quickly as possible; time is of the essence."

Wu Xie fell silent. His third uncle did indeed have many habits; he liked to record or hide crucial information in ways only he and his nephew understood. Moreover, his third uncle's fate was currently unknown, and he couldn't possibly stand idly by.

But he still felt something was amiss, and frowned as he asked, "Since it's a matter of life and death, and the person went missing at sea, why not contact the coast guard or a professional maritime rescue team directly? Wouldn't their resources and coverage be much greater?"

Upon hearing this question, both Aning and Zhang Tuzi froze and looked embarrassed for a moment.

Zhang the Bald coughed twice, rubbed his hands together, and forced a slightly stiff smile. He lowered his voice and looked at Wuxie with a knowing look: "Well... Comrade Wuxie, the situation is a bit special. Your third uncle applied for and processed... uh, a marine archaeology and salvage permit from Vietnam. After all, in some areas, you know, the procedures are... more flexible."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, then pointed to a nautical chart spread out on the coffee table, his finger hovering over a certain mark, his expression becoming even more subtle: "However, in actual operations, due to ocean currents, slight deviations in positioning equipment, or other unforeseen circumstances... well, our current estimated location of the ruins might... be slightly... shifted into our own territorial waters."

His expression clearly said: This matter cannot be discussed in detail; everyone understands without saying a word.

Wu Xie's face instantly darkened!

He finally understood! What kind of bullshit international marine salvage company was this?! It was just a bunch of shady characters using archaeology as a pretext to do shady business in sensitive waters, possibly even stealing cultural relics! His third uncle had actually cooperated with them, even obtaining a Vietnamese permit, and was operating in Chinese waters? Wasn't he just asking for trouble?! No wonder he didn't dare to contact the coast guard!

"I...I'm so angry I almost choked! Pointing at Zhang the Bald and A-Ning, his fingers trembling, "You...you're all messing around! My third uncle...damn it!"

He cursed and swore, wishing he could drag his third uncle back and give him a good scolding right then and there. But cursing aside, his third uncle was still missing, and he couldn't just ignore it. In the current situation, relying on official rescue channels was impossible; he had no choice but to follow these unreliable guys and grit his teeth and go for it!

"Alright! Stop talking!" Wu Xie waved his hand impatiently, gritting his teeth. "Damn it! When are we leaving?"

Seeing that Wuxie had agreed, a glint of light flashed in A Ning's eyes, and she immediately said, "The ships and equipment are basically ready, at a private dock in Fujian. If there are no problems, we'll meet at the dock in three days."

Just then, Qin Yuan, who had been listening in silence, heard a system notification in his mind.

[Ding—A new main storyline node, "The Wrath of the Sea," is about to open.]

[Temporary mission issued: Join Wu Xie's team and participate in and complete the exploration of the underwater tomb in the Xisha Islands.]

[Special Note: Upon completion of this task, the system's new player tutorial period will officially end. The first true main storyline quest series will then be released; please prepare accordingly.]

Qin Yuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat!

The tutorial period is over? The real main quest begins?

In the original novel of *The Grave Robbers' Chronicles*, the Seven Star Lu Palace and the underwater tomb in the Xisha Islands were the beginning of unraveling a huge mystery and were absolutely part of the main storyline. But in this system's view, they're just a beginner's guide?

What is the purpose behind this system? Is it really just about following the plot and gaining power?

For the first time, Qin Yuan realized so clearly that the system that accompanied him through his transmigration was not a simple service-oriented cheat; it seemed to have its own clear plans and goals, and he was more like an executor chosen by it to achieve a certain purpose.

A strong sense of curiosity and a hint of unease mingled within him. But he knew that thinking about it now was pointless; the system's level was clearly far beyond his current understanding. Only by following its instructions and completing this beginner's guide could he see what it truly wanted to show him.

"The underwater tomb in Xisha..." Qin Yuan repeated in a low voice, then looked up at Wu Xie, Fatty, and Aning, his eyes becoming firm. "Since Wu Xie is going, we will naturally go with him. More people means more support."

Although Fatty didn't like Zhang the Bald and was hesitant about the underwater tomb raiding scheme, his brotherly loyalty kicked in, and he thumped his chest loudly: "That's right! How could we leave out Fatty when it comes to finding Third Master! What's wrong with the water? Back in Guangxi..."

Just as the fat man was about to start bragging about his supposedly unbelievable adventures in Guangxi, Qin Yuan instantly recalled some unpleasant memories, his scalp tingling as he interrupted him. He pulled out a thermos stopper and shoved it into the fat man's hand: "Alright, Fatty, I know you're capable! It's settled then, we'll go together! Now go boil some water, and remember to put the stopper in!"

The matter was settled. After exchanging contact information and a meeting address, Aning and Zhang Tuzi left first.

After seeing them off, Wu Xie slumped on the sofa, rubbing his temples, looking worried and depressed.

The fat man sidled up to Qin Yuan, winking and still brooding over what had just happened: "Little Blackie, you...really didn't have any feelings for that bald guy? I saw you two holding hands, looking at each other so affectionately..."

Qin Yuan rolled his eyes at him, annoyed: "Get lost! I was testing him."

"A test?" Wu Xie looked over curiously.

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment, not directly revealing Zhang the Bald's identity, but said meaningfully, "That Zhang Hao is not simple. He has a very special aura... and his hands have calluses from years of holding a knife, in a very unusual location. In short, be careful of him, don't be fooled by his appearance."

Fatty and Wuxie were skeptical, but seeing how serious Qin Yuan was, they took it to heart.

That evening, the group began preparations for their departure. Qin Yuan checked the supplies in his system space, replenishing underwater equipment, medicine, and food as needed. He knew the underwater tomb was far more dangerous than the Lu Palace.