1. The First Meeting: The Seven-Star Lu Palace It all began in a 3,000-year-old tomb filled with "corpse-eating" beetles and blood zombies. Wu Xie was a total rookie, following his Third Uncle (Wu Sanxing). Zhang Qiling (Xiaoge) was the mysterious "hired expert" with two unnaturally long fingers and a heavy black gold sword. The Pangzi Connection: They didn't meet Pangzi as an ally. They found Wang Pangzi already inside the tomb! He was a "solo" treasure hunter wearing a giant ceramic jar over his head to hide from monsters. The First Spark: Even though they were strangers, they had to work together to survive the traps. This was the birth of the bond. 2. The Reunion: The Sunken Palace of the South Sea A few weeks later, Third Uncle vanished at sea. Wu Xie went to find him in an ancient underwater tomb. The Iron Triangle Forms: Wu Xie, Xiaoge, and Pangzi reunited on a research boat. Down in the oxygen-deprived, dark ruins of the sea floor, they realized they worked perfectly together. The Secret: They discovered a photo from 20 years ago showing a research team that looked exactly like them. This started the mystery of The Mystic Nine—a conspiracy involving forbidden experiments on immortality. 3. The Search for Identity: The Sky Palace & Ultimate Note This journey took them to the snowy peaks of the Changbai Mountains and the dangerous Snake Marsh. Who is Zhang Qiling? Wu Xie discovered that Xiaoge is the head of the Zhang Family, a clan with "Kirin Blood" that grants long life but causes periodic memory loss. The Promise: Realizing Xiaoge had no family and no home, Wu Xie told him: "If you disappear, at least I will know." * The Separation: To end a cycle of suffering, Xiaoge took Wu Xie’s place in the Bronze Gate. He told Wu Xie: "Wait for me for ten years. If you still remember me then, come and take me home." 4. The Dark Decade: Sand Sea (Tomb of the Sea) For ten years, Wu Xie was alone. He lost his innocence (his nickname "Tianzhen"). The Mastermind: To destroy the Wang Clan (a secret organization that was manipulating the Nine Families), Wu Xie became a dark architect. Li Cu's Fate: Wu Xie kidnapped a rebellious student named Li Cu and used him as a key to enter the desert tomb of Sand Sea. Though Wu Xie was hard on him, he was secretly training Li Cu to be the next generation's protector. 5. The Return: Reunion at Thunder City The ten years ended. Wu Xie and Pangzi went back to the snowy mountains and opened the Bronze Gate. Xiaoge was finally home. The Final Journey: Wu Xie’s health was failing due to years of tomb-robbing toxins. A message from the still-missing Third Uncle led them to a "mythical place where thunder heals." Peace at Last: After a massive battle in the subterranean city of Thunder, Wu Xie was cured. The three of them moved to Rain Village to live as a family.

The Legend of the Mystic Nine In the early 20th century, nine families dominated the excavation and trade of antiquities in China. They were divided into three tiers based on their social status and how they operated. The Official Ranking of the Mystic Nine 1. The Upper Three (The Masters/Aristocrats) These families had high social standing and often held official positions. The Zhang Family: Led by Zhang Qishan (Fo Ye). The military power. The Er (Hong) Family: The family of Er Yue Hong. Masters of opera and light-body techniques (acrobatics). The Ban (Li) Family: Known for their brutal strength and survival. 2. The Middle Three (The Technical Experts/Explorers) These were the true "tomb raiders" who handled the complex mechanisms of the graves. The Chen Family: Led by Chen Pi A Si. Known for being ruthless and using the iron ball technique. The Wu Family (Wu Xie’s Clan): Led by Wu Lao Gou (The Dog Five). Experts at using dogs to find tombs. The Hei (Qi) Family: Led by Qi Tie Zui. The masters of divination and Feng Shui. 3. The Lower Three (The Merchants/Traders) These families were the intelligence and money-movers. The Huo Family: The only matriarchal family, led by Huo Xian Gu. The Xie Family (Xiao Hua’s Clan): Led by Xie Jiu Ye. The smartest family, masters of strategy and international trade. The Jie Family: The smallest family, focusing on logistics.

Wu Xie drags himself to the living room. It’s been three years. Rain Village is quiet, but sometimes the silence is too loud.

The peace is shattered by a piercing ringtone. Su Wan’s name flashes on the screen.

An hour later, they are in the van, speeding toward the airport. The atmosphere is thick with tension.